Providing financial assistance

you, which was what recently ­ widowed Paquita did not long before I left the Costa Blanca.

One day I was surprised to see her 20 or so nispreros being felled but soon learnt why, because the news shot round the neighbourhood like a runaway horse.

The co ­ operative’s cheque for the previous season’s produce had arrived by post a few days earlier and once the day ­ labourers’ pay and other extras were deducted she received €2.50.

In sorrow and high dudgeon she went to the co­operative, demanding cash because she said the cheque wasn’t worth putting in the bank. Then she went home and arranged to get rid of the trees, which must have cost much more than €2.50.

But as she pointed out, she had enough firewood to see her through the winter and if she wanted nisperos she’d buy them at the supermarket.

It’s the saddest epitaph I can think of for the demise of rural life on the Costa Blanca, but I can’t think of one that’s more fitting.