So, you know how divorces can sometimes get really messy, right? Well, this wealthy bloke lets call him Richard decides, during the divorce, to leave his wife an old, abandoned farm in the middle of nowhere. He probably thought he was being clever, but what happened a year later totally took him by surprise.
So, in the midst of splitting up, Richard goes, “You know, Sarah, you dont really need me here, do you? Why dont you go back to London?” Just completely dismissive. Sarah, though, shes determined and tells him, “I think it would be best if you headed back to the city yourself.”
Richard just sighs he looks absolutely worn out. Sarah had put all her trust in him, and she just didnt have the energy to argue anymore. Theyd really started from scratch together, sold their little flat and invested every penny into building up their business. Richard had only contributed a small bedroom from some shared house, if you can believe it, while Sarah was the brains and heart behind their success. Theyd scraped by for years, moving from one rented place to another, but eventually, things picked up and life got a bit more stable.
But then, Richard started acting like he was lord of the manor. Tricky as ever, he shifted every asset into his name, making sure Sarah wouldnt get a thing if they split. Once he had everything lined up, he filed for divorce.
“Do you really think thats fair, Richard?” Sarah asked, disappointment written all over her face.
He just shrugged, totally indifferent. “Dont start again. You havent put in anything for ages. Im the one doing all the work, and youre doing nothing.”
“But you told me to take some time off for myself,” she replied, staying calm.
Richard rolled his eyes, annoyed. “Im so done with these pointless chats. By the way, do you remember that old farm I inherited from Mr. Parker, my old boss? Hes gone now and left me that worthless patch of land. Its perfect for you. If you dont want it, you get nothing at all.”
Sarah managed a bitter little smile. She knew exactly what he was up to. After twelve years together, she realised shed been living with a stranger.
“Fine, but only on one condition: the farm has to be transferred to me officially.”
“Not a problem,” Richard replied, wearing this smug little grin. “Ill save on tax that way, actually.”
So, Sarah didnt say another word. She packed up her things and moved into a hotel, fully determined to start over regardless if it was an empty field or a derelict barn waiting for her. She figured shed see when she got there, and if it was truly hopeless, she could always go back to London or seek out another opportunity.
She loaded up her car with just the essentials and left the rest behind with Richard and his new girlfriend. If he thought hed still be able to rely on her skills and wisdom, he was sorely mistaken. That new girlfriend, by the way Sarah had met her a couple of times glossier than clever, if you ask me.
Richard handed over the deed to the farm with a mocking kind of smile. “Best of luck to you,” he said.
“You too,” Sarah replied, perfectly composed.
“And dont forget to send me a picture of the cows!” he laughed.
Without a word, Sarah shut her car door and drove off. As she left town, tears started streaming down her face. She had no idea how long she sat crying until a gentle tap on the window shook her back to reality.
“Are you alright, love?” An elderly woman asked kindly. “My husband and I have seen you sitting here for a while.”
Sarah looked at the woman, then caught the sight of a bus stop in her rearview mirror, and managed a small smile. “Im fine, just a bit overwhelmed, thats all.”
The woman nodded, understandingly. “Were just coming back from the hospital. Our neighbours in there all alone no one visits her. Are you by any chance heading near Oxford?”
Sarah looked surprised. “Oxford? Is that near the farm?”
“Yes, though calling it a farm these days might be generous. After the owner died, no ones really looked after it. A few villagers pop by now and then to take care of the animals out of kindness.”
Sarah smiled softly. “What a coincidence thats exactly where Im heading. Hop in, Ill give you a lift.”
The older lady sat up front while her husband took the back seat.
“Im Sarah, by the way,” she said as she started driving.
“Im Margaret Bennett, and thats my husband, George,” the lady replied warmly.
As they drove, Sarah learned all about the farm whod been pilfering, who still tried to look after the animals, and just how bad things had gotten. When they finally got there, it was pretty bleak empty fields and a barn that looked ready to fall over, with only about twenty cows left. Still, Sarah made up her mind to stay put and fight for a fresh start.
A year passed and, I kid you not, Sarah was beaming with pride as she watched eighty cows grazing peacefully on her lush green fields. Shed turned that forsaken patch into a blooming business. It hadnt come easy shed sold her jewellery to buy feed and used up every last bit of her savings, but now sales were booming and people were after her dairy in the neighbouring counties too.
One day, a young woman named Emily brought her a newspaper with an ad for some refrigerated trucks going at a fair price. Sarah recognised the phone number straight away it was Richards company. Giggling to herself, she had Emily ring up and offer 5% more, but only if the trucks werent shown to anyone else.
When Sarah went to check them out, Richard was there and looked absolutely gobsmacked.
“Youre buying them?” he asked, stunned.
“Yes, for the farm you gave me. Its turned into a wonderful business and were expanding,” Sarah replied calmly.
Richard was completely lost for words. While his own life was unravelling, Sarah had moved on for good.
In the end, Sarah found true love with John, a lovely mechanic whod helped her upgrade the farm bit by bit. Together, they even celebrated their baby daughters christening, while Richard could only look on from the sidelines, watching everything hed let slip away.
