Chapter 18 Chapter Seventeen

I was about to rush back to the bedroom, but Leah was in my way, and I had to knock her down if I was going to get past her. I don't know a bag, I said, and you know I'm rarely home at all.Let me borrow it, okay? She shrugged and stood aside, and I ran past her.Once back in the room, she was heard running down the corridor and opening the door.I sat on the bed, picked up the newly bought blouse, and buried my face in the soft material.It has a familiar air of expensiveness.I sighed, waiting for the din to detonate. The result didn't take long.At first it was a voice I didn't recognize, shouting Hey! , followed by a deafening scream of rage.

I stood up and carefully placed my shirt on the pillow. Then there were shouts and curses one after another.I didn't have time to hear the yelling before there was a crash and more screams. I went downstairs at a very slow pace.The door was wide open, and I could see a farce going on outside.Both tables appeared to have been overturned, with their contents scattered across the front yard, some even rolling onto the sidewalk.The young man rummaged through all the auction items frantically, and more people poured into the front yard gate.Just as I was staring at everything, a burly woman rushed past me.She was wearing scruffy jeans and a well-worn sweater over which she wore a bright orange silk blouse several sizes too small for her.At this time, there was another shout and applause in the distance. It should be Pipa who shouted, but she was out of my sight.

I couldn't help thinking: Maybe I could go back to the house without being noticed, sneak down to the basement, then walk through the garden, sneak quietly into the alley, and finally escape safely.Although I thought so in my head, my body unconsciously stepped outside, staring at the mess before my eyes.Several boys picked up the debris as best they could, and two of them fought over the old lamppost.A group of girls wearing lace panties I guess belonged to Leah, took pictures of each other with their mobile phones to show off.Leah was wrestling with the hulking woman in the corner, her orange shirt ripped from armpit to hem.Davy was with the two of them, jumping from side to side, trying to pull them apart; for all his strength, the wrath of the two women was stronger, and he had no chance of winning.A bewildered group of neighbors, some still clutching bright clothing, stared dumbfounded at the chaos as crowds began to gather on the sidewalk.A boy with a lamppost in his hand ran past me, followed by his opponent.

I turned to Leah, now clutching her tattered blouse, striding toward the small group of bewildered middle-aged women standing near the side alley.Hand them over.she says. They backed away and looked at her as if they were crazy.my clothes.Leah said. This is what we bought.One of them said nervously. Yes, bought it with real money, another said, the dress cost me five pounds.She held up a red-lined military jacket. I felt pushed, and it turned out that Dawei came to my side.He was out of breath and had a scratch on his cheek.I hook his arm.How can this happen?No, don't tell me.let me guess.Pipa and Dalio.

He said nothing. Don't worry, you don't have to explain to me.Let's find a way to resolve the dispute. I headed for Leah and the woman without a name, stepping over a boy scavenging scattered jewels on the ground.I tried to sound official. I'm afraid it was a misunderstanding. The clothes you are holding are not for sale. These are what we bought. This was a misunderstanding and we will refund your money. I don't want a refund. That is to say. Leah let out a muffled groan beside me.I could tell she was furious. Return the clothes and we'll refund your money.It couldn't be easier.

What about the others who have already bought clothes? I'll get the money, I say, five quid each, right? Leah let out another angry whimper. Where is the money?David? What? where is that money money? Proceeds from the auction.I speak as patiently as possible. Originally packed in a piggy bank, he looked around anxiously as he spoke, and put it on the table. right. Then you know. good.The front yard is full of trash and people.A group of people still gathered on the sidewalk, one of whom was Owen, who was taking pictures as if he was in a war zone.His camera is like a talisman, protecting him from the flames of war.I looked back into the main house and saw three faces staring out the window from the second floor: Dalio, Pipa, and Mike.

So we're selling off the whole house, I say, and the contents of Leah's closet.Then, in the end, the money was gone too. It looks right.David said. Do you think it's funny? without.He snorted a little and I felt my lips lift. are you laughingLeah screamed in my face. of course not.I try hard not to smile. I thought she was going to jump on me, I was the only one she could catch after all. You are fucking laughing!You sell my clothes for cheap and then snicker like a mean schoolgirl!How would you feel if this happened to you? Already happened.I said. What?Davy asked. my bike.I originally leaned it against the wall outside the house.It's gone now.

