The Chalet At the Bottom of the Garden

By luigi_pagano

Mon, 06 Apr 2020
  • 916 reads
4 comments
 
On my return from Switzerland I thought I would be travelling around the world in my new capacity as a diplomatic service officer and therefore would have no need of a permanent base in England.
I would soon be proved wrong.
 
I don't know if it was luck or foresight that persuaded me not to sell the house that I had purchased with the proceeds of a trust fund on my eighteenth birthday.
When I bought the place, the garden had been the main attraction. Of a medium size, it had a mature fruit tree, its branches laden with lovely tasting Cox's Orang Pipping apples; loads of flowers, plants, and a lavender-pink Buddleia bush around which masses of strikingly-coloured butterflies fluttered their wings.
 
But what stood at the bottom of the lawn was the clincher. Instead of the usual shed there was a wooden Scandinavian-style chalet, self-,contained and fully functional. An annexe that had been used by the previous owners as a 'granny flat'.
I saw the potential for alternative use, a den for study or relaxation; a photographic studio or a mini gym but for the time being it remained as it originally was.
◊ ◊ ◊
We might be hoodwinked into believing that international espionage is at a standstill.
Countries that, before the pandemic struck, were at each other's throat now seem to be the best of pals. Aid has been sent to some countries affected by the corona virus 'from Russia with love' and from China.
 
Suspicion still remain, though: conjectures about the motives abound. Could it be a Trojan Horse intended to infiltrate our territories with spies masquerading as aid workers?
Despite being hampered by the 'social distancing' guidelines, which makes impossible for me and other undercover agents to closely shadow any possible foreign spy, we have been told to be vigilant at all times.
◊ ◊ ◊
Nothing much happened of late although an alarm was raised when two people were seen to be acting strangely near Salisbury's cathedral but they were identified as two old pensioners out on a constitutional walk.
 
We are in a period of high inactivity and, apart from our daily department's long-distance briefing we are pretty much twiddling our thumbs and left to our own devices.
 
Recalling my student days when I took on any job available, one of which was as a photographer's assistant sent on various assignments from weddings to sporting events, I went in search of my old digital compact camera intending to use it on my next outing to take shots of the burgeoning spring as well as the deserted streets.
◊ ◊ ◊
I am taking a stroll in the sunshine towards Millbank Gardens, hoping that the place isn't closed, and not a soul is in sight until I spot Gideon jogging on the opposite side of the street. He stops, waves and he points to his phone indicating that he is going to call me.
 
Right away my cell phone rings.
 
“Hi Jessica”, he begins, “I am in a bit of a pickle; I have been staying at my parents house but I want to avoid any possible contamination and I'm looking for an alternative accommodation. Have you any thought?”
 
I told him not to worry as I had the ideal solution.
 
© Luigi Pagano 2020
Certificate U
Story
Just Stories
Drama

Comments

Submitted by onemorething on

Yes, of course you do, Jessica. What a convenient chalet. :)

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

But of course, and rent free to boot. What a lucky boy. wink

Luigi x

 

 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

It would be so great to have a chalet at the bottom of our garden and in good working order too. Our next door neighbour has one, they turned it into a games room for their young children. Gideon is very, very lucky and to be getting it rent free...but surely there must be a catch!

Now I want to read more.

Jenny. xx

 

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

My brother-in-law had one in his previous house's garden. I slept there a couple of times and it was very comfortable. 
You are right to be suspicious of that fellow's motive; we all know there is no such a thing as a free lunch.

Warm wishes, Luigi x