Neighbours, one you recognise

One you recognise, although not in the clothes she’s wearing. She’s of average height, only slightly shorter than you, with a heart shaped face and shoulder length, golden red hair. She’s wearing a sports top for the local football team, that although baggy doesn’t hide her breasts, and jeans that hug her long legs. She also has a bandaged left hand. It’s Brianna Ollins, from the Upper Sixth ‘B’ Stream. What’s she doing here?

Next to her is an older, bustier, shorter woman, with a freckled face and long ginger hair. She’s in a green turtleneck jumper, that hugs her figure, and jeans that are equally tight. She’s talking to Mrs Peterson, although she’s watching you with her green eyes. They’re all watching you.

“I was wondering when we’d finally meet you,” the older redhead tells you as you approach. “Faye Ollins. Next door neighbour. You obviously already know Brianna.” She holds out her hand. You take it.

“Yes, I didn’t know you lived next door. You’re Brianna’s sister?” She looks too young to be Brianna’s mother. She’s more your age, late twenties.

“No, Aunt. But Brianna’s staying with me while she’s at St Perpetua’s. My brother and the rest of her family are in Abu Dhabi, earning lots of money. But he wanted Brianna to have an English education, so he’s dumped her on me while she’s at school. And you’re the new history teacher. I’ve heard all about you, from Brianna. You’re a big hit with the girls of her class.”

“Aunt Faye,” Brianna hisses. She’s grown an uncomfortable shade of red as her aunt spoke. Faye laughs at her niece’s discomfort.

“I can see why. Good to meet you at last. Mrs Peterson tells me she’s got a load of rubbish to take to the dump, but your car can’t hold it.”

“Yes, she’s got a big CRT TV and a large metal filing cabinet. I could probably get the TV on the back seat, but there’s no way I could get the filing cabinet in. It needs at least an estate.”

“Just as well I’ve got one of those then, isn’t it?” She points over to her house, where there is a large station wagon sitting in the drive. “VW Passat Station Wagon. My job is organising corporate events, and even though it’s more organising people, you don’t know how many times it’s turned into picking up necessities at the last moment. That’s why having a large car like that comes in handy. Let’s have a look at the problem.”

Mrs Peterson leads you back into her place, and back to the spare room. Faye has a look at the filing cabinet and the TV. “Yes, I could fit them in my car.”

“But we’ve got to get them downstairs.”

“Between you, me and Brianna, we should be able to get them there. Brianna and myself aren’t as weak as we look, as long as you take the majority of the weight.”

You don’t want to argue with them, so you agree. You first tackle the filing cabinet. It’s not as heavy as the TV, just more awkward. You take the lead, and the majority of the weight as you descend the stairs. Faye and Brianna hold the top. You’re probably taking too much weight, but you’re not going to raise that. Once downstairs, you ask for a rest, which the two women are happy to give. While you’re resting Faye drives her car to the Peterson’s drive. Then the three of return to the filing cabinet and load it in. Yes, it fits. She has a very large boot.

Next, it’s the rest of the junk, half-empty and dried up paint pots, a few planks of wood, a few non-identifiable electronics. Faye and Brianna help you empty the room and fill both cars.

“You know where the dump is?” Faye asks.

“Vaguely.”

“Well, follow me. Oh, and before you go, make certain you have something that shows you’re local. Council tax bill, or utility bill or something. You can’t use the dump unless you’re local.”

You grab some documentation. Then get in your car.

“Can I come with you, sir,” Brianna suggests. “I know the way. If you lose track of Aunt Faye, I can show you.”

You can’t say no to that. Brianna jumps into the passenger seat, and you set off. It’s just as well that Brianna’s there, because Faye drives like a maniac, and you quickly lose her. You are nowhere near as reckless as she is. You stick to the speed limit. And it’s not like she gains anything by driving that fast and jumping traffic lights. When you pull up to the dump there’s a queue and she’s the car ahead of you.

There’s men in bright yellow tops marshalling the cars into the dump. They ask for proof you’re local. They ask what you’ve got. Then they tell you where to go. First to the electronics section, where there are several box containers. Faye’s parked just ahead of you, waiting for you to arrive so she can get rid of the big TV. You help her load that into the relevant container, while Brianna carries the monitors. Then to the rest of the dump, where there’s large skips for you to throw the contents into.

When one of the guys at the dump sees the filing cabinet he points not to the skip for metal, but to one side. You, Faye and he carry it there, while Brianna deals with the paint tins and the smaller electronics.

After that you drive back. Mrs Peterson thanks the three of you with a batch of homemade cakes each.