We were gathered in the kitchen enjoying coffee while my friend’s little boy watched cartoons—when suddenly, an awful crash echoed through the house.

Im spending my well-earned day off at home, catching up on housework. Out of the blue, an acquaintance rings me up and basically tells me that she and her son will be popping round. No matter how I explained I was busy tidying, it was as if she didnt hear a word.

Ten minutes later, theyre at my front door. I cant pretend Im thrilled about seeing Lucas, her son, as hes a mischievous lad.

We settle in the kitchen with a coffee, and her boy is glued to cartoons. Suddenly, theres a dreadful banging noise from the living room. I head in and discover my aquarium smashed on the floor. The fish are flapping around on the carpet, and water has seeped everywhere.

My friend immediately rushes to Lucas to check if hes alright, while I grab a towel, desperately mopping up water to avoid it leaking through to the downstairs neighbours. Once Ive sorted the mess, my friend announces theyre leaving.

Could you help me take the rug to the dry cleaner? I ask. No, Lucas is terribly shaken, I need to settle him down, she replies.

When I asked Lucas why he was near the aquarium, he said a paper plane had ended up in there, so he tried to fish it out. The kicker: theres no paper plane anywhere in sight. He points at the cupboard, insisting thats where he found it. Turns out, he used my marriage certificate to make it.

Oh, just get another one, its not the end of the world, my friend says.

Of course, why am I getting worked up? Ill just replace the aquarium, sort a new marriage certificate, pay for the neighbours repairs, and apparently, its also my fault for putting the aquarium in such a visible spot.

After they leave, I nip round to the neighbour to check everythings alright, then finish up the cleaning and finally get some rest. Later that evening, my friend texts me, demanding I send her money. She claims they saw a psychologist because Lucas was scared, and expects me to foot the bill. I dont replyI simply block her number.