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

Galinas son got married for the second time just a month ago and brought along his new wifes beautiful thirteen-year-old daughter, Ella, to meet her new grandmother. He left Ella with Galina for a whole week.

Before leaving, Ellas mother whispered quietly to her mother-in-law,

Just so you know, this is Ella’s first time staying in the countryside. And her temperament is rather… challenging. You can understand, at that age. So please, dont go easy on her. If you struggle, give me a ring and Ill come fetch her.
What do you mean, “if I struggle”? Galina looked puzzled.

Her new daughter-in-law just smiled, gave her a quick peck on the cheek, hopped into the car with her husband, and off they drove.

Ella love, could you pop out and fetch some water? Galina asked, handing her an empty bucket.
Pop where for water? Ella asked, confused.
Just to the pump.

The pump? Whats that?
Theres a water pump just beyond the gate, not far from the house. Stand the bucket under it, pull the handle, fill it up. Then carry it back home.
Gran, are you serious? Ella stared at Galina, wide-eyed. You’re meant to get water from the tap in the kitchen. There’s a tap, isn’t there?
There is Galina grinned but nothings been coming from it for the past week.

Why ever not?
Because Stepan the plumber turned off the water for our street. Something about needing to change a valve. Well just have to use the pump for now. Its always working.
No way Ella set the bucket down firmly. I wont do it. If theres a tap, water should come out.

Fine, shrugged her grandmother. You can just wash up here for now. She led Ella to the giant water butt under the rainwater pipe. Scoop some water up with your hands and wash.
But Granny! Ella looked even more shocked. There are wriggly things in there!
Those are just mosquito larvae, pet. They arent dangerous.

And for brushing my teeth? Am I meant to use that too?
Of course. Theres no water in the washstand, is there?
Ugh, then I suppose Ill go get water, Ella grumbled, snatching up the bucket again and trudging to the gate.

She came back after fifteen minutes, red-faced with barely three litres of water sloshing at the bottom.
Why were you gone so long? Galina asked.

I didnt know how to get the pump working. Luckily, a kind old man showed me.
Well done. Her grandmother emptied the water into the wash basin, then handed the bucket back. Right, we’ve water for washing now. Next, we need some more for making supper.

What do you mean? Ella looked appalled. We need to fetch water for that too?
How else? Unless you’d rather have water out of the butt? Galina shrugged.

No way! Ella exclaimed, grabbed the bucket, and dashed out again for water.

And so it went, five or six trips to the pump, while Galina started fixing up something for supper.

Gran, why dont they repair the mains? Ella asked, exhausted. Back in London, if somethings broken, you just ring up the council and its fixed within the hour.
We have to let them know in person here. Have to go to number fifty-eight on the next street and tell Stepan directly. Thing is, they’ve got water at their house, so hes not in much of a rush.
Why dont you go and demand it?

Ive been there countless times, Galina waved a hand. But Stepanone moment hes in the fields, next hes down the farm, or off somewhere else. Always promises, “Tomorrow Ill come.” Still waiting. Hes the only one for miles that does it.
Hm… what number did you say?
Fifty-eight.

Which way?
Over there, Galina nodded toward Stepan’s house. What are you plotting?
Ill go myself and have a word with your Stepan.

Ella slipped out the gate before Galina could stop her. She vanished.

After half an hour, Galina grew anxious and hurried to the plumbers house herself.

Has Ella been here? she asked Stepans wife.
That troublemaker? Natalie gave her a look.

Whys she a troublemaker?
Oh, you should have seen her! First, demanding I bring Stepan out that instant, then trying to shame him, saying all he cares about is himself. My Stepan! He runs around like mad fixing things all day. I nearly chased her out with the broom. Then she threatened that if he didnt get your tap running today, shed set fire to our shed! Can you imagine?
Goodness, Galina clutched her chest. Did Ella really say that?
Ella? Natalie snorted. Heaven help the family that ends up with that one
And where is she now?

How should I know? Off looking for Stepan, probably.
Where is he?
In the fields, obviously, fixing a tractor, while I get menaced by children!
Oh heavens! Galina darted out and ran toward the fields where the harvesters were working.

She didnt make it all the way. Instead, she caught sight of a tractor heading towards her. At the wheel sat Stepan, and beside him a furious-looking Ella.

As soon as he saw Galina, Stepan stopped the engine.
This yours? he yelled over the engine, nodding at Ella.

Galina nodded frantically. Then, raising her voice,

Where are you taking her, Stepan? To the police? Shes just a child, you cant arrest her!
Police? What do you take me for? Stepan called back. Im off to change your valve. But your girl, my wordshe nearly threw herself in front of the combine. Said shed poke nails into the tyres if I didnt get your tap working. Silly thing, as if you could puncture a combines tyres with a nail! Stepan burst out laughing. Honestly, we could do with a few more feisty teenagers like her in this village. You lot would have things sorted in no time. So then, troublemaker, he turned to Ella, fancy driving the tractor?

Id love to! Ella beamed.
Right then, hop into my seat, take the wheel, and lets get that plumbing sorted, Stepan commanded. On one condition thoughyoull hand me my tools.
Deal! Ella shouted, gripping the wheel, thrilled.

Ellas parents finally took her back to London exactly twenty days later, on the thirtieth of August. They barely managed to coax her home, only because school started the day after. Had it not been for that, she would have stayed longer. Theres always plenty of work to do in the countryside, especially in Autumn.