Apparently, the black widow spider that lives under the cupboard during the day doesn’t just spin a hopeful web under the chair in the summer kitchen at night, before retreating again at dawn, but she ventures outside through a crack around the door hinge and looks after things there.

Apparently she knows about codling moths coming to apples to lay their eggs, and she’s placed the apple under a big protective tent.

This is actually a precious apple. I’m trying to see if it’s a variety I lost thirty years ago and have, perhaps, refound.

Finger crossed, but all is well so far, with a little help from a friend.