On the day of the move, Purple Summers stood outside the small western-style house, instructing the gardener to relocate the two clumps of roses from outside the door.
"They need to be exactly the same," Purple ordered, "the positioning must not change at all."
Other belongings were being moved by them, but she repeatedly emphasized these two clumps of flowers.
These were the roses Alexander Summers had once had planted beneath her window, shaped like two hearts, which she wanted to take to her new home.
Anything she valued, she intended to take with her, if she could.
When Tiny's children left the nest, she also wanted to take Tiny with her, if Tiny was willing...
Manager Charles had hired enough staff; all the luggage was quickly loaded up, and he came over to ask Purple to get in the car.
Purple crouched down, gently stroked the python's head by her feet, and then stood up to walk towards the wrought-iron gate. Cleo slowly slithered after her.
