Who are you lot? the landlady asked, opening the door to her flat.
Veronica was returning home from a business trip. This time shed been held up longer than usual; she needed to doublecheck the work of the previous auditor. There was a lot to sort out, so she decided to stay a couple of extra days, after getting the nod from senior management.
Coming back home was a relief shed been craving. Outside, a grim autumn drizzle fell, heavy clouds draped the sky, and every now and then a sliver of grey, as if the heavens had been rubbed out, peeked through. A chilly wind slipped under her light coat and the thin scarf shed wrapped around her neck the moment she stepped out of the carriage.
She longed for the warmth of her cosy nightdress, the one she slipped on when the temperature dropped, and for a hot, hearty meal. Then she could curl up beside her husband, Ian, and watch a feelgood film on their home cinema system.
She alighted from the train, lugged a small bag with just a few essentials, and stepped onto the platform in front of the station, where taxis usually queued. She flagged the first one that pulled up and asked to be taken home.
The driver was a talkative sort, perhaps suffering from a shortage of conversationa surprising trait for someone whose job is mostly solitary.
Our town doesnt roll out the red carpet, love. Visiting? he said, firing up the engine.
No, just home, Veronica replied, not particularly polite.
She didnt feel like chatting, but the driver kept on, his demeanor urging her to stay in the banter.
From a trip, eh? Is your husband in the loop that youve landed? You know how situations can get tangled, he chuckled, flashing a grin in the rearview mirror.
He knows. He always waits for me, she said.
Good on you. A warning is a weapon, they say. Its common courtesy for a spouse to give a headsup about an arrival, avoids any mixups he laughed again.
Veronica sank deeper into her phone, and the driver finally fell quiet, for which she mentally thanked him.
Through the window, familiar streets from her childhood flashed by. She loved her city and always returned to it gladly after any trip, especially now that she and Ian had bought a new flat theyd dreamed of for years. The new place was snug, the result of their joint effort, and it seemed to welcome its occupants.
A few years back, right after the wedding, the young couple had rented a modest flat next to Veronicas parents. Her mother often dropped by to lend a hand with little Emily. Veronica was ever grateful. When Emily turned five and Veronica had been working for the National Audit Office for a while, they decided to purchase their own place on a mortgage. Their finances were now solid enough to meet the repayments without strain.
They chose a modern neighbourhood with a contemporary school that Emily would soon attend. The building was brandnew, only a couple of years old, which appealed to both of them.
They didnt talk much with neighbours. Its hard to act as one big family in a large block, but neither Veronica nor Ian mind. They were too busy with work and home life to bother.
It’s getting close to evening, and Ian should be home by now. Hell have collected Emily from nursery, and theyll be waiting for me, she thought fondly.
A smile tugged at her lips. She missed her family, imagined hugging Ian and Emily, and imagined the joy theyd feel on her return.
Ian, love, you there? Im about five minutes away in the cab, she texted.
Home, yes. Were waiting, Ian replied.
Lovely!
She stepped out of the lift on the eighth floor, unlocked the flat, and was taken aback. For a moment she thought shed walked into the wrong flat, as the scene inside was oddly familiar yet alien.
The flat buzzed like a beehive.
Hello! a woman in her fifties, dressed in a tracksuit and slippers, called out as she passed Veronica toward the bathroom.
In the kitchen, visible from the hallway, a man and a woman in their forties were sipping tea from mugs that were unmistakably Veronicas, and ladling out her favourite cherry jam.
Veronica froze at the doorway, unsure whether to move forward. A boy and a girl darted past, followed by an elderly lady, presumably their grandmother, who scolded them in a sharp voice:
Stop that! Sit still until I send you back outside!
Seeing Veronica, the old lady smiled politely.
Come on in, make yourself at home. Ians in the other room playing with the kids, she said as if nothing were amiss.
Who are you lot? Veronica managed, her voice hoarse.
Were your neighbours. You must be the lady Ians expecting, right? the elderly woman guessed.
