"Hi Mum, I'm back." I shout as I walk in through the front door.  After my strange encounter with the new tenant at Summer Haze, I didn't see him again for the rest of the day.

"Lily I'm in the kitchen if you've got a minute." Mum calls out. 

"Oh I really need a shower Mum, can it wait?" My skin is covered in a fine layer of sweat mixed with soil from the day's exertions.

"No Lily it can't."  I sense annoyance through her tone so I head hesitantly into the kitchen with no clue what I've done wrong now. 

"Everything ok?" I ask nervously.

Mum has her hands on her hips, eyebrows raised to the sky.  "Would you like to explain exactly what happened with Mr Greenberg today?" Her tone is accusatory before even hearing the facts. 

"Nothing happened.  He thought I was trespassing because you didn't mention the fact the property rental comes with a gardener included."  I'm tired and could well do without an interrogation. 

"Well he telephoned this afternoon and he doesn't wish the gardens to be tended during his tenancy."  She says matter-of-factly. 

"But that's six months, we can't leave the gardens unattended for six months."

"I'm sorry love but that's what he has requested and we have to respect that."  Mum's tone is understanding but firm. 

"Well you might but I certainly don't.  I've put everything into those gardens.  I'm not going to let some City type come around here and start throwing his weight around."

"Lily, he is paying good money for the rental and in advance.  I know you are disappointed but you need to let it go."

"No way!  This is not the end of this, I am not going to allow all my hard work to be reversed by some over-cocky city slicker."  My frustration is released as a high- pitched rant. 

"Liliana, just drop it, it's what I've agreed and that's final."

I glare at her, huff and stomp out the kitchen heading straight to my room.  I immediately take a welcome shower, the warm water washing over me, cleansing the grime from my skin and relaxing my overworked muscles. 

Whilst drying my hair I gaze lovingly at the picture of my Grandmother staring warmly back at me from the silver frame sat on my dressing table.  Placing the dryer down on the surface, I lift the frame gently and hold it in my hands, running my fingers over the glass.  She adored Summer Haze and the garden was her haven. Goose bumps rise on my skin as a chill shivers through me.  Anger is still bubbling away deep inside of me that even my relaxing shower has not been able to calm.  I quickly throw on a pair of black sweat pants, white tee and grab my denim jacket.  I rush down the stairs, taking two at a time, pull on my Vans and rush out the house with car keys in hand shouting, "I won't be long."

I drive the five short miles through the town and out the other side, gripping the steering wheel in anticipation.  The road meanders up and down and is lined with tall trees on both sides, their branches spread so wide they meet in the middle creating a canopy over the road that shields the daylight.  Gates of differing designs are dotted at varying intervals along the roadside, hiding the huge properties nestling behind them. Toward the end of the road, just before the sharp left turn, I indicate right and turn swiftly onto the track.  Driving hastily is causing my old car to bounce around and jerk me from side to side in the process. My vision is blinded every so often as the sun hits my windscreen when there is a break in the overhanging trees but I don't care I just need to get to my destination. 

At the end of the track stand two imposing hardwood gates that completely hide Summer Haze behind them.  I press the key fob and both open slowly allowing me access to the driveway.  The tyres scrunch on the gravel and dust is thrown into the air due to the speed of my arrival. I immediately jump out of the car and stride towards the front door attacking it with loud bangs from my balled fists. No reply.  I bang again.  No reply.  He is quite clearly in as his flashy, expensive 4x4 is parked on the driveway.

"I'm not going anywhere until you open up so you might as well save us both the trouble and answer the goddamn door." I shout through the obscured glass panel.

I hammer on the wood again.  No answer.  I am mad, no more than mad, I am absolutely furious.

Mick's POV

I've just stepped out the shower after my run and am enjoying the view out of the bedroom window.  The location of this house is perfect.  I've only been here four days and already I feel comfortable.  It's sufficiently hidden from the road behind large trees and from nearby properties to ensure it is secluded but close enough to the small town so I don't feel completely isolated and away from any civilization.  Dad made a great choice when he chose this one.

The view from the window and my thoughts are both disrupted by the sight of a car speeding towards the driveway.  It breaks so abruptly that gravel dust is thrown up into the air in all directions.  It's her, Lily the gardener.  What's she doing here?  She hastily gets out of her car slamming the door with purpose and rushes towards the house.  She looks cross.  I lose sight of her as she gets closer to the property but I can't fail to hear her as she starts hammering on the front door.

