Neighbours

Listen, you daft fool, William spat, slumping onto the old oak log beside the Millers cottage. I married her, and she cant cook a proper roast nor even sort the laundry without turning the whole house upside down. He stared wistfully at the thatched roof of his own thatched cottage, the place where his young wife once slept.

His neighbour, Nicholas, was fiddling with a wrench on his battered motorbike.

Come on, Will, the wedding was just a few weeks ago. Give your missus a chance to recover, eh? Nicholas called over the clatter of tools.

What? Im done with that wedding. She ripped my nerves to shreds that day, William muttered, spitting the husk of a sunflower seed.

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious. Ripped your nerves? How so?

William grimaced, his jaw tightening. Right from the start she was a nightmare. The day I brought the dowry to her parents yard, she spent half the day pushing a cart, solving riddles I didnt even understand, and then forced me to dance a Romani jig. My new trousers tore at the seams from the strain.

Your old man gave you those trousers, and you married her anyway, Nicholas said, shaking his head. When I finally got to her bedroom, Id walked through endless circles of hell, only to find the window flung open and her gone. The whole village hunted her for half a day, only to hear her laughing, saying shed changed her mind. When I trampled the bouquet shed given me, she burst into tears, swearing I didnt get her jokes.

During the ceremony she played the part of a reluctant bride, as if Id forced her into marriage, William continued, voice hoarse. At the banquet she wouldnt let a hand touch her, terrified Id dirty her immaculate dress. Youve got filthy fingers from eating fried fish, Will, she snapped. My dress is priceless; its not a napkin for you.

So, you dont even mention the wedding, Kolya, Nicholas interjected, setting his wrench aside and scratching under his flat cap. I know my own sister, Emilyshe never caused a fuss like that.

You know, all women are supposed to be sensible, but I got a case of sheer lunacy, William said, frustration rising. I rise at dawn, do all the chores, and she just lies in bed. Cant she at least boil a kettle?

Does she even want work? Nicholas asked, surprised.

She refuses to look for a job, William replied. She says she needs a break after finishing school. Her mother and grandmother slip her money for trinkets and hair clips, or else shed start screaming at me.

Nicholas frowned, his mind ticking. Youve got yourself a lazy wife, Will. Send her away until she bears a child, then maybe youll get a break.

I never imagined the Chesters would raise such a lazy girl, William said, bitter. They bragged about their daughter, Lily, being gold. Turns out they tossed her away like ballast. And Im the fool left holding the weight.

The village lay quiet, the River Avon murmuring, crickets chirping in the grass, cows lowing in the distance, a rooster crowing at dawn. The occasional tractor rumbled on the dusty lane, a motorbikes engine whining.

Kolya! shouted Katherine from her cottage window. Luncheons ready, come in!

On my way, Nicholas called back, wiping grease from his hands, his eyes flicking toward the Millers thatched house. From the open window he could hear the clatter of plates and the low murmur of a heated domestic scene.

Will, could you peel the potatoes? Ill fetch the onions, cooed a sweet voice, as gentle as a kittens purrLydia, Katherines sister.

Why am I the one peeling? Thats a womans job, Nicholas muttered, hearing Williams voice from the yard. Im already chopping the meat, mind you.

With a chuckle, Nicholas replied, theyre only making the soup, but my stews already bubbling!

Im busy right now, a voice giggled, Im untangling my hair from these curlers.

Lydia, youll have to wait for me, love! William called, trying to keep his temper in check.

Lydias voice softened, Im trying to look lovely, not a dull sack of potatoes. When I roll my hair up like this, I feel like a screen star. Everyone says I look like a Hollywood actress. Youll see, Will. Ive even got videos and DVDs to prove it.

Nicholas shook his head, peering through the slatted window. Whats she going to answer now?

He dropped his bike, crouched low, and slipped silently into the yard. Inside, the Millers wife spun in the middle of the room, her hair piled high in a lofty bun. Nicholas scanned for William, who stood at the table, head bowed over a steaming bowl.

Later, Nicholas ate his soup without appetite, glancing at the sated face of his own wife, and sighed. Can you imagine, Kitty, how theyve been feeding Williams head with nonsense?

