I leave the spare keys to my flat with my best friend while Im off on holiday, and when I get back I find that shes moved in with her whole family.
MrsThompson, I understand youre angry, but lets keep calm, the community officer says, rubbing his nose bridge wearily. So theyre refusing to leave your flat?
Theyre not just refusing! I gasp, flailing my arms. Susan said she has the right to stay there! Can you believe it? I gave her the keys just so she could water the plants, and she she My voice trembles.
Take a breath, have a seat, the officer moves a chair closer. Tell me everything in order. When exactly did you hand the keys over to whom?
To SusanAnderson. Susan Anderson. Weve been friends for fifteen yearswell, we were, until now, I say, squeezing a handkerchief. I never imagined she could do this. Never!
Just two weeks ago my life runs smoothly. At fiftythree I have everything I ever wanted: a cosy twobedroom flat in a decent neighbourhood, a stable job as an accountant for a respected firm, an adult son, David, who lives nearby with his family and drops by now and then. Im not lonelyafter divorcing ten years ago Ive grown to value my independence.
That evening I sit in the kitchen with Susan. We met on an accounting course years back and have kept in touch despite working for different companies.
Can you believe it, Sue? Im finally doing it! I pour fragrant tea into mugs. Im heading to Brighton for two weeks. Ive booked the trip and paid everything.
Youre serious! Susan smiles, genuinely happy for me. Its high time you took a break. When was the last time you went on holiday? Three years?
Four, I sigh. Since Mum fell ill I never managed to get away. Now it feels like the stars have finally alignedwork is quiet, the bills are sorted.
Exactly, you need to think of yourself for a bit, Susan says, sipping her tea, then adds thoughtfully, Im actually a little jealous. My house is a messrenovations, dust everywhere, workers from dawn till dusk, and the neighbours downstairs keep complaining about noise. Its a nightmare.
Renovations are always a trial, I agree. But itll look nice in the end.
If we survive it, Susan jokes, the kids will be climbing the walls because of the chaos. We keep dreaming of a short escape, but hotels are pricey and staying with relatives feels cramped.
I set my spoon down and watch Susan. An idea pops up: why not ask her to look after my flat while Im away? At least someone will water the plants and check that everythings alright.
Sue, could you help me? Stay at my place while Im at the sea, water the flowers, keep an eye on things. Itd also give you a break from the renovation.
Susans face lights up.
Really? Youre not kidding? she exclaims. That would be a lifesaver! I could pop in evenings after work. I promise everything will be perfect.
Stay as long as you need, I say, waving my hand. Itll be easier knowing someones there.
We spend a long time hashing out the detailswhen I leave, how often to ventilate, how to tend the temperamental orchid on the windowsill. Susan looks genuinely grateful and vows to treat the flat with the utmost care.
Just one thing, Maggie, she says shyly as she prepares to leave, would you mind if I sometimes stayed overnight when Im exhausted from all the trips?
Of course, I shrug. The spare bedrooms ready, theres food in the fridge. Make yourself at home.
I later recall that phrasemake yourself at homewith a bitter twist.
Before I head out, I meet Susan again, hand over the keys, and show her how to prune the orchid.
Dont worry about a thing, she assures, cradling the keys gently. Enjoy your break, Ill look after everything here.
I set off with a light heart, unaware of what awaits me on my return.
Two weeks in Brighton zoom by in a single day. I soak up the sun, swim in the sea, and even strike up a flirtatious chat with a charming gentleman from a nearby guesthousea first real romance in years. I send Susan a couple of photos of the coastline; she replies with short, warm messages: You look stunning! and Im greeneyed with envy!.
When the cab pulls up to my block, I feel a pleasant exhaustion and a hint of sadness that the holiday is ending. I climb to the fourth floor, insert my key, and freeze on the landing, stunned by what I see.
The hallway is strewn with strangers shoesmens, womens, childrens. Unknown coats hang on the rack. From deep within the flat, a television blares and laughter echoes.
What on earth I begin, but a voice from the kitchen stops me.
Oh, Maggie! Youre back early? Susan gushes, feigning surprise. Weve been expecting you tomorrow.
Whats happening here? My stomach drops. Why are there so many of your things? Whose shoes are these?
Well, Susan stammers, you did let me stay while you were gone, didnt you? So we
We? I step into the living room and freeze. On my sofa sits Susans husband, Alex, watching a football match. In an armchair a teenage boy, about fourteen, scrolls on a tablethis name is Daniel. At the dining table, an eightyearold girl, Lily, is busy drawing.
Good afternoon, Aunt Maggie, the little girl says politely.
Alex looks up from the TV and nods. Hey, Maggie. How was your break?
What are you all doing in my flat? My voice trembles. I asked Susan to water the plants and pop in occasionally, not to move in with the whole family!
Dont get worked up, Maggie, Susan says softly, though her eyes betray tension. You know how chaotic our home is. The kids cant stand the dust from the site. We thought you wouldnt mind a few extra heads, just a temporary sanctuary.
A temporary sanctuary? I scan the rooms and notice my beloved figurines are gone, replaced by unfamiliar framed photos. A new painting hangs on the wall, and the curtains are bright blue instead of the creamy ones I love.
Did you rearrange my flat? I ask, feeling my throat tighten. Where are my things?
We carefully stored them in the cupboard, Susan rushes to explain. The kids needed space for games. We just adapted the place a bit.
Adapted? I cant believe it. This is my flat! My flat!
Mom, why is she shouting? Daniel asks, pulling off his headphones. We didnt break anything.
