Ah, look whos arrived at our little clan! Eleanor Andrews nodded toward the wandering figure. Another lover of fresh air and private plots!
Hardhearted you are, Andrews, Olivia Mitchell shook her head.
Hardhearted? Im generous, too! And when I get to those acrobats, no propriety will hold me back!
If we get there, nothing will stop any of us! Anne Elliott grumbled.
The approaching silhouette was met with silence.
Excuse me, could you tell me where the seventeenth house is? asked the newcomer.
Not important, replied Eleanor. Were all gathering in the eighth group. Better haul your cart of treasures straight there!
Sorry, I have my own house, the lady said.
Were all homeowners here, Anne snapped. Sit down, lets get acquainted!
Im Victoria Carter, the newcomer introduced herself. But I could do with a rest. Im exhausted after the walk.
Then pull up a chair and youll rest alright, Olivia said.
Id rather get back to my own place and settle in for the night, Victoria smiled.
Do you have any cash on you? Eleanor asked.
Why would I need cash? Victoria was taken aback. I have a card.
So many ATMs around, Eleanor muttered, scooting over on the bench. Sit down, love. At our age we shouldnt be on our feet.
Id like to Victoria said shyly, go home.
Sit! Olivia shouted, coughing. Weve run out of proper houses! I mean, there are no decent homesjust flimsy sheds with no electricity, water or heating. Right now we all live under one roof just to keep warm. When winter comes well be packed like sardines!
—
Elderly people who live alone are prime targets for scams. Theyve seen a lot, they have experience, yet con artists still manage to swindle them out of money, flats and even hope.
What hurts most is when the victims are not only old but also solitary. Even if they lose everything, theres nowhere else to turn.
When a charity team visited Victoria, she didnt jump at every offer they made.
They offered many things. She accepted the food parcel but turned down a livein carer and a visiting nurse.
Im still able to look after myself and get to the clinic on my own! she insisted.
She also refused a fullblown home renovation.
My neighbours helped me tidy up a few years ago. I dont need a massive overhaul. Im comfortable as I am, she said.
The idea of moving her pension into a private bank that promised higher monthly payouts through shortterm deposits made her pause. She wanted more money, but the leaflets were baffling, and the youngsters explanations only tangled her further.
Well, Ill think about it, Victoria replied.
The charity workers never pressured her. They simply kept suggesting ways to improve her life. When she declined, they smiled and kept offering alternatives. They never asked for money for the groceries, even though she offered.
Honestly, were a charitywe wouldnt take money from you, the young men, Vadim and Ethan, would say.
They began visiting Victoria once a week. Sometimes both arrived, sometimes just one. They brought food and floated various ideas for leisure, assistance, and companionship. Even when Victoria rejected everything, they persisted.
What if you need something later? Would you be shy to ask? Ethan asked. Weve had those cases before!
We cherish the modesty of our seniors, but our care comes first!
Victoria welcomed the visits. She lived alone and was terribly lonely. Her husband had passed away twenty years ago; they had no children, and she had no close relatives. The young volunteers werent there just to tick a box; they treated her as a person, chatting about weather, memories, joys, and sorrows. A good conversation once a week was a balm for her soul.
One day Vadim and Ethan returned, looking unusually excited.
Victoria, you always turn down help, but weve got an offer youll actually want to accept! A generous sponsor has a project just outside town, Vadim announced, barely containing his excitement.
The sponsor is building a small cottage communitynot those flashy newage estates, but modest homes: three rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a tiny porch. Each house is meant for one person, comfortable and tidy.
The settlement is set in a pleasant spotclean air, nearby woods, a river. The village shop, post office and a bank branch are just a short walk away. Eventually therell be a shop in the settlement itself, but first the houses go up.
Our sponsor is funding the whole thing, Vadim said, his voice shaking with enthusiasm. Hes probably writing off the cost for tax reasons, so its charitable. Its a chance for us!
Whats the catch? Victoria asked.
We can move our residents there, Ethan replied, grinning. Instead of the grime and smog of the city, they get fresh country air. A quiet life, far from the noise.
Are you giving away houses? Victoria blurted.
Unfortunately not, Vadim sighed. Our sponsor isnt that generous.
Its not about profit, Ethan added, a hint of irritation in his tone. He just wants something in return, but it wont be commercial value.
The market price of your flat is about £3million, Vadim said. Our sponsor asks for just £1million for a cottage. Imagineyour flat sold, you still have £2million left, and you get a cosy home in the countryside where you can live comfortably on that remainder.
