Chapter 3

• I go out by the back door
• the garden, which is large and tidy
• the daffodils are now fading and the tulips are opening their cups, spilling out colour
• This garden is the domain of the Commander's Wife
• a basket at her side with sheers in it and pieces of string for tying the flowers into place
• A Guardian detailed to the Commander does the heavy digging
• Many of the wives have such gardens, it's something for them to maintain and order and care for.
• I once had a garden.