Its honestly a bit embarrassingeveryone else in the village has cleared their allotments, and ours still stands out like a sore thumb. We would have managed it ourselves, only my arthritiss playing up and your mums back has completely gone.
Michael, I wanted a quick word, said Dad, nervously twisting his cap in his hands. Think you could spare a hand with the potatoes? Wed be at it ourselves, but as you know, my arthritis and your mothers back
As Michael pulled on his wellingtons, he grumbled, Why do you plant so many every year? Its not like youre going hungry. Not today, Dad, sorry. I have to head into town for work.
Dad looked like he had something sharper to say but waved a hand, let it go, and trudged outside. Lifting a fork with difficulty, he hobbled down towards the allotment.
Anne, wrapped up to support her aching back, hurried to join him.
So, Nick, are the children coming? she asked hopefully.
He growled, Oh, just wait and see. Grab a bucket and help with the collecting. Five children and not one has time for their old mum and dad. Come on, love, lets see if we can manage a bit before evening.
Meanwhile, Irene, Michaels wife, was having a quiet word with him at home.
I never understand you lot, she sighed. You do everything yourselves; you dont even help your parents! Its not right, is it? If my mum and dad were still around, Id be there in a shot, she said, wiping away a tear.
Michael slipped an arm around her shoulders. Youre right, love, its not good. We hardly live far, but we rarely visit. How about I take the day off? And you ring the others?
Irene sat down, pulled out the address book and started making calls.
Cant make it? Work? Everyone works. Take the dayparents wont be here forever. And if youve got no one to look after the kids, bring them. Country air is better than sitting on a sofa with a tablet. Well be waiting for you!
A few calls were bribes, a few thinly veiled threats, but Irene managed to rally them all in the end.
Back at the plot, Nick sat to rest.
Well, Anne, looks like well be digging spuds till Christmas. Why did we plant so much? Youre always worrying the kids wont have any. Where are your dear children now, eh? Wont lift a finger. Remember how it used to be? All of us together, job done by lunch! He gave a nostalgic sigh.
Anne listened intently. Nick, do you hear that? Sounds like someones arrived. Go and see?
Nick shuffled toward the gateand then came an eruption of laughter and chatter. Anne, gripping her aching back, shuffled after him.
Oh, heavens! So many of them. The children, the grandchildren. What a joy!
Right, Dad, where are your spades and forks? Buckets? Lets get to it! Michael called out.
Holding back tears, Nick barked back, Exactly where you left them. Forgotten, have you?
And then, the work began in earnest. Some dug, some collected into buckets, and others carted potatoes under the shed to dry. Anne was ushered indoors to rest by the daughters-in-law, who promptly rolled up their sleeves to start cooking a good meal for everyone. But Anne couldnt keep stillpopping outside to give directions, remind of old tricks, keeping a watchful eye as any proper matriarch would.
Out on the plot, there was laughter and teasing.
Oi, Michael, remember when you lobbed a potato at my forehead when we were kids? Heres payback! joked Simon, tossing a spud at him.
Grandad grumbled, Fancy playing about, you lot. Youre all old enough to know better. Carrying on like schoolboys.
And at last: hooray! The potato patch is dug, stalks neat in a pile, potatoes safely stored under the shed. Time for tea.
They spread a big table in the garden, full of noise and stories from childhood.
Anne kept dabbing at her eyesgood tears. Good kids, she murmured. Passersby greeted them kindly, some neighbours offering praise. Others looked on, recalling their children who hadnt visited in a while.
Irene leaned in and whispered to Michael, What did you tell work?
He pulled her closer, Told them my parents needed help. They let me go straight awayhelping your parents is the right thing, they said.
In all the commotion of daily life, dont forget your parents. They might not always ask for help, might not insist, but will always be happiest surrounded by their family.