Victoria tried to take a moment to think, but they pressed for an answer.
The settlement isnt endless, and the offer is good. Were keen to see our seniors own homes on these almostfairytale terms, Vadim said. I doubt another chance like this will ever come again.
It sounds complicatedselling the flat, transferring ownership, moving possessions, Victoria protested.
Lets keep it simple, Vadim leapt up. Ill fetch the brochures and photos from my car. While you look them over, Ill sort everything out on site so you wont have to worry about paperwork.
The brochures were glossy, full of polished images and detailed information. Victoria read the text and examined the photos Vadim brought.
I took those pictures myself! Advertising is one thing, but genuine photos are another. No need for fancy editswe stand for honesty, Vadim declared.
The houses looked splendidsolid timber frames, wooden beams, modern plastic windows. They werent massive mansions, just the right size for one person.
Victoria, Im sweating here, Vadim joked, wiping his brow. I almost got sent to every address on the list, but we can sort this quickly and neatly.
The plan was: a solicitor would draw up a power of attorney for the agency to sell her flat. The agency would issue a payment order for £3million, which would be transferred to Victorias account. Meanwhile, the sponsor would issue a request for a £1million payment from Victorias account as the purchase price for the cottage. All contracts would be signed in front of the solicitor.
How does the money move? Victoria asked.
The payment order and the request are just the mechanics of the banks moving funds, Vadim replied, smiling. Sometimes transfers take a few days, but the existence of the orders means the deal is considered closed.
Victoria wasnt familiar with those banking quirks.
Once the agency sends you the money for your flat, the £1million will be taken from your account for the cottage, and the remainder will stay with you. Youll then own the new home outright.
And my belongings? she asked.
Youll pack what you need for the first couple of days, and Ethan and I will haul the rest once we get a truck.
The next day Vadim drove Victoria to the village where the settlement was to begin.
I cant go further; my car isnt built for those country lanes, Vadim apologized.
No problem, Victoria laughed. Its a short walk, Ill manage.
Meeting the other residents revealed a different reality.
—
All paperwork is legal, Eleanor grumbled. The houses were bought for exactly the price of the flat.
Yet the houses werent quite as shown. The walls were just thin plywood panels, with a veneer that pretended to be log cabin timber. Electricity wouldnt be installed until spring, water came from a communal tank, and heating would be electric.
Victoria fell silent.
Were about sixteen families here actually seventeen homeowners now, Eleanor continued. What we do with our pensions is a mystery. We can only spend them in the village, and only if the card terminal works, which is at the operators whim. They havent managed any repairs for two weeks.
What now? Victoria asked naively.
Take it slow, crawl back to the cottage, Anne said. When the cold hits, well be stuck here forever.
I should lodge a complaint! File a claim! This is fraud! Victoria shouted.
Smart ones here, Anne sneered. Weve already filed complaints. Everythings been checked. Its all legit.
A notary had signed the documents, but the seventeenth house was just a turn down the road, on the left.
Further questioning showed none of the seniors had any relatives, so there was nowhere else to go but to hunker down.
I wont crawl into a shed! Victoria declared. Let someone worse off help us!
What could she possibly do? Eleanor asked.
Share her misery, Victoria replied.
Varvara Illynn, a widow with twin sons, Colin and Tom, entered the picture. In childhood they loved playing cops and robbers. As adults, Colin became a police officer, Tom a smalltime crook. Both still cared deeply for their mother, though Colin often dreamed of catching his brother, never finding enough evidence. He arrested Tom a few times each month.
Through Varvara, Victoria pleaded for the brothers to lend a hand.
Everythings above board! They signed everything themselves! Vadim and Ethan shouted from the back of a policetype 4×4. You have no right!
Is that so? Colin asked, feigning surprise. Then, he put on a mockworried face the thieves have stolen the patrol car!
Those scoundrels! Ethan muttered, stepping aside but staying in view.
Alright, lads, lets have a word, shall we? Tom said with a crooked grin. I get that youre after the old folks, but they cant even pay a fare! Its disgraceful.
Its all by the book! Vadim declared. Youre acting badly!
Itll be your turn when you dive into the local reservoir! Tom snarled. What, well earn fame as the Ichthyanders or return what we took?
What did we take? Ethan asked.
The honest work we earned! Tom snapped, his disgust plain.
Within a week all the seniors returned to their flats. Some had lost furniture, but they managed together. The settlement had brought them a modicum of community, and though the circumstances were odd, they were no longer utterly alone.
