The Best Decision

Synopsis: (Flora's POV, first person) Married sixty- something Flora is thrown when their neighbours put their house up for sale. This leads to change for Flora and her husband Bill. Is this decision the best one for them?

The Best Decision

1,700 words

“There's a 'For sale' board up next door,” I remarked to my hubby Bill, as I made a cuppa.

“Oh.” He sounded surprised. “They haven't mentioned anything to us about moving.”

They hadn't. As the weather had been bad, we hadn't seen our next door neighbours, Angie and Mark, pottering about in their garden for a while.

Angie was a GP and Mark was in engineering. They had two teens at college.

Bill sipped his tea. “Maybe a situation has suddenly arisen.”

The Greens were our only near neighbours. We had a corner house, where the avenue ended.

The four of us were on friendly terms but we didn't really socialise with them. I didn't feel that I could call Angie and badger her about it.

“They're all 3 bedroomed properties on this avenue. A family will probably move in,” I said, as I tipped some biscuits on a plate, picked up my mug and joined Bill at the kitchen table.

He nodded and put his newspaper crossword and pen down.

I guessed he was thinking the same as me... families were lovely of course, but in the warm spring and summer months, especially in the long school holiday, children played out in the garden until dark descended.

Paddling pools, football, games and barbecues often put in an appearance... add a lively dog to the mix and it morphs into chaos!

Well, I mused, our two, Jess and Harry, had been the exactly the same when they were small. We'd enjoyed playing games and we'd held birthday picnics in our garden, too. It was natural for families to make the most of summer.

However, now we're older, Bill and I appreciate a bit of peace and quiet. We're both retired and in our sixties.

We like to sit with an absorbing novel or a crossword, and soak up the rays that way.

As Jess and Harry are single and committed to their careers (Harry is in IT, Jess is an actress) there's no grandchildren on the scene and -

Bill's voice broke into my thoughts. “Could we think about moving too, Flora?”

I smiled. “You've read my mind. Let's downsize.”

Jess and Harry flew the nest decades ago. We don't use the two spare rooms for hobbies or an office.

They're used as storage. Bill has his golf clubs stuck in one room and I have stacks of extra bedding in another.

Although we see Jess and Harry regularly, they don't tend to stay overnight with us.

“Good. I'm glad you agree with me. The garden's getting too much for us, isn't it?”

“It is.” I liked gardening, but with it being a corner plot, we had more to maintain.

So a normal weekday afternoon became a storm of excited chatter, as we enthusiastically made plans.

***

“Mark's been offered a promotion in Leeds,” Angie began. “We talked it over and he decided to take it.”

We had found ourselves pegging out our laundry at the same time, early in the morning. The weather looked promising - a mild, sunny day.

“Oh I see,” I said, as I scooped up a sock.

“We'll keep in touch, won't we? Mark's opportunity is just too good to turn down.”

“What about your job and the children's education?” I asked.

“I'll be job hunting and the kids will transfer to colleges there. It's a big upheaval but it'll be worth it. We'll be able to hike around the Yorkshire dales at weekends,” she added.

I smiled. “That sounds lovely.”

I was about to tell Angie that we could be re-locating as well, but she finished pegging the last garment and glanced at her watch. “I'll say bye for now Flora, but we'll chat later.”

Well, I thought, our plans were very up in the air at the moment.

However, we'd started a clear out of our junk. It was amazing how much stuff we'd accumulated over the years. The loft contained all sorts of clutter!

Bill had driven three times to the household waste centre. I expect more journeys would be needed.

We'd always fancied living by the sea, so we were visiting the quiet seaside town of Ramsgate tomorrow.

Bill had got in touch with an estate agent in Ramsgate.

They'd arranged a viewing for us, to see a cosy 2 bed bungalow on a pretty tree- lined road. Both bedrooms were double ones, so that meant we could accommodate visiting friends and family. This included Angie and Mark.

The master bedroom had an en- suite. This would be very handy, I thought.

The estate agent had explained that the residents were mainly over the age of 55.

I couldn't wait!

***

I didn't get the chance to have that chat with Angie.

Their house must have sold quickly because one morning we discovered a removal van parked out on the avenue!

