Live with my friend, my aunt from York is staying with us for a month, my husband says, shoving my suitcase out the door.
Mrs. Nancy Brown! Youve parked in my spot again! I asked you yesterday not to use it! a woman shouts.
Mrs. Claire Evans, what spot are you talking about? There are no designated spaces here! I park wherever I like! another voice retorts.
Impossible! Ive lived here thirty years and that spot has always been mine! the first woman insists.
Doesnt give you any right to claim it, the second replies.
Alice stands at the entrance, heavy grocery bags in each hand, listening to the two neighbours quarrel over a parking space. She wants to slip past, but the women block the hallway, waving their arms and raising their voices.
Excuse me, may I get through? Alice asks quietly.
Reluctantly, the neighbours step aside, still shooting angry glances at each other. Alice squeezes between them, pushes the door open with her shoulder, and feels the weight of the bags numb her fingers. She should have taken a trolley, but she always forgets until she reaches the front door.
She climbs the stairs to the fourth floor the lift is, as usual, out of order. She stops at her flat, shifts the bags to one arm, fishes the keys from her jacket pocket, and opens the door.
Inside the hallway sits her suitcase the blue travel case she took on holiday, zipped up and ready to be wheeled away.
Victor? she calls as she steps into the flat. Are you home?
Yes, in the kitchen, her husband replies.
Alice drops the bags, hangs her coat, and walks into the kitchen. Victor sits at the table with a coffee, scrolling on his phone.
Hi, he says without looking up.
Hey, Victor, why is the suitcase in the hallway?
Victor finally looks up, puts his phone down, and sighs.
Right, love, theres something. Remember my aunt Zoe from York?
Alice frowns, recalling the elderly aunt shes only met a few times at family gatherings.
Yes, I think so.
Shes arrived in London for a month. Shes due for an operation and then rehab, so I invited her to stay with us.
Alice slides into a chair, stunned.
You invited her here for a month?
Yeah, whats wrong? Shes family.
Victor, we have a onebedroom flat. Where will she sleep?
Victor finishes his coffee, sets the cup down.
Thats the problem theres no room. I thought maybe you could stay with a friend for a while. What about Lucy? She lives alone in a twobedroom flat. Theres plenty of space. Zoe can stay with us for a month, then leave, and you can come back.
Alice looks at him, hardly believing what she hears.
What?
Stay with Lucy. She has room. Zoe will be here for a month, then shell go home. Youll return.
Victors tone is urgent.
Do you want me to move out of my own flat?
Its only temporary. Just a month.
A month is a long time! Why should I have to go? Let Zoe rent a place or stay in a hotel!
She cant afford a hotel, Alice. Dont be stingy its family!
Im not being stingy! I just dont understand why I have to sacrifice my comfort!
Victor stands abruptly, grabs the keys from the table.
Ive already sorted everything. Zoe arrives this evening. Ive packed the suitcase, put her stuff together. Go to Lucys Ive already called her and shes agreed.
You called Lucy without telling me?
Exactly. No time to waste. Stop the drama, pack up.
He walks out of the kitchen. Alice feels a hot rush of anger rising inside her. She steps into the hallway; Victor is already pulling on his coat.
Victor, wait. We need to talk this through.
Theres nothing to discuss. Its decided. Heres your suitcase and some cash for a taxi. He thrusts a few £20 notes into her hand.
Alice looks at the money, the suitcase, and her husband. Is this really happening? Is he really kicking her out of her own home?
Im not going, she says.
You will. Its only a month. Then youll be back.
What if I dont want to?
Victor sighs, rubbing his face.
Come on, Alice, youre being childish. Zoe is old and ill. She needs help. And youre being selfish!
Im not selfish! Im defending my right to live in my own flat!
Your rights, your rights Have you any thought for the family? For helping relatives?
Tears well up and spill over. She turns away so he cant see her crying.
Fine, Ill go.
She grabs the suitcase, opens the front door, and Victor sees her out. Smart move. Ill call you when Zoe leaves.
