Lets swap flats, the neighbour chirped. Why on earth do you need a threebedroom place?
My daughter Emily and I live in a rather lovely flat that I inherited from my mother. Its a threebedroom property, each room completely separate with no internal corridors.
Theres a spacious hallway, a separate loo and bath, and a tiny kitchen that nonetheless opens onto a huge balcony. Each of us has our own bedroom, and we share a generous sittingroom. Were perfectly happy and have no intention of moving any time soon.
So the tale goes like this. One afternoon a neighbour from the street, Mr. Thompson, strode up to me as if wed already reached some grand agreement. He blurted out his suggestion without any preamble.
Tell me, I thought, you live with your daughter, dont you? Why dont you move in with us and we move in with you? Weve got two rooms, thatll be more than enough for you! Why do you need a threebedroom flat? Think about it two rooms will do. Plenty for two people. And dont worry about the size of our flat; theres room to spare! Weve been hunting for a bigger place for ages, but the listings are dreadful. Your flat is exactly what we need, and well even pay more.
I listened to Mr. Thompson with the utmost attention, hanging on his every word. I interrupted when he began bragging about how well wed get along. I even wondered whether hed already decided everything for Emily and me, and I was supposed to simply shuffle into his tiny flat. Brilliant, isnt it?
Honestly, that sounds like a joke, I replied. If youre being serious, where did you get the idea that wed want to downsize? Do you think Id abandon my spacious flat for something that looks more like a tin can? If I ever swapped my threebedroom flat, it wouldnt be for a place like that. And what do you mean enough for two? Im not interested in swapping at all.
Mr. Thompson muttered something about wanting the best for everyone, that we should live in each others homes, that we didnt know what was good for us.
Were still in our own flat. Mr. Thompson and his family now give us a wide berth. Apparently my refusal offended them more than a cold cup of tea.
