When I stepped into the lift in our block of flats, a woman was already inside, clutching the keys to my flat.
At first, I wondered if Id made a mistake.
But no, I hadnt. The keyring was unmistakablea small blue heart, a gift from my sister years ago.
The woman was in her forties, with short dark hair and a proper handbag slung over her shoulder. She stood there as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
The lift began to rise.
My heart thumped in my chest.
Excuse me, I said. Those keys where did you get them?
She looked at me.
Then at the keys.
Then back at me.
And who are you? she replied.
Her question felt like a slap.
I live in flat twelve, I said.
She froze for a moment.
Then quietly answered, Thats odd.
Why? I asked.
Because I do too.
The lift stopped at the sixth floor, but neither of us got out.
Silence filled the space.
Ive lived there for four years, I said.
She gripped the keys tightly in her hand.
I just signed a tenancy agreement last month.
I stared at her. What kind of agreement?
She opened her bag and pulled out a folder.
Inside was a copy of a lease.
The address was mine.
Flat twelve.
We both fell silent.
Who gave you the flat? I asked.
The owner, she replied.
Who?
James, she said.
My stomach knotted.
James was my cousin. Hed told me I was staying there temporarily, only until he returned from abroad.
Hes the owner, I muttered.
She nodded. Yes. He told me the flat was vacant.
The lift finally reached our floor, and the doors slid open.
We stood still.
Then she said, Perhaps its just a misunderstanding.
Perhaps.
We stepped into the corridor.
Flat twelves door was right in front of us.
She raised her keys.
I did too.
Both sets looked identical.
An uncomfortable silence fell.
Sometimes the worst feeling isnt when someone lies to you.
Its when you realise you may have never known the truth at all.
I looked at the woman.
Shall we open it? I asked.
She sighed. Yes.
Tell me honestly
If you discovered someone had given your home to another without your knowledge, would you calmly try to uncover the truth or would you explode on the spot?
