Youre not my friend anymore
Claire, whats wrong? Has something happened? Emily asked anxiously as she noticed her friend sitting at the table, scowling and clearly distracted. It was odd, really.
Shed invited Claire over to celebrate finishing the renovations in her new flat, and Claire looked anything but pleased. She muttered a half-hearted, Congratulations, and that was it.
Yet only a week ago Claire herself had insisted Emily have her round to mark the big day.
Now she sat brooding, not a hint of a smile. As if shed come to a wake, not to her friends place for tea.
Why so quiet?
Oh, I just dont want to burden you with my problems. This is your celebration, after all. And your flat looks lovely, by the way. I really like what youve done with it.
Right.” Emily set her teacup down firmly. Come on, out with it. Whats happened?
Why bother you with it?
How dyou mean, why? Weve been mates since Year One, Em. Were supposed to help each other.
They had been close since primary and grew up in the same block of flatsjust different entrances.
After finishing sixth form, life pulled them in different directions, and they hadnt seen each other in years until, last month, theyd bumped into each other at Sainsburys.
Em! Is that you? Well, fancy meeting you here! Claire had shouted across the aisle, beaming.
Hey, Claire! Emily grinned back. What brings you here? Local now or just passing through?
Theyd chatted, reminisced and caught up on everything, even shared a few dreams for the future. Claire, as usual, went on about meeting her Prince Charming, while Emily just wanted to finally finish the home improvements shed started last yearthank goodness, she was nearly done. All that remained was wallpapering and the new ceiling in the lounge.
From Claire, Emily learned shed moved from her tiny village to Bristol six months earlier and was now renting a flat. Made sensecities offered more opportunities. Unlike Emily, Claire hadnt gone to universitySchool was enough for me, shed jokedbut shed bagged a job as a secretary at some firm.
Emily had been genuinely thrilled to reconnect. After a few casual café meet-ups, today was the first time Claire was seeing her home. She couldnt help noticing how flat Claires mood seemed.
Emily figured she should ask, in case she could help.
Honestly, Claire, whats up?
Oh, never mind, Claire waved her hand, Not much you can do. Its complicated.
Dont give me that. I cant enjoy myself if youre this upset. Did I do something wrong?
No, no. Its just the flat. Today the landlord announced he’s doubling the rent. Where am I supposed to get that kind of money? And what am I even paying for? The Wi-Fi disappears every five minutes, the washing machine sounds like its about to take off, the wallpapers peeling, and the kitchen tap wont stop dripping. Honestly, its not much better than a pigsty.
Then why did you take the place?
Because it was cheapcheaper than anywhere else Id seen. Of course I said yes.
Claire picked up her mug, took a few sips, and absently grabbed an éclair off the plate. She barely chewed, just swallowed and carried on:
Now the landlord wants a kings ransom for that hovel, and wants it starting next week, not even next month! If you dont like it, he says, theres the door.
He actually said that?
Yep. And I havent got that kind of cash. Even if I did, I wouldnt fork it out. Id be skint. How would I pay for my nails, fitness classes you know what I mean. Got to stay in shape to turn heads. And the salarys rubbish. No way am I agreeing to those terms.
Didnt you have a contract? He cant just raise the rent with no notice if the agreement says otherwise!
Oh, Em, what contract? He said from the start he didnt care about the place, I could stay as long as I wanted, just pay on time. Thats it, really. Now look what hes playing at. The mans crafty. I honestly dont know what to do.
You need to look for somewhere else, but make sure you have a proper contract next time.
I know, but where am I going to find a half-decent flat in a week? Have you seen what people are charging? Youd think they were letting out royal suites, not poky flats. Looks like Ill be sleeping rough
Emily gave her a thoughtful look. She knew exactly what it was like to bounce between rentals in a strange city.
Shed only managed to buy her place when her parents sold the family home in Reading and gave her the difference, along with some savingsdidnt want her taking on a massive mortgage, or living out of suitcases forever.
Were fine with a one-bed, her mum had said, its not our favourite area but you, love, need a proper place of your own. Take the money and dont argue.
So now Emily finally had a flat of her owna modest two-bedand the renovations were done at last.
Furniture only filled the kitchen and bedroom, but shed sort the lounge soon, once shed saved up. She wouldnt ask her parents; theyd done enough.
Look, Claire, if youre really stuck, how about staying here? Just until you find another place.
Seriously? Claires face lit up. I did think of asking, since youve got the spare room, but I was sure youd say no
Honestly, I dont mind. Only thing is, I havent got any furniture in there yetjust a camping bed for now, if thats okay?
Thats totally fine! Claire nodded eagerly. Ill collect my stuff tonight, thenget out of that dump as soon as possible!
Emily was a little taken aback. Shed expected Claire might move in sometime next week, not that very nightbut agreed all the same. Why not? A week early or late hardly mattered, and at least this might give Claire a better chance of finding a new home.
