You must not know much about kids these days!
Hello, Maureen! I saw you pottering about in the garden and thought Id pop over to say hello, Patricia tapped her foot by the gate.
She and Maureen lived at opposite ends of the village. Patricia and her husband, Victor, lived near the river, while Maureen was closer to the woods.
Theyd hardly spoken beforethere were plenty of neighbours closer by. But those neighbours grandchildren were all grown up now. This summer, Patricias son and his wife wanted to send their grandsons, Oliver and Liam, to stay for a whole month. Said the boys were tired of being cooped up in the city.
For years, their sons family had been better off, always jetting off abroad for holidays. But things had changed, and now they remembered that Mum and Dad lived near the countryside by the river. So, instead of just visiting for weekends, they decided to send the boys for a full month.
Just a warning, Mumthey dont always get along, their son, Nigel, had said. Oliver, at thirteen, thinks hes grown. And Liam wont take orders from him, so theyre always rowing!
Oh, dont worry, well manage, Patricia had said cheerfully. But after hanging up, she hesitated. Kids werent like they used to be. Sometimes you couldnt even talk to them. Theyd only ever visited briefly as toddlers. How would they behave now? The thought made her nervouswhat if she couldnt handle them?
Her husband, Victor, was a strict manhe wouldnt tolerate disobedience. And quarrels were the last thing they needed.
So Patricia decided to play it safe. Shed visit Maureen, whose grandsons were about the same age. She remembered from her own days that keeping children busy was keyless trouble if they made friends.
Come in, Patricia! Maureen called, spotting her neighbour. What brings you here?
Well, the boys are coming to stay for a month, and I think yours are around the same age? Thought we could introduce themif they get along, itll be better for all of us, Patricia suggested.
You must not know much about kids these days! Maureen laughed. Youre not afraid to have them for so long? Mine drove me up the wall, and my husband nearly sent them home! But fine, bring them over. What else can we do? Theyre our grandsons, after all!
That weekend, Nigel and his wife, Pauline, arrived with Oliver and Liam.
The boys had grown, and it was clear they were happy to see their grandparents. Patricia felt a weight lift from her heart.
What had Maureen been on about? Maybe *her* grandsons were unruly, but *hers* were polite and well-behaved! Top marks at school, toonothing to worry about.
Mum, just ring if theres trouble, Ill talk to them, Nigel said as they left. But Patricia waved him off. Oh, stop fussing, son. Did we raise *you* wrong?
That evening, Oliver and Liam took ages to settle. Theyd been put to bed in the spare roomonce Nigels old bedroom.
Excited by the change of scene, they chattered loudly, keeping Victor awake. He grumbled, displeased.
Why on earth did you agree to this, Pat? They never cared for the village before!
Come morning, the boys slept past noon.
Gran, just five more minutes, Oliver mumbled.
Liam was out cold, not even hearing her.
How long can they possibly sleep?! Patricia huffed.
Then she spotted something on the floortheir phones!
Were you playing on these all night? Thats it, Im taking them!
Oliver shot up.
Give it back! Its not yours! Mum lets us!
Well, Ill ring her and see what she *actually* allows! Patricia said. Oliver backed off, scowling. Fine, call her then!
For two hours, the boys sulked in their room. Victor was ready to march inwhat kind of strike was this on their first day? But they emerged, both in foul moods:
Were not eating porridge. We want nuggets or toasties.
Oh, is that so? Victor snapped. Youll go hungry, then. And have you made your beds? Lets see what mess youve left. Crisp packets? Sweet wrappers in bed? Not a thing tidied? You havent earned your breakfastclean up first!
You cant make us go hungry! Liam glared. Youre mean!
Victor nearly lost his temper, but Patricia stepped in. Alright, Ill show you how to make the beds todayyoull do it tomorrow, deal? And toasties *after* porridge. Agreed?
Youre spoiling them, Victor grumbled. No discipline, no respect!
The boys soon befriended Maureens grandsons. But the four of them together were a handful!
If they played in Patricias garden, shed later sneak out to collect sticks and branches strewn everywherewho knew where theyd found them? Flowers trampled, mud tracked indoors, crumbs everywhere. Chairs wobbled, doors nearly off their hinges from slamming.
What *kind* of children are these?! Victor fumed. Never again! If they cant behave, theyre not welcome! Right, Oliver, youre helping me fix their bikes. Liam, youll help Gran with lunch. Earn your keep!
You have to *work* for it? Oliver blinked.
Did you think things just appear? Nothings freeyou earn what you get! And look at youripped trousers already! Lucky Gran kept your dads old clothes. But clothes dont mend themselves, and neither does food!
Go easy on them, Vic, Patricia warned. You werent a saint at their age!
When the boys left, they complained to their parents:
Grandad worked us to death! Took our phones and made us clean!
But a week later, a baffled Nigel rang.
Mum, Dad, howd you manage it? Liam can peel potatoes and vacuum! Oliver does his own washing and actually *talks* now. They make their beds and even cook a bit!
Were we meant to wait on them? Patricia huffed. They sulked when they leftdoubt theyll come back.
Yet a year later, Oliver and Liam begged to visit againeven turned down a holiday abroad. The village meant friends now.
And there was something satisfying about eating Grans porridge, her pieseverything she made.
Because when youve worked for it, youve something to be proud of. And that, it turns out, feels rather good.
