The Last Garden in England

Sydney interrupts Emma’s and Charlie’s work on the garden to beckon them into the house: Sydney has found blueprints of the house, Venetia’s sketches of the gardens, and letters written by her brother, Adam. The most surprising find is a note, in unknown handwriting, that identifies the winter garden as “Celeste’s garden.” Nobody knows who Celeste is, but finding the documents ensures that Emma’s restoration work is more accurate. Sydney mentions that a neighbor, Henry Jones, might have some information; his grandmother, Beth, once worked as a land girl on a nearby farm. Beth became an artist and might have sketched the gardens at Highbury House.

After Sydney and Charlie leave, Emma and Andrew stay behind to look over the documents. Andrew asks if Emma has considered joining them at the pub for quiz night. Emma demurs. Settling in and making friends when she will just move on after the job seems pointless.

Venetia regularly dines with her employers. Their privileged manner annoys her, but she appreciates their company. She thinks about them as she makes the trek to Wisteria Farm, where Matthew Goddard cultivates his roses. They agree on the beauty of gardens in wintertime. Venetia is impressed by Mr. Goddard’s operation; he is not a hobbyist, but rather a knowledgeable breeder and gardener. He shows Venetia not only his large collection of specimens but also his successful attempts at creating new cultivars. He invites Venetia to make her own cultivar, and she learns how to cross-pollinate the roses. He promises she can keep the resulting roses. They share a simple dinner before Venetia returns to her cottage.

Emma visits Henry Jones at Highbury House Farm, which used to be part of the Highbury House land until after the war. He is listening to loud soul music and wearing a James Brown t-shirt. He takes Emma back to his office, and she asks him about his grandmother’s sketches. He says that he inherited a lot of her belongings after her death; he likely has the sketches and will look for them as soon as he can. He, too, tries to enlist Emma’s help on quiz night; their group, Menace to Sobriety, usually loses. Again, she turns down the invitation, but when Henry asks to exchange numbers, she agrees. After all, if he finds the sketches, she will want to look at them.

In Colin’s letter to Beth, he mentions how much he would like to be back on a farm, as well. Beth has been entrusted with the delivery to Highbury House, so she sets out with the horse and cart, happy for some rare solitude. Stella greets her at the kitchen entrance and makes her a cup of tea. Beth is surprised that the milk is fresh, not powdered. They talk about the war effort, and Stella reveals that she was rejected from service because of her asthma. She also tells Beth that she does not enjoy her work at Highbury House, especially the imperious Mrs. Symonds. Stella admits that her employer is very fond of Robin, her son. Still, Stella hopes to leave after the war.

Beth expresses an interest in the gardens, and Stella assures her that Mrs. Symonds is up in London; Beth should take a look while she can. As Stella hands Beth a list for next week, Stella notices Beth’s chapped hands; she gives her a home remedy of wax and oil. When Beth leaves, she hesitantly takes a look at the gardens, amazed by their serene beauty. One of the gates is locked though the garden behind it is most fully in bloom even in the first frigid days of March. Beth spies a toy train beyond the gate, surmising that this area must be where Robin goes to play.

Stella has been called to the school: Bobby has been in a fight with another student. She is worried that the errand will make dinner late and irritate Mrs. Symonds. She is further horrified to discover that the boy with whom Bobby fought is Robin, and Mrs. Symonds is already waiting in the headmaster’s office. Bobby insists that they are friends, and Robin confesses his role in the fight: He tripped Bobby when it looked like Bobby would win their foot race. Mrs. Symonds apologizes for Robin’s behavior though she refuses the headmaster’s punishment: She will have the boys weed the garden rather than have them suffer a caning.

As they leave, Mrs. Symonds sends the boys on ahead to talk with Stella. Mrs. Symonds approves of the friendship between the boys, saying it has been beneficial to them both. She also lets Stella know that she has spoken with Cynthia about the rations, and Stella is surprised that Mrs. Symonds has come to her defense. However, when Stella mentions Mr. Symonds, Mrs. Symonds snaps at her.