Daphne was sitting cross-legged on the floor of a greenhouse slowly breathing in the scents from the flowers and listening to the silence, her face a mask of peace and contentment. A few feet away Shaggy sat likewise carefully studying her features, Daphne had asked him to help her control her tempter, privately so had the rest of the gang.
"OK Daph, now imagine something that would annoy you in everyday life, not a mystery – as there you channel your anger to good effect – but a day-to-day thing," Shaggy said quietly.
"Not sure I want to, this is just so nice," Daphne replied her voice was so soft and gentle to his ears. To Daphne this was all a bit wishy-washy but a lot less embarrassing than going to anger management classes but she was determined to get her temper under control, whatever it takes she thought I'll even do those damn classes if I have to.
"Like, emmm, ok like what if Velma put all your clothes on a boil wash by mistake?" he knew that would get a reaction, but even he was surprised by the change in her body tone and face so he quickly moved to the next part.
"Right, now imagine all that anger filling your lungs as you breathe in, now breathe out and let the anger go," after a minute he realised that Daphne was hyperventilating "That was a bad example wasn't it?" he said and offered her a paper bag to breathe into, Daphne nodded as her breathing slowed.
"Phew, yes it was. But I see what you are getting at. I know Velma would never intentionally do that so I was surprised by how angry I got."
"Now all we have to do is find ways of positively channelling your anger. No one says you shouldn't get mad; it's just what you do when you are mad. Over the years of us being on cases and stuff me and Scoob have developed a good sense of when something is wrong. Likewise you need to develop a sense on when your anger is rising so you can deal with it, before you pass out from hyperventilating." he smiled.
"That's true Shag." Daphne smiled back in return, she had always seen Shaggy as a good and loyal friend, just not the sharpest tool in the box. Academically that was true, but now she was beginning to realise that he was actually quite wise in many ways, Velma had alluded to this on a number of occasions but she had never quite understood what she had meant until now. Daphne had to admit that she was developing quite a soft spot for Shaggy, just like Velma had said she would. "I think they want the greenhouse house back" she said noticing some people waiting outside. Shaggy got up and held out his hand to Daphne so he could help her up. "Thanks Shag" she said taking his hand. As Velma says, he can be quite the gentleman at times, just don't ask him to make you a 'I don't mind, surprise me' dinner she though. There again nobody had ever since Velma made that mistake, Daphne smiled at the memory, they had been unsure whether to call a doctor or the fire department for her.
"Hi Shaggy, sorry bro but you'll need to find another place, we need to turn this into the orchid house," A man wearing a black beret with brown collar-length hair and dressed in gardening overalls stuck his head through the door.
"Like no problem Wolfie man, thanks for the loan of the greenhouse," said Shaggy shaking the man's hand as he and Daphne left the greenhouse.
"Any time bro."
"Who's he?" whispered Daphne as they walked away.
"Wolfie Smith, the head gardener. He grows my all the Naga jolokia and Dorset Naga peppers I use for cooking in one of the hot-houses here. D'ya want to try one?"
"No thanks Shag, I saw the effect they had on Velma, I've never seen anyone go that colour before."
"Like don't remind me, I still feel guilty about that."
"Well, you did surprise her. Say, speaking of the small orange one have you noticed she's been acting a bit odd lately?" said Daphne
"Sneaking off and stuff like that?" Daphne nodded "Like now you mention it yeah," said Shaggy.
"I'm a bit worried about her Shaggy. She can be a bit odd at times but nothing like this. Could you keep an eye out for her, just in case she's in some kind of trouble?"
"We're on it. I'll see what Scoob thinks. I know Fred has been keeping a close eye on her as well."
"That's good," said Daphne "I'm meeting Velma for a heavy carb workout this afternoon so I'll see if I can find out what she's up to."
"You girls have really taken this exercise thing to heart."
"Well you got to look after yourself."
"True but don't overdo it."
"As if we would."
"Another ace workout," said Daphne licking the sugar and cream off her fingers.
"I think the idea is we're supposed to be burning carbs but this is more civilised, and a lot less sweaty." Velma picked up the last piece of cake from her plate and popped it into her mouth. She could see people exercising in the gym opposite. "Hey Daph, how are things with you and Shaggy going?" said Velma when she had finished eating.
