On my day off from work, I’m busy tackling the housework. Suddenly, my friend Sarah phones and tells me, quite literally, that she and her son will be popping over. No matter how many times I try to explain that I’m in the middle of cleaning, she acts like she doesn’t hear me at all.
Ten minutes later, they’re at my door. Im not overly thrilled to see Ben, her son, as hes notoriously energetic and always getting into trouble.
We sit in the kitchen with a cup of tea while Ben watches cartoons. Only a few minutes pass before we hear an almighty crash. I rush in and see my fish tank shattered on the floor. All my fish are scattered across the carpet, with water seeping into every nook and cranny.
Sarah immediately checks to make sure Bens alright while I frantically grab a towel, trying to mop up the water and stop it from leaking downstairs to the neighbours. After clearing up, Sarah suddenly announces theyre heading off.
Will you help me take the carpet to the cleaners? I ask. No, Bens very shaken by this, I need to go calm him down, she insists.
I ask Ben why he broke the aquarium. He tells me a paper airplane flew in and he tried to catch it. Strangely, it turns out the paper wasnt just any old scrapBen points to the cupboard, saying he took it from there. I realise hes made it out of my marriage certificate.
She can just get a duplicate, its no big deal, Sarah shrugs.
Of course, why should I worry? Ill just buy a new aquarium, arrange for a duplicate certificate, and pay for any repairs to my neighbours flat. To top it off, Sarah blames me, saying I shouldnt have left it somewhere Ben could find.
Once they leave, I go to check with my neighbour to make sure theres no lasting damage. After tidying up, I collapse into bed for some rest. That evening, Sarah sends a message saying I owe her money, apparently because they visited a psychologist and Ben was very frightened. I dont replyI simply block her number.
