She was in inquisitive mode, and wasn’t wearing her usual overly erect bobble hat
She asked me what my long term plans were as she had heard through village gossip that I was about to leave Trelawnyd to live in Llandudno
This tickled me
I love village gossip.
I reassured Mrs T that I had no long term plans
And it’s true, I haven’t
I haven’t got any major plans at all.
Mrs Trellis frowned
She didn’t know that I have a mortgage to pay until I am 72, and why would she?
I told her, and joked, in true ostrich head in the sand tradition that I will face selling up and moving to a cheaper property when I have to and I will enjoy my home in the meantime .
I laughed but
Strangely she bit her lip and promptly burst into silent tears.
This took me completely by surprise
I leant over the kitchen wall but she stepped back a pace pulling Blue with her.
I was touched by her sudden show of emotion .
“Aren’t you worried about the future ?” She asked seriously
“ No , “ I told her honestly ,” I’m here now , I’m enjoying work, I can just about pay my bills, I will face change when it happens !”
Mrs Trellis still looked worried “ I don’t want you leave “ she said rubbing her hands together
“ I’m not leaving just yet” I told her kindly
And I laughed loudly , forcing her to do the same .
Sometimes a consoling thought about the future is that we may not see it... less apocalyptic is that the imagined future is rarely what arrives. Best just to make what we can of the moment while trying to arrange for the future but not giving it too much thought.
ReplyDeleteI ve realised this , which is a hard job by a girl who liked to tick every box and sort out every eventuality in my mind .....
DeleteNow I think what the fuck ...lol
Wise words Andrew above. As to you John - you are just such a darling - you ooze kindness from every pore.
ReplyDeleteI don’t pat, but it pleases me that you think so xx
DeleteYou do indeed ooze from every pore though, as Dorothy could testify...
DeleteShe’s ALWAYS on my side x
Deleteit's so interesting that everyone wants you to stay in the cottage including all of us that follow you. you in that cottage just feels so right.
ReplyDeletePeople like a neat ending xxxx
DeleteMany in Trelawnyd would miss you if you moved, I'm sure. I wonder how village gossip like that gets started? Maybe people think you are tarting up the cottage prior to selling it.
ReplyDeleteI know who started the gossip lol
DeleteAnd WHY? Tell, tell!
Deleteprobably the gossip is because you are painting the house. People think you are tarting it up to sell. I think everyone is just so fed up and scared of not knowing, if, or when Covid and all of this upheaval will end. Change can be a scary thing. I am glad for you that you saw this and Mrs Trellis made her feelings known. Too many people dont know what they mean to others or of their worth. You are loved.
ReplyDeleteIt’s very flattering to be liked ...I’m shallow enough to love this x
Deleteawwwwwwwwwww, the villagers LOVE you! and so do we!
ReplyDeleteHow sad---maybe Mrs T is contemplating changes in her won life, as do many of us at times. I don't think you're shallow to feel pleased that you are regarded kindly and held in esteem. I think you make an honest effort to be an admirable lovable man.
ReplyDeletelizzy
x
I try x
DeleteLizzy makes a very touching point.
ReplyDeleteWhat a loving and powerful compliment you have been paid.
ReplyDeleteI am also with Lizzy on this. You are a special man and much loved.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
Obviously, you are so very appreciated and loved. There can be little that compares to that.
ReplyDeleteAll it takes is one person to get gossip like this going. Ha! Wishful thinking on one person's part. Mrs. T. will correct the gossip circulating.
ReplyDeleteBut you didn't actually reassure her, did you? Couldn't you have just said that the gossip is untrue and that you have every intention of staying in your cottage for many years?
ReplyDeletePoor Mrs Trellis, getting so upset at the thought of you leaving.
You will make a home wherever you land . Bright lights, big city may be on horizon,
ReplyDeletePatty
One day at a time. It will all be fine. We’d love to have you as a neighbor
ReplyDeleteThat must have warmed your heart. How nice to feel wanted!
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed cro.......
