‘We’ll Let You Stay for the Holiday—Just Prepare Three Bedrooms; My Sisters and Niece Will Take the Guest Rooms and You’ll Sleep in the Kitchen, Helen Vaughan.’ – ‘And what if I’m the sole owner with the deeds? Don’t even think of breaking in—the police will haul you out.’

29December 2024

Ive finally found a quiet moment after a chaotic afternoon, so Im scribbling down what happenedmostly to make sense of it all.

Earlier today I was supposed to swing by the new shopping centre after work. The holidays are only two weeks away, and my old friend Olivia had invited me over for a festive gettogether. I knew her house would be packed: her daughter with her husband and the kids, her sister, and my nieceEmma, the university studentwere all expected. Ive been over at Olivias place countless times, so I felt comfortable heading there early to pick up a few presents.

I love hunting for the right gift; wrapping them in glossy paper and watching the shop assistant fold everything just so always gives me a little thrill. I could already picture the twinkling lights hanging from the aisles, the pleasant hum of shoppers, and the satisfaction of slipping the parcels into my tote.

My mood, however, took a nosedive the moment I stepped out onto the car park. Waiting beside my sedan was Rachel, my exhusbands sister, shivering in the cold.

Hey, Val, she called, cheeks pink from the chill. What took you so long? Im frozen solid.

Good afternoon, Rachel, I replied, surprised to see her. I didnt expect to run into you here.

Why not? she pressed. Were family, after all. Weve been considered that for at least twenty years.

Glad were finally not, I muttered, reaching for my door handle.

Rachel halted me.

Listen, Val, Ive got a request. Actually, its not just mineits the whole familys.

What family? I snapped. Ive been estranged from yours for a year now. Im not entertaining any asks.

Just hear me out, she pleaded. I dont know how you and Michael divided the assets, but Mum still thinks the house you live in belongs to our side.

Mike and I bought it together, and he spent a decade fixing it up. We all celebrated Christmas and the May Day holidays there. Whats changed?

Mum had planned to host her birthday in May, bring the whole clan together, set the tables on the verandajust like we always did. And you sent us away, vanished somewhere.

I stared at her, bewildered. Why are you telling me all this? I asked. I was just on my way to a friends. Im sorry, I forgot to ask you before I left.

Forget about your family gatherings in my house, Rachel snapped. When Mike and I split, we agreed: the flat, the car and the garage went to him, the house to me. We signed everything officially. So you can keep meeting at Michaels flat. Thats it.

Val, Mum asked if we could let guests stay over on the 31st, like before. The whole lot of us will be there; we have nowhere else to put everyone, Rachel said, eyes pleading.

Gillian Whitmoreyour motherasked? Thats odd. Shes spent twenty years hounding me, now shes actually asking? I thought. Tell her Im not agreeing, and book everyone a hotel room.

I slipped into the car, the prospect of buying presents suddenly feeling pointless. Ill shop tomorrow, I told myself, and drove home.

Mike and I had been together for almost twenty years. We bought that house a decade ago. A year ago he announced, with a grin, that life doesnt end at fortyfive and that he intended to build a future with his charming young secretary. I didnt try to stop him, but I also didnt let him walk all over me. The house and the savings stayed with me; he got a twobed flat, a Ford Focus, and a garage.

Since my daughter, Emma, still studies, Michael never claimed any joint accounts. A few days ago Lucy called to say shed be spending New Years Eve in her university dorm.

Mom, will you be upset? she asked, voice trembling. Ill be home for the holidays.

Later that evening I accepted Olivias invitation. In that company I wouldnt feel lonely.

Knowing Rachel, I sensed this wasnt the end of her meddling. I was right.

Just after dusk, my former motherinlaw, Gillian Whitmore, rang.

Valerie, arent you taking on too much? Youve cheekily taken the house from Mike, and now you think we wont find a way to get at you?

My dear, this New Year well all celebrate at our house! The one where my son kindly let you stay. Got that?

