“Valentina, this is no way to do business! What on earth is going on? This is outrageous!” Nadezhda shouted into the phone. “We transferred the full amount to you, didn’t we? Yes, we did! We paid you for all three months, just as we agreed! And what is happening here now?”
The woman was speaking loudly, clearly outraged by the situation.
Two weeks earlier, Nadezhda had found Valentina through an ad and arranged to rent her village house. She and her husband had immediately liked the cozy little place in the photos. Nadezhda explained to Valya that they wanted to spend the summer in her home — a small, wooden, very cozy house. They quickly agreed on a price.
“If you want to come and see everything in person first, the neighbors across the street have a key. They’re always home,” Valya had explained.
But the summer visitors — as the locals called city folk coming for the season — were satisfied.
“No, we won’t bother going ahead of time. No point running back and forth. Your cottage looks very cozy, that’s clear. Inside everything’s neat and clean. And the location — with the field, the river, and the forest nearby — it’s everything my husband and I dreamed of. So, Valentina, we’ll take it. I’ll transfer the money now, and we’ll move in on the first. No reason to delay, right?”
Valentina was delighted to find tenants so quickly. She desperately needed the money.
After her divorce, finances had become very tight. Her older daughter Masha was preparing to apply to college, which would mean big expenses. And her younger son Denis burned through clothes and shoes like fire — she could barely keep up with buying him new things. On top of that, utility bills had just gone up again. Expenses everywhere. And her ex-husband? He paid child support, but the amount was laughable.
“What happened, Nadezhda?” asked Valentina, startled by the early morning call from her new tenant.
“What happened? You’re asking me? I don’t even know! My husband and I arrived at the house today, with our belongings and groceries, just as we agreed — it’s the first of the month. We loaded up the whole car, brought clothes and books… and someone is already living there! What is going on? This is outrageous!”
“Someone’s living there?” Valya didn’t understand. “That must be a mistake, I assure you. Are you sure you didn’t get the house mixed up?”
“No, we didn’t. We’re perfectly oriented. But you should know who’s living there!” Nadezhda went on angrily.
“I never allowed anyone else to move in. We already agreed on the rental,” Valya said, confused.
“I don’t know! You sort it out, whoever they are! And what are we supposed to do now? We were so looking forward to arriving and relaxing. We left at dawn to avoid traffic, and this is the surprise we got! Incredible!”
“Please wait, Nadezhda. Don’t get upset just yet. I’ll figure this out right now,” Valentina pleaded, flustered.
She couldn’t afford to lose tenants — she had already spent part of the rent money. Now she might have to return the whole amount.
“Fine, we’ll wait. But not for long,” Nadezhda said sharply. “Only because we really liked your house.”
Valya quickly dialed her village neighbor’s number.
“Aunt Klava, sorry to wake you, but it’s urgent!” Valya cried into the phone.
“It’s fine, I’m awake. I was just about to call you. Something’s going on… I wondered if maybe you changed your mind about renting the house?” the neighbor said.
“No, of course not! That’s the point! Who is in my house right now, tell me, for heaven’s sake?” Valya nearly shouted.
“Why, it’s… what’s their name? Your ex’s relatives. His sister, I think, with her husband. Oh yes — Vera! That brazen one. Remember how they used to show up at your parents’ uninvited, God rest their souls? Always claiming they just wanted to use the bathhouse. But they’d stay for three days.”
“You mean the Karpovs? Vera and Petya?”
“Yes, them. And their kids. They came yesterday evening and spent the night there,” the watchful neighbor reported.
“Aunt Klava, why did you give them the key? What were you thinking? I already rented the house out!” Valentina burst out in frustration.
“Give them the key? Me? Never! They broke the lock themselves. Didn’t take much effort. Used a crowbar. Honestly, Valya, I thought they moved in with your permission. I didn’t realize they’d do something so barbaric. Why break a lock if you have a key? What kind of people are these! Shameless, that’s what.”
“I’ll try calling them, I must have their number somewhere. And please, Aunt Klava, call the local policeman right away. Tell him it was a break-in, that strangers forced their way into the house. Please help me!”
“All right, I’ll call. It’s no trouble. Especially now that I know they forced their way in. What brazen people! Maybe my husband and I should go too? To make sure they don’t wreck the place? Don’t worry — he’s got a hunting rifle. We’ll bring it.”
“No, don’t. I’ll be there myself,” Valya replied.
It was a thirty-minute drive to the village, so she had to hurry. She didn’t bother calling the intruders. She’d sort it out in person.
“Nadezhda, please forgive me. I just found out — it’s my ex-husband’s relatives. They moved in without permission or my knowledge. Broke the lock and got inside. I had no idea, honestly. We’ll get them out now, and then you can move in. Will you wait?” Valentina asked, already pulling on her tracksuit and heading to the car.
