I was a bit surprised that she came up to me offering a special plant … ah well – I could (and must be nice – though we've never really got on) – a woman with always a contrary thought about life in general.
But what could I do … so together we go to her cottage with its overflowing plants et al … she shows me the enormous pot with a tall spadix already quite tall … saying it'll be great for your Christmas party … this flower spike will open into the most beautiful flower … you've enough room for it.
We get the pot home and I think no more … doing what I'm told – put the pot in a warm and light position … our ground floor extends down a few steps into a comfortable conservatory …
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| Two of these plants |
I did thank her most profusely for her apparently generous gift … during the next few days this inflorescence keeps growing … as party time approaches.
The day of the get-together … the house is warm, welcoming and cosy … family have arrived and are staying over, the Aga bakes away … the scented Christmassy smells perfume the rooms …
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| Spadix |
I noticed that flower spike is getting very tall … I'd been warned, but also that old lady had mentioned its height … but said the beautiful ruby red flower will astonish us … it looked like she'd be right …
We were ready … the food was out, tables overflowing, decorations brightened the rooms, we were dressed to the nines … and were looking forward to a wonderful day with the weekend ahead …
I just had a lingering thought … there was something amiss … but the wonderful classical selection of Christmas music, that my husband had put together, resonated through the house … just gorgeous … I could happily lie down, doze and listen … but I must get to it – to welcome our guests to the party.
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| Pouffy whiffy ... |
I loved seeing family and friends … but that fishy niff was getting stronger … meatier, positively foul … now a pong, a stench even … oh dear – where on earth was it coming from …
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| Old wrinkly hag |
That plant had come courtesy of that wretched old hag – she was malevolent ... people always said she had a vengeful side to her ... how right they were ...
The flower was in full bloom ... a rich deep ruby purply red ... beautiful ... but? -
oh oh … the boys are shouting at me … “we're taking that pot outside … that flower whiffs beyond belief ...”
Most definitely The First Time I Saw Your Face, is the last time I want to be near one of your sort – pouff, pouffy …
Tag line: Glory Be … a Cruel Unmasking … What a Stink for Christmas Joy …
For information:
Chicago Botanic Garden - details (pdf) of Titan arum ...
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
