TELLING the bees
It had all started with the simplest of phrases: ‘I need a favour.’
Gerald braced himself. He knew how chats like this with his sister usually went. ‘Ask away,’ he said wearily.
‘My gardening group’s been let down. I need you to fill in. You could talk about your bees,’ suggested Pam.
‘They’d love that and by the time spring comes around, they might even be tempted to try a bit of beekeeping themselves.’
‘I’d rather not,’ replied Gerald. ‘The hives haven’t been doing so well recently and I need to focus on keeping them safe until the weather warms up.’
He’d started keeping bees soon after he married Laura. She hadn’t been keen on the idea, but she did love her garden. Over time, she’d been won round. Sometimes he found her talking to the hives. She said it was good for the bees. He’d dismissed the idea, but since he’d lost her, honey yields had fallen.
Gerald realised his sister was still talking. ‘Sorry, Pam, I missed that.’
She sighed. ‘Please help me, Gerald. You give
