Dandelion Jam
The snowy winter had endedthere hadnt been any real biting frosts this yearjust a gentle, snowy season. Even so, I found myself longing for the lush green leaves, the colours and for the moment when I could shed my heavy winter coat.
Spring had arrived in our small English town. Ive always loved spring; I wait for the world to wake up, and then I watch it happen. From my window on the third floor, I catch myself thinking:
With these warm spring mornings, the town feels alive again after so many months in winters sleep. Even the lorries sound different, and the local market is bustling. Folks are out in bright coats, striding cheerfully from street to street. The birds get us up well before the alarm does. Ah, spring is grand, but summer is even better
Ive lived in this old five-storey block for years, and these days its just me and my granddaughter, Sophie. Shes in year four at school. Her parentsmy son and daughter-in-lawleft last year for work in South Africa, both on a doctors contract, and left Sophie with me.
Right, Mum. Were leaving you in charge of our Sophie, cant very well drag her across the world, can we? We trust youll look after your favourite granddaughter, my daughter told me.
Of course I will! Ill be happier with her, and besides, what else do I have to do retired? Off you gowell get on just fine, I replied.
Hooray, Gran! Lifes going to be brilliant, well go to the park together all the timeyou know Mum and Dad are always busy. Wont have time for me, Sophie cheered.
After making sure Sophied had her breakfast and sending her off to school, I got stuck into my chores. The morning flew by.
Ill nip to the shop before Sophie gets home from school, I thought, picking up my shopping bag as I headed out.
Outside, by the entrance, two neighbours had already settled on the bench, each with a warm cushion underneaththey know well enough the woods cold this time of year. Mrs Simmonsan enigmatic soul of seventy, perhaps more, who never admits her agelives alone on the ground floor in her little flat. Then theres Mrs Valentine, seventy-five, bookish, full of lively, loud laughtera stark contrast to Mrs Simmons constant air of complaint.
Once the snow melts and the sun starts shining, that bench is never empty. Mrs Simmons and Mrs Valentine are proper regulars, sitting from dawn till dusk with just a break for lunch, keeping tabs on the goings-on. Not a thing gets past them.
Occasionally, Id join them, and wed swap news, discuss magazines or TV programmes. Mrs Simmons never failed to bring up her blood pressure.
Alright, ladies, I greeted, smiling, Youre on duty already, I see.
Morning, Elsie! Always on duty, or the neighbourhoodll dock our pay, Mrs Simmons replied, eyeing my shopping bag. Off to the shop, I expect?
Spot on. Sophies promised sweeties for her good marks, so I mustnt forget, I said, and off I went.
The day went by as usual. I collected Sophie from school, fed her, and she got stuck into her homework while I pottered about and eventually put the telly on.
Gran, Im off to dance class! she called out.
Sophie was already at the door, backpack slung over her shoulder, phone in hand. Six years now shes been dancing, always excited for her performances. I couldnt be prouder.
Alright, Sophie love, enjoy, I replied, seeing her out.
Later, I sat alone outside on the bench, waiting for Sophie to come home from dance.
Feeling lonely? asked Mr George Taylor from the second floor, settling beside me.
Lonely? How could I in weather like this? Springs here, and its glorious, I replied.
Oh aye, the suns warm, birds are singing, green everywhere. Look at all the dandelionsthose yellow flowers are like little suns, George smiled, and I nodded.
Suddenly, Sophie jumped up from behind and wrapped her arms around my neck, barking playfully.
Honestly, you little rascalyou gave me a fright! I laughed.
Youre not due a heart attack yet, Elsie, George chuckled, patting my shoulder.
Come inside, rascalgrated some carrots and sprinkled sugar on top, you must be tired from class. Frying up your favourite fishcakes too, I coaxed Sophie.
George stood up with us.
Youre making those fishcakes sound too tasty! Ill go see about my own supper. But come back out laterwell walk, maybe, he said.
Cant promise, lots to dobut well see.
Still, I slipped out to the bench in the evening. George was already waiting, but the two regulars had vanished.
Mrs Simmons and Mrs Valentine just left for dinner, George shared brightly.
From then on, we often metsometimes walking to the park across the road. Wed read newspapers, discuss recipes and theatre, swap stories about life and people.
George hadnt had an easy life. Once, he had a wife, a daughter, even a grandson. But hed lost his wife young, raised his daughter, Mary, by himself, working two jobs so shed want for nothing. Those days, he barely saw heroff before she woke, home after shed gone to bed.
Mary grew up, got married, moved far away, and had a son. She visited a few times but there was no warmthher husband left her after fifteen years; she raised her boy alone.
Elsie, my Marys coming to visit in two days. She phoned this morningodd, after all these years, George told me one eveningwe were on first names by now, talking as old friends do.
Perhaps shes missed you; sometimes we look for family more as we get older, I offered.
Maybe. Not sure
Mary arrived, stiff and unsmiling as ever. George was anxious, sensing something was comingand he was right.
Dad, Ive come with a proposal, she began briskly. Lets sell your flat, you move in with us. Youll have your grandson, more companyitll be better, she insisted. It was clear shed made up her mind.
But George shrank at the thought, unwilling to leave his familiar home for another city under the wary eye of his distant daughter. He refused, claiming he was used to life on his own.
Mary wasnt giving in. She found out about Georges friendship with me and came around.
She greeted me formally, took a seat in my kitchen. I poured her tea and put out biscuits and jam.
Ive noticed you and my father are very close, she began. Would you help convince himsomething rather important?
And whats that?
Please persuade him to sell up Surely, there are kinder things to do than keep all that space for himself? she finished, sharply.
I was taken aback by her cold calculation and refused. Marys mood turned in an instantcheeks red with rage, she snapped at me.
Oh, I see Planning to nab the flat yourself, are you? Lining up a nest egg for your granddaughter Swanning about together on the bench, chatting about dandelions Pair of old fools! Maybe you even fancy marrying him! Well, Ill warn youyoull get nothing! she screeched and stormed out.
I felt embarrassed, hoping the neighbours hadnt heard. Soon after, Mary left. I avoided George, slipping past him whenever I saw him.
with dandelion jam in my tea
But you cant outrun life. One afternoon, I was coming back from the shop and saw George waiting near the door, clutching a handful of bright dandelions, weaving a little crown from them.
Elsie, dont rush off, he called. Sit a minute. Forgive me for Maryshe did come to you, I know. We had words; Ill always help my grandson but she Well, she left and said shes got no father now IIm sorry. He fell quiet, then offered me the half-made dandelion crown. Heretake this, and Ive made dandelion jam, you know. Tasty and full of goodnesspromise me youll try it! Lovely in salad, too, he smiled.
After that talk, we made salad together with dandelion leaves. I had dandelion jam in my tea, and I was surprised at how delicious it was. That evening, we walked to the park again.
Ive brought the latest magazine. Lets read on our favourite bench under the old lime tree, George suggested, leading the way.
I sat beside him and laughed, and our conversation flowed. All our troubles faded awayit was good to be together.
Reflecting on it all now, Ive learnt that real friendship matters more than possessions, and sometimes, a simple pot of dandelion jam can be the sweetest part of spring.
