Galina’s Son Tied the Knot for the Second Time Just a Month Ago

A month ago, Helens son married for the second time. Just last week, he brought over a lovely thirteen-year-old girl named Lilythe daughter of his new wifeto meet her new grandmother. Shes come to stay in the countryside village for an entire week.

Before leaving, Lilys mother quietly whispered to Helen,
Just so you know, this is Lilys very first time in a village. And, well, she can be quite the handful. You know what girls are like at this age. Please dont let her walk all over you. If she gets too much, ring me and Ill come and fetch her.

What do you meanif she gets too much? Helen frowned, puzzled.

Her new daughter-in-law smiled, pecked Helen on the cheek, then hopped into the car with her husband and drove off.

Lily, could you go fetch some water, please? Helen asked at once, handing her an empty bucket.

Go where? Lily stared back in confusion.

To the pump down the lanejust outside the gate, not far from the house. Theres a handle. Put the bucket underneath, push the handle, fill it up, and come back in.

Grandma Helen, are you being serious? Lilys eyes widened. Youre supposed to get water from the kitchen tap, you know. You do have a tap, dont you?

Oh, yes, weve got one, Helen replied with a chuckle. But there hasnt been any water coming out for over a week.

Whys that?

Because Stepan the plumber down the road turned it off. Said he needs to change some valve or whatnot. So, we have to use the pump for now. Theres always water there.

No way Lily put the bucket down. Im not doing that. If theres a tap, there ought to be water.

All right then, Grandma shrugged. Youll just have to wash up here for now. She led Lily to a large barrel catching rainwater at the side of the house. Scoop some out with your hands and wash up.

Grandma, are you serious? Lily screwed up her nose. There are wiggly things floating in there.

Oh, those are just midge larvaemosquito babies. They dont bite.

And what about brushing my teeth? Do I have to use that too?

Of course. Theres nothing in the washbasin.

Lily sulked. Fine, Ill go She took the bucket again and trudged reluctantly towards the gate.

She was gone a good fifteen minutes, coming back red-faced, barely three litres sloshing in her bucket.

What kept you? Helen asked.

I didnt know how to work the pump. Lucky a man walked past and showed me.

Oh, brilliant. Grandma tipped the water into the washbasin and handed the bucket right back. Right, thats enough for washing. Now we need more water for making supper.

What? Lily gaped at her. You need water for that too?

Well, of course! Unless youd rather I just use rainwater from the barrel, Helen shrugged.

No thanks! exclaimed Lily, grabbing the bucket again and running off to the pump.

She made that trip five more times, huffing and puffing with each return. Meanwhile, Helen began preparing supper.

Grandma, why isnt anyone fixing the plumbing? Lily asked, wiped out. Back home, if something breaks, you make a phone call and its sorted in an hour.

Ah, well, here we have to go and knock on Stepans door. Number fifty-eight, second road over. Trouble is, his water still works, so hes in no hurry.

Why dont you go and demand it gets fixed?

Ive been over a dozen times, Helen waved her hand. But Stepans always in the fields, or at the farm, or off somewhere. Promises ‘tomorrow,’ but tomorrow hasnt come yet. Hes the only plumber for miles.

Okay Lily went quiet for a moment and asked, What house number did you say?

Fifty-eight.

And which way?

Down there, Helen nodded towards Stepans. What are you plotting?

Ill go speak to your Stepan myself.

Lily had slipped out the gate before Helen could react. She disappeared, and after half an hour Helen got worried and hurried over to Stepans.

Has my granddaughter been by? Helen asked Stepans wife.

You mean that troublemaker of yours? Natalie eyed her warily.

What do you mean, troublemaker?

She barged in demanding I produce Stepan on the spot, then tried to put me to shame, saying Stepan thinks only of himself. My Stepan, whos worked himself half to death for the whole parish! I nearly chased her out with the broom. And then she threatened to set our shed on fire if Stepan didnt get your water running today. Can you believe it?

Oh my goodness, Helen clutched her chest. Did she really say that?

She did, Natalie smirked. Heaven help anyone who has to look after a Lily.

Where is she now?

Who knows? Probably went after Stepan herself.

And wheres he?

In the field, where else? Fixing a tractor, and Im left here with children threatening me.

Oh lord! Helen cried, dashing straight for the fields.

She never made itbecause she spotted a tractor coming her way. At the wheel was Stepan, and right beside him sat an angry-looking Lily.

As soon as Stepan saw Helen, he hit the brakes.

This yours? he yelled over the engine, nodding at Lily.

Helen nodded frantically, calling out in alarm, Where are you taking her, Stepan? To the police? Remember, shes underage! You cant arrest her!

The police? Stepan shouted back. Im off to fix your water! This young whirlwind threatened to toss herself under the combine harvestersor, failing that, puncture all the tyres with a nailunless I sorted you out. As if a combines tyre could be slashed with a nail He threw his head back and laughed heartily. We could do with more of these spirited youngsters around here, you know. Theyd shake the whole village up, get things running again! Well, bandit, fancy driving the tractor?

Yes! Lily cried, a grin breaking onto her face.

Hop in then, take the wheel. Well get your water sorted. But youll have to pass me the spanners.

All right! shouted Lily delightedly, grabbing the wheel.

Lilys parents finally managed to bring her back home only after twenty dayson the thirtieth of August. And even then, just in time for school. Otherwise, shed probably have stayed longer; theres a never-ending list of things to do in the village come autumn.