Youve been forgotten! Take the guests, keep quiet! the motherinlaw barked at her daughterinlaw. This time, she got more than she deserved.
Excuse me? Thats not my business. I live here, this is my flat, and Im telling youno! Nellie stood in the doorway, trying to bar Clara Whitmore and her entourage.
Who are we supposed to house, and where? Clara snapped. Just smile and take the guests, dont argue. Come in, Evelyn, Petershes only joking, she says.
With a forced grin, the woman slipped past the newcomers, pulling an elderly couple behind her.
Whats the point of fighting you? Nellie asked, eyes flashing.
Dont pick a fight with anyone, the motherinlaw replied, a sour smile curling her lips. If Matthew were home you wouldnt be saying a word against our relatives. My son is generous and respects his family. You could learn a thing or two from him, since youre so uncouth.
Five minutes earlier, Clara had rung the buzzer from the lobby. Standing by the entrance she demanded the flats door be opened. Nellie, without hesitation, pressed the intercom button, letting Clara in, even though she barely understood why she should at this hour while her husband, Matthew, lay in St. Thomas Hospital after an emergency appendectomy.
When Nellie finally opened her front door, she froze. Beside Clara stood a man and a woman shed never seen, each lugging a suitcase.
This is my cousin Evelyn and her husband Peter. Theyve come to see the family, Clara announced. Good day, Nellie replied curtly, bewildered by the strangers and their bags.
Theyre staying with you and Matthew, Clara continued, as if the decision had already been made. Id house them at mine, but I already have my longtime friend Zoe from Brighton and her grandson here. So, Nellie, welcome them. Evelyn and Peter have kindly agreed to live with you.
Now the flat felt like a siege. Should she call the police to evict the intruders, or first ring her husband in the hospital?
The uninvited guests began to unpack, eyes scanning every corner.
What a cosy place you have. Is the tube far? Evelyn asked. Wed like to go into the centre tomorrow, wander the streets, see the monuments and historic buildings.
Nellie opened her mouth to answer, but Clara cut in.
Its only ten minutes walk, love. Everythings closepark, tube, shops, the school. My husband and I helped pick this flat for our son, making sure it was perfect.
Good on you, Clara! Youve sorted his education and the house, Evelyn replied, ignoring Nellie entirely.
Nellies patience snapped. Im calling Matthew. This is outrageous!
Call him, Clara urged. Let him be glad his aunt and uncle are finally visiting. Too bad he cant welcome them properly now.
Nellie dialed. Matthews line rang, then fell silentlikely asleep after a painkiller. She didnt try again, deciding to call later.
If things had been handled properlyif Clara had asked firstNellie might have complied. Instead, Clara acted like the purchase of the flat was her own triumph, even though it was a joint mortgage, with contributions from both sets of parents. Nellie had always thought Matthew could have found a better wife, and Clara never hid her contempt.
Nellie tried again, the phone emitting endless clicks. She gave up; Matthew was in the hospital, not a holiday resort.
Clara, feeling satisfied, clapped her hands. Alright, my dears, I must attend to my own guests. Settle in, rest, and well arrange a meeting tomorrow.
She left, leaving Nellie alone with the strangers. The thought of throwing them out crossed Nellie’s mind, but she feared Matthews reaction. She certainly didnt want to argue with him while he was ill.
Just put us up for the night, thats all, the guests said.
Later, on the balcony, Nellie whispered to the closed door, tears threatening, Matthew, your mother has done it again! Im in a nightmare!
What’s happened, love? Matthews voice crackled from the hospital.
Shes brought her distant relativesEvelyn and Peterinto our flat! Theyre from some backwater village, and she forced them in. I tried to stop her, but she shoved them past me and left.
Hold on, Im a bit muddled after the operation. She brought Aunt Lena and Uncle Pete? She told me they were coming, but why here?
I think she just doesnt want to bother with hostingcooking, entertainingso she throws the job onto me. Ill call her and tell her to take them back, but it might be too late for tonight.
Honestly, I dont mind them staying for one night. Theyre family, after all, Matthew replied, trying to calm her.
The next morning, as Nellie prepared for work, Evelyn and Peter asked, Will you lock the front door when we leave?
Wont you give us a spare key? they inquired. How are we supposed to get back?
You wont be coming back, Nellie snapped. Because you wont be living here.
Claras voice rang through the phone moments later. Why didnt you give them keys? You said theyd live with you!
Didnt Matthew call you? Nellie retorted.
He did, but I told him its your duty to welcome guests, especially family. Dont stress himlet him recover.
Nellie hung up, hoping that by night the unwelcome relatives would have fled. She vowed never to open the door to strangers again.
That evening, she walked back to find Peter and Evelyn slumped at the kitchen table, a plate of sliced cheese and ham between them, a bottle of cheap wine halfempty. Their laughter was slurred.
Hey, Nellie! Cook us something quick, were starving, Evelyn slurred. We cant figure out how to use your fancy stove, weve been poking at every button.
Were stuck here because you didnt leave us a key! Peter added, his words thick with alcohol.
Nellie, shaking, dialed the police. There are strangers in my flat who refuse to leave, she whispered.
Clara, hearing the call, scoffed. Youve called the police? Youll have them taken away, then.
The officer suggested I speak to the local constable first. If they dont leave within half an hour, theyll end up in a cell.
When the constable arrived, the intruders were escorted out. Nellie exhaled, the tension finally releasing.
Thankless, ungrateful lot! Clara shouted as she watched them go. We took them into the family, and they act like selfish parasites!
Alone, Nellie plotted revenge. She called her own mother.
Hi, Mum. How are you and Dad? Could I have the number of our cousins from Tiverton?
What do you need them for? Theyre always up to something, her mother replied, bewildered.
They love a good rum, you know. I want to invite them over, Nellie said, smirking.
Maybe you shouldnt go that far, love, her mother warned. Think it through.
Nellies plan unfurled in days. When Clara answered the door, she found a ragtag group of men and women looking more like itinerant workers than genteel relatives. Their breath reeked of cheap whisky.
Good afternoon, they said politely, the stench of ale hanging around them.
Nellie gestured to Clara, who recoiled. Come in, make yourselves at home. These are my relatives from the countrysidehardworking folk, if youll excuse the smell.
Theyll stay a few days, Nellie announced.
What? Who did you bring here? Clara snarled.
Im on a work trip, Matthews in the hospital. As you said, its my duty to host relatives, Nellie replied coolly. So, welcome.
Clara scrambled to call the police again, but the line went dead after a frantic fifteen minutes of shouting. The strangers laughed, their bags heavy with provisions, clearly prepared for a stay.
The next day, Matthew called from the ward, his voice weak. Your mothers furious. She says you shouldnt be in the flat any longer.
Thats exactly what I wanted, Nellie said, a thin smile forming. Consider this a lesson.
She whispered to herself, Ill make her respect me. And the cousins shed summoned from Tiverton lingered at Claras house for a full twentyfour hours, their rowdy presence finally giving Nellie the peace she craved.
