Hearthstone ran Kingsmere Gardens the way we ran every other place we looked after. We fixed the things everyone had been complaining about for years. The broken lights on the footpath. The potholes on Larch Close. The leaking roof on the clubhouse. The play area swings that had been taped up since the spring.

We published every penny of the monthly charges online, so every resident could see where their money went.

We offered every renter at Kingsmere a longer tenancy, if they wanted one. Most did. Doris signed a ten-year one and said she intended to see it out.

And I kept renting number fourteen.

People thought I was mad. I could have bought any house on the development. I could have bought ten.

But I liked my little house. I liked my neighbours. And I liked paying my rent on the first of the month, the same as Liam and Doris and everyone else.

It kept me honest. It reminded me what it feels like to be the person who doesn't own the walls around them.

The person who can be asked to leave.

I never want to forget that feeling. Because the moment I do, I'll start running my company like Nigel ran that committee.