David walked over to the wall, as if if he stared there hard enough, the bicycle would miraculously appear. It took me a long time to put that bike together. The co-conspirators Dalio, Pipa and Mike came towards us, and the three of them also had innocent faces of surprise, but this expression did not match Dalio's swollen face. We went in to rest for a while, Dalio said, before we heard a commotion outside. The women behind us gradually dispersed, and I watched them slowly spread out onto the road with Leah's clothes. Some of Leah's clothes were sold.David said. Oh my God.Pipa said.

Oh my God.Dalio said. Mike kept changing his feet back and forth and shifting his body's center of gravity. How can this happen?We're just pulling out all the laundry bags we can see, Pipa's eyebrows are raised even higher, aren't we, Dalio? yes.He covered his mouth with one hand, parodied a look of panic, God, I hope we didn't make a mistake and moved your clothes out too. Lia glared at them both contemptuously. Estelle's bicycle is also stolen.But they turned a deaf ear, Davi said, remaining in their own little world of wrath and revenge. The piggy bank was gone too.I added a sentence. ．

This time they heard it.Everyone turned to face me. What?Mike asked. The piggy bank was gone.I repeat. Why didn't you see it? What do you mean why you don't see it?What are you guys thinking?I'm not there.The three of you run off, Leah fights, Davy tries to break it up, and Owen is busy taking pictures. I turned abruptly to look for Owen.He is talking to a man with a camera.My heart sank even more: I recognized the man I found Ingrid.De.One of the photographers who stalked me after Soto's body.It's really a house leak and it rains all night. how? We might read about ourselves in tomorrow's local paper.Miles is back, our happy family is finally here.

