Get Out of My Flat! – Said Mum — “Get out,” said Mum in a perfectly calm voice. Arina smirked and leaned back in her chair—she was certain her mother was talking to her friend. — “Get out of my flat!” Natasha turned to her daughter. — “Lena, did you see the post?” Her friend burst into the kitchen without even taking off her coat. “Arisha’s had the baby! Seven pounds six, twenty-one inches.” A little copy of his dad, the same snub nose. I’ve already been round every shop, bought loads of babygrows. Why the long face? — “Congratulations, Nat. I’m happy for you,” Lena got up to pour her friend some tea. “Sit down—at least take your coat off!” — “Oh, I can’t stay long,” Natasha perched on the edge of the chair. “So much to do, so much to do. Our Arina’s done it all herself—shoulders to the wheel.” Her husband’s a diamond, got themselves a mortgage, still working on the flat. I’m so proud of my girl. Raised her right, I did! Lena silently set a cup before her friend. Right… if only Natasha knew… * Exactly two years earlier, Arina—Natasha’s daughter—had turned up at Lena’s door without calling, eyes swollen from crying, hands shaking. “Auntie Lena, please, just don’t tell my mum. I’m begging you! If she finds out, she’ll have a heart attack,” Arina sobbed, twisting a damp tissue. “Arina, calm down. Tell me properly—what happened?” Lena had been genuinely alarmed. “I… I was at work…” Arina gulped. “Someone’s money went missing from a colleague’s bag. Fifty grand.” And the cameras caught me going into the office when no one else was there. I didn’t take it, Auntie Lena! I swear! But they said: either I return fifty grand by tomorrow lunchtime, or they go to the police. They’ve got a ‘witness’ who supposedly saw me putting the wallet away. It’s a setup, Auntie Lena! But who’s going to believe me? “Fifty grand?” Lena frowned. “Why didn’t you go to your dad?” “I tried!” Arina broke into fresh sobs. “He said it was my own fault, not a penny from him if I’m that stupid. Told me: ‘Go to the police, let them teach you a lesson.’ He wouldn’t even let me in, shouted at me through the door. Auntie Lena, there’s no one else. I’ve got twenty grand saved up, but I’m thirty short.” “What about Natasha? She’s your mother.” “No! Mum would kill me. She always says I embarrass her—and now, theft… She works at a school, everyone knows her. Please, can you lend me thirty grand? I swear I’ll pay you back, two or three grand a week. I’ve already found a new job! Please, Auntie Lena!” Lena’s heart ached for the girl. Twenty, just starting her life, and now this stain. Dad had turned his back, and if her mother found out, she really would tear her head off. “Who in life doesn’t make mistakes?” Lena thought at the time. Arina wouldn’t stop crying. “All right,” she said. “I have the money. Was saving up for dental work, but my teeth can wait.” Just promise it’s the last time. And I won’t tell your mum, since you’re so afraid. “Thank you! Thank you, Auntie Lena! You’ve saved my life!” Arina flung her arms round her aunt. The first week, Arina did bring two grand. She came round beaming: everything sorted, no police trouble, the new job was fine. But after that… she stopped replying to messages. A month, then two, three. Lena still saw her at Natasha’s family gatherings, but Arina acted like they were barely acquainted—just a cold “hello.” Lena didn’t push. Thought, “She’s young, embarrassed, so she’s keeping her distance.” Decided thirty grand wasn’t worth ruining a friendship with Natasha. Wrote off the debt, let it go. * “Are you even listening?” Natasha waved a hand in front of Lena’s face. “What are you thinking about?” “Oh, nothing,” Lena shook her head. “Just my own stuff.” “Listen,” Natasha lowered her voice. “I ran into Ksenia—remember, our old neighbour? She came up to me in the shop yesterday. Seemed odd. Started asking about Arisha, how she’s doing, whether she’d paid off any debts. I couldn’t figure it out. I told her Arinka’s independent, earning her own way. Ksenia just gave me a funny look and left. You wouldn’t know—did Arisha ever borrow money from her?” Lena felt herself tense inside. “No idea, Nat—maybe something small.” “All right, I must dash. Need to swing by the chemist,” Natasha stood up, kissed Lena on the cheek, and breezed out. That evening Lena couldn’t take it anymore. She found Ksenia’s number and called. “Ksenia, hi, it’s Lena. Did you see Natasha today? What debts did you ask her about?” There was a heavy sigh on the line. “Oh, Lena… I thought you’d know. You’re closer to them than any of us. Two years ago, Arinka turned up in tears, said she’d been accused of theft at work. They told her—pay back thirty grand or it’s prison. Begged me not to say a word to her mum, cried her heart out. And me, fool that I am, I