More Than Just Next-Door Neighbours

Not Just Neighbours

In a quiet English village, where the lanes overflowed with green in summer and turned to a patchwork of gold each autumn, two families had always lived side by side. Theyd always got on well, lending a hand whenever it was needed. Their children had grown up and moved off to the city.

But then, tragedy struck. Early one damp, chilly autumn morning, as dawn crept over the rooftops, I lost my wife. In desperation, I ran across to my neighbours, knocking loudly on the window.

Whats happened? John asked in alarm, throwing open the door, his wife Mary just behind him, a shawl wrapped hurriedly around her shoulders.

Its Anne. My Anne I blurted out, tears running down my face as I slumped on the steps.

What about her? John urged, clutching my shoulder. Should I call for help?

No Theres nothing to be done, I managed. My Annes gone.

John and Mary did everything they could for me. Until my son could arrive from London with his wife, they made sure I was never alone. Mary would make me tea and gently hand me tablets to help me sleep. Even after Annes funeral, they still made sure I wasnt left to myself. Theyd invite me round for lunch or dinner, and John would play endless games of chess with me in the evenings.

Half a year passed. Gradually, I came to terms with the empty space beside me. I learnt, painfully, to run the house myselfto cook, wash, tidy up. My son and his family visited now and then.

One balmy evening in August, I sat with John in his garden. As always, we spoke quietly and moved the chess pieces without rush. Suddenly, John pitched forward, and I barely managed to catch him before he crumpled to the ground.

John, steady on! I shouted as I tried to rouse him, but there was no response. Mary! I called out, just as she rounded the corner with a bowl of fresh cucumbers.

The bowl tumbled from her hands as she ran over. John was gone before she reached hima heart attack, the doctor said later.

How can this be? Mary wept. He never even complained about his heart.

Now it was my turn to help Mary as her daughter and son travelled down for the funeral. When her children returned to their busy city lives, the house fell silent, an emptiness ringing through every corridor. Ivan helped with odd jobs during the precious daylight hours; but at night, when the quiet set in, Marys thoughts would tumble over each other and sleep would rarely come.

Time worked its strange healing. Every so often, her children and grandchildren would come. Both Mary and I were well into retirement: Id spent my years teaching history to lively teens, while Mary kept the village library running.

Autumn came round again. Each morning, Id sweep the bright brown and yellow sycamore leaves from my path, then Id move over to clear the front walk to Marys doorand just as quickly as I swept, the wind would undo my work. So Id head into her garden and sweep what few leaves had settled there.

Mary would watch from the window, a smile playing on her lips.

Ivan, are you ever satisfied? She laughed, poking her head out. Everyone here knows youre the only one in the village still fighting autumn.

Id tip back my head. If we all just waited for the leaves to disappear on their own, wed be knee-deep in chaos. No, the job must be done. Someones got to keep things in order.

But autumn leaves are so beautifullook how they shine! Mary protested.

Beautiful, but slippery. Youll have someone taking a tumble if were not careful, I grumbled, and got back to work.

I swept right up to her front step, and just as I did, she opened her door, two mugs steaming in her hands.

Enough work for now. Come and have a cuppa with some honey, she offered, setting the mugs down on the little table beneath the trellis. I eased onto the bench across from her.

Tea with honey today? I thought you always swore by lemon, I said, taking a sip.

Its coldergot to keep warm from the inside, she replied with a shrug.

Its very sweet, I said, giving her half a glare. At our age, shouldnt we be careful?

Oh, drink up, she commanded briskly. Were not drinking tea like this every dayonce a week wont do any harm.

I conceded with a smile.

My grandson, Harry, rang me the other day, she went on. Gran, what are you doing living on your own? Come to the city and stay with us! he said.

But I told him, Im not on my own at all, Ive got a friend right here. She glanced at me with that knowing smile of hers.

I took a sip to hide my reply. Thats right, but friend is a plain word.

What would you call yourself, then?

