I was standing in the kitchen sipping coffee while my friend’s son watched cartoons. Then, just a few minutes later, there was a tremendous bang.

My day off from work was supposed to be spent catching up on house chores. I was busy tidying the living room when suddenly, my friend Emma called out of the blue to say she and her son would be popping round. No matter how much I tried to explain that I was deep into cleaning, it was as if she didnt hear a word.

Just ten minutes later, there they were at my doorstep. I wasnt particularly thrilled about seeing young Oliver, as hes known to be rather mischievous.

We settled in the kitchen, sipping coffee while Oliver watched cartoons in the lounge. Only a few minutes had passed before a loud crash echoed through the flat. Rushing in, I found the fishtank shattered, water everywhere, and the poor goldfish flapping on the carpet.

Emma immediately dashed to check on Oliver, who seemed more interested in what had happened than in being upset. Meanwhile, I grabbed a towel and desperately tried to soak up the water before it seeped through to the neighbour below. After a big clean-up, Emma announced theyd be leaving.

Can you help me get the rug down to the dry cleaner? I asked her hopefully. No, Olivers very shaken, I really need to settle him down, she replied.

When I asked Oliver what had happened, he explained that hed seen a paper aeroplane fly in and tried to catch it. To make matters worse, it wasnt actually just any scrap of paperhed snatched it from the cabinet, and it was my marriage certificate.

Well, Ill just get a replacement, its not a problem, Emma said, brushing it off.

Of course, why should I panic? All I need to do is buy a new aquarium, order another copy of the certificate, and cover whatever repairs my neighbour might need. And, naturally, Emma put the blame on meapparently I shouldnt have the certificate out in the open.

After they left, I headed downstairs to check on my neighbour and make sure the leak hadnt reached them. I finished cleaning up and then crawled into bed, worn out from the day. Later in the evening, I received a text from Emma saying I owed her money because shed taken Oliver to a therapist; he was apparently very traumatised. I didn’t bother replying and just blocked her number.