In Cold Blood by Adam Croft

Author:Adam Croft [Croft, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Adam Croft
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

30

On any other morning, a leisurely walk around one of Britain’s most loved and best-known gardens would’ve sounded like a great idea, but Caroline barely had the energy to get out of bed. She looked at the icy blue sky through the window and considered that the bitterly cold morning might at least help wake her up.

The black roses she saw at Amie Tanner’s house had played on her mind ever since she’d spotted them. When Amie had said she’d always presumed her mother or husband was sending them after her father’s death, but that they had always denied this, Caroline noticed a look on Amie’s face that perturbed her. It was as if Amie herself was confused by the situation, but still grateful for the memory of her dad.

Coupled with Amie’s father having worked at Barnsdale Gardens in the years leading up to his death, it seemed a logical place to visit for potential information. And, if nothing else, it might help clear her mind.

She’d arranged to meet Jon Brocklebank, the Head Gardener, who’d agreed to have a chat with her. She’d already discovered from her own research that Barnsdale had been created by Geoff Hamilton, a former presenter of the television programme Gardeners’ World, and that Barnsdale had been the official Gardeners’ World garden for many years, until Hamilton’s death.

She was pleased to find Jon waiting for her at the ticket office, smiling and ageless in only the way someone who spends their life outdoors can look. Although she didn’t know the first thing about gardening, she’d been sorely tempted on many occasions to jack the job in and take to the soil. She couldn’t deny there was a certain romance about it.

‘Blimey. Quite a big site, isn’t it?’ Caroline said as Jon took her on a short guided tour.

‘Yep, eight acres. We’ve actually managed to pack thirty-eight gardens in here, would you believe.’

‘Wow. I struggle keeping up with my tiny garden. I can’t imagine having to look after something like this. Especially considering its history. Must be quite daunting.’

‘Ah, I’m used to it. I see you’ve been doing your research, though.’

‘Naturally,’ Caroline replied, smiling. ‘Geoff Hamilton. I remember him from the telly.’

‘Yes, he was very popular. One of his protégés is a presenter on Gardeners’ World now, actually. Adam Frost.’

‘Never heard of him. I guess that means you’re next in line for the telly job, then, does it?’

Jon smiled and chuckled. ‘I’m not sure that rule’s set in stone, if I’m honest with you. But anyway, how can I help?’

Caroline took a deep breath, feeling the chill morning air coating her lungs. ‘Well, it’s about roses. A rose called Black Baccara, to be specific.’

‘Okay. I hope you’re not going to ask if you can see one, because I might have to ask you to come back in a few months,’ Jon said, smiling.

Caroline chuckled. ‘No, not quite. Although that does lead me on nicely to what I wanted to ask. I mean, I know roses bloom in summer, but there must be a way of having them bloom in winter.

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