We watched him coming from the street.He looked handsome and unrestrained, but the closer he got, the faster he walked, with a puzzled look on his face, and finally he almost ran back to us.What's wrong?As soon as he entered the front yard, he immediately asked, don't tell me it happened again No, no, Dawei said, but he paused, frowned, something happened.He said. Have you called the police?What the hell is going on now? I'll tell you what's going on, Leah, and what's up with your friends. Don't talk about it here.I said excitedly. It was all your idea, right?Leah turned to me and said. I am trying to solve the problem. This is a misunderstanding.Pipa said. Misunderstanding.Dalio nodded in agreement. Can I do one thing first before settling accounts after autumn?I said, get the others out of our yard first. Isn't it just a simple clearance auction?Miles said with confusion, I really don't understand, how could it be like this? Wait a minute, I said, get them away for me first.David, Mike? I'm here to help.Pipa said happily. You've done too much of a disservice today. Oh, don't be so upset with me.That was just a misunderstanding. Yes, it's best. There is a lot of money in the piggy bank, Dalio said sadly, but it disappeared when we turned around. What a surprise, I sarcastically said, why don't you invite those women away? What are you going to do? I didn't answer, just walked over to Owen and the other photographer. Miss Belle, things are getting a little out of hand, aren't they?the man said happily. go away. What are you talking about? You heard it.go away.You are not welcome here. I am standing on the street.This is not your home. roll. But Otherwise, I will immediately report to the police that you harass me.Do you believe it or not?I took out my phone and started dialing. Owen, your crush is so energetic. I'm not crush, nor his. The crowd gradually dispersed.I walked up to Pipa and Dalio, who were puffing on the rubble. What about Leah?I asked. After entering the house, Dalio threw the cigarette butt on the ground, and she was a little upset. Are you surprised? I'm not happy either. What are you upset about? I put all my hopes on that money. Do you know what I'm thinking?Pipa said that she had to leave the house, and she was not allowed to come back until everyone moved out. I very much agree with your last argument. She looks at me.Then you want to tell her? I? It's better for you to play the black face. She hates me, I said, and thought I was going to take Miles away from her. Miles will definitely listen to you.Pipa said vaguely. After all, why should she go?She is the landlord's girlfriend, have you forgotten? Maybe Miles should go too.They can go together.Dalio said. awesome.I said. No need to be ironic. I couldn't go on living like this, and I said maybe we should move out right now and sleep on the floor of a friend's house or something. Then she wins.Pipa said. win?This is not a contest.Listen, why don't you two apologize to her? Apologize?Dalio said with a hurt face. It wasn't my fault that Miles left a bag of hers around, Pipa looked uncomfortable though she said it solemnly, but, for the sake of the bigger picture, I'd like to apologize if her stuff happened to be sold. Apologies that it didn't go as well as we had planned.Leah's anger subsided, but she became as cold as ice, and the flash of light in her eyes made me shudder. Listen, Pipa said, I just wanted to say No, you just listen to me.Leah cut her off. Let's discuss it calmly.David said. I agree.Myers said. Everyone felt a surge of anger in the room.David said. Who cares what they feel?The point, Leah said, is what they did. But David, don't do me a disservice.Pipa said. Is this a dream?Maybe, Dalio said.In this way, everything makes sense. I wish this was a dream, Miles muttered, I wish I could wake up right now.Estelle, what do you have to say? Why are you asking her?Leah said, you are all like this, the whole family is like this.Estelle says this, Estelle does that, before you figure out what you think, ask Estelle for her opinion. You are not doing it justice. You all confided secrets to her behind each other's backs.Ex-Girlfriend Astrid, Future Girlfriend Astrid, Confessor Astrid, Best Moggie Astrid.But she's not omniscient, either.Right, Pipa? How is it now?Pipa said excitedly. Don't you know?Then maybe Owen knew.Owen? Owen stared at her intently, his expression becoming stiff. Do not you know?That's weird.I thought it was obvious. Leah, what on earth are you trying to say?Miles asked. Don't ask her, I said, leave it alone. Don't you want to know?Lia asked, turning her head to face me. I ignore it, get up from the table, and pick up my jacket. After all, Pipa has been your friend for many years. When she continued to talk, I thought she would tell you all the secrets, especially her love life. Leah.cried Myers. That's her way of shifting focus, Dalio whispers in my ear, don't dump her. I have no intention of dumping her.I said.I smiled at Pipa, but she didn't seem to smile back. Pipa and Owen.Don't you know?Didn't they share their passionate vignette with you? A stiff, shallow smile froze on my face, and I stared down at her.Why share with me?I said. Her triumphant demeanor wavered slightly.I thought you opened up the conversation with Owen and her. That's because you made a mistake. Owen and I exchanged glances. Is there anything else? Leah, you're such a bitch.Pipa said. Smelly bitch.Mike growled, then folded his arms across his chest and sank back in his chair. This is what you call shooting and killing.Myers said. I play this kind of role all the time, don't I?Leah said, be your messenger.After she finished speaking, she walked out of the room with her head held high. I put on my jacket and buttoned it with trembling hands.Try to appear dignified without being mournful. Astrid No, Pipa.Needless to say.fine.There is nothing wrong with that.I just want to breathe. We were a little drunk at the time.Only did it once. It doesn't matter, I said, it has nothing to do with me. Are you all right?Miles asked; he got up and put a hand on my shoulder, which I shook off with a shrug. Please do me a favor, I'm fine.Why am I in trouble? Don't just walk away like this, Davy said, don't you think we should talk about it? No Davy, no.The funniest part is that I don't really want to go to group therapy for this. where are you goingMiles asked. go out.Cycling around. Your bicycle has been stolen. Then I will leave. I go with you?Pipa asked. not now. Astrid Don't call me that.So nothing.I just don't want to sit here and discuss this kind of thing. If you need someone to accompany Miles say. I look around the house. No, I said, the last thing I need is someone else to accompany me. I walked a long way in the soft and warm evening until I reached the Hackney Wetlands.A few teams played football on the field, but otherwise it was eerily quiet and deserted.You almost feel like you are at the seaside instead of London.Far away from the home where there are constant quarrels and discords.