‘A hermit? Really?’ Amanda looked at Simon who shrugged and shook his head.
‘We never see her,’ said Janet.
‘I’ve never met her,’ said Shelley. ‘And I’ve been in Foxfield for twenty years.’
There was a definite judgemental tone to her statement.
Dennis interjected. ‘We don’t always know why people do what they do but it’s lovely she’s bequeathed the home to you and you’re very welcome to Foxfield and to our humble gardening club.’
Amanda smiled at him. ‘Thank you,’ she said.
‘I’ve always wanted to see the garden at Moongate,’ admitted Carole. ‘I remember it was quite beautiful many years ago, when I was younger but it wasn’t open to the public. Does Diana want you to open it again?’
Amanda nodded. ‘She wants me to hold something called the Moongate Festival. I don’t know what it is exactly but we can’t hold anything there right now – besides a weeding festival.’
Shelley snorted. ‘You know, you could ask us to help. I mean we’re all able-bodied – though some of us somewhat slower than others.’ She looked at Dennis. ‘No offence, Dennis.’
‘None taken but I am an excellent rose pruner and I do have an eye for a weed versus an annual.’
Amanda looked at the gardening club. ‘You know, I didn’t come to ask for help other than your knowledge, but if you want to come and have a look and give me your ideas, that would be amazing.’
She glanced at Simon who was looking less sullen. ‘And Simon and I can do all the heavy stuff. I mean we’re young and strong, we just don’t have the knowledge you guys all have.’
Amanda noticed them sit up a little straighter and prouder and realised this was important to them.
‘Do any of you know what the Moongate Festival is?’
Frank cleared his throat. ‘I went to one as a child. I don’t have much memory of it but my parents had photos,’ he said. ‘I can bring them over for you to look at.’
‘That would be great,’ said Amanda.
‘And there would be some information in the Foxfield Historical Club. We could put that on the agenda to discuss,’ Dennis added.
‘Oh amazing – when do they meet?’ Amanda asked.
‘After the gardening club meeting,’ said Dennis.
Janet looked at her watch. ‘Which is now. Gardening club from six until half seven and then historical society from half seven till eight thirty.’
Amanda looked at the door. ‘So should I wait here for them?’ she asked.
Dennis looked sheepish. ‘Actually we are the historical club as well as the gardening club but sometimes we skip the history part of the meeting, because there is nothing new to report.’
‘Until now,’ said Janet clapping her hands excitedly.
‘What do you think, Simon?’ asked Dennis.
Simon’s head snapped up as though surprised to be included. ‘About what?’
‘About any of this.’ Dennis gestured to the room.
Simon shrugged. ‘I think Amanda having friends here and some help and knowledge about the garden is great. I’m not here for long so she will need to get up to speed quickly.’
Amanda spoke to the group. ‘Simon is just here for the summer, helping out. Diana hired him.’
Shelley looked at Carole who looked at Janet.
‘That’s nice, isn’t it?’ said Shelley, not being shy about the intimation.