gave her the money. She promised to pay me back in a month… and vanished.” Lena gripped the phone. “Thirty grand?” she repeated. “Exactly thirty?” “Yes. Said it was just what she was short by. In the end, she sent me a fiver six months later and that was it. But I heard from Vera in number three that Arina hit her up with the same story. And Vera gave her forty grand. And old Mrs Galina, their former teacher, she ‘saved’ Arisha from jail as well—gave her fifty. “Hang on…” Lena sat down hard on the sofa. “You’re saying she asked everyone for the same amount, with the same story?” “So it seems,” Ksenia’s voice hardened. “The girl just milked all Natasha’s pals for thirty, forty grand apiece. Made up a story, tugged at the heartstrings. We all love Natasha, didn’t want to upset her. And Arinka, well, she must have blown the lot—in a month there were photos of her in Turkey on Facebook. “I gave her thirty as well,” Lena said quietly. “So that makes… what? Five, six of us at least. That’s a racket, Lena. That’s not ‘youthful mistake’—it’s good old fashioned fraud. And Natasha doesn’t have a clue. She goes round bragging about her darling daughter, while her darling’s a thief!” Lena put the phone down. Her ears buzzed. She wasn’t bothered about the money—she’d said goodbye to that ages ago. What sickened her was how coldly and cunningly a twenty-year-old had swindled adult women, exploiting their trust. * The next day, Lena knocked on Natasha’s. No intention of a row—she just wanted to look Arina in the eye. Arina had just come back from hospital, and, while her mortgaged flat was being renovated, she was staying at her mum’s. “Oh, Auntie Lena!” Arina forced a smile. “Come in. Tea?” Natasha was busy at the stove. “Lena, take a seat. Why didn’t you ring first?” Lena sat down opposite Arina. “Arina,” she began calmly, “I saw Ksenia. And Vera. And Mrs Galina. Last night we started a sort of ‘support group for the conned’.” Arina froze, went pale, glanced at her mother’s turned back. “What are you on about, Lena?” Natasha turned round. “Oh, Arina knows very well,” Lena kept her eyes on the girl. “Remember that nasty business two years ago, Arina? When you asked me for thirty grand? And Ksenia for thirty. Vera for forty. Mrs Galina for fifty. All of us ‘rescuing’ you from prison. Each of us thinking she was the only one who knew your dark little secret. The kettle in Natasha’s hand shook, boiling water hissed onto the hob. “What fifty grand?” Natasha set the kettle down, slow and steady. “Arina? What’s going on? Did you borrow money from my friends? From Mrs Galina?” “Mum… it’s not what it looks like… I… I paid most of it back…” “You didn’t pay a penny, Arina,” Lena snapped. “You handed me two grand for show, then disappeared. You milked us for nearly two hundred grand with that fake story. We kept quiet for your mum’s sake. But now I see we should have pitied ourselves, not you.” “Arina, look at me,” Natasha demanded. “You conned my friends out of cash? You made up the theft so you could rob people who’ve visited our home?!” “Mum, I needed money to move out!” screamed Arina. “You wouldn’t give me anything! Dad wouldn’t give me a penny, and I had to make a start! So what? They’re loaded—I didn’t take their last penny!” Lena felt sick. So that’s how it was… “That’s that. Natasha, I’m sorry to dump this on you, but I can’t stay quiet. I won’t let her treat us all like idiots!” Natasha gripped the table, trembling. “Get out,” she said, perfectly calmly. Arina smirked and leaned back, sure her mum meant Lena. “Get out of my flat!” Natasha snapped at her daughter. “Pack your things and go to your husband. I never want to see you here again!” Arina went ashen. “Mum, I have a baby! I can’t be stressed!” “You haven’t got a mother, Arina. The girl I raised had a mother. You’re just a thief.” Mrs Galina… God, she called me every day, worried about us, and never breathed a word. How can I look her in the eye? How? Arina grabbed her bag, threw a towel on the floor. “Keep your bloody money, then!” she yelled. “Miserable old cows! Go rot, both of you!” She stormed into the next room, snatched up the baby’s carrier and stormed out. Natasha sank onto a chair, hid her face in her hands. Lena felt ashamed. “I’m sorry, Nat…” “No, Lena… You have nothing to apologise for. I’m sorry—for raising such a… monster. I honestly thought she’d made it on her own—and all this time… the shame…” Lena squeezed her friend’s shoulder as Natasha broke down in tears. * A week later Arina’s husband, pale and gaunt, visited each “creditor” in turn, apologising, eyes on the floor. Promised to pay everyone back. And the money did start coming—fifty grand for Mrs Galina paid by Natasha herself. Lena doesn’t feel at fault. A cheat deserves to face the music. Right?

