You only tell the difference between two packs of parsley by the shop tags, and youve only ever seen berries in jam! grumbled the offended neighbour, MrsMargaret.
Victoria and Edward arrived at their country cottage. Theyd bought it last autumn, and now, with the leaves turning, they decided to put everything in order. The house was charming, even in winter, but the plot and the outbuildings needed a lot of work.
The overgrown garden had to be turned into a pictureperfect space. A new sauna had already been ordered; it would be delivered and installed in a week, they just had to pick the spot. At the same time they planned a leanto for laundry, a woodstore, and a small gazebo. Their children had promised to come and lend a hand with everything.
Its quiet here, we could live here all year round. After all, were retirees now.
Ive inspected the cellar; only the doors need to be replaced.
Ive looked over the back verandah. Remember the gazebo we talked about? It isnt needed. The verandah already has a big round table and a set of antique chairs.
Well just restore those chairs; theyll serve us a hundred more years. From there well have a perfect view of the garden, sip tea and enjoy the scenery. The front doors also need changing it feels as if someone had been in the house recently, even in winter.
Right, the doors first. Well do everything at the rear of the property, out of sight from the road, but still beautiful. In front of the house well create a little lawn with flowerbeds.
The perennials are already in the ground; we only need to decide where each goes. Some may have to be moved, but well leave it as it is for this summer.
A week later the sauna arrived and the children showed up. Work on the plot began in earnest. MrsMargaret stopped by to say hello, her grandchildren darting around the cottage.
Do you have grandchildren?
Yes, theyll be visiting soon.
Why are you putting up such a high fence? We neighbours have always managed without any.
Without fences? What was there before? We just tore down the old one it had fallen anyway. It didnt matter to you, but we like order. Dont worry, we didnt take any extra metres of land; the fence sits exactly on the boundary.
No gate, then? Weve always had a way through.
You mean a gate between our plots? No, thats not planned. Access is only from the road.
What about the children, ours and yours? I see youve cut down the apple trees, and the kids loved climbing them.
We didnt cut them down; we pruned and cleared the dead wood, and we planted new saplings. Your children can still crawl over your own apple trees.
Everythings new here. Why the hedges along our fence?
Just for a tidy look!
MrsMargaret left, but returned with more questions. Her grandchildren kept running across Victorias and Edwards garden until the new gate was finally installed.
Youve settled in nicely, she said again. Will you stay through the winter?
Time will tell.
Why did you lock the gate? The kids used to play ball right in front of the house, it was convenient and safe.
My beds are already occupied; yours arent. You only tell the difference between parsley by the label, and youve only ever tasted berries in jam. You could learn to be friends with me.
We closed the gate to keep strangers out and to stop your grandchildren from taking over. Two days ago they let our chickens loose, and we havent found a single one yet.
You keep chickens then? So you really intend to live here?
We already do.
At the end of August they celebrated Edwards birthday. The children arrived, as did the grandchildren. The whole family gathered. The men grilled meat, the women prepared salads, and the table was set on the verandah.
Here we are, dropping by to say hello, as neighbours do, no invitation needed. The kids know everything by sunrise.
Youre preparing a feast; the guests have arrived, so lets sit down. Itll be more fun for the children together, and its high time we became friends.
It sounds as if we never invited you. This is a family celebration, not a neighbourhood party. Our relationship is that of neighbours, not relatives.
Perhaps one day it will change. The children will grow up; maybe well become family, the neighbour replied cheerfully.
She kept changing the story, never staying long, while her grandchildren kept exploring every corner shaking apple and pear trees, climbing onto the roof of the sauna, luckily not falling. Later they were drawn to the stone pathway around the outbuildings, and some of them started tossing stones into the inflatable pool. No one noticed at first. The children shrieked with delight as water splashed everywhere.
Autumn is almost here; the pool will have to be put away, said MrsMargaret. The kids had fun.
Time to go home!
We havent even sat down yet; the children are hungry. Lets all gather at the table!
The celebration was a little chaotic, but another one loomed ahead. A week later the children returned for the 35thanniversary celebration of Victoria and Edwards life together. Someone had locked the gate early on it turned out to be the youngest, their sevenyearold grandson.
The sound of a knock on the gate echoed; the family pretended nothing was happening as the smell of kebabs and fresh herbs filled the air. It grew chilly.
When will you be back in town?
Well think about it. Autumn is coming, well live here a while longer, then well see. The apples still need picking; this years harvest is superb. We like everything here except the neighbour, but she isnt a real obstacle. Weve learned to manage without her.
Everyone laughed together.
When the guests finally left, Victoria and Edward were alone. Autumn lay ahead, then winter They would keep trying. And if it ever got too hard, they could always move back to their flat in London.
MrsMargaret eventually drove away. She had to get her grandchildren to school; her daughter was struggling, and the grandmother would help. Victoria and Edward sighed with relief. God bless us with such difficult neighbours, Edward muttered.
In the end they realised that a wellkept home, a little patience, and a willingness to bridge the gap with neighbours are worth far more than any perfectly trimmed garden.
