I was watching as someone lifted a potato from the earth, peeled it, and set aside the biggest one.
Emily froze, her heart thudding in her chest. She walked on and saw that the cabbage beds were missing the largest heads almost half the crop had vanished.
Margaret Whitman was overjoyed at her purchase. It wasnt just a purchase; it was her lifelong dream of owning a cottage in the countryside after retirement.
She had planned the move meticulously, choosing a picturesque hamlet not far from the town, a place with only a handful of residents where peace, quiet and a small garden would be her sanctuary.
Everything fell into place when she found a sturdy old cottage with a garden at the very edge of the village, bordering a field and then a wood. The setting was so lovely that even the isolation felt like a blessing neighbours on one side, open land on the other, and a forest beyond that painted a perfect panorama.
Emily began strolling along the soft country lane toward the woods each evening. The sun slipped behind the tops of the pines and firs, and the twilight colours never failed to delight her on those walks.
When early spring thawed the soil, Margaret took it upon herself to repair a sloping fence made of wire and timber.
Maybe you should put in a new fence, Margaret, suggested her neighbour Agnes, who was the same age as Emily.
No need, Margaret replied, swinging her axe as she drove a fallen metal post back into the ground. Ill replace it properly when it finally gives way.
Agnes laughed. Youre a true English country lady! Youll be of great use. Its a pity there arent many men left in the village some have moved away with their families, others have grown old, and a few have simply passed on. Ive been a widow for ten years myself.
Same here, Margaret said. Im not widowed, Im divorced. My husband and I realised we only stayed together for the sake of our daughter. When she grew up, went to school and married, staying together became unbearable. Thats how it goes.
Better that we dont torment each other, Agnes added, and Ill still put up a sturdier fence this autumn.
Throughout that spring and summer Margaret spent her days in the garden and the woods.
Ive never spent so much time outdoors in my life, she told Emily, pointing to the lilac hedge opposite the house and the pine forest where she could always pick mushrooms, especially waxcaps. The summer berries were abundant, too.
Its good when people are happy with their move, Agnes said, and Im used to it all now.
The women became fast friends. Autumn arrived, and in Emilys garden the cabbage heads were large, the potatoes had turned a deep brown and sprouted, and the harvest was excellent.
Margaret started digging up potatoes for her meals and could not get enough of the hearty, fragrant veg.
Dont look for me, Mabel, she told her neighbour, Im heading into town for a few days. My old schoolmates are gathering as usual to celebrate our headmistress, Miss Claras birthday. Ill be back, then Ill finish the harvest.
Agnes waved and nodded. The evening gathering went splendidly. Emily showed off photos of her new cottage and boasted about the bumper crop.
This land has rested, she told her former classmate Victor, We havent planted anything for two years, but next season Ill order a manure spreader for our tractor and start enriching the beds.
Dont overdo it, Victor warned, Take it easy. Call me if you need a hand, Ill be happy to help.
Emily smiled, Im learning as I go and rely on my own strength, but thank you for the offer.
Once, Emily and Victor had been close in their senior years, with a hint of romance, but university took them to different cities and life drifted them apart, as it does with most school friends.
Now, each year they met at Claras birthday and shared a warm camaraderie. Victor was a widower, and like Margaret, he had no intention of remarrying. Their independence was a comfort to bothno obligations, just easy conversation among old friends.
That evening Victor walked Emily home, and they talked in the kitchen until nearly two in the morning.
Look at the time, you should be home, Emily said, glancing at the clock.
Maybe I could find a place here? Victor asked.
No, Im heading out to the village at first light. Take a taxi home; itll be better for both of us.
Emily saw him off, then slipped into bed, thinking of tomorrows chores and the treat shed bake for Mabel a sponge cake and her favourite marshmallow sweets.
The next morning she caught the first bus into the village, walked through dewy grass, and breathed the familiar country air while the hens sang.
She entered the cottage, poured a cup of tea, changed into work clothes, and stepped out into the garden to decide how to begin the day. The village was quiet; only a few residents were emerging onto their lawns. She waited until about nine oclock before heading to Agness for tea.
In the garden she immediately noticed the potato rows a mess the tubers were strewn about, some still in their skins. Someone had been pulling potatoes, peeling them, and gathering the largest ones.
Emilys heart leapt. She walked further and saw that the biggest cabbage heads were gone too nearly half the cabbage crop had disappeared.
She heard a sudden cry and spotted the broken fence. The flimsy post she had driven in during spring lay on the ground, and huge boots had left deep prints in the mud.
Margaret ran to Mabel, knocked on her window, and Mabel popped her head out.
Whats happened, Margaret?
