Why would you want to move? Especially to the countryside. Everyones trying their hardest to get to the city, but here you are doing the exact opposite. Whats the appeal? I dont get it. Its only pleasant in the summer, and during winter, theres nothing to do.
My friend, Alice, did everything she could to talk us out of moving to the countryside. It really got on both mine and my husbands nerves. As if we were ever going to do what she wanted.
It took us almost a year of searching, but eventually we found the right house and packed up for the move. Alice called almost every day, asking in a mocking tone whether Id managed to find a job yet. She knew full well that I worked remotely and wasnt going to change a thing. Shed also keep asking, Is the internet as dreadful as they say out there?
Alice came to visit right at the start of October. By then, wed been living in the countryside for more than a year. She walked around our garden with obvious reluctance and spent most of the two days in our living room, drinking beer with her husband.
Despite having company, we still went down to the cellar to store the vegetables and seal up bottles of homemade chutney. On the third day, Alice and her husband started packing to catch the evening coach. We hadnt got them any presents. But then, Alice actually asked me if Id give them a bag of potatoes and some apples.
I offered to go down to the cellar to bring them up, but they werent too keen, as they were battling hangovers. I ended up handing over sacks and some buckets. They grumbled a bit about their state but went out to pick the apples. I couldn’t imagine how they were going to lug everything onto the coach, but soon it made sense theyd asked my husband for a lift.
Going to town and back would take about three hours, so my husband quickly found an excuse. Ive already had a beer, he said. So, off they went with their bags to catch the coach themselves. We didnt see them for years. Sure, we called each other now and then, but they never visited again. Maybe Im harsh, but honestly, I dont think theyre all that welcome in my village now.
But then, at the end of November, they showed up completely unannounced at our doorstep. Apparently, they wanted to surprise us. They arrived for the weekend, but this time, we werent exactly ready for guests. Id been tending to the chickens all week and had loads of Christmas orders coming in. There were even three steers still being processed that day. Still, a surprise is a surprise.
I quickly set the table. Alice and her husband ate and drank, and we sat down with them when we could. At least we offered to help. It would have been fine if theyd known the first thing about plucking chickens. Us country folk are used to it.
All of my chickens had already been sold as special orders for December. Wed planned to prepare a few for us and for my parents before Christmas. Still, I felt awkward. So I offered them a goose, but said theyd have to pluck it themselves. They said theyd do it in the morning.
Morning came and they said nothing about it. This time, they had come by car, so they bought a goose instead. Before they left, I offered them some assorted veg and homemade pickles. Told them to take what they fancied. They stacked up their boot full. I dont mind theyre welcome, and we have enough for several winters.
But Alices next question genuinely floored me. You dont happen to have any extra beef, do you?
I told her no. I genuinely didnt have any spare beef. Wed only start taking orders after completing the current requests, and then wed sort the steers. Were not loaded its simply how we get by out here. And if we do have any extra, it goes to our parents, siblings, and close family.
They’re probably a bit put out. Alice hasnt called or messaged since. And apparently, a mutual friend told us were being stingy. We went to the countryside and left empty-handed, without even a bit of beef, she told her.
Well, thats village life for you.