Alice steps onto the landing, the door slamming shut behind her. She stands with the suitcase, tears streaming down her cheeks onto the floor.
She pulls out her phone and dials her friend Emma.
Hi, Alice! Victor called, said youre coming to my place. Im ready for you! Emma answers cheerfully.
Emma, do you really mind?
Of course not! Come on over, theres plenty of space!
Alice orders a taxi, gets out into the courtyard, and watches the car pull up quickly. She climbs into the back seat, gives the driver Emmas address, and stares out the window, the world blurred by her tears.
Emma meets her at the door, gives her a hug.
What happened? Victor said youd be staying with me for a while, but you look devastated!
He kicked me out. Just kicked me out of the flat.
Out? How?
Alice explains. Emma shakes her head.
Victors really something, doing that without even a discussion?
Exactly. He just says the decisions made.
Emma leads Alice to the living room and sits her on the sofa.
Are you sure its only about the aunt?
What else could it be?
I dont know. Its odd, kicking your wife out for an aunt Is everything okay between you two?
Alice thinks. In recent months Victor has become distant, cold, always on his phone, answering questions with oneword replies. He used to talk with her in the evenings, watch films together. Now he eats dinner and goes straight to bed, eyes glued to his screen.
Maybe hes got someone else? Emma asks.
Someone? You mean?
An affair?
Alice shakes her head.
No, Victor isnt like that. Hes an honest man.
An honest man doesnt push his wife out of the house.
The words sting. Alice lies down on Emmas sofa and tosses for hours, thinking about Victor, the aunt, the flat, everything happening right now.
In the morning she calls Victor.
Victor, how are you? Has Aunt Zoe arrived?
Yes, shes here. All good. How are you?
Can I swing by today and pick up a few things?
Victor pauses.
No, dont. Zoes resting, I dont want to disturb her.
But Ill just be a minute
I said no, Alice. Ill bring whatever you need later. Just tell me what you forgot.
Alice lists a couple of items. Victor promises to bring them that evening. She hangs up and sighs.
Emma, he doesnt want me to come back, she says.
See? Somethings off. Go over when hes not home. He works during the day, right?
Yes, I have a spare key.
Then head there this afternoon. See whats really going on.
Alice hesitates, but curiosity wins. At lunch, when Victor is clearly at work, she drives to the flat, climbs the stairs to the fourth floor, and unlocks the door with her key.
The flat is quiet. She walks the hall, peeks into the bedroom the bed is made, a nightstand holds some medication. Everything looks normal.
In the kitchen she finds a note on the table. She reads it aloud:
Victor, Ive gone to the hospital for tests. Ill be back this evening. Dont worry. Aunt Zoe
So the aunt really is staying there. Alice breathes a little easier. No lover, just an ill relative. Shes about to leave when the landline rings. The caller ID shows Mom.
Its Victors mother, Margaret, Alices motherinlaw.
Hello? Alice answers.
Victor? a voice asks.
No, this is Alice. Good afternoon, Margaret.
Alice? What are you doing at the flat? Victor said youve left.
Im just picking up a few things.
Right. Hows Zoe doing?
She went for a test, so shes at the hospital.
What test? Victor said shed have surgery tomorrow!
Alice freezes.
Tomorrow? But shes supposed to stay for a month
Month? Where did you hear that? Victor said it would be a week max surgery, a few days in hospital, then back to York.
Week? I didnt know
Alice, are you aware of whats happening?
No, I I have to go.
She hangs up, heart pounding. A week versus a month Victor lied.
She checks the wardrobe; her clothes are still there, untouched. She opens a drawer everything is as she left it. She looks around; everything seems ordinary, yet something feels wrong.
She sits on the bed, then notices a notebook on the bedside table. She flips it open. The first page, written in Victors handwriting, reads simply: Plan.
Below is a list:
1. Convince Alice to leave.
2. Meet with the estate agent.
3. Show the flat to potential buyers.
4. Finalise paperwork.
5. Collect money.
6. Move in with Sophie.
Alice reads it over and over, disbelief dawning. Sell the flat? Move in with Sophie? Who is Sophie?
