Enough with breaking other peoples doors, you dont live here any more, the young woman snapped, looking down at Rose with a haughty stare. Take your bags, get your coat on, and be off.
What? Rose exhaled, bewildered.
Now! Move it!
Rose let out a tired sigh, clutching the grocery bags to her chest. It had been a long day of endless meetings, and at last she was home. Shed been hoping to take a stroll, not drive, when the idea struck her a short walk after work. Foolish. She shuffled her way up the block, barely making it to the front door. The next morning shed take a cab; the car was still parked at the office, and she suddenly lost any desire to walk.
She fished out her key, slipped it into the lock, turned it a few times and nothing. The door stayed shut. Rose tugged at the handle. What a faff, she muttered, hanging on the knob. Did I get the right floor? Fatigue had her wondering if shed somehow tried to break into a strangers flat.
She counted the flights: first, second third. Her floor. Flat number 17. So it wasnt a case of confusion. Someone must have locked themselves in. Her husband, perhaps.
John? Are you there? she called, ear pressed to the wood. Silence.
Rose paused. John would be working late; they hadnt arranged for him to come home early. A sudden worry flitted through her mindcould something have happened to him? Maybe hed arrived early and collapsed? She brushed it aside. John always called if his plans changed; hed have told her if he was coming home ahead of schedule.
She couldnt get through to John, so she went back to the stubborn door.
Come on, open up, Rose growled, hearing the knob refuse, and began to rap on the wood. Is anyone in there? Im calling the police! I suspect burglars!
Her words seemed to do nothing; muffled shuffling still sounded from inside. She reached for her phone to dial 999 when, suddenly, the door swung wide.
A small figure stood in the doorwaya delicate little angel, if you will. She was tiny, with oversized animestyle eyes, snowwhite hair cut just above her shoulders, and a pout that seemed lifted straight from a vintage pop song. Rose was momentarily speechless.
The angelic girl snapped, Enough with breaking other peoples doors, you dont belong here any more, she repeated, looking down at Rose with disdain. Grab your bags, get your coat on, and be off.
What? Rose gasped.
Now! Move it! the girl insisted.
At work Rose lived by a simple rule: always keep your composure, no matter who youre dealing with. She applied it at home too, but this situation was anything but ordinary. In a flash, Rose seized the girls hair and, despite the girls frantic shrieks, dragged her into the flat.
What are you doing? Let go! Im pregnant! the blonde intruder wailed, trying to slip free.
Rose ignored the cries and glanced around. A halfopened suitcase sat at the end of the hallway, its contents spilling onto the floor.
She released the girl, who hissed and tried to fling a heavy bronze candlestick at Rose. Rose ducked just in time, then barked, Stand still! She seized the girl again, pulling her onto a kitchen chair. Now that we know whos in charge, youll sit quietly and answer my questions. Speak only when I tell you to. Youre in my house, and if I call the police, youll be charged with illegal entry.
The girl continued to scream, but Rose let the minutes pass until the girls voice faded. Finally, Rose asked calmly, Who are you?
The girl shook her head, brushed hair from her face, and spat, Im Poppy! And Im going to be Johns wife!
Rose had already deduced a few things: the lock wasnt forced, the woman wasnt a thief, and someone must have let her in. But who? She raised an eyebrow, sarcasm dripping, John isnt he already my husband? Did you get the dates mixed up?
Poppy snapped back, but Rose kept her seat. I didnt mix anything up! John loves me, but hes filing for divorce. He says youre an obstacle, and Im carrying his child! Poppys voice rang high enough to give Rose a headache. Well stay here, so I demand you leave his flat immediately!
Rose leaned against the doorframe, releasing the bewildered Poppy. The whole scene felt like an absurd play. Just yesterday Rose thought everything with John was perfect, and now a stranger with a suitcase and a pregnancy claim was crashing her life.
What did John tell you about marrying me? Rose asked, her tone icy. If Im that?
Poppy didnt answer. He said it was a mistake! He thinks Im cold, but he needs someone who understands his soul!
Rose lifted an eyebrow. His soul? He swore nine years ago to love me forever. How long have you known each other?
Six months, Poppy admitted, calming down now that she seemed safe. You cant understand, but he loves me. He writes poems, takes me to restaurantsno ones ever courted me like that. Stay out of our happiness.
Rose smirked. Your happiness, huh? Its odd, all those poems and fancy dinners. John? Thats my John. When we first met he was about as romantic as a security guard. Maybe he hid a creative side? She shook her head. Anyway, Im not here to ruin your fairytale, but half the property is mine, so youll have to explain how you got the key to our flat.
Poppy looked stunned. He just gave it to me!
