Over the Fence

By E. S. Bianco

Hillridge Rise is a quiet street, in a quiet neighbourhood. Everybody looks out for one another. Then one long, hot summer, the long time residents of number four move out. And the new neighbours move in. Tensions rise as the heat bubbles over. Will everyone survive the summer?

• Language: English
• Publisher: E. S. Bianco
• Release date: Mar 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463568927

Book preview

Over the Fence

By E. S. Bianco

Copyright 2019 E. S. Bianco

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Also by E. S. Bianco

Cooking for the Culinary Challenged

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter One

Sally Greenslade caught a glimpse of the moving van as it trundled around Hillridge Rise, following the curb of the cul de sac. Moving over to the front window she peered out but still couldn’t see anything.

‘Who are you spying on?’ asked Paul.

‘Nobody,’ said Sally, turning around. ‘The new neighbours have arrived.’

‘That’s nice. Guess we’ll meet them later on. Now where are those kids of ours?’ Paul turned towards the bedrooms. ‘Kids! We’re going to be late!’

‘Paul! The kids don’t go back to school for another month. It’s still school holidays.’

‘Really? Right. I’ll get going then. Don’t let those two walk all over you.’ He headed towards the front door.

‘Thanks Paul.’ He didn’t hear the sarcasm.

‘And don’t spend all day staring out that window. You’ll end up like Mrs Tambini, if you’re not careful.’

Sally didn’t hear him. She was too busy pulling a chair over to the window to see if that helped.

Walking down the paved driveway to the car, Paul detoured by the wooden side gate where Mickey was barking and jumping up. It was the same every morning.

‘Morning Mister Kitty. Don’t suppose you’d like to hop down from there?’ The giant cat turned his face towards Paul and blinked slowly. His tail twitched. Mickey went even more berserk, flinging himself against the carefully varnished wood.

‘Every morning,’ Paul muttered. He reached up and grabbed the cat off the fence and placed him on the ground. He brushed a few stray cat hairs off his suit.

‘There you go buddy. Guess we’ll see you the same time tomorrow.’ Ignoring him, the cat ambled slowly down the driveway, his stomach swinging from side to side. He really was immense. Probably heading home for a second or third breakfast.

The curtains next door at number one twitched. Paul raised a hand in greeting.

‘Morning Mrs Tambini!’ The curtains fell back into place as Mister Kitty forced his way with some difficulty through the cat flap.

‘See you later Mickey.’ Paul headed towards his car and within moments was driving down the street.

With one final defiant bark towards next door, Mickey left his post and went to flop down in the backyard. The property successfully defended, he could now have a nap.

Phil Smith was loading up his utility when his partner Casey came out, baby nestled against her chest and handed him his flask.

‘You forgot this.’

‘Thanks Case. It’s meant to be a hot one today.’

‘I know. You can feel it already. Make sure you stay covered up.’ Casey hiked their five month old Delilah into a more comfortable position.

‘Yes dear,’ said Phil, a teasing note entering his voice.

‘Ha bloody ha.’ A shout from next door caught their attention.

‘New neighbours moving in, hey?’ asked Phil, chucking the flask into the ute’s cab.

‘Yes Phil. Unless it’s some kind of reverse robbery.’

Phil let the sarcasm roll of his back, as he secured the back of the ute. The metal tray was already warm to touch.

‘Where’s Bobby?’

‘Inside.’

‘Doing what?’

‘On the iPad.’ Casey didn’t meet Phil’s eye. Phil stopped moving around and looked at Casey.

‘What happened to a screen free summer?’

‘What happened to not being exhausted all the time?’

‘I think those years are long gone. Do you want me to take the iPad off him?’

‘And set him off while you drive merrily away? Yes, that’s exactly what I want.’

‘I was just asking. You’re the one that wants him to spend less time on that thing.’

‘Okay, I get it. I’m a terrible mother and a horrible person.’

They stared at each other. Casey looked away first.

‘You know that’s not what I meant,’ said Phil. ‘I’m just trying to help.’

Casey’s eyes narrowed. ‘Mrs Tambini’s watching us again.’

Phil turned around and saw the curtains flutter at the house across the street. ‘She watches everyone. Don’t worry about it. She’s probably just lonely.’

‘Or she’s a busybody into everyone’s business.’ Casey took a few steps towards the road. ‘We can see you, you know! Can’t anyone have a private conversation in their front yard anymore?’

‘Casey!’ Phil took hold of her arm and turned her around. ‘Let it go. She’s just an old woman.’

‘Great. So you think I’m some kind of shrew too?’

Phil sighed. ‘I’ll see you later, okay? Have a good day.’ He gave Delilah a gentle chuck under the chin before climbing into his ute. Casey watched as he backed out of the drive and took off towards freedom down the street.

Going back inside number two, she pulled the front door shut behind her with a final click.

With a satisfied click, Sally replaced the vacuum cleaner on its charging station. So far she had vacuumed and mopped the entire house, cleaned both bathrooms, dusted, done two loads of washing, given the kitchen a good scrubbing and done some dinner prep. And the kids were still in bed.

Making herself a cup of tea, Sally took two biscuits from the family pack and got comfortable on the lounge. She was going to enjoy twenty minutes of trashy morning TV in peace and quiet before heading out for the day.

Sally flicked the TV on, tucked her feet up and settled back on the cushions. She was just taking her first sip of tea, when she was jostled, slopping tea down the front of her dress.

Biting back a torrent of choice words, she turned to see her daughter flopped on the lounge, still dressed in her pyjamas. A white shirt teamed with cotton shorts. Pink, patterned with unicorns. Apparently it was ironic.

‘Morning,’ said Sally. Grace made a little noise in reply, her attention focused on her phone.

Sally turned back to the TV, trying to dial down her irritation. She’d been working all morning and simply wanted twenty minutes to enjoy a cup of tea before moving onto the second part of her day. Instead she was wearing half her tea, would now have to get changed before going out, which meant more laundry, which meant more work, which meant a longer day all so her family could enjoy a nice, balanced meal, in a nice, clean home while doing the minimal amount to acknowledge her presence.

‘Can you turn that down Mum?’ Grace asked, her voice sounding tired. ‘I’m trying to watch a video.’ She wiggled her phone to illustrate her point.

‘Watch it somewhere else. There’s a whole house to choose from.’ Sally didn’t shift her attention from the TV.

‘But Mum,’ said Grace, a whine creeping into her voice.

‘But Grace,’ countered Sally. She was not going to budge. Not even an inch. Not this time.

Sally glanced at her daughter out of the corner of her eye. With her bed hair and face free from makeup, she looked younger than her sixteen years. Grace caught her glance and scowled at her mother. Sally turned back to the TV, only to be jostled on the other side.

‘Morning Mum,’ said Max.

‘Morning Max. Sleep well?’ He should have. It was coming up to eleven.

‘Yep. What’s to eat?’

‘Whatever you make and clean up for yourself.’ Sally turned up the volume on the TV. Hopefully they would both get the hint and go sort themselves out somewhere else.

‘Mum!’ said Grace. ‘I’m trying to watch something here.’ She hunched over her phone further. Sally wondered why she simply didn’t move the device closer to her face.

‘What’s this crap you’re watching?’ Max asked.

‘It’s not crap. And don’t use that word.’

‘It is crap. All the people are orange. And crap isn’t a swear word.’

‘Shut up Max!’ said Grace. ‘I’m trying to concentrate.’

‘Why are you such a cow all the time? What’s your problem?’

‘You!