Storm WARNING
Jane had been dreading today. She had slept fitfully last night, partly because of the oppressive heat but also because she was apprehensive about how her news would be received later.
When her bedside alarm had gone off, she had already been downstairs for an hour, made a pot of tea and fed the cat, who was weaving himself hopefully around her ankles.
She carried the tray outside and sat on the bench under the kitchen window to enjoy some fresh air before the sun broke through.
The garden was parched. So far, August had been stifling, and after the 10 o’clock news last night, which featured forest fires and dried-up reservoirs, the forecaster had said that gardeners could smile again because things were about to change.
Smile? Thunderstorms over the Atlantic were heading her way.
Much as the rain was needed,
