So, listen to this imagine Julia, just heading off to work in London one morning, when suddenly she realises shes left her phone at home. Annoyed, she turns around, pops back into her block of flats, and gets into the lift but halfway up, on the eighth floor, the thing just stops dead. Shes stuck.
Shes there in the lift, just waiting for someone to come sort it out, and then, out of nowhere, she hears the unmistakable voice of her husband, Thomas, right outside in the corridor. Only, hes there with someone else. She could hear everything hes with this woman, Claire, who lives in the building.
She hears Thomas speak softly, clear as day: Claire, my love, I cant tell you how much I miss you. Cant wait until were together again. And Claires smirking, Tonight it is, then come by after ten. And then Thomas asks, Is your husband on nights again? Claire replies in the same dreamy tone, Yes, hes covering nights all week. He leaves at half nine and wont be back until the morning. Actually, hell be back soon, so we should hurry.
Thomas, obviously distracted, grumbles, Whats taking the lift so long? The two of them loiter by the lift for a good few minutes, not realising its broken down with Julia inside. Once they work it out, they start making their way down the stairs.
While they chat, Thomas is still pouring out all this gratitude, thanking Claire for the little windows of happiness he gets to spend with her. At first, Julias just thinking, Whos that? Cant be Thomas, surely But then Claire says his name, and mentions Julias name too, and she suddenly gets it. The penny drops Thomas has been having it off with Claire from No. 40, right there in their building.
Julia can barely believe her ears. She starts piecing it all together so thats where hes really going in the evenings, getting a bit of fresh air before bed. She thinks, Well, Ill give him a walk hell never forget. Hell remember this night for the rest of his life
Eventually, the maintenance guys get the lift open and Julia gets out, but by now shes already hatched a plan in her head.
That evening, around ten, Thomas does his usual act. Jules, love, Im off for a little walk, he says, grabbing his coat.
Julia looks up and says, But its raining outside!
Is it? he plays up.
Honestly, maybe you should just get some air on the balcony. No need to go out.
No, the balconys no good. I need a proper walk, its better for my heart. Cant get the steps in on the balcony.
But its pouring
Ill take my umbrella, says Thomas. No harm in a bit of drizzle. He grins and heads for the door. Ill be back in about an hour, tops.
Julia just shakes her head, Just take care, alright? Something tells me todays not your lucky day.
Come on, he laughs, Dont believe in all your signs and portents. See you in a bit.
But hes not even gone half an hour when hes back at the flat, fuming and half out of breath. Turns out, Claires husband got an anonymous tip-off that she was having an affair with a neighbour, and now the whole things blown up.
Thomas knocks, and Julia opens the door a crack, with the chain still on.
Wheres your umbrella? she asks. And why arent you wearing your coat and shoes?
I got mugged, can you believe it? Thomas replies, shivering. Some blokes just came up to me and took everything. Please, let me in, Im freezing.
Your stuffs all packed, Julia says calmly. Youll find your suitcase by the bins round the back. Oh, and be sure to send Claire my regards.
What do you mean, Claire?
You know, Claire from the eighth floor.
Julia shuts the door and heads off to watch the telly. She sighs with relief, thinking, Thank goodness the kids are grown and off living their own lives. Theyd never have coped with this humiliation.
Meanwhile, Thomas dashes out to the bins, finds his suitcase waiting for him, changes quickly in the entryway, and steps outside, glancing behind him. He decides hell take a cab to his mums in the suburbs.
But then he realises oh no, hes left his phone at Claires flat. So he decides to ask Julia if he can borrow hers. He heads back up, planning to knock, but this time, he gets caught in the lift again because the whole buildings lost power. Just his luck: trapped on the eighth floor, stuck in the same spot as Julia was earlier.
Ages later, the electricity comes back on. Thomas finally gets out of the lift, but by then, Julias already left for work. He doesnt have keys for the flat its in Julias name anyway.
Hes trudging down the stairs when who should he run into on the eighth floor but Claire, suitcase in hand, waiting for the lift. Thomas gives her a tired look and says, Youve got my phone, havent you? Claire nods, embarrassed, And your stuff as well.
After that, the two of them head downstairs together, but when the cabs come, they go their separate ways both with a lot to think about, Id say.
