The journey to the garden centre passed surprisingly quickly.
Peter spent most of it translating the endless opinions of birds perched on telephone wires as Tony drove through the countryside.
“That crow says your driving’s improved,” Peter announced.
Tony smiled proudly.
“See?
Even the wildlife appreciates me.” Peter listened for another moment.
“Oh…”Tony’s smile faded.
“What?” “He’d also like you to stop singing.” “I wasn’t singing.” “You were humming.” “I was enjoying myself.” “The crow wasn’t.” Laughter filled the minibus.
Even Tony couldn’t help smiling.
As the buildings of a nearby town came into view, I found myself glued to the window.
People hurried along pavements carrying shopping bags.
Children laughed as they chased pigeons through the town square.
An elderly couple sat sharing an ice cream outside a café.
Cars filled every road.
It all felt…Busy.
Alive.
“So many people,” I whispered.
Nelly smiled from beside me.
“You’ll get used to it.” “I don’t think I ever will.” Tony glanced at me through the mirror.
“First proper trip into town?
“I nodded.” Our pack barely ever left its territory.” Tony’s expression softened.
“Then today isn’t just about flowers.” “It’s about making new memories.” A few minutes later the minibus pulled into the largest garden centre I’d ever imagined.
Glass greenhouses stretched into the distance, sparkling beneath the summer sun.
Outside stood rows of colourful flowers, fruit trees and neatly arranged shrubs.
Families wandered between displays pushing trolleys overflowing with compost, pots and plants.
My mouth slowly fell open.
“It’s…”I searched for the right word.”…beautiful.” Susan would never want to leave this place.
The automatic doors slid open as we approached.
This time I didn’t jump.
Nelly nudged my shoulder.
“You remembered.” “I did.” She grinned proudly.
“Look at you.” “A proper shopping expert.” “I wouldn’t go that far.” Tony laughed.
“One step at a time.” The warm smell of fresh flowers and damp soil surrounded us the moment we stepped inside.
I stopped walking almost immediately.
Every direction held something new.
Huge olive trees.
Rows of roses.
Colourful orchids.
Tiny bonsai trees.
Even enormous lemon trees covered in bright yellow fruit.
I slowly turned in a full circle.
“I didn’t know places like this existed.” Tony smiled.
“There are hundreds across the country.” “Hundreds?” “And that’s only the garden centres.” I looked at him in disbelief.
“People really like plants.” “You’ll soon discover Susan isn’t the only one.” Peter had already wandered away.
We found him kneeling beside a display of bird feeders.
Three robins and two sparrows sat nearby, chirping loudly.
He nodded seriously.
“No.” “I’m not buying the deluxe one.” One of the sparrows chirped again.
“I know it has more perches.
“Another chirp.
“Because you’re spoilt.” Nelly laughed.
“Negotiating again?” Peter looked offended.
“They’re unionising.” Tony blinked.
“I’m sorry…They’re what?” “The robins think the standard feeder is beneath them.” Tony rubbed his forehead.
“I don’t even know how to respond to that.” We wandered further inside.
Every few metres I found something else I’d never seen before.
“What’s that?” Tony looked where I was pointing.
“A Venus flytrap.” “It eats insects?” “It does.” I crouched down.
“That’s brilliant.” “It certainly keeps the flies away.” A few aisles later I stopped again.
“What are these?” “Tulips.” “And these?” “Lavender.” “I know that one!” I said proudly.
Peter smiled.
“You’ve been paying attention.” “I have.” He nodded approvingly.
“I’m impressed.” I couldn’t help smiling.
Being told I’d learnt something…It felt good.
Further into the centre stood a large indoor pond filled with koi carp.
I leaned over the wooden bridge, watching them glide gracefully through the water.# “They’re huge.” Peter appeared beside me.
“They’re saying hello.” I looked at him.
“Really?” He nodded.” They also think you’ve got nice hair.” I laughed.
