Ah, the tribe has arrived! Helen Anderson said, nodding toward the lone figure stumbling down the lane. Another fan of fresh air and private gardens, I see!
Youre a cruel one, Anderson, Olivia Murray shook her head.
Cruel? Im merely generous! Helen quipped. If I can catch those acrobats, no decorum will stop me!
If we get there, nothing will stop any of us! grumbled Anne Edwards.
The approaching figure was met with a hush.
Excuse me, could you tell me where house number seventeen is? the newcomer asked.
Its not crucial, Helen replied. Were all gathering in the eighth cluster. Better haul your cart of treasure straight there!
Sorry, I have my own house, said the stranger.
Were all homeowners here, Anne snapped. Sit down, lets get acquainted!
Im Victoria Harper, the new lady introduced herself, but Id love a break. Im knackered just getting here.
Then have a seat and rest a spell, Olivia said.
Id rather go back to my place and get ready for the night, Victoria smiled.
Do you have cash on you? Helen asked.
For what? Ive a card! Victoria replied, puzzled.
And all the cash machines are jammed up, Helen muttered, shifting to make room on the bench. Sit already! At our age, we shouldnt be hurting our legs.
Id just like to Victoria blushed, go home.
Sit! Olivia shouted, coughing. Weve run out of proper houses! I mean, there are no decent homes leftonly flimsy wooden boxes with no light, water or heating. To survive, we all cram into one building, keep each other warm, and hope the winter doesnt grind us to a halt.
—
Elderly people living alone sit in the prime target zone for scammers. Theyve seen a thing or two, but still get snared, lose money, flats, even their peace of mind.
Its especially galling when the victims are not just old but solitary, with nowhere else to go if everything is stripped away. Their very lives become a ticking clock.
When a charity team showed up at Victorias door, she didnt immediately sign up for everything they offered.
They offered a lot, though.
She accepted the grocery basket, but turned down a fulltime carer and a visiting nurse.
I can still manage my own shopping and get to the clinic myself! she declared.
She also refused a homerenovation service.
My neighbours helped me spruce up the place a few years back. I dont need a full overhaulmy flat is fine as it is.
She hesitated when they suggested moving her pension to a private bank that promised higher monthly payouts via shortterm accounts. The brochure was a maze of jargon, and the youngsters explanations left her more confused.
Ill think about it, she said.
The volunteers didnt push, didnt cajole, just kept offering. When she declined, they stayed upbeat, smiling and suggesting other ways to make life easier for the pensioner.
They never asked for money for the groceries, even though Victoria offered.
Really? Were a charity, not a cashgrab! the volunteers laughed.
Soon they were visiting Victoria once a weekVictor and Eddie were their names. Sometimes both came, sometimes just one, delivering food and chatting about possible outings, help, or companionship.
Even though Victoria turned down everything, they kept on suggesting ideas.
Just in case you need something and feel shy to ask, weve had similar cases before, Eddie said.
We value our seniors modesty, but caring for them is our top priority!
Was Victoria happy about the charity visits? Absolutely! She lived alone and was terribly lonely. Her husband had passed away twenty years ago; they never had children, and she had no close relatives.
The volunteers werent just ticking a box; they actually spent time with her, talking about weather, memories, joys and sorrowseverything but paperwork. Once a week, a good chat was a balm for the soul.
One day Victor and Eddie arrived unusually excited.
Victoria, you keep turning down help, but weve got a proposal you cant refuse! Our big sponsor has a new development! Victor blurted.
They explained that a small village of cosy cottages was being built outside townnothing grand, just threebedroom houses with a kitchen, bathroom and a modest porch, each designed for one person to live comfortably.
The site is prime: clean air, nearby woods, a river, and a shop, post office, and a bank in the neighbouring hamlet. Eventually therell be a village shop too, but first the houses, Eddie added.
Our sponsor is funding the whole estate, apparently for tax breaks, and its a golden chance for us, Victor gushed.
Whats the catch? Victoria asked.
We can move our beneficiaries there, Eddie grinned. Fresh air instead of city smogdoes that sound better?
Are you giving away houses? Victoria gasped.
Unfortunately not, Victor sighed. Our sponsor isnt that generous.
Sounds like he wants something in return, Eddie muttered, a hint of irritation in his voice. But at least it isnt a commercial price tag!
The flat you own is worth about £3million, Victor said. Our sponsor wants only £1million for a cottage. Youd still have two million left!
