The hamlet of the Misled Grandmothers
Look! One of our tribe has arrived! Eleanor Anderson nodded toward the wandering figure. Another lover of fresh air and private cottages!
Youre wicked, Anderson, Olive Mitchell shook her head.
Me, wicked? Anderson smiled crookedly. Im also kind! And when I reach those acrobats, no propriety will hold me back!
If we get there, nothing will stop any of us! muttered Annette Edwards.
The approaching silhouette was awaited in a heavy silence.
Could you tell me where the seventeenth house is? asked the lady who drew near.
Its not important, replied Anderson. Were all gathering on the eighth plot. Better haul your cart of treasures straight there!
Forgive me, I have my own home, said the newcomer.
And were all homeowners here, growled Edwards. Sit down; lets get acquainted!
Victoria Irving, introduced the fresh face. Though Id like to rest. Im weary from the walk.
Then sit with us and youll find your rest, said Mitchell.
Id rather go to my house to prepare for the night, Victoria smiled.
Do you have cash on you? asked Anderson.
Why? Victoria blinked at the odd question. I have a card!
And the streets are full of ATMs, Anderson muttered, scooting aside to make room on the bench. Sit already! At our age our legs should not be tormented!
Id like to Victoria blushed, go home.
Sit! Mitchell shouted, coughing. We have no more houses! Well, I mean there are no proper houses! Only these plywood boxes without light, water or heating.
Now, to avoid freezing, we all live under one roof, warming each other. When winter comes, well crowd together!
***
Elderly people who live alone are always in the prime zone for swindlers. Theyve seen a life, theyve earned experience. Yet they still fall for tricks, lose money, lose flats, lose everything
It hurts most when the victims are not only old but also solitary. When they have nothing left but their own breath, theres nowhere to run.
And life itself becomes a matter of time
When a charitable charity team visited Victoria Irving, she didnt jump at every offer they made.
They offered many things.
She accepted a food basket, but she turned down a livein carer and a visiting nurse.
I can still tend to myself and walk to the clinic on my own!
She also refused a flatrenovation proposal.
Neighbours helped me spruce up the décor three years ago. I dont need a full remodel. Im comfortable as I am!
She hesitated when they suggested moving her pension to a private bank that promised higher monthly payouts through shortterm deposits. She wanted more, but the pamphlets were indecipherable, and the youngsters explanations only tangled her further.
Ill think about it, Victoria said.
The volunteers never pressured, never begged, never insisted. They simply kept suggesting possibilities that might ease the pensioners life.
They never asked for money for the groceries, even though Victoria offered.
Oh, come now! the youngsters laughed. How could a charitable society ask for cash?
Thus they began visiting Victoria once a week. Their names were Victor and Edgar.
Sometimes both arrived, sometimes one. They delivered food and floated suggestions of leisure, aid, companionship.
Even though Victoria declined everything, they kept proposing.
What if you need something later and feel shy to ask? Edgar asked. Weve seen such cases before!
We cherish the modesty of our seniors, but our care comes first!
Was Victoria happy with the charity visits? Absolutely! She lived alone and missed company terribly.
Her husband had passed away about twenty years ago. They had no children, no close relatives.
When Victor and Edgar started dropping by, it wasnt a brief, bureaucratic checkin. They stayed, talked about weather, memories, joys, sorrows, and the simple pleasure of a good conversation.
One day Victor and Edgar arrived unusually animated.
Victoria Irving, you keep refusing help, but we have a proposal you might actually accept! A big sponsor has appeared! Heres the deal!
They explained that outside the town a new cottage settlement was being built not grand manor houses, but modest, comfortable homes.
Three rooms, a kitchen, a bathroom, a small veranda. Each house designed for one persons comfortable living.
The settlement would sit in a spot of high comfort: clean air, nearby woods, a river, with a village shop, post office, and a bank branch a short walk away. Eventually the settlement itself would have a shop, but first the houses would rise.
Our sponsor is funding the whole settlement! Victor gushed, breathless. He probably gets tax breaks, so he pours money into charity! This is a chance for us!
Whats the chance? Victoria asked.
We can move our residents there! Edgar blurted, grinning. City grime, smog, and soot, or fresh country air? Do you see the difference?
Youre giving away houses? Victoria queried, bewildered.
Unfortunately not, Victor sighed. Our sponsor isnt that generous.
He wants something in return, Edgar muttered, irritated. But at least it isnt a commercial price!
Your flat is worth about three million rubles, Victor said, which is roughly £30,000. And the sponsor wants only £10,000 for a cottage! Imagine the luck!
So you could have a house in the countryside and still keep two million rubles, about £20,000, to live well in your own home. A dream, really!
