“Leave her here, let her freeze to death!” they said, tossing the old woman into the snowdrift. The villains didn’t realise their cruelty would soon come back to haunt them.
Margaret Whitmore walked towards her apartment building. The elderly ladies on the bench were gossiping about the brand-new car parked nearby.
“Who does it belong to?” Margaret asked.
“No idea!” one woman replied. “Probably belongs to Emily. Fancy cars like that never visit us pensioners.”
“Only ambulances come round here!” another added.
The neighbours carried on chatting about local rumours and council matters. Just then, Emily herself emergedthe very woman who owned the expensive car. She walked straight past them without a glance, ignoring both the gossips and the vehicle parked on the lawn. Margaret hurried back inside.
“Margaret Whitmore?” a man called out in the stairwell. “Remember me? We spoke a few days ago. Im your nephew.”
“Oh, Edward!” Margaret exclaimed in recognition. “Why didnt you tell me you were visiting? Is that your car out on the grass?”
“Yes, mine.”
“Well, go move it before someone damages it! What were you thinking, parking on my flowerbed?”
Her nephew rushed outside while Margaret went to put the kettle on. She needed to sell her flatshe refused to let the neighbours ruin her garden.
Years ago, her uncle used to visit with his son. But over time, the family lost touch. Now, suddenly, here he was. Yet something about Edward unsettled Margaret. He smoked too much. Though young, his teeth were already yellow. Still, at least hed come. She didnt want to hire an estate agent; better to let her nephew handle the sale. But he refused payment.
Margaret had grown old aloneno husband, no children. She longed to move closer to nature. Fresh air would be better than trudging up four flights of stairs. A village nearby had a nursery. While she still had the strength, she wanted to grow her own vegetables. By autumn, a buyer appeared for the flat.
“Winters coming tomorrow. Lets wait till spring to sell,” Margaret decided.
“But prices will rise by then!” Edward argued. “Cold weathers the best time to check the heating. Besides, weve got a buyer nowwhat if they back out later?”
“But you havent found me a house yet! Where will I live? Find one first, then well sell the flat.”
Edward reluctantly agreed.
Soon enough, he presented options. After choosing a cottage, they drove out to the village. Margarets heart sankevery place needed repairs. Still, the flats sale would cover the cost.
Edward, handy with construction, promised to help. But Margaret hesitated.
“Winters on our doorstep. I dont want the hassle of renovationsjust to move in and live properly.”
“Ill help you!” he insisted.
She grew suspicious. Why was he pushing to sell so fast? But she convinced herself he meant well.
On the day of the sale, the buyer and solicitor arrived promptly. Edward served tea. A pang of sadness struck Margaretthis was her home for decades. But no turning back now. Boxes were packed, papers signed.
“Right, time to move!” Edward announced.
“Now? My chinas still in the cabinet!”
“No, today. The buyer needs the place!”
Exhausted, Margaret dozed off in the van. Drifting in and out, she heard men murmuring.
“Leave her here,” Edwards voice echoed. Her vision blurred as they dumped her in the snow.
“Shell freeze.”
Realisation struckhed drugged her tea to force the sale. Resigned, she closed her eyes.
But a passing motorist, Sophie, spotted the van. Suspicious, she noted its plates. When the men drove off, she rushed overand found Margaret barely alive.
Sophie called her husband, and together they carried the old woman to safety.
“Where am I?” Margaret croaked.
“We found you in the snow,” Sophie said. “Do you remember how you got there?”
“Yes my nephew the tea”
Later, they reported the crime. Edward was arrested for fraud.
By spring, Margaret had her cottageno repairs needed. She planted her garden and invited Sophies family for tea. Shed never forget their kindness.