She snaps a photo of the page, puts the notebook back, and rushes out, trembling, back to Emmas flat.
Emma, I was right, she says, thrusting the photo at her friend. Hes got someone else.
Emmas face turns red with anger.
Damned! He wants to sell the flat! Your flat!
Its in his name, Alice replies. We bought it together, but the legal title is his. I was on maternity leave, so we registered it under Victor.
What now?
Alice collapses onto the sofa, clutching her head.
I dont know. Hes deceived me, thrown me out to sell the place and move in with whoever Sophie is.
Call him. Get answers.
Not now. I need to think.
She spends the evening turning the situation over. Victor never brings the items he promised, citing being busy. She says nothing.
The next day she visits Margaret.
Alice? Come in. Whats wrong?
Aunt Zoe, is it true Victor wants to sell the flat?
Margarets face pales.
How did you find out?
Its true, isnt it?
Margaret goes to the kitchen, sits down, and sighs.
Yes, Victor told me. He wants to downsize, buy a smaller place. He says we dont need a big flat.
We have a onebedroom! Its not big!
He means a studio, cheaper, the rest of the money for a car.
Alice, hes moving in with another woman.
Margaret freezes.
What?
Alice shows the photo of the notebook. Margaret reads, her expression hardening.
No Victor cant be like that.
His note proves it.
Margaret sits silently, then says, Ill talk to him.
Dont. Ill handle it myself.
Alice returns to Emma, calls Victor.
Victor, we need to meet.
Im busy.
Make time. Its important.
Victor finally agrees to meet at a café near Emmas flat that evening. They sit opposite each other, coffee steaming.
Whats this about? Victor asks.
Alice slides the photo across the table.
Where did you get this?
It doesnt matter. Explain yourself.
Victor looks at the page, his face turning ashen.
How did you get it?
It doesnt matter. Tell me what it means.
He stares at his cup, then sighs.
Alice, Ive been meaning to tell you, but I didnt know how.
What?
I met someone. Sophie. Weve been together for six months. I love her.
The words hit Alice like a slap.
Six months?
Yes. Im sorry. I didnt want to hurt you, but it happened.
And you want to sell the flat? The one we bought together?
The flat is in my name. I have the right.
You have the right, but its cruel.
Its not cruelty. Ill give you money, you can find somewhere else, or stay with your parents.
Alice stands, shaking.
You know what, Victor? Do what you want. Sell the flat, move in with Sophie. Just know youve lost me forever.
She walks out of the café without looking back. Victor stays, his coffee growing cold.
Alice returns to Emmas flat, collapses into her friends arms, sobbing.
Youre brave, Alice. You didnt let him humiliate you. Hes not worth it.
But I have nowhere to go. Hell sell the flat and give me nothing. Ill be on the streets.
You could stay with your parents.
They only have a onebedroom. No room.
Then stay here. Live as long as you need.
Alice spends a month at Emmas. Victor sells the flat, moves in with Sophie. Alice files for divorce. In court she claims a share of the property, but the judge rules the flat belongs to Victor, as it was legally his.
She finds a job, saves for her own place. Emma helps, supporting her through the tough months. After six months Alice moves into a tiny council flat. It isnt fancy, but its hers.
She rebuilds her life: work, meet friends, attend yoga classes. The pain fades, leaving only a soft ache.
One day her motherinlaw, Margaret, calls.
Alice, hello. How are you?
Im fine, thank you.
I wanted to tell you Victor and Sophie split. She left when his money ran out.
Alice stays silent.
Hes now renting a room, complaining about being alone. He asked about you. Maybe you could reconcile?
Alice, no. I dont want to go back to someone who betrayed me.
Hes sorry now!
Thats his problem. Ive started a new life, and Im happy.
Alice hangs up, looks out at the grey city, at the people hurrying by. Its not easy a modest flat, a modest salary, a bit of loneliness. But its an honest life, free of lies and betrayal.
And that honesty matters more than any flat or any husband who never valued her.