Author Wanda MirandaReading 10 minViews 2

Get out of my flat! said Mother.

Out, Mother said, calm as anything.

Emily smirked and leaned back in her chairshe thought her mother was talking to her friend.

Out of my flat! Susan turned to her daughter.

Beth, did you see the post? The friend burst into the kitchen, still wrapped in her coat. Emmy had a baby! Seven pounds six ounces, and twenty inches.

A spitting image of her father, same turned-up nose. Ive been in and out of all the shops, bought little outfits for her. Why are you so down in the mouth?

Congratulations, Susan. Im happy for you, said Beth, rising to pour her friend some tea. Sit down, at least take your coat off.

Oh, I cant stay long, Susan perched on the edge of her seat. So much to do, so much to sort. Emilys done brilliantly, all on her own, got on with it herself.

Her husbands a real gem, theyve just bought a flat on mortgage, getting it done up now. Im so proud of my girl. Shows I raised her right!

Beth quietly set the cup in front of her friend. Right… raised her rightif only Susan knew…

***

It was exactly two years ago, EmilySusans daughterturned up at Aunt Beths, no phone call, eyes red and puffy, hands shaking.

Auntie Beth, please, just dont tell Mum. Im begging you! If she finds out, itll break her heart, Emily sobbed, twisting a wet tissue.

Emily, calm yourself. Tell me properlywhat happened? Beth had been truly frightened that day.

I… at work… Emily hiccuped. Someones money went missingfrom a colleagues bag. Five hundred pounds.

And cameras saw me going into the office when no one else was about. I swear I didnt take it, Auntie Beth! Honestly!

But they said: either I return five hundred tomorrow by lunch, or they go to the police.

Theyve even got a witness who claims they saw me hiding a purse.

Its a stitch up, Auntie Beth! But wholl believe me?

Five hundred? Beth frowned. Why didnt you go to your father?

I did! Emily was swept up in another round of sobbing. He said it was my own fault, he wouldnt give me a penny if I was so useless.

Said, Go to the police, let them teach you a lesson.

He wouldnt even let me inside; shouted through the door.

Aunt Beth, theres no one elseIve saved two hundred, but Im short three hundred.

What about Susan? Why not tell her? Shes your mother.

No! Mum would eat me alive. She always says Im her shame as it isand now a theft…

Shes a schoolteacher, everyone knows her.

Please, lend me the three hundred? I swear Ill pay back two, three dozen a week. Ive found another job already!

Please, Aunt Beth!

Beths heart ached for the girl. Twenty, just starting outand heres this stain already.

Her father refused, turned his back, her mother would probably tear her head off…

Who hasnt made mistakes in life? Beth had thought.

Emily was in bits.

All right, she said. Ive got it. Was putting it by for my teeth, but theyll have to wait.

Just promise me this is the last time. And I wont breathe a word to your mother, if youre that scared.

Thank you! Thank you, Aunt Beth! Youve saved my life! Emily threw her arms round Beths neck.

The first week, Emily did bring in two dozen pounds, all smiles, saying its sorted, no trouble with the police, jobs going well now.

And then… she just stopped replying to texts. A month, two, three. Beth saw her at Susans parties, but Emily behaved as if they were strangerscold hello and nothing more.

Beth didnt chase her. She thought:

Well, shes young, probably ashamed and avoiding me.

She decided three hundred pounds wasnt worth wrecking decades of friendship with Susan. She wrote off the debt and let it go.

***

Are you listening to me at all? Susan waved a hand before Beths face. Whatre you daydreaming about?

Oh, just my own bits and bobs, Beth shook her head.

Listen, Susan lowered her voice. I bumped into Francesyou remember, our old neighbour? She came up to me yesterday in the greengrocers. All a bit strange.

Started asking about Emmy, you know, how shes getting on, if shed cleared her debts. I couldnt make head nor tail of it.

Told her Emilys totally independent, earning her own way. Frances sort of smirked and walked off.

Do you know if Emmy ever borrowed from her?

Beth tensed inside.

No idea, Susan. Maybe just a trifling sum.

Right, Ill head off then. Need to pop into Boots, Susan rose, pecked Beth on the cheek, and flitted off.

That evening Beth caved. She found Frances number and dialled.

Fran, hi, its Beth. Listen, you saw Susan todaywhat debts were you talking about?

On the other end came a hefty sigh.

Oh, BethI half thought you must know. Youre closest to them, after all.

Two years back, Emily came rushing to me. Snot everywhere, eyes all red. Said shed been accused of theft at work.

