Wednesday is probably my most favourite day of the week. The mid-way point with half the week gone and only half left before the weekend. It's also Summer Haze day and that's my excuse to spend 'me time' pottering around in the peace and tranquillity of the gardens.

Now, don't get me wrong I'm not a boring loner, far from it actually. I'm a typical twenty year old.  I live at home with my family because, well, although I don't exactly fit into my family's academic mold, I love them dearly and wouldn't be without them. Also, I am at college so finances don't allow me to get my own place just yet.

On the whole I do enjoy unrestricted freedom from my parents and I am appreciative of that because some of my friends are still treated like they are in their early teens. As long as my parents know that I am still alive and breathing, day to day they are quite content to let me lead a fairly hassle free life. As my Mum says, "it's all about respect and trust Lily and that works both ways."

I love fashion, mostly the unaffordable kind; have an eclectic taste in music and go to gigs and festivals when the funds allow; spend far too much time out with friends, mainly in bars and cafes as I'm not really a clubber anymore, and not enough time studying. I can play the piano, albeit badly and love to read classics through to modern literature and anything that takes my fancy in between.  I sometimes blog, mostly unsuccessfully, because although I like to think I'm cool when I'm doing it I really am not. I also write. Well, when I say write it makes me sound like an author which is stretching the truth a tad. I started to write a book on one of those online book sites but didn't get any reads, likes or comments. I became typically oversensitive for me so I've just left the story hanging in mid-air hoping it might be discovered in years to come as a literary masterpiece.  I'm not holding my breath on that one!

In a nutshell, my life is good right now.  It's fun and fast, sometimes unpredictable and it's why I love my Wednesdays because this one little day stuck in the middle of the week is measured and slow and helps to balance out the other six furiously manic days of the week that sit on the sides of it.

So back to this Wednesday. My faithful Ford estate hums along, her old engine is reassuringly clunky. The smell of petrol and oil that she omits from beneath her bonnet and exhaust filters through the vents filling the inside of the car. It doesn't worry me because she's always been this way although I do have to drive with the windows down in all weathers! She's not a beauty to look at but practical as she comfortably accommodates all my gardening gear. Today she's overflowing with bedding plants that not only fill the expanse of boot but also the whole of the backseat.

Percy and I are on our way to Summer Haze. The fresh spring air blows in through the passenger window forcing Percy's ears back with it as we speed along. His nose is raised high sniffing wildly at the passing breeze and glistens with beads of moisture from the cool air. 

I pull up outside the house and reverse the car toward the double wooden gates that access the walled garden beyond. Glancing across the expanse at the front I notice that Mick's car isn't in the driveway. Good, he's out, all the better. We haven't got off to the best of starts and whilst I appreciate he's allowed me to continue gardening here, the less I have to see him the better.

I get out the car and Percy follows dutifully behind me. It's takes successive trips backwards and forwards from the car to the first garden before all the plants are placed along the ground and sitting patiently waiting to be bedded in. The job of clearing, weeding and planting the four large beds takes me all morning.

Percy lays on the lawn basking in the fine weather. Occasionally he rises and joins me, nudging my gloved hand with his nose trying to steal the weeds I am tearing up from the dirt. I throw one and he playfully jumps into the flowerbed after it. His paws dig frantically sending soil flying out behind him and onto the lawn. He flops down into the hole then rolls over covering his fur in the brown stuff, the weed held tightly in his mouth as he shakes his head from side to side. My loyal companion and Wednesday company is such a mischievous puppy.

It's thirsty work but just one more trip to the compost heap with the over-flowing wheelbarrow is in order before we rest up for a break. Percy carries his bowl in his mouth and trots beside me. On my way back, I fill it with fresh water from the outside tap and he jumps around barking in anticipation of a cool drink. When we return to the flowerbeds a mug of steaming hot tea and a muffin sit on a small tray beside my tools. A handwritten note is propped up against the side of the mug.

Apologies for the gardening mix up. Just a peace offering.

What a nice gesture but I am not sure if it's cute or a bit weird. He appears to have made homemade apple muffins. He doesn't strike me as the baker type but then I remind myself to never judge a book by its cover as I am often surprised. I assumed he was living here alone but perhaps he has a girlfriend or boyfriend.  For all I know there might even be a Mrs Greenberg.   

