Dandelion Jam
The snowy season finally ended. This year, the frosts werent harsha gentle, snowy winter. Still, it grew tiresome, and now all I wanted were fresh green leaves, vibrant colours, and for the chance to shed my thick winter coat.
Spring arrived in our small English market town. Ive always loved springwaiting for the world to awakenand now, looking out from my third-floor flat, I found myself thinking:
With the warm days, the town has come alive after its long winter slumber. Even the rumble of the lorries sounds different, and the market is buzzing. People in bright jackets and smart coats bustling about, and in the morning, the birds wake us up before the alarm even thinks of ringing. Ah, springs wonderful, though summers even better
Ive lived in this five-storey block for many years. These days, its just me and my granddaughter, Harriet, whos in Year Four. Her parentsboth doctorsmoved to South Africa on a contract last year, leaving Harriet with me.
Mum, my daughter said before leaving, were trusting you to keep Harriet safe. No sense bringing her with us, but we know shell be looked after by her favourite Nan.
Of course, Ill look after her! I replied. Itll be much more lively with her around, and what else is there to do in retirement? You lot goHarriet and I will hold down the fort.
Cheers, Nan! Well have a blast together! Well go to the park all the timeMum and Dad are always too busy, but youll have time for me! Harriet cheered.
After breakfast and sending Harriet off to school, I set about my usual chores, and the morning quickly passed.
Ill nip to the shop before Harriet returns from school, I thought as I grabbed my bag.
Stepping outside the block, I saw two neighbours already settled on the bench, a pair of cushy pillows underneath them (the benches are still chilly this early in the year). Mrs Simmons, a mysterious lady whose age is anyones guessseventy? More? Shes always kept that a secret. Shes on the ground floor in a one-bedroom. Then theres Mrs Parkera widow of seventy-five, bookish and cheerful, always with a witty story, lively laughter, and the very opposite of Mrs Simmons, whos rarely content.
Once the snow melts and the sun warms up, that bench is never empty. Mrs Simmons and Mrs Parker are regulars; they might sit together all day, popping home for lunch, then back on the bench again. They keep watch over everythingthe flies wouldnt dare buzz by unannounced.
I sometimes join them, to catch up on the latestwho read what magazine, what was seen on the telly. Mrs Simmons is never tired of talking about her blood pressure.
Morning, ladies, I smiled, always at your post!
Morning, Grace, replied Mrs Parker, Of course, or wed get marked absent! Off to the shops, arent you? Mrs Simmons added, seeing my bag.
Yes, off to get something sweet for Harrietpromised her a treat for her excellent marks, I replied, not lingering too long.
The day rolled on as alwayscollected Harriet from school, gave her a bite to eat, she sat down for homework, and I managed a bit of telly.
Nan, Im off to dance! she called.
Harriet was already standing by the door, backpack and phone in hand. Six years shes been at dance lessonsshes performed at every local event, and I couldnt be prouder.
All right, darling, off you go, I replied with a smile, seeing her out.
Later, I sat on the bench near our building, waiting for Harriet to return.
Feeling lonesome? came the friendly voice of Mr Arthur Evans from the second floor as he took a seat nearby.
Hardly lonely on a day like thissprings here, the weathers lovely, I replied.
Indeed! The suns out, birds are singing, everythings turning green, and there are dandelions everywhere. They do look like little suns, those flowers, he said with a grin, and I nodded in agreement.
At that moment, Harriet pounced from behind, nearly strangling me in a hug.
Woof, woof! she giggled.
You scamp, you nearly gave me a heart attack! I laughed.
Steady on, not time for that sort of chat, Arthur chuckled, giving my shoulder a gentle pat.
Come on, you rascal, Ive grated some carrots and sprinkled a bit of sugar for youmust be worn out from dance. And I made your favourite meatballs, I said, coaxing Harriet inside.
Arthur got up as well, trailing after us.
Why are you heading in so soon? I asked.
You made those meatballs sound too goodIm craving a bite myself! Maybe Ill pop out later, see you on the bench or maybe a stroll, he answered.
Not promising, plenty on my plate Well see.
I did end up heading out that evening.
