Many years ago, William brought his fiancée, Alice, to live in the countryside. An old cottage had been left to him by his grandmother. The young couple settled in and started their own little homestead. They had just found their rhythm when Williams sister, Margaret, arrived unexpectedly from London, bringing her three children in tow.
I used to stay here too, you know! Margaret exclaimed, setting down her bags. Visited Grandmother as a child. I thought Id take a break by the seaside this summer! So Ill be leaving the children with you in the country.
And who exactly will be watching them? William asked in disbelief. We have work The both of us.
Suddenly, a commotion rose from outside. William glanced through the windowand was momentarily speechless at what he saw.
William had brought Alice to the same village where hed spent his younger years. His grandmothers cottage was his only inheritance.
Take your pick, love, hed told Alice when they arrived, either we settle here, or we can try our luck renting a flat in town.
It wasnt much of a choice at all. William had nothing in the city, just a small bed in Margarets cramped London flat, sharing with her eldest.
His sister never liked having him around. Once each month, after William handed over most of his wages for the privilege of lodging there, shed be in good spiritsbut the rest of the time, shed nag endlessly over trivialities.
William had a never-ending list of duties as well. Every weekend he was tasked to dust the carpets, shake out the blankets, take the childrenthree of them, aged one, three, and sixout for walks.
Margarets husband was often away, studying in another city or spending time with friends. Sometimes hed vanish to his parents house for a bit of peace and quiet.
Alice knew all this well enough. She understood why William, in spite of having a decent job and sound wages, never seemed to have any money. All went straight to his sister.
When he started courting Alice, William finally kept back some money for himself, and Margaret nearly threw him out for it. He needed to work two extra weeks before leaving his job.
His sister made both William and his fiancées lives quite difficult. Margaret found it handy to have her brother living with hermoney, cleaning, help with the children, everything.
For a week she grumbled, and then next week, when William refused to keep handing over his wages, she simply sent him packing.
So William turned up at Alices room in the teachers hostel with his belongings in tow.
The village welcomed them kindly, even though neither had relatives nearby. William, who grew up there, already knew many people. Hed spent all his summers by his grandmothers side.
Williams mother lived in another county, Alices parents even farther away. There was never any hope of outside help.
Quietly, they married and began building a life together. Alice found a job at the local nursery, and William got work at the mill.
The elderly neighbour gifted them her goatshe was too frail to manage it anymore. They got it for nothing, save half a pint of milk promised to the old lady daily. Later, they managed to acquire a few chickens and sheep.
Their earnings werent grand, but their own farm and Alices extra work on commissionshe sewed for the neighbourshelped keep them afloat. Life was comfortable enough.
By now, they had a son, Thomas, three years old. With Alice back at work after maternity leave, the toughest days had passed
Then, out of the blue, Margaret decided to visit.
She hadnt seen William since he left the city. Her children were bigger now, and her husband predictably stayed behind, choosing to spend his time at his own parents home.
I lived here, too! Margaret said as she arrived with the children. I visited Grandmother ages ago.
Wasnt for long, as I recall, William replied. After a week without Mum and Dad, you made such a fuss they came to collect you straight away. I was here the whole summer.
Oh, nothing to do in the country. Always found it dreadfully dull. Thats why Im heading to the seaside again now!
You always loved the seaside. Mum and Dad spoiled you, always took you and left me behind.
Well, I thought youd look after the children here, brother, while I get some rest by the sea.
And who, exactly, is supposed to watch them? William demanded. Were both workingsometimes Im gone for days.
Well, its the village! What could possibly happen? The older ones will mind the little ones.
Youll have to stay and manage them yourself. Alice wont agree to take them on.
Oh, why consult her? Youre my brother. Just tell your wife its sorted.
And your husband? Is he doing anythingor coming up, too?
No, hell stop at home. Getting a holiday from us.
You two always seem to need a holiday from each other
As the siblings argued, Margarets children ran wild.
Suddenly, noise erupted outside. William looked out to find the children had let the piglet loose, and it was now charging madly up and down the garden.
He barely managed to corral the piglet back, but the damage was donethe garden beds were trampled, half the cabbage patch in ruin. Next went the goat and her kids; even more chaos.
William scolded, Alice fretted, and the children simply disappeared outdoors again.
Theyre only children; its the countryside, protested Margaret. Whats wrong with them playing with the goats?
Our three-year-old doesnt do this, said William.
Well, hell have plenty of time to learn, Margaret retorted.
He knows better already.
Another uproarnow the children were peering into the chicken run.
William had pride in his flockhens of many breeds, laying eggs of all colours. The moment the children opened the gate, the cockerel charged at them furiously.
What sort of village is this? Margaret complained. No proper control over your livestock!
Its not the cockerels fault. Tell your children to leave things be.
Your wife should take time off and watch the children. If anything happens while Im gonedont blame me!
They havent even messed with the dog yet. And the neighbours have a mean bull. Every morning and evening the cows go by, and theres always some stray dogs about. The other neighbours keep geese thatd frighten the bravest cockerel. Wouldnt recommend wandering after sundown.
Youre saying all this just to put me off?
No, Im warning you.
Just then, the eldest boy was returned by the neighbour, who caught him lighting matches behind the sheds.
What if something happened? the neighbour scolded. The grounds bone dryno rain for weeks. Who are you people anyway?
Thats it, Margaret, William said firmly. I cant deal with all this. Best take your little ones to the seasidejust keep them from frightening the sharks.
Youre all oddthis whole village! After all I did for you, William. You lived with me, remember?
Just for a year, Margaret. And only because I had nowhere else. I gave you everything I earned, as well you know.
Were leaving, Margaret announced the next morning. You lot are off to your grandparents, she told her children.
We dont want to! We want to stay with you!
Not a chance, she said.
The next morning, the party departed. William and Alice would remember Margarets audacious visit for years to come.
