Someone was pulling up the potatoes, stripping them, and had gathered the largest one Emma froze. Her heart hammered. She walked on and saw that the biggest heads of cabbage were missing tooalmost half the cabbage crop had vanished.
Eleanor Whitaker beamed at her purchase. Not just a purchase, but the realisation of a dream: buying a cottage in the countryside for her retirement.
She had prepared for this moment for years, choosing a picturesque hamlet not far from the city, with only a handful of residentsa place that promised peace, quiet, and a garden for the soul.
Everything fell into place when she found a sturdy cottage with a garden on the very edge of the village, bordering fields and, beyond them, a forest. The view was so sweeping that she could stare forever.
Eleanor started strolling down the soft lane toward the woods each evening. The sun slipped behind the tops of pines and firs, and the twilight hues made her walks feel almost magical.
Early spring, as the soil thawed, Eleanor herself repaired a sloping fence made of wire and wooden slats.
Maybe you should put in a new fence, Ellie, suggested her neighbour Agnes Clarke, a woman of the same age.
Itll do for now, Eleanor answered, swinging her axe to drive the fallen metal post back into the ground.
Agnes smiled. Youre a true English lady! Youll get plenty out of this place. Only shame there are so few men left in the village some moved away with their families, others grew old, a few passed on. Ive been a widow ten years now.
Eleanor nodded. Im not a widow, but Im divorced. My husband and I realised wed only been holding each other together for our daughters sake. Once she was grown, educated, and married, staying together became unbearable. Thats how it goes.
Better that we dont torment each other, Agnes replied, and Ill still put a sturdier fence in come autumn.
Spring and summer slipped by as Eleanor spent every waking hour in the garden and the woods.
Ive never been out in the open air so much in my life, she told Agnes, pointing to the holly beyond the house and the pine forest that always yielded mushroomsespecially morels. The berries and strawberries were abundant in the heat.
Good to see you happy with the move, Agnes said, its all become normal for me.
The two women grew close. Autumn arrived; the garden boasted huge cabbage heads, the potatoes had sprouted thick shoots, and the harvest was plentiful.
Eleanor began digging up the potatoes for dinner, unable to get enough of the tender, fragrant vegetables.
Agnes, Im heading into town for a few days, she announced, We have a reunion with my old classmates, as usual this time of year. Were celebrating the birthday of our headmistress, Margaretour classs soul. Ill be back, then Ill finish the harvest
Agnes waved and smiled.
The evening of the reunion went splendidly. Emma boasted about her new village, showed photos of her cottage, and talked about the bumper crop.
This land has rested, she told her old schoolmate Victor Hart, We didnt plant anything for two years, but next season Ill order a manure spreader for the tractor and start fertilising the beds.
Dont overdo it, Victor warned, Take it easy. Let me know if you need a hand.
Emma smiled, Im figuring it out on my own, but thanks for the offer.
Once, back in school, Emma and Victor had been close; there had even been a spark. Then they went off to separate colleges in different towns, life pulling them apart like the rest of their class.
Now they met each year at Margarets birthday, sharing warmth and stories.
Victor was a widower who didnt want to remarry, just like Eleanor, and they made no pretence about it. Their independence was oddly attractiveno obligations, just easy conversation as old friends.
That night Victor walked Emma home, and they lingered in the kitchen until almost two in the morning.
What time is it? Emma asked, glancing at the clock. You should be heading home.
Maybe I could find a corner here? Victor teased.
No, she said firmly. Im off to the village at first light. Take a taxi home, thatll be better for both of us.
Emma watched him leave, then slipped into bed, savoring the next days promise of a visit from Agnes, for whom shed baked a cake and prepared a tray of marshmallows.
The following morning Emma caught the first bus into the village. She walked through dewy grass, breathing the familiar countryside air while the cockerels crow echoed.
She entered the cottage, poured tea, changed into work clothes, and stepped into the garden to decide how to start the day, then out onto the yard.
The village was quiet; only a few neighbours were stepping out onto their porches. Emma waited until it was close to nine, then set off for Agness tea.
In the garden she immediately spotted the mangled potato plants: loose shoots strewn everywhere. Someone had been pulling the potatoes, stripping them, and had gathered the biggest one
Emmas heart stopped. She walked farther and saw the biggest cabbage heads missingpractically half the crop gone.
She screamed, then noticed the broken fence. The feeble post she had stubbornly driven into the ground in spring lay toppled, and huge boot prints marked the soil.
Eleanor ran to the window and knocked. Agnes opened almost instantly.
What happened, Ellie? she asked.
Theyve robbed me, Agnes! Come out, lets see What do we do now? tears streamed down Emmas cheeks.
Agnes rushed out, pulling on her coat.
