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Clouds loomed over the Sussex villa which my dear friend Holmes and I had shared for years. As always, storms worsened my pain, but I enjoyed time outdoors too much to stay inside.
Leaning on my cane, I limped through the garden. Holmes was with his beehives, checking over them before the rain while I finished my garden chores.
With the end of my cane, I uprooted a weed near my lettuce, then turned towards the trowel I’d left near newly planted vegetables yesterday. I used my cane handle to reach and pull the trowel closer to myself, where I could more easily bend to pick it up.
My leg throbbed with pain, deep aches through all the muscles, and I winced. I would need to sit soon, but not yet.
“Look, Holmes!” I gestured to the pasture with my cane. “Annie has come out to see us.”
“Hullo! Hullo!” Holmes called to myself and our contented brown cow. He joined me at the fence, patting Annie while she gazed up with friendly eyes. “She is happy for the visit. Are you game to stay for a little?”
Nodding, I leaned on my cane and petted Annie. “I certainly am.”