Neighbourhood Watch
Womans Weekly Fiction Special|May 2020
She had her suspicions, but would she catch the perpetrator?
Ginny Swart
Neighbourhood Watch

Janice heard the clack of the letter box, noticing with annoyance that overnight someone had thrown another piece of rusty junk onto the weedy patch, which was laughably called the front garden.

If only the landlord would put up a proper fence, people might stop using my garden as a free dump, she thought as she unfolded the paper.

‘Why don’t you move out? Surely you don’t belong here?’

Janice was stunned. One of her neighbours had sent this, but the only person she could see was the rather nice man from next door, coming down his path.

‘Lovely day, isn’t it?’

Could he have written this anonymous note? His own garden was beautifully kept, but that wasn’t a priority for her right now. Every spare minute was spent with the twins or on the computer.

When Jack and Harriet were born, Janice had started working from home, designing pamphlets and flyers. Whenever the twins were asleep she snatched a few minutes to work and her list of satisfied customers was growing nicely, although some nights she worked past midnight to meet a deadline.

She picked up the empty takeaway containers, then she heard Harriet crying and hurried inside. She’d just have to live with the garden the way it was for a bit longer, and so would the anonymous letter writer.

In the blissful half-hour that both twins were asleep at the same time, Janice finished the pamphlets for the local hardware shop and made a start on the weeds. As she was cramming some nettles into a plastic bag, Mrs Phillips who lived opposite came across. Her dour face creased into a smile.

This story is from the May 2020 edition of Womans Weekly Fiction Special.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2020 edition of Womans Weekly Fiction Special.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WOMANS WEEKLY FICTION SPECIALView All
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Perfect Gift

The change to their Christmas plans was a shock, though it could teach them a lesson…

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Christmas Is Coming

With all the mess, noise and disruption, she was seriously struggling to embrace the festive spirit

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Generation G-App

It was a lovely idea, but surely there was no way the project would become a successful reality?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Christmas Tree

The cottage had no festive cheer, but could Jennie create the impression of Yuletide joy before it was too late?

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

We All Stand Together

If the plan failed, Joan wouldn’t be the only one having an unhappy Christmas

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
The Christmas Robin
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

The Christmas Robin

Presents to buy, food to cook and a tree to decorate – could she create the perfect day?

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Maudie's First Christmas
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Maudie's First Christmas

With all her dreams of a family Christmas dashed, it seemed that Ruth would have to adjust to a very different festive season this year...

time-read
8 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Friends Like You

Leah was about to find out what sort of people she’d had in her life all these years…

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

Breaking Point

She hoped her children would start to compromise soon, or they were in for a distinctly frosty festive season

time-read
9 mins  |
December 2020
A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan
Womans Weekly Fiction Special

A CHAT WITH... Sarah Morgan

Well-known for her heart-warming family tales, Sarah Morgan’s latest novel is packed full of love and laughter. Here, she reveals how she comes to craft her characters and she gave her new release that sprinkle of festive magic...

time-read
2 mins  |
December 2020