"Friendship" by Sven the Elder (sven@brass-neck.demon.co.uk).
http://www.dejanews.com/getdoc.xp?AN=349946948

The narrator experiences some serious destruction to his house as a result of a storm. The neighbor lady invites him into her house and then into herself. In spite of their age difference they have a very nice go at it.

I don't know what faffing is. It must be something the British do.

It's nice to have someone around in time of need.

Sorry about the brevity of this review, but I want to recommend this story in this issue of CR. It's another excellent story.