Look, the tribes newest arrival! Eleanor Anderson nodded toward the wandering figure. Another lover of fresh air and personal property, I see!
Eleanor, youre being rather harsh, Olive Mitchell shook her head.
Harsh? Im also generous! Once I reach those acrobats, no proprieties will hold me back!
If we get there, nothing will stop any of us! grumbled Anne Edwards.
The approaching silhouette was met with silence.
Excuse me, could you point me to the seventeenth house? the new lady asked.
Not essential, Eleanor replied. Were all gathering in the eighth group. Better haul your cart of treasures straight there!
Sorry, I own my own home, the lady said.
Were all homeowners here, Anne muttered. Sit down, lets get acquainted!
Im Victoria Irving, the newcomer introduced herself. But Id love a bit of rest. Im exhausted from the walk.
Then sit with us and youll get a proper break, Olive said.
Id rather get home to prepare for the night, Victoria smiled.
Do you have any cash on hand? Eleanor asked.
For what? I have a card! Victoria replied, puzzled.
ATMs are everywhere these days, Eleanor grumbled, sliding a spot on the bench aside. Sit down already! At our age the legs should be given a rest.
Id rather Victoria gave a shy grin, go home.
Sit! Olive shouted, then cleared her throat. We dont have any more houses! I mean, proper houses. Just these plywood boxes with no electricity, water or heating.
Right now, to avoid freezing, were all crammed into one place, keeping each other warm. When winter comes well huddle even tighter!
***
Elderly people who live alone are prime targets for fraudsters. Theyve seen a lot, theyve learned a lot, yet they still fall for scams, lose money, homes, even lives
What hurts most is when the victims are not just old, but also solitary. If they lose everything besides their breath, theres nowhere left to run.
And life itself becomes a question of time
When the charity volunteers arrived at Victorias doorstep, she didnt rush to accept every offer they brought.
And they offered a lot.
She took the grocery basket without protest, but she flatout refused a livein carer and a visiting nurse.
Im perfectly capable of looking after myself and getting to the clinic on my own! she insisted.
She also declined a fullblown renovation.
My neighbours helped me tidy up a few years ago; I dont need a massive overhaul. Its fine as it is!
She paused when they suggested moving her pension into a private bank that, via shortterm deposits, would boost her monthly payout.
She liked the idea of more money, but the leaflets were a maze, and the volunteers explanations only tangled her further.
Well, Ill think about it, she said.
Curiously, the volunteers never pressured, never bargained, just kept offering.
Even after a refusal they didnt scowl; they smiled and suggested other ways to lighten her retirement.
They never charged for the groceries, even though Victoria offered to pay.
Really? Were a charity, we dont take money, the volunteers beamed.
Soon, Victor and Ethan started visiting Victoria once a week. Sometimes both came, sometimes just one. They delivered groceries and floated ideas for outings, assistance, companionship.
Even though Victoria turned down everything, they kept on offering.
What if you need something and feel shy to ask? Ethan asked. Weve had those cases before! We value our seniors modesty, but we put care first!
Was Victoria happy about the visits? Absolutely! She lived alone and was chronically bored.
Her husband had passed away twenty years earlier; they never had children, and she had no close relatives.
The volunteers didnt drop by like a formfilled social service; they came in earnest, ready for a proper chat.
They talked not just about needs, but about weather, memories, joys, and sorrows.
A weekly catchup was exactly what her soul needed.
One day Victor and Ethan arrived looking unusually excited.
Victoria, you keep turning down help, but we have a proposal youll actually like! A generous sponsor has come on board. Heres the deal!
They explained that a new cottage estate was being built just outside town not those pretentious newage mansions, but modest threebedroom homes with a kitchen, bathroom and a small porch, each designed for single occupancy.
The estate will sit in a spot of high comfort clean air, nearby woods, a river. Shops, a post office and a bank branch are in the neighboring village. Eventually therell be a shop on the estate itself, but first the houses go up, then the amenities, Victor said, his voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
Our sponsor is funding the whole development! He apparently gets tax breaks, so hes happy to throw in a bit of charity. Its a winwin for us!
Whats the win for us? Victoria asked.
We can relocate our residents there! Imagine swapping the city smog for fresh country air. Do you see the difference? Ethan grinned.
Youre giving away houses? Victorias eyebrows shot up.
Unfortunately, no, Victor sighed. Our sponsor isnt that generous.
It sounds like he wants something in return, Ethan muttered, a hint of irritation in his tone. But its not a commercial price!