After saying goodbye to Arthur, with a secret little smile, Harriet and I went inside, him trailing behind.
Nan, I think Mr Evans is courting you! Harriet giggled as soon as she shut the front door.
Oh, dont be daft, I waved the notion away.
You should see the way he looks at you! Ive noticed it loads. If only Mark from my class looked at me like that, the girls would die of envy, she mused dreamily.
Come on, sit down and eat, you observant thing! Mark might look one day, I smiled back.
That evening, I did go back to the bench, and there was Arthur, waiting. Oddly, the regulars were gone.
Mrs Simmons and Mrs Parker just left for supper, he said cheerily.
From that evening, Arthur and I met often, sometimes heading to the park across the road, reading the papers together, discussing recipes, actors, little stories.
Life hadnt been kind to Arthur. Hed had a wife, a daughter, and a grandson, but was widowed early and raised his daughter alone. Worked two jobs to make sure little Vera had everythingthough, of course, time was always short. Left for work while she still slept, home when she was already in bed.
Vera grew up, married, moved to another city, had a son. She visited a few times, but those trips became rare, and even then, she seemed distant. Split with her husband after fifteen years, raising her boy on her own.
Grace, my daughters coming to visit, due in two days, Arthur told me one afternoonwe were on first-name terms by then, shared everything, knew each others stories.
Perhaps she misses youat our age, you want to be close to family, I suggested.
Im not sure, I dont know
Vera arrived. The sameblunt, unsmiling, always keeping her thoughts to herself. Arthur expected a serious talk, and she got straight to it.
Dad, Ive come with a proposal. Lets sell your flat, you move in with us. Youll be with family, and with your grandsonmuch better, she pressed, clearly having made up her mind.
But Arthur felt uneasy, unwilling to leave his home for another city, under the watchful eye of a rather cold daughter. He refused, insisting he was content living alone.
Vera wouldnt give up. She learned of his friendship with me and turned up at my door. A polite greeting, a stroll to the kitchen, and she settled in as I poured out tea and offered sweets, including my favouritedandelion jam.
Im listening, Vera, I said kindly.
I see youre quite close with my father, she began. Would you help persuade him on something important?
Whats that, then?
Convince him to sell his flat! Why does he need so much space on his owncant he think of others for once? she snapped.
I was taken aback by her bluntness and calculation, so I refused. Vera seemed suddenly transformedher fury boiling over as she hissed,
Oh, I see! You want the flat for yourself! Found a lonely old man and thought youd arrange a dowry for your granddaughter. You two, always chatting on that bench, taking evening strolls, prattling about dandelion remedies. Pair of old dandelions yourselves! Maybe youve already applied for the marriage license? Well, it wont work, mind! Nothings going your way, you old witch! she shrieked, slamming the door.
I felt mortified, hoping the neighbours hadnt overheard. Soon after, though, Vera departed. I started avoiding Arthur, dodging him if I saw him, hurrying home whenever he was nearby.
And yet, I still sipped tea with dandelion jam.
But however much you strain to avoid someone, life has a way of sorting things out. One afternoon, coming back from the shops, I found Arthur sitting by the entrancewaiting, it was clearwith a handful of bright yellow dandelions, which hed begun weaving into a crown.
Grace, please dont hurry off, he pleaded, just sit with me for a moment. Im sorry about Vera. I know she said thingsshe can be harsh. Weve talked seriously, I help my grandson however I can. But as for herwell, it isn’t right, how she’s behaved. Shes gone, said she isnt my daughter anymore And I He trailed off, passing me the unfinished dandelion crown. Take itoh, and Ive made some dandelion jam. Tastes lovely and its good for you. You must try some, and its even nice in salads, he smiled.
After that conversation about dandelions, we made a salad together, and I had my tea with dandelion jam, which I adored. That evening, off we went to the park again.
Ive got the latest issue of our favourite magazine, Arthur said as we reached the bench under our linden tree. Lets have a read.
I sat down next to him and laughedthe talk began flowing, and we forgot the world and all its troubles. Together, it felt just right.
Thank you for reading, for subscribing, for encouraging me. Wishing you every happiness!
