Quick lesson learned
Careful on the anglepass it here!
Thomas braced the heavy box as Emily leaned on the front door with her elbow. The cardboard bulged dangerously, revealing a stack of books, and she instinctively propped it up with her knee.
You said this one was crockery.
My mistake. Thomas squeezed past her into the hallway, leaving a grey streak on the freshly painted wall. Crockerys in the blue box.
Emily rolled her eyes but said nothing. The new flat smelled of plaster, fresh paint and that elusive scent of beginnings. Modern block of apartments, floor-to-ceiling windows, parking downstairs. Everything theyd dreamed of these past three years, saving every spare penny.
Guess what, Ive been offered a chance to head up the new project Emily perched on the window ledge, watching her husband unpack another box If I pull it off, promotions basically a done deal.
Thomas glanced up, pride and faint anxiety flickering in his eyes.
Back to staying at work till midnight?
Dont worry, this time you wont be living on cheese sandwiches. The workload isnt as bad.
He grinned and some of the tension from the move seemed to melt away…
…A week later, a new couple moved in next door. They bumped into them by the lift a tall, broad-shouldered man beaming and a petite blonde woman weighed down with luxury shopping bags.
Jack! he thrust out his hand with the confidence of a long-lost mate. And this is Sophie, my wife. Were neighbours now, so expect some fun!
Emily, she took his hand, noting the firm handshake and his booming voice. Nice to meet you.
You must come round on Saturday! Sophie clasped Jacks arm. Were having a housewarming.
Thomas beamed back:
Well be there!
Emily kept quiet, though a pang of unease nipped at her chest she blamed it on fatigue.
The first Friday wasnt too bad; the music stopped by midnight. The second time the party kept going till two. By the third week, Emily lay awake, staring at the ceiling as the neighbours bass thumped through the walls. Three in the morning. Then four.
Tom, she nudged him on the shoulder. Tom, do you hear that?
He muttered something and buried his head under the duvet. Lucky him, asleep within seconds, dead to the world.
On Monday, her manager called her into his office.
Emily, whats happening? There were three errors in your report. Three. Youve never made a single mistake here now three at once.
She blinked, struggling to focus. Her eyelids felt leaden, thoughts moving sluggishly.
Sorry. It wont happen again.
But it did. Again and again.
Maybe you should just talk to them? Thomas suggested one evening, prodding his lasagne. Jack seems decent. Im sure we can sort it.
Emily sighed through gritted teeth.
Fine. Ill give it a go.
Jack answered the door, music booming behind him, guests dancing in the background.
Ah, neighbour! Come in, were just
Jack, Emily clutched her hands to hide their tremor We should talk. Your music… we cant sleep. I work, I need rest.
He tipped his head, regarding her with patronising amusement.
Relax. Youre only young once! Youve got to have a bit of fun.
I mean it. Please, at least after midnight…
Soph! he cut her off, turning away. Come and hear this!
Sophie floated over, wine glass in hand.
Whats up?
Our neighbour reckons were too lively.
They exchanged glances and burst out laughing.
Oh, Emily, Sophie waved her off. Come join us. Youre always tense, bottling things up… Anyway, must dash, the guests are waiting!
The door closed. Emily stood in the corridor listening as the music roared through the walls once more.
…The building manager met her with a careworn expression and a folder stuffed with paperwork.
Noise? File a report with the police.
I have. Three times.
Then make it four. Attach evidence. Audio recordings, witness statements, decibel readings. Without those, nothing we can do.
Emily bought a proper voice recorder. Every Friday and Saturday she pressed record, noting the times in her diary with neat handwriting. 15th March, Saturday, 1:473:52am. 16th March, Sunday, 2:154:30am.
When she handed the files and recordings to the local police, she dared to hope something might finally change.
…Two days later, the music got louder. And now, the thudding of fists or feet against their side of the wall joined in, rhythmically.
They know, Emily whispered, pressing her back to the wall. They know, and now theyre doing it on purpose…
Headaches became her constant companion dull, grinding, throbbing behind her eyes. Insomnia twisted into something worse: waves of anxiety gripped her throat and made it hard to breathe.
