Wow, Dad, you’re getting quite a welcome! And honestly, what did you need that holiday resort for wh…

Blimey, Dad, youre getting quite the welcome here. Why did you even bother with that fancy spa getaway if life at home is full-board?

When Daniel handed Charlotte the keys to his flat, she instantly knew the fortress had fallen. No DiCaprio ever yearned for an Oscar like Charlotte had pined for her Daniel, especially now she had her own little nest.

Despondent at thirty-five, Charlotte found herself increasingly casting sympathetic glances toward stray cats and at the windows displaying Everything for Crafts.

Then Daniel appearedsingle, having spent his youth on his career, kale salads, treadmills, and other nonsense like self-discovery. Childless, too.

Charlotte had been wishing for a gift like this since her twenties, and somewhere up in the clouds, it finally landedproof she hadnt just been joking.

Ive got one last work trip this year, then Im all yours, Daniel said, handing over the sacred keys. Dont be shocked by my lair, though. Im only ever home to sleep. And with that, he dashed off for another weekend in a different time zone.

Charlotte grabbed her toothbrush, face cream, and set off to see what this bachelors den was really like. Problems cropped up right at the door. Daniel had warned her that the lock tended to stick, but Charlotte hadnt expected quite such a battle.

She laid siege to the door for forty minutesshoving, pulling, jiggling the key, trying niceties, even approaching stealthily, but the door was determined to remain closed to its new tenant.

She resorted to mind games, drawing on those lessons from the playground clan behind the garages. The commotion brought out the neighbour.

Why are you trying to break into someone elses flat? came a worried womans voice.

Im not breaking in, Ive got the keys! snapped Charlotte, wiping sweat from her brow.

And who might you be? Ive never seen you before, the nosy neighbour pressed on.

Im his girlfriend, Charlotte retorted, squaring her shoulders, even though she could only see a sliver of the neighbour through the door.

You? The woman sounded genuinely surprised.

Yes, me. Is there a problem?

No, none at all. Its just, hes never brought anyone around before (Charlotte liked Daniel all the more for this), and now theres well

What do you mean, theres? Charlotte wasnt sure.

Its none of my concern. Sorry, the neighbour replied, closing her door.

Realising it was now or never, Charlotte shoved the key, applying every ounce of her will to enter this new fortress, nearly twisting the whole doorframe. The door finally gave way.

Daniels entire inner world lay bare before her, and Charlotte felt her hopes freeze over. Of course, solo living can be a bit spartan, but this was monastic.

Poor thing your heart must have forgottenor never knownwhat comfort feels like,” Charlotte muttered as she surveyed the plain little home where she would now spend much more time.

On the upside, the neighbour hadnt been wrong: not a trace of a womans touch anywhere. These walls, these floors, this kitchen and these gloomy windows belonged to Charlotte alone.

Unable to stand it another minute, she slipped on her shoes and dashed to the nearest shop for a pretty shower curtain and a bath mat, grabbing oven gloves and kitchen towels while she was at it.

Naturally, once inside, she was swept away. Soon the mat and curtain were joined by air fresheners, handmade soap, and neat containers for her toiletries.

Adding these little touches to someone elses flat isnt cheeky at all, Charlotte reassured herself, adding a second trolley of goods to her haul.

The lock gave up its resistance. In fact, it stopped working altogether and was more like a goalie at a football match whod forgotten his helmet.

Realising her blunder, Charlotte spent hours into the night extracting the old lock with kitchen knives, before dashing out in the morning for a new one. The knives had to go too. Thenforks, spoons, tablecloth, chopping boards, trivets. Curtains were next.

On Sunday afternoon, Daniel phoned to say his trip was extended a couple more days.

Ill be thrilled if you bring a bit of warmth and comfort to my flat, he laughed, and Charlotte admitted she had taken a few liberties with his décor.

By now, comfort had arrived by the lorry load, distributed with meticulous planning and paperwork. All those years of pent-up nesting instincts unleashed now shed finally been given free rein.

When Daniel finally returned, only the spider by the vent remained untouched. Charlotte considered ushering him out, but saw those eight utterly confused eyes and decided to let him bea little shrine to the sanctity of someone elses space.

Now Daniels flat looked as if hed been happily married for eight years, got divorced, and decided to be happy anyway.

Charlotte didnt just transform the flatshed made sure everyone in the building knew she was the woman of the house, and all queries should be directed to her. No ring on her fingeryetbut thats purely administrative.

