“Leave her here, let her die!” they muttered, dumping the old woman into the snowdrift. The villains didnt realise the boomerang would soon come back around.
Valentine Whitmore walked toward her apartment block. The elderly ladies on the bench were gossiping about the expensive car recently parked nearby.
“Who does it belong to?” Valentine asked.
“No idea!” one of them replied. “Must be Marys. Folks like us dont get visitors in fancy cars like that.”
“Only ambulances come round here!” chimed in another.
The neighbours prattled on about the council and all the usual rumours. Then out came Mary herself, the supposed owner of the car. She walked right past them without a glance, ignoring both the women and the vehicle parked on the grass. Valentine hurried inside.
“Valentine Whitmore?” a man called out in the stairwell. “Remember me? We spoke the other day. Im your nephew.”
“Oh, Aaron!” she exclaimed, recognising him. “Why didnt you tell me you were visiting? Is that your car on the lawn?”
“Yes, mine.”
“Then move it before someone scratches it! What were you thinking, parking on my flowerbed?”
Her nephew rushed outside while Valentine went to put the kettle on. She needed to sell the flatno point leaving the neighbours to ruin her garden.
Years ago, her uncle used to visit with his son. Over time, theyd lost touch. And now, here the boy wasgrown up, but something about him unsettled her. He smoked too much. Yellow teeth already, though he was still young. At least hed come. She didnt want to hire an estate agent; better to let her nephew handle the sale. But he refused payment.
Valentine had no husband or children left. She longed to move closer to nature. Fresh air would be better than trudging up four flights of stairs. The countryside had a little bungalow waiting. While she still had the strength, she wanted to plant her own vegetables. By autumn, a buyer emerged for the flat.
“Winters coming tomorrow. Lets wait till spring to sell,” Valentine decided.
“But prices go up by then!” Aaron argued. “Cold weathers the best time to check the heating. Besides, weve got a buyer nowwhat if they back out later?”
“You havent even found me a house yet! Where will I live? Once weve got one, then well sell,” she sighed.
Aaron reluctantly agreed.
Soon enough, her nephew found suitable properties. After viewing them, Valentines heart sank. Every one needed work. Still, the flats sale would cover the costboth the house and repairs.
Aaron knew a thing or two about construction. He promised to help his aunt budget for materials and labour.
The old woman fretted.
“Winters at the door. I dont want the fuss of renovations. Just want to move in like normal folk.”
“Ill help you!” the young man insisted.
Something nagged at Valentinewhy was Aaron in such a rush to sell? Still, she convinced herself he had nothing to gain. She thanked him for bothering at all.
Once shed picked a cottage, the paperwork was set.
The buyer and solicitor arrived on time. Aaron made tea for everyone. Valentine hesitatedthis was her home. A lifetime of memories. No turning back now. Boxes packed, deal done.
“Right, time to move!” Aaron declared once the documents were signed.
“So soon? Ive not even cleared the cupboard yet,” she protested, but he insistedthe buyer needed the place tonight.
“Fine, today it is. Just let me pack the dishes.”
They set off in a van. Valentine yawned, dozing off. Now and then, she stirredglimpses of the road, murmurs between the men.
“Auntie, can you hear me?” Aarons voice sounded distant. She couldnt muster a reply.
“Leave her here,” she caught as consciousness flickered again. Everything blurred. They dumped her in the snow.
“Shell die out here,” Aaron added.
The old woman realisedshed been tricked. That tea must have been drugged. Eyes closing, she braced for the end.
Meanwhile, a young woman watched. Driving past, shed spotted the parked van and thought the driver needed help. Then she saw the men hauling something toward the woods. Heavy snow fell. Why unload in this weather? Hiding something?
She noted the licence plate, then waited. Once the strangers drove off, she hurried over and found Valentinealive, but unconscious. The girl called her husband, and together they bundled the old woman into their car.
Valentine stirred.
“Where am I?”
“We found you,” the girlEmilysaid. “Do you remember how you ended up in the snow?”
“Yes. My nephew sold my flat. Then we had teahe mustve put something in it! They drove me out and dumped me. Got rid of me!”
“Lets get you warmed up,” Emily said, rubbing her hands.
“Youre my guardian angel,” Valentine smiled weakly. “Id have died out there.”
Emilys family helped her report it to the police. An investigation began. The young woman offered her a temporary home. However it played out, shed have a roof over her head while fighting for her flat.
Weeks later, the property was returned to her. Aaron and his accomplice were jailed for fraud. Come spring, just as planned, Valentine sold the flat and bought her country cottage. No repairs needed. She happily tended her new garden and, that summer, invited Emily and her husband for tea. She never forgot their kindness.
