You only tell the difference between parsley and dill by the supermarket label! And youve only ever seen berries in jam! muttered the offended neighbour, Mrs. Finch.
Eleanor and George had driven out to their country cottage last autumn, and now, in early spring, they were determined to set things right. The house was charming, even in winter, but the grounds and the rest of the property needed a great deal of work.
The overgrown garden had to be turned into a picturepostcard scene. They had already ordered a new sauna; the delivery crew would arrive in a week to set it up, they just had to decide where to place it.
At the same time they planned a small leanto beside the sauna for drying laundry, a woodshed, and a gazebo. Their grandchildren had promised to come over and lend a hand with everything.
Its quiet here, perfect for living out our retirement.
Ive inspected the cellar; only the front door needs replacing.
Ive walked around the back veranda. Remember our talk about a gazebo? It isnt needed at the moment. The veranda already has a large round table and a set of antique chairs.
Well just refurbish those chairs; theyll last another hundred years. From there well have a view over the garden, where we can sip tea and enjoy the scenery. The back door also needs changingit feels as if someone has been in the house this winter.
Exactly, the doors are priority. Everything will be done in the back garden, out of sight from the road, yet still attractive. Well plant a flower meadow in front of the house.
The perennials are already there; we just need to figure out where each one belongs. Some may have to be moved, but well leave it as it is for this summer.
A week later the sauna arrived, the grandchildren showed up, and work began in earnest. Mrs. Finch stopped by to introduce herself; her grandchildren were rattling around the cottage constantly.
Do you have grandchildren?
Yes, theyll be visiting soon.
Why put up such a high fence? We neighbours have always managed without any.
Without a fence? What then? We just took the old one down. It had collapsed. It didnt matter to you, but we value order. Dont worry, we didnt encroach on your land; the fence sits exactly on our boundary.
Will there be a gate? We always had a way through.
You mean a side gate between our properties? No, that wasnt planned. The only entrance is from the road.
What about the childrenyours and oursrunning about? I see you cut down the apple trees, and the kids loved climbing them.
We didnt cut them down; we pruned and cleared the dead wood, and weve planted new saplings. Let your grandchildren play on your own trees.
Everything you have is new. Why plant hedges along our fence?
Just for a bit of decoration.
Mrs. Finch left, but soon returned with more questions. Her grandchildren continued to dash across Eleanor and Georges garden until the new gate was finally fitted.
Youve settled in nicely, she said again. Will you stay here through the winter?
Time will tell.
Why lock the gate? The kids used to kick a ball right in front of the house; it was convenient and safe, away from the road traffic.
My garden beds are already full; yours are not. You only recognise parsley by its label, and youve only ever tasted berries in jam. You ought to befriend me.
We closed the gate to keep strangers out and to stop your grandchildren from thinking they own the place. Two days ago they released our chickens, and we havent found a single one yet.
You keep chickens? So you intend to live here for good?
We already do.
At the end of August the couple celebrated Georges birthday. The children and grandchildren arrived, and the whole family gathered. The men grilled meat, the women prepared salads, and they laid a spread on the veranda.
Here we are, dropping by as neighbours should, no invitation needed. We always visited unannounced. After all, were next door. The kids know the routine from 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.
But we didnt invite you. This is a family gathering, not a neighbourly party. Our relationship is that of neighbours, not relatives.
Perhaps one day it will be otherwise. The children will grow up; maybe well become kin, the neighbour replied cheerfully.
She kept muttering excuses and never truly joined the table. Her grandchildren were everywhereshaking apple and pear trees, climbing onto the sauna roof (thankfully without falling), and tossing stones at the inflatable pool that had been set up nearby. The splash was heard only after the kids shouted in delight.
Soon autumn will be here, and the pool will have to be put away, Mrs. Finch sighed. The children have had their fun.
Time to go home!
We havent even eaten; the kids are starving. Lets all sit down!
The celebration was a little chaotic, but another one lay ahead. A week later the children returned for the couples thirtyfiveyear wedding anniversary.
Someone had the bright idea to lock the gate, and it turned out the culprit was their youngest, a sevenyearold grandson.
The sound of a knock on the gate echoed; everyone pretended nothing was happening. The air smelled of barbeque and fresh herbs, and a cool breeze settled in.
When will you be back in town?
Well think about it. Autumn is coming, well harvest, and then well see. The apple crop this year is excellent. We love everything here except for the neighbours complaints, but shes no obstacle. Weve learned to ignore her.
Everyone laughed together.
After the guests dispersed, Eleanor and George remained on the porch, watching the leaves turn and the first frosts appear. Autumn would give way to winter, and they knew they could always return to their city flat if the country life proved too hard.
Soon Mrs. Finch drove away, explaining that her grandchildren needed to get back to school and that her daughter was struggling, so she would help out. Eleanor and George sighed in relief. God bless us with such persistent neighbours, George muttered.
**Lesson:** A tidy garden, a welcoming home, and a little patience with those next door bring more peace than any perfect fence ever could.