What happened? Katherine asked, eyebrows raised.

He married Lily, the girl from the neighboring town, who moved here not long ago. She was supposed to be a teacher, but never finished her training.

I remember her, Katherine said. She was a bit of a snotnose, always dreaming of dances and fancy clothes. And Williamwhat a fool. He married her in secret, without any advice. Your sister, Mary, couldve been a better match.

Katherine turned her round, chubby face turning away. The younger sister, Minnie, was a plump, slowmoving girl, just like Katherine had once beenthin in her youth, married off before she grew heavy, while Minnie had always been the chubby one.

Over the years both sisters had filled out, now they looked alikesmall, round, like dumplings.

The Millers house was filled with loud music and womens laughter. Nicholas raised an eyebrow and moved to the windows, watching. He stood there, shook his head, and called out.

William! he shouted, spotting him in the garden, tending his tomato vines in the greenhouse.

What do you want, Nicholas? William asked, wiping soil from his hands.

Whats all this ruckus in your house? It sounds like a circus in the middle of the day, echoing across the whole village.

Its Kolyas friend, Liza, visiting from the city. She turned the radio on as soon as she arrived, William replied.

Nicholas glared at him. How long will you tolerate this nonsense, Will? You work the farm, while your wife spends her time giggling and making a sport of everything. Shes become bold, isnt she?

Williams face hardened. What can I do if shes like that? Let her have her fun.

Shes no longer a child to play games! Shes married, shes supposed to be a mother, a keeper of the hearth! We need to discipline her, send her friend packing, toss the record player out the window. In my house theres no friend nonsensejust sewing socks in spare time!

Williams anger flared. Go away, Nicholas. Ill sort my own affairs.

The next day, rain hammered the countryside, a dull grey sky promising no sunshine. Katherine was in the kitchen, stirring jam, while Nicholas prowled from corner to corner.

Bored, love? Katherine asked.

Go pick some mushrooms. Put on your raincoat; after the downpour fresh mushrooms will sprout, she suggested.

No, I dont want to go alone, he replied.

Then call William, she said.

Nicholas sighed. Hell probably be miffed with me.

He peered out the window and saw William trudging toward his cottage, a bag in hand.

Afternoon, neighbour, William said, pushing the door open with a squeak.

Kolya, I brought some smoked haddockcaught it myself. Want a bite? Nicholas brightened.

Sounds brilliant. I love fish. Lets have tea, William replied.

The two men sat at the table in silence for a while. Finally, Nicholas asked, Hows the family life? Did your guest leave?

She went, William said simply.

Nicholas crumpled a newspaper, then went back to his work. You treat your wife poorly, Will. Whats she up to now?

Lily? Nicholas asked. She went to the shop.

And what does she buy? A sack of dumplings and a tube of lipstick? Nicholas chuckled. My Kate told me she was at the till buying cosmetics, not a loaf of bread or a decent cut of meat.

Katherine, stirring the pot, fell silent, her eyes dropping to the floor.

Let her buy what she wants, William muttered, shes always primping.

What for? Nicholas pressed.

We decided our women should support each other. My Kate will teach yours to clean and cook, not just waste time on frivolities.

Later, William called out, Lily, we need to talk.

Whos that? his wife, Lily, turned, eyes flashing. Youve changed my hair to white, added false lashes, brightened my brows. Do you like it?

Its different, William stammered. You were pretty, now youre a bombshell.

Its my friend Tania, a salon stylist, who did it, Lily explained. She works at the salon down the road.

Youve got to be kidding, Nicholas muttered. Why not just stay?

Lily, now wrapped in perfume, flattered herself in the mirror, then slipped into a sleek dress, painted her lips, and left the house.

She returned, hushed, her demeanor solemn. She stripped the dress, slipped into a housecoat, washed her face clean, and braided her lavish hair into a neat knot.

Will, she said, settling on the edge of the sofa where he rested, youve been complaining to the neighbours about me, havent you?

Me? he asked, confused.

You heard everything. If youre unhappy, say it! Stop blaming everyone else, Will.