DeleteHow wonderful to know you're appreciated as a good neighbor and the kindness you show to all. It's likely that Mrs. T cannot imagine anyone but you living in your sweet cottage and being just over the wall from her. Her words and reaction was a high compliment, indeed.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Village gossip can have fangs. Poor Mrs T, this past year has been very unsettling. Around here you can almost guarantee that if you see painters, and kitchen/bathroom renovators, the house will be on the market in a matter of weeks. And you've been splashing the paint around, and making your lovely cottage pretty special. Stay awhile and enjoy it John.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Is the outside toilet door LOCKED/lockable?
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteI hate the thought that Mrs T has been worried about the gossip. I can understand her concern, though. If you were my neighbour, I'd hate to lose you. xx
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want you to leave, either. Poor Mrs. Trellis. Outside toilet has your bike and lawnmower, but does it have a toilet? Why do many British houses have toilets outside?
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
A throw back to when they all did indeed have a privy outside
DeleteUnsettling times. Poor Mrs Trellis. My husband wants us to move to Scotland and I don't want to. People in the village keep asking me about it.
ReplyDeleteI think her reaction is a sign of lockdown , months of uncertainty x
DeleteNone of us know where life is going to take us. You may stay in your house! You might move and meet your ideal man! You have the right attitude - makeing the best of where you are, trying to pay off your mortgage, seeing how it goes, enjoying life.
ReplyDeleteWhy worry, I’ve had bigger ones
DeleteHeartening to know that you are a part of the village that people want to keep
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. You've made your mark.
ReplyDeleteSomething will come up to help you stay, a rich older man or a good book deal ... or maybe the film rights to your life could be sold ;-)
ReplyDeleteProbably got started because of the work you've been doing. I came into a very small inheritance and have been using the money to catch up on home maintenance, so the word's gotten out we're planning to move because why else would you do these things? Except maybe wanting to get a place ship-shape so you don't have to worry about this stuff for a while?
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't afford Llandudno prices. Better to stay put and flog off your arse when retirement comes x
ReplyDeleteLol
DeleteSome years ago 2 people told me I a had a double in the village which was concerning as apparently she was unpleasant when they said hello thinking it was me-pushing a pram,no dogs-and that I had cottage as well as this house and went there during the daytime- ridiculous as I can hardly afford this place-and a visible troll has told a lady she lives in my house which was spooky x
ReplyDeleteI like your approach. We live in an overly expensive rental flat and we LOVE it. Are we pissing away our money? Absolutely, but as far as I'm concerned it's worth it to live where we're living. (You, at least, have a mortgage and are earning some equity!)
ReplyDeletePS -- It's nice that Mrs. T is looking out for you. :)
DeletePerhaps you could look at an equity scheme later on to pay off your mortgage? We were considering it as we have no kids to leave it to.
ReplyDeleteHerbal medicine is the best Greetings I am here to testify how great man called Dr OMO helped me out with herbs and roots which he prepared for me in use of curing my fibroids and Getting pregnant after 8 years of trying to conceive with fibroids I takes his product (cure for my fibroid made with herbal medicine Root) for (14) days before I am to known I was totally pregnant after 2months of using dr omo herbs he also have Herbal medical for all types of diseases, and i promise him that i will tell the world about his Great job he ask me to drink from the herbal medicine before meeting my husband I did and after 2months I was pregnant thank you for your great job he can also help you if you have a low sperm count you want to convince a baby fast PCOS ,infections, swollen Legs,Diabetes,stomach ucler , Cyst, THYROID, COPD, Endometriosis, breast cancer,HIV?AID,ALS, yeast infection, Gonorrhea, Chronic Sinus, HPV low testosterone, Herpes, blocked fallopian tubes Liver parasites ovarian Arthritis, Cysts, pile, ASTHMA, Crowns and all other type of diseases,WEAK ERECTION, STRETCH MARK REMOVER , breast cancer, Parkinson's, male-enhancement Cream, BARENESS/INFERTILITY, HEPATITIS B pile, Get lost period back, stop period pain, Love spell, get your Ex lover back,Email : dromo596@gmail.com WhatsApp him on +2349033505260 thank you for all your work..
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with the others. I love your approach.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog, some wise words
ReplyDelete