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Dandelion Jam After a mild, snowy English winter, everyone in the quaint town is longing for the fresh green leaves and colourful blooms of spring. Taissa, living in her cosy flat with her granddaughter Vera—whose parents, both doctors, have gone to work in Africa—finds herself cherishing the new season. The rhythms of the town change: market stalls buzz, neighbours gather on garden benches, and birdsong replaces alarm clocks. Taissa’s daily life intertwines with her lively neighbours—cheerful, well-read Valerie and grumpy Mrs Simmons—whose gossip and camaraderie brighten the days. Meanwhile, Vera happily attends school and dance class, proud to be watched over by her loving grandma. When Taissa strikes up a warm friendship with her thoughtful neighbour George Ellis, a widower with a distant daughter, they find comfort in shared stories and park strolls. Yet, tension brews when George’s daughter Vera visits and demands he sell his flat to move in with her family, suspecting Taissa’s intentions. An awkward confrontation ensues, but Taissa remains gracious. Life brings Taissa and George back together; he approaches her with a crown of dandelions and a jar of homemade dandelion jam, sharing its English folklore and health benefits. Their friendship flourishes over tea, recipes, and evenings under the old linden tree. Through spring’s renewal, two hearts discover sunshine in companionship and the sweet taste of dandelion jam. Thank you for reading and supporting my stories—wishing you all life’s brightest joys!

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Dandelion Jam

The snowy winter had finally packed its bags and left, not that the cold was anything to write home about this yeara gentle, fluffy season from start to finish. Yet, like a guest who overstays their welcome, winter had begun to grate, and everyone was ready for green leaves and bursts of colour, not to mention leaving the endless parade of woolly jumpers behind.

Spring tiptoed into this small English town. Margaret loves this time of year, always eager for natures revival, and now, at last, she watched from her third-floor flat with a contented sigh.

With these warm spring days, the whole town feels as if its woken up from a long nap, she mused, gazing out the window. Even the lorries seem to rumble differently, the market is bustling again, and everyones swapped greys for bright coats. Birds do a much better job than my alarm clock now. Oh, spring is nice, but summers even better

Margaret had lived in her brick block of flats for years, now sharing the space with Alice, her granddaughter, who was in Year 4. Alices parents shipped off to Kenya last year on a medical contractboth doctorsleaving their daughter in Grannys capable hands.

Look, Mum, were entrusting Alice to youno point dragging her halfway across the world. We know youll mind her like a hawk, Margarets daughter had insisted.

Of course I will, Margaret replied. Itll liven things up now Im retired. Off you go, well be grand here!

Hurray, Granny! Alice cheered. Well have the best time! Mum and Dad never have a free minute, but you and I will take all the trips to the park.

After breakfast and sending Alice off for another day of learning and probable paint-spattered uniforms, Margaret dived into her domestic duties, the hours slipping by unnoticed.

Ill nip to Tesco before Alice comes back from schoolI did promise her something sweet if she stayed on top of her spelling tests, she thought, grabbing her shopping bag.

Out the front door, she spotted the familiar sight: two neighbours parked on the communal bench, each armed with a cushion for insulationBritish benches in spring are no joke. Mrs. Simmonsa mystery age, somewhere between seventy and eternity, always refusing to disclose her birth yearlived on the ground floor. Mrs. Valentine, also single but with about five years on Mrs. Simmons, was a voracious reader, brimming with stories and boisterous laughterpolar opposite to the perpetually peeved Mrs. Simmons.

As soon as the frost left, and even the sun wasnt quite committed, that bench filled up. Mrs. Simmons and Mrs. Valentine were regulars, keeping tabs on every resident and even, some rumour had it, a passing bumblebee.

Margaret would often squeeze in beside them, and together with their newspapers, TV gossip, and Mrs. Simmonss endless tales of blood pressure, they solved all the worlds problems before elevenses.

Morning ladies! Margaret greeted with a grin. Already on duty?

Morning, Maggie! Cant let the neighbourhood down, can we? Mrs. Simmons declared, eyeing her shopping bag. Off to the supermarket, are we?

Spot ongot to get Alice something special for her achievements, Margaret replied. She didnt lingerthere was work to do.

The day slipped by: picking Alice up, dishing out tea, supervising homework, sneaking in a bit of telly.

Granny, Im off to dance class! Alice called from the hallway, backpack slung, phone grasped with the intensity only an English nine-year-old could manage.

Shed been hip-hopping about for six years, starring in local shows, and Margaret couldnt help but beam with pride.

Right then, Alice, go have fun, she replied, holding the door.

Later, Margaret perched alone on the bench, waiting for Alices return.

Lonely today? asked Mr. Edgar King, the second-floor neighbour, sliding in beside her.

As if anyone could be lonely on a day like this! Springs doing its thing, Margaret quipped.

Absolutely, the suns out, birds are on form, the whole estates yellow with coltsfootthose little flowers look like miniature suns, dont you think? Edgar smiled, earning Margarets agreement.