Roses mind whirred. John wasnt stupid enough to hand over a spare key to a stranger; he knew it would only cause trouble. Hed rather discuss divorce calmly than send a woman into his home.
As Rose mulled over flats and revenge, the lock clicked and the culprit entered.
Rose? Why are you up so early? John asked, surprised to see his wife in the hallway.
She smiled weakly. I thought Id surprise yougot home early, bought some groceries, wanted to cook dinner. Then I found out we have guests.
John frowned, then spotted Poppy on the chair, hair messily tangled, eyes glinting. And whos this? he asked cautiously.
Ah, what a performance! Rose exclaimed, waving her hands. Look at that expression! This is your new wife and the mother of your future child, she sang sweetly, watching his reaction.
Johns face turned a shade of bewilderment. What rubbish is this? Ive never seen this girl before!
Rose circled him. I expected you to deny it or claim it was an accident, I love only you, but youve outdone yourself, darling. Very original.
John opened his mouth, Rose, I
Rose cut him off, circling again. How droll, refusing to acknowledge your pregnant girlfriend. How will you look your sonor daughterin the eye? Its disgraceful, John. And why didnt you tell her the flat was shared? Trying to impress?
Poppy interjected, I I dont know him either
Rose dropped her pretentious tone and shouted, Enough of the circus! Poppy, your lies wont help. Its too late. You shouldnt have come here to block him. Now tell me everything. How did you get the key? What did John promise?
No, Poppy clutched the chair. He didnt promise anything. How did I end up here?
Rose pressed, Who were you seeing?
John, Poppy whispered, but not this John.
Rose frowned. Explain.
Poppy confessed shed met a man in a bar who called himself John. Theyd gone to restaurants, hed driven her home in his car. Lately hed seemed to lose interest, so shed taken extreme measures.
So you came here convinced this was your fiancés flat? Rose asked.
Yes, Poppy whispered.
And you thought you could claim it as yours? Rose added.
I hoped hed keep his promise. I thought if I showed up here, hed have no choice but to divorce his wife and marry me. But this isnt his flat?
What flat? Rose was losing patience.
My Johns. He brought me here.
Did you visit often? Rose asked.
Not a lot, but enough, Poppy replied.
Rose announced, Im calling the police. A strange man, posing as John, led a woman into our flat using our keys. Either were in some twisted fate or youre both master liars.
The room fell silent. Rose then turned to John. John, whats going on? Anything to say?
He glanced at Rose, then at Poppy, then back again. Well uh there is something, he stammered.
Speak, or I wont take responsibility for what happens next, Rose demanded.
John sighed, I gave a spare set of keys to my brother, Fred, for the car and flat, in case he needed them. He asked, saying he might need a place for a week while we were away on holiday in Greece.
Rose stared at him, astonishment evident. So thats why everything felt out of place when we got back. You turned our home into a boarding house?
Fred just asked, John muttered.
Rose laughed, He just asked! Fantastic. He borrowed our car, posed as you, and brought girls into our flat. Well sort this out. She snapped, Call Fred now and have him come over.
Reluctantly, John agreed. An hour later Fred arriveda burly man with a grin that didnt quite reach his eyes.
Good day, he said, spotting Poppy.
Good day indeed, Rose replied, grabbing him. You pretended to be John and led this girl into our flat?
Fred tried to deflect, Come on, I didnt bring anyone in! I just stopped by for a bit of fun, adrenaline and all that. Just a joke.
A joke? Rose raised an eyebrow. Ill make one too. Shes pregnant with your child.
Fred coughed, his bravado collapsing. Rose pressed, Did you give her the key?
Fred hesitated, then admitted, I made a duplicate myself. I wanted to get rid of his wifewell, yours.
The picture cleared: Fred had impersonated John, driven the girls around in his car, and Poppy, enamoured and pregnant, thought she could claim his life. Shed even copied the flats key to evict the rightful owner.
Fred tried to flee, but Rose blocked the exit. Stay put, or Ill call the police, she warned.
Poppy, disappointed, left, promising to discuss the baby later. Fred, terrified, endured Roses tirade for an hour before she finally tossed him out.
Rose turned to John. I just dont understand why youd give a spare key to a brother you barely trust.
John stammered, I just wanted to help. What else could I have said?
You should have thought first! Rose exclaimed. You almost left me a widow.
John whispered, Im sorry.
Yes, Ill forgive youlater. Right now, Im hungry.
Ill cook, Rose replied.
She headed to the kitchen, the nights chaos finally settling into a quiet hum. As she plated the meal, she reflected on the whirlwind of deception, lies, and misplaced trust. In the end, she realized that a home is only as solid as the honesty that builds its walls. Trust must be earned, not given away blindly, for only then can peace truly reside behind any door.
