The Blue Rose Read Free

you,’ Kate panted, as she hurried to keep up with Alex. They were now running along the path. What on earth was making him act so un-Alex-like? He was now gripping her hand so fiercely that her fingers were becoming numb. Thorns and branches ripped at her shirt. She was about to yell at him, when suddenly he stopped.
    She almost ran into him.
    â€˜Alex, what on earth are you doing?’ she said breathlessly. ‘Have you gone bonkers?’
    He was facing her now. His face had a strange look. She had never, ever, seen him this agitated.
    He took her other hand.
    â€˜Alex,’ she began.
    â€˜Wait,’ he said, holding up a hand. ‘Eyes closed, please.’
    She sighed. ‘All right.’
    She closed her eyes and let him lead her no more than a dozen paces. ‘Alex, this is silly…’ she started to protest, when they stopped. He let go of her hand and stepped behind her. She could now feel his hands on her shoulders, his breath on her cheek.
    â€˜Eyes still closed?’ he asked.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Open them now,’ he whispered.
    She did.
    At first, what she saw made no sense. For a second, she thought her eyes were still adjusting to the light. Behind her, Alex was squeezing her shoulders.
    â€˜I wasn’t hallucinating after all,’ he murmured.
    â€˜It can’t be – it’s not possible,’ she breathed.
    â€˜It is,’ Alex said.
    Standing shoulder height in front of them was a rose bush, thick with thorns and silky dark green leaves. It was covered with blooms the size of tennis balls – dozens of them. They were plump and perfectly formed.
    They were blue.
    A brilliant blue. Not lavender or mauve, but an electric sapphire blue.
    Kate edged closer and knelt until her face was inches from one of the blooms. She gripped it lightly and gently tugged one of the petals.
    â€˜Oh – my – dear – God!’ she said, quietly. ‘It is real!’
    Moving in closer she inhaled its fragrance. It was soft and velvety. More like jasmine than rose – but more complex, more intoxicating. It was too much: not only a blue rose, but one with a seductive perfume too.
    â€˜Alex,’ Kate said, getting up, still staring hypnotically at the rose, ‘this is not one of your silly pranks, is it?’
    She barely heard his answer. ‘Not this time.’
    â€˜You know, this is supposed to be genetically impossible. That’s why there’s never been a blue rose. Ever.’
    Alex didn’t answer. He was busy inspecting the thorns on the claret-coloured canes.
    â€˜I wonder how old it is?’ Kate muttered. ‘How long it’s been growing here?’
    â€˜Looks pretty old to me, but then, what the hell do I know?’ He stood up. ‘God! Those thorns are like bloody needles.’
    â€˜Alex, listen to me. I don’t think you realize the significance of this. We’re looking at a horticultural miracle.’
    For a moment they stood in silence, their eyes fixed on the rose bush.
    Alex took a sideways glance at Kate. ‘What do you think we should do, then?’
    â€˜I’m really not sure.’
    â€˜Maybe we should ask Vicky to have a look at it. She’d know. Why don’t we go up and call her at the nursery?’
    Her eyes still glued on the rose, Kate paused before replying. ‘You’re right. Vicky would almost die if we were to tell her about this, but let’s not rush our fences. I think we should sleep on it first.’
    â€˜Whatever you say.’
    â€˜Alex, if this is for real – and it certainly looks like it – I have a hunch that it could be worth an awful lot of money. But if word gets out we could have a major problem on our hands.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Can’t you picture it? Everybody and his brother will be hammering on our door wanting to see it.’
    â€˜Then we’ll just have to keep it a secret until we find out more about