At that, Alice pounced from behind, arms flying around her grandmothers neck, barking playfully:

Woof, woof!

Goodness, child, you almost gave me a heart attack! Margaret laughed.

Not just yet, please! Edgar said with mock seriousness, patting her shoulder.

Come on, whirlwind, Margaret called, I grated your favourite carrots and sprinkled a bit of sugar, fried up some lovely cutlets toobet you worked up an appetite at dance.

Edgar rose with them.

What, leaving already? Now Im famished just hearing about those cutlets. I suppose Ill make myself a sarnie. But if you fancy an evening stroll on the bench, let me know! Edgar winked.

Cant promiselots to do. Maybe later

Margaret did pop out later, waving a quick goodbye to Edgar before heading in with Alice.

Granny, Mr. Kings courting you, you know! Alice giggled as they entered the hallway.

Oh, give over! Margaret dismissed the mischief.

No, really! Hes always eyeing you! If only Jamie from the class next door looked at me like that, every girl at school would be green with envy, Alice sighed dramatically.

Sit down and eat, my observant one. Jamie will gaze, just wait, Margaret chuckled.

Margaret found herself back on the bench later; Edgar was waiting, with regulars mysteriously absent.

Mrs. Simmons and Mrs. Valentine just went in for supper, Edgar said cheerily.

After that evening, Margaret and Edgar started meeting more often, sometimes venturing to the park across the roadreading the newspaper, discussing articles and recipes, exchanging stories about actors and grandchildren.

Edgars life hadnt been all roses. Hed lost his wife early, bringing up daughter Vera as best he could, juggling two jobs so she never went without. Of course, time together had been scarce: hed head out before she woke, home after she was tucked up.

Vera eventually married, moved to another town, and gave him a grandson; shed visit a few times, but barely bothered after that. The visits were businesslike at best. She raised her son alone after her marriage crumbled fifteen years later.

Maggie, my daughters coming in two days, Edgar confided to Margaret one afternoonby now they were firmly on a first-name basis, discussing everything openly. She rang today. No idea why after all these years.

Maybe she wants to be nearer family as she gets older? Margaret suggested.

Not sure I buy that

Vera arrivedstill stern-faced and prickly, clearly carrying a secret agenda. Edgar braced for a deep and meaningful, which wasted no time making an entrance.

Dad, Im here for a reason, Vera announced. Lets sell your flat, you move in with us. Live with me and your grandsonitll be jolly! She pushed hard, obviously certain the matter was settled.

But Edgar felt uneasyhe couldnt imagine abandoning his home for a new life under the watchful, joyless eye of his daughter. He declined, insisting he preferred his solitude.

Vera, undeterred, sniffed out his friendship with Margaret and paid her a visit. She greeted politely, moved straight to the kitchen, where Margaret poured tea and produced a tin of biscuits and homemade jam.

So, Vera, whats brought you here? Margaret asked warmly.

I see you and my father are very close. Could you persuade him in one tiny favour?

And what might that be?

Convince him to sell his flat. Why does he need all that space? He should think of someone else for once! Vera snapped.

Margaret, taken aback by the edge and calculation in Veras plea, refused. Veras face twisted into a ripe tomato, and she began shrieking:

Oh, I see whats going on! You want the flat for yourself, dont you? Bagged a lonely old man just for your granddaughters inheritance! You two, cooing away on benches, waxing lyrical about dandelionspair of doddery fools. Have you filed your marriage papers already? Well, itll come to nothing, just you wait, you dried-up old bat! With a final slam of the door, she was gone.

Margaret felt embarrassed, praying the neighbours hadnt caught the tiff. Thankfully, Vera left soon after. Margaret did her best to steer clear of Edgar, darting home whenever she spotted him outside.

But fate, as it does, marched on with its own plans. One day, coming back from the shops, Margaret found Edgar on the bench, yellow dandelions in hand, an unfinished floral crown resting on his lap.

Dont run away, Margaret, he pleaded as she approached. Sit with me a moment. Sorry about Verashe came to you, didnt she, and said all sorts We had a proper talk, Ill always help my grandson, but Vera Well, shes gone for good now, said she hasnt a father anymore. Anyway He fell silent, then held out the half-plaited dandelion wreath with a gentle smile. Here, I made this. And I actually cooked up some dandelion jam, you knowits surprisingly tasty and good for you. Add it to a salad, too!

Margaret laughed, the awkwardness melting away. After the chat about dandelion health benefits, they whipped up a salad together and spent the afternoon sipping tea with dandelion jamMargaret was quite taken with it. That evening, they strolled in the park.

Got the new issue of our favourite magazine, Edgar announced, lets have a read under our linden tree, eh? He nodded towards the bench.

Margaret sat, and the conversation flowed with laughterforgotten grievances and drama put firmly behind them. Life was good, especially together.

Thanks for reading, subscribing, and for all your support. May life smile on you!

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