We talked about everything, weighed up all the pros and cons, and finally decided wed move in together. Why not? Wed actually spotted a fair few perks to this idea.
For starters, were both on our own. At sixty, its not exactly easy to meet a decent bloke, and if you do get lucky, sorting out the flats just another thing to deal with, isnt it? The kids and grandkids are miles away, and our families would only be relieved that their mums arent getting bored silly. Back in the day, when we were young, we even shared a flat. I had a toddler then, but somehow we managed, even with our tricky personalities. Honestly, we knew wed never get bored. Wed tackle the cleaning, cook meals, and even come up with days out or cultural trips so we wouldnt just be cooped up inside all the time.
Money-wise, it made loads of sense too. We could split the bills, and the cash from renting out one of the flats would mean we were always a bit ahead. And of coursesomeone to look out for you. If one of us fell ill or had a bad patch, the other would always be there.
All things considered, we reckoned there were only positives in living together!
The reality, though
First it was the flat hunt. Both of us wanted to stay in our own place, and both of us had what we thought were good reasons for it. I was fine with moving out, but I couldnt help digging my heels in a bitjust so my mate wouldnt think she could always have her own way.
Then came the stuff issue. You know how it isyou collect so much over the years. When I gave in and started packing up to move into her place, she started having a moan, saying I had far too many things. There just wasnt space, and I really didnt fancy leaving my things behind for some random tenants to deal with.
In the end, we hired a garage and stashed all the crockery and house bits in there. When we finally found renters, thats when things started to get interesting. At first, it felt like all my interests were being trampled on. I felt like a guest in her home, reallybut I tried to let that go.
Living together didnt exactly work out because it never felt equal. She had her own way of keeping cleaning bits in one cupboard and Id always kept mine somewhere different. It was always her rules, her home, so I felt I had to just go along with it.
Then there was the foodthat was a whole new issue. Turns out we liked completely different things to eat. Again, I let her pick what we ate, trusting her taste over mine. Eventually, I barely remembered what foods I used to like! And then the sleepingwell, she loved falling asleep with the telly on full volume, and Im just so sensitive to noise at night. Not even earplugs helped some days.
There seemed to be more difficulties than benefits. We kept trying to make it work, compromise and all that. But then, it got to a head: I noticed my friend would get irritated just seeing me. Even when I thought I was doing everything she wanted, she was still annoyed.
Soon, she stopped talking to me altogether. Day after day went bythen a week. I drove myself mad trying to figure out what Id done wrong. In the end, I couldnt take it: I broke down in tears in front of her. That set her off as well. She admitted she didnt even know why she was so cross.
And thats when it hit meits just that sometimes, people really do need their own space and their own rules. Its far better to see each other often than try living on top of one another.
So, we ripped up the tenancy agreement and, honestly, our friendship got so much better right away.
