8th August – The Meeting

Village committee meeting tonight. I wore my best dress (the one with the optimistic hem) and my comfy trainers. Everyone was welcoming, though I spoke too much when I introduced myself. I wanted short and breezy but ended up rambling about beetroot and poetry and a friendly pigeon.

Stanley suggested we hold a “garden swap”. His idea is swapping plants, clippings, seeds, spare pots, and anything else. “Nothing fancy,” he said, “kindness in green.” How lovely.

FBW made a noise like a gentle cough but with edges. I noticed her observing me a few times — not unkindly. I think she has a plan up her sleeve.