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 Benjiâs departure, I take Mouse out for our run. The temperature hasnât risen above the minuses, and thereâs a dewy frost on the ground, which creates a magical landscape within the beam of my head torch â but also makes the earth slippery underfoot, so that Iâm 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, itâs 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. Itâs a glorious setting, but itâs been tarnished for me by Jamieâs 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. Heâs pale and drawn, but he manages a small smile when he sees me. âHiya. Did Oli pick Benji up OK?â
I nod. âIt didnât go entirely smoothly, but Oliâs a pro.â
âYeah. Heâs great with Benji.â
âI donât think Benjiâs really taken in that Jamieâs gone for good.â
âShit. I was worried about that. He seemed to keep thinking heâd just gone to the shops or something. I gave up trying to tell him in the end.â
âOli had to break it to him again, but Benji was still in denial when they left.â
Michael sighs. âThanks for all your help, anyways.â
âMy pleasure. It was the least I could do. Youâve been amazing, holding it together like that for Benji.â
Michael smiles sadly. âThanks. Itâs all so shit.â He takes a deep breath, âBut weâre all still here, so what dâyou want for breakfast?â
âArenât you all meant to be taking today off?â
He shrugs. âVicky says sheâs got to keep busy or sheâll go off her head. And I canât leave her to do it all on her own.â
âCan I do anything to help?â
He shakes his head. âJust tell me what you want.â
âOK, in that case, Iâll have fried eggs with sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes, please.â
He nods. âOn it.â
After he leaves, Saliha says, âDid you hear Jamie didnât leave a note?â
I turn to look at her. âNo, I didnât hear that. Though I did glance around his room, and I couldnât see one. I figured the police would find it, if heâd written one.â I hesitate before saying, âSorry to ask, but did Jamie suffer from depression?â
âI donât think so.â
Samuel, on my other side, says quietly, âI stumbled on him, sitting in the maze last week, when I went in to check a drainage problem.
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