Someone had been pulling up the potatoes, peeling them, and had gathered the largest one.
Emma froze, her heart leapt. She walked on and saw that the cabbage beds were missing their biggest headsalmost half the crop had vanished.
Mrs. Eleanor Whitaker smiled at her purchase. It was more than a purchase; it was her lifelong dream of buying a cottage in the countryside after retirement.
She had prepared for this moment for years, choosing a picturesque village a short drive from the market town of Ashford, a place with only a handful of households, where silence and peace, a close bond with nature, and a modest garden could be her refuge.
Everything fell into place when she found a sturdy cottage at the very edge of the village, its garden bordering the fields, then a stretch of woodland. The setting pleased her: neighbours on one side, open fields behind, and a forest beyond that offered a view she could gaze at forever.
It was along this soft, winding lane that Eleanor began her evening walks to the woods. At dusk the sun slipped behind the tops of the pine and spruce, and the twilight skies left a lasting impression on her strolls.
In early spring, as the frost melted, Eleanor herself repaired a slightly tilted fence made of wire and planks.
Perhaps you should put in a new fence, Eleanor, suggested her neighbour Agnes Miller, who lived next door and was of the same age.
Leave it as it is for now, Eleanor answered, swinging her axe to drive the fallen metal post back into the ground. When it finally gives way Ill replace it with something sturdier.
Agnes chuckled. Youre a proper English lady, youll make good use of that cottage. Its a pity there arent many men left in the village theyve all moved away, grown old, or passed on. Ive been a widow for ten years now.
Eleanor nodded. My story is similar, though Im not a widow. My husband and I separated once we realised we were only staying together for the sake of our daughter. After she grew up, went to school and married, it became unbearable for us to remain. Thats how it goes.
Better that we didnt torment each other, Agnes said, and Ill still put up a proper fence this autumn, something solid.
Throughout the spring and summer Eleanor spent her days tending the garden and wandering the woods.
Ive never spent so much time outdoors in my life, she mused, pointing to the hawthorns opposite her cottage and the pine wood where mushroomsespecially chanterelleswere always plentiful. The blueberries and strawberries were a bumper harvest this year.
Good to hear youre happy with the move, Agnes replied, it feels as natural to me as the next day.
The two women grew close. Autumn arrived, and in Eleanors garden the cabbage heads swelled, while the potatoes were turning a rich, brown hue, and the harvest looked superb.
She began digging up the potatoes for the kitchen, unable to get enough of the tender, aromatic roots.
Agnes, Im heading into town for a few days, she told her neighbour, the old schoolmates are gathering as usual for our headmistress Margarets birthday. Ill be back, then Ill finish the harvest.
Agnes waved and smiled.
The evening of the reunion passed joyfully. Emma bragged about her village, showed photographs of the cottage, and spoke of the bountiful yield.
This land has rested well, she told her former classmate Victor, weve let it lie fallow for two years, but next season Ill order a manure spreader for the tractor and start fertilising.
Dont overreach, Victor warned, be careful. Call on me if you need a hand, Ill be happy to help.
Emma thanked him, saying she preferred to rely on her own strength for now.
She and Victor had once been close friends in school, perhaps even more, but theyd gone off to different colleges in different cities, and life had pulled them apart like many of their peers.
Now, each year they returned to Margarets celebration, sharing warm memories.
Victor was a widower who, like Eleanor, had no desire to remarry. Their independence appealed to both; there were no obligations, only the easy camaraderie of old friends.
That evening Victor escorted Emma back to her cottage, and they talked in the kitchen until near two in the morning.
Look at the time, Emma said, glancing at her watch, you should be home soon.
Perhaps I could find a corner here? Victor asked tentatively.
No, Im off to the village at first light. Take a cab and get home; itll be better for us both.
Emma saw Victor off, then retired to bed, savoring the promise of tomorrows tasks and the comforting thought of a guest she would soon welcomea homemade cake and the neighbours favourite toffee.
She arrived in the village on the first bus, stepping through dewy grass and breathing the familiar country air accompanied by the lowing of cattle.
Inside the cottage she poured a cup of tea, changed into work clothes, and walked the garden to decide how to begin the days chores, stepping out onto the quiet yard.
The village was still, its residents only just appearing in their front gardens. Emma waited until about nine oclock to visit Agnes for tea.
Entering the garden she immediately noticed the potato rows in disarray: the ridges were strewn with loose earth. Someone had been pulling up the potatoes, peeling them, and had taken the largest one.
Emmas heart stopped. She moved further and saw that the biggest cabbage heads were missing tooalmost half the cabbage harvest had vanished.
She let out a startled cry and then saw the broken fence. The flimsy post she had driven into the ground in spring now lay toppled, its large footprints evident in the soil.
