Hey, you know, today was one of those classic afternoons in the villageif you can picture it, all the ladies were gathered in the kitchen gossiping over tea. I popped into the room and said, Alright, ladies, whats the word today? Step aside, I need to catch up on the news. You wont catch anything like this on the telly, I promise! Everyone burst out laughing and shuffled around to make space for me.
My aunt, bless her, asked, So where have you been? I grinned and replied, Just at the shops. Had a bit of a mishapmy wife left me…
The oldest lady nearly jumped out of her chair, Oh dear, lad, really?
I nodded, Shes gone off with my mate. Said she doesnt see me as a man unless Ive got a job.
My aunt looked confused, But hang on, isnt he out of work, too? Whats the difference between you two then?
I shook my head and sighed, Honestly, your guess is as good as mine.
I wandered off and overheard my aunt muttering, Look at that, more men coming round! Got nothing to do, just want to sponge off a woman. And Robertwhat a bloke he used to be! Proper handsome chap! After his wife and child left, he wasnt the same at all. His mate, oh, he was the first to own a business here! And Claire, shes a brilliant cook! Her husband took off, so now shes living for her kids. But nah, she just bounces from bloke to bloke, hoping one of them will stick around. And what do they do?
They dont come to build a fence or slap some paint on the walls. All they do is try to outdo each other. Whats the village come to, eh? Back in the day, men were hard workers, took a stroll but earned their keep. Now? No jobs, no families. The younger ones pack up and leave. Of course they doeveryones chasing a better life.
And dont get me started, the old lady piped up, my kids have scattered all over the place. Only see them twice a year, if that. My grandkids? Just photos. Once, we lived under one roofparents, kids, and all. Everyone was happy, singing, chatting right into the night. Wed gather everyonefamily, neighboursto hay the meadow or dig the garden. Knock it out in a day, stay till sundown, and back at it tomorrow. Now, everyones off doing their own thing on their own patch.
Claire walked by just then, hefting heavy bags with two little ones trailing behind. Are you moving? her aunt called out. Claire sighed deeply.
Yeah, to Michaels. What else can I do? At least he gets a pension. As for Roberthe just sits about. I need to get my kids sorted, get them schooling. Im skint. Child benefits dont cover it. Otherwise, Id have sorted this long ago. Thinking Ill head to town come spring, buy myself a tiny place, no men allowed. Im just tired of all this. They wont lift a finger unless theyre nagged, but always want to eat. Theres nothing for me in the village anymore. My eldest starts school soon. Whos going to take him? My daughter will go to nursery. Ill find a job. Sorry I have to go, but needs must. Born and raised here, but Ive got to leave. Anyway, I better get moving. Michael will be on my case. See you, ladies. She grabbed her bits and left.
Fair play to her, my aunt said after Claire left. Shes still young, got kids to raise. Id probably do the same in her shoes. But where would I go? Feels wrong to leave the housemy late husband built it, always thought the kids would stay here. Once, I got lost mushroom foragingpaths that used to be well-tread are now wild and overgrown. Looks like we’ll just live out our days here. At least theres a pension coming in. Right, Id best get cracking. The farm wont waitcows need milking, hens need feeding. See you tomorrow!
The old lady sat alone for ages, remembering how life used to be and how she brought up her children. Years slipped by like water. Only God knows how many shes got left. When dusk settled, she went insidedidnt bother with the lights, just straight to bed. No need, reallyher visions gone for three years now.
Claire never did leave the village. She stayed put, never found the courage to pack up and start fresh. You know, as long as there are people here, the village keeps ticking. Loads of these little villages sit empty nowjust old houses and a cemetery, with folks coming back once a year to visit.
