Johns son had married for the second time just a month ago, and now hed brought along a striking thirteen-year-old girl named Emilyhis new wifes daughterto meet her new gran. He left her there for an entire week.
Emilys mum, right before leaving, murmured to her mother-in-law:
Just so you know, Emilys never been to the countryside before. Shes rather a handful, you seeawkward age and all that. So please, go a bit hard on her, dont let her walk all over you. If shes too much, call me and Ill fetch her.
What do you mean, if shes too much? Mary, the gran, was baffled.
The new daughter-in-law smiled, pecked Mary on the cheek, climbed into the car with Johns son, and they drove off.
Emily, darling, could you go fetch some water? Mary asked almost immediately, handing over an empty bucket.
Fetch it from where? Emily blinked, thoroughly confused.
From the pump.
Whats the pump?
Mary just shook her head. Its a pump. Just outside the gate, not far from the houseyou set the bucket beneath, push the handle, fill her up, and carry it back inside.
Gran Mary, are you serious? Emilys eyes had gone wide. You should get water from the tap in the kitchen. Havent you got a tap?
Oh, we do have a tap, Mary smiled. But its been dry as a bone for over a week.
Whys that?
Because our old plumber, Mr. Stephen, switched off the main. Says he needs to replace a valve. So until he does, well have to manage at the pumpthe waters always there.
Oh no Emily set the bucket firmly on the ground. Im not doing that. If theres a tap, it should have water.
Suit yourself, Mary shrugged. Youll just have to freshen up out here then. She led Emily to a huge barrel set beneath the guttering. Scoop up some rainwater with your hands and wash that way.
Gran, honestly? Emily was even more horrified. There are little worms wriggling there!
Those are mosquito larvae, nothing to worry about, Mary explained. Perfectly harmless.
What about cleaning my teeth? Emily grimaced. Do I have to fetch water from here for that too?
Of course. The washstands dry too.
Well, I suppose Ill have to Emily muttered, reluctantly picking up the bucket and trudging to the gate.
She returned about fifteen minutes later, red-faced and sweaty, though the bucket was barely a third full.
What took you so long? Mary asked.
I didnt know how to work the pump. Luckily, a man passing by showed me.
Jolly good. Mary poured the water into the washstand and handed the bucket right back. Thats enough for washing. Now we need more for making supper.
Emily gaped at her, alarmed. You need water for that too?
Of course. Unless you want me to grab some from the barrel? Mary shrugged again.
No! Emily cried, grabbing the bucket and scampering back to the pump.
She wound up making five trips in total. Meanwhile, Mary began rustling up supper.
Gran, why cant they hurry up and fix the tap? Emily demanded, utterly knackered. Back home in the city, you ring someone and an hour later, waters back on.
Oh, you have to ring here too, Mary said. Except you have to go two roads over, to Number Fifty-Eight, and ask in person. But their house has water, so Stephens never in much of a rush.
Why dont you pop round and demand he fixes it?
Ive been over a hundred times, Mary waved a hand. But Stephens always outfields, farm, somewhere. He always promises, Tomorrow. Still waiting. Hes all weve got around here.
Emily seemed deep in thought. Which house?
Number Fifty-Eight.
And which way?
That way. Mary nodded toward Stephens place. Why?
Ill go myself and have a word with your Stephen.
Before Mary could protest, Emily had darted out the gate and vanished. After half an hour, Marys nerves got the better of her and she hurried over to Stephens house.
Has my granddaughter been by? she asked his wife.
You mean that little troublemaker of yours? Mrs. Stephenson gave her a wary look.
Why troublemaker?
Oh, she barged in, demanded Stephen appear at once, then started shaming himsaid Stephen only thinks of himself. My Stephen! The man races about the whole county! I threatened her with the broom! Then she says, if Stephen doesnt get water in your tap today, shell burn down our shed. Can you imagine?
Heavens above, Mary clutched her chest. Did Emily really say that?
Emily? Mrs. Stephenson let out a snort. God help anyone who tangles with her
Where is she now?
How should I know? Probably off looking for Stephen. Hes out in the fields mending tractorswhile Im here being terrorised by children.
Oh, Lord! Mary dashed off towards the fields, heart pounding.
She never made it to the field, though. A tractor rolled towards her, and at the wheel was Stephen, with sulky Emily beside him.
Stephen slowed with a judder, shouting above the chugging, Is she yours? nodding to the girl.
Mary nodded frantically and burst out, Where are you taking her, Stephen? Not to the police, I hope! Shes underage, you knowcant arrest her!
Police? Stephen shouted back. Im off to replace your valve! Your scamp threatened to throw herself under the combine wheels, and claimed shed puncture every tyre with a nail if she didnt get water in your tap by tonight. Silly sausagelike you could pop a combines tyre with a nail! Honestly, Stephen said, laughter welling up, if we had a few more like her in the village, wed have things sorted in no time. So, young bandit, he turned to Emily, fancy driving a tractor?
Oh, yes! Emily cheered.
Right then, Stephen grinned. Slide over, wheels yourson one condition: you hand me the spanners and bolts as we go.
Deal! Emily crowed, gleefully grabbing the wheel.
Her parents managed to pry Emily from the village only twenty days later, on the thirtieth of August. Even then, only because school would start in two days time. Otherwise, shed have happily stayedafter all, autumn on an English farm is never short of adventure.
