A Shadow of Suspicion on the Countryside Horizon
Eleanor sat in her cosy home on the outskirts of Sheffield, flipping through an old notebook in search of her neighbour Daisy’s phone number. When she finally found the digits, she dialled. “Daisy, hello, love!” Eleanor greeted warmly. “It’s Ellie, your neighbour from the cottage. I wanted to ask—how do you grow such perfect radishes? Yours are always so crisp, and mine just won’t take.” “Oh, it’s nothing tricky,” Daisy replied, a hint of weariness in her voice. “Just soak the seeds for a day or two, then sow them. I’ll be down soon to plant mine. Still in the city for now.” “In the city?!” Eleanor gasped, her voice trembling. “Then who on earth is your William with at the cottage?” Daisy froze, her breath turning sharp. Without another word, she hung up, called a cab, and sped towards the countryside. When she stepped inside the cottage, her jaw dropped at the sight before her.
Daisy was livid. Her face burned, her eyes flashing like lightning. If her husband William—who she’d thought was at work—had seen her in that moment, he wouldn’t have recognised the gentle woman who’d straightened his tie and kissed his cheek that morning. But William was none the wiser. He was in high spirits, looking forward to Friday evening: savoury pies with mashed potatoes, homemade pickles, fresh tomatoes from the garden, and a chilled bottle of cider—after all, it was the weekend. He had no idea a storm was brewing over his head.
It had all started with that call from Eleanor, the nosy neighbour. Eleanor, a retiree, lived in a spacious flat with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. But as soon as spring arrived, she was whisked off to the cottage, where she stayed until late autumn. Her family visited only on weekends for barbecues, leaving Eleanor to pass the time alone, glued to the telly. So, even the smallest hint of drama in the village sparked her curiosity.
That morning, around ten, Eleanor stepped onto her porch, scanning the surroundings. She spotted the gate of the neighbouring cottage swing open as a car pulled in. She didn’t know much about cars, but she was certain—it was William’s. Yet instead of parking out front, the car disappeared behind thick raspberry bushes. “Right,” Eleanor thought, squinting. “Doesn’t want to be seen. What a sly fox!”
A call from a friend distracted her, so she missed the two figures stepping out—a man and a woman she immediately dubbed “the mistress.” Returning to her perch, she kept watch. Half an hour later, her patience paid off: a young woman in a bright green tracksuit emerged, stretching her arms wide. “You were right, it’s gorgeous here!” she exclaimed. “The air’s so fresh!” This was definitely not Daisy—this stranger was in her late twenties, a slender brunette with long hair. “Blimey, William!” Eleanor muttered. “Nearly fifty and still pulling stunners like that?” The woman vanished back inside when a man’s voice called her.
Wasting no time, Eleanor snatched her notebook and dialled Daisy. “Daisy, hello, love!” she began, feigning innocence. “It’s Ellie from the cottage. Just wondered—how do you plant your radishes? Yours always turn out lovely.” “Oh, nothing special,” Daisy replied. “Just soak the seeds, then plant. I’ll come down in May. Still in town at the moment.” “In town?” Eleanor paused dramatically. “Then who’s William with at the cottage?” “Since when?” Daisy’s voice wavered. “About an hour ago. And he hid the car behind the raspberries—I can barely see the roof from here.” “Right. Talk later,” Daisy snapped, hanging up.
Her hands shook as she dialled William. “Will, where are you?” “At work, why?” he answered breezily. “Just wanted to know when you’d be home. Not late?” “No, earlier, actually—it’s Friday!” he chimed. Daisy clenched her phone until her knuckles whitened. “We’ll see about that,” she muttered, hailing a cab.
The drive took less than an hour—off-season roads were clear. Paying the driver, she stormed towards the cottage. William’s car was indeed tucked behind the raspberries, its white paint gleaming. Her heart pounded as she crept up the porch, silently opening the door. The kitchen table was laid with cheese, crackers, pickles, and an open box of chocolates. A half-finished bottle of wine and two glasses sat nearby. “So this is how he works up an appetite before dinner,” she thought bitterly. “Well, I’ll give him a proper meal!”
She burst into the bedroom—and froze. Two figures shifted under the covers. A muffled yelp sounded as she yanked the duvet, but they held tight. “Daisy, what the—?!” a familiar voice sputtered. There, flustered, sat… William’s nephew, Oliver, beside a girl Daisy had never seen. “Aunt Daisy, what are you doing here?!” Oliver blurted, turning crimson. “Took a cab,” she said flatly. “This is my cottage, in case you’d forgotten. And you? I don’t even want to ask.” “I borrowed Uncle Will’s keys for the weekend,” Oliver admitted sheepishly. “He said you wouldn’t be here till June.” “Wasn’t planning to,” Daisy said coldly. “But the neighbours tipped me off about intruders. Fine. Enjoy yourselves. Just let me sort a ride home—I sent the cab off.”
Oliver jumped up. “I’ll take you! Emma can finish dinner, and I’ll be back in no time.” The girl—Emma, apparently—nodded eagerly. Daisy waited on the porch, still processing the false alarm that nearly shattered her trust.
When William returned from work, the table was set, and Daisy greeted him with a smile. He dug in, praising the meal, while Daisy casually mentioned, “Guess what? Eleanor called today. Said you’d brought some girl to the cottage.” “And you said…?” William asked cautiously, though his tone held no panic. “I told her not to be daft,” Daisy smiled. “I’ve got a loyal, decent husband—he’d never cheat.” “Exactly,” William nodded. “Eleanor’s lost the plot. I lent Oliver the keys—he asked to borrow the place. His car’s white too—must’ve confused her.” Privately, he thought, “That bloody Eleanor!”
After dinner, they settled in front of the telly, absorbed in a new drama. Daisy watched as the heroine agonised over infidelity and thought, “I’m so lucky to have William. I almost ruined everything with my silly suspicions.” Her heart swelled with relief—the storm had passed, leaving their quiet happiness untouched.