***
Emily had just finished tidying up and doing the washing up when the doorbell rang. She already knew who it was.
The only thing she couldnt quite work out was how Claire had packed up so quicklyit hadnt even been an hour and a half since shed dashed off in a cab. Now she was back at the door.
She must have been living out of a suitcase, Emily thought.
Well, here we are! Claire proclaimed, grinning as she lugged in two suitcases.
Wethat you and your things? Emily quipped, helping her with one of the bags.
No, weme and Mabel.
Mabel? Emily frowned, puzzled. Is someone else moving in? That wasnt part of the deal
Meet Mabel, Claire declared, lifting a cat carrier onto the counter. Dont worryMabels good as gold. Wont scratch the wallpaper or rip your shoes or you know. No trouble at all.
Emily glanced from her friend to the carrier, thoroughly bemused.
Shes just a cat, Em! Mum asked me to mind her for a bit, shes not well at the moment. So I took Mabel in.
Is Ruth all right? Why didnt you say something?
Oh, you know, just the usual. Getting on a bitaches and pains. All pensioners have their issues, sooner or later.
Ruth cant be that oldshes the same age as my mum. Only just retired last year!
Well, she did. And then the health problems started.
Claire lingered awkwardly on the threshold.
Nothing awful, doctors just told her to rest, thats all. Anyway, can we come in?
All right, Emily managed a strained smile. Lets meet Mabel, then.
***
Introductions with Mabel did not go well. When Emily opened the carrier and attempted to pick her up, the cat yowled, scratched her hand, darted through the flat like a tornado, and hid beneath the bed. No coaxing would budge her, and Emily wasnt about to risk another scratch.
Guess she needs to settle in, Claire said, sheepish. Did she scratch badly?
No, nothing, Emily replied, rinsing her hand under the tap. Ill survive.
Good. Ill unpack and have an early nightgot work in the morning.
And the cat?
Mabel will be fine under the bed til morning. Shell calm down, I promise.
Of course, Claire didnt tell Emily that her housing issues began when Mabel had caused absolute chaos in the old flat: shredded wallpaper, ruined curtains, the lot. Claire had forked out a fair sum in compensation to the landlord, who then gave her a week to move out. It wasnt that the rent had gone upjust the mess Mabel had made. Lucky for Claire, Emily had just finished her renovations.
Might as well seize the opportunity, right? Claire didnt even have to persuade herEmily offered without prompting.
***
It took a weekmaybe morebut eventually, Mabel made herself at home in Emilys flat. Though good as gold wasnt quite accurate. She raced around yowling at night, pawed biscuits from her bowl and played football with them. Claire never even stirredclearly used to it. Emily, on the other hand, lost hours of sleep listening to Mabels midnight activities.
As time went on, it only got worse. Mabel developed an obsession with Emilys wardrobe. Leave the door open a second and shed be in there, burrowing through all the clean, folded clothes, leaving them covered in ginger fur.
Emily had always liked animals, especially cats. But it was impossible to feel the same about Mabel.
Hows the flat-hunt going? Emily ventured one evening, about two months in, trying to be diplomatic. She needed to know how long this situation would lastsurely Claire could have found something by now, unless she wasnt really trying.
Not much to report, Claire said with a shrug. Why, getting tired of me? Im hardly ever here, just in at night to sleep.
Thats just it, Emily thought, Im left cleaning up after your cat and doing everything else, while youre off getting your nails done or at the gym or God knows where. Now youre out at bars every other night, dragging back some new bloke.
Just that we agreed it was temporary, Emily replied. Maybe try an estate agent if youre struggling to find somewhere?
No, way too expensive. And I havent exactly got money to burn.
So whats the plan? I do need my own space at some point.
Ill keep lookingsomething will turn up. Im sure.
The sooner the better, Emily thought. As she stood up, she whacked her knee against the table and yelped in pain. Mabel had flopped at her feet and screeched when Emily stepped on her tail.
***
Another month passed. Emily grew to regret ever offering to let Claire move in. She was exhausted, cleaning every day and never getting a full nights rest. Claire was barely aroundalways busy elsewhere or out dating. And all the while, Emily was left minding Mabel.
Eventually, she decided enough was enough. That evening, just as Emily was about to have it out with Claire, her friend beat her to the punch.
Em, listen. Ive met someone, Claire began, not meeting Emily’s gaze. Hes asked me to move in with him! His names Oliver. The only thing is, hes not keen on pets. Says he just had his lounge all redone, wants to keep it nice. Would you mind looking after Mabel for a bit longer?
No, Claire. I cant.
Oh, come on. Its not much to ask, is it? My lifes finally sorting itself out, and all you have to do is keep Mabel a little while longer. You two get on fine!
