Ringing The Changes

Everything was going wrong in Mel’s new at…

As Mel walked in through the front door, a sudden ear-piercing alarm shattered the silence, making her jump.

Now what?

She’d only popped out for some milk. Honestly, it felt as if her life had turned into a sitcom since moving in.

Firstly, the removal men had managed to break her favourite mugs. Then, they kept ringing her and asking for directions, despite having a sat nav and punching in her new postcode.

Having got herself settled, she’d started decorating, stripping one of the walls to re-paper. But for some reason, the wallpaper stripper promptly decided to stop working. Luckily, when she’d taken it back to the shop the assistant agreed it was faulty and exchanged it.

Finally, she’d been painting the ceiling when she’d missed her step and fallen off the ladder, spraining her ankle.

Thankfully she was now on the mend — unlike the comedy of errors that seemed to continue in her life.

When were things going to change for the better?

Cupping her hands over her ears and wishing she had some ear plugs, she looked up at the living room ceiling smoke alarm and frowned. That was odd.

Why wasn’t it flashing continuously like they did when the battery needed changing? It was the only alarm she had.

Gritting her teeth, Mel grabbed a broom handle to try to reach it. But no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn’t turn off.

OK, nothing for it. She’d have to get the step ladder.

But just as she was about to climb up, she saw her front door being pushed open by what looked like a knight in shining armour.

OK, slight exaggeration. And of course it wasn’t really a knight. But it was the rather good-looking guy from next door, wearing a slightly bemused expression and designer stubble.

She’d seen him around and had been trying to think of an excuse to talk to him.

‘Sorry for butting in, but the door was ajar,’ he yelled over the incessant clamour. ‘Are you OK?’

‘I will when I can work out why this won’t stop!’ she yelled back, combing a hand through her now dishevelled hair.

‘Want me to take a look?’ he offered, pointing towards the smoke alarm.

Mel smiled gratefully. ‘Thanks, I’m not normally the damsel-in-distress type, honest.’

‘No worries,’ he grinned. Climbing up, he listened, before looking down at her with a perplexed expression.

‘The noise isn’t coming from the alarm.’

‘But what else could it be?’ This was ludicrous. He’d think her a real fool — talk about making a lousy first impression.

Nimbly jumping down, he gazed round her flat, looking as bemused as she did, as they both scoured the place trying to find the culprit.

Pointing at her fire extinguisher, he gave her a look of approval.

‘Glad to see you’ve got one of those. Not everyone does. My brother’s a firefighter and he’s always telling everyone how important it is.’

‘Well, it’s better to be safe.’ Mel mentally awarded herself a gold star.

‘What’s in there?’ he asked, pointing at a drawer.

Mel shrugged.

‘Just odds and ends.’

As he opened it, the alarm noise intensified.

‘Aha!’ he said, pulling out a small personal attack alarm with a flourish. ‘This seems to be the culprit.’

Attempting to press a button on the front, his forehead puckered.

‘Hmm, won’t budge. Have you got a screwdriver?’

Mel rescued one from another drawer.

‘I’ve never even used that alarm and had forgotten all about it. How embarrassing. My dad insisted I get one when I moved out of home.’

‘Not embarrassing at all. Very sensible in this day and age. There, got it.’

Triumphantly, he pulled out the batteries and all went blissfully quiet.

Mel’s shoulders sagged in relief, though her ears still seemed to be ringing.

‘Thank you.’

Hearing herself still shout, she moderated her voice to sound more normal.

‘By the way, I’m Mel.’ ‘Josh. Actually. I’ve been wanting an excuse to come and talk to you since you moved in. Just never found the right time. Was going to ask to borrow some sugar or something.’

Mel’s breath caught.

‘You were?’

His blue eyes crinkled nicely at the corners and he gave her a shy smile.

‘I was wondering if you’d like to go out for a coffee?’

Her heart leapt. It looked like her luck had done an about-turn, though it would have been nice if it had done so more quietly!

Certainly, the vibes she was getting from Josh spoke very clearly in the nowwelcome silence.

She smiled back.

‘I’d like that, thanks.’

He’d think her a real fool — talk about making a lousy first impression