Nearest Thing to Crazy Read Free

placed four violas in the centre, and I must admit I was quite pleased with the result, even though they were just beginning to wilt.
    ‘Ah, here you are.’ Amelia rushed over. ‘Wow! That looks amazing. Thank you, my darling. You are so clever, almost looks too perfect to eat. Hello, Ellie, and well done for coming together. Don’t you think she’s creative? And just wait until you see what she’s done in the border.’
    ‘Oh shush. Anyone could have done it, it’s just having the time.’
    ‘I couldn’t have done it. Not as beautifully as you, anyway.’
    ‘Nonsense.’
    Amelia was pouring wine into glasses which she then handed to
Ellie and me.
    ‘Thank you. Just what I need after a hard morning at the keyboard.’
    ‘Your novel?’ I said.
    ‘Yes. That’s right.’ I was just about to ask her what it was about, but Amelia grabbed Ellie’s arm.
    ‘Come on, Ellie, come and meet everyone . . .’ I stepped aside so that she could be propelled towards the crème of village society. It also gave me chance to take a few moments to see how the border appeared from the French windows. I was pleased to see that the gardener and the wheelbarrow had disappeared. From my vantage point even I had to confess that it looked pretty. The roses were at their most perfect; the lavender was just beginning to flower; and the cosmos was beginning to fill the gaps left by the spent peonies and bearded irises. The sweet peas on my home-made willow supports had also bloomed, and provided height and structure, or what I imagined grander people might call punctuation marks.
    I was tempted to go and inspect my work more closely, but then
Sally tapped my arm.
    ‘You’re going to be furious with me.’
    ‘Why?’
    ‘I can’t come next week, on the garden tour. I’m sorry. It’s all Patrick’s fault. He forgot to tell me that he’s got a client coming for lunch. I’m livid with him and asked him to change it, but he says he can’t. I was so looking forward to it. I’ll pay for my ticket if you can’t get rid of it.’
    ‘Can’t you leave them a sandwich – or, God forbid, couldn’t
Patrick do lunch?’
    ‘Don’t be ridiculous. Patrick? He’s far too hopeless even to open a fridge, or turn on an oven. A corkscrew’s about his limit.’
    ‘You spoil him. It would do him good to fend for himself.’
    ‘I’m sure you’re right, darling, but it suits me to have him in a state of dependency.’
    ‘Like a toddler, you mean.’
    ‘Something like that.’
‘Well maybe you should be more . . .’ I hesitated. It wasn’t really any of my business, other than the fact I was genuinely disappointed.
    But the words were out, and I sensed a chill in Sally, perhaps a cool shell of defensiveness.
    ‘I should be more what?’
    ‘Oh nothing.’
    ‘No, go on.’
    ‘Who am I to say?’ I wanted to back-pedal, but it was too late.
‘Perhaps, maybe, a bit more assertive. Let him appreciate you, not take you for granted . . .’ I’d lowered my voice, not wanting anyone to overhear us.
    Sally chewed on her bottom lip. ‘I suppose . . . but I don’t know. It’s difficult to explain. I know this sounds stupid . . . I just feel grateful to have him there.’
    ‘Sally! He’s the one that needs to feel grateful.’ I wanted to add that it would have done Patrick a hell of a lot of good not to have her at his beck and call, but instead I said, ‘Don’t worry. I understand, really I do.’ But I didn’t understand, not really. It irritated me that she was being such a doormat.
    ‘You’re sweet. And I know I’m being silly. Honestly, if anyone had told me before it happened that I’d react like this I’d have told them they were bonkers.’
    ‘But surely he knows how lucky he is? Surely he realizes how stupid he was and what he nearly lost?’
    ‘I guess. He has said as much, many times. But I just couldn’t bear it to happen again. I think everyone thought I was so strong and capable, but I’m not – not really, not