Either she paid three hundred, or prison. Begged me not to tell her mother, crying her eyes out.

Like a fool, I gave her the money. She promised to return it within a month. Then, nothing… vanished

Beth gripped the phone.

Three hundred? Youre sure?

Yes. Said thats just what she was short. In the end, a fiver six months later, then nothing more.

And then I heard from Vera in number twelve that Emily came to her with the same story.

Vera lent her four hundred.

And Mrs Goldsmith, their old teacher, rescued Emily from prison too. She forked out five hundred.

Wait Beth sat heavily on the sofa. So you meanshe asked the same thing from all of you? With the same story?

Seems like it, Francess voice had gone hard. That girl played the lot of usall Susans friendsfor three, four hundred each.

She spun the theft story, played for sympathy. We didnt want to upset Susan, we all care for her.

Emilys probably spent it allshe posted holiday snaps from Spain just weeks later.

I gave her three hundred too, Beth said quietly.

There we are then, Frances huffed. So there must be five or six of us at least. Might as well be a business, Beth.

Thats not a young mistake, its outright fraud. Susans none the wiserwalks around proud as punch of her daughter. And the girls a common thief!

Beth hung up. Her head hummed. She didnt even mourn the moneyshed written it off long ago.

It was the sickening realisation: how calculated and heartless a twenty-year-old could be, stringing along grown women, taking advantage of their goodwill.

***

Next day Beth went to Susans. She didnt intend a scene, just wanted to look Emily in the eye.

Emily had just arrived from hospital with her newborn, and was holed up at her mothers while her own flat was being renovated.

Oh, Auntie Beth! Emily smiled tightly at seeing her mothers friend on the doorstep. Come in. Tea?

Susan bustled at the stove.

Sit down, Beth love. You couldve rung, you know.

Beth sat at the table, across from Emily.

Em, Ive just seen Frances. And Vera. And Mrs Goldsmith. We had a good long chat last night. Put together a little help for victims club, as it were.

A freezing pause hungand Emily blanched, shooting a quick glance at her mothers back.

Whats this about? Susan turned round.

Well, Emily knows what about, Beth kept her eyes on the girl. Remember that nasty business two years ago?

When you borrowed three hundred from me? And Frances, three hundred. Vera, four hundred. Mrs Goldsmith, five hundred.

All to save you from prison. Each of us thought she alone was entrusted with your secret.

The kettle slipped in Susans hand, boiling water hissing down the hob.

What five hundred?! Susan slowly put the kettle down. Emily? Are you borrowing from my friends? Even Mrs Goldsmith?!

Mum its notits not what you thinkI I paid nearly all of it back

You paid nothing, Emily, Beth cut in. You gave me two dozen to keep up appearances, and vanished.

You got nearly two grand off all of us on a made-up tale, and we kept quiet out of pity for your mother.

But last night I realised: it wasnt Susan we should pityit was us.

Emily, look at me. You tricked my friends out of money? You made up a theft story to fleece visitors to my home?

Mum, I needed the money for a new place! Emily shouted. Neither of you would help me! Dad wouldnt give me an extra penny, and I had to start my life!

So what? They have plentywasnt like I took their last!

Beths stomach twisted.

I see. Sorry Susan, for dropping this on you now, but I cant keep quiet any longer.

I wont be party to this behaviour. Shes treating us all for fools!

Susan was leaning on the table, shoulders trembling.

Out, she said, in that same calm tone.

Emily smirked, leaning back, certain her mother was talking to Beth.

Out of my flat! Susan turned to her daughter. Pack your bagsgo home to your husband. Youre not welcome here!

Emilys face drained of colour.

Mum, Ive just had a babyI cant be stressed!

Youve no mother, Emily. My daughter was honest. You are a thief.

Mrs Goldsmith… oh Lord, she called every day to check in, never breathed a word How can I face her now? How?

Emily snatched her bag, flung a tea towel to the floor.

Stuff your precious money! she yelled. Bitter old hags, the lot of you!

She rushed into the next room, grabbed the babys carrier and fled the flat.

Susan sat down and covered her face with her hands. Beth was overcome with shame.

Im so sorry, Susan

No, Beth… its me whos sorry. For raising such asuch a person. I truly believed shed made something of herself on her own. And now What disgrace

Beth patted her friends shoulder as Susan broke down and wept.

***

A week later, Emilys husband, pale and drawn, went round all the creditors, apologising, unable to meet anyones gaze. He promised to repay all the sums.

Soon, repayments beganSusan herself paid Mrs Goldsmith back the five hundred for her daughter.

Beth doesnt blame herself for what happened. After all, a liar must face the music. Isnt that right?