Not Just Neighbours
In a small English village, where the streets were lush and green in summer and golden with leaves in autumn, two families lived side by side. Theyd always got along well, lending each other a hand when needed. Their children grew up together and moved off to the city.
Then, one day, Williams wife passed away. It was early, barely dawn, when he dashed over to his neighbours, Edward and Mary, banging urgently on their window.
Whats happened? Edward rushed out onto the porch, pulling on a dressing gown, with Mary just behind, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders.
Its Catherine my Catherine, William broke down, sinking onto the steps. It was autumn, and the air was cold and damp…
Whats wrong with Catherine? Edward pressed, shaking him. Do we need to call for a doctor?
No, no need for that. Shes gone My Catherines died, William answered in a voice thick with grief.
Edward and Mary helped William until his son and daughter-in-law arrived from London. They made sure he wasn’t alone, bringing him tea and company. Mary gave him something to help him sleep. After Catherine’s funeral, they continued to look after him, inviting William over for meals and, in the evenings, Edward played chess with him.
Six months passed. William began getting back to himself, slowly adjusting to life without his wife. He learned to cook, clean and manage the household. His son visited when he could.
One warm evening in August, William sat in Edwards back garden. As usual, they chatted quietly and played chess, slowly moving the pieces. Suddenly, Edward tipped sideways, and William barely caught him.
Edward, whats going on? he said, alarmed, shaking his friend. There was no response. Mary! he called, as she rounded the corner carrying a bowl brimming with fresh cucumbers.
She dropped the bowl when she saw them, running to Edward. He was goneright there and then. The doctor later said it was a heart attack.
How could this happen? Mary wept. He never said anything about his heart.
Now it was Williams turn to help Mary. Her son and daughter came from far away, and together they buried Edward. When her children left, Mary fully understood what true silence and loneliness felt like. William popped in often, offering to help, but nights were the worst. Sleep was elusive, and thoughts tumbled endlessly.
Time passed. Mary found her footing, and sometimes her children and grandchildren visited. William and Mary, both retired, supported each other. William had taught history at the local secondary school, while Mary had worked in the village library.
Time marched on. Autumn arrived. Every morning, William went out with a broom, sweeping maple leaves from his front path, then continued past his gate to clear the pavement up to Mary’s house. The wind, of course, brought more leaves right behind him, but he carried on into her garden, sweeping there toothough there were never as many leaves.
Mary watched him from her window, smiling.
William, how much longer are you going to fight with autumn? she called out, opening her window. Everyone knows youre the only person around here who has declared war on fallen leaves.
He looked up and grinned. If everyone waited for the leaves to vanish on their own, the world would fall into chaos. They dont disappear, youve got to tidy them up. Not much of a choice.
But piles of leaves are lovely look at them shine in the sun, Mary protested.
Lovely, yes, but slippery too. You could take a tumble, William retorted, and went back to his sweeping.
He opened her garden gate, sweeping the path to Marys door. As he neared the step, she came outside, hands full with two mugs.
Alright, enough. Lets have a cuppatea with honey today, she set the mugs down on the little table near the steps and sat on the bench; he sat opposite her.
Why honey, not lemon? William asked, surprised as he took a sip.
Because its cold today, and a bit of honey warms you up from the inside, she smiled.
Sickly sweet, William muttered. At our age, too much sugars not wise.
Oh, come on, just drink. We dont have sweet tea every day, once a week wont do us any harm, she chided firmly.
Well, alright, he agreed.
My grandson, Archie, rang yesterday. He asked, Granny, what do you do all alone out there? Come stay with us in the city. And I told him, Im not alone at all, Ive got a friend here, she said with a glance and a smile toward William.
He drank his tea quickly to hide his own smile.
You answered well, though friend sounds a bit simple.
What would be better?
Comrades in armsagainst autumn leaves, he laughed, and Mary did too.
One morning, after William had finished sweeping Marys garden, he noticed she hadnt appeared at the window to greet him, as she did every day. Worried, he knocked on her door and waited. Eventually, Mary opened, wrapped in a tartan blanket, holding onto the wall for support.
Oh dear… Shall I help you? he asked, taking her arm and leading her inside to a chair, where he tucked the blanket around her.
She looked at him, her nose red and her eyes tired. I must have caught a cold
Well, thats just great whos going to bring me tea now? William teased as he took off his coat and hung it up.
Have you got any medicine?
Yes, on the table
He checked her tablets. Thats it? Ill pop down to the chemist, he said and was out the door before she could protest.
He returned soon after, with medication and a chicken from the shop. Mary was napping in the armchair but woke with surprise at his quick return. The scent of chicken broth soon filled the air.
William, you can cook? Mary smiledwe both knew he could manage quite well on his own.
One must learn, especially in emergencies. Come on, eat this hot broth, he helped her up and sat her down at the table.
She tasted it and closed her eyes contentedly.
Heavenly, thats delicious… thank you.
No need for thanks. Just make sure you get better soon. Sweepings dull without you, he said, trying not to smile.
Alright, comrade, Ill do my best, she replied with mock seriousness.
A week later, Mary had recovered, smiling again. For the first time in a long while, they went to the little park near the river. As always, William had suggested the outing. Leaves crunched underfoot.
Enough moping indoors. Lets get you out for a strollyouve been cooped up too long, he said, and she agreed.
The sun, though autumnal, was still warm.
You know, William, I do love autumn. Its beautiful, Mary said.
Agreed, especially enjoyed with the right company.
Mary looped her arm through his as they wandered along the path layered with colourful leaves, leaving tracks behind. They talked and laughed as they walked.
The next day William came to Mary with an unusual request.
Mary, I need a favour
What sort of favour? she asked warily.
I was sorting my bookshelf today, and I cant find a book about looking after cacti.
Cacti? I thought you didnt have any, nor any other plants for that matter.
William gave her a sly look, then pulled a small pot from behind his back. Well, not yet. I bought this one for you today.
And how am I supposed to look after it? Ive never had a cactus in my life, Mary laughed.
Youre a librarian! You should know every book there iseven about cacti
Alright, alright, she accepted the pot. But if it ever flowers, youll have to buy me an ice cream.
Deal.
A week later, snow arrived, blanketing the village in winter. William turned up at Marys door, once again hiding something behind his back.
Whatve you brought this time? she couldnt help but ask, noticing he seemed a bit nervous, shuffling his feet.
Mary, Ive been thinking Why do I come round here every day? Maybe I ought to stay. Maybe weyou knowshould get married He revealed a bouquet of red roses, and Mary smiled, her cheeks flushing pink.
Good heavens, William, what took you so long?
A while wasnt sure if youd say yes. Well, what do you think? Will you marry me?
I will, of course. Ive got rather used to youfind myself missing you when youre away! she replied as she put the roses in water. And how could I refuse anyone with a bouquet like that?
They spent winter together, and soon enough, spring arrived. One morning, Mary called out:
William, come quick! Your cactus is in bloomyou owe me an ice cream!
Well, I never! Id given up hope. Lets go to the shop then, cant go back on a promise
They walked through the village discussing which ice cream was besta chocolate-coated bar or good old vanilla in a tub. William looked up at the sky, basking in the spring sunshine, and grinned.
What are you so cheerful about? Mary laughed, glancing at him.
Oh, nothing much Just glad we make such a good team, he replied.
Indeed we do, she answered softly.
They walked on side by sidelong gone were the days of being just neighbours. Now they were an inseparable pair, two people who had found each other among the autumn leaves, the winter snow, and the spring sun. Together, loneliness had no chance.
