Now I remember why I live alone

I’ve lived on my own for the best part of six years now. God, that makes me sound old. And people quite often ask if I get lonely. The answer, quite simply, is no.

I’ve become somewhat institutionalised over the years and love having my own space, my own place to curl away and hide. And I was reminded of how much I like living chez moi when I stayed at my mate LJ’s house at the weekend.

She’s just moved into a flat with a workmate who at 21 is almost five years younger than she is. The flat is gorgeous and LJ’s housemate is a tad excitable, understandably so having just moved out of her folk’s place, getting that first taste of real freedom.

So, LJ and I were fast asleep after a sensible and sober evening out. At 3.20am her phone rang and, stirring from her sleep she answered groggily.

“Oh sorry, did I wake you up?” I hear her housemate innocently ask.

Er yes, it’s 3.20am, I thought… but I bit my tongue.

Basically, Little Miss Housemate wanted to bring some guys and gals back to the flat. LJ said this was okay as long as they were quiet, hung up the phone and we both went back to sleep.

Some 20 minutes later and the noise begins. Lads in their 20s cannot keep noise to a minimal level when they are drunk. Fact. But why they insist on switching lights on and off and opening and closing LJ’s bedroom door I have no idea. Tres irritating when you’re trying to reach -and remain- in the land of nod.

After almost an hour of banging, shouting and general tomfoolery – all of which is fine when there aren’t two people trying to sleep next door – LJ had had enough. She stormed out of her room and in no uncertain terms asked her housemate’s guests to leave. Now.

And then there was silence, bliss.

While LJ may have been lying there thinking “what have I done?”, I was lying there thinking “this is why I live alone”.

I’ve no doubt noisy nights like that won’t be a common occurance but it did bring it back to me how valuable a good night’s sleep is and how irritating it can be when you’re prevented from getting one.