The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven

The next time Teddy appeared around the corner of the house I knew it was time to go. A brown tweed newsboy cap rested comfortably over his head. I thought he looked like a true Englishman then, reaffirming he was born and bred on this island. He stopped some distance from me, and took his time observing my precise trimming of the top of the hedges to ensure it was perfectly straight.

“We should go.”

“One more minute,” I begged. I felt his presence encroach upon mine, and soon enough I could see his towering shadow in the corner of my eye.

“It is too high for you,” he observed, before he unhanded the large hedge shears from me. Teddy took it upon himself to cut the top of the bushes. He was most careful not to get anything on his nice suede jacket, moving back a tiny step to create some distance from the high green hedges. “I don’t know how Daphne does it. She is smaller than you.”

“I imagine she uses a ladder.”

The man beside me chuckled with amusement as he continued to snip at the prickly bushes. “It would take twice as long with that.”

“Has she ever asked you for help?”

“No, she is far too independent for that.” I crossed my arms, unsure if he was implying that I was not an independent person. Teddy must have caught my body language from the corner of his eyes, for he laughed lightly with a hint of endearment. “It bothers you that I am helping?”

“No, it is too high for me to reach.”

“I was saving you time,” he noted. “How about you clean up the rest of the gardening supplies while I finish this up?”

“Alright, I will be back.”

“I’ll meet you at the shed,” he quipped, before he continued with his attentive trimmings of the hedge.

It must say a lot about Teddy that he was willing to assist me with the gardening. He was very attentive towards me, almost intent on pleasing me in some way. It was evident he was going out of his way to make me feel more comfortable in his home, though it made me suspicious as to his motives. Was it the kindness of his heart or something more than that? And what could he possibly gain from it?

I worked hard to clear up the shed until it was nice and tidy. I knew Teddy was very particular about these things, so I had to ensure everything was to his liking. He returned to my side a few minutes later, wearing almost a smile once he caught my eyes. I watched him stride over to me with confidence, chin held high to maintain his noble position. “Are you all set?” he smoothly inquired. He leaned his body into the shed, placing the gardening tool on a small ledge where it would be perfectly safe. “Did you forget anything in the house?”

“No. I am ready.”

He plucked up a key off the hook and made sure I stood far enough away from the swinging door for him to shut it closed. I watched him lock the shed door with particular care, and then pocket the key in the inner flap of his suede jacket. “I parked my car a little further down the hill.” He took the lead, determined to show me the way. “How was your first day so far?”

I decided to take a more enthusiastic route, so I exclaimed: “It was just lovely! You have such a nice garden, and this area is so quaint and quiet.”

drawled out with

as he stuffed his hands into his coat pockets. “Or to paint,

“No,” he chuckled.

suppose you can’t

hard pathway of carefully chosen stone slabs, while motioning with his hand for me to follow the exact route.

true,” I mused aloud. “Why there is no one

a lighthouse further up north along the rocky coast, but I doubt my body would

in disapproval, and then looked straight ahead where I could see the outline of his navy-blue car. “Do I detect a hint of dark humour from

to touch the side of my arm, hoping to have some support as he attempted to regain his balance. He was a tall man, and I could feel his immense weight leaned against my upper arm to the point that his large hand was gripping into my flesh. “Sorry,” he quickly apologized once he regained

surprise the outside of his car was not as clean as his house. I stopped at the passenger door, letting my

he was ready to leave. “And it berated me for letting you wander down

we do live in

“I dare say we do,” Teddy agreed with me. “But it would not be right for a woman

a long drive to the

cassette player, an old device that I had not seen since I was a child. “I don’t mind the drive. Sometimes it is best to get out of the house.” Soft piano music came through the speakers, and then Teddy turned his attention to winding

ever

“Heaven’s no!” he laughed.

“Why not?”

parking lot. “The house must be quiet,” he drawled

“But why?”

must continue that way.” The car reversed sharply to the right and then barrelled ahead to drive us down the last of the hill. “And she

“Who?”

hand upwards to scratch his fingers against the side of his jawline. “A slip of

soft as I uttered: “I

lonely dirt trail, and finally entered the smooth paved road that would take us back to the village. He turned the opposite direction from which I came, so I rolled down the window just a tad to gaze at the green scenery. The trees were budding, and the long stretch of green grass was decorated with vibrant blue

“You are very quiet.”

the car, taking in his calm composure. “I was just thinking…” My gaze

“Thank you, Sela.”

you feel