Victoria tried to pause and think, but the volunteers gave her only a fleeting moment.
The settlement isnt elastic! The offer is lucrative! Were keen to see our charges own homes under such fairytale terms!
Will another such generosity ever appear? No one knows! I doubt it! Victor assured, while Edgar nodded in agreement.
But this is so complicated, Victoria protested. Id have to sell my flat, arrange the house, and move my belongings.
Lets do it this way, Victor sprang up. Ill fetch the brochures and photos from my car. While you look them over, Ill sort everything on site so its smooth for you. No paperwork nightmares.
The brochures were glossy, full of polished pictures and dense information. Victoria read the text but only glanced at the photos Victor handed her.
I shot those myself! Advertising is one thing, real photos another! No need for designer tricks! We stand for truth, honesty, fairness!
The houses looked splendid: timber frames, wooden beams, plastic windows. They werent massive mansions, but cozy cottages just right for one.
Victor, Victoria said, wiping sweat from his brow, I was almost sent to every address, but we can manage this quickly and neatly.
The plan was simple. A solicitor would draw up a general power of attorney for the agency to sell the flat. The agency would purchase the flat, issue a payment order for £30,000 to Victorias bank account. Meanwhile, the sponsor would issue a demand for £10,000 from Victorias account as payment for the cottage. All contracts would be signed on the spot before the solicitor.
What about the money? Victoria asked.
The order and the demand are the movement of funds, Victor smiled. The bank decides when and how much to transfer. Some payments sit for three days, but the existence of the order and demand means the deal is considered closed!
Victoria had never known such nuances.
As soon as the agency transfers the £30,000 for your flat, £10,000 will be taken from your account for the cottage, and the balance will remain with you. Then you become a homeowner and can live in your new house!
And my possessions? Victoria queried.
Pack what you need for the first day or two, and Edgar will haul the rest once we get a truck!
The next day Victor drove Victoria to the village at the edge of the settlement.
I cant go further; my car is only for town roads, Victor apologized. Id get stuck on the lane.
No problem, Victoria laughed. Its close enough; Ill walk.
Meeting the neighbours revealed an entirely different reality.
—
Everythings legal, grumbled Anderson. The houses were bought precisely for the flats value.
Only the houses werent quite as in the pictures. The walls were two thin plywood sheets, with a veneer of faux timber glued on the outside.
Electricity would arrive next spring, water from a communal tank, heating would be electric.
Victoria fell silent.
Were sixteen in total now with you that makes seventeen homeowners, Anderson continued. What to do? Its unclear.
Pensions land in bank accounts, but can only be spent in the village if the terminal works, and it works only when it feels like it. Repairs have stalled for weeks.
What now? Victoria asked innocently.
Crawl slowly and calmly to the hospice, replied Edwards. When the cold hits, well be left here like ghosts!
We must complain! File a claim! Victoria shouted. This is fraud!
Smart one! sneered Edwards. You just arrived and start objecting! Weve lodged complaints before. Everything was checked. All legal!
Did the notary sign? Was the deed sealed? Free! Your seventeenth house lies down the left-hand path!
Further questioning showed that none of the elders had any relatives. They had nowhere else to go, so crawling to the hospice was the only option.
I refuse to go to the hospice! Victoria declared. Let someone worse off than us help us!
How could she help? Anderson asked.
By sharing her sorrow!
Vera Iles, a widow, had twin sons: Colin and Toby. As children they loved playing cops and robbers. As adults they kept the game alive. Colin became a police officer; Toby a petty crook.
Both still adored their mother. Colin dreamed of catching his brother, but could never gather enough evidence. He arrested Toby a couple of times a month, at least.
Through Vera, Victoria begged the brothers to lend a hand.
Everythings above board! They signed everything! shouted Victor and Edgar from their policetype offroad vehicle. You have no right!
Really? Colin asked, surprised. Then he feigned fear the thieves stole the patrol car!
Those scoundrels! he muttered, stepping aside but staying in view.
Shall we talk terms, lads? Toby crookedly smiled. I get it, youve targeted the old! They cant even pay a tip! Shame on you!
Were following the law! Victor declared. Youre acting poorly!
Itll be poorly for you when you explore the bottom of the local reservoir! Toby snarled. Shall we earn the fame of the Ichthyans or return what was taken?
What was taken? Edgar exclaimed.
Not stolen, earned honestly! Tobys face twisted with disgust.
Within a week all the elders returned to their apartments. Some lacked furniture, but together they managed the shortfall. The settlement had, in a strange way, bonded them. At least they were no longer completely alone, even if the circumstances were bizarre.