"Good, I think I'm making progress."
"And how are you getting on with Shaggy as your teacher?"
"Actually I'm getting quite a soft spot for him just like you said I would."
Velma raised an eyebrow at the expression on Daphne's face "Ah amour du jour …" she said but was cut off by Daphne gently prodding her in the ribs.
"Velma! I can't believe I fell for that" Velma started to giggle and was soon joined by Daphne "Honestly Velma I can't take you anywhere" said Daphne shaking her head. With that they put a tip on the table and walked out the shop waving to the staff behind the counter.
"Sorry Daph what I meant to say was how are the sessions with Shaggy going?" replied Velma trying to make her giggles go away.
"Good, I think I'm making progress."
"That's great Daph."
Daphne paused and thought for a second "You know Velma, Shaggy does make me feel calm. There's something about him that's soothing," Velma nodded in agreement.
"I know Daph, it's hard to panic when he's there, well unless he's panicking that is. So you're not doing anything too sappy?"
"No, it sounded a bit daft at first but it does make sense," Daphne paused for a second whatever it takes she thought.
"Whatever it takes for what? Sorry you were whispering," Daphne looked around then moved in close to Velma.
"Velms I know you are really close to Fred," she spoke in soft tones.
"Yes Daph," replied Velma, her face taking on a quizzical expression.
"What are his feelings towards me at the moment?"
"Well emm, he's not mad at you anymore if that's what you mean, I guess you'd know that as we all still hang out and work together."
"I'm going to try and win Fred back."
"Oh," said Velma quietly looking briefly away, Daphne noticed that Velma was looking quite uncomfortable all of a sudden.
"Don't worry Velma, I'll take things slowly. I want to get my temper under control first, I'll even be patient if he's seeing some else in the meantime. Well I need to be off now, see you later." Daphne trotted off towards the car park leaving Velma alone with her thoughts.
"For everyone's sake I hope you can be patient," whispered Velma to herself "especially mine." Velma closed her eyes and gave an involuntary shudder as memories of being caught up in the brief but vicious cross-fire when Daphne and Fred had finally split up came to the front of her mind. That had been bad enough, but now? Velma's phone buzzed, she looked at it and her heart skipped a beat, it was a reminder for her date tonight. Not even the shadow of Daphne's intentions could diminish her growing excitement.
The next day saw the final preparation for the festival. The orchid house was having the final modifications made all of which were overseen by Harold Dinkley, Velma's father. Velma and Daphne were there partly to help, partly in the hope of getting a free lunch. Harold was adjusting the environmental controls of a large enclosure which was to hold the star exhibit.
"My mother and father are going to be guest judges for this. They brought the centrepiece of the show – a rare fresh-water orchid." Daphne could see the pride in Velma's face "They discovered it two years ago while on holiday."
"I remember I've never seen you so excited," said Daphne.
"You should have seen us if you thought Velma was excited, it's not every day that you make a discovery like that. It's a real privilege to study the flower; you need special licence to keep it as it has some very unusual properties. Our lab is only one of only five in the country who can keep the flower and collecting from wild is forbidden," said Harold.
"That flower must be high on any collector's wish list," said Daphne, Velma nodded.
"We have had many offers of money from private collector, some offers large enough that Marilyn and I could retire tomorrow, but we have respectfully declined all the offers," replied Harold proudly.
Indeed later that day Harold and Marilyn were approached by two people one man and one woman, purporting to be agents of an anonymous wealthy collector and offered them a six-figure sum, in cash, for the orchid. Harold and Marilyn's decline of the offer was taken with good grace, the man said that the collector would understand and that it was good to see that there were still people of principle in the world. They departed with a courteous shake of hands. Only when they were out of earshot did the two collectors speak.
"That wasn't unexpected; some suitable encouragement will change their minds," said the man.
"Time to move to plan B," the woman took out her cell-phone and made a terse call "Pick up the orange blossom as we discussed and take it to the safe place."
"Tomorrow we'll have something much more valuable to offer them," said the man with a humourless laugh as they headed for the car park.
