With Helen's able assistance the plantings were very soon finished .

-- I think that I might check to see if there are any seedlings available in the Village . They could be used to give a head start to producing . I wonder where the nearest nursery is .

-- I dunno , said Peter ,

-- But I'll ask around . Ernie is a sure bet to know , so I'll ask him .

Peter had found an old but still useful roll of bird netting in the shed near the garden , and they staked out the beds and spread it over them to protect the seeds they had planted .

-- That should do it , said Peter .

-- Listen , could you afford a bit bigger pump ? I reckon that with some plastic agricultural pipe I could rig an irrigation system for these beds . It'd save a lot of trouble .

Helen looked doubtful .

-- No ? Okay then , I'll put a junction onto the house supply and when that's not in full demand we could use the house pump to fill a small header tank and drip irrigate . That wouldn't cost all that much .

-- Then we'll try it . I hope you really have the knowhow .

-- That I do . And to save the cost of a tank I saw some old drums in that shed. One of them would sit easily on a stand , and it would do .

-- Well , we can leave that till we get the pipe , decided Helen .

It was clear that , as the days had passed , they had developed a very comfortable working relationship , and a pleasant intimacy of communication.

-- Let 's clean up , have some lunch and get cracking on the Library, said Helen.

Just then they heard the roar of a motor bike at the front of the house .

-- Seems like our scientific friend has decided to forego the tea and scones . Good thing . She'll probably go to the pub and eat Fred instead .

-- Good luck to them both , said Peter.

-- By the way , I got a most peculiar note yesterday.

Helen was curious .

-- Oh ? What was it about ?

-- One thing I do know , it wasn't any friend having me on . None of my mates even know that I'm working here yet. I still have to send off news of my whereabouts to all of them .

-- Well , come on , tell me , what was it about ?

Helen's interest was thoroughly aroused .

-- It wasn't from Mrs Day , was it ?

Peter almost choked with laughter .

-- I think we can count her out . It isn't her style at all. And I can say that about what was in the note , even if we have only just today finally straightened things out with her .

-- Was it posted to the George's house ?

-- Yes. I wonder if Doris would have any idea of the sender .

-- You're putting off telling me what was in it , aren't you , Helen lightly accused him.

-- I am , aren't I ! Look , I'm a bit embarrassed talking about it.

Helen cocked an eyebrow as Peter stumbled on .

-- This could just be a one-off thing . I don't want to go on about it till I'm sure of my ground . I shouldn't have said anything .

Helen laid a hand on his arm .

-- I know how you feel . I got a couple of strange letters myself when I came here , I just burned them . But Peter ...

She paused , looking more than a little embarrassed herself . Then she took a deep breath and said :

-- I'd like you to understand that after working with you here , and getting to know you .... well , I took a liking to you from the first moment ...

She held up a hand to hush him before he could speak , then continued :

-- And you strike me as someone who'd be a really good friend . Now don't get me wrong , Peter . I said friend and that is all I meant .

-- Same goes for me , said Peter .

--I like this place , I like what I am doing , and I like you . And I'll tell you what . If anything more comes of this note business , I'll let you know straight away . I might need your advice .

You're welcome to any I can give . Let's forget it for now and while we're having lunch I'll tell you how I want us to tackle the library.

-- Us , thought Peter . She keeps referring to us as a pair . I like that .

And he kept up a bright flow of chatter over the lunch table.