Hey love, youll never guess how Ive been keeping up that goldenglam look. Every morning Im up at five, milking the cows, giving the calves a drink, handing out the feed, then I head off to my day job at the factory. No wonder nobodys jealous its a fullon hustle, not just pretty jewellery.
Oi, Olivia! Look at you, all sparkly, I laughed, spotting my old schoolmate, now dressed in gold chains, a tiny hoop earring and even a glinting bracelet. Youd think you lived in a city, not out here in the Cotswolds! I teased. If anyone saw you now, every city folk would drop everything and move to a village just to live like you fancy clothes, flashing gold, the works!
Olivia shot back, Honestly, Emily, if you knew what village life really meant, you wouldnt be dreaming like that. She had always known the farm life cows, pigs, the whole lot since we were kids, while Id been the citybound one who never thought Id end up back in the countryside.
We both sighed, thinking about how youthful we were, sure we could map out our futures. Olivias stubborn streak was legendary; if she said shed do something, shed do it. She always claimed the rustic life with its haystacks and potatoes wasnt for her, that she was destined for something grander.
Ill never go back to the village, Mum, she once declared, Im finishing school, moving to London, finding a rich fiancé, marrying him, and staying in the city forever. Her mother, Ruth, just smiled and warned that lifes a funny thing, but that a village isnt any worse than town life. If you ever need to milk the cows, darling, Ill be happy to help, and Ill sort dinner while youre at it.
Dont even think about me milking cows! Olivia snapped. Everyone would have a laugh. Ill stay away from that nonsense. Her mother just shook her head, watching her daughter pile on layers of makeup for the village hall disco.
The other girls in the village loved to gossip about the local queen who never bothered with chores, never washed a dish, let alone went into the barn. Olivia didnt even know which side of the barn to approach. She was the lateblooming one, the unexpected one. Her older sister had long been married with grandkids, and Ruth found out she was expecting too, almost at the same time as her daughter. No wonder they were spoiling the little one.
Years passed, the kids grew, the parents aged. Olivia finished school with a string of Cs, but she was full of ambition. She decided to train as a nursery teacher a clean, respectable job. Ruth and her husband sold a couple of bulls to fund a year of tuition.
No one really got it at first Olivia was still popping back home while studying, spending hours in front of the mirror, primping, staring out the window as if waiting for someone who never came. She finally landed a teaching job, and on a weekend her inlaws showed up with a new product a cheeky way of saying theyd bring a new suitor.
Olivia, whod never asked anyones permission, fell headoverheels for a lad from the same village whod stayed in town after college. They married while she was still in her final teaching year, and rumours swirled that shed only passed because of her circumstances, not her smarts.
They moved into a modest flat in Manchester, while Ruth kept sending parcels of food. Olivia went on maternity leave, gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Lily. Two of them werent enough for the wages, three would have been. Vladimir, her husband, got fed up.
Enough of this, love, he said, Im tired of halfasalary going to my uncles rent. Lets move back to the village until Lilys big enough, and thatll be it.
So they packed up, headed back to the countryside. Vladimir found a job on a farm a proper mechanic with a decent wage, even if it was a bit lower than in the city, and they didnt have to pay for a roof. At first Olivia balked, Why did you bring me back here? but soon she settled, helped by Ruth and her mother-inlaw, who brought over fresh produce. It felt like a fairytale.
The fairytale didnt last long, though. Both mothers started complaining that Olivia spent hours in front of the mirror while they were out in the garden. Lets take turns with the granddaughter, okay? they nagged. Vladimir gave her a sharp look, she understood, and spent the summer pulling carrots, keeping the garden spotless. The next year she decided to plant her own plot, tired of always being asked to fetch veggies for everyone.
Vladimir began breeding cattle, thinking itd be profitable. He sold a cow to a young couple in the nearby town. At first Olivia found the early mornings tough, but she got used to it.
Four years later a spot opened up at the local nursery when a longserving employee retired. She applied, got the job, and the familys little farm finally felt settled.
She never realized her city dreams had faded. From dawn till dusk she was busy with chores, never a moment to daydream. The motherinlaw moved to the town centre, Lily was in school, and Olivia stayed put, eventually becoming the headmistress of the nursery. Vladimir suggested maybe they should think about moving closer to civilization again.
Are you serious, Vlad? she laughed. Whats wrong with our house, our garden, the little farm? Weve got enough money, we still pop into London now and then. Im happy here. Whod run the nursery if I left? Lilys finishing school soon, well see then, but for now Im staying put.
Twenty years slipped by like a single day. They organized a reunion with their old school class. Most of the others had become city folk, never expecting to see each other again. Kate, whod grown up on a farm, studied catering, married a city businessman and now lives in a sleek flat. And Tara, whod married her schoolmate Mike, lives in a townhouse, drives a sleek car, and never imagined shed stay in the village.
The reunion was warm, phones were swapped, stories exchanged, and everyone went their separate ways. Olivia and Vladimir left handinhand, thoughtful.
Sorry I dragged you back to the village, love, Vladimir said, I knew you couldnt stand it.
Dont be silly, she replied, I still drive to town, were not worse off than anyone. City life isnt all sunshine either. I love the village, even if I get tired of it sometimes. As a kid I never helped at home, but that was because Mom spoiled me. I thought itd be shameful to be a housewife, but now I see its work everywhere. If wed stayed in a rented flat or paid a mortgage, wed still be stuck. Back then Id even fear cleaning a plate. Here, with you and the kids, Ive learned you have to work wherever you are. Were never far from the city, and we can move whenever we want. A job, a roof what else do we need for happiness?
Exactly, Olivia. When did you finally learn to love the village? he asked.
Always did, just didnt know it, she said. Never say never. Remember how I swore Id never live here? Turns out.
