The Garden of Stars by Zoe Chamberlain Read Free Book Online

contraband goods into the hidden compartments between the boat’s base and its living area.
    Â The next day George would make a big fuss in the butcher’s shop, saying he had a problem with his boat’s rudder and could Bill help him out? That night Bill was to drive his van down to the water’s edge at Deanon’s Brook, away from the lights of the town, and they would load the delivery into the back of the truck.
    Â Bill would then hang another notice on the tree, this time saying ‘Cat Found, Many Thanks’ which would be a signal to Jeremy, the choirmaster, that it was time for him to pay a visit to the butcher. There Bill would give him several bags of meat, packed with leaflets and posters around the sides, carefully wrapped to keep them safe.
    Â Jeremy would hide his stash inside the choir stalls and within the bell tower, which the vicar had made redundant since his embarrassment on returning from honeymoon.
    Â I told them it was perfect as, if the vicar was getting suspicious, it was the last place he was likely to look.
    Â We also needed to reach the press. Fortunately Barbara knew everyone so I said I would compile a couple of press releases and suggested she could drop them into the newspaper offices in the city after the leaflets had arrived, on the way to visiting her mum for tea so nobody would think it unusual.
    Â We would hold meetings every Sunday afternoon, under the guise of astrology and yoga classes so that everyone could discreetly discuss their ideas or alert us to any potential problems. Maureen and Gillian were worried they would not be able to gather all the information and put together the posters in such a short space of time but I insisted to everyone we really had to move fast if we were to save the town. They nodded solemnly in agreement.
    Barbara had been very encouraging when I arrived for work the day after the meeting. Luckily, she didn’t seem to notice I was nursing a sore head as a result of Miss Metford’s shenanigans. She said she’d never seen the people of Ivory Meadows react so positively to new ideas or to new people, for that matter. She said they were normally suspicious of new folk, and to be a single mother as I was, well that was practically unheard of. It was clear they didn’t count Gillian in that equation and I didn’t like to ask what had happened to her other half. But Barbara said they felt the plan was so carefully devised, it might just work and that my heart was in the right place, which was the most important thing. And, she joked, that she was delighted she got an anniversary meal out of it to boot!
    The next morning, I dug out a plot near to the kitchen door and planted a herb garden. I sensed a battle ahead and knew I needed every weapon I could lay my hands upon. I created an apothecary of colours, fragrances, textures, and tastes. I planted basil to stimulate the brain, lemon balm to lift the spirits, mint to calm the nerves, coriander to beat fatigue and apathy, lavender for peace of mind, and rosemary for prosperity and friendship. I’d named my daughter after my favourite herb. The moment I’d first laid eyes on her I saw she was delicious, potent, medicinal, magical. Our surname was just coincidence but I loved the fact that, put together, her names symbolised friendship and love.
    Â I also made a note to buy in cloves to comfort and cheer and nutmeg for confidence. If we were to take on the government and the church, a little help from Mother Nature wouldn’t go amiss.
    I enlisted Rosie’s help in making bright, colourful posters advertising weekly yoga and astrology classes I proposed to run at Cherrystone Cottage.
    Â â€˜All welcome!’ the poster read, ‘Come and enjoy some relaxation and exercise for your body and mind. Suitable for any level. 3-4, Sunday afternoons. £1 each.’
    Â We’d agreed the weekly ‘fees’ would help to cover the printing