Louise opened her eyes as daylight filtered through the blinds. How good it felt to sleep a whole night. Months before life had been so different. Shuddering she recalled the endless nights of wall-banging, threats through the wall. A new neighbour, who started out as a seemingly nice lady, turned into the witch from hell.
After introducing herself, suddenly she would be popping round as soon as Louise had got up, wanting to go everywhere with her. At first Louise was flattered but gradually it wore her down with work, and her on the doorstep. She had no time to herself. Things went sour when Louise would not take her with her to visit her brother.
Returning home, things had been moved in her house. Nothing was missing, but feeling unsettled she checked all the doors. It was strange. Abuse started. Standing in her back garden, she would stare through the window when any callers came. Watching them as they left, she would tell them Louise was going insane.
Nights became a nightmare. As Louise fell asleep, banging or yelling would start, going on for hours, reaching the stage where Louise did feel she was going mad. She took sick time off from work but the torture continued.
By chance a firm came to lay loft insulation. Coming back down, they informed Louise that a hole had been knocked through from next door. Finally Louise knew how she was getting into her house. She contacted her son who finally believed her, and set up cameras around the house. She was caught, and faced with the evidence when the police were called.
On checking their records, they found she had been cautioned before for the same offence. Reports from social workers were that she wanted to be the person she harassed, finding out as much as she could, then pretending she was that person, and that Louise was her.
It was sad but thankfully she moved on, and Louise could start on the road to recovery.
