Grandad dressed his tomato plant in Toby’s outgrown winter coat.
Mum found two pots of seedlings wearing the old mittens. Grandad had even given another plant his own jacket.
He stood shivering beside his well-wrapped vegetables.
Mum asked why the tomato plant needed better clothes than he did….
When Grandad asked for Toby’s old winter coat, his daughter, Emma, thought he was collecting clothes for charity.
It’s the blue one with the yellow hood, she said.
Perfect.
You haven’t asked what size.
I remember it.
Emma said Toby had grown since last winter.
So has everything, Grandad said.
She brought the coat on Sunday.
Grandad checked the zip and looked pleased.
Have you still got the little mittens?
Probably.
And a scarf?
Dad, who are these for?
Someone who’s had a difficult start.
Emma put down her tea.
Is this someone in the village?
Just outside.
Does anyone else know about this?
Your mother.
Emma found Grandma in the kitchen.
Dad’s collecting children’s clothes.
I know.
Should we be helping?
I’m letting him use the good pegs.
That answer did not help.
Emma went back to Grandad.
Will the coat be warm enough?
We’ll find out tonight.
There’s frost coming.
I know.
Do you need a blanket too?
He considered it.
Not the thick one. It cuts out the light.
Emma asked to meet whoever he was looking after.
Grandad led her through the kitchen and into the garden.
Beside the greenhouse stood a tomato plant. Its pot was wrapped in bubble wrap.
Toby’s coat covered the leaves. The yellow hood sat over the top cane.
Emma stared at it.
That’s what you wanted his coat for?
It fits rather well.
Grandma came out carrying two pegs.
Emma said there were proper covers for plants.
Grandad said those didn’t have zips.
She asked about the mittens.
Two small pots of seedlings stood beside the tomato.
Then she noticed another coat hanging over the fence.
Whose is that?
Mine, Grandad said.
You must be freezing.
He looked at the carefully covered tomato.
Emma asked why a plant needed better clothing than its owner.
It’ll give me tomatoes. I only give your mother opinions.
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