I rushed out. Angie and Mark were outside, overseeing the proceedings.

“Crikey! I thought we had lots of time to say goodbye!” I cried.

“We haven't sold up yet,” she explained. “We're renting a house in Leeds. Mark's starting his new job next week, so everything's been arranged at the last minute, in a big rush!”

Bill had followed me out, where he happily chatted away with Mark.

“I hope the move goes well,” I said. “Text me your new address later and I'll send a home warming card.”

“I will.” Then she suddenly hugged me. “We're going to miss you and Bill.”

I blinked back tears. “We'll miss you, too.”

She stepped back when a movement caught her eye.

“No - the children's beds need to go in the van first!” she panicked.

I could see that it was going to be a stressful day for the family. “I'll leave you to it. Have a safe journey to Leeds!”

She nodded. Mark peeled away from Bill and we ambled back inside.

***

We loved the bungalow in Ramsgate. Clean and bright with a smashing sea view, it had all the mod cons and it didn't need decorating.

So we placed our property on the market and expressed a strong interest in the bungalow.

“Prospective buyers here will have two houses to chose from,” Bill chuckled.

“I feel bad now. This is bound to have an effect on Angie and Mark. Let face it, we've got the bigger garden and only one set of neighbours. That's a more attractive prospect for a buyer,” I fretted.

“Don't worry about it, Flora. Each house is listed with different estate agents,” he soothed.

Yet this little setback suddenly put me back. I got cold feet about moving.

“Are we doing the right thing?' I asked Bill, when we packed a box of photo albums.

“We've discussed it with Jess and Harry, and they think moving is a great idea,” Bill said. “They're looking forward to staying with us for a free holiday by the sea.”

“Well, Ramsgate isn't a resort as such. There's no hot dogs stalls, amusement arcades or fun fairs,” I pointed out.

“Funfairs are hardly high priority for them, now they're in their mid- thirties,” Bill retorted.

I twisted my hands. “We've thrown ourselves into this without thinking it through. I just don't know the area! Where's the nearest supermarket and the library?”

“Leave the photo albums. Let's go research it online.” His tone was gentle.

We did and to my surprise, both the supermarket and the library were in walking distance. I was getting het up over nothing!

***

In the meantime, Angie had received our 'New home' card and had texted me her email address. I emailed her with a few catch up lines. Then she emailed me with an update.

Their teens had settled well into their new college and Mark was enjoying his job.

It was the perfect opportunity to tell her about our plans.

I thought she might feel put out that both of our properties were up for sale at the same time. She got back to me quickly.

'It's no problem, Flora,' she'd typed. 'These things happen! Don't forget our loft was converted into a home office, so that will be an extra draw. Plus, we have parking for two cars in our double garage.'

Of course! I had forgotten about those features. Bill had, too.

In the event, their house sold before ours.

“They'll be thrilled. It means they can move out of their rented home,” I commented.

Bill nodded - then his mobile rang. The estate agent wanted to arrange a viewing today!

***

Events took over. We sold our house and our offer for the bungalow was accepted.

We were over the moon!

It was a hectic, busy time for me and Bill. Harry kindly booked time off work to help us organise things.

We switched over the electric, broadband, water and gas. Our mail would need to be

re- directed, too. It was time consuming, but Bill was very patient.

“It'll all be worth it in the end,” Harry cheerfully reminded us.

Then it was time to bid farewell to everyone.

Bill's golfing pals, my crew at the book club, other neighbours and family living nearby - Bill's brother, his wife and our adult nephews and nieces.

All would be visiting us for a seaside break, plus Angie and Mark.

“The kids can stay with friend's families for a long weekend,” Angie had said over the phone.

I was so stressed when moving day arrived, but luckily, it all went smoothly for us.

A month later and Jess has come to stay.

“Oh, it's lovely here, Mum!” she gushed. “You have a smashing sea view and a nice, medium- sized garden. What are the neighbours like?”

“They're fabulous. They brought us a lovely home- made cake as a 'welcome home' gift. We've been invited to join local groups, too. Your dad's out at the golf club. He's eager to sign up as a new member.”

“You've both made the best decision,” she beamed.

I smiled. I couldn't argue with that!

ENDS

S.BEE