Lockdown! 04

Chapter 4

Alone in the apartment for what felt like the first time in forever, Tim sat awkwardly on the Sofa. Looking down at his pink-clad legs, he felt sick to his stomach.

He had tried to pick out something he felt a woman like kylie would wear as she relaxed in the house on a Monday afternoon. The outfit he had settled on wasn’t too different to clothes he had worn before, a loose pair of pants and a hoodie. It was just the impression he knew the outfit would give that was playing on his mind.

At 12.58, there was a knock on the door. Tim looked over in horror as his breathing quickened and his palms suddenly felt all clammy. With his body feeling like it weighed a ton, he heaved himself up onto his shaking legs, the unfamiliar feeling of long hair from the wig on his head falling in front of his face.

The visitor knocked again as Tim set off across the room, shuffling along with his feet inside a pair of Veronica’s slip-ons. The fact that her shoes fit him perfectly, not helping his feeling of complete emasculation.

Opening the door, he was greeted by a plump, smartly dressed woman who introduced herself as Mrs Morris. “You must be Veronica?” the woman announced, extending her hand.

Tim hesitated for a moment before mumbling some unintelligible words from below his mask.

“Sorry, dear,” Mrs Morris said in a stern voice. “I know these masks are a little restrictive, but you’ll have to speak a little clearer.”

“I’m Kylie,” Tim replied, a little louder this time. Mrs Morris looked confused.

“I’m on the mortgage with Veronica,” Tim added as he saw a look of acknowledgement in the woman’s eyes.

“Ah, yes. Kylie Winsor. I didn’t know you were living here. And I have to ask you don’t have any symptoms right now, do you? Your voice sounds a little horse dear.” Mrs Morris said, taking one step backwards.

“Oh, no. No symptoms,” Tim replied, trying to lower his voice. “I just smoke a lot.”

Stepping forward once more, Mrs Morris seemed satisfied with his answer. “Terrible habit, Dear. You should really quit, you know? So, May I come in”?

“Yes, of course,” Tim stuttered. Stepping aside to let the assertive woman into the apartment.

Before the front door was even closed, the woman started firing questions at Tim, who did his best to answer. The woman was hard to read, and after twenty minutes of continuous grilling, Tim wasn’t sure if he was saying the right things. When Mrs Morris finally announced it was time to view the property, Tim fell down onto the sofa, utterly exhausted.

Returning a few minutes later, Mrs Morris stood in the kitchen and called him over. Tim knew straight away by her altered demeanour that something was wrong. “Kylie, you said that you live here alone. Is that correct? And before you answer, please don’t lie to me if you are subletting the spare room, it's not a big problem. I just need you to be honest with me.”

(See image 05)

Tim froze, unsure of what to say. The three friends had spent all day yesterday, trying to hide all signs that they were staying there, but this woman must have found something. “Yes, I’m subletting,” Tim announced, bowing his head. “I’m sorry, I lied earlier.”

Mrs Morris put her hands on her hips and shook her head. “Thank you for being honest, Kylie, but please don’t lie to me again. I hate people who lie. Is there anything else you’re keeping from me?”

Tim shook his head. “No,” he mumbled, starting to sweat.

For a few seconds, Mrs Morris stared into Tim's clumsily made-up eyes, almost giving him a panic attack as he convinced himself that he had been read as an imposter. But just as his legs began to shake, Mrs Morris lightened up a little. “Ok, I’ll forgive you. I know this must be a stressful time for you. So, what are the names of these housemates of yours?”

Not wanting to lie, Tim decided to tell the truth, except still shaking and mumbling through his mask, the names of his two friends got a little lost in translation.”

“Paula and Karmen. Ok, I’ll need to meet these two ladies. This property is now technically owned by our company. You’ll all need to come down to our office and register if you want to remain here.”

“It’s not…” Tim started to correct the woman only to be cut off. “It not up for discussion, Dear. Here take my card,” she announced as she thrust a business card that seemed to appear from nowhere into Tim's hand. “The address is on the back. Shall we say Wednesday afternoon? Just call and arrange a time tomorrow.”

Tim clutched the card in his shaking hand and tried to think of something to say. Feeling overwhelmed, he froze up.

“Well, I better get going,” Mrs Morris announced, already walking towards the door. “I look forward to meeting you and your friends on Wednesday. Bye now.”

Feeling utterly ridiculous and stupid. Tim just stared with a gaping mouth as the woman walked out of the apartment, closing the door behind her. He knew he had messed up big time and dreaded how he was going to break the news to Paul and Kamsi on their return.