So, you know that age-old mystery I kept telling you about? I think Ive finally cracked it.
I was walking up the stairs to the third floor the other night, back to the flat where Emmas lived with her husband and son for ages, and you wouldnt believe it could hear another row in the next flat. Emmas always lived in that building, first with her parents, and when she married Ben, her mum and dad moved to the countryside. Got themselves a lovely little place out in the sticks and never talk about coming back to London.
Another argument echoing round the whole block. And sometimes its a proper punch-up, Emma thought as she fumbled for her keys, listening to the chaos next door.
She got in after work; Ben and Jack werent home yet. Ben had rung toward the end of the day: Im running late. Jack called theres a big match tonight. Wants me there to cheer him on, so well probably be back late.
Thats fine, Ben. Ill sort out dinner, she replied.
Jack, fourteen now, has been playing ice hockey since he was six and hes proper talented plays for the city team. Sometimes Emma and Ben both go to watch, and together they back him like mad. Jacks an emotional one if his team loses, hes gutted; if they win, the whole evening is nothing but happy, endless talk about how he scored the winning goal and how Jamie passed him the puck, the lot. The family relives every exciting second together.
But back to the neighbours they were shouting, and then something banged hard against the wall.
Blimey, theyre chucking stuff now, Emma thought. Whenll this ever end?
For as long as Emma could recall, the flat next door had a rotating cast of tenants. Didnt really notice as a child, but as she got older, it started to click.
Ive lived here all my life, first with Mum and Dad, now with Ben. But next door? Always some drama. Sometimes I tune it out, but other times the noise is just mad, she mused, frying up some burgers in the kitchen.
Soon enough, she heard the slam of a door next door and all went quiet. Either the neighbour stormed out or his wife chucked him out. After dinner alone, she switched on the telly and sunk into whatever was on, just waiting for her boys.
She and Ben had been married fifteen years, and they really were lucky to have each other. Life together was peaceful. They adored their boy and did their best by him.
That evening, Emma found herself gazing at the telly but not really watching. Her mind kept drifting to the old chestnut next door: why did every tenant start out sweet as pie, and then, boom!it all kicks off?
At first, its all roses quiet, hand-in-hand trips out, laughing together. Then, suddenly, its full-on mayhem as if someones pressed a madness button. The walls are thin as paper, so even low voices filter through, but when they argue especially when things escalate you can practically feel the walls shuddering. Plates smash, mobiles hit the wall you name it, shes heard it.
Ben, every now and then, would have enough: Im going round there. Cant take this racket any longerIll tell them to pack it in.
But Emma would always stop him: Please, Ben, dont. Youve no idea what state theyre in could be drunk and lord knows what.
Downstairs, on the second floor, lived dear old Mrs. Woods. If things upstairs got too much, shed ring the police. A quick word from the authorities would keep the peace for a bit, but it never lasted long every time, like clockwork, things flared up again.
Sometimes the troublesome neighbours would leave and some new hopefuls would move in. Peace returns and then, in a matter of weeks, here come the rows and slammed doors yet again.
No one in the building, including Emma and Ben, could figure out what was going on with that cursed flat. Mrs. Woods loved having a bit of gossip about it with the other pensioners on the bench by the doors. Mark my words, Brenda, shed say, every time someone new moves in next door, its calm at first, especially if theyre young and in love. Give it a month or two though and its mayhem my ceilings been flooded so many times, Ive lost count!
Oh, I do feel for you, Jenny, Brenda would reply, we all hear it, but for you its right above your head!
The neighbourly discussions went round in circles why is that flat such an odd one? Why do good couples turn to bickering enemies there?
Emma heard Ben and Jack come home, keys jangling. One look at Jacks face absolutely beaming and she knew: the match went well. His eyes were shining.
Won, Mum! I scored two! Jack announced, grinning at his dad. Ben nodded, proud as anything.
Well done! Emma cheered. I could tell by your face! Your eyes are sparkling!
Yep! We torpedoed the team from Reading, smashed in five goals, they just got one!
Right, you lot, wash your hands. Dinners on, burgers are still hot!
Hooray, my favourite! Jack cheered, Im starving, need to refuel after that match!
You always are after playing, like a ravenous wolf! Emma laughed.
So, the three of them sat down and all talk was of hockey thrilling goals, clever passes, all the action. Emma loved these moments; the family was happiest like this light and lively, nothing like the turmoil next door.
I heard another bust-up again before you got in, but it didnt last long this time, she mentioned, but soon enough they were back to hockey chat.
December was drawing to a close, and Christmas was tiptoeing in. Just days before the holidays, there was news new neighbours moving into the infamous flat next door. Jack saw them lugging suitcases outside while his parents were at work.
Mum, got new neighbours now, he reported as Emma got home.
Are they young? Any kids? she asked.
Yeah, young. Didnt see kids this time, and not much stuff.
Brilliant! Emma said, Maybe well finally get some peace. Those last lot Ive had enough of their rows.
Ben came in later and was just as pleased: Maybe this Christmas will be a quiet one for once.
And he was right. New Years Eve was calm as anything next door. Emma and Ben, out of habit, listened for chaos but there was none. Just a bit of subdued music, only noticeable if it was dead quiet.
Honestly, Mum, Emma laughed the next day while visiting her parents in the countryside, you wouldnt believe how peaceful its been for the holidays not a peep all night!
Maybe these new ones will bring peace. You need a break from that racket, her mum said.
After two days of sweet rural quiet, Emma, Ben, and Jack came back to London and Ben couldnt help but joke, Did you ever notice how silent the countryside is, Em? Not even the dogs bark. No wonder your mum and dad wont budge from their little village!
Months went by not a whisper from the dreaded flat. The new neighbours, lovely couple called Rose and Mike, had even introduced themselves. Youd see them now and then on the stairs, always smiling, sometimes holding hands. And while they did stay up late watching films at the weekends, they kept the volume down. They never argued, slammed doors or hurled things across the kitchen.
One Saturday, Emma was coming back from the shops and spotted Rose and Mike outside. But what really stopped her was Mike, holding this massive, fluffy white cat. They were taking him out for a walk no joke!
Hello, there! the neighbours called out, and Emma, surprised, could barely manage a Hi. She was just so taken aback by the cat.
Oh, what a stunning creature! she cooed.
Thats our George, said Rose, and all three burst out laughing, because, remember, Emmas husband is Ben but her dad was called George, and for a second her mind just flickered to the old family tales.
Such a handsome George! Taking him out for a bit of fresh air, eh?
Yeah, not often but its mild today, Rose replied.
Emma headed back in, but halfway up the stairs, it hit her like a bolt from the blue thats the secret! The cat! That cat is their good luck charm, soaking up all the bad vibes. It explains why its been so peaceful since they moved in! That fluffy guardian hes the reason theres harmony behind those once-chaotic walls. Next time I see them, she resolved, I must tell them to treasure their George Rose and Mike have no clue what a little miracle theyve got curled up beside them.
Honestly, Emma couldnt stop giggling as she told Ben and Jack. The three of them cracked up together. And, you know what? Things next door stayed beautifully quiet, thanks to that whiskered, furry peacekeeper.
