Читать книгу The Bees - Laline Paull - Страница 6

The old orchard stood besieged. To one side spread a vast arable plain, a dullard’s patchwork of corn and soy reaching to the dark tree-line of the hills. To the other, a light-industrial estate stretched towards the town.

Between the dripping trees the remains of a path still showed. A man in early middle-age kicked at the tall nettles and docks to widen it. Neat in her navy business suit, a younger woman followed. She paused to take photographs with her phone.

‘I hope you don’t mind but we’ve put out some feelers, and we’re already beating them off with sticks. Prime brown-field location.’

The man stared through the trees, not listening.

‘There – thought for a moment it had vanished.’

An old wooden beehive stood camouflaged against the trees. The woman drew back.

‘I won’t come any closer,’ she said. ‘I’m a bit funny about insects.’

‘So’s my father. He calls them his girls.’ The man looked up at the low grey sky. ‘Is that more rain? What happened to summer?’

The woman glanced up from her phone.

‘I know! I’ve forgotten what blue sky looks like. Must be hard with the kids off school.’

‘They barely notice. They’re always online.’

He walked forward and peered closer at the hive.

A few bees emerged from a small hole at the bottom. They walked along a narrow wooden ledge and hummed their wings.

He watched them for a while then turned back to her.

‘I’m sorry. Now is not the right time.’

‘Oh!’ She put her phone away. ‘Have you changed your mind?’

He shook his head.

‘No. I’ll sell …’ He cleared his throat. ‘But not yet. It feels wrong.’

‘Of course.’ She hesitated. ‘I suppose it’s very hard to know approximately …?’

‘Could be months. Could be tomorrow.’

The woman allowed a respectful silence.

‘Well, rest assured that when you are ready, it’s a seller’s market.’

She began walking back along the path.

The man stood alone by the hive. On impulse he put his palm against the wood, as if feeling for a pulse. Then he turned and followed her.

Behind them, bees rose into the brightening air.