A is for… Artichokes (Sister Julienne and Fred Snr)
Sister Julienne had to admit that she was curious. It was the almost overpowering smell of manure that did it on that early winter's morning, drifting up to the open window of her cell from the garden below and she has resolved to find out precisely what was going on.
She had spotted that corner a few weeks ago looking remarkably tidy with the makeshift brick and glass structure propped up against the wall, but far too busy to be asking questions of their resident handyman and gardener so it slipped her mind. Now, with a moment to herself, she had decided to take a turn around the enclosed courtyard garden and her eyes were drawn again as she breathed in the fresh morning air.
"Purple Sicilian, Sister" Fred announced as he arrived by her side having spotted her from the coal room window inspecting his handiwork. He stood, hands proudly behind his back and rocking on his heels, dying to share his achievement and indeed secret with someone.
"I beg your pardon?" she replied, genuinely having not heard him as she pondered lifting up the cover just for a peek and hoping she may not be found out.
"Purple Sicilian" he repeated with cheer in his voice. "Got to keep 'em covered in ve cold, ovverwise ve frost'll get 'em you see. Vey don't like ve frost you see Sister."
She was still confused and the Sister looked at him quizzically. "Artichokes, Sister!" Fred said, chest swelling with satisfaction and what could well be a job well done. Just a couple of weeks or more and they'd be perfect! "Fought I might branch out, y'know" he concluded with a shrug and a smile. "See what else I can sell down ve market!"
"Oh" Sister Julienne responded, more than used to Fred's various and not necessarily legal schemes for longer than she cared to recall. Artichokes were certainly a new one though and she refrained from making comment about Poplar's palete and whether some of the residents might be ready for such a purchase!
"In fact, Sister," he continued leaning forward. "Let's 'av a look. Vere due to be sproutin' nice soon enough".
The Nun took a tentative step forward watching him lift up the hip high greenhouse he had constructed from odds and ends scattered about Nonnatus; the lid groaning from its rusty brackets.
"Oh…." Sister Julienne began, looking down trying not to display her innermost feelings on the matter. What befell her eyes was, well... not very much at all if she had to be truthful and she saw Fred's shoulders drop. She also heard him cough, trying to disguise his obvious disappointment at the sight.
"Might try strawberries eh? Next time, Sister. Strawberries? Might be more suited to strawberries, eh?" He put the lid down quickly, disguising the almighty disaster in front of him, before he looked up. "Sister?..." His head shot from side to side. "Sister?..."
He sighed. She was out of sight already...