You can hardly tell coriander from parsley unless its labelled in the shop! And Ill bet youve only seen berries in jam! grumbled the offended neighbour.
Valerie and William had arrived at their countryside cottage. Theyd bought it in the autumn, and now they were determined to set everything straight. The house itself was lovelycosy enough to live in even in winterbut the garden and the rest of the property needed plenty of work.
The old orchard required serious attention. Theyd already ordered a new sauna, due to arrive in a weekthey just had to choose the spot for it. A laundry shed would go beside it, along with a woodshed and a gazebo. Their children had promised to come and help with it all.
Its peaceful here, Valerie mused. We could live here year-round. Were retired now, after all.
I checked the cellar, William said. Only the door needs replacing.
And Ive had a look at the back veranda. Remember we talked about the gazebo? Pointless. The verandas got that big round table, those antique chairsjust needs a bit of polishing, and theyll last another century. And the view over the orchard perfect for tea in the evenings. Well need new doors there too, though. Feels like someones been inside recently.
Right. Doors first. Well sort everything in the back gardenless visible from the road, and still beautiful. Out front, well have a lawn and flowerbeds.
The flowers are already coming upperennials. We just need to figure out whats where. Might have to move a few things, but well leave it for now.
A week later, the sauna arrived, and the children came to help. The neighbour dropped by, her own grandchildren lingering near the fence.
Youve got grandchildren too, then? she asked.
Theyll visit, Valerie replied.
Why such a high fence? Weve always managed without one here.
Managed without one? We just took the old one downit had fallen apart. You might not care, but we like things tidy. And dont worry, we havent pinched an inch of your land. Its exactly on the boundary.
No little gate between our gardens? Theres always been a path.
Not anymore. The only entrance is from the lane.
But where will the children play? Yours, mineI see youve cut down the apple trees. My lot loved climbing those.
We didnt cut them down, we pruned them. Planted new ones, too. Yours can climb their own.
Everythings new with you. And whats with the hedge along our fence?
For privacyand because we like it!
The neighbour kept returning with fresh complaints. Her grandchildren ran wild in Valerie and Williams garden until the new gates went up.
Youve really settled in, she remarked. Staying through winter?
Well see.
Then why lock the gates? The kids always played football out frontsafe, flat. The roads no place for them.
My front gardens full of vegetables, not like yours. You couldnt tell thyme from tarragon unless its wrapped in plastic. And I doubt youve seen a raspberry that didnt come in a jar. Try being friendly instead.
The gates stay shut. Keeps strangers outand your grandchildren from running riot. Two days ago, they let our hens loose. We never found half of them.
Youve got chickens? So you *are* staying.
We already live here.
By late August, they celebrated Williams birthday. The family gatheredchildren, grandchildren. The men grilled meat; the women laid the table on the veranda.
Here we are! The neighbour appeared, uninvited. Just popping by to say happy birthday. Weve always done thisno need for formalities. The children knew straight awaywhere theres cooking, theres a party!
We didnt invite you. This is family only.
Oh, but were practically family! The children will grow up together.
No matter what they said, she twisted their words. Her grandchildren shook the fruit trees, scaled the sauna roofmiraculously avoiding injurythen started hurling decorative stones into the inflatable pool. The splash of water sent them shrieking with laughter.
Honestly, the neighbour scoffed. Its nearly autumntime to pack the pool away anyway.
Time for you to leave.
But weve only just arrived! The children are starving.
The evening was ruined.
A week later, the family returned for Valerie and Williams wedding anniversary. This time, seven-year-old grandson Thomas bolted the gate shut.
Knocking echoed from the lane. The family pretended not to hear. The scent of barbecue and fresh earth hung in the cooling air.
When do you head back to London? someone asked.
Well see. Autumn firstharvest the apples. This years crop is splendid. We love it here aside from the neighbour. But shes no trouble anymore. Weve learned how to handle her.
Laughter rippled through the group.
The guests left; Valerie and William stayed. Autumn lay ahead, then winter. Theyd give it a try. If it didnt work out, the city flat was always there.
As for the neighbour? Shed gone. School was starting, and her daughter needed help with the children.
William exhaled in relief. Some neighbours were more trouble than they were worth.
