‘I have one word for you, Fern, and that’s acceptance. Think on it while you’re out here working this afternoon.’

She turns and I reluctantly follow her. Acceptance? I don’t think being dismissive of someone’s problems makes for a very smart counsellor, but maybe it’s a shock tactic.

‘Grab some gloves, ladies, and if you haven’t seen one of these before, it’s called a hoe, apparently.’ I grin at them both in a friendly manner.

Patricia and Kellie stare back at me with a little less enthusiasm than I’d hoped.

‘We’re going to do a couple of hours weeding in between the herb borders. I did a little patch earlier on, as you can see, and for the most part it’s easy to identify the weeds. Do either of you recognise any of the plants here?’

I’m simply trying to get some interaction going, but Kellie looks on, sullen and unwilling to contribute. Her offhand attitude is unsettling Patricia, who is a very private, reserved lady by the look of it. I glance at her, but it’s more of an appeal and thankfully she speaks up.

‘I should be fine because I grow a few things in my garden at home. Mainly salad stuff in the summer and a few potatoes. I think I recognise most of the herbs here.’

‘Great. How about you, Kellie?’

‘Yep.’

Just yep. Right.

‘Okay, well if you each choose an end, I’ll work the middle patch.’

Kellie grabs a hoe, ignoring the gloves, and walks off to the lower end of the raised bed. Far enough away that she’s out of earshot, so I’m assuming that means she wants some alone time.

I look across at Patricia and see she’s been watching me watching Kellie.

‘Sad little thing, isn’t she?’ Patricia remarks.

I nod. ‘Maybe the fresh air will perk her up,’ I reply, keeping my voice low. I’d hate Kellie to think we are talking about her, but any fears I have are soon cut short as Patricia begins working away in silence.

Surreptitiously glancing in Kellie’s direction, I’m surprised at how enthusiastically she throws herself into the task. It’s quite fiddly as, unlike the vegetables, which are in straight rows and easy to drag the hoe down between the plants, the herbs grow in an irregular pattern. Some of the rosemary plants are more like little shrubs, beneath which the weeds seem to enjoy the shady spots, and the lemon balm has flopped, probably flattened after a heavy rainfall. But, give the young woman her due, she isn’t looking to cut corners and is every bit as diligent as Patricia and me.

At four o’clock, we down tools and pack away for the day, and as I lead them back to the courtyard, it doesn’t feel right walking in silence.