The Retired Gardener

counsellor to her, I had been her father at her wedding, as her father would have, if he had acknowledged her as his daughter.

  She was like the daughter I never had.

  But why visit the dead? I think I should go to Henry's wedding. He is still alive.

  I had a very quiet stay at their house. The wedding was how it should be. And I was happy for them, and sad.

  10.

  There had been a bomb in the coffin, not her body. Everyone was dead. Why was so many dying just because of one man?

  They won't stop, never.

  If I was him, I would give myself in, I would simply deny the will and tell them that I didn't want any of it and that they could have it. Yes, I'd do that, if I was him. If I was him.

  If I was him.

  If I was him.

  If I was him.

  11.

  I finally got time to open that parcel. I love opening parcels. The one I had received on an ancient Friday. It seemed like years.

  Smelled like perfume it did.

  It was rather light.

  Such a dreary sight.

  The brown paper was wrinkled.

  The string was shrivelled.

  Inside was a box.

  A wooden box.

  With a sliding lid.

  My hands trembled.

  I close my eyes and slide it open.