UNEARTHING the past

THE STORY SO FAR: Recently retired Judy enjoys volunteering at the local stately home, Hartwell House, but is concerned that with vital repairs needing to be completed and visitor numbers not as high as they’d like, it won’t be long before they are forced to close the house and gardens. Determined to stop this from happening, Judy and her fellow volunteers come up with fundraising ideas to boost the project’s funds and keep the place open. The idea of a talk by local celebrity gardener Sarah Smith is popular with everyone except usually mild-mannered Anthony, who starts behaving completely out of character. Storming out of the meeting, he vows he will stop giving his time to Hartwell House. Concerned, Judy is determined to uncover why the idea of a talk has upset her friend so deeply.

I’ve changed my mind,’ Anthony said briskly. ‘I think we should definitely invite Sarah Smith to give a talk on gardening.’ He sat down in his usual seat, seemingly unaware of the looks of puzzlement passing between his fellow volunteers.

Judy struggled to hide her confusion. Only a week ago Anthony had been adamant that inviting local celebrity gardener Sarah Smith to give a talk was a bad idea. So much so that he had driven off in a huff and missed the rest of his day’s volunteering, although he hadn’t mentioned the incident again when he’d returned the next day.

‘What’s made you change your mind?’ said Judy, as matter-of-factly as