You cant tell the difference between a sprig of parsley and a dill leaf unless you read the label in the shop! And youve only ever seen berries in jam! muttered the indignant neighbour, MrsMargaret Hargreaves, her voice wobbling like a cracked teacup.
Evelyn Harper and Peter Lawson had driven up to their country cottage in early autumn. Theyd bought the place that season, and now, in the thick of winter, they were determined to set everything straight. The house itself was charmingstill warm even when the wind howled outsidebut the garden, the outbuildings, and the drifts of leafladen paths held a bewildering tangle of chores.
The old orchard needed a miracle, a transformation worthy of a parish priests blessing. A brandnew sauna had been ordered; it would arrive in a week, to be hoisted in place once they chose the spot. Beside it they planned a laundry shelter, a woodstore, and a little pergola. The children, promised to appear, swore they would lend a hand with everything.
Its quiet here, perfect for a whole year of living. Were retirees now, after all.
I inspected the cellar; we only need new doors.
I walked round the back verandah. Remember we talked about the pergola? Its not needed. On the verandah theres a large round table with antique chairs.
Well simply restore those chairs; theyll serve another hundred years. From there we can look over the garden, sip tea, and enjoy the view. The garden gate also needs a new door, though it feels as if someone has been in the house this winter, or perhaps just yesterday.
Exactly. The doors first. Everything will be done at the rear, hidden from the street but still beautiful. In front of the house well plant a lawn and some flower beds.
The flowers are already there, perennials that have settled for years. We just need to decide where each belongs; perhaps some will have to be moved. Lets leave it as it is for this summer.
A week later the sauna arrived, and the children turned up, bright as fresh paint. Work on the plot began in earnest. MrsHargreaves dropped by to introduce herself, her grandchildren spinning round the cottage like windup toys.
Do you have grandchildren, then?
Yes, theyll be coming.
And why are you putting up such a massive fence? We neighbours have managed without any boundaries for ages.
Without a fence? What was there before? We just tore down the old one; it had collapsed. You didnt mind, but order matters to us. Dont worry, we havent taken any extra metres from you. The fence sits exactly on the property line.
No gate, then? Weve always had a way in.
You mean somewhere between us? No, thats not in the plan. Access only from the road.
How will the children run about, yours and ours? I see youve felled the apple trees, and the kids used to love crawling over them.
We didnt fell them; we pruned and cleared them, and planted new ones. Let your children crawl over your own apple trees.
Everythings new with you. Why plant hedges along our fence?
For aesthetics, dear.
MrsHargreaves left, but returned with fresh queries. Her grandchildren scampered across Evelyns and Peters garden until the new gates were finally installed.
Youve settled in quite thoroughly, she said again, eyes glinting in the dreamlight. Will you live here through the winter?
Time will tell.
Why have you locked the gates? The children used to kick a ball right in front of the house, easy and level. The road is busy, but here it felt safe.
My garden beds are already full, unlike yours. You only distinguish parsley from dill by the shop label, and youve only ever tasted berries in jam. You ought to befriend me.
The gates are shut to keep prying eyes away, and to stop your grandchildren from taking over. Two days ago they let our hens loose; we never found them again.
You keep chickens too? So you intend to stay?
Were already here.
At the end of August they celebrated Peters birthday. The children arrived, as did the grandchildren. The whole clan gathered around the verandah; the men grilled meat, the women tossed salads, and a table was laid out beneath the summer sky.
Here we are, stopping by to say hello as neighbours do, without invitation. Were always early, you know. The kids know everything by sunrise.
Youre preparing, the guests have come, so it must be a party. Lets sit. Itll be merrier for the children together. Its about time we became friends.
But we never invited you. This is a family gathering, not a neighbourly feast. Our relationship is neighbourly, not familial.
Perhaps one day it will be. The children will grow up; maybe well become relatives, she replied with a chuckle.
She turned away, muttering, and never returned. Her grandchildren were everywhere, shaking apple and pear trees, climbing onto the roof of the sauna, barely missing a tumble. Later, they were drawn to a circle of stones set around the outbuilding and began hurling them into an inflatable pool. No one noticed at first; the children shrieked with delight as water burst forth.
Think of it, autumn is almost here; the pool will have to be cleared, said MrsHargreaves, shaking her head. The kids had fun.
Time to go home!
We havent even sat down yet; the children are hungry. Appetite has awoken. Everyone, to the table!
The celebration fizzled, but another lay ahead. A week later the children came again to mark the 35th anniversary of Evelyn and Peters life together.
Someone had the bright idea to close the gate. It turned out the culprit was the youngesta sevenyearold grandson.
A faint knocking echoed on the gate. The whole family pretended nothing was happening. The scent of kebabs and fresh herbs wafted; a cool breeze slipped in.
When will you be back in town?
Well think about it. Autumn is coming, well live through it, and then well see. We still have apples to pick; this years harvest is splendid. We like everything here except the neighbour, but shes not a real obstacle. Weve learned to get rid of her.
Everyone laughed together.
The guests drifted away, leaving Evelyn and Peter alone. Autumn lay before them, then winter They would try, and if it failed, they could always return to their city flat.
MrsHargreaves eventually drove off. It turned out she had to get her grandchildren to school. Her daughter was overwhelmed, and the grandmother would help. Evelyn and Peter sighed in relief. God bless us with such troublesome neighbours, Peter muttered.
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