Youre overreacting, Thomas wrapped his arm around her, but she pulled away. So its a bit noisy. Everyone deals with it.
You dont understand. You just dont.
He watched her bewildered, nothing to offer. Emily realised he wasnt going to help. Shed have to manage alone.
Lets go to Mums for a couple of days she said the following week Please. Ive switched to remote working, so I dont have to be in the office.
The countryside greeted her with the scent of cut grass and profound silence. Her mother, Margaret, appeared on the porch, wiping her hands on her apron.
Love. She wrapped her arms around Emily, who sank into her warm shoulder, breathing in the familiar childhood smell. You look so thin. Youve been neglecting yourself.
The quiet soothed and mended her. No blaring music, no shouts, no banging. Just rustling leaves and distant sheep.
But after three days, they had to return. Work, the flat, the neighbours. The problem lingered.
Emily sat on the veranda, bundled in her mothers old blanket, watching the sun slip behind the trees. Silence thick, tangible, almost forgotten. And somewhere in that peace, a wild, delicious thought formed.
Mum, she turned to Margaret, who was sorting apples in a wicker basket Do you remember Helen? The one with five kids, squeezed into a one-bed?
Of course. Theyre still there, actually. Just had twins. Fancy, at forty! A proper miracle.
Emily bit her lip. Seven kids. Newborn twins. One bedroom.
What if someone offered themfree accommodation? For the whole summer. In a nice flat? All theyd have to pay is the bills.
Margaret peered up, squinting.
What are you getting at, sweetheart?
Emily remained vague, but the plan sharpened in her mind neat, ruthless, perfect.
Thomas was the last to know. Emily told him as they packed for a two-month escape to her mums.
Are you sure? he stared at her, T-shirt in hand. Were inviting a familyseven kids, two babiesto stay for three months?
With newborn twins, yes.
Just so they make noise…
So Jack and Sophie finally understand what it means not to sleep at night.
Thomas dropped onto the bed, rubbing his face.
Thatsmadness.
I rather like it.
He looked at her as if seeing something newsomething powerful.
Fine, he said eventually. Do what you thinks best.
Helen wept when Emily handed her the keys. Real tearsgrateful, exhausted.
Darling, butfree? Really free?
Just the bills. All summer.
Emily turned away. Watching her, so grateful, was almost unbearable.
…Three months in the countryside passed slowly, sweet as honey. Emily gardened, learned to bake pies, wandered the woods. Slept deep and dreamlessten hours a night. Her mind cleared, but the worry nagged.
Whats happening back there? How are the twins? Are they crying at night?
They were. How they cried…
…When Emily and Thomas finally returned, Helen had moved out a week beforefound work in a new town, took her children. The flat smelt of milk, talcum powder and something indefinably homely.
Then Emily bumped into Jack in the foyer.
She barely recognised him. The big party guy with the infectious grin had faded into a grey shadow. Dark rings under his eyes, a sullen set to his mouth as he waited for the lift.
Hey, Jack mumbled. Even his voice was different: dull and subdued. You… youre back?
We are.
He nodded. Twitched.
Listen, Emily… he faltered, words stuck Were, well, were quiet now. Completely quiet. Sophie even vacuums only during the daycan you believe it?
Emily looked at him steadily.
And if everwe bother you… just say. Well sort it. Just… no more children. Please…
She nodded. The lift arrived, doors opened.
Good night, Jack.
He flinched, glancing at her sideways.
Yeah, yeah. Good night.
Evenings became blissfully peaceful. No music, no noise. Jack and Sophie crept around their flat, whispering so quietly Emily could just about catch it through the wall. They were probably terrified. Of the twins return, she smirked.
Sleep came back; her work improved. Thomas held her close again after tea, and the old tensionthe wall between themmelted away.
You know, you really are brilliant to come up with that he said one night. I never couldve.
Emily smiled.
Fight fire with fire. As Mum always said.
At last, shed claimed her peace.
