The air in the new house was thick with unspoken tension as Emilys in-laws stood in the doorway, their smiles too wide, their eyes too bright. «When can we move into your new place?» they asked, their voices dripping with false cheer. «Pardon?» Emily stiffened, her fingers tightening around the edge of the doorframe. «Well, since youve finished everything, we thought youd invite us over soon,» chuckled Arthur, her father-in-law, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
«Oliver, do you see how outrageous this is?» Emilys voice trembled, her husbands indifference like salt in a wound. He pretended not to understand why she was upset, but she knew better. Or perhaps this had been their plan all alonglet her pour years of her life and every penny of her savings into this house, only to snatch it away when it was done.
Unlike their peers, who scrambled to buy tiny flats at ludicrous prices, Emily and Oliver had chosen to build. Back when they were dating, theyd dreamed of a proper homebigger, cheaper, better. Thirty square metres? No, theyd have a hundred and thirty for the same money.
«Therell be room for children, for pets,» Emily had rejoiced.
Luckily, the land was already theirs. Olivers aunt, upon hearing of their plans, had signed over the plot as a wedding gift. «I never gave you anything proper,» shed said. «Let this be it. No sense letting it sit idle another twenty years.»
Still, it wasnt easy. To save money, they took on much of the work themselvesweekends, evenings, even in the rain. Emily dipped into her inheritance, the proceeds from her grandmothers flat sale, and poured it all into the build.
But when the house finally stood, solid and real, every minute of toil felt worth it.
Not that it was entirely finished. There were still detailstrim, paint, fixtures. But it was livable, and that alone filled them with giddy pride. Theyd begun staying over, hosting friends. The only shadow? Olivers parents hadnt lifted a finger to help, despite repeated pleas.
«Oh, were just so busy,» theyd say, waving off requests to help with the fence, the trees, even delivering the fridgedespite owning a massive 4×4 with a trailer, perfect for such tasks. In the end, Emily and Oliver paid for delivery.
«How are they *that* busy? Theyre retired!» Emily had fumed.
Oliver shrugged. «They wouldnt lie.»
But doubt gnawed at her.
«Em, the new tellys coming today. Youll be in?» Oliver, mouth full of toast, hurried toward the door.
«Of course. What time?»
«Sometime after three. Theyll call an hour before.»
«Alright. Heres your lunch.»
«Cheers. Right, off I go.» A peck on the cheek, and he was gone.
At four, a knock startled her. Oddno call.
She opened the door. Olivers parents, Margaret and Arthur, stood there, grinning.
«Oh!» Emily blinked. «I wasnt expecting you.»
«Hello, love! Arent you going to let us in?» Arthur winked.
«Of course, come in.»
They swept into the spacious living area, gazing around like royalty surveying new territory.
«Lovely place youve got here,» Margaret cooed. «So much better than a poky flat. A proper home! Plenty of room for everyone.»
«Er thanks,» Emily said weakly.
«So, when can we move in?» Arthur cut straight to it.
«Iwhat?»
«Well, now its done, we assumed youd have us over,» Arthur said, as if explaining to a child.
«We didnt build it for four people,» Emily said, baffled.
«Oh, we dont need much! A single rooms plenty!» Arthur laughed.
«Em, dear, we thought wed rent out our flatpocket a bit of extra pension, now theres somewhere else to live,» Margaret added smoothly.
«Did you discuss this with Oliver?» Emilys stomach twisted.
«Not yet, but he wont mind.»
Emily was speechless. After all their refusals to help, they now expected to move in *and* profit from it? She couldnt bring herself to refuse outrightbut she prayed Oliver would.
«Tea, then?» she muttered.
They lounged at the table, sipping leisurely, when the phone rang. The delivery driver apologised for forgetting to callhe was outside now.
Emily fetched the massive TV box, the couriers heaving it inside before vanishing.
«Blimey, thats huge!» Arthur crowed. «Wheres it going?»
«Here.» Emily pointed to the blank wall.
«Brilliant! Well watch the news there tonight.»
«Actually, we werent planning on getting an aerial.»
«What? Whatll you watch, then? A blank screen?»
«Streaming. Films, series. No one watches live telly anymore. Unless theyre ancient.»
«Thats us, then!» Margaret tittered. «Ill have Oliver sort an aerial.»
Emily counted the minutes until Oliver returned. When his car finally rumbled up the drive, she flew to the door.
«Your parents are here. They want to move in,» she hissed.
«*What?*»
«Shh, theyll explain.»
Oliver strode in, jaw set. «Since when is this happening?»
«Oh, we just came to see your palace! Marvellous!» Arthur beamed.
«Palace? Once we have kids, spacell vanish,» Oliver said pointedly.
«Nonsense! Youve two spare rooms upstairs!» Margaret interjected.
«Ones for the baby, ones for guests. We have friends over often. Parties. Were young.»
«Oh, but we *hate* noise,» Margaret said, shooting Arthur a look.
«Right. Youd have to keep quiet,» he agreed.
«*Excuse me?*» Olivers voice sharpened.
«Weve told Emily. Were moving in, renting our flat out. Extra income,» Arthur declared.
«Not happening.» Oliver crossed his arms. «Theres no room.»
«Oliver, love, surely theres space for your own parents?» Margarets voice turned saccharine.
«Was there time to help *us*?» Oliver shot back. «You couldnt even deliver a fridge! Not once did you show up, and now you want to *profit* off our house? No. I love you, but no.»
Margaret and Arthur exchanged glances.
«Come on, Margaret. Were leaving,» Arthur said stiffly.
Without another word, they marched out.
The moment they were gone, Emily flung her arms around Oliver.
«Thank you! I was terrified youd side with themtheyre your parents!»
«Why would I? I saw how hurt you were every time they refused to help. Why should we let them move in for some scheme? Extra incomewhat a joke.»
«Thank you,» she whispered.
«Dont mention it,» he grinned. «Now, how about dinner?»
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