A few months ago I spent a few days with a very dear friend who lives in a block of luxury flat, and noticed ante occupant of the next flat to hers was new. In the past, the flat had been occupied by some noisy neighbours. It was a relief to have some measure of peace and quiet. “We have peace and quiet alright,” agreed my friend, “but it’s laced with a lot of intrigue. I was instrumental to the lady moving in. Her husband, a schoolmate who’s remained a friend, found a well-paid job in the USA.
As she must rightly have suspected, I said nothing when Ben came for a week’s visit, only for him to dash back to the States, leaving his delicate matrimonial duties to the capable groin of a stand-in.”Just before I left, However, Labi, another gentleman, had called on my friend to hand over money for Angela’s rent. “She told me you usually pay her rent to the landlord:’ he said promptly, “I’m leaving enough to 1cover a few month’s rent and will bring more before that runs out.
He’d apparently been keeping ‘vigil’ on Angela’s flat from a discreet shop across the road and had noticed Sanni’s movements. So, yesterday morning when Sanni trudged to the news agent’s, Ben sprinted up the stairs and range the bell. Angela was suspicious since Sanni had a set of keys to the flat. She opened the door discreetly, keeping the safety chain on. As soon as she saw Ben, she quickly shut the door.
One of the tenants must have phoned the landlord who didn’t find the broken door to one of the flats amusing. He threatened to report the violence to the police and Angela said he should go right ahead. She saw no reason why she should pay for a door she didn’t damage! That woman’s nerve is really something else”.This story had one or two loose ends that needed to be tied, so I gave my friend a week or so, then called her, “I was expecting your call,” she said, amused.