A dream of à DAY in the country

It was a glorious day, a great to be alive day and they had the whole week end off together a rare occurence as they both worked different shifts at the  hospital. Lisa's shift had finished very late as there had been a big emergency and she was still asleep. Geoff buttered another slice of toast and refilled

His tea cup he looked at his computer screen which showed the lovely english  village their friends had spoken of. The pub had a new chef and they proposed gourmet meals. It was a marvellous idea for their week end off.

A yawn made him look up Lisa, blearey eyed and tousled haired, stood in the  doorway."Tea and toast?"

he inquired. "Mmm"was the answer. She came over to look over his shoulder  at the screen. He scrolled and clicked on all the détails of the village. "Perfect "  she said between mouthfus of toast  "I ' ll get ready and we can .be off".

Dolynette, their labrador, laying in a patch of sun raised her head at the mention of toast and possible activity." Yes you are coming too" reasured she prepared herself with a good shake and went and  sat by her lead.

They piled into the car and set off.  They found the village easily. A perfect English village with stone houses giving on to narrow streets  each with a typical country  garden,  roses climbing over high stone walls the scent of summer fl owers filling the air. They walked hand in hand Dolynette trotting in front delighted with new sights and smells.

"Lets look at the pub menu" The Royal Oak pub had a real oak just in front of it on the village green. 

Beyond was a large pond home to swans and ducks, it was an idyllic setting.

"It's perfect" they agreed "but it's too early for lunch lets explore some more."

The main street, if one could call it that, had a few shops  but their attention was caught by a rocking horse in a shop window. They peered in to see a variety of wooden toys displayed on shelves around the shop. "Ferdy!" They exclaimed  he was a beloved small nephew. "Who would enjoy  the wooden engine on one of the shelves. They were met by an elderly lady dressed in a black gown with an lace edged pinafore in the  front.  She had snow white hair piled on the top of her head and deep blue eyes that gazed at them through steel rimmed glasses.

"Feel free to browse" They did admiring each toy as they went along. " these are fantastic every detail is perfect" "my nephew is a wood carver with a special gift not only does he carve toys but he carves furniture and banisters as well.  There is a cottage  at the entrance to this village which has many of his carvings, the banisters are a  perfect exemple of his talent he has also carved the dining room furniture to suit  the house. It has been up for sale for a while but so far there has been little interest"

Geoff grabbed Lisa's hand. They looked at each  other "A cottage for sale in this village?" "Yes" she smiled "why?"

"We live in a large town where we have very demanding jobs in a big hospital there we have spokenof buying a cottage .in the country but due to lack of time and pressure of work it has just stayed an idea. This seems heaven sent"  The old lady looked at them for a very long moment ‘There is an estate agent in the next village who holds the keys and would arrangé à visit if you are interested"  " ‘We  are "

Geoff looked up the détails on his phone and called the number while Lisa gripped Dolynette's collar and crossed the fingers on her other hand. "Yes" the estate agent could arrange a visit that afternoon and as they were already in the village he would meet  them after lunch.

"Lunch!" They had forgotten all a bout it! Dolynette looked up at them  it was a word she knew well.

"We had better get something to eat" Dolynette looked at them approvingly.They thanked the old Lady  for all her help, said they would .be back later to buy the engine and to let her know how they had got on.  She gazed at them and smiled her sweet smile.

The gourmet lunch was forgotten They ate  sandwiches bought from the local bakery sitting by the pond.

Dolynette, having eaten her share, watched the ducks and the swans  with a growing fascination. The estate agent arrived and led them to the cottage. They realised that they has passed it on the walk that morning. He opened the gate in the high stone wall to a riot of flowers and there in front of them was the cottage of their  dreams .Small, made of stone with an oak front door.  This opened onto a small hall where doors led to a long sitting room which gave onto the garden ̂ which had a lawn with a pear tree in the middle. There were banks of roses all around of every  colour the whole giving an impression of total harmony.  But what had them rivited to the spot were the banisters carved with fruit and flowers and small animals each à work of art in itself. They gazed in rapture unable to drag them selves away.

"The dining room furniture has equally beautiful carvings which replicate the flowers in the garden"

The estate agent gently compléter his visit.

Geoff and Lisa asked the price of the cottage that they already considered to .be theirs.The estate agent named a price but told them that .the owner lived abroad, was  anxious  to sell the property and would therefore accept any responsable offer. They definitely wanted this dream house  and made an offer the estate agent said that he would contact the owner and get back to them as soon as possible.

They walked back to the village green where with Dolynette sitting  between them they sat on the grass dizzy with plans and excitement. Suddenly Lisa said "Ferdy's  engine! We promised to tell the old lady how we got on"

They walked back to tahe toy shop but when they got there  the window was dusty and bits of paper littered the floor....