Tony unlocked the door and went in. He flicked the switch. Theo noticed how bright the light was now. Someone must have replaced the globes.

“What did you mix in the spray unit the other day?” Tony asked.

“Why?” Theo bristled. “Don’t you trust me?” He strode to the corner where two drums sat side by side and began to lift the drum he’d used. It was very heavy. He put it down again, puzzled by the weight. It was so heavy that it could be still full. He peered at the drum beside it, then carefully, as if it was fragile, he reached down and picked it up. The drum lifted easily. He looked at the name and the words seemed to flash at him. Slowly, he put the drum down again and lowered himself to sit on it.

Tony came and stood beside him. “You used the wrong one, Baba,” he said softly.

Theo put his head in his hands. He had poisoned his own vines.

* * *

There were crowds of people meandering in and out of the shops as Keely and Maggie made their way back to the car. Keely clutched a bright pink shopping bag packed with new clothes. She couldn’t believe they’d shopped together and she’d let Maggie talk her into two new shirts and a pair of jeans. They’d all been on sale, thank goodness, but even so they’d made a dent in her savings.

The shopping trip hadn’t happened till after they’d loaded the car with the food. Maggie had wanted something from the newsagent and they’d passed a clothes shop with a sale sign out the front. Maggie had discreetly pointed out that Keely’s clothes didn’t seem to fit her. Keely had said no one would see her in the kitchen anyway but Maggie had insisted they check out the shop.

Keely had to admit it was nice to try on pants that she didn’t need to keep hitching up. They’d had some fun in the shop with Maggie bringing her all kinds of things to try on, some of them way too out there or extravagant for Keely but they’d laughed together all the same. So different from shopping trips with her mother when they went with a list, tried on a couple of things, made their purchases and left with little fuss. They always enjoyed a coffee together afterwards but it wasn’t like the treat today’s experience had been.

Shopping with Maggie was more like the times when Keely went with her girlfriends and they would try on things that they’d pick out for each other. The difference was, Maggie picked out clothes with a classic style while Keely’s girlfriends would pick fashion of the moment or something with outlandish appeal. Euan’s sister wasn’t turning out to be quite as scary as Keely had imagined her.