The four of us exchanged triumphant smiles as Tony wheeled the trolley away from the hydrangea display.
Operation Hydrangea was officially a success.
Peter leaned towards us, keeping his voice low.
“I can’t believe that actually worked.” Jace chuckled.
“I’ve never seen someone try so hard to pretend they weren’t buying flowers for someone.” Tony looked over his shoulder.
“What are you lot whispering about?” Peter answered without missing a beat.
“Photosynthesis.” Tony frowned suspiciously “…Right.” Nelly turned away and nearly walked into a display of watering cans.
Tony checked the shopping list one final time.
“Tomatoes…” “Done.” “Lavender…” “Done.” “Pumpkins…” “Done.” He looked up at the four of them.
“I think that’s everything.” Lilah looked around at the enormous garden centre.
“So…We’re leaving already?” Tony smiled.
“We’ve got time, anyone fancy a drink before we head back?” Lilah’s face lit up.
“There are cafés in garden centres?” “There are cafés everywhere,” Nelly laughed.
Lilah shook her head in amazement.
The café overlooked one of the indoor ponds where colourful koi carp lazily glided beneath a small wooden bridge.
Tony carried the tray while everyone else found a table by the window.
“So…” Tony said.
“What does everyone want?” Peter smiled.
“Tea.” “Obviously.” Nelly rolled her eyes.
“You drink more tea than my grandma.” “Tea solves problems.” Jace laughed.
“It definitely doesn’t.” “It does.” “No.” “You’re wrong.” Tony looked at Lilah.
“What about you?” She hesitated.
“I don’t know.” “You don’t know?” “I’ve…
never really ordered anything before.” Tony smiled gently.
“Well…today’s a good day to start.” He pointed towards the display cabinet.
“Cake?” Her eyes widened.
“So many…” Rows of cakes filled the chilled cabinet.
Victoria sponge .Chocolate fudge cake.
Lemon drizzle.
Carrot cake.
Cheesecake.
Scones with jam and cream.
“I…” I looked completely overwhelmed.
“They all look amazing.” Tony chuckled.
“Tell you what.” “You pick one.” “If you don’t like it…” “I’ll eat it.” “You’d eat all of them,” Nelly laughed.
“I probably would, what can i say i like cake, i blame Susan she is always baking”.
Peter grinned “Ooooo bakes you things does she Tony”.
Tony straightened up “Not just me”.
we all sniggered a few minutes later everyone returned with drinks and cake.
Lilah stared at the enormous slice of Victoria sponge sitting in front of her.
Peter smiled.
“First cake?” I nodded.
“Ever.” “Go on.” She picked up her fork.
Cut off a tiny piece.
Placed it into her mouth.
Silence.
Her eyes slowly widened.
“Oh…” She looked down at the cake.
Then back up again.
“This…” She took another bite.
“…is incredible.” Peter laughed.
“I thought you’d like it.” She looked genuinely offended.
“People have been keeping this from me?” Nelly erupted into laughter.
“I promise we weren’t.” “I feel robbed.” Tony nodded sympathetically.
“I’d be upset too.” Jace leaned over.
“Wait until she discovers brownies.” Peter gasped dramatically.
“Don’t overwhelm her, one dessert at a time.” Outside the café window, a robin landed on the railing.
He chirped loudly.
Peter smiled.
“Morning Jasper.” The robin puffed himself up proudly.
Then another robin landed beside him.
Then another.
Then a blackbird.
Within seconds, half a dozen birds had gathered around the window.
Nelly blinked.
“You know it’s really weird being your friend.” Me and Jace laughed Peter sighed.
“They’ve been talking.” Jasper chirped.
“I know.” The robin chirped again.
“No I’m still not buying luxury bird feeders.” Another chirp.
Peter looked at the others.
“He says word has spread.” “About what?” Lilah asked.” Apparently I’m ‘the human who listens.” Jace smirked.
“Sounds like you’ve got a reputation.” “I suppose I have.” The blackbird suddenly hopped closer and chirped at Jasper.
The two birds seemed to argue.
Peter frowned.
“What do you mean?” More chirping.
“No…” Jasper chirped sharply.
Peter’s smile faded slightly.
Lilah noticed immediately.
“What are they saying?” Peter looked towards the car park through the café window.
“They’re arguing.” “About what?” “The blackbird says there are strangers outside.” Peter nodded slowly.
“Jasper says they’ve been sitting in a black vehicle for a long time.” Tony glanced outside.
“I can’t see anything unusual.” “They’re probably waiting for someone,” Nelly suggested.
Peter nodded.
“Probably.” He smiled again, although it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Birds notice everything.” “They’re usually suspicious.” Jasper chirped again.
Peter nodded.
“I’ll keep an eye out.” Lilah found herself watching a family sitting a few tables away.
A little girl, no older than five, proudly showed her dad a tiny sunflower she’d chosen.
Her mum laughed as the little girl insisted on carrying it herself.
The father pretended the tiny plant was incredibly heavy.
“Oh no…”He groaned dramatically.
“I don’t think I can lift it.” The little girl giggled.
“I can!” She carried it proudly towards the tills while both parents smiled.
Lilah watched them until they disappeared.
A strange ache settled quietly in her chest.
She couldn’t remember ever doing anything like that.
She couldn’t remember…Much of anything.
“What are you thinking about?” Peter’s voice was gentle.
She blinked.
“Oh…”Nothing.” He followed her gaze towards the family.
“You don’t have to tell me.” She smiled sadly.
“I just wonder sometimes.” “What my family were like.” Peter was silent for a moment.
Then he smiled.
“I reckon whoever they were they’d be incredibly proud of you.
“She looked at him.
“You think?” “I know.” His voice was so certain that she almost believed him herself.
She smiled.
Tony stood up, collecting the empty mugs.
“Right then.” “Time to head home.” Everyone nodded.
Lilah took one last look around the café.
She’d discovered flowers.
Cake.
Tea.
Laughing with friends.
It had been one of the happiest afternoons of her life.
As they stepped outside into the warm afternoon sunshine, Jasper swooped down from the roof.
He landed heavily on Peter’s shoulder.
Unlike before…He wasn’t cheerful.
His feathers were puffed up.
His tiny chest rose and fell quickly.
He chirped once.
Twice.
Then several times in quick succession.
Peter’s smile vanished.
Completely.
Jace noticed straight away.
“What is it?” Peter didn’t answer immediately.
He listened.
Every chirp making his face grow paler.
Finally…He looked towards the far end of the car park.
“Jasper says the people in that car are here for Lilah”.