Love thy NEIGHBOUR

The woman next door had her life sorted – or so Joan thought

- Philippa Harland

There she was, darting down the street again. Joan tutted as she watched her neighbour from the window.

That Millie Nichols – always out, always doing something ‘good’ – either collecting for charity or helping people find their lost cats. She’d made Joan miss her favourite TV show last week by ringing the bell and asking her to buy raffle tickets.

Joan had ended up buying a couple just to get rid of her. She noticed later that the first prize was a meal for two at the bistro in town. So that was a waste of time. ‘I won’t be going in there,’ Joan had muttered to herself as she threw the tickets away.

Why did Millie Nichols annoy her? Joan pondered this question, as she took a biscuit out of the tin to have with her tea. Was it that she envied her a little?

They must be around the same age, but that was where the similarities ended. Millie was obviously healthy and fit from the way she was always bounding about. She was still married to her husband, Bill (from what Joan had gathered from seeing the couple come and go).

Was it that Millie seemed to always be in control when Joan was not? How could Millie be so comfortable out in the wide world when Joan had become a virtual recluse?

She sighed and sat back behind her computer. Travel was overrated in her opinion. In fact, going outside anywhere was unnecessary when you could get everything you needed delivered these days.

She had her regular supermarket drop-off, and bought clothes and other things from online stores. Her sister, Sue, brought round any other supplies that Joan was unable to procure online.

In fact, she had to think hard to remember the last time she had been outside further than the end of her garden. It must have been to go to her last doctor’s appointment.