«When can we move into your new house?» the in-laws asked bluntly. «Pardon?» Emily tensed up. «Well, now that everything’s done, we thought you’d invite us over soon.»
«Nathan, do you realise this is beyond ridiculous?» Emilys patience had worn thin, especially since her husband was pretending not to understand why she was so worked up.
Or maybe theyd planned it all alonglet her pour years of her life and every last penny of her savings into this house, only to leave her with nothing.
Unlike their peers, who scrambled to buy shoebox flats at outrageous prices, Emily and Nathan had decided early on to build their own place. Back when they were dating, it had seemed like the smart choicecheaper, quicker, and far more sensible. Why settle for thirty square metres when they could have a hundred and thirty for the same money?
«And therell be plenty of room for kids and pets!» Emily had gushed.
Luckily, they already had the landa patch belonging to Emilys Aunt Margaret, whod signed it over when she heard about their plans.
«I never gave you a proper wedding gift,» Aunt Margaret had said. «Consider this my present. Better you put it to use than let it sit idle another twenty years.»
Still, it wasnt easy. To save money, they took on some of the work themselvesnights, weekends, even in miserable weather.
Emily had to dip into her inheritance, toomoney from her grandmothers flat sale, all funneled into the build.
But when the house was finally standing, every backbreaking minute felt worth it.
Of course, it wasnt *completely* finished. There were still loose endsconstruction quirks, finishing touches. But it was livable, and that alone had them over the moon.
Theyd started spending nights there, hosting friends. The only thing that niggled at Emily was that Nathans parents hadnt lifted a finger to help, despite being asked repeatedly.
Something always came upurgent errands, unbreakable commitments. Not even for the fence, the Christmas trees, or delivering the fridge. And they had a *massive* 4×4 with a trailerperfect for hauling things. In the end, the couple had to pay for delivery.
«Are they *that* busy? Theyre retired!» Emily muttered.
«Well, they wouldnt lie,» Nathan shrugged.
Logically, Emily knew they probably *were* busy. But a little worm of doubt wriggled in her mind.
«Em, the new tellys arriving today. Can you take it?» Nathan was already halfway out the door, toast in hand.
«Sure. What time?»
«Between three and eight. Theyll ring an hour before.»
«Got it. Heres your lunch.»
«Cheers, love. Rightoff I go.» He kissed her cheek and vanished.
Around four, there was a knock.
Emily assumed it was the deliveryodd they hadnt called, though.
She opened the door.
Nathans parentsMaureen and Derekstood there.
«Oh!» Emily blinked. «II wasnt expecting you!»
«Hello, dear! Too posh to recognise us now?» Maureen chuckled.
«No, no, of course not! Come in.»
They stepped into the spacious open-plan living area, eyes darting around.
«Lovely place youve got here!» Maureen cooed. «So much better than a poky flat. A *house*properly roomy!»
«Erthanks,» Emily nodded.
«So, when do we move in?» Derek cut straight to it.
«Sorry?» Emily stiffened.
«Well, now its all done, we figured youd have us round soon,» Derek reasoned.
«We didnt exactly plan for four,» Emily said carefully.
«Oh, were not fussy! A spare rooms plenty!» Derek grinned.
«We thought wed top up our pensions by renting out our place,» Maureen added brightly.
«Did you discuss this with Nathan?» Emilys voice was icy.
«Not yet, but he wont mind!»
Emily was speechless. After ignoring every request for help, they now expected to *live* here*and* profit from it?
She couldnt bring herself to refuse outright. Shed have to let Nathan handle it.
«Are we strangers now?» Derek huffed. «Not even a cuppa?»
«Rightyes. Tea.»
They lounged at the dining table, sipping leisurely, when Emilys phone rang.
The delivery driver apologised for forgetting to call and said he was outside.
Emily fetched the massive TV box. The couriers helped haul it in, then left.
«Blimey, thats enormous!» Derek whistled. «Wheres it going?»
«Over there,» Emily pointed.
«Brilliant! Perfect for evening telly.»
«Actually, we werent planning on an aerial.»
«What? Watching *nothing*?»
«No. Streaming. No one watches live telly anymore. Unless theyre ancient.»
«Guess thats us!» Maureen laughed. «Ill have Nathan sort an aerial, then.»
Emily counted the minutes until Nathan got home.
Thenengine noise.
«Theyre here. They want to *move in*,» she whispered, clinging to him in the hallway.
«*What*?»
«Shh. Theyll explain.»
«Since when?» Nathan demanded.
«Oh, just popped by to admire your palace!» Derek beamed.
«Palace? Wait till we have kidsno space left!» Nathan joked.
«Nonsense! Youve got two rooms upstairs!»
«Guest room and nursery. We host a lotyou know how it is.»
«Were not keen on noise,» Maureen sniffed.
«Right. So youd have to keep quiet,» Derek added.
«Hold on*why*?»
«Weve told Emily. Were moving in, renting our place out. Extra income,» Derek said, as if it were obvious.
«No, youre not.»
«Nathan! No room for your own parents?» Maureen gasped.
«Was there room in your schedule to help us? Not even with the *fridge*! Youve never once bothered, and now you want to *cash in* on our house? No. I love you, but no.»
Maureen and Derek exchanged looks.
«Come on, love. Time to go,» Derek muttered.
Off they marched, heads high.
The second they left, Emily flung her arms around Nathan.
«Thank you! I was terrified youd side with them!»
«Why would I? I saw how hurt you were every time they brushed you off. And this extra income nonsense? Not happening.»
«Thank you!» She squeezed him tighter.
«Dont mention it. Nowfood?»
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