The Key in the Envelope

Before Mrs Reed went away, she gave Tom an envelope. "The key is inside," she said. "Please water my plants on Wednesday."

On Wednesday evening, Tom took the key. He tried it in her front door, but it did not turn. He tried again, more slowly. Nothing happened.

Tom called Mrs Reed. She answered from a busy railway station. "Is there a small red circle on the key?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Oh dear! That's the key to my garden gate. The door key is in the envelope too."

Tom looked inside again. A second key was under a folded piece of paper. On the paper were three short instructions about the plants.

This time, the door opened easily. Tom watered the plants and left the instructions on the kitchen table.