So I could have a country cottage and still be well off? Victoria mused.
She asked for a moment to think, but the volunteers gave her barely any time.
The settlement isnt endless, and the offers sweet! Were keen to see our clients own homes on such fairytale terms! Victor insisted. I doubt anything like this will come around again, Eddie nodded.
Its complicatedselling the flat, transferring the deed, moving my belongings Victoria started.
Lets keep it simple, Victor sprang up. Ill fetch the brochures and photos from my car. While you look them over, Ill sort the paperwork on site so you wont be buried in red tape.
The pamphlets were glossy, full of polished pictures and details. Victoria read the text, and Victor showed her the actual shots hed taken.
I photographed them myself! Advertising is one thing, but real photos are another. No fancy edits, just truth and honesty! he declared.
The cottages looked charmingtimber frames, plastic windows, modest size, exactly what Victoria could see herself in.
Victor, Im sweating a bit, he said, wiping his forehead. I was almost sent to every address in the county, but well handle this swiftly and neatly.
The plan was: a solicitor would draw up a power of attorney for the estate agency to buy her flat. The agency would issue a payment order for £3million to be transferred to Victorias account. Meanwhile, the sponsor would send a demand for a £1million transfer from Victorias account for the cottage. All documents would be signed in the solicitors office on the spot.
What about the money flow? Victoria asked.
The order and the demand are just the paperwork that moves the money between accounts, Victor explained cheerfully. Banks decide when to release the funds. Some payments sit for three days, but the existence of the order means the deal is considered closed.
Victoria hadnt known such intricacies.
So once the agency pays me for the flat, the £1million is automatically deducted for the cottage, and the balance stays in my account. I become a homeowner right away! Victor said.
What about my possessions? Victoria inquired.
You pack what you need for the first day or two, and Eddie will arrange a truck for the rest once we get one.
The next day Victor drove Victoria to the village at the edge of the new estate.
I cant go further; my car cant handle the country lanes, Victor apologized.
No worries, Victoria replied with a grin. Its close enough for a stroll.
Meeting the neighbours revealed a different picture.
—
All legal paperwork is in order, Helen grumbled. The houses cost exactly what the flat was worth.
Except the houses werent exactly as in the glossy photos. The walls were a couple of sheets of plywood, with a veneer of faux timber on the outside. Electricity would only arrive next spring, water was a bucket system, and heating was electric.
Victoria fell silent.
Weve got sixteen of us now seventeen if you count you, Helen continued. What do we do?
Pensions come into the same bank accounts, but can only be spent in the village, and only if the card terminal works, which is at the terminals whim. Repairs have stalled for two weeks.
What now? Victoria asked naively.
Crawl slowly to the local inn for a cuppa, Anne suggested. When the cold hits, well be stuck here like the devils own.
Should we file a complaint? Report this as fraud? Victoria snapped. Its a scam!
Smart cookie! Anne snorted. You just arrived and start shouting! Weve already lodged complaints, had them checkedeverythings legal!
Did a notary sign? Was it legit? Your seventeenth house is just down the road to the left, Helen said.
Further questions uncovered that none of the elders in the settlement had any relatives. They had nowhere else to go, so the only option seemed to be crawling to the inn.
I wont crawl to an inn! Victoria declared. Someone whos suffered more than us should help!
Who would that be? Helen asked skeptically.
Mrs. Barbara Ingram, Victoria replied. She lost two sonsTom and Timwho loved playing cops and robbers as kids. Tom became a police officer; Tim turned to a life of crime. Both still adore their mum, though Tom often tries to pin his brother.
Everythings above board! They signed everything themselves! Victor and Eddie shouted from the back of their jeep. You have no right!
Really? Officer Colin, one of the twins, asked, feigning surprise. Thenoh no! Our patrol car was stolen by some rascals!
Lets settle this like gentlemen, Tim, the other twin, said with a crooked grin. Were not happy youre targeting the elderly. They cant even give us change! Its shameful.
Were following the law! Victor declared. Youre being unfair!
Youll learn the hard way if you keep messing with the local reservoir! Tim snarled. Do we earn fame or return what we stole?
What? Stolen? Eddie shouted.
No, earned honestly! Tim retorted, looking disgusted.
Within a week all the elders returned to their flats. Some were missing furniture, but they managed together. The settlement had, oddly enough, brought them a bit of community. At least they were no longer completely alone, even if the whole affair was rather bizarre.
