You can only tell the difference between thyme and parsley by the labels on the shop shelves! And youve only ever seen berries in jam! grumbled Mrs. Whitaker, clearly annoyed.
Eleanor and James Clark had driven out to their country cottage. Theyd bought it last autumn and now, finally, they were determined to put everything in order. The house was charming, even in winter, but the surrounding plot and the rest of the grounds needed a great deal of work.
The overgrown garden had to be turned into something resembling a proper English garden. A new sauna had already been ordered; it would arrive and be installed within a week, they only needed to pick the right spot.
At the same time they planned a small shed beside the sauna for laundry, a woodstore, and a garden gazebo. The children had promised to come and help with everything.
Its quiet here, perfect for a whole year of living. Were retirees now, after all. James said.
I inspected the cellar; all we need is a new front door. Eleanor replied.
I looked over the back veranda. Remember we talked about the gazebo? It isnt needed. We have a large round table on the veranda with a set of antique chairs.
Those just need a proper polishing; theyll serve us for another hundred years. From there well have a view over the garden, sip tea and enjoy the scene. The back door also needs replacing; it feels as if someone has been inside the house this winter or just recently.
Yes, the doors first. Well do everything at the back of the garden, out of sight from the road, and itll look lovely. In front of the house well plant a lawn and some flower beds.
The perennials are already there; we just have to decide where each goes. Some may need to be relocated, but well leave it as it is for this summer.
A week later the sauna was delivered and the children arrived. Work on the plot began in earnest. Mrs. Whitaker stopped by to introduce herself; her grandchildren were darting around the cottage.
Do you have grandchildren? she asked.
Yes, theyll be visiting soon.
Why are you putting up such a high fence? Weve always gotten along with the neighbours without any fences.
Without fences? What would we have done otherwise? The old fence had collapsed, and we tore it down. We care about order, and we didnt take any extra metres from you. The new fence sits exactly on the property line.
Wont there be a gate? Weve always had a passage through here.
You mean between our two gardens? No, that isnt planned. Access will be from the road only.
And what about the children, yours and ours? I saw you cut down the apple trees, and the kids used to love climbing them.
We didnt cut them down; we pruned and cleared them, then planted new saplings. Your grandchildren can still climb your own apple trees.
Everythings new with you. Why plant hedges along our fence?
For a tidy look, of course.
Mrs. Whitaker left, but she returned later with more questions. Her grandchildren continued to race around Eleanor and Jamess garden until the new gate was finally put in place.
Youve settled in nicely, she said again. Will you be staying here through the winter?
Time will tell.
Why did you lock the gate? The children used to play ball right in front of the house; it was convenient and safe, away from the road traffic.
My garden beds are already full, unlike yours. You cant tell thyme from parsley just by the label, and youve only ever seen berries in jam. Youll have to learn to get along with us.
We shut the gate to keep strangers out and to stop your grandchildren from taking over. Two days ago they let our hens out, and we still havent found them.
You keep chickens too? So youre really planning to stay here?
We already are.
At the end of August they celebrated Jamess birthday. The children, the grandchildren, the whole extended family gathered. The men grilled meat, the women prepared salads, and a table was set on the veranda.
Here we are, dropping by for a neighbourly greeting, as we always do, no invitation needed. Were neighbours, after all. The kids know whats happening from the morning.
Youre getting ready, the guests are here, so its a celebration. Lets sit together; the children will have more fun, and its about time we became friends.
It seems we didnt invite you. Its a family celebration, not a neighbourly one. Our relationship is that of neighbours, not kin.
Perhaps one day it will be different. The children will grow up; maybe well become closer, Mrs. Whitaker replied cheerfully.
She kept changing the subject, never staying long. Her grandchildren were already climbing everywhereshaking the apple and pear trees, clambering onto the sauna roof, thankfully not falling.
Later they were drawn to the decorative stones laid around the outbuildings. Some of the kids started tossing the stones into the inflatable pool. No one noticed at first. Then the children shrieked with delight as water burst from the pool.
Autumn is almost here, the pool will have to be cleared, Mrs. Whitaker said. The kids have had their fun.
Time to go home!
We havent even sat down; the kids are hungry. Come on, everyone to the table!
The celebration was a little chaotic, but another one lay ahead. A week later the children returned for the Clarks 35th wedding anniversary.
Someone had the bright idea to lock the gate again. As it turned out, the culprit was the youngest their sevenyearold grandson.
A faint knock on the gate could be heard. The whole family pretended nothing was happening. The smell of grilled kebabs and fresh herbs filled the air as the evening grew cooler.
When will you be back in town?
Well think about it. Autumn is coming, well harvest the apples, and then well see. The crop this year is excellent. We like everything here except the neighbour, but she isnt a real obstacle. Weve learned how to cope without her.
Everyone laughed together.
When the guests finally left, Eleanor and James remained, looking out over the garden as autumn turned to winter. They knew they could try to make the fence work, and if it didnt, they could always return to their flat in London.
Mrs. Whitaker eventually drove away, her grandchildren now having school to attend. Her daughter struggled, and the grandmother would help.
James and Eleanor sighed in relief. God bless us with a bit of patience for difficult neighbours, James muttered.
And so they learned that a wellkept home, a patient heart, and a little humour can turn even the most troublesome neighbour into a reminder that community is built brick by brick, not by fences.
