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The Sweetest Taboo Column
The Slum Lady…
From The Frying Pan Into The Fire
April, 2025
Phew!
We had just about settled into the new house with the “wonderful” (or so we thought) landlady, when a burst water pipe brought us back to reality with a bang.
The breath I had held in for so long, which I felt I could finally exhale along with sighs of relief, was not to be. Discovering our landlady owed so many arrears to the City of Cape Town was worrying, as they could cut off municipal supplies of water or electricity until paid or an arrangement was in place to pay them off.
I’d said my goodbyes to Matt, who, once more, headed out of the country to work. This period was the most frustrating, as Matt and I were squabbling over little things. Our collective “couple” goals were not aligned, so, fraught with worry and chaotic existence, we turned on each other. When he was at home, he wanted peace, and I tried hard to create that. It was the reason I looked forward to moving into the house we were in.