Daniel, be quiet, Susan snaps at her son. Maggie, lets talk calmly. Youre tired, youve just come back. How about a tea?
I dont want tea! Anger boils within me. I want you all to pack up and leave my flat right now!
A heavy silence falls. Alex turns off the TV and stands.
Maggie, you dont understand, he begins, trying to soften the tone. Our renovation has dragged on; the workers say itll be at least another month. The dust is ruining the kids health. We have nowhere else to go.
It doesnt involve me, I snap. I never gave permission for a whole family to live here. I only asked Susan to water the flowers and check that everythings okay.
But you said stay as long as you need, Susan counters.
That was a figure of speech! I retort, fists clenched. No sane person would let an entire family move in, change the décor, and claim rights.
The officer, whos been watching from the doorway, raises his hand to halt the rising argument.
The situation is clear, he says. The property owner demands that you vacate. Even if there was a verbal permission, it can be withdrawn at any time, especially when the owners only residence is at stake.
But we have nowhere! Susan cries. Our renovation is a disaster.
The owner is offering a compromise, the officer continues. She will give you a week to find alternative accommodation.
Silence settles over the room. Susan looks at Alex, then lowers her head.
Fine, she says finally. Well find somewhere in a week.
Im moving back in right now, I add firmly. You may stay for a week only if you return everything to its original place and stop any further changes.
Alex nods. Well do that. Im sorry, Maggie. We overreacted.
I study Alexs face; remorse is genuine. Perhaps he really didnt grasp how wrong theyd been.
Alright, I say, softening a little. Ill give you the week. But the flat is mine. Return my things, dont touch anything else.
The officer records the agreement, hands me his contact number, and leaves. The flat falls into an awkward quiet. Susan fidgets with her sleeve, avoiding my gaze.
Why, Sue? I ask quietly. Why did you do this to me after fifteen years of friendship?
Tears well in Susans eyes. I didnt mean any harm. Our house is a nightmaredust, constant noise, the kids falling ill. Your flat is clean and quiet. I thought one extra person wouldnt matter, then it became harder to admit wed taken it without asking.
So you decided to claim you have a right to live here? I shake my head. You crossed every boundary, Sue. Friends arent supposed to do that.
I know, she whispers. Im sorry. I was stressed, overwhelmed by the renovation. When you returned earlier than expected I panicked and said the first thing that came to mind.
Mom, lets just pack up and leave, Daniel says, removing his headphones. Im embarrassed being here.
I stare at the teenager, surprised by his conscience.
No, Daniel, you dont have to go right now, I say gently. Ill give you a week, but Im moving back in. The flat is my home.
Alex agrees. Well use one room, youll have the other. Well help put everything back where it belongs.
That evening the Kuznets (now the Andersons) work tirelessly to restore the flat. From the cupboard they pull out my figurines, photographs, books. Lily places tiny knickknacks on the shelves, Daniel shifts furniture, Alex hangs the original curtains. Susan, despite her embarrassment, pulls the sofa cushions back into place.
By nightfall the flat looks almost as it did before. Some items are still slightly out of order, but the familiar feel returns. The Andersons set up camp in the living roomparents on the couch, Lily on a folding bed, Daniel on the floor. I retreat to my bedroom, finally swapping the hotel mattress for my own bed.
The next morning I wake to the scent of fresh coffee. In the kitchen Susan is at the stove.
Good morning, she says tentatively. I thought maybe we could have breakfast together? I made pancakes the way you like them.
I pause, then nod. Weve been friends for years, after all, and she seems genuinely remorseful.
Over breakfast the tension eases. Lily chats about school, Daniel cracks a joke, Alex discusses the news as we used to do in the old days.
Actually, Alex says, my cousin has a spare flat in the next district. He usually rents it out, but its empty right now. Hed let us stay there while the renovation finishes, no rent needed.
Really? Susans eyes widen. Why didnt you ask him earlier?
I didnt want to owe anyone, Alex admits. You know how Vicky and I never get along. But were stuck, so well take it.
Relief washes over me. The Andersons will find a new place, and the conflict can end sooner than I feared.
Thats wonderful, I say sincerely. Im glad things are moving forward.
Later that day, as I return from work, Susan meets me in the hallway.
Were moving out, she says without preamble. Vicky gave the goahead, we can be out today. Ive already packed everything.
Im unsure whether to feel joy at a quiet home or sadness that a fifteenyear friendship has been tested.
Im sorry everything turned out like this, Sue, I whisper.
Im sorry too, she lowers her head. I was wrong. I understand if you never want to speak to me again, but I want you to know I value our friendship and hope you can forgive me someday.
I look at her, realizing that despite the hurt, a decadeandahalf of friendship isnt so easily erased. People make serious mistakes, but holding onto anger forever doesnt help anyone.
I dont know, Sue, I admit. I need time. Youve broken my trust, but maybe, in the future, we can start over.
An hour later the Andersons leave. Lily gives me a tight hug and whispers, Sorry, Aunt Maggie. Youre the kindest. Daniel shakes my hand awkwardly, and Alex helps carry the last bags to a taxi.
Susan lingers at the doorway.
I left you a present on the kitchen table, she says. Its an apology and a thankyou for not throwing us out on day one.
I open the box to find a delicate porcelain figurine of two women holding hands, tied with a ribbon. A note reads, True friendship survives trials. I hope ours does. With love, Sue.
I stare at the gift, recalling all the good times we shared. Whether I can forgive her remains uncertain, but deep down I know genuine friends, even after mistakes, stay in the heart forever.