Theyve robbed me, Mabel! Come, lets see whats left, she sobbed.
Mabel slipped on her coat and rushed out.
Rogue they knew I was alone, no dog, the house at the far end, she muttered. They came on bicycles, slipped over the fence, bent the wire and slipped into the garden, taking whatever they could. They tossed the small potatoes aside, but hauled the biggest cabbage heads away in sacks.
Not many were left anyway, Emily sighed, but what a loss!
Mabel nodded, Theres no mark on the veggies, so you cant prove they were stolen. Everyone has gardens. I suspect the thieves came from nearby towns; theyre unemployed drunks, but we cant prove it. No point in chasing them.
What now? Emily asked, sitting on the porch, I was so thrilled, like a child in rosecoloured glasses. Everyone seemed kind.
Its not our kind of place, Margaret, Mabel replied, Neighbouring villages have people scraping by for pennies, but God sees all. Dont lose heart. Ill ask Mr. John Carter, the handyman, to fix the fence. Then well figure something out.
Around midday John, a sturdy seventyyearold, replaced the broken post with a solid wooden one and patched the gap with old yet strong boards.
Here you are, lady. Take this work and dont be downcast. In the countryside, things like this happen all the time. Its best not to leave the house unattended, he said gravely.
What about number two? Emily asked, halfjoking.
Two you need a new deadbolt on the front door, otherwise its obvious no ones home, John replied.
Maybe a small dog would help, Mabel suggested, even a little bark would warn anyone off. Living on the edge without a dog isnt wise.
Thats three, Emily muttered.
The new fence is four! Mabel added.
And a strong husband would be five, John finished with a grin.
They all laughed, and Emily wiped her tears away.
My loss isnt the potatoes or cabbage, its the labour I poured into them, she said.
Dont worry, Mabel embraced her, Ill give you as much cabbage as you need. My garden is full, well store enough for winter. We even saved some seedlings together, didnt we?
Later they all shared a lunch at Emilys cottage. She relaxed, talked about the city meeting, and promised to finish the harvest before tackling the selfdefence plans theyd drawn up.
A week later Margaret called Victor for help. He bought a deadbolt for the door and checked the price of new fencing material.
Ill help you, and you must not refuse, Victor said. Well measure on site and drive out together. Ill stay a few days, survey the property and sketch out a work schedule.
Are you serious about helping? Margaret began.
Dont even mention payment. Im on leave and have nothing else to do, so this is perfect, Victor replied, giving her a warm hug and a kiss.
The villagers were amazed.
Just as a handyman appeared for Margaret, the tradesmen turned up in their yard, they said.
Victor and his mate installed a brandnew fence within a week, bringing in metal posts and timber from the town.
Margaret prepared a hearty stew for the helpers and was glad her garden and orchard were now safely enclosed.
Thieves may never be stopped, Victor remarked, but the real treasure here is you, Margaret.
John brought over a puppy from his own dog, a little terrier he named Baron. The pup scampered around the yard, more like a soft toy than a guard, but Margaret quickly grew fond of him and built a sturdy little kennel for him.
One more thing sorted, she said over tea with Agnes and John one afternoon.
Is the fence solid? And the man, will Victor stay permanently? John asked.
Exactly, Mabel replied, We see the affection between you two. Hes a good bloke, and youll have no trouble.
Will he take a wage? Margaret teased. No, he works for love, and Ill let him guard the house while Baron matures.
Victor, after his brief holiday, returned with a basket of groceries.
Can I stay on as a permanent farmhand? he joked at the door. I only ask for stew, porridge and the occasional pie. The garden is yours, we wont starve.
Right, youll have to put in the effort, Margaret laughed, Come in, guard the house while Baron grows up.
Victor commuted to his city job, only occasionally returning to his flat to pay the bills and sort the utilities.
Emily let go of her city flat to a tenant and awaited Victors returns, each time he arrived with bags of provisions bought in town and brought back to the village.
They enjoyed each others company, missed the warmth of a full family, and cherished the cosy atmosphere of their cottage.
A year turned into a month, then another. The couple was respected in the village, yet they never forgot the city. They would spend springs at a favourite spa resort, leaving John and Baron to look after the house and the cat, sending updates by phone.
Relax at the spa, dont worry about anything, John would say, The house, the cat, the dog are all looked after.
Emily would reply, Im convinced the best holiday now is right here in our village. I cant wait to get back home.
And so Victor and Emily lived together, seldom travelling far, because their fields gave the most spectacular sunsets.
They loved walking the outskirts, watching the sun dip peacefully, with loyal Baron sprinting ahead, delighted by the chase, his bark echoing as they pursued the crows perched on the roadside hedgerows.
