On the morning of 29th August 2014, beginning with my bedroom, I started the task of reclaiming my rooms. I filled eleven black refuse bags with shoes and clothes from my boudoir, labelled them, and transported them to the hallway, along with the television and its various attachments.
Karen Vick, from Leggett estate Agency, came to view the property and set in motion the process for its sale. An Englishwoman, she had been recommended by Garry and Brigitte, and was a local councillor.
The two large walk-in cupboards in the attic had been filled with the occupiers’ property. Right at the back I found some of my own belongings from the sitting room, including ornaments that had belonged to my grandparents. They had been thrown higgledy piggledy into a broken cardboard box. Stuffed into a stiff paper carrier bag that was dirty inside, were my two raincoats. My books, at least, were still stacked neatly on a set of shelves as I had left them.
A broken bedside table had been dumped into one of the cupboards. Miraculously, my grandparents’ rather fragile tourist purchases from one of their trips to St Malo were undamaged. The same could not be said for a much more robust lidded pot that stood on my bedroom mantelpiece. That, a present I had given my parents many years before, had been smashed and tossed into a waste bin.
It is actually nowadays a physically painful operation for me to crawl about in a packed attic, attempting to avoid boxes, bags, and beams. I have a few scars from the heavy timbers which I sometimes nutted.
I can’t now remember where I found my underclothes and socks. Possibly with my shirts in a wardrobe in another room.
My toiletries, including electric toothbrush, razor, hairdryer, comb, etc., etc. were all missing.
The following morning, I continued the task of cleaning and tidying the house, and separating the intruders’ belongings from mine.
My friends in Le Code Bar were very supportive. Laurence, even though we had not met for a year, was most warm in hers.
The lowering evening sun cast a splendid light across the forecourt of the bar as I dined on magret of duck, chips, and salad, with sparkling Pellegrino to drink.
Before that, I had struggled to unblock the wash basin in the bathroom. This involved undoing the pipes underneath, draining off the water, and peering down the plughole which contained a perfectly fitting little round scent bottle. From beneath, I pushed it up and out with the handle of a wooden spoon.
The key to the letterbox on the wall outside had gone missing.
I think it was the next evening that I was visited by a decorator who claimed to have painted the house and not been paid for his work. There followed a very difficult exchange, not only because he spoke no English – only his own language with a strong local accent. He wanted his money. I maintained that his contract was with his employer and that wasn’t me. Not only that but I had no information about his work and he seemed unable to provide any.
The following afternoon I was visited by two local policemen, again without any English, who were asking for a woman who lived there. Eventually grasping that they sought the teenage daughter, I explained that this was my house and she didn’t live there any more. Brigitte later told me that there had been a fight in the street.
On the morning of 2nd September during my last walk around the village,
with flowers still blooming in the old cart resting in the grass around the community centre, I
discovered a wooded footpath I had not noticed before. Signed ‘rue de la Moulin Cave’, it ran along the backs of houses until it emerged on the outskirts of the village on the road to Bergerac. A stream accompanied it on the final stretch. Beyond this, stone steps led up to a private garden.
When I returned to the house, the female partner and one of the young men who had been occupying it, were waiting to collect their clothes and shoes. I helped them carry out the eleven bin bags, two travelling cases, and one briefcase. I also handed the woman a batch of letters I had managed to extract from the box on the wall outside.
Later, Brigitte drove me to Bergerac airport.
The saga was not yet quite complete.
WHAT a mess! There are enough details here to launch more than a few short stories! I am look ing forward to the next episode.
Thank you so much, Anne
This is literally one of those stories you can’t make up. Hope you continue to prevail.
Sort of, Pat. Thanks very much
Waiting with baited breath. ?☺️
Thanks very much, Pat
Quite a story…I am left feeling somehow sad… but there is a soft smile lingering as I imagine the often happy times you must have spent there, and think…I glimpse the fragile ghosts of your grandparents just out of frame?! Cheers.
Thank you very much, Joy. Yes, it was a good few years.
What an ordeal, Derrick. I have not heard of this happening to anyone else.
Just My luck, Barbara. Thanks very much
It’s a fascinating story.
It seems the undesirables, the ‘riff raff’ exist the world over and not just here.
Indeed. Thanks a lot, Sue
You’re a better man than me, Derrick! I wouldn’t have helped the previous occupants at all,I’m afraid.
I wanted them out, John. Thanks very much
There is more to this horrific story?
Just a little. All over now, Dolly. Thanks very much
You are very welcome, Derrick.
A heavy sigh.
Thanks very much for this so understanding comment, Rosaliene
What a nightmare!
Indeed – but I have to say that the perpetrators were not French. Thanks very much, Sheree
This must have been so upsetting! I would have been enraged at the violation of my space.
I was angry and disappointed, but I wanted them out and away as smoothly as possible. Thanks very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick. I can understand your wanting to get the squatters out without further grief.
What a horrible experience–and you’ve left us with a cliffhanger!
Of course I have 🙂 Nothing to worry about, though. Thank you very much, Merril
?
What a dreadful experience.
Thanks very much, Andy
You’re welcome.
You’ve worked hard, Derrick, to get your property back.
If I understood correctly this happens near Bergerac (where they produce a well-known white wine!)
In friendship
Michel
Yes – you have the right location, Michel. Between Bergerac and Eymet. Thanks very much, my friend
Oh, gosh and goodness! 🙁 What a mess! 🙁 I am so sorry you had to go through all of this!
It is so upsetting to think about all of this…and how disrespectful (ETC!) people can be with other people’s property, possessions, etc. 🙁
And there’s more to come?!?! Yikes!
(((HUGS))) ❤️
All under control, though, Carolyn. Thanks very much X
Oh, my Lord, your patience and kindness are incredible.
Thank you so much, Jodie
xo
Derrick, I feel that I may have missed an installment. Did a stranger occupy your home in France? Good grief, this sounds like a nightmare.
It was rather, Alys. More so because it was not a stranger. Thanks very much for the comments and for catching up
I know from my own similar experiences how relieved you must have felt to have them gone. You are too nice. I would have thrown all their stuff into the garbage.
See the next instalment 🙂 Thanks a lot, Sherry
And what a saga it was. Yes, a nightmare. Every landlord’s worst dream made worse by distance. Looking forward to reading more. With some twists and additions, you have the makings of a novel.
Thank you so much, Laurie
I agree, a nightmare made worse by distance, Derrick. You helped them carry out their belongings, too! I can see where you wanted this ordeal to be over, and as smoothly as possible.
Indeed. Thanks very much, Lavinia
I am glad you are retelling this tale from when I first started reading you. I only heard part of the story before
It must have felt weird that people touched your things and lived among them, using them. I’m glad you discovered some unbroken treasures
Thanks very much, Rose. You are so right about the feelings provoked
Phew!
Thanks very much, Lindsey
The account is not without its share of suspense and spice! I wonder how the perfectly fitting perfume bottle found it’s way to the drainage?
I daren’t think, Uma. Thanks very much.
After everything that happened you also helped them carry out their stuff! You’re too good!
I wanted them out, Ribana. Thank you very much
What an incredible ordeal!
Thank you so much, Doug