Someone was pulling up the potatoes, peeling them, and gathering the biggest one
Lucy froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She moved on and saw that the biggest heads of cabbage were missing toopractically half the cabbage crop had vanished.
Eleanor Harper smiled at her purchase. It wasnt just a purchase; it was the realisation of a lifelong dreambuying a cottage in the countryside for her retirement.
She had planned the move meticulously, choosing a picturesque village a short drive from the city, with only a handful of residents. She craved peace, the hush of nature, a garden to tend and a little plot for her soul.
Everything fell into place when a sturdy cottage with a garden appeared on the edge of the village, right on the fringe of a field that melted into the woods. The setting was a painters view, and even the isolation pleased the soontobe landladyneighbors on one side, open fields on the other, and the forest beyond.
It was along that soft, winding lane that Eleanor began her evening walks toward the woods. At twilight the sun slipped behind the tops of the pines and firs, and the sunsets painted the sky in colours that lingered in her memory.
Early spring, as the earth thawed, Eleanor patched a slightly leaning fence of wire and wooden slats herself.
Maybe you should put in a new fence, Ellie, suggested her neighbour Maggie Clarke, a woman of the same age.
Itll stay as it is for now, Eleanor replied, swinging her axe to drive the fallen metal post back into the ground. When it finally gives way Ill replace it with something proper.
Maggie laughed. Youre a true English housewife! Youll do wonders. Its just a shame there arent many men left in the village most have moved away with their families, grown old, or passed on. Ive been a widow for ten years.
Eleanor nodded. My story is similar. I didnt lose a husband; I divorced when my ex and I realised we were only staying together for the sake of our daughter. Once she was grown, educated, married, living her own life, the house became unbearable for both of us.
Maggie sighed. At least were not tormenting each other, and thats something. Ill still put up a solid fence before winter, though.
Spring and summer slipped by as Eleanor spent every day in the garden and the woods.
Ive never been out in the air so much in my life, Lucy said, gesturing toward the ash trees opposite the cottage and the pine forest where mushroomsespecially birch boleteswere always easy to find. The blueberries and strawberries were abundant this year.
Maggie smiled, Its good when people are happy with their move. It feels normal to me.
The women grew close. Autumn arrived. In the garden, massive cabbage heads stood in neat rows, the potato vines had turned a deep brown and were thick with tubers, and the harvest looked glorious.
Eleanor began to dig up the potatoes for the winter stores, unable to get enough of the sweet, fragrant vegetables.
Dont wait for me, Ellie, she told Maggie, Im heading into town for a few days. Our old school friends are gathering for the birthday of our headmistress, Mrs. Whitfield. Ill be back in time to harvest.
Maggie waved and nodded. That evening the reunion went wonderfully. Lucy bragged about her new village, showed photos of the cottage, and spoke of the bountiful yield.
This land has rested, she told her old classmate Victor, a former neighbour, We havent planted anything for two years, but next season Ill rent a tractor and start fertilising.
Victor warned, Dont push yourself too hard. Call if you need a hand.
Im still learning on my own, but thank you, Lucy replied, smiling. She and Victor had once been close in school, even sharing a secret crush, before university scattered them to different cities.
Now, each year they met at Mrs. Whitfields house, both widowed, both unwilling to settle down again. Their freedom felt oddly attractive; no debts, no expectations, just easy conversation like old friends.
That night Victor walked Lucy home, and they talked in the kitchen until almost two in the morning.
Look at the time, Victor, Lucy said, glancing at the clock. You really should be home.
Maybe I could find a place here? he asked, hopeful.
No, Im off to the village at dawn. Take a taxi, get home. Itll be better for both of us.
Lucy saw him off, then fell into bed, savoring the next days promisestea with Maggie, a cake and marshmallows for the neighbour.
The next morning Lucy caught the first bus into the village. She walked through dewy grass, breathing the fresh country air as the cocks crowed. She entered her cottage, poured a cup of tea, changed into work clothes, and stepped out into the garden to plan the day.
The village was quiet; only a few locals were emerging onto their porches. Lucy waited until about nine oclock to visit Maggie for tea.
In the garden she immediately noticed the potato rows in disarraytuber stems tossed haphazardly, a broken fence nearby. Someone had been pulling the potatoes, peeling them, and had taken the largest one.
Lucy stood still, heart racing. She moved further and saw that the biggest cabbage heads were gone tooalmost half the cabbage harvest missing.
She let out a startled cry, then spotted a splintered fence post the same one she had driven into the ground in spring, now knocked flat. Large boot prints scarred the soil.
She ran to Maggies window and knocked. Maggie appeared at once.
Whats happened, Ellie?
