A month ago, Galinas son got remarried for the second time, and he brought this striking thirteen-year-old girl, Molly, the daughter of his new wife, to meet her new gran. He left her with Gran for an entire week.
Before leaving, Mollys mum leaned in and whispered to her mother-in-law:
Just so youre aware, Mollys never been in the countryside before. Shes a bit of a handfulwell, you know, at that age. So, please be firm with her. If anything goes awry, just call and Ill come fetch her.
What do you meanif anything? Galina asked, puzzled.
The new daughter-in-law just smiled, kissed her mother-in-law on the cheek, hopped in the car with her husband, and off they went.
Molly dear, could you pop out and fetch some water? Galina asked at once, passing her an empty bucket.
Fetch water? Where from? Molly stared, perplexed.
From the standpipe at the end of the lane.
Standpipe? Whats that?
Well, a standpipe is a standpipe, love. Just beyond the gate, not far from hereyou put the bucket under the tap and push the lever. The water comes out, and then you cart it back to the cottage.
Gran, are you having me on? Molly looked sceptical, eyes wide. Water comes out of a tap in the kitchen. You do have a tap, right?
Oh, we do have a tap, Galina grinned. But nothings come out of it for a week now.
Whys that?
Oh, the waters been shut off by the plumber, Stephen, who lives up in number 58. Some valve needs replacing, he said. Well just have to use the standpipe for now. Theres always water there.
No way Molly dropped the bucket on the ground. Im not doing that. If theres a tap, there ought to be water.
As you like, shrugged Granny. Youll have to wash your face out here in the meantime. She showed Molly the enormous rain barrel under the guttering. Just scoop it up with your hands and give yourself a wash.
Gran, you must be joking! Molly recoiled. There are little worms wiggling in there!
Mosquito larvae, pet. They dont bite. Galina reassured her.
What about brushing my teeth? Molly wrinkled her nose. Am I meant to use this as well?
Course. There’s no water in the scullery basin, is there?
Oh, all right, Molly muttered reluctantly, snatching up the bucket and slouching out the gate.
She trudged back after about fifteen minutes, sweaty and red-faced, and her bucket barely held three litres.
What kept you? Galina asked.
I couldnt work out how to turn it on. Luckily, a gentleman passing by showed me.
Good girl. Granny tipped the water into the scullery basin, handed the bucket straight back. Right, thatll do for washing. Now we need cooking water for supper.
What? Molly stared, alarmed. We need water for that too?
Well, obviously. Unless youd rather I took some from the barrel. Galina shrugged.
No thanks! Molly squeaked, grabbing the bucket and dashing back to the standpipe.
She went back and forth five times, whilst Galina bustled about cooking.
Gran, why dont they just fix the plumbing? Molly panted miserably, collapsing on the stool. Back home, you ring up the council and within the hour, theres water.
Here, you have to go yourself. Walk over to number 58 and ask. Not easy to get Stephen interestedtheyve got water, so hes in no rush.
Why dont you go and demand he does it?
Ive done that a hundred times, Granny waved her hand. But Stephens always in the field or at the farm. He always says, Ill come tomorrow. Hes the only plumber in the area, you see.
Right Molly pondered a moment, then asked again: Which number did you say?
Fifty-eight.
Which way is that?
Over there, Galina nodded in the direction of Stephens house. What are you planning now?
Im off to see to this Stephen chap myself.
With that, Molly nipped out the gate so quickly that Galina barely noticed, and then she disappeared. After half an hour, Galinas nerves had had enough. She hurried to Stephen’s place.
Has my girl been by here? she asked Stephens wife.
You mean that little rascal of yours? Natalie glanced sideways.
Rascal? Why?
She started demanding Stephen immediately, then tried to shame me, saying he only thinks of himself. My Stephen! Who runs ragged all across the district! I waved the broom at her and she just said, If Stephen doesnt turn the water on by tonight, Ill burn your shed! Can you imagine?
Lord, Galina clutched her chest. Did Molly really say that?
Molly? Natalie gave a wry grin. You wouldnt want a Molly like that, believe me
Where is she now?
How would I know? Probably hunting down Stephen.
Wheres he?
Out in the field, of course, repairing farm kit. And me, being menaced by schoolgirls.
Goodness! Galina cried, shooting out the door and tearing off toward the fields, where the harvesters were working.
She never made it that far. Instead, she saw a tractor trundling towards her, Stephen at the wheel, and a scowling Molly beside him.
As Stephen stopped the tractor, he bellowed over the noise:
Yours, is she? gesturing at the girl.
Galina bobbed her head, shouting, panicked:
Where are you taking her, Stephen? Not to the police, I hope? Shes just a child! You cant arrest her!
Police? Stephen barked. No, Im off to change your blasted water valve! Your girl here is a right madam. Said shell throw herself under a combine or start stabbing tyres with a nail if I dont sort your water! Shes nuts if she thinks a nail will puncture those wheels. Suddenly, a big laugh burst out of him. I wish we had a few more lively kids like her. Give us a few years, and theyd turn the whole village upside down. We might actually get something done. Then to Molly, he added: Well, troublemaker, want to have a go at driving the tractor?
Yes please! Molly cried in delight.
Hop up, take the wheel, and lets go fix your grans pipes so long as you help by handing me my tools.
Done! Molly shouted, all smiles, as she grabbed the wheel.
They only took Molly away twenty days later, on the thirtieth of Augustjust barely, since school resumed in a day. Otherwise, shed have stayed. After all, in the countryside in autumn, the work never ends.
