Read Online Meanwhile Gardens by Charles Caselton - Free Book Online
Authors: Charles Caselton
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Rion.”
Perfect. It sounded perfect she thought. And natural. Perfectly natural.
“Ok. Where to start?” Jake was silent for a moment and then began his tale. “I dropped out of university in my second year and I’ve been here ever since. It was easier then, there were no guards and there were more of us – well, just Old George and me were here but under the gasometers was a whole secret community. You’ll see on the other side of the canal there’s an old cherry tree – its main branch twists over the towpath wall – well, you could just hop over there and you would be in this hidden world. There were also many more people living on canal boats then too.”
“But why here?”
Jake didn’t have to think to answer. “Because it’s so easy. There’s everything I could want here. Fish, eels, duck and goose eggs, Cuban meals twice a week, even spliffs and rum.”
Rion wrinkled her nose. She knew what a spliff was even though she hadn’t tried one. Or wanted to.
“Where do you get those from?”
“From the grave of a Caribbean bandleader, Mr Marks, amongst other places. His funeral was packed. Packed! I’ve never seen who leaves them but they’re regular – not as regular as Senora Padilla, but not infrequent either. And I love it here. It’s so quiet and where I sleep moves and creaks with the tree. Where else in London could I get that?”
Rion didn’t know. Feeling that it might be her turn soon she stretched and gave an exaggerated yawn.
“And I do P & D – painting and decorating – there’s always work.” He pulled a mobile phone from his worn jean jacket, “I get a call – I’m there. I’ve got work for the next month.”
“And your family?”
“Haven’t seen them in years. We’re not compatible – you know?”
Did she ever.
Rion stifled another heavy yawn. “What about your friends?”
“A couple know. Most don’t. If they want me,” Jake tapped his mobile phone, “they know where to find me.”
“What about….” How could she put this? “What about, ‘when the tree’s rocking, don’t come knocking’?”
Jake chuckled, “That’s personal.” With relief Rion saw him get up to leave. “I’m going to turn in, I can see you’re tired too.”
Saved, Rion thought.
“I’m working early tomorrow. There’s a couple of apples in the bag, longlife milk, sugar and – are you up to making tea?” -
Jake could see the thought of bubbling billycans, fires andpan holders, even in daylight, was not an attractive one to Rion.
“If not you’ll have to wait until about five. I’ll bring some supper but you’ll have to sing for it.”
Oh God, Rion cringed, he can’t possibly mean karaoke can he?
“And you’re ok?”
Rion nodded.
Jake smiled and was gone.
Rion stayed beside the dying fire until it lost its warmth. With a real yawn she went down the steps, got into the sleeping bag, blew out the candles and was soon fast asleep.
6
REVELATIONS
A untie Gem didn’t mind Mondays. Unlike others who dreaded the start to the week Auntie Gem looked forward to it. She liked the fresh feelings Mondays brought, no matter what the weather, like slipping into clean sheets in an old bed.
She had worked at Peters & Peters ever since she had come to England with Emma. Every day she walked to and from the factory that bordered the canal on the other side of the cemetery. Auntie Gem was sure the daily walk, rain or shine, blow or snow, was the reason she was so rarely ill.
For the first time in three generations there was only one member of the Peters family in the business. The company, makers of ‘Peters Garden Helper – the Spray the Garden Loves!’ and ‘Peters Kitchen Helper – the Spray the Kitchen Loves!’ amongst numerous other snappily named and advertised household cleaners, was run by the last of the line, her boss Sir Edwin Peters.
Auntie Gem was in charge of the executive trolley for teas, coffees and biscuits. She would also bring Edwin his meals
Perfect. It sounded perfect she thought. And natural. Perfectly natural.
“Ok. Where to start?” Jake was silent for a moment and then began his tale. “I dropped out of university in my second year and I’ve been here ever since. It was easier then, there were no guards and there were more of us – well, just Old George and me were here but under the gasometers was a whole secret community. You’ll see on the other side of the canal there’s an old cherry tree – its main branch twists over the towpath wall – well, you could just hop over there and you would be in this hidden world. There were also many more people living on canal boats then too.”
“But why here?”
Jake didn’t have to think to answer. “Because it’s so easy. There’s everything I could want here. Fish, eels, duck and goose eggs, Cuban meals twice a week, even spliffs and rum.”
Rion wrinkled her nose. She knew what a spliff was even though she hadn’t tried one. Or wanted to.
“Where do you get those from?”
“From the grave of a Caribbean bandleader, Mr Marks, amongst other places. His funeral was packed. Packed! I’ve never seen who leaves them but they’re regular – not as regular as Senora Padilla, but not infrequent either. And I love it here. It’s so quiet and where I sleep moves and creaks with the tree. Where else in London could I get that?”
Rion didn’t know. Feeling that it might be her turn soon she stretched and gave an exaggerated yawn.
“And I do P & D – painting and decorating – there’s always work.” He pulled a mobile phone from his worn jean jacket, “I get a call – I’m there. I’ve got work for the next month.”
“And your family?”
“Haven’t seen them in years. We’re not compatible – you know?”
Did she ever.
Rion stifled another heavy yawn. “What about your friends?”
“A couple know. Most don’t. If they want me,” Jake tapped his mobile phone, “they know where to find me.”
“What about….” How could she put this? “What about, ‘when the tree’s rocking, don’t come knocking’?”
Jake chuckled, “That’s personal.” With relief Rion saw him get up to leave. “I’m going to turn in, I can see you’re tired too.”
Saved, Rion thought.
“I’m working early tomorrow. There’s a couple of apples in the bag, longlife milk, sugar and – are you up to making tea?” -
Jake could see the thought of bubbling billycans, fires andpan holders, even in daylight, was not an attractive one to Rion.
“If not you’ll have to wait until about five. I’ll bring some supper but you’ll have to sing for it.”
Oh God, Rion cringed, he can’t possibly mean karaoke can he?
“And you’re ok?”
Rion nodded.
Jake smiled and was gone.
Rion stayed beside the dying fire until it lost its warmth. With a real yawn she went down the steps, got into the sleeping bag, blew out the candles and was soon fast asleep.
6
REVELATIONS
A untie Gem didn’t mind Mondays. Unlike others who dreaded the start to the week Auntie Gem looked forward to it. She liked the fresh feelings Mondays brought, no matter what the weather, like slipping into clean sheets in an old bed.
She had worked at Peters & Peters ever since she had come to England with Emma. Every day she walked to and from the factory that bordered the canal on the other side of the cemetery. Auntie Gem was sure the daily walk, rain or shine, blow or snow, was the reason she was so rarely ill.
For the first time in three generations there was only one member of the Peters family in the business. The company, makers of ‘Peters Garden Helper – the Spray the Garden Loves!’ and ‘Peters Kitchen Helper – the Spray the Kitchen Loves!’ amongst numerous other snappily named and advertised household cleaners, was run by the last of the line, her boss Sir Edwin Peters.
Auntie Gem was in charge of the executive trolley for teas, coffees and biscuits. She would also bring Edwin his meals
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