I adopt my usual smiley face when I ride up to the large white metal gates at the entrance to Madeline's house. I am buzzed through by Cara. The lawn to the right of the drive is such a bright green it doesn't look real. Why should it be? Nothing else here is!

I take my bike around to the side entrance where Cara is waiting for me.

"Hello missy Wanda, how are you?"

"Not as lovely as you, Cara." I give her a little nudge as we make our way through to the garden. She giggles and shakes her head ...