“They’re fish.” “They’ve got excellent taste.” Tony disappeared briefly down another aisle before returning with a trolley.
“We’re going to need this.” “For what?” Jace asked.
Tony raised an eyebrow.
“Susan’s list”.
“Why didn’t she just come with us”.
“Well…when she heard i was coming here she gave me a list, she never leaves the compound after what happened to…..” I looked at him “to” ?
“Well when we found her eleven years ago, she was in a terrible state, her and her husband had been attacked my rogues, she barely survived, her husband wasn’t so lucky”, Tony said “Oh poor Susan”, i said “She has never left the compound since”.
i looked determined “Well let’s make sure to get everything and more for her….she deserves it”.
Nelly looked at the empty trolley.
“I bet it won’t stay empty for long.” We reached the herb section.
The smell changed immediately.
Mint.
Rosemary.
Thyme.
It filled the air with a fresh, calming scent.
Peter picked up a small bundle of dried lavender and inhaled deeply.
“I’ve missed this.” I looked at him curiously.
“You really like lavender.” “It helps me sleep.
“He smiled.
“My mum used to leave little bags of it under our pillows when we were kids.” “That’s sweet.” He shrugged.
“She still does, she’s really into herbal remedies and stuff”.
“That’s sounds really interesting i’d love to learn about that”, i said.
“I’ll take you to mine sometime, my mum’s got loads of cool stuff”, Said Peter.
“I’d love that”.
Tony wandered over holding a tray of vegetable seedlings.
“Susan asked me to pick up some tomatoes.” Nelly looked at the list in his hand.
“Anything else?” “Carrots.” “Courgettes.” “Pumpkin seeds.” I smiled.
“The pumpkins for Halloween?” Tony nodded.
“Apparently we’re expecting a record number of entries in the pumpkin carving competition.” My eyes opened “I’m definitely entering, i’ve always wanted to have a go.” Tony laughed.
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.” As we turned the corner into another greenhouse, I suddenly stopped.
Rows upon rows of hydrangeas stretched before us.
Pink.
Blue.
Purple.
White.
And then…Golden yellow.
The flowers almost seemed to glow beneath the glass roof.
“They’re beautiful,” I whispered.
Peter looked at me.
“They’re Susan’s favourite.” I nodded slowly.
“I remember.” We exchanged a quick glance.
Neither of us needed to say anything.
Operation Hydrangea had officially reached its most important stage.
Peter casually wandered over to the display.
“These are nice.” Tony looked up from his shopping list.
“They are.” Peter picked up a packet of yellow hydrangea seeds.
“I didn’t realise you could grow them from seed.” “You can,” Tony replied.
“They take a bit longer, but it’s worth it.” Peter turned the packet over thoughtfully.
“Susan would probably enjoy growing them herself.” Tony paused.
His eyes drifted towards the bright yellow blooms.
“I suppose she would.” Nelly stepped beside him.
“I think they’d look lovely around the Compound.” “So do I,” I added Jace.
Catching on immediately.
I nodded.
“They’d brighten the place up.” Tony scratched his chin.
“Hmm.” He stared at the seeds for several seconds.
None of us spoke.
Finally…He reached forwards.
Picked up two packets.
And carefully placed them into the trolley.
“There.” “If we’re here anyway.
we might as well surprise her.” I looked towards Peter.
His grin was enormous.
Operation Hydrangea…was working.
As Tony pushed the trolley towards the checkout, none of us noticed the dark SUV that had quietly pulled into the far end of the car park.
Inside sat three men wearing dark clothing.
One of them lowered a pair of binoculars.
“There they are.” Another man looked over.
“The Alpha was right.” The driver reached for his phone.
“You calling him?” The man in the passenger seat shook his head.
“Not yet.” His eyes remained fixed on the cheerful group disappearing deeper into the garden centre.
Jack looked troubled “Let’s make sure first.”