Theyve robbed us, Connie! Come, lets see whats left What do we do now? Lucys cheeks were wet with tears.
Maggie threw on her coat and rushed out. Bloody thieves They must have known Im alone, no dog, the house on the edge
Together they examined the scene. It was clear the culprits had arrived on bicycles, slipped silently over the fence, bent the wire, and slipped into the garden, snatching whatever they could. They tossed the small potatoes aside, but stuffed the biggest cabbages into sacks and vanished down the lane.
Its not that I had a lot of potatoes, Lucy sighed, but what a loss!
Maggie shook her head. Theres no way to prove who stole what. Everyones gardens are the same. I suspect they came from a nearby town, a gang of drunks whove just been let out of jail. Hard to prove, though.
What now? Lucy asked, sitting on the porch, feeling foolish as if shed been wearing rosecoloured glasses. Everyone seemed kind and positive.
It isnt our kind of place, Maggie replied. Other villages have people struggling without money, but God sees everything. Dont lose hope. Ill ask Mr. George Ivanov to fix the fence, then well figure something out.
Geoff, a seventyyearold handyman, repaired the fence before lunch, driving a new sturdy wooden post into the ground and sealing the gap with old, but still solid, boards.
Here you go, madam, a proper fence. Dont worry, he said gravely. These things happen in every village. You shouldnt leave the house unguarded.
Lucy asked, What else?
Tworeplace the lock on the front door with a deadbolt, so its obvious when the owners arent home, he replied.
A dog would help, too, Maggie added. Even a small one that barks loudly. You cant live on the edge without one.
Three, Geoff muttered, his fingers twitching.
Foura solid fence, Maggie reminded.
And a strong man for you, he finished, smiling.
Everyone laughed. Lucy dabbed at her eyes.
Im more upset about the loss of my labour than the vegetables. I poured love into this garden, and now its been stripped.
Dont worry, Maggie embraced her, Ill give you as many cabbages as you need. My garden is full, well store them for winter. Did we not sow the seedlings together?
They all went to lunch at Lucys cottage. She, now calmer, spoke of her city meeting and promised to resume her selfdefence plans once the harvest was in.
A week later Lucy called Victor for help. He bought a deadbolt for the door and checked the price of new fence materials.
Ill help you, dont refuse, Victor said. Well take measurements on site and Ill come up with a work plan. Ill stay a few days, look over the farm, and sort things out.
Are you serious about helping? Lucy began.
Dont even mention payment. Im on leave, nothing else to do, and this is perfect, Victor said, pulling her close and kissing her.
The villagers were amazed.
Just as we saw a handyman appear for Eleanor, well catch the right men for the yard, they whispered.
Victor and his friend installed a new fence within a week, bringing in steel posts and timber from the town.
Eleanor prepared a hearty stew for the helpers, delighted that her garden and orchard were now safely surrounded.
Thieves may still roam, but the real treasure is you, Ellie, Victor said.
Geoff brought a puppy from his own dog, a little spaniel they called Baxter. The pup scampered around the yard, more a soft toy than a guard, but Lucy grew fond of him. A small dog house was built beside the garden so Baxter could keep watch.
One afternoon, while sharing tea with Maggie and Geoff, Lucy asked, Hows everything? Is the handyman staying?
Geoff replied, When will Victor settle here permanently?
Maggie laughed, Were not blind; we see theres something between you two. Hes a good worker, and youre a strong woman. No need to limit his freedom.
Exactly, Victor said, I wont charge for the work, and I wont curb your independence. Do as you wish. He brushed off the question.
When Victor returned from his city job, he brought bags of groceries, fresh produce, and a few pies. He joked, Can I stay as your permanent assistant? I only ask for stew, porridge, and a bit of cake. The garden will keep us fed.
Lucy chuckled, Right, you just need a hand, and youll also keep watch over the house while Baxter grows up.
Victors commuting became rare; he stayed in his flat only to settle bills and keep the house in order. Lucy let her city flat to tenants, awaiting Victors returns with his shopping bags.
Both enjoyed each others company, missing the warmth of family, the joy of conversation, and the cosy atmosphere of a snug home.
A year and a month passed. The couple was respected in the village, yet they still visited the seaside resort each spring. In their absence, Geoff looked after the house, fed Baxter, and even the cat, reporting back by phone.
Relax at the resort, dont worry about the house, he would say. Everythings finecat, dog, and the cottage.
Lucy would answer, Im certain the best holiday now is our village. I cant wait to get back home.
Thus Victor and Lucy settled together, rarely traveling far, because their fields offered the most spectacular sunsets.
They loved strolling beyond the borders, watching the sun dip peacefully, while Baxter raced ahead, thrilled by the walk, chasing the magpies that perched by the roadside.
