“Leave her here, let her fend for herself!” they said, tossing the old woman into the snow. “Let her freeze to death!” The villains didnt realize the boomerang would soon return.
Valerie Whitmore walked toward her apartment building. The elderly ladies on the bench were gossiping about the sleek car recently parked outside.
“Who does it belong to?” Valerie asked.
“No idea!” one of them replied. “Probably belongs to Mary. Fancy cars like that dont come round here for folks like us.”
“Only ambulances stop by our place!” another chuckled.
The neighbors continued chatting about the council and all the local scandals. Then Mary herself stepped outthe one with the expensive car. She walked off without a glance at them or the vehicle parked on the lawn. Valerie hurried inside.
“Valerie Whitmore?” a man called out in the stairwell. “Remember me? We spoke a few days ago. Im your nephew.”
“Oh, Edward!” Valerie exclaimed, recognizing him. “Why didnt you tell me you were visiting? Is that your car on the grass?”
“Yes, mine.”
“Then move it before someone complains! Who parks on someone elses garden?”
Her nephew rushed outside while Valerie put the kettle on. She needed to sell the flatno point leaving the neighbors a ruined lawn.
Years ago, her uncle used to visit with his son. Then the family drifted apart. Now, here he wasthis young man. Something about him unsettled Valerie. He chain-smoked, his teeth already yellowed. Still, she was glad hed come. She didnt want to hire an estate agent. Better to let her nephew handle it. But he refused any payment.
Valerie had lost her husband and children long ago. Now, she longed to move closer to nature. Fresh air would be better than climbing four flights of stairs every day. A village nearby even had a nursery. While she still had strength, she wanted to grow her own vegetables. By autumn, a buyer appeared for the flat.
“Winters coming. Lets wait till spring,” Valerie decided.
“But prices will rise by then!” Edward argued. “Cold weathers best for checking the heating. And if the buyer backs out later?”
“But you havent found me a house yet! Where will I live? Find one first, then well sell,” Valerie sighed.
Edward agreed.
Soon, he presented options. After viewing a cottage, Valeries heart sank. Everything needed repairs. But the flats sale would cover itjust enough for the house and the work. Edward knew construction and promised to help.
Valerie hesitated.
“Winters coming. I dont want the hassle. I just want to move in and live properly.”
“Ill help you!” he insisted.
Something gnawed at her. Edward was rushing the sale, pushing her to buy any old place. Still, she reasoned he had nothing to gain. She thanked him, grateful hed agreed to assist at all.
She picked a cottage and set the sale date.
The buyer and solicitor arrived promptly. Edward served tea. Valeries heart achedthis was her home, her whole life. But no turning back now. Boxes were packed, papers signed.
“Time to move!” Edward announced.
“Now? I havent even emptied the cupboard!” she protested, but he insistedthe buyer needed the flat tonight.
Grudgingly, she agreed.
In the van, Valerie dozed off. Occasionally, she stirred, glimpsing the road through the window, hearing muffled voices.
“Valerie, can you hear me?” Edwards voice echoed distantly. She couldnt respond.
“Leave her here,” she heard later, her mind foggy. Then she was dumped in the snow.
“Shell freeze,” Edward muttered.
Realization struckhed drugged her tea. Shed signed everything. Now, discarded like rubbish. She closed her eyes, ready to accept her fate.
Meanwhile, a young woman driving past spotted the van pulled over. Thinking they needed help, she slowed downthen saw men dragging something into the woods. Suspicious, she noted the license plate. Once they drove off, she investigated.
She found Valerie, barely conscious.
“Where am I?” the old woman murmured.
“We found you,” the womanEmilysaid. “Do you remember how you got here?”
“Yes My nephew sold my flat. Then the tea He put something in it! They dumped me!”
“Lets get you warm,” Emily said, wrapping her in a blanket.
Emily and her husband took Valerie to the police. An investigation began. They offered her a spare room while things were sorted.
Weeks later, Valeries flat was returned to her. Edward and his accomplice were arrested for fraud. Come spring, just as shed planned, she sold the flat and bought her cottageno repairs needed. She planted a garden and, by summer, invited Emily and her husband for dinner.
Valerie never forgot their kindness.
**Lesson:** Cruelty returns like a boomerang, but so does kindnessplant seeds of goodness, and theyll bloom when you least expect it.