I roll my eyes to the sky.  Can my day get any worse?  I couldn't have made it any clearer to her mother but the message quite clearly hasn't got through.

I quickly throw on some shorts and a tee and head downstairs. I have no intention of opening the door.  She'll get the message and leave eventually. 

"I'm not going anywhere until you open up so you might as well save us both the trouble and answer the goddamn door." She hollers from outside. 

I chuckle to myself, wow she is really mad. It must be because I cancelled her gardening services.  It's nothing personal, I just don't want anyone around.  I sit on the bottom step of the stairs and put my head in my hands.  She continues to loudly hammer on the door and then the ranting starts.

"You are a coward for not answering the door.  Do you know that?  Not only have you taken my job away from me, my only way to earn money but more importantly my passion as well.  I've tended these gardens for the last three years since my Gran died with love and care and now you come along and squash all my hard work.  Not to mention ruining my final year college assignment project.  You are an arrogant, big headed pig of a man."

Apart from her totally inaccurate critique of my character, the emotional delivery and nature of her words rush a wave of guilt through me.  I stand up to answer the door to her but as I glance out I see her car disappearing down the track as quickly as it arrived. 

This is not the start to my break that I envisaged.  Shit. 

Lily's POV

I don't feel any better after releasing my anger at Mr Greenberg or should I say his front door.  I hope he heard me, selfish man. I shut myself away in my room for the rest of the evening trying to figure out how I can rescue my college assignment project.  Around 9pm Mum lightly knocks on my door and enters my room, perching on the side of my bed facing me.

"You ok love?" She wears a frown across her forehead.

"Hi Mum." I answer her wearily. "Been better thanks."

"Where did you disappear to earlier?"

"Oh just into town." I hate lying to my Mum but if she knew I went to see Selfish she'd throw a fit. 

"Are you sure?  There isn't anything you'd like to share with me is there Lily?"

Great, she's seen right through me, might as well come clean, what's done is done anyway.  "Ok, ok, I might have gone to see Mr Greenberg." I hold my hands up in defeat.  

"Lilliana Jefferson I am very disappointed in you.  I expressly told you to drop it."   She shouldn't be surprised, after all I'm always the let-down of the family. 

"Yes but Mum he is being totally unreasonable.  That garden is my college project, I've been working on it for over 6 months." I realise I am unattractively whining. 

"You could have used our garden instead and you know it."  She responds firmly.

"I'm sorry Mum, my passionate head ran away with me."

"Lily, may I remind you that the rental from Summer Haze pays for your sister's University, your College and in time your brother's further educational fees.  We simply cannot afford to have anything jeopardise that income."  Mum's gone all business executive on me. 

"Oh here we go, you had to bring up Nathalie didn't you and make the distinction between Uni and College.  It's her choice to continue education at her ripe old age of 25. How many degrees does she need exactly? If you ask me, it's about time she got a job."

"Lily, your sister is working exceptionally hard to get her Medical PhD and your Father and I are happy to support her as we support you all in your chosen careers.  We are equally proud of you all, you know that."

"Do I, do I really, doesn't feel like it sometimes." I harshly retort. 

"Lily that is not true.  Did you know that it was Gran who first recognised your creative flair from a very young age and it was her that made your Dad and I see it.  We've never treated you kids all the same because you are not the same.  Nathalie and Tom are academically bright but you, you have the most amazing creative intelligence." Her tone softens and she places her hand over mine, squeezing it gently. 

I feel guilty at my petulant child outburst. "Sorry Mum and also about Mr Greenberg."

"Well lucky for you whatever you said to him he's had a change of heart about the garden.  He took a look around it and decided it is far too much for him to take on."  

My face lights up, relieved at the news.  So he did hear me, perhaps he has a conscience after all.  "Well that's great to hear." 

"Thought you'd be please. He said he'll expect you next Wednesday. Now I'll leave you to it." She confirms with a warm smile.

"Night mum."  I give her a huge hug. 

"Night love." She stands up from my bed and makes her way to the door but turns before exiting.  "And Lily?"

"Yes."

"I love you and am really proud.  You have talent Lily, never lose sight of that and keep following those dreams of yours."

"Thanks Mum, I love you too."