Gust of valerian explodes

from the backyard wall, 

which looks as solid

as Alnwick's Bondgate tower. 

 

Northumbrians gather 

in the tiny front gardens

of terrace homes

on cool summer evenings. 

 

Shetlanders holidaying

in the cottage next door 

tell us cheerfully of a drugs

killing, a throat cut 

 

for just a hundred pounds, 

when we mention

the detective series. 

Rather stops us in our tracks.