Mary Spencer had left the keys to her flat with her best friend for the twoweek holiday, only to return and find that the friend had moved in with her whole family.
Mrs Spencer, I understand youre angry, but lets speak calmly, the neighbourhood constable said, rubbing his bridge of the nose. So theyre refusing to leave your flat?
Theyre not just refusing! Mary flailed her arms in desperation. Sarah Anderson says she has every right to stay there! Can you imagine? I gave her the keys just to water the plants, and she she her voice cracked with betrayal.
Take a seat, calm down, the constable moved a chair closer. Tell me the whole story. When exactly did you hand the keys over to whom?
To Sarah Sarah Jane Anderson. Weve been friends for fifteen years. To be precise, we were friends Mary smiled bitterly, clutching a handkerchief. I never thought she could do something like this. Never!
Just two weeks earlier Marys life had been orderly and predictable. At fiftythree she had everything shed ever wanted: a cosy twobedroom flat in a decent London borough, a stable job as an accountant for a respected firm, an adult son who lived with his own family and visited now and then. Loneliness never weighed on herafter her divorce a decade ago she had learned to value independence and peace.
That evening she was in the kitchen with Sarah. They had met on an accounting refresher course and had kept in touch ever since, despite working for different companies.
Can you believe it, Sarah? Im finally doing it! Mary poured steaming tea into two mugs. Im off to Brighton for two weeks. Ive already paid for the package holiday.
Good on you! Sarah replied, genuinely delighted. Its been ages since youve had a break. Three years?
Four, Mary sighed. Ever since Mum fell ill I never managed to get away. Now everything aligns work is quiet and the finances are tidy.
Exactly! You need to think about yourself once in a while, Sarah said, taking a sip, then grew thoughtful. Honestly, Im a bit jealous. Our house is a nightmare the renovation is a total chaos, dust everywhere, workers from dawn till dusk, and the neighbours downstairs keep complaining about noise. Its a proper horror.
Renovations are always a test, Mary agreed. But itll look lovely afterwards.
If we survive it, Sarah chuckled, Sasha and the kids are already climbing the walls because of the mess. We dream of escaping for a couple of weeks, but where? Hotels are pricey and staying with relatives is cramped.
Mary set her spoon down and looked at Sarah. An idea sparked: why not ask Sarah to look after her flat while she was on holiday? After all, someone needed to water the flowers and make sure everything was alright.
Listen, Sarah, could you help me? Stay in my flat while Im at the sea, water the plants, keep an eye on things. It would also give you a break from the renovation.
Sarahs face lit up.
Really? Youre not joking? Mary, that would be a lifesaver! I could pop home in the evenings after work. I promise everything will be perfect!
Stay as long as you need, Mary waved generously. Itll be easier for me knowing someones there. Who knows what could happen otherwise.
They spent the next hour hashing out details when Mary would leave, how often to water the geraniums, when to open the windows. Sarah seemed genuinely grateful and vowed to treat the flat with the utmost care.
Just one thing, Mary, Sarah said shyly as she prepared to leave, would you mind if I sometimes slept over when Im exhausted from the endless trips?
Of course, Mary shrugged. The bedroom is ready, theres food in the fridge. Make yourself at home.
Mary would later recall the phrase make yourself at home with a bitter hint of irony.
On the day of departure Mary met Sarah again, handed over the keys, and showed her the delicate orchid on the windowsill.
Dont worry about a thing, Sarah assured, accepting the keys gently. Enjoy your break, and Ill look after everything.
Mary left feeling lighthearted, unaware of what awaited her on her return.
The two weeks in Brighton flew by like a single day. Mary tanned, swam in the sea, and even sparked a lighthearted romance with a charming gentleman from a nearby B&B. She sent Sarah a couple of sunny photos with messages like You look stunning! and Im so jealous of that sunshine! Sarah replied with short but warm notes.
When the taxi pulled up to her block, Mary felt a pleasant fatigue and a touch of sadness that the holiday was ending. She climbed to the fourth floor, inserted her key, and froze on the landing, unable to believe her eyes.
The hallway was littered with strangers shoes mens, womens, childrens. Unknown coats hung on the rack. From deep within the flat, the television blared and someone laughed.
What on earth Mary began, when suddenly Sarah popped out of the kitchen.
Oh, Mary! Youre back already? she exclaimed with a forced smile. We were expecting you tomorrow.
Whats happening here? Mary felt the floor drop out from under her. Why are there so many belongings? Whose shoes are these?
