Sappho has taken Sappho Jr for her second (off road so far) driving lesson. This leaves me in charge of the Decadence Twins and Will Jr. Not a problem - done that hundreds of times before. Now, how do I entertain them for a couple of hours? How about a little gardening?
We are not into house plants. In fact, we have only one. An orchid that was given to us by a much loved friend. Now, Sappho doesn't really 'do' plants or gardening so it's left to me to water it occasionally. Fortunately, orchids prefer to be left to their own devices most of the time and it has, so far, thrived on neglect. It currently has two full blooms and about four other buds. However, it has clearly outgrown the pot that it came in. The roots are coming out over the top of the pot and the root-mass is such that it has displaced almost all of the soil, so I have bought a larger pot.
I thought it would be nice to get the children to help me re-pot and water the orchid before Sappho came home.
Admonishing them to treat the delicate little flower with care and threatening them with horrendous consequences should any damage occur, we carry the old pot downstairs and outside where the new pot and a bag of compost are waiting.
Carefully, I put the pot down and turn round to get the new pot and some compost.
As I do so, I detect a slight movement out of the corner of my eye. I turn round just in time to see the plant topple over, as if in slow motion. There is a soft but unmistakable 'snap' as the one and only stem, bearing the flowers and buds, hits the wall and breaks off.
There is silence and the children look at me. Then one says, "You've broken mummy's flower."
Now what do I do? Well, I carried on and re-potted what was left and the windowsill upstairs now has a beautifully re-potted - but totally naked - orchid.
Sappho is due home any moment now! :doh:
Will
Sex God
