You cant tell the difference between dill and parsley unless you read the label on the packet, love! And the only time youve ever seen berries is when theyre in jam! grumbled Mrs. Margaret, our nextdoor neighbour, clearly annoyed.
Victoria and William had just driven out to their country cottage. Theyd bought it back in autumn, and now with the summer winding down they were finally getting around to fixing it up. The house itself was charming, even in the chill of winter, but the garden and the rest of the plot needed a lot of work.
First off, the old orchard had to be turned into something that looked like itd been tended by angels. Theyd already ordered a new wooden sauna it should arrive next week and be installed as soon as they find a good spot. While they were at it, theyd also put up a small canopy next to the sauna for drying laundry, a wood shed, and a garden gazebo. The kids promised theyd swing by to lend a hand with everything.
It’s so quiet out here, we could live out here all year. Were retirees now, after all, Victoria said.
Just checked the cellar all we need to do there is replace the front door, William added.
And Ive had a look at the back veranda. Remember we talked about a gazebo? Nothing to do with that the veranda already has a big round table and a set of antique chairs, Victoria continued.
Well simply restore those chairs; theyll last another hundred years. From there we can look out over the garden, have our tea and just enjoy the view. The garden gate also needs a new door it feels like someones been in the house this winter, or maybe just recently.
Exactly, the doors are priority number one. Well do all the work in the back yard so its out of sight from the road, but still looks lovely. And well plant a little meadow and some flowers right in front of the house.
The perennials are already here, we just need to decide where each should go. We might have to transplant a few, but lets leave it as it is for this summer.
A week later the sauna was delivered and the kids arrived. The garden makeover got under way. Mrs. Margaret stopped by for a chat, and her grandchildren were running circles around the cottage.
Do you have grandchildren? she asked.
Yes, theyll be coming over soon, William replied.
Why are you putting up such a massive fence? Weve never needed any fences around here.
No fence? What did we have before? We just took the old one down it had collapsed. It didnt matter to you, but we like things tidy. Dont worry, we havent taken any extra metres from your plot. The fence sits right on the boundary.
Will there be a gate? Weve always had a way in and out.
You mean between our houses? No, thats not planned. The only entrance is from the road.
What about the kids, ours and yours? I saw you cut down the apple trees; the children used to love climbing them.
We didnt cut them down, we just pruned and cleared them, and weve planted new saplings. Let your kids scramble over your own apple trees.
Everythings new with you lot. Why plant bushes right along our fence?
Just for a bit of decoration, thats all.
Mrs. Margaret left, but she kept coming back with more questions. Her grandchildren kept racing around Victoria and Williams garden until the new gate was finally in place.
Youve settled in nicely, she said again. Will you be living here through the winter?
Time will tell, Victoria shrugged.
Why did you lock the gate? The kids used to kick a ball right in front of the house, it was convenient and safe, even with traffic on the road.
My beds are full of vegetables, not like yours. You only tell the difference between dill and parsley by the shop label, and youve only ever seen berries in jam. You need to be friendly with me, you know.
We locked the gate to keep strangers out and to make sure your grandkids dont start running the place. A couple of days ago some of our chickens escaped, and we never found them.
You have chickens too? So youre really planning to stay?
We already are.
At the end of August they celebrated Williams birthday. The kids, the grandchildren, the whole family gathered. The men grilled meat, the women tossed salads, and they set the table on the veranda.
Here we are, dropping by to say a neighbourly hello, Margaret announced, as if it were a surprise visit. We always pop over, no invitation needed. Were neighbours, after all. The kids know everything from the moment they wake up.
Youre getting ready, the guests have arrived, so its a proper celebration. Lets sit down together itll be more fun for the children, and honestly weve been meaning to be friendly for ages.
So we didnt actually invite you? This is a family affair, just our immediate family. Our relationship is neighbourly, not familial.
Maybe one day it will change. The kids will grow up, maybe well become more like family, Margaret replied cheerily.
She kept on rearranging things, never quite leaving. Her grandchildren were everywhere shaking the apple and pear trees, climbing onto the sauna roof (thankfully they didnt fall). Later they were fascinated by the stones laid around the outbuildings and started tossing them into the inflatable pool. No one noticed at first, until the kids shrieked with delight as water splashed everywhere.
Soon itll be autumn, time to pack away the pool, Margaret said. The kids had fun, didnt they?
Off you go home now!
We havent even sat down yet, the kids are starving. Lets all get to the table!
The party was a bit chaotic, but another one was just around the corner. A week later the kids were back, this time to mark Victoria and Williams thirtyfive years together.
Someone immediately thought to lock the gate, and it turned out the youngest their sevenyearold grandson had done it.
There was a soft knock on the gate. The whole family pretended nothing was happening while the smell of kebabs and fresh herbs filled the air and the evening grew cooler.
When will you be back in town? someone asked.
Well see, William said. Autumn is coming, well have a good harvest, then well figure out the rest. The apples are brilliant this year. Weve enjoyed everything here except for Margarets endless nagging, but she isnt a real obstacle. Weve learned how to live without her interference.
Everyone laughed together.
The guests eventually drove off, leaving Victoria and William alone. Autumn lay ahead, then winter theyd give it their best shot, and if it didnt work out they could always move back to their flat in London.
Meanwhile Margaret drove off too, realising her grandchildren had to be at school soon. Her daughter was struggling, and shed be there to help. William and Victoria sighed in relief. Thank goodness for neighbours like that, even if theyre a bit of a pain, Victoria muttered.
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