Well you did let me stay while you were away, Sarah stammered. So we
We? Mary walked into the living room and stopped dead. On her sofa sat Sarahs husband, Alex, watching a football match. In a chair sat their teenage son, Daniel, scrolling on a tablet. At the dining table an eightyearold girl, Lily, was busy drawing.
Good afternoon, Aunt Mary, the little girl said politely.
Alex turned from the TV and nodded. Hi, Mary. How was your break?
What are you all doing here? Marys voice trembled. I only asked you to water the plants and check the flat, not to move in with the whole family!
Mary, calm down, Sarah said softly, though tension flickered in her eyes. You saw how chaotic things are at our place. The kids cant stand it. We thought youd be okay with a few people staying temporarily. It helped us a lot.
Temporary? Mary scanned the rooms, noticing her cherished statuettes gone, replaced by strangers photos in frames. A new painting hung on the wall, and the curtains were bright blue instead of her soft cream.
You rearranged my flat? she asked, feeling a lump form in her throat. Where are my things?
We packed them neatly in the storage, Sarah rushed. The children needed space for games. We just adapted the flat a bit, nothing serious.
Adapted? Mary could not believe her ears. This is my flat! My flat!
Dont shout, Daniel, Alex interjected, putting down his tablet. We didnt break anything.
Daniel, be quiet, Sarah snapped at her son. Mary, lets have a calm chat. Would you like some tea?
I dont want tea! Marys anger boiled over. I want you all to gather your things and leave this flat right now!
A tense silence fell. Alex switched off the television and stood.
Mary, you dont understand, he began evenly. Our renovation is dragging on. The dust and chemicals make it unsafe for the children. We have nowhere else to go.
Thats not my problem, Mary cut in. I never consented to a whole family moving in. I only asked you to water the flowers and occasionally check that everythings alright.
But you said stay as long as you need, Sarah reminded.
That was a figure of speech! No sane person would let an entire family move in, change the décor and claim rights over it!
The constable, who had arrived after Marys call, raised his hand to stop the rising voices.
The situation is clear, he said. The owner of the property has the right to demand that you vacate. Even if there was an oral permission for temporary stay, it can be withdrawn at any time, especially when it concerns someones sole residence.
But we have nowhere to go! Sarah protested. Our renovation isnt finished!
The owner is offering a compromise, the constable continued. She will give you one week to find alternative accommodation. That is generous given the circumstances.
The room fell silent. Alex exchanged a look with Sarah, then lowered his head.
Fine, Sarah said. One week. Well find somewhere else.
Mary added, I am moving back in immediately. You may stay for the week only if you return all my belongings to their original places and make no further changes.
Alex, seeing the sincerity in Marys eyes, replied, Well respect that. Im sorry, Mary. We acted out of desperation and misinterpreted your kindness.
Sarah nodded, tears welling. I never meant to betray you. I was overwhelmed by the chaos at home and thought a tidy flat would solve everything, even if it meant overstepping.
Lets get the flat back to how it was, Mary said, softening slightly. The Kuznetsov family thats what Alex and Sarah introduced themselves as spent the evening restoring the original order. They retrieved Marys statuettes from the storage, rehanged her photographs, put back her cream curtains, and even helped Lily arrange her crayons back on the shelf.
By nightfall the flat looked almost as it had before. Some items were still slightly out of place, but Mary felt the familiar sense of ownership return.
The next morning, the kitchen filled with the smell of fresh coffee. Sarah was at the stove, flipping pancakes just the way Mary liked them.
Good morning, Sarah said hesitantly. Would you like to have breakfast together? I made your favourite pancakes.
Mary hesitated, then nodded. Their friendship, though bruised, had endured fifteen years. Over breakfast Lily chatted about school, Daniel cracked a joke, and Alex mentioned a cousin who had a spare flat in a neighboring suburb, offered rentfree while their renovation finished.
Thats wonderful, Mary replied. Im glad you have a solution.
Later that day, Sarah came to the hallway with a small wrapped box.
I left you a present on the kitchen table, she said quietly. Its a token of apology and gratitude for not throwing you out straight away.
Mary opened the box to find a delicate porcelain figurine of two women holding hands. A note attached read: True friendship survives trials. I hope ours does too. Love, Sarah.
She stared at the figurine, remembering the years of laughter, support, and now this painful breach. Could she forgive? She didnt know yet, but deep down she understood that longstanding bonds arent easily erased. Mistakes happen; what matters is whether we choose to hold onto anger or to let healing begin.
In the end, Mary learned that trust, once broken, can be rebuilt only if both parties are willing to act honestly and responsibly. A friendship that survives a test becomes stronger, while one that clings to resentment only hardens hearts. The true lesson is that kindness and clear boundaries protect both our homes and our relationships.