I settle down on the grass to enjoy the tasty treat. Unwrapping the cake, I break it off in sections and pop it into my mouth. It is deliciously sweet, the sponge light and airy and the apple soft with just a hint of crunch left. Wow. I must thank him later, if he can be civil then so can I. For now though my eyes look towards the imposing hedge and I know that's where my next job lies. Unfortunately it turns out to be a bigger job than I estimated and takes me the rest of the day. 

Finally, I finish late afternoon and place all tools in the shed. Unravelling the hose, I water the flowerbeds that already look dry after the afternoon sun has baked them. Luckily rain is due before next week so the plants will welcome the drink, especially as I am only visiting once a week.

Much to his delight, I turn the spray on Percy to wash off the soil covering his fur. He sees it as a game chasing me around the lawn and attacking the stream of water, yelping loudly. He shakes from the top of his head, the rippling concertinas right through his body, ending at the tip of his long tail and sending water droplets flying all ways.

Once we're ready to head off I remember I must thank Mick for the muffin. I put Percy in the car and head back to the side door of the kitchen.   As I raise my fist to knock, I notice the door is already ajar.  Mick is alone in the kitchen and it seems it is him cooking judging by the aromas emanating from inside. He can't see me from where I stand and I really shouldn't snoop but I can't help myself. Every so often he passes across my sightline and I finally catch a glimpse of Mick, albeit only his back view, without his hood up.   

He is as tall as I recall from last week in the orchard and quite lanky. His lean legs endlessly extend and are covered in the tightest black skinny jeans. His feet are bare as I hear them padding against the stone of the kitchen floor. But it is his hair that intrigues me. It was hidden last week but is on display today. It's long and shaggy like a lion's mane and falls way below his shoulders that are so broad they stretch the fabric of his black tee tightly across his back.

I decide not to stand quiet any longer in case he turns and sees me staring.  I knock on the open door to make my presence known. He stills from whatever he is doing at the work surface and pauses for a brief moment. His back is still towards me. He leans forwards against the counter, his arms stretched out to his sides with his hands balled into fists and resting on the worktop. His head goes down and I notice from the hunching of his shoulders that he takes in a deep breath and releases it ever so slowly straightening up his back once more.

This guy is so unbelievably uptight and tetchy.

He reaches to the side for something that I see is his hoodie as he pulls it over his frame, keeping the hood up and covering his mane. With his head down, he turns then flicks his eyes up towards me. However, he doesn't move from his spot resting back against the counter.

Although he is standing away from me and he has his hood up, I can still make out more of his features today. He is young, very young and actually quite good looking in an unkempt, not shaved in while, kind of way. His whole demeanour doesn't speak City slicker, he looks more of a grungy creative type.

"Hello Lily." He speaks slowly, his low voice totally in control.

Last week our first encounter was feisty and overwrought as we tried to outdo each other. Today I'm feeling more bashful after my outburst and he has an all-imposing aura that intimidates me a little bit.

As I respond to him my quiet voice is almost trembling. "Hi Mick, sorry to disturb you I just wanted to say thank you for the muffin." I hold out the tray with the empty mug, plate and the note on top. It's not heavy to hold with one hand but for some reason the tray shakes, clanking the plate and mug together. He doesn't step forward to take it from my grasp, he simply stands there looking at me with hooded eyes and a blank expression. To avoid the china sliding off the tray and smashing all over the floor, I tentatively bend down and place it on the step by the kitchen door.

As my eyes move from his to follow the line of the tray he speaks but it isn't harsh as his imposing stature would suggest it would be, it is soft, almost kind. "You're very welcome." My eyes flick up to meet his and he's nodding in appreciation at my thank you.

"Also I must apologise for my outburst last week and thank you for allowing me to continue with my gardening," slips croakily from my nervous mouth.

"It's my pleasure Lily, see you next Wednesday." He nods again then turns his back to carry on with his baking, signalling that our conversation is ended and it's time for me to leave.

"Yes of course, see you next week." I offer speedily and relieved. I see no need to be rude to this man anymore even if he is intimidating. I have my wish to carry on gardening and will not do anything to jeopardise that, even if it means I have to be sweetness and light when I come into contact with him.