Simon brought his fiancée, Harriet, to live in the countryside. There, waiting for him, was the cottage hed inherited from his grandmother. The young couple settled in, began to make a home, and started a smallholding Then, quite suddenly, Simons sister, Alice, arrived from London, children in tow.
I used to live here too, Simon! Alice declared loudly upon arrival, three children milling impatiently around her. Id come stay with Gran, remember? Anyway, Ive decided I need a little break by the seaside! Ill leave the kids here at the cottage for a bit.
Simon stared at her, eyebrows raised. And whos meant to watch them, Alice? We both work
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. Simon glanced through the windowand froze at the sight.
*
Simon had first brought Harriet to this quiet village, the place of his childhood. His only inheritance was the old cottage from Gran.
Your choice, Harriet, hed said softly, weary from city life, We can live here or try renting a flat in town.
Options were scarce. In London, Simon had nothing. Hed been shacked up in his sister Alices cramped spare room, sharing with her eldest boy.
Alice was never happy having her brother there.
Once a month, when Simon handed her over his wages as rent, shed almost smile. The rest of the time, she found any excuse to have a go at him.
And the chores. Always the chores.
Every weekend, Simon was made to shake out rugs and duvets, mind her three childrenone, three, and six years old. Alices husband was often away, either studying in Manchester or out with mates, sometimes taking off to his parents to have a break from family.
Harriet knew all about it. She knew Simon earned a decent wage but never seemed to have any money of his own. Every penny went to Alice.
When Simon and Harriet started dating, and he dared keep a little for himself, Alice nearly threw him out. He ended up giving two weeks notice at work to leave.
Alice had rung him dryand Harriet as well.
*
For Alice, her brother was convenient: a steady wad of cash, a free cleaner, an eager babysitter.
She complained for a week when he stopped paying, then, when he finally refused, she flung him out without ceremony.
Simon arrived at Harriets tiny student room, duffel bag in hand.
*
The village welcomed them warmly. Though they had no relatives nearby, Simon knew half the village. Childhood summers with Gran had made sure of that.
His mother lived in another county, and Harriets parents were miles awayno help to be had from family.
They married quietly at the registry office and started to build their life. Harriet got a job at the village nursery; Simon worked at the sawmill.
Their neighbour, Mrs. Barnes, gifted them a goat when she became too frail to keep it herself.
The goat cost nothing except half a pint of milk a day for Mrs. Barnes. Next came chickens and a couple of lambs.
Money wasnt plenty, but their smallholding and odd sewing jobs Harriet picked up kept them well enough. They werent badly off.
Their own little boy, Charlie, was three now. Harriet had gone back to work after maternity leave. The hardest times were behind them.
*
Then Alice decided to visit.
Shed not laid eyes on Simon since he left London. Her kids were bigger now, her husband off again, this time with his parents out in Kent.
I used to stay here all the time! Alice chimed as she waltzed through the front gate. Grans cottageI always wanted to escape, though. After a week, Id whine to go home. You stuck it out every holiday…
Simon only shrugged. You didnt last long here, Alice. You howled til Mum and Dad came to fetch you. I spent all my summers here.
Oh, but whats there to do in the countryside? Alice whined. Its dull as dishwater. Im just popping off to the seaside now.
Some things never change. Youve always loved your beach holidaysMum and Dad only ever took you.
Ill leave the kids here, Simon, while Im away. Theyll be fine in the countryside!
Whos going to look after them? Simon pressed. Were both working, sometimes Im gone for days…
Oh, its a village, what could possibly happen? Theyll keep each other entertained!
Simon shook his head. No. You stay here and watch them. Harriet would never agree, and Im not putting it on her.
Oh, dont be ridiculous. Just tell your wife. Thats final.
And your husband? Is he going to help? Or come with you?
Hes staying home, as usual. Needs a break from us.
You lot always need a break from each other
*
As Simon and Alice argued inside, her children were already wreaking havoc outside.
A sudden loud ruckus erupted. Simon looked out the window and went pale.
The children had let the piglet loose; it was pelting after them, tearing across the vegetable patch.
It took Simon ages to catch it. The veg beds were trampled to ruin, the next victim was the goat and her kids. Half the cabbages gone.
Simon berated them, Harriet fretted, while Alices children ran wild again.
Theyre just kids! Its the country! What harm playing with a few goats?
Our three-year-old never does this.
Oh, hell get to that one day.
No, he understands the rules.
Another scream. The children had found the chicken coop.
Their chickens were prizedrare breeds laying beautiful speckled eggs.
As soon as the youngsters opened the door, the cockerel charged at them.
Lord aboveas if you cant even mind your own farm! Alice shrieked. This place is chaos!
Its not the cockerels fault. Tell your children to keep out.
Harriet should take time off work to mind them. If anything happens to them while Im gone
They havent even gone near the dog yet. Next door theres a bad-tempered bull, cows walking past every morning. There are dogs all over, geese across the lane that are meaner than any cockerel. Dont ever step outside after dark.
Youre just trying to scare me!
Im warning you.
At that moment, the eldest boy was brought home by Mr. Drake, the neighbour.
Caught him starting a fire behind the garage, the man snapped. Everythings bone-dry, not a drop of rain in weeks. Who are you people, anyway?
Thats it, Alice. Take your kids and go to the seaside, but dont let them frighten off the sharks.
Youre all mad, you villagers! I let you stay with me!
I had no choice, Alice. Only for a year, and you had every penny I made. You know it.
Were leaving, Alice announced, rounding up her children, Off to your grandparents, now.
But we dont want to! We want to stay!
No, you dont.
Next morning, they were gone. Simon and Harriet thought about Alices visit for a long time afterwardand how one family drama can still shake a village quiet.
