"
Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours.
With a little understanding, you can find the perfect blend.
"
A loud noise, the horn of a large furniture removals van, disturbed my peaceful afternoon. My wife, Elaine, at work, I was sitting quietly solving the newspaper crossword. Our twin daughters holidaying in Marbella before resuming university meant that most weekdays were now spent alone either relaxing in the house, gardening or doing odd jobs around the house. Elaine had a list ... an ever-growing list ... of jobs to do, but coffee time always meant the newspaper crossword must be solved before DIY continued.
The horn sounded again, once, twice before another annoyed neighbour came out to move her car. Angry words were exchanged before temporary peace returned, albeit for just a few minutes.
I'm Harry by the way, a builder by trade but, with the recent economic slump, work is often hard to find. I've quite a number of contacts who ring me, often at short notice, offering work but although I can turn my hand to many things it's a constant struggle to earn a decent living. Elaine's job helps a lot and sometimes a friend or neighbour needs building, plastering, or decorating work doing cash in hand and usually at 'mates rates'. In order to keep fit and ready, I try to work out at a community gym. Whilst the equipment is basic and not state-of-the-art, I'm usually toned and ready to go at a moment's notice.
The removals van had now managed to manoeuvre itself into a tight space ready to discharge its contents into the house next door. Looking out, I could see two ladies speak to the men briefly and then walk down the garden path to unlock the door. One I could see was older, late thirties I guess and smartly dressed and the other was maybe late teens. She was real eye candy - long slim legs, short denim skirt and a rather tight fitting tee-shirt boldly accentuating her slim figure. Her breasts, though a bit on the small side, pushed proudly against the thin cotton. No bra, maybe I thought unnecessary given the warmth of the mid September sun, meant her nipples made no effort to remain unnoticed behind the confining material.
This was eye candy indeed. Peter, my best friend within my lightweight shorts, had noticed too. I felt embarrassed at such a rapid arousal given that Elaine rarely refused to welcome him inside her. Maybe Peter was eager for a new temporary home? But maybe I was distracted ... the older lady too could also give Peter some temporary but satisfying accommodation.
I went back to my crossword. Peter went back to a deeply contented sleep. The crossword completed, I thought I would introduce myself (purely as a friendly neighbour). The younger lady was carrying a few small items inside.
"Hi," I said, "I'm Harry, "Welcome to the street."
"Nicola," came the reply.
We both smiled.
"And ..." I pointed.
Nicola smiled again. "My mother. Hazel."
The smile was followed by a brief explanation. Hazel was just 17 when she became pregnant and 18 when Nicola was born. Nicola had grown up to be a real beauty. Her broad, northern accent seemed to fit in with a down-to-earth, no nonsense manner.
"Why don't you both come round later, it's been a hot day for you both and I've plenty of beer in the fridge."
"Sure, thanks," said Nicola with a broad grin.
It was late afternoon when the doorbell rang. We went round to the patio I'd built the last time there was little building work. 3 cans of Becks would help us all cool down.
After the initial shock of an unplanned pregnancy all went well at first. Hazel's partner worked, they shared a small terraced house. Hazel got part time work. That was until the drinking started, the odd bet at the bookies, the late nights, the reluctance to satisfy Hazel's needs having satisfied some other woman's ... you get the idea. The relationship eventually broke down completely, followed by years of struggle. This however had made the bond between mother and daughter very strong. Boyfriends, partners, came and went but mother and daughter remained bonded. The two finally decided to pool their finances to buy a house of their own.
Their new home had been up for sale for some time. An elderly couple had lived there. He died, she moved into sheltered housing. The house was badly needing refurbishment from top to bottom. We had spare keys under an arrangement with the estate agency in case an emergency arose. At first it had aroused some interest but times have been tough. Eventually a much reduced offer had been accepted. Nicola and Hazel had a home they could afford but much work needed doing.
"Well," I said. "I've plenty of time on my hands. Just ask, if I can help at all "
As we were talking I couldn't help noticing the angle of the sun behind Nicola was casting a silhouette of her breasts through what was the almost obscene thinness of her obviously well worn tee-shirt. Our glasses almost empty I returned to the fridge for 3 more cans of Becks. Whilst I was gone Nicola had tucked the tee-shirt into her skirt, tightening the thin cotton which was now amost moulded to her breasts. My new 19 year old neighbour then accidentally spilled some beer down her tee-shirt. One nipple was now proudly on display through the transparent cotton.
"Oops!" she said, trying to rub off the spilled beer. This just spread the wetness, making more of the material opaque.
I tried hard (believe me!) to continue our conversation, explaining how building work was hit and miss and sometimes I could work for several weeks but at other times there was no work at all.
"That's good to know," said Hazel. "We're going to need a lot of help."
Sadly time was pressing and tea break was over. Hazel and Nicola went back to do essential unpacking. I didn't see them again before Elaine came back from work. Her income, though modest, was enough to see us through the hard times, supplemented by odd jobs I did.
"Hi darling," my usual greeting. "How has your day been at work?
She smiled, used to the question." Oh, just like any other day. Anyway I'm home now - you can make me happy."
I explained that our new neighbours had arrived, gave her a bit of background.
"They both seem nice," I said, "Mother and daughter. She's 37, her daughter 19. They bought the house for a really good price, but as you know it needs a lot of work doing to it."
"Well that's where you can help, you like to keep yourself busy. Why not offer?"
