Luke
Idug my spade into the earth, stretched my back until it cracked, and rested one hand on the handle. Looking around my plot, my chest puffed out with pride. The waiting list was a long one for this particular allotment, and I’d had this plot for two years now. This was the time of year that made me smile. The earth was ready and waiting to accept plants and seeds that would produce delicious fruit and veg. Working there was my sanctuary from the world outside.
My day job was boring and stressful at times. Working in finance wasn’t exactly the sexiest job on the planet, but it paid the bills. I had a great waterfront apartment in a sought-after area of the town. The only downside? No garden space to call my own. Sure, there were communal gardens, but nothing I could work on. It was my dad who got me into gardening and encouraged me to apply for a plot. Best decision ever.
“Are you sure you’ve dug the earth deep enough?”
I groaned and ran a hand over my eyes. Plastering a grin on my face, I turned to face Gordon, the allotment’s field warden. He stood there with his comb-over blowing in the breeze. He had about four strands of hair stuck across his head. I had no idea why he didn’t just shave it all off. He had huge bushy eyebrows and a moustache to match. They looked like big hairy caterpillars. Oh, and he had a nickname everyone called him behind his back… Sergeant Major. Always sticking his nose in where it wasn’t wanted. A real jobsworth.
“Morning, Gordon. Yes, I have. My dad taught me how to do it, but thank you for asking.” I tried to keep the sarcasm from my voice, but some days were harder than others.
“Glad to hear it. You youngsters need to take advice from people who know what they’re doing.” He raised his eyebrows, making them look like they really were live caterpillars. “Oh, and make sure you keep weeding properly. And have you sorted out the hole in your shed roof yet?”
Jesus, give me strength.
Maybe I should dig a big hole, bash him with my spade, and bury him.
The thought was a tempting one, but I valued my freedom.
“All done. Nothing to worry about,” I assured him, trying hard not to grit my teeth.
“Hmm. Carry on, then.”
He turned on his heel, clipboard in hand, and headed over to Vi and Reg. No doubt to give them more unwanted advice, even though they’d had their plot for over twenty years. The field warden had a very important job. He checked for holes in fences, problems with water supply, or anything else which may have required repairs. To be fair, he did a good job, but he really was anal about every small detail. That’s why he was given the nickname.
“Ground’s looking good, Luke. Guess you’ll be heading over to the stock shed for plants and seed soon?”
“Morning, Toby. Yeah, just need to prepare the greenhouse for the fragile plants first.”
Toby grinned. I liked this man; he’d recently retired. His plot was next to mine and he took me under his wing, giving me advice and handy tips. That was what I liked about the place. There was a real sense of community. Everyone supported one another. There were one or two who kept to themselves, but in the main, there was a great group of people there.
“Let me know when you’re going over, and I’ll come with you.”
“Great. Thanks.” It was Toby’s code for, I’ll let you know if you choose the wrong seeds and plants.
After getting things ready in the greenhouse, I leaned over the fence between mine and Toby’s. “Ready whenever you are.”
We strolled over to the large wooden building close to the entrance of the allotment. It was called ‘the shed’ but was more like a barn. You could buy everything you needed there, from plants and seeds to tools. And if they didn’t have it in stock, they could always order in. It was much cheaper than going to garden centres.
“Have you heard about Dolly’s plot?”
“No. I knew she hasn’t been able to come here since her hip operation. And we’ve both kept an eye on the weeds, so it doesn’t get overgrown. Is there a new owner? I did offer to help her properly, like we all did, so she didn’t lose her plot.” Dolly had the plot on the other side of mine.
Toby chuckled. “Something worse. Did she ever speak to you about her niece, Felicity?”
“Dolly mentioned her a time or two. Some big games designer, I think. Or as Dolly told me, she messes about playing stupid video games all day.”
We both laughed at that.
“Well, it gets better. Dolly has told Felicity she has to work the land until she’s able to come back. I think it might be up to us to keep an eye on her.”
I scratched the back of my head. “That doesn’t sound so bad.”
He clapped me on the back as we entered the shed. “Just you wait. She’s opinionated, lazy, doesn’t like the outdoors, and doesn’t know one end of a spade from another. She was fine as a youngster, but I think her job has changed her.”
“Hell, that sounds worse than I was when I first came here. Maybe we should just offer to look after the plot for Dolly again. Between us, there’ll be more than enough willing hands to keep it going.”
“Dolly knows that too. There’s an ulterior motive behind this.” He tapped the side of his nose and winked.