The Gardener Mysteries Book 2 by Rosie Sandler

Author:Rosie Sandler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bonnier Publishing Fiction
Published: 2024-02-22T00:00:00+00:00

15

After Oli and Benji’s departure, I take Mouse out for our run. The temperature hasn’t risen above the minuses, and there’s a dewy frost on the ground, which creates a magical landscape within the beam of my head torch – but also makes the earth slippery underfoot, so that I’m glad of the grips on my trainers. The cold feels like a blade on the exposed skin of my face, and I pull my woolly hat down as low as I can.

Mouse keeps to heel, and we get a rhythm up, regular and pulsing, which clears the fog in my head and gives me some respite from the flashbacks. By the time we turn for home, it’s light enough to turn off my torch. I pick up speed towards the end, sprinting as if I can outrun my demons, and Mouse races alongside me. The air is fresh and clear, and the hills glow amber in the morning light. It’s a glorious setting, but it’s been tarnished for me by Jamie’s death.

Back at home, I take a quick shower, then leave Mouse dozing in his bed with Mr Rabbit, and head over to the house for breakfast.

There are several staff members in the dining room when I get there. Michael enters right behind me, bearing a pot of coffee. He’s pale and drawn, but he manages a small smile when he sees me. ‘Hiya. Did Oli pick Benji up OK?’

I nod. ‘It didn’t go entirely smoothly, but Oli’s a pro.’

‘Yeah. He’s great with Benji.’

‘I don’t think Benji’s really taken in that Jamie’s gone for good.’

‘Shit. I was worried about that. He seemed to keep thinking he’d just gone to the shops or something. I gave up trying to tell him in the end.’

‘Oli had to break it to him again, but Benji was still in denial when they left.’

Michael sighs. ‘Thanks for all your help, anyways.’

‘My pleasure. It was the least I could do. You’ve been amazing, holding it together like that for Benji.’

Michael smiles sadly. ‘Thanks. It’s all so shit.’ He takes a deep breath, ‘But we’re all still here, so what d’you want for breakfast?’

‘Aren’t you all meant to be taking today off?’

He shrugs. ‘Vicky says she’s got to keep busy or she’ll go off her head. And I can’t leave her to do it all on her own.’

‘Can I do anything to help?’

He shakes his head. ‘Just tell me what you want.’

‘OK, in that case, I’ll have fried eggs with sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes, please.’

He nods. ‘On it.’

After he leaves, Saliha says, ‘Did you hear Jamie didn’t leave a note?’

I turn to look at her. ‘No, I didn’t hear that. Though I did glance around his room, and I couldn’t see one. I figured the police would find it, if he’d written one.’ I hesitate before saying, ‘Sorry to ask, but did Jamie suffer from depression?’

‘I don’t think so.’

Samuel, on my other side, says quietly, ‘I stumbled on him, sitting in the maze last week, when I went in to check a drainage problem.

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