Yes, Im the landlady. Whats happening here? Veronica found her voice again. Ian! Where are you? Come out!
She was desperate to find Ian and understand why her cosy flat had turned into a bustling station of sorts. The din made it hard to hear anything. From the living room came the sounds of a cartoon playing and the cheerful chatter of children.
Pushing past a pile of shoes in the hallway, she edged closer to the living room. The sight that met her eyes was bewildering.
On the expensive carpet that covered the spacious lounge, adults and children lounged, eyes fixed on the television. Finally, Veronica spotted Ian on the floor beside Emily, whose beaming face showed she was delighted.
The sofa and armchairs were occupied, so Veronica resorted to waving and calling out, hoping Ian would notice her.
Ian turned, surprised and a little frightened.
Hey, love, youve made it! Weve got guests, he began.
Guests? Explain whats going on, who are all these people filling our rooms, and why are they here? Veronica demanded, her irritation bubbling. How could you let strangers into our home!
Calm down, dear. Its only temporary, Ian tried to hug her, his relief evident. They promised to leave by evening, so everything will be back to normal, he said reassuringly.
Back to normal? Can you give me a proper explanation? I raced home, yearning for the warmth of our flat, ready to hug you. Now theres nowhere to sit, let alone lie down, and I cant even change my coat! Veronicas eyes welled.
At that moment a couple emerged from the kitchen, still smiling.
Thanks for the tea! It was just what we needed to warm up, they said.
Youre welcome! Ian replied. The flat next door lost both gas and electricity in a mishap, so the occupants were freezing. They have independent heating like us, and they begged to come over. I couldnt turn them away; were neighbours, after all. What if the tables turned tomorrow?
Ian led Veronica to the nowempty kitchen and set her at the table with a steaming mug.
Emily and I were coming back from the nursery, he continued. We saw two boys playing on the playground with their mums watching from the shelter. The mums said their flats were dark and cold, so returning home made no sense.
Lets stay here a while, the rains stopped, let the kids have fun, they decided, and I invited them in. It seemed a good chance to be helpful on such a damp day.
And the other folk? The grandmas and the childfree couples? Veronica asked, still trying to process the crowd.
They heard about my hospitality on the blocks chat group and turned up. I couldnt say no. You know how happy Emily is with so many people around? Ian beamed, like a child. We even switched on her favourite cartoons, and the adults joined in.
Whats that? Veronica muttered, glancing at the sink, hungry and exhausted, longing for a proper dinner and a chance to lie down after the long journey. She realised shed have to wait a bit longer.
Its just the dishes. Ive brewed tea and handed out sandwiches. You cant be sorry for a bit of tea and a cheese roll, can you? Ian encouraged. Cheer up! Soon everyone will be heading home. They wont leave the whole house in the dark all night.
Soon the lounge erupted with activity. Ian and Veronica went to see what was happening. They heard that the outage had finally been fixed, and everyone could return to their own flats.
People began shuffling into the narrow hallway, thanking their hosts profusely.
Thanks a million! The world still has decent folk! Neighbours like you are something to envy! shouted a grateful guest.
No trouble at all, really, Ian replied quietly, smiling. One day youll return the favour if our building ever has a problem.
What a good husband youve got! the elderly lady whispered to Veronica. Hold on to him; men like that are rare nowadays. Hes genuine, bighearted, a proper gentleman!
Thank you for not kicking us out onto the street. Your husband invited us in; he couldve done without, the man whod been sipping tea added with a wink. And your jam is brilliant! Ill treat you to some sturgeon caviar when it arrives next week. Deal?
Deal, Veronica replied, surprised but pleased by the kind words about Ian.
At last the guests filtered out, and the lady headed for a quick shower. Emerging refreshed, she found the kitchen spotless and a dinner waiting on the table.
Shall we eat? Emilys tucked in, exhausted from the kids. Weve got enough memories for a month, Ian said.
Lets, love. Im starving. Maybe a glass of wine to unwind? Im still reeling from the shock of walking in. I thought Id gone mad!
They laughed together, relieved that everything had ended well.
