OUTSIDERS

Country living wasn't what Jodie had expected perhaps it was time to head back to the city

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It was the smallest village Jodie had ever seen. A cluster of oddly shaped cottages, a pub, church hall and tiny shop, all nestling deep in rolling countryside.

She and her husband, Frank, had fallen in love with the cottage for sale, with its tall trees and rambling garden. They'd put in an offer, then had to wait for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, their offer had been accepted, and Butterfly Cottage was theirs.

The village was a million miles from what they were used to - city life in a large, detached house, convenient for Frank's daily journey to the office and spacious enough for a study where Jodie could work from home.

The plan was for him to commute to work, now some 10 miles away, while Jodie found a little nook in the cottage where her computer would fit nice and snugly.

The decision to move to the countryside hadn't been taken lightly. They were fond of their house, but ever-increasing noise, traffic and crime figures had persuaded them to up sticks for calmer waters.

Five months later, they moved into Butterfly Cottage, excited at the prospect of a new life. As they stood in the living room, Frank blew out his cheeks at the sight of walls and ceilings that had lacked TLC for many years.

'Good job I don't mind DIY. I won't be lacking something to do at weekends,' he observed, poking at a patch of flaky plaster on the wall.

Meanwhile, Jodie was selecting a corner of the room in which to work.

'Here,' she pointed. 'Perfect. I'll need a power point, desk, extra lighting...' 'Whoa!' laughed Frank. 'I feel tired out already.' 'We're going to love it here, I just know it,' Jodie sighed happily. 'Smell that fresh air.' 'Actually, I think that's damp,' he teased, neatly avoiding the playful kick she aimed at his shins.