Fine, we wont throw you out for the holiday. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and my niece will stay overnight. Ill spend the night in the kitchen.

Gillian Whitmore, as if Im the sole owner of this house? I have the deeds. Dont even think of breaking inpolice will be called, I snapped.

Well see who ends up on the doorstep! Bring the rooms ready; well haul all the food ourselves, so you wont have to cook a thing. And dont argue, youll remember this New Year forever!

I thought, *If my motherinlaw thinks she can bully me, shes losing her mind.*

Gillian was never a peacemaker, but her latest tirade startled even me. Did she really expect me to cower and obey?

I used to be the ideal daughterinlaw, the one who let my motherinlaw run the household. Now, after the divorce, her words left me baffled.

Meanwhile, in Gillians flat, a plan was taking shape.

Rachel, you and Oliver are in charge of buying provisions. Get everything you can, early. Well cook on the evening of the 31st and the morning of the 1st.

Well handle the cold meats and hot dishes. Sophie and Lily will do the salads. Well pack everything in containers, and well ask Val to lend us two extra dinner setsshe still has them from before. Michael never took any when he moved out.

Mom, what if she refuses us entry? Rachel asked.

Let her try! There will be twelve of usour whole clan. Shell be embarrassed. Can you picture her standing there with Uncle Kevin and Aunt Lucy, Lydia and Natalie, and the rest, all waiting at the porch? Shell have to let us in.

On the night of the 31st, at about nine oclock, four cars pulled up outside 14 Eastern Lane, the house Gillian owned.

Strange, Oliver, Rachels husband, muttered. The lights are off. Maybe Val isnt home?

Where could she be? Shes certainly home. And Lucy must have arrived. Theyre probably hiding, trying to avoid us, Gillian chuckled, tapping the doorbell.

No one answered.

Ive got a spare key, Gillian said, pulling a set from her bag. Shell try something, but Im ready.

She opened the back gate, and the whole troupe streamed into the courtyard.

Hold on, Ill let the house in. Switch the lights on and bring everything into the kitchen; well set the table fast. As for Val, let her hide if she wisheswe wont invite her to the table.

About twenty minutes later a commotion rose from the hallway.

Theres the lady of the house, Oliver announced.

But it wasnt Gillian.

I was busy helping Olivia lay the table when my phone rang.

MsValerie Hart? Your alarm system has been triggered. Police are on their way.

There are twelve people here, claiming to be my relatives and that they have my permission to stay, the officer said.

I never invited anyone. Theyre probably my exhusbands family who slipped in unannounced.

Yes, Ill file a report.

Im out of town until the day after tomorrow.

The uninvited guests were taken to the station for a few hours. By the time they arrived at Gillians flat, the salads were already dripping, the hot dishes cooling.

When I finally got back home, Michael called, demanding I retrieve the police report.

Val, didnt you change the lock? Didnt you expect this? he asked.

I didnt change itwhy would I break the door? I just installed a new deadbolt and Im using it.

Why, when you left, did you relock with the old one?

I guessed your mother wouldnt be satisfied unless she could get in with her key, so I kept the old lock and set the alarm. I didnt want the unwelcome guests damaging the door.

So you deliberately left the old lock, knowing she had a key, and set off the alarm? You provoked them!

My point is, your family could have spent New Years Eve at their own place. They chose otherwise, and now theyre dealing with the police. Thats not my fault.

By the way, I had to clean and air out the house after they left; the food they left out started to go off before I got back.

Why didnt you tell Rachel youd set the alarm? Michael asked.

Why should I? There are signs on the gate and door that say Protected by Police. Anyone who can read English can see them.

Ill pass this on to my mother, Rachel, Oliver and everyone elselet them know Ill never welcome them again.

Ill file the report this time, but next time there will be consequences under the law

What do I think of my exfamilys antics? Im tired, but Ill keep writing, because the only way to survive this mess is to put it down on paper.

Valerie.