Well Id say were comrades-in-arms in the Battle Against Autumn Leaves! I grinned, and she burst out laughing.

Some mornings, Id finish my sweeping and Mary wouldnt wave from the window. That gnawed at me, so I went to check. Up the steps I went and tapped on her door. After a while, she appeared, clutching the wall for support and draped in a checked blanket.

Oh dear Now whats this? I said, hurrying to steady her.

She collapsed into the old armchair, nose red, eyes tired.

Caught a chill, I think

Whos going to make my tea now? I moaned, trying not to let her see me smile.

I hung my coat and scanned her kitchen for medicine.

Is that all youve got? I said, raising an eyebrow. Ill pop round the chemists.

No need, Ill do with these, she protested weakly.

No, it wont do. Ill be back in a tick, I insisted.

Soon, I returned with a bagful of medicines and a whole chicken. Mary was dozing in her chair, but she stirred as I bustled around the kitchen, filling the house with the comforting smell of broth.

Oh, Ivan, you can cook! she teased, though she knew well enough I did for myself.

In a pinch, you have to manage. Here, this should warm you up. I poured out the steaming broth and helped her sit.

She tasted, then closed her eyes in bliss.

Oh, this is heavenly Thank you.

I just want you on your feet, otherwise sweeping isnt half as enjoyable, I managed, keeping my tone gruff.

Ill do my best, comrade, she replied, just as serious.

A week or so later, Mary was back in good spirits. For the first time in an age, we took a walk together along the riverside park, the plan hatched by me as ever.

Weve been cooped up inside too long. Time for some fresh air!

Leaves crunched underfoot, and even the autumn sun had a bit of warmth to it.

You know, Ivan, I do think autumn is quite beautiful after all, Mary said.

I agree, especially in good company.

Mary slipped her arm through mine, and we wandered slowly down the avenue, talking and laughing, our footprints two parallel tracks in the fallen leaves.

Not long after, I went to Mary with an unusual request.

I need your help, I began.

She narrowed her eyes. What now?

I was looking through my books and couldnt find one about tending to cacti.

Cacti? I thought you never kept plantscertainly not cacti, she said, spluttering with laughter.

Thats true. But its never too late to start, I grinned, presenting a little pot with a spiky cactus inside. I bought this for you today

And how am I supposed to know how to care for it? Ive never kept a cactus! she protested.

Youre a librarian, arent you? If anyone can find a book about cacti, its you!

Oh, all right, she said, taking the pot, But if it blooms, you owe me an ice cream.

Deal!

Within days, winter swept in and the first snow fell. I arrived at Marys door one afternoon, one hand hidden behind my back.

What are you up to now? she asked, eyebrow raised as I shuffled my feet.

Ive been thinking, Mary Why am I coming here every day? Maybe I could just stay? Perhaps we could I thrust out a bouquet of red roses. Would you consider marrying me?

She beamed, her cheeks pink.

Heavens, Ivan! What took you so long?

I wasnt sure youd say yes So, do you?

Of course I do. Id miss you terribly if you werent here. And after such a beautiful bunch, how could I say no? she said, arranging them in a vase.

We spent that winter together, side by side. Then spring arrived. One morning, Mary called out, Ivan, come quick! Your dear cactus has blossomed. You owe me an ice cream!

Well, I never! I had given up hope. Right you are, lets stroll down to the shop and Ill buy you your promised treat. A deals a deal

We strolled down the high street, debating whether to get a choc ice or a cornet in a wafer. I looked up at the clear spring sky and smiled.

Whats got you grinning, then? Mary chuckled, squeezing my arm.

Oh, nothing really. Just think we make a rather good team.

She nodded, her voice touched with something soft. Yes, we do.

And so we continued, long since more than neighbours, more than friends, two people whod found each other in the shifting fall leaves, through the frosts of winter, and under the hopeful spring sun. Trust me, life is better when youre not alone.

Looking back, Ive learnt its never too late for a new beginningeven as the leaves keep falling year after year.