Tulip Fever*

“Now, it’s always a bit of a scrum in here,” Mum says as we join the queue which snakes outside the building.  “Last time, all the plants were gone within the first twenty minutes.”

We’re waiting to enter the village Horticultural Society’s plant sale.

“Pick up a couple of those crates,” Mum says.  So I do.

Inside, the plants are laid out on tables and the room is packed with about a hundred people.  It’s hot, of course.

Mum starts packing lobelia and geraniums into the box I’m carrying.  They’re heavy.

“Are you alright with that box, darling?” Mum says, looking concerned.

“I’m not an invalid,” I say, sweat pouring down my face.  

“Oh, I thought you were,” Mum says.  “Go and stand in the queue to pay: I just want a few more plants.”

Am wearing my navy ‘Be Stronger Than Your Excuses’ gym top and my blue pyjama shorts.  Do not look mentally normal.

“Oh look,” I say.  “A pussycat.”  A tortoiseshell and white cat has slunk into the building: throwing herself into the melee.  

The panther stands next to me, resting his head against my thigh. 

Eventually Mum pays and we’re out of there.

“Thank you for coming with me, darling,” Mum says as we walk towards the car.

My arms hurt from carrying the box.  “Need to get back to my arm and chest weights,” I say.  “It’s hurting, carrying this box.  I used to be strong and…”

“I know darling,” Mum says.

The above photos are some of Mum’s tulips in the garden.  The attached photo is the fluffy monster.  Here’s today’s Spin outfit:

Happy Saturday everyone!
*2001.  By Deborah Moggach.  Novel set in 1630s Amsterdam during the tulip craze…