Bruno gave her an odd look and Hannah worried then that she might have insulted him.
‘Age has nothing to do with it,’ he said. ‘It’s just his personality.’
‘Well, thanks so much for keeping it safe,’ she muttered, pickingthe package up and heading to the main elevator. ‘Have a great evening.’
Riding back up to Courtney’s apartment, Hannah thought about what Bruno had said. Was it possible that P-1 was just mean and angry by nature?
Rob always used to tell her she was way too naive about human nature and that, given the chance, people nearly always tried to screw you over. But her ex existed in a world driven by competition.
She sighed. Though he was definitely right about her being naive.
As she set down the hamper and went to input the apartment entry code, Hannah glanced toward Penthouse-1 and, without thinking too much about it, strode over and knocked on the door. Then knocked again. Obviously, he was home. She could hear music coming from inside. The guy – Ed – was ignoring her.
Oh no wait he had mobility issues, she recalled, wincing at her impatience, so of course it would take him that bit longer to answer the door. But still, no reply.
Hmm...
Hannah scooted back to her own door.
One way or the other, she was going to make sure P-1 responded to her.
A little later, Zoe called again for a catchup.
‘You caught me right in the middle of making Rice Krispie buns,’ Hannah told her friend.
‘Yikes, what’s the occasion? Or should I say, who made you mad?’
Whenever she was feeling anxious or off-kilter, Hannah resorted to making a beloved Irish childhood treat that was impossible to mess up – a simple mixture of Rice Krispies and melted chocolatepoured into paper bun cases and left to cool in the fridge. And, after today, she was definitely both.
‘I thought I’d take your advice and try to break through next door’s walls,’ she retorted airily.
Zoe laughed. ‘You truly cannot stand someone not liking you, can you? It’s cute, of course, but it can also be a little intense, and I’m talking from experience here. You take people-pleasing to a whole new level.’
‘I’m notthatbad,’ Hannah argued, though the comment hit a nerve. ‘I just think that maybe Ed is angry and lonely because no one’s taken the time to get to know him, so he’s turned away from the world. It’s like that movie with Tom Hanks, where he plays that grumpy old dude who’s actually got a heart of gold?’
‘Unless it’s a movie with Momoa in it, I have no idea what you’re talking about. Anyway, if he’s that ornery maybe you might want to take it slow all the same? Some folks don’t like other people butting into their lives. New Yorkers especially.’
At this, Hannah found herself smiling.
‘But,’ her friend conceded with a sigh, ‘if you’re truly going to engage in one of your culinary charm offensives, then I also know that poor guy doesn’t stand a chance. Literally. Just try not to poison him, OK?’
‘Very funny.’
But the call (and the baking distraction) had the requisite effect of lifting her spirits, and a little later, once the treats had sufficiently cooled, Hannah clutched a plate of Rice Krispie buns, her pulse quickening in anticipation as she once again approached her not-so-friendly neighbour’s door. She could still hear muffled sounds coming from inside, like the TV was on or something, but when she knocked there was still no response. Undeterred, she took adeep breath and decided to scribble a quick note of her own, once again calling on her trusty diplomatic skills.
Sorry about the recent mistaken deliveries – guessing the delivery people don’t realize there are two of us up here. Made these Rice Krispie buns as an apology? Hope you like chocolate. :)
P-2
Then carefully folded the slip of paper and slid it under the door, leaving the plate outside by the architrave. But just as she was about to leave, she heard footsteps approach and a burst of panic shot through her as she realized her neighbour must have company.
Hannah hurried back to her own door, not wanting to meet him for the first time in such circumstances, or perhaps needing to explain to complete strangers (perhaps even more of the angry residents’ group?) why she needed to make a peace offering. With the lawsuit in the offing, she also needed to remember she was on somewhat delicate ground here.
Back in her apartment, she was running water for a pre-bedtime bath accompanied by a long-awaited glass of wine when the doorbell rang. The unexpected intrusion startled her, to the point that she almost spilled her wine.
Ed from P-1?
Having since changed out of her work clothes, Hannah looked down at her current attire of fuzzy pink robe and a pair of comfy rainbow-coloured socks. She debated whether she had time to go and change back into daytime clothes, then decided against it. Actually, it was probably a good thing she looked so non-threatening, it meant there was less chance of anyone yelling at her.
