Eileen does miss her wonderful Palace quarters as it was the last word in luxury and practicality for the working and very active fairy godmother. But she still wouldn’t swap any of it for Derek. The Kingdom is amazed at how well her marriage has worked. Some, including L’Evallier, admire Derek’s gardening skills. But none of them would have Derek in the Kingdom given past trouble with human visitors and Queen Gwendolyn. The Queen has noted with some sarcasm Eileen is keen to please Derek (and not just for sex) and only wishes her awkward cousin had sought to try to please her. It still hasn’t occurred to the Queen despite Eileen telling her many times that the monarch’s behaviour hasn’t been brilliant either. Eileen is rightly suspicious of anyone, especially those in power, who cannot take criticism.
Eileen and Derek are proud of their garden and frequently eat Derek’s home grown fruit and veg. Once Jenny left home and married Paul, Eileen and Derek resumed eating out at local pub restaurants until they found one so good they decided they wouldn’t go anywhere else. Derek would love to be able to supply his own grown vegetables to a pub like this but knows he doesn’t grow enough. This is not because of lack of space but because Eileen loves flowers. Derek’s wildflower section is Eileen’s favourite bit of the garden. Their butterfly visitors are amazing too (though Eileen still thinks her wing pattern is superior but is hamstrung as she can hardly tell/show Derek this without bringing a lot of trouble down on her head.
During the blissful years before the Kingdom tried to claim Eileen back again, she and Derek spent a lot of their spare time visiting country estates. She would admire the houses. He, of course, studied the gardens and if he managed to spot the Head Gardener or any of the staff and have a quick word with them, Derek would consider it a really good day out. Eileen would find this amusing, knowing full well the Palace gardeners would have found this irritating - how dare a mere human quiz them. Yet Derek never had any problems here, impressing almost everybody he met with his wonderful gardening knowledge and that he was always keen to learn more. His gardening skills benefited from his willingness to ask and learn. His roses are widely acknowledged as the finest in Kirkham.
Eileen and Derek are proud of their garden and frequently eat Derek’s home grown fruit and veg. Once Jenny left home and married Paul, Eileen and Derek resumed eating out at local pub restaurants until they found one so good they decided they wouldn’t go anywhere else. Derek would love to be able to supply his own grown vegetables to a pub like this but knows he doesn’t grow enough. This is not because of lack of space but because Eileen loves flowers. Derek’s wildflower section is Eileen’s favourite bit of the garden. Their butterfly visitors are amazing too (though Eileen still thinks her wing pattern is superior but is hamstrung as she can hardly tell/show Derek this without bringing a lot of trouble down on her head.
During the blissful years before the Kingdom tried to claim Eileen back again, she and Derek spent a lot of their spare time visiting country estates. She would admire the houses. He, of course, studied the gardens and if he managed to spot the Head Gardener or any of the staff and have a quick word with them, Derek would consider it a really good day out. Eileen would find this amusing, knowing full well the Palace gardeners would have found this irritating - how dare a mere human quiz them. Yet Derek never had any problems here, impressing almost everybody he met with his wonderful gardening knowledge and that he was always keen to learn more. His gardening skills benefited from his willingness to ask and learn. His roses are widely acknowledged as the finest in Kirkham.
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