“We’ll wait. But hurry, Valya,” said Nadezhda, not wanting to lose such a nice, affordable rental.
When Valentina arrived at the house, the battle was already raging.
The district officer, called by the neighbor, was writing a report on the break-in and trespassing. Clearly, he hadn’t been able to evict the intruders on the spot. The law required documentation.
“What break-in? What trespassing? Have you all lost your minds in this village?” Vera bellowed. “Our relatives lived here! They were always happy when we visited!”
“This property — the house — belongs legally to Valentina Ivanovna Semenova. Do you have her permission to be here, let alone live here?” the officer asked sternly.
“See? I told you — Semenova is family! Her husband, Mikhail Semenov, is my cousin. He gave us permission!”
“Her husband? Don’t make me laugh!” interjected Klavdia, who was also there. Her usually silent husband stood nearby, glaring disapprovingly.
“Misha hasn’t been Valentina’s husband for two years! He left her for someone else!” Klavdia declared. “So why are you in her house at all? This is trespassing!”
“And who are you to interfere?” Vera snapped.
“Oh, don’t pretend you don’t know me! You used to come here uninvited all the time! And now you act like a stranger!” Klavdia shot back. “Officer, write it down — I saw them break the lock with a crowbar. I’ll testify in court.”
“What court! Are you senile, old woman?” Vera’s husband shouted.
“Quiet!” barked the officer. “Answer me — how did you get in? Was there a break-in or not?”
“No break-in, officer, of course not!” Vera’s tone turned suddenly sweet. “Mikhail — Valentina’s husband, my cousin — he said the lock was flimsy and we didn’t need a key. He told us to move in and enjoy ourselves. The house was standing empty anyway. My children need fresh air, they’re sickly, they need to strengthen their immunity. Why let the place go to waste?” she pleaded tearfully.
Just then, Valentina burst into the house, out of breath. Vera’s face changed instantly.
“Oh, Valya! Thank goodness you’re here. Tell them we’re family, that we belong here too.”
“No, I won’t! From the moment Misha left me, his relatives no longer exist for me. We were never close, and now we’re complete strangers. So tell me, what are you doing in my house?”
“How can you say that?” Vera’s husband protested. “Mikhail told us you two were on good terms, for the children’s sake. That he helps you with money. So you can’t be angry at him, or at us.”
“I’m asking how you had the nerve to break into my house without permission? What kind of shameless behavior is this?”
“Misha allowed us! He has a right to this house too! Don’t forget how much he worked here, for your parents! Now he can’t even come visit?” Vera shot back.
“What nonsense! I won’t even listen. Officer, please help me evict these intruders. If they leave now, I won’t press charges.”
“You heard her. Vacate the house immediately, and thank the owner for not filing a case against you,” the officer ordered.
“You’re so ungrateful! You’ve forgotten all the good we’ve done for you!” Vera hissed as she stuffed belongings into her bag. “Misha’s suddenly bad, and we’re bad too. And you won’t even share this old shack! Shame on you!”
“You’re the one who should be ashamed! Now hurry up, people are waiting,” Klavdia said triumphantly.
“Aunt Klava, please help me clean up quickly. The tenants have been waiting more than an hour. I’m so embarrassed,” Valentina sighed.
“Of course, Valya, of course. We’ll clean up right away. Grandpa, bring some water from the well!”
Half an hour later, Nadezhda and her husband entered the freshly cleaned, vacant house.
“I’m so sorry this happened,” Valentina apologized. “It wasn’t my fault. Who could have imagined they’d do such a thing? Please don’t hold it against me.”
“Oh, we won’t. In fact, I’ll bring you some goat milk as a gift — from my Laryochka. Do you like goat’s milk? It’s so healthy!” Klavdia offered warmly.
“We love it, thank you! And by the way, my name is Nadezhda.”
“And I’m Klavdia Nikolaevna, this is my husband Ilya Vasilyevich. If you need anything, just come to us. We’ll help however we can.”
Valentina drove back to the city relieved. Everything had been resolved peacefully, and she wouldn’t have to return the rent money.
At home, she called her ex-husband. She rarely phoned him, but today she couldn’t hold back. It was time to say everything on her mind.
“What do you think you’re doing, you scoundrel? Handing out my house like it’s yours! Who gave you the right to let the Karpovs move in, breaking the lock?”
“Oh, come on, don’t make a fuss! What would’ve happened if they’d stayed a week or two? Your house wouldn’t have fallen apart! You’ve always been uptight. You should be more easygoing, Valya. More humane.”
“I see. Same old story. Easy to be generous with someone else’s property, isn’t it? Well, I’m warning you — if you ever try this again, I’ll make sure you and your relatives answer to the law. Stay away from my house!”
Valentina hung up, satisfied, thinking how right she had been to leave Mikhail when she did.
