Paradise Lost

Brooke and Garth had had enough of their neighbours. It was time to spread their wings¼

They' re at it again,' complained Brooke, as she sat next to her partner. That' s the third argument this week. Do they even care that the whole neighbourhood can hear every word?'

Garth put his arm around her. I guess in the heat of the moment that' s the last thing on their minds.'

Brooke rested her head on Garth' s shoulder.

I really miss the Redmond family, don' t you?' she said.

Sure do,' he agreed. They were lovely people and most of the time we didn' t even know they were home.'

`And how cute was their little girl, Evie. Such huge blue eyes and so inquisitive. She was always asking me a million questions,' Brooke said with a sigh. If we ever have a child of our own I' d like to call her Evie.'

Garth kissed Brooke' s forehead and said: We will have our own delightful, inquisitive little girl one day. She' ll be as pretty as you.'

Their tender moment was interrupted by music blaring from the neighbours' house, making them both jump. Brooke covered her ears. What is that awful noise?' she said. Surely that can' t be music?'

I can' t hear you!' shouted Garth.

His own hands were pressed firmly against the sides of his head.

Brooke stood and grabbed his hand.

Let' s get out of here for a while,' she suggested.

Unfortunately, when they returned hours later, there was a party in full swing at their neighbours' house.

Throughout the night, Brooke tossed and turned, while beside her Garth lay wide awake, ready to act in case the neighbours caused any trouble. Sometime in the early hours they finally fell into a restless sleep.

The sun had already climbed high by the time they woke.

I can' t believe how inconsiderate those people are,' Brooke yawned.

I' ll say. The Redmonds never did anything like that.'

We have to do something,' Brooke said, a determined look glinted in her eyes. What do you suggest?' Maybe we could leave an anonymous note in their letterbox asking them to be more thoughtful.'

They strike me as the type that would just rip it up.'

I know you won' t like this idea,' Brooke touched his arm lightly, but what if we approached them?'

Garth shook his head. Absolutely not, we have no idea how they would react. People aren' t as easy going and accepting as they used to be.'

Brooke blinked back tears. But we can' t live like this forever, wondering when the next party or argument is going to disrupt our peace. And they' re not just renting, they' ve bought the place, so they aren' t going to leave any time soon.'

After a moment, Garth said: We really only have one option then. We' ll have to consider moving.'

Dismay flooded Brooke' s face. But I love it here.'

She remembered when they first spotted their home almost six years ago. The house itself was simple and rustic. It was surrounded by lush trees and overflowing gardens full of flowers.

Native plants covered in exotic fruits flourished.

From the front window, they had a perfect view of a pond wreathed with lilies and teeming with colourful fish. It had felt like paradise.

They had moved in immediately and had been extremely happy but now? Brooke didn' t know what to do.

Let' s get some fresh air,'' Garth suggested. Clear the sleep out of our heads, maybe then we can work out what to do.'

But when they stepped outside they froze. Rubbish was strewn everywhere, empty cans and glass bottles floated in the pond, plants had been trampled and ripped out by the roots.

How could they?' Brooke whispered, her eyes filling with tears.

She turned to Garth and continued: It was the garden this time, what if they vandalise our house next? I think it' s pretty clear now, we can' t stay. Things will never be the same again.' Garth hugged her.

It' ll be OK. We' ll find another place that' s just perfect for us, you' ll see,' he said, grasping her hand tightly. Ready?'

Ready,' Brooke said. Carefully they unfurled their delicate gossamer wings and leapt into the air. Brooke looked back one last time before she turned away and pointed south.

We could always go past the new Redmond place. Do you think they might have built a brand-new fairy house at the bottom of their garden?'

Knowing Evie, I bet they have,' Garth said with a smile.