When I stepped into the lift of our block of flats, there was already a woman inside holding the keys to my apartment.
At first, I thought perhaps Id made a mistake.
But I hadnt.
The keyring was unmistakablea small blue heart my sister had given me years ago.
The woman looked to be about forty, with short dark hair and a no-nonsense handbag slung over her shoulder. She stood there calmly, as if it was the most ordinary thing in the world.
The lift started going up.
My heart pounded.
Excuse me, I said, those keys where did you get them?
She looked at me.
Then she looked at the keys.
Then back at me.
And who are you? she asked.
The question hit me like a slap.
I live in flat twelve.
She froze for a moment.
Then replied quietly, Thats odd.
Why?
Because I do as well.
The lift stopped at the sixth floor, but neither of us got out.
It was silent inside.
Ive lived there for four years, I said.
She gripped the keys tightly.
I signed a tenancy agreement just last month.
I stared at her.
What sort of agreement?
She opened her bag and pulled out a folder.
Inside was a copy of a rental contract.
The address was mine.
Flat twelve.
Silence fell.
Who did you get it from? I asked.
The owner, she replied.
Who?
George.
My stomach tightened.
George was my cousin. Hed told me I was staying in the flat temporarily until he returned from abroad.
He owns it, I murmured.
She nodded.
Yes. He told me the flat was empty.
The lift reached our floor.
The doors opened.
We both stood still.
Then she said, Perhaps theres been some mix-up.
Perhaps.
We stepped out into the corridor.
The door to flat twelve was right in front of us.
She raised her keys.
I did the same.
Both sets looked identical.
A strange silence settled between us.
Sometimes the worst feeling isnt when someone lies to you.
Its when you realise you may never have known the truth.
I looked at her.
Shall we try to open it?
She sighed.
Yes.
Tell me honestly
If you realised your home had been given to someone else, would you try to get to the bottom of it calmly, or would you lose your temper on the spot?
