Lets just leave her here; let her fend for herself! they said, tossing the old lady into the snowdrift.
Leave her here to die on her own! they muttered while dumping their grandmother into the cold. The scoundrels didnt grasp that what goes around comes around.
Margaret Winfield walks toward her block of flats. On a nearby bench, the local pensioners gossip about the fancy new car recently parked outside.
Whose is that, I wonder? asks Margaret.
Who knows? Probably belongs to someone visiting Claire, one of the ladies shrugs. You wont catch cars like that coming to see old folks like us.
Only the ambulance bothers to visit us! another chimes in.
They chat for a while longer about the council and indulge in local gossip. Then Claire comes out, oblivious to the fuss around her or the car parked on the lawn. Margaret quickly heads home.
Mrs. Winfield? a man calls as she enters. Do you remember me? We spoke a few days ago. Im your nephew.
Oh, Henry! Margaret recognises him at once. Why didnt you tell me you were coming? Is that your car on the grass?
Yes, its mine.
Well, youd best move it before someone gets annoyed! How could you think to park on my roses?
Henry hurries outside, while Margaret puts the kettle on. She needs to sell her flat but doesnt want to leave her neighbours with a ruined bit of green.
Some time ago, her uncle would visit with his son, but the relatives have long since gone their separate ways. And now the younger one has appeared! Yet something about Henry unsettles Margaret he smokes too much, and though hes not old, his teeth are yellow. Still, better him than an estate agent. Shed rather give something to family, but Henry refuses any payment.
Widowed and childless, Margaret has decided to move closer to nature. She longs for country air instead of the climb up to her fourth-floor flat. Theres a small garden cottage in a village she wants to grow her own vegetables while she still has energy. By autumn, a buyer for the flat turns up.
Winters nearly here. Why not wait until spring to sell? Margaret decides, putting off buying a house.
But places will cost more in the spring! Henry argues. Its easier to check the heating while its cold and youve already got a buyer! What if they change their mind?
But youve not found me a house yet! Where would I live? Margaret sighs. Lets find a cottage, then well sell.
Henry agrees.
In no time, her nephew finds several promising cottages. After a visit to the village, Margaret is disappointed everywhere needs repairs. Still, with what shed make from the flat, she could manage both the house and renovations.
Henry knows a bit about building and can tell her the costs of materials and labour. He promises to help her out.
Margaret worries: Winters coming. I dont want to be stuck with repairs I just want to move in like ordinary people.
Ill help you get sorted! assures Henry.
But theres a nagging feeling Henrys hurrying her to sell and pushing for any old cottage. Still, she thinks, he stands to gain nothing, and she is grateful for the help. She picks a little house, and sets a date for the sale.
The buyer and solicitor arrive on time. Henry puts the kettle on. Margaret feels a pang about letting the flat go shes lived here all her life. But theres no turning back; the boxes are packed and the deal is underway.
There you go, time to move into your new home! Henry beams once the papers are signed.
Hang on now? I havent even unpacked the crockery yet, the old lady protests, but Henry insists the buyer needs somewhere to sleep tonight!
Oh, all right today it is. Let me just pack my plates, concedes Margaret.
Soon theyre off in a moving van. Margaret begins to yawn and quickly nods off. Her senses return here and there she glimpses the road outside, hears the men chatting in the front.
Mrs. Winfield, can you hear me? Henrys voice sounds distant. Shes too weak to answer.
Lets just leave her here, she hears, as if in a fog, as the darkness laps at her. They leave her in a snowy verge.
Shell die on her own, Henry adds.
Margaret realises her own nephew has deceived her. He mustve spiked her tea so shed doze off and sign the documents. She shuts her eyes and prepares to die.
Just then, a young woman driving by spots the stopped van and suspects somethings wrong. She decides to pull over, curious at why someone would unload things in such lousy weather, in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps, she thinks, theyre up to no good.
She notes the vans number plate and waits, headlights off. When the strangers leave, she hurries to the spot theyd carried their bundle. Seeing the elderly lady, she checks her pulse Margaret is alive, just unconscious. Instantly, the young woman calls her husband and tells him whats happened.
He soon arrives and together they lift Margaret into their car. As they drive, Margaret stirs awake.
Where am I? she asks.
We found you, says the young woman, whose name is Emily. Do you remember how you ended up in the snow?
Yes, I do. I was with my nephew, selling my flat. Then we had some tea… Henry put something in it, then dumped me in the snow. He wanted rid of me!
Let me put something on your face, Ive got lotion here, Emily offers, pulling a tin of cream from her first-aid kit.
Its warmer with you, smiles Margaret. I could have disappeared without a trace.
Later, Emily and her family help Margaret contact the police. Theres an official investigation into her nephews actions.
Emily invites Margaret to stay with them until her situation is sorted, insisting she needs a roof over her head while the flat is tied up.
A few weeks later, Margaret gets her flat back. Henry and his accomplice are sent to prison for fraud. In the spring, just as shed hoped, Margaret sells her flat properly and buys a cottage in the countryside. This one needs no repairs, and she joyfully begins work in her garden. In the summer, she invites Emily and her husband over as her guests. Margaret never forgets the kindness of the family who saved her.
