Cecelia smelled it even before she arrived at the vineyard. A strong acrid smell of smoke hung like a pall over the whole region.
The coach drew up by the country house. She jumped down and, when no-one met her, she walked around it toward the vineyard. (1/3) #wss366
Everyone from the household seemed to have been pressed into service. Some were carrying smudge pots, while others were using shears to #prune the vines.
"Excuse me," she called. "Who is in charge here?"
Several people pointed toward an older gentleman with white hair and a goatee. (2/3) #wss366
She walked toward him.
"Can you…" she started to say.
"Here!" he said, handing her a pair of nippers. "Do you see this?" He pointed toward a branch that was starting to wilt.
Cecelia nodded.
"Cut off every branch that looks like that!" (3/3) #wss366