Emily stared at the elderly woman, baffled.
Honestly, I still dont know what you want, she said.
My dear, I just popped round to introduce myself and bring you some pancakes for breakfast. Im Agnes Parker, your new neighbour.
At seven oclock in the morning?
Well, you have to get ready for work, dont you? Decent folk have a proper breakfast and then head off to their jobs.
Emily didnt consider herself a decent folk at all. She was used to working the night shift and waking up at noon.
She was an illustrator, and the quiet of the night was when her best ideas arrived.
Emily regretted being woken up by the neighbour; she knew she wouldnt be able to fall back asleep, which meant todays work output would be zero.
Fine, come in and say hello. Im not off to work, so I can have a cup of tea with you.
Agnes didnt need much coaxing. She was lonely and always happy for a chat.
Youre new to the block, arent you? I havent seen you before.
The Browns had lived in the flat for years, then moved out, leaving it empty. Empty flats dont pay the rent, they used to say.
So I bought it from them. I wanted a place of my own, away from my children, and here I am.
Me, Ive been here since I married.
For two hours Agnes talked about her life. Emily grew weary but couldnt shoo her away; good manners held her back.
The old lady was pleasant and kind, just terribly chatty.
Seeing Emily start to yawn, Agnes announced shed be heading home.
Ive kept you talking long enough. Do pop in anytime Im always at home now. My legs arent what they used to be, you see.
After Agnes left, Emily decided to take a walk around the unfamiliar neighbourhood.
She had been mulling over the move for months. Her parents disapproved of her nighttime work; after all, it kept them awake.
Emily didnt disturb anyone she drew quietly in her room. Perhaps the parents simply wanted to rid themselves of an adult child.
At twentyseven she had never imagined living on her own. Everything had been fine.
But over the past year her mother began to nag about everything: sleeping too long, not shopping, not cooking, never visiting the country house.
The nagging turned into arguments, and staying with her parents became impossible. So when a good flat appeared, Emily didnt hesitate.
When she returned from her stroll, she felt too lazy to sleep and tried to get to work. It didnt happen; the door knocked again.
Emily, dear, lets go have lunch. Its lonely eating alone.
I was going to work alright, lets go.
That day she never sat down at her desk. Fortunately her deadlines were not pressing, so she could afford a little slack.
The next morning the knocking came again, this time not on the door but on the wall.
Will you quit it! Can I ever get a moments peace?
The knocking persisted, and Emily decided to grab breakfast maybe even work at a nearby café.
The little café was charming, but Emily sighed sadly. A few days without her parents and she already missed home. She considered calling her mother, then thought better of it her mother would argue that Emily couldnt live alone.
The café was noisy; passersby kept interrupting her. She needed silence to draw.
On her way back up to the flat, she met Agnes again.
Oh dear, did we wake you? My grandson was fixing a shelf early this morning; he can only do it at night, not evenings.
Woke me, yes, Emily muttered.
The constant neighbourly chatter was starting to grate.
The day slipped by. Emily tried to sketch but only produced nonsense. Independent living began to feel like a foolish fantasy, and she longed to return to the familiar.
The next day she stayed in the flat and worked diligently, ignoring the knocks and Agness voice.
That evening a screeching sound came from the front door. When Emily looked, the door had been replaced by a gaping hole.
Oh, love, I scared myself! I thought something terrible had happened, so I called a tradesman. Hell fix it, but itll cost double.
Emily was speechless. Part of her wanted to shout at the old woman for the chaos, yet another part saw Agness genuine worry.
The repair took until midnight and cost her an extra £150.
For a few days everything was calm. Agnes was visiting relatives and didnt bother Emily.
Emily, however, dreaded the next visit and the inevitable new mishaps. They arrived sooner than expected.
Agness grandson, Charlie, came over, and music blasted all day.
Could you turn it down? Emilys patience snapped.
Is it Charlie bothering you? Just pop in some earplugs, love. Hell be off soon enough.
Charlie didnt leave for a week. During that time Emily spent her days walking and sleeping; staying at home was impossible.
Shed only been in the flat a month when she already wanted to bolt for the door.
Agnes, could you please stop coming over? Youre keeping me awake during the day and stopping me from working at night!
If I need anything, Ill come to you myself.
Agnes pursed her lips and left. Emily felt relieved; a quiet, orderly life seemed within reach.
But the next morning the door knocked again.
Citizen Simon?
Yes
Im Constable Ian Clarke, local officer. A complaint has been lodged against you.
Against me? By whom? I havent done anything!
The neighbours say youre noisy at night and threatening them.
Emily was outraged.
Who says Im keeping them from living?
Agnes peeked out of her flat.
Good morning, Constable Clarke. That noisy neighbour of ours has been a real troublemaker. The landlords wont listen, they just hang up!
Well sort this out. May we come in?
Emily stepped aside. The officer halted Agnes, telling her to take a seat.
Youll be stricter with the youth these days!
Emily couldnt understand how Agnes had turned from kindly neighbour to hostile old hag in such a short time. Constable Clarke turned out to be a young, pleasant man.
You should think about moving, Emily. This place wont give you a good life.
Who wont give me a good life? Agnes?
Exactly her.
The officer began to explain the Browns, the former owners of the flat, had sold the building and moved away. Agnes wanted the flat for Charlie, but the neighbours refused to sell. After years of tolerating her, they decided to make her life difficult. When potential buyers came, Agnes turned the hallway into a dump, even inviting local homeless people, driving anyone away.
Maybe Ill buy it after all? she said.
The Browns were adamant against selling to her; they hated her. They opted to let the flat go to students, thinking they wouldnt mind the conditions. But Agnes kept filing complaints about everyone, and tenants kept leaving. She delighted in their departure.
Emily listened, amazed at how twofaced people could be.
You know what, I think Ill stay here, she said, a spark in her eyes. If I can handle Agnes, I can handle anything!
The officer looked disheartened and walked away, having seen too many reckless youngsters meet bad ends.
In the end Emily succeeded.
First she contacted the Browns and negotiated a purchase of the flat. They were relieved to be rid of the troublesome property. She went into debt, but that didnt deter her.
Then she befriended the other neighbours and casually mentioned that Agnes was unwell and needed help. She also alerted social services about the lonely old lady.
Soon volunteers and neighbours began dropping by, offering assistance. Agnes at first refused, but eventually welcomed the attention, slipping into the role of a fragile, helpless old woman who enjoyed the care.
With the neighborhood rallying around her, Emily finally could work and live in peace. She reconciled with her parents, who were astonished by her newfound independence. She settled her flat, even found a bit of romance Constable Clarke became a frequent visitor.
When they all gathered with Agnes, the old lady winked and said, Well, Emily, youre a clever one, arent you?
Emily smiled, realizing that perseverance, a little ingenuity, and the willingness to reach out can turn even the most stubborn obstacles into stepping stones. The lesson lingered: when you face a difficult neighbour, sometimes the best solution is not to fight them alone but to bring the whole community together.