She clutched her face, tears spilling, and from that day she changed dramatically. She stopped staring at herself in the mirror, stopped admiring her own reflection, and began scrubbing the house, baking pies, and running errands for the neighbours. She walked back home each night looking as gloomy as a storm cloud, silent, lost in thought. The laughter that once filled the Millers cottage faded, the music stopped, and the house grew cold.

One morning Will woke up to find his wife gone. The bed was empty, the hallway silent, only a note pinned to the door:

Will, Ive thought it through Im a terrible wife. You nag me, you complain to the neighbours about how hard it is with me. I cant take it any longer. Lets part. Dont look for me; youll never find me. Goodbye.

Whawhat? Will gasped, his voice breaking. Lily, my Lily!

Nicholas was the first to rush in, trying to console his friend. She ran away, eh? Let her go then. Shell find a better life in the townmore fun, more opportunities. I told you shed be a bad wife. Dont worry, Will, well find you a proper, hardworking woman.

Just then, the Millers cottage door burst open. Katherine, clutching a suitcase, marched in with her sister Minnie, both looking disheveled.

Minnie, why are you here? Nicholas asked, baffled.

My turn to leave, Kolya. Ive had enough. Im moving to the town centre to find work. Im tired of toiling for you! she sobbed, flinging herself onto Nicholass arms.

Nicholas, his heart heavy, whispered, You should have said so, Kate I should have listened.

Outside, Nicholas stared at the Millers house, frowning. What am I doing here? No one to fish with, no one to share a pint with. Kate!

Whats that shout for? Katherine snapped from the kitchen, irritated.

Lately, the marriage between Nicholas and Katherine had become a stormy nightdark, uneasy, and full of thunder. The tension that had built after Lilys flight had begun to gnaw at Nicholas.

Whats all this about, Kate? she snapped, voice sharp. Youve dumped all the housework on me. I cant breathe, I cant sit.

Nicholas rushed into the kitchen, uneasy. Why are you so tired?

Im not a machine, Nicholas! Im a woman, not a workhorse. I want perfume, lipstick I want to look at myself in the mirror, to go shopping in the city, to try on dresses, she cried.

Ah, I see now why the wind is blowing, Nicholas muttered. Its Lilys meddling again.

Its not Lilys fault, Kate sighed. I cant see a life with you, Kol. Im stuck at the stove, with the cows outside. When was the last time I danced? At the school leavers ball with you. Oh, Kol

Back at the Millers farm, William returned, satisfied with a fresh batch of bricks for the new windows and doors. The hammers rhythm echoed across the lane, drawing Nicholass attention.

What are you doing, Will? Nicholas called, eyes wide.

Im moving, neighbour, William answered, voice steady.

Where to? Nicholas asked, a tremor in his voice.

To the town centre, William replied, a grin spreading. Theres a club, a café, a proper place to take a wife.

Which wife? Lily ran off.

Ive found a new Lily, William said, chuckling. She got a job in the town, rented a little flat. Im heading there.

Nicholas stared, mouth agape, then shouted, Youve lost your mind, Will! You trusted that reckless woman! How will you live with someone so clueless? You said you married out of spite, that youre fed up with her whims! Youll come back without your trousers, without your wife! Dont be foolishtake my sister, Minnie. Shell make stew, bake pies, wash shirts.

William laughed, shaking his head. Happiness isnt in pies! Its in the woman you love. Well eat readymade meals, sure, but shell be beside me, my beautiful Lily. Ive learned my lesson.

Nicholas kept shouting, trying to pull his friend back to reason, but William only laughed and walked away.

Nicholas shook his head. What a foolmarried a hopeless woman and became the same. Its a pair of boots that never fit.

He trudged back home, sighing. On the doorstep, Katherine sat, clutching a suitcase, tears streaming.

What are you doing here? Nicholas asked, bewildered.

Its me, Kol. Ive had enough. Im leaving you.

Where to? he whispered.

She sobbed, burying her face in his chest. I cant see a future with you, Kol. Ill go to the town centre, find a job. Im tired of working for you! Maybe Ill be like Lilyfree at last.

Nicholas gently lifted her suitcase, holding her trembling form. You should have said it sooner, Kate I should have listened.