Yorkshire Lady

Yorkshire Lady Part 10

Part 10

Spring had come to Yorkshire and the 'fancy' of Sparthwaites 2 gardeners certainly was on thoughts of love.

The gardens were leaping into vibrant life. The lawn was surrounded by beds filled with the colours of wild flowers. The kitchen gardens had already given vegetables and there were strawberries raspberries and blueberries to look forward to in summer, the orchard would be awhile yet before it bore fruit but the trees were growing well. The garden that Caroline had asked for for herself and the boys had in the end been tidied and maintained but left wild and had provided lots of wildlife watching opportunities.

The bee box was almost certainly occupied with such a paradise awaiting its occupants.

The rose garden to be had been prepared over winter, now John and Rick were ready to plant.

In romantic mood they had gone round the garden centre finding varieties that reminded them of Caroline and Simone, who along with Henry was now a semi permanent fixture in the gate house.

They had discovered that there was already a rambler on the garden wall. They pruned it and cut back the dead wood and were relieved that it was still a going concern. They had an elderly rose enthusiast from the village to identify it for them and he strongly suspected that it was a white 'Wedding Day',

though he couldn't be certain until the flowers came.

They finally chose the following.

(yellow) Yorkshire Lady and Charming Princess (Apricot) Angel's blush and Simone Labbe

(Mauve) Angel face and Pillow talk (Pink) Caroline D'Angleterre and Bridesmaid

(Red) Cara mia and Love's magic (White) Abiding love. and Beloved.

At the Easter school holidays the 2 men organised another mini bus and took Caroline Simone and the children to Blackpool for the day. They went onto the Pleasure Beach, and into Blackpool Tower with its aquarium, children's play area and famous ballroom. They had for a surprise got tickets for the Tower Circus which ended the day nicely. The children climbed into the mini bus tired and happy. John and Rick took turns at driving, Caroline suggested that they stop for fish and chips for supper which was eagerly agreed with by the hungry company.

Caroline though that Easter Sunday was a good time for a new beginning with John's family

( the majority of it).

He was firm in his resolve to keep his distance with Greg when he came out of prison. Caroline suggested that John might write him a letter to let him know he was trying to forgive him.

This tried John's patience a little too far. ' Look, Caroline. I know you mean well,' he was getting seriously annoyed now, 'but you don't know what a nasty piece of work our Greg is. Do you honestly think he gives a damn whether I forgive him or not? Of course he doesn't.

I don't want him knowing where I'm living and working either because you can bet he'd be round here on the scrounge the first chance he had, all take no give, so please do me a favour and drop the subject.'

Caroline stood up. 'Well I can't say I'm keen to meet him if he brings out the worst in you like this', she snapped and stormed out of the room.

After a frantic search, John found her in the summer house, she'd been crying.

He took her in his arms holding her tight against his chest with relief and remorse.

'I've been all over the house looking for you,'

he said fervently. 'I got so worried when you weren't anywhere inside. I'm so sorry I got annoyed with you like that'.

Caroline clung onto his reassuring strong body, fresh tears, of relief this time beginning to flow.