Valentina and William had just arrived at their new countryside cottage. Theyd bought it the previous autumn and were now eager to fix it up properly. The house itself was lovelysolid enough to live in year-roundbut the garden and outbuildings needed plenty of work.
The old orchard required tidying, and theyd already ordered a new sauna, due to arrive in a week. They planned to build a washhouse beside it, along with a woodshed and a gazebo. Their children had promised to visit and lend a hand.
Its peaceful here, William remarked. We could stay all year. Now that were retired, why not?
I checked the cellar, Valentina said. Just needs a new door.
And I had a look at the back veranda. Remember we talked about a gazebo? No needweve got that big round table and those old chairs. Just needs a bit of polishing, and theyll last another century. Perfect for tea with a view of the garden. Though the door there wants replacingfeels like someones been inside recently.
Aye, doors first. Well sort the backyard properlyout of sight from the street, but still tidy. And out front, well have a proper lawn with flowers.
The perennials are already coming up. We might need to move a few things, but well leave it as is for this summer.
A week later, the sauna arrived, and their children came to help. The neighbour, Mrs. Higgins, soon paid a visit, her grandchildren scampering about.
Do you have grandchildren? she asked.
Aye, theyll visit, Valentina replied.
And why such a tall fence? None of us bothered with fences before.
No fence? We just took the old one downit was half-rotten. We like things tidy. Dont fret, weve not pinched an inch of your land. Its right on the boundary.
No side gate then? Theres always been a path through here.
Between ours and yours? No, thats not happening. The only entrance is from the road.
But how will the children run about? Yours and mine? Youve gone and cut down the apple treesthey loved climbing those!
We pruned them, thats all. Planted new ones, too. Your lot can climb your own trees.
Everythings new with you. And whats with those bushes along the fence?
For privacyand looks!
Mrs. Higgins kept returning with fresh complaints. Her grandchildren roamed freely until the new gate went up.
Youve settled in proper, she remarked. Staying through winter?
Well see, William said.
Whyve you locked the gate? The kids always played football out frontsafe from the road.
Its all flowerbeds now, not like your place. You couldnt tell thyme from parsley without the shop labels. Never seen a berry outside a jam jar. Youd do better being neighbourly.
The gate stays shut to keep strangers outand your grandchildren from running wild. Two days ago, they let our hens loose. Still missing half of them.
Youve got chickens? So youre staying, then?
We already are.
By late August, they celebrated Williams birthday. The family gathered, the men grilling meat while the women set the veranda table.
Mrs. Higgins arrived uninvited. Just popped round to wish you well. Thats what neighbours do, isnt it? The children already knowthey can smell a party!
This is just family, Valentina said firmly.
Ah, but who knows? In time, we might be like family! Mrs. Higgins laughed.
Her grandchildren ran amokshaking fruit trees, climbing the sauna roof, then pelting stones into the inflatable pool until it burst.
No harm done, Mrs. Higgins shrugged. Nearly autumn anywaytime to pack it up.
Time for you to leave, William said.
But the children are hungry! All that running about!
The party was spoiled. Yet a week later, the family returned for Valentina and Williams anniversarythirty-five years together.
This time, the youngest grandson, seven-year-old Oliver, bolted the gate.
Knocking went ignored. The smell of barbecue filled the air as the evening cooled.
When will you be back in town? someone asked.
Well see. Autumn first, then winter. Still apples to pickfine crop this year. We like it here. All but the neighbour, and shes no real bother. Weve learnt how to handle her.
Everyone laughed.
The guests left, and Valentina and William stayed. Autumn lay ahead, then winter Theyd try it. If it didnt suit, their city flat still waited.
As for Mrs. Higgins? She left tooschool starting, her daughter needing help with the children. William and Valentina exchanged a relieved glance. Some neighbours are best at a distance.
Boundaries matternot just in fences, but in lives well lived.
