Should I have seen this coming? - Agnes

Agnes had friendly relations with her long-time neighbours, a husband and wife couple. Mr and Mrs Li were an elderly couple with low household income. They had befrienders and volunteers from non-profit organisations visiting them regularly.

Agnes became an informal extension of this helping network. She would help Mr and Mrs Li read their mail. They struggled with the language used in official documents and weren't confident completing related tasks.

In return, Mrs Li would water Agnes's plants when she travelled. Mr Li, a handyman, mended her bicycle when it broke down.

When Mr Li's knees became weak and he became prone to falling, Agnes offered to check in on him when Mrs Li was away. It felt like the neighbourly thing to do.

One day, Mr Li called Agnes. There was urgency in his voice. "Can you come quickly? The window ledge is faulty and I'm worried it might fall."

Agnes hurried over.

When she arrived, Mr Li told her that Mrs Li was away. Then he asked her to have sex with him.

Agnes felt her blood run cold. Shock. Disgust. Anger. She scolded him sharply and left immediately.

Back in her own flat, her mind raced. Should she tell Mrs Li? Report him? Confront him again?

But Mrs Li was frail, elderly, dependent on him. The truth would devastate her. And what would happen to their living situation? Their support network?

Agnes decided she wouldn't reveal or pursue the incident. But she would take precautions for her own safety. No more going over when Mrs Li wasn't home. No more one-on-one interactions with Mr Li.

The friendly neighbour relationship had shattered. But outwardly, things looked the same.