My neighbour told me to stop cooking smelly foodthen things took a turn.
Id just moved into a new flat in a three-storey terraced house. I had two neighbours next doora young family with two kids on one side, and a middle-aged woman, Margaret, living alone on the other.
I thought wed get on just fine, as Id never had any trouble with neighbours before. But my optimism disappeared after a strange run-in with the woman beside me.
One Friday evening, I was cooking dinner when the doorbell rang. I was surprised to see Margaret standing there. She immediately complained that the smell of garlic from my flat was seeping through the wall and bothering her. She said it was so strong she couldnt concentrate on her favourite telly programme and asked me to tone it down next time.
I was taken aback but kept quiet, brushing it off. The next week, I made my favourite garlic chicken pasta. A few days later, the landlord knocked on my door. Someone had complained to him about a “persistent odour problem.”
At first, I was furious that my neighbour had gone over my head and put me in this spot. Then I decided to fix things properly.
The next time I cooked the same dish, I knocked on Margarets door with a grin and said, “Maybe you were just jealous because it smelled so goodfancy a taste?” I handed her a plate.
She looked stunned but took it and invited me in. Over tea, she told me about her childhood, when garlic bread was her favourite treat.
But her late husband couldnt stand the smell, so she hadnt cooked with garlic in years. My dishes had brought back memories, and shed been upset at how shed always put his tastes first.
The next morning, I found a thank-you note at my door praising the food. Since then, Ive always made extra for her, and sometimes we even cook together.
