Saying goodbye

Mary planted a tree for everyone she' d loved and lost. With one exception¼

Louise found her elderly neighbour doing one last

tour of the garden.

`Are you ready to go, Mary? The car' s all packed and ready to go.'

I won' t be long. I just need to say one last goodbye to all the people I' ve loved.'

She stroked the bark of a tall, slim silver birch.

I planted this tree when my first husband died. He was such a lovely man. I love you, Malcolm,' she said softly. I' ll never forget you.'

Louise smiled. Mary never ceased to amaze her. She' d lived in the house for more than 60 years. Despite being on her own, she' d kept the large garden perfectly in order, steadfastly refusing to accept any help from friends or neighbours.

Now, when most people would be thinking of retiring to the coast, she was emigrating to the other side of the world to be with her family.

It must be hard to move after living here such a long time,' Louise said.

Mary nodded

Very hard. I' ve been planting trees in memory of the people I loved since I was nine years old. I planted the first one after my grandfather died.'

Since moving in next door, two years ago, Louise had heard the stories connected to the various trees, but if Mary wanted to tell them one last time, that was fine by her.

As they walked round the garden, Mary stopped to talk about the person each tree commemorated an apple tree for an old school friend, a pair of cherry trees for an uncle and aunt, a fig tree for a neighbour. The list went on and on.

Which one is your favourite?' Louise asked, even though she already knew the answer.

The oak tree,' Mary replied wistfully. I planted it in memory of my father.

Such a lovely man, crazy about bugs and beetles. Did you know that one oak tree is home to two hundred different kinds of insect?'

I didn' t,' Louise gazed up into the branches of the oak. In full leaf, it was at its most beautiful. Your father would definitely approve.'

The removal team were long gone now. The new owners could arrive at any minute.

We should think about leaving soon,' she said. You have a flight to catch.'

Mary nodded. I know. Thanks so much for offering to give me a lift to the airport. Only one tree to go.'

As they walked towards the bottom corner of the garden, the hairs on the back of Louise' s neck sprang to attention.

There was something about the last tree that sent shivers down her spine.

Its trunk was bent and twisted, and in the winter, the long, leafless branches reminded her of a skeleton' s bony fingers.

All the other trees were beautiful. Many bore blossom, some had fruit, but this particular one just looked menacing.

Mary must have sensed her mood because she stopped. Why don' t you wait here? I' ll only be a minute.'

Thanks. I don' t know why, but that tree gives me the creeps.''

Mary gave a little chuckle.

I' m not surprised. I planted it for my second husband. He was a ghastly man, I should never have married him. I rushed into it. It was too soon after Malcolm died.'

Louise didn' t know what to say, so she said nothing.

Everyone knew he had run off with some woman from work. One minute they were there, the next they' d gone, leaving a trail of misery behind them.

At last Mary was ready to go to the airport. The new owner was already there, waiting outside the house. Mary handed him a huge bunch of keys, wished him good luck, then climbed into Louise' s car.

She didn' t hear what he said to his friend.

Right. While we wait for the removal van to arrive, let' s get started in the garden. I promised the old lady I wouldn' t touch any of the trees, but that ghastly one in the corner really has to go. It gives my wife the shivers.'

Luckily for Mary, by the time they found the remains of two bodies a man and a woman she was long gone.

Louise smiled. Mary never ceased to amaze her. SheÕd lived in the house for more than 60 years