“So you specialise in these circumstances?” Timothy asked hesitantly.

“Yes, but we concentrate purely on the psychological issues. We can’t help in determining how your abilities work”. Dr Isabel Ortega, very much a people person, could tell that despite his outward reluctance Timothy was eager to talk to someone who could understand his situation. “Why don’t you start by describing exactly what you can do?”

Timothy stared at his feet for a moment before quietly responding. “You are wasting your time with me. I’m nothing special.”

“I would like to help you deal with this Timothy, but you will need to tell me what this is.”

Timothy squirmed in his seat. He tossed his head awkwardly, then gave a short sigh before muttering his answer.

“I can speak to Plants. They speak to me. I can understand them.”

Isabel paused. Perfectly maintaining her composure she asked “What do they normally say to you?”

Timothy fixed his gaze firmly away from Isabel.

“Usually just that they are hungry.”