“I was thinking,” Gracie’s dad said. “Gracie says you’re the best gardener she’s ever seen.” Marty was sure he saw Grandad blush a little.

“Oh, I d-don’t know about that,” he stuttered.

“It’s just that I know you and I got off on the wrong foot, but I’d love to learn a little more. I’ve never had time really, but I’ve been thinking that maybe I should take some.”

Grandad smiled again.

“Well, I could always do with a hand, and I tell you, the fresh air does you wonders.”

Gracie had sidled up to them now just in time to hear the fisherman’s little tugboat honk its horn. They all looked across the water. The fisherman had taken a guy rope and had pulled the pumpkin out to sea. Grandad put up his hand and signaled to the fisherman to let her go. As the sun sunk over the horizon, they watched the pumpkin slip slowly under the water. Marty looked up as Grandad wiped a tear from his eye.

“That’s where she belongs!” His voice was almost breaking. “In the realms of dreams.”

Marty reached out and squeezed his hand.

“Well done, Grandad.”

THIRTY-FOUR

THE PARTY HAD been going for HOURS! Everyone had made their way back to the allotments, and picnic tables had been filled with food from the four corners of the world. After all, it was harvest time, and there was an abundance of fruits and vegetables everywhere. Grandad had given several interviews, and everyone had been laughing and dancing all over the allotments. There would be so many stories in tomorrow’s papers, and everyone would know what they had done.

Marty was sitting, exhausted but happy, by the fire when Gracie came to join him.

“I got in…,” she said in the end.

“I knew you would,” said Marty.

“They phoned today. Left a message.”

Marty thought about this for a moment.

“Dad phoned Mum for me too. They’re both really happy for me.”

Marty smiled.

“I’m really proud of you,” said Marty, and he really, truly meant it.

“Ditto,” she said.

“You do realize that even if I have to stay at the school during the week, I’m going to be here every weekend.”

“I know,” Marty said, still smiling.

“And anyway, to spend the week apart won’t be a bad thing, because to be honest you’re starting to get on my nerves.”

They grinned at each other.

“And I think, after all this coverage in the papers, you’re going to be quite the hero in school on Monday. You wouldn’t have time for me anyway, not with all your fans wanting to talk to you…”

The last of the stragglers were starting to make their way home now, and the sky was getting a bit lighter with the first whisperings of dawn.