Clearly my feelings were reflected in my face, for very soon Holmes joined me and said, “You seem to be very pleased with yourself. I’m surprised, over lunch you were telling me how much work needed doing in the garden and yet I cannot see much evidence that you and Seth have done anything apart from walk slowly around and point out various bare patches and weeds which are beginning to sprout.”

I laughed. “That may indeed be the case, but I am not now looking at what currently is, but what it will be in a few months’ time. And anyway, why should I do the work when we have engaged young Bill Green to come three times a week to assist us?”

“Three times?” Holmes queried. “I thought it was only twice.”

“He is not strong, so I felt it better that he do the hours over three days rather than two. No doubt it will cost us one extra meal, but I would not begrudge him that.”

“You are the doctor, so I leave that decision to you.” Holmes sighed and stretched his legs out. “And yes, you are quite right. There is nothing quite like enjoying the early spring sunshine when we have been cooped up for so long due to the cold winds and the rain.”

“I made no mention of that.”

“But that was what you were thinking. You see, I may have retired but I can still follow your train of thought.”

“In this case, it was not a difficult one to follow.”

“True. And I confess when I saw Wordsworth stretched out on the grass enjoying the sunshine, I felt inclined to emulate him and came round to sit on the bench, only to discover you had beaten me to it.”

“It would seem we are all in agreement.”