A scoundrel and they guessed youd be alone. The house is at the very edge, no dog, just you
The women surveyed the scene. Fresh bicycle tracks led in silently from the far side of the fence, from the outskirts. The thieves had broken the post, bent the wire, slipped into the garden, and taken whatever they could. They tossed aside the small potatoes, but carted away the biggest cabbages in sacks.
It wasnt much of it, but it was everything, Emma sighed.
Exactly, Agnes agreed, and vegetables have no name tags. You cant prove they were stolen. All the gardens are alike. I suspect the culprits came from nearby townsunemployed drunks, perhaps. But theres no proof, and no point in chasing ghosts.
What now? Emma asked, sitting on the porch, I was so happy, like a fool in rosecoloured glasses. Everyone seemed kind.
It isnt our kind of place, Ellie, Agnes said. The neighbouring villages are full of people scraping by, needing a drink. God sees all. Dont lose hope. Ill fetch Mr. George Miller; hell mend the fence. Then well think of the next steps.
George, a sturdy seventyyearold, arrived before lunch. He replaced the broken post with a solid wooden one and patched the gap with old, but strong, boards.
Heres your fence, madam. Dont be upset. This sort of thing happens in every village, so never leave a house unattended, he warned.
What about the second thing? Emma asked, dryly.
Youll need a new latch on the front doora deadbolt. From the road its obvious when nobodys home, George replied.
A dog would help too, Agnes added, even a small one that barks loudly. You cant live on the edge without one.
That’s three, Emma muttered, rubbing her eyes.
The new fence makes four, Agnes corrected.
And a strong man for you George finished, thats five.
They all laughed. Emma wiped away her tears.
Im not as upset about the potatoes and cabbage as I am about my labour being stripped away, she said.
Dont worry, Agnes embraced her, Ill give you as much of that cabbage as you need. My garden is full; well have enough for winter. We even sowed the seedlings together, remember?
They all went to Emmas cottage for lunch. Calmed, Emma recounted her city meeting and promised that once the harvest was in, shed follow through on the security measures theyd discussed.
A week later, Victor arrived from the city, bringing a deadbolt for the door and a price list for new fencing material.
Ill help you, and you must not refuse, Victor said, Well take measurements on site, then head back to the village together. Ill stay a few days, see how your farm is doing and plan the work.
Are you really going to help me? Emma began.
Dont even mention payment, Victor replied, Im on leave, nothing else to do, and this is a good cause. He pulled her into a brief, tender kiss.
The villagers were amazed.
Just as a carpenter appeared for Eleanor, the masters were caught in their own yard, the neighbours whispered.
Victor and his friend installed a new fence within a week, bringing in steel posts and timber from the city.
Eleanor prepared a hearty lunch for the helpers, delighted that her garden and orchard were now protected by a solid fence.
Nothing can stop a thief, Victor said, but the harvest is gone. The real treasure here is you, Ellie.
George brought a puppy from his own house, a scruffy little terrier he called Baron. The pup darted around the yard, more toy than guard, but Eleanor grew fond of him. A small shelter was built beside the garden so Baron could keep warm.
One afternoon, during tea with Agnes and George, Emma smiled, Looks like everything we planned is falling into place.
Is the new fence strong enough? George asked. Will Victor stay here permanently?
Exactly, exactly, Agnes replied, We can see the affection between you two. Hes a good lad, and youre not letting him go.
Victor doesnt charge for his work, but I wont restrict his freedom, Emma answered evasively.
When Victor returned from his city job with bags of groceries, he joked, Can I stay on as a permanent assistant? I only ask for stew, porridge, and pies. The garden is yours, and we wont starve.
Right, but youll have to work for it, Emma laughed, And youll also keep an eye on the house while Baron grows.
Victor commuted to the city, only rarely staying in his flat to sort bills and pay the utilities.
Emma rented out her city flat to tenants and waited for Victors returns, his luggage always full of supplies for the village.
Both enjoyed each others company, missing the warmth of a family home, the joy of conversation, and the cosy atmosphere of their cottage.
A year slipped by, then a month, and the couple became respected in the village, though they still visited the city spa in spring. When they were away, George looked after the house, fed Baron, and kept the cat, sending updates by phone.
Relax at the spa, dont worry about the house, the cat, or the dogs watch, he would tell Emma.
She replied, Im convinced the best holiday is right here in our village. I cant wait to get back home.
Thus Victor and Emma settled together, traveling less to faroff places, because their fields offered the most spectacular sunsets.
They loved wandering beyond the boundaries, walking into the woods as the sun set peacefully. Ahead, faithful Baron sprinted, delighted by the stroll, chasing the magpies that perched on the roadside.
