Frank was a greedy man. He grew up in a big family that always struggled for money, while across the street lived Charlotte, a clever and beautiful girl, the only daughter in her household. She had managed to move to London, forging her own path, working hard, and living in a lovely flat she rented.
Frank started to call on Charlotte’s parents, pretending to be a decent lad, all with the intention of marrying her. Whenever Charlotte came to visit her parents, Frank invariably appeared.
Charlotte wasn’t fond of Frank at all; there wasnt a hint of interest in her eyes. She put up with him when her parents were around, but privately shed told him more than once that she wasnt ready for marriageshe had her own plans for the future. During one of these conversations, Frank became overly persistent and tried to kiss her. Charlotte slapped him across the face and firmly told him shed never marry a country bumpkin like him. He felt insulted and furious, and the next day showed up at her parents house with his father.
Ive looked into your new garden fence. Youre encroaching on your neighbours property. Just because the house has stood empty for years, doesnt mean no one will make a fuss about it. Ive written to the ownersexpect legal proceedings.
Charlotte and her parents were troubled. They had no idea theyd crossed into someone elses land, since the new fence had been installed exactly where the old one had stood for the past decade.
Two days later, Philipthe owner of the neighbouring propertypaid them a visit. The parents remembered that an old gentleman used to live there, who had moved to London with his grandson. As it turned out, the grandfather had passed away some time ago, and the parents werent interested in the house, so his grandson received word about the fence.
We honestly didnt realise wed built it on your land. We only put it where the old fence had always been
No harm done, Philip replied, still keeping his eyes on Charlotte, Theres so much land here, a few inches hardly matters to me.
Although it wasnt planned, Philip stayed in the village for a few days. Charlottes father helped him tidy up the house, chop some firewood, and all the while Philip kept asking questions about Charlotte. Soon enough, Charlotte herself wandered over to the garden.
Why are you asking about me? Do you think I dont have my own tongue to explain everything?
Afterwards, the two of them returned to London together and started dating. Every now and then, Charlotte would mention Frank as the unintended matchmaker who had, quite by accident, set her up with her future husband.