It is much to ask. Im done, Claire. I want my flat to myself. Take your cat with you, or maybe take her back to your mum. Speaking of which, how is she?
Oh, Mums no betterworse, if anything. No way can she cope with a cat now.
Well neither can I, so take her with you. You and Mabel have seriously outstayed your welcome.
Claire left, sulking and muttering, See that, Mabel? Nobody loves you except me. Not Mum, not Emilynot a soul but me.
Claire still owed Emily for the utility bills, but Emily didnt chase her for it. She was just glad to have her place to herself again, even if the new wallpaper was scratched in parts.
At least Mabel only went for that one wall, Emily thought, managing a wry smile. It can be sorted out later. The main thing is, the flat is mine again. No Claire. No cat.
But the story didnt end there. The next morning, as Emily took the rubbish out, she saw the familiar cat carrier near the bins and, heart sinking, realised: Mabel had been abandoned.
The cat was slinking about, crying between the wheelie bins. Spotting Emily, she broke into a delighted meow and scampered straight to her.
What on earth are you doing here, Mabel? Wheres Claire?
Emily glanced round, panicked Claire might be in trouble, but saw only a pensioner walking over with a bowl in her hands.
Excuse me, the woman called, do you know whose cat this is? Some girl dumped her last nightjust left her, carrier and all, didnt even open the door. I shouted after her, but she just rushed off and got in a taxi. I let the poor thing out so she could at least go to the loo, but I cant take her backmy husbands allergic. Here, I brought her some food.
Emily set down her black bin bag and waited for Mabel to finish eating, then picked her up and took her home.
She said nothing, but inside, anger bubbled up towards her friendwell, ex-friend, obviously.
How could she? How could she just leave her cat by the bins? Why didnt she take her to her mum or find someone to look after her?
Back in the flat, Emily released Mabel from the carrier. The cat bounded around with glee, leaping from wall to sofa, pawing at the fresh wallpaper.
Emily considered sighingbut to her own surprise, she smiled. She understood Mabels joy.
She picked up her phone straight away.
First, she rang Claire. Ten times. No answer.
Then she called her own mother to ask for Ruths number.
Why, love? her mum wondered. Weve not really seen them since we moved. We were hardly friendsjust chatted a bit at the shops.
I just want to ask her something, Emily replied.
Fair enough, Ill text it to you. Give her my regards if you get through.
Emily called Ruth. After exchanging pleasantries, she was stunned to hear Ruth was perfectly healthy.
Thats odd, Emily admitted, Claire told me you werent well at all.
Oh, dont mind Claire, Ruth sighed. Shes always fibbing! Would you believe, she took money off my card to buy some pedigree kitten, and didnt look after it at allI was left feeding and cleaning up after it. Then, when she got bored, she ignored him, even kicked at him when he came close. When she decided to move, I told her, Take your cat or Ill give him to a shelter; I want to live in peace in my old age.
I see, said Emily thoughtfully.
Is something wrong, Emily? Claire told me shed rehomed her cat and was about to get married. Maybe Ill get a grandchild one day, who knows.
Its all fine, Ruth. Just ringing to check up. Mum sends her best.
***
A month later, Emily bought a new sofa for the loungeand Mabel immediately claimed it as her own.
You like it, eh? Emily smiled as Mabel gave a dignified Meow! and tapped the upholstery with her paw for emphasis.
Emily still wasnt quite sure how, but she and Mabel came to an understanding.
Emily promised to feed, water and tolerate her, and in exchange, Mabel was to spare the new decor and stop making puddles by the front door.
Mabel, it turned out, was stubborn and wilful, capable of making her views very clear and very loudbut she did stop scratching the wallpaper and making mischief on the carpet.
She even stopped biting Emilys ankles.
So it happened that woman and cat struck a truce and learned to live togetherhappily, too.
Every evening, Emily would come home, and there would be Mabel at the doorway, looking up hopefully as if to ask, Have you brought food? Will you pet me, like yesterday? Shall we watch a film together tonight?
Yes, Emily would reply. Lets have some dinner first.
As for Claire, she was all but forgottenEmily and Mabel never spoke of her again. Not worth remembering, as the saying goes.
But half a year later, Claire knocked on her door one gloomy evening, eyes downcast, asking for a place to stay until I find somewhere.
Sorry, ClaireI cant let you in. Mabel and I do just fine on our ownwe dont need a third.
And what about my cat? I paid for her myself!
With your mothers money.
What?
You bought Mabel with your mums money, Claire. And you left her by the bins. I dont call that being a pet owner, let alone a friend. Were doneI cant be friends with someone who betrays trust so easily.
Claire left, and Emily and Mabel never saw her again. In time, however, someone new started dropping bya young man named Ben. Mabel was still making her mind up, but so far, he seemed all right.
