James brings his fiancée, Emily, to settle down in a village where he once lived as a child. He has inherited his grandmothers old cottage there. The young couple quickly make themselves at home, starting up a smallholding. Out of the blue, Jamess sister, Charlotte, arrives from the city with her three children in tow.
I used to live here too, you know! Charlotte declares to her brother. I would visit Gran for the holidays. Ive decided to holiday by the seaside! Ill probably leave the kids with you in the village.
Wholl look after them? James exclaims in disbelief. We both work
Suddenly, theres a commotion outside. James looks out the window and stands frozen at the sight.
James had brought his fiancée to the countryside, where he once lived himself, to begin a new life in his grandmothers cottage.
Take your pick, Em, he says to Emily lovingly. We live here or we can rent a flat in the city.
Its hardly much of a choice. James has nothing in the cityhe used to share a tiny room with Charlotte and her eldest lad. His sister always seemed dissatisfied with having him around.
Each month, when James would give her his wages in exchange for staying, Charlotte was in a decent mood. The rest of the time, she would nag him for the slightest thing. He was also constantly landing chores.
Every weekend, hed have to beat out the rugs and duvets, take the nephewsthree of them, aged one, three, and sixfor walks. All the while, Charlotte’s husband was off studying in another city, out with his mates, or popping round his own parents for a break from family life.
Emily knew all about it. She was aware that, though James had a good job and a decent wage, he was left with very littleeverything went to Charlotte. Once James began dating Emily and tried to keep some money for himself, Charlotte nearly threw him out. He had to work two weeks notice before quitting his job and moving out.
Charlotte had wrung every last nerve from both her brother and, by extension, his girlfriend.
For Charlotte, having her brother around was nothing but handymoney, housework, help with the kids.
She nagged for a week straight, and when James finally refused to hand over his wages the following month, she kicked him out without a second thought.
James turned up on Emilys doorstep, bags in hand, needing a place to stay in her little room in a shared house.
The big village welcomes them warmly. There arent any close relatives nearby, but James knows plenty of peoplememories of childhood with his gran stay with him still. Jamess mum lives in another county, and Emilys family is even further away. Theres no one to rely on.
The young couple go down to the registry office quietly and begin settling in. Emily lands a job at the village nursery, James at a local sawmill.
A kindly old neighbour gifts them a goat shes too frail to look after herself. The goat is almost free, aside from half a pint of milk a day for the old lady. Soon they get chickens, then sheep.
Wages arent much, but the smallholding and a few of Emilys dressmaking orders help keep them afloat. Life is good. Their little boy, three-year-old Ben, is thriving. Emilys just returned to work from maternityand the toughest years are behind them.
Then, unexpectedly, Charlotte announces shes coming to visither first time seeing James since he moved out.
Her children have grown, and as usual, her husband stays behind, choosing downtime at his parents instead.
I used to stay here too! Charlotte says. Id visit Gran. Didnt stick it out for long, though, James replies. After a week without Mum and Dad, you kicked up such a fuss they always took you home. I was here for every holiday.
Nothing to do here, just boredom, Charlotte shrugs. And now Ive decided to spend some time by the sea.
You always were fond of the seaside. Mum and Dad took you more than anyone.
Ill be off to the seaside, and Ill probably leave the kids here with you!
And whos supposed to look after them? James protests. We both work. Im away for days at a time.
Oh, its a village! Nothingll happen to themtheyll look after each other!
Then you stay here and mind them. Emily will never agree to that.
Why bother asking her, youre my brother! Just tell your wife.
What about your husband? Isnt he coming?
No, hes better off at home. Getting a breather from us.
You two spend your lives getting away from each other
While the siblings are deep in discussion, Charlottes children are getting into everything.
Suddenly, a ruckus erupts outside. James glances out and is stunned to see the kids have let the piglet out, and its now chasing them around the whole garden.
James just about manages to return the piglet to its pen, but not before the garden is trampled. Next, the goat and her kids are let loosehalf the cabbages are lost.
James is fuming, Emily is distraughtand still the children take off outdoors again.
Theyre just children, its a village! Let them play with the goats, whats it matter? Charlotte snipes.
Our three-year-old doesnt get up to this! Emily insists.
Hell have plenty of time for mischief yet.
He knows not to.
Another clamourCharlottes kids have gone to the chicken coop. The hens, all elegant different breeds with beautiful, multi-coloured eggs, are disturbed, and the cockerel charges as soon as the coop door is opened.
What sort of village is this? You dont watch the animals at all! Charlotte complains.
The cockerels not to blame. Tell your kids to stay out of everything.
Your wife should take time off and watch the children. Heaven forbid anything happens when Im not here!
They havent even found the dog yet. And next door theres a bull, nasty piece of work. The cows are led past morning and evening, and who knows what elseplenty of dogs run loose. The neighbours geese are meaner than our cockerel, and I wouldnt recommend going out after dark.
Are you trying to frighten me?
Im warning you.
Just then, the neighbour brings Charlottes eldest backthe boy tried to set something alight behind the garage.
What if something had happened? Its tinder dry out, and it hasnt rained for a month, the neighbour says. And who are you lot, anyway?
No, Charlotte. I wont have it. Take them to the seaside with youjust make sure they dont frighten off the sharks.
Youre all odd here, whole village! But I helped you! You stayed with me!
Only for a year, because I had no choice. And I gave you every pennyyou remember the rest.
Were leaving. Ill take you lot straight to Grandma and Grandpa, she tells the children.
We dont want to! We want to stay with you! they wail.
No!
By the morning, Charlotte and the children are gone. James and Emily continue to reminisce wistfullyand with reliefon the whirlwind visit of his brazen sister.