Residents were wary at first, but soon just shruggedAlright, whatever you say. Not our business.

***

On the day Daniel was due home, Charlotte cooked a proper meal, squeezed her still-firm curves into a daring, festive outfit, dotted incense around the corners, dimmed the new lights, and waited.

Daniel was running late. When Charlotte began to notice the tightness biting into the part shed spent months squatting for, a key turned in the lock.

Just nudge, its not lockedbrand new! Charlotte called out, feeling equal parts flustered and excited. She wasnt worried about judgement. With all shed done for the flat, shed surely be forgiven anything.

Just then, Charlotte received a sudden text from Daniel: Where are you? Im here. Not a things changed in the flat. My mates said youd cover everything in cosmetics

She saw the message much later, because at that moment, five complete strangers strolled intwo young men, two school-aged kids, and a very elderly gentleman. On spotting Charlotte, the old man straightened and patted down what white hair remained.

Crikey, Dad, youre getting a fine welcome. Why did you want that spa, when youve got all-inclusive at home? the younger man joked, earning a swift reprimand from his wife for staring.

Charlotte stood frozen, a glass in each hand, immobile with shock. She wanted to scream but couldnt break through her stupor.

Somewhere in the corner, the spider giggled.

Excuse me, who are you? Charlotte squeaked.

Im the owner of this domain. You must be from the GP surgery, come to do my dressing? I thought I said I could manage myself, replied the old gent, glancing at Charlottes nurse-style outfit.

Err, Adam Matthews, youve really made this place lovely and cosy, the young wife peered around Charlotte. Its so different nowused to be like a crypt in here. And you, dear, whats your name? Isnt Adam a bit old for you? Though he does have property

Cha-cha-Charlotte

Well! Adam, you certainly pick interesting people.

Judging by Adams twinkling eyes, the whole thing seemed fortuitous to him, too.

Wheres Daniel? whispered Charlotte. She nervously downed both glasses.

Im Daniel! piped up a boy of about eight.

Not yet, youre not, his mum hushed him, sending her husband and the kids out to the car.

S-s-sorry, I think Ive got the wrong flat, Charlotte started to rally, remembering her earlier wrestling match with the lock. Is this Lavender Road, number eighteen, flat twenty-six?

No, this is Beech Avenue, number eighteen, Adam replied, hands ready to break open his unexpected present.

Right, Charlotte sighed dramatically, I mixed them up. Make yourselves at home, Ill just step out to make a call.

She grabbed her mobile and dashed to the bathroom, barricading herself inside. Wrapped in a towel, she finally read Daniels text.

Daniel, Ill be there soon, just got held up at the shop, she typed back.

Alright, Ill wait. If its not too much trouble, bring a bottle of red, Daniel replied in a voice note.

Charlotte intended to bring the redbut only inside herself. She snatched up the bathmat and curtain, waited until her would-be hosts were occupied in the kitchen, and made a swift getaway.

She bundled her bits into a bag and bolted.

***

Ill explain, just not yet, Charlotte muttered, breezing past Daniel as he opened the door.

Moving as if in a daze, she walked right by him, didnt look back. First order of businessswap the bathroom curtain and roll out her mat, then collapse on the sofa and sleep until sunrise, letting all the stress and red wine evaporate.

Waking up, Charlotte found herself facing a bemused Daniel, clearly expecting explanations.

Sorry, whats the address here again?

Bentley Road, number eighteenDaniel grinned, shaking his head. Lavender Road, number eighteen, flat twenty-six. This ones yours, I promise. The spider says so.

Charlotte burst out laughing, all her nerves unwinding at once. She looked aroundthe bathmat was crooked, the shower curtain still smelled faintly of her adventure, and the kitchen gleamed with her touch. Everything shed wanted, finally hers, even if shed had to navigate the wild detour to get here.

Good, she said, settling in and tossing Daniel a wink. Because Im definitely the woman of this particular house.

Daniel flopped onto the sofa beside her, opening a bottle of red, and poured them each a generous glass. To new beginnings, he said quietly.

Charlotte raised her glass. Upstairs, a neighbour banged on the ceiling, intent on reminding them that all homes, especially new ones, came with surprises.

But Charlotte only smiled, savoring the promise of chaos and comfort ahead. Because if love could lead you astray and still bring you home, then she was right where she belonged.