Our sponsor values the land more than the cash. Your flat is worth about £1.3million, but he only asks for £1million for a cottage. Youd still have two million left to live comfortably in your new home! Victor exclaimed.
Victoria tried to pause and think, but they gave her only a brief window.
The estate isnt endless, and the offer is excellent. Were keen to see our residents own homes under such fairytale terms!
Will there be another opportunity like this? I doubt it, Victor assured, and Ethan nodded in agreement.
But it sounds complicated selling my flat, sorting the paperwork, moving my belongings? Victoria fretted.
Heres the plan, Victor sprang up. Ill fetch the brochures and photos from my car right now. While you look them over, Ill sort out the paperwork on the spot. No need to get tangled in bureaucracy all day.
The brochures were glossy, full of polished photos and plenty of information. Victoria read the text and examined the pictures Victor had personally taken.
I shot these myself! Advertising is one thing, real photos are another. No need for fancy edits; were about honesty! he declared.
The cottages looked charming timberframe with plastic windows, modest but cosy. Not massive mansions, just the right size for one.
Victor, Victoria said, my mind is made up. Im ready to give this a go.
Victor wiped the sweat from his brow. I was almost sent to every address in the county, but we can make this swift and tidy.
The scheme was simple: a notary would draw up a general power of attorney for the agency to sell Victorias flat. The agency would then issue a payment order for £3million to be transferred to Victorias account. Meanwhile, the sponsor would send a separate payment request for £1million to be deducted from Victorias account as the price of the cottage. All contracts would be signed in the notarys office.
How does the money flow? Victoria asked.
The payment order and the request are the movements of funds. The banks decide when and how much to send. Some transfers can sit for three days, but the existence of the orders means the deal is considered closed, Victor explained with a smile.
Victoria had never heard such banking jargon before.
As soon as the agency pays you for the flat, the £1million for the cottage is taken from your account. The remainder stays with you, and you become a homeowner instantly! Victor said.
What about my belongings? she inquired.
You pack what you need for the first day or two. The rest well load onto a truck when we get one, Ethan replied.
The next morning Victor drove Victoria to the village at the edge of the estate.
Further down the lane Id get stuck; my cars only good for town roads, Victor said apologetically.
No worries, Victoria laughed. Its a short walk, Ill manage.
Meeting the neighbors revealed a different side of things.
Everythings legally sound, Eleanor grumbled later. The houses were bought for exactly the value of the flat.
Only the houses werent quite as shown. The walls were two sheets of plywood with a fauxlog façade stuck on the outside. Electricity would arrive next spring, water came from a communal tank, and heating would be electric.
Victoria fell silent.
Weve got sixteen of us here now seventeen homeowners, Eleanor continued. Were not sure what to do.
Pensions arrive on bank cards, but can only be spent in the village, and only if the payment terminal decides to work. Its been two weeks and repairs are still pending.
What now? Victoria asked naively.
Take it slow and steady, Anne advised. When the cold hits, well be stuck here like a bunch of shivering beans!
I should complain! File a complaint! This is fraud! Victoria exclaimed.
Smart cookie, thats you! Anne scoffed. Weve already filed everything. All legal, all checked!
The notary signed, the paperwork was filed, and the path continued down the lane, left side of the road.
Further questioning showed none of the old folk had any relatives; they truly had nowhere else to go but to crawl forward together.
I wont crawl anywhere, Victoria declared. Someone worse off than us should help us first!
Help how? Eleanor asked.
By sharing their woes!
Enter Vera Ives, who had twin sons, Kevin and Tom. In their youth they loved playing cops and robbers. As adults, Kevin became a police officer, Tom a smalltime crook. Both adored their mother, though Kevin often dreamed of nabbing his brother, never quite getting enough evidence. Hed pull him over a couple of times a month, at least.
Through Vera, Victoria asked the brothers to lend a hand with the mess.
Its all legit! They signed everything themselves! Victor and Ethan shouted from the back of their beatup police SUV. You have no right!
Is that so? Kevin asked, feigning surprise. Then the villains stole my squad car! he muttered dramatically.
Whats the plan, lads? Talk terms? Tom said with a crooked smile. I get it, youve targeted the elderly. They cant even give you change! Shame on you!
Were playing by the book! Victor retorted. Youre out of line!
Youll soon be digging the local reservoir! Tom snarled. What, fame with the Ichthyans or returning what you took?
What taken? We earned it honestly! Ethan exclaimed.
After a week, all the seniors moved back into their flats. Some lost a few pieces of furniture, but they managed together. The odd little settlement had bound them in a strange way, and though the circumstances were bizarre, they were no longer alone and had forged a quirky camaraderie.