Eleanor ran to Agness window and knocked.
Whats happened, Eleanor? Agnes asked, appearing quickly.
Its been robbed, Agnes! Come, lets see whats left what can we do now? tears streamed down Emmas cheeks.
Agnes hurried out, pulling on her coat.
Scoundrels they knew there was no dog and the house was at the very end of the lane, so they thought shed be alone, she muttered.
The women inspected the scene. It was clear the thieves had arrived on bicycles, slipping silently from the far side of the fence, breaking the post, bending the wire, and slipping into the garden. They took whatever they couldtossing away the small potatoes, gathering the biggest cabbage heads into sacks and disappearing on their bikes.
Not many potatoes were taken, but a good many, Emma sighed, still, what a loss!
Indeed, Agnes agreed, and vegetables bear no name of ownershiphard to prove theft. All the gardens are alike. I suspect the thieves came from a neighbouring village where folk are desperate for cash. Theyve just been laid off, perhaps; its impossible to prove. Best not to chase them.
What now? Emma asked, sitting on the porch, I was so delighted, like a child in rosecoloured glasses, believing everyone was kind.
It isnt our kind of place, Eleanor. Nearby villages are full of people struggling, but God sees all. Dont lose heart. Ill fetch Mr. Thomas Harcourt; he can mend the fence. Then well think of the next steps, Agnes said.
Thomas, a seventyyearold carpenter, arrived before noon and replaced the broken post with a sturdy timber one, slotted a new board between the old ones and secured the fence with strong planks.
Here you are, lady, a proper fence, he said. Dont be disheartened; such things happen in the countryside all the time. Its wise not to leave a house unattended.
How many things? Emma asked, halfsmiling.
Five, Thomas replied. A new lock on the front door, a sturdy fence, a dog in the yard, a watchful neighbour, and a reliable carpenter.
They all laughed, and Emma wiped her eyes.
Im more upset about the loss of my labour than the vegetables, she admitted. I put so much love into them, and theyre gone.
Dont worry, Agnes embraced her, Ill give you as much cabbage as you need. My garden is full; well have enough for winter. We even saved seedlings together, didnt we?
Together they went for a simple lunch at Emmas cottage. She calmed herself, told them about the town meeting, and promised that once the harvest was gathered she would set up some basic homedefence measures they had discussed.
A week later, Victor returned to the village, bringing a lock for the door and helping Emma check the cost of new fencing material.
Ill help you, and you must not refuse, Victor said. Well take measurements on site and travel together. Ill stay a few days, look over your property and plan the work.
Do you really mean to help? Emma began, but Victor cut her off. Dont speak of payment. Im on leave, nothing else to do, and this is a good cause. He gave her a gentle kiss.
The villagers talked about how the carpenter appeared just when the fence was needed, and how the two friends worked together to rebuild it within a week, bringing in steel rods and timber from the town.
Eleanor prepared a modest feast for the helpers, delighted that her garden now sported a strong, new fence.
Nothing can stop a thief, Victor said, but the real treasure is you, Eleanor.
Thomas later brought a small pup from his late sisters kennel, naming the dog Baron. The little animal trotted about the yard, more a soft toy than a guard, but Emma grew fond of him and built a snug, insulated doghouse beside the garden so Baron could keep watch.
One afternoon, during tea with Agnes and Thomas, Emma smiled. How does everything look? Is the new fence sturdy enough? Will Victor stay here permanently?
Thomas asked, When will your helper settle in for good?
Agnes answered, Were not blind; we see theres affection between you two. Hes a good man, and youre a fine lady.
Emma, avoiding a direct answer, said, Well let him decide when he wishes.
After his holiday, Victor returned with a sack of provisions, joking, Can I stay on as permanent help? Ill manage the garden, the house, and keep an eye on things while Baron grows.
He commuted to his city job, only returning occasionally to settle the accounts and pay the bills. Emma let go of her city flat, waiting for Victors return with bags of groceries bought on the road to the village.
They enjoyed each others company, missing the warmth of a larger household but finding comfort in their cosy cottage. A year turned into a month, and the couple became wellknown in the village, though they still visited the seaside resort each spring for a change of scenery. During those trips, Thomas looked after the house, feeding Baron and the cat, and reporting back by telephone.
Relax at the resort, dont worry about the cottage, he would say, everythings fine, the cat and dog are on guard.
Emma would reply, Im convinced our best holiday is now right here in our village. I cant wait to be back home.
Thus Victor and Emma settled together, and fewer journeys called them far away, for their fields offered splendid sunsets. They loved wandering beyond the village edge, strolling into the woods, watching the sun dip calmly. Behind them, loyal Baron chased the jackdaws perched on the road verge, his tail wagging with as much joy as his owners.
