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It is said that one swallow does not a summer make, but that did not prevent me smiling when I saw a swallow one day at the end of April. I pointed it out to Seth as we were planting out a few of the hardier bedding plants.
“You see, I was right,” I said. “The swallows are here. We do need to get these plants out.”
He looked in the direction I was pointing. “’Tis only one. You shouldn’t get your hopes up, nor start casting your clout.”
“I know, I know, till May is out,” I finished for him.
Despite Seth’s pessimism we continued planting the nasturtiums and we even, very daringly, removed our outer coats as our digging had made us quite warm.
Once we had finished, we went indoors for a cup of tea, for it was certainly not yet warm enough to sit outside, after which Seth returned home, still muttering about the probable waste of time. The following morning, when I was down in the village I heard from Ellen, his daughter, that he had continued to complain about the waste of effort, but she had been unsympathetic, saying it wasn’t really a waste since he’d clearly had a good afternoon.
For the next couple of days, I kept a look out for the swallow, which did seem to be on its own. There had been strong winds the day before it had arrived, so it was not impossible it had been blown off course. I hoped it was not feeling lonely. Holmes laughed at my concern, but it didn’t stop me watching it and wondering whether it would fly off to seek its companions.
The following morning, Mrs Maiden called out, “Dr Watson, look!”
I hurried into the kitchen and was delighted to see a number of swallows flying overhead.
“Your bird will no longer be on its own,” she said.
I was delighted and headed into the greenhouse to prepare more seedlings ready to plant that afternoon, for now the rest of the swallows had arrived I was sure summer was on its way.