When her Uber stopped in front of the gate, Anu felt mildly deflated. Sanju’s car was not in the driveway. Yanking the phone out, she checked her messages. There it was—a message from him a good three hours ago. He had gone out with friends. Now she felt majorly deflated. They hadn’t seen each other for two days and she had come prepared to have a good time, like the good old days—pizza, beer and a movie. She could ask him to come back early. Anu called but Sanju disconnected the call.

That is mature, Anu muttered to herself, making her way into the house with Vicky. Her immediate instinct was to run away. Coming from the warm world of cosy houses full of people and noise, the large space around her seemed cold and scary; like in a Stephen King novel. Maybe King could write a book where a house ate its inhabitants and grew bigger. As if sensing her discomfort, Vicky had gone unusually quiet too. Turning on the TV to Oggy and the Cockroaches (Vicky had some eclectic taste), Anu settled down next to him.

‘Mumma, shall we play tennis with Jason?’ Vicky’s question brought her to the harsh reality that there was no Pete anymore. Now she felt not only deflated but also depressed.

‘Too late now. We will play tomorrow.’ There was no need to break Vicky’s heart just yet.

As she went upstairs to their bedroom to get a book she was reading, there was a printed note on her bedside table. As Anu read it, she couldn’t believe her eyes. It was a note from the Verdant Green property manager.

‘Dear sir/madam, it is brought to our notice that the residents of this house are misusing public spaces for commercial activities. Also, we have been informed that the residents are using the tennis court without an ID card. These cards are issued to the owners of the property and the tenants will have to pay for the same. If these shortcomings are not rectified immediately, you may face eviction.’

The room spun around Anu. This was so vicious. That was why Sanju hadn’t even called all day yesterday and now he had left before they came. He must be hopping mad. Who is this faceless property manager sending the letter? She wanted to punch him in the gut. Instead, she took a picture of the notice and contemplated whether she should send it to Sameer, Shwetha or Pete. She settled for Pete. He would have a funny comeback while the other two would also want to punch the manager for her. Pete’s flight was not until midnight so he might check his message.

He didn’t disappoint her. ‘Ask them to take the public space and the tennis court and stick them where the sun doesn’t shine.’

Anu began to laugh. ‘Will do. Then again, eviction isn’t too bad either.’