Fine, we wont throw you out for the holidays. Make three bedrooms ready my sisters and my niece will stay over. Youll spend the night in the kitchen.
Margaret Turner, what if Im the sole legal owner of the house? I have the title deeds. Dont even think about breaking in the police will have you out.
It was a chilly Thursday after work when I was about to swing by the shopping centre. Christmas was two weeks away and my old friend Olivia had invited me over.
Olivias place always turned into a full house for the season: her daughter with her husband and kids, her sister, and a niece who was still at university.
Id been to Olivias flat countless times and knew everyone well, so I decided to buy my presents in advance.
Choosing gifts was a skill of mine; handing them over was what I loved. I could already picture myself drifting through aisles draped in fairy lights, eyeing the twinkling displays, watching the shop assistant neatly wrap each parcel in glossy paper.
My mood soured the moment I stepped outside. In the car park, leaning against my hatchback, waited Rachel my exhusbands sister.
Hey, Val, she called. Why the long face? Im frozen solid.
Good afternoon, Rachel. I didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? Were family, after all at least weve pretended to be for twenty years.
Fortunately were not pretending any more, I replied, reaching for the car door.
Rachel stopped me.
Listen, Val, Ive got a request. Actually, its a family request.
What family? I havent spoken to yours in a year. Im not entertaining any asks, I said.
Just hear me out. I dont know how you and Michael split the assets, but Mum still believes the house you live in belongs to our side.
You bought it with Mick, and he spent ten years fitting it out. We all gathered there for Christmas and May Day celebrations. Whats the problem now?
Mum planned a birthday feast in May, wanted the whole clan on the verandah as we always did. And you turned us away, drove off somewhere unknown.
I dont get why youre telling me this. I was simply visiting a friend, then I left. Sorry, I forgot to ask you.
And forget about our family gatherings in my house. When Mick and I split, we agreed: flat, car and garage went to him, the house to me. Everything was legally documented. So you can all meet at Michaels flat now. Thats final.
Val, Mum asked if we could host guests on the thirtyfirst like we used to. A lot of people will turn up we have nowhere else to put the whole family, Rachel pleaded.
Margaret Turner asking? Thats odd. Shes spent twenty years nagging me, now shes suddenly nice? Tell her I refuse. Let the relatives book hotel rooms instead.
I slipped into the car. The thought of hunting for gifts vanished. Ill buy them tomorrow, I muttered and drove home.
Michael and I had been together for almost twenty years. The house Rachel mentioned was bought a decade ago.
A year earlier Michael announced, At fortyfive lifes just getting started, and said hed be building a future with his attractive young secretary.
I didnt try to stop him, but I also didnt let him walk all over me. I kept the house and our savings; he walked away with a twobedroom flat, a Toyota Corolla and a garage.
Since my daughter was still a student, Michael didnt try to claim any joint account.
A few days ago Lucy called, saying shed stay in her university hall for NewYears.
Mum, will you be upset? she asked. Ill be home for the holidays.
Thats when I accepted Olivias invitation. I knew I wouldnt be lonely in that crowd.
Knowing Rachel, I sensed this wasnt the end of her meddling. I was right.
That evening my former motherinlaw phoned:
Victoria, arent you taking on too much? Youve seized Micks house and now think we cant find you?
This NewYear well all celebrate in our house the one my son graciously let you stay in. Got that?
Alright then, we wont evict you for the holidays. Prepare three bedrooms my sisters and my niece will stay, youll sleep in the kitchen.
Margaret Turner, Im the sole owner, I have the deeds. Dont even try to break in the police will have you out.
Well see who ends up outside! Bring the rooms ready, well supply all the food, you wont have to cook a thing. And dont argue, youll remember this NewYear forever!
In my mind, Michaels mother had turned into a wild beast over the past year.
Margaret had never been a peacemaker, but todays tirade startled me. Did she really think Id cower and obey her orders?
Once I was considered the best daughterinlaw; the other two had eventually accepted her authority. Now, after the divorce, her words left me baffled: what were they counting on?
Meanwhile, in Margarets flat, a plan was taking shape.
Rachel, you and Alex are in charge of the groceries. Buy everything you can in advance. Well cook on the evening of the thirtyfirst and the morning of the first.
Well handle the cold cuts and hot dishes. Svetlana and Olivia will do the salads. Well pack everything in containers, and well borrow two dinner sets from Val I know she still has them. Michael never took the crockery when he moved out.
Mum, what if she refuses to let us in? Rachel asked.
Let her try! Well be twelve, the whole clan. Shell be embarrassed. Can you picture her turning us away?
Shell open the door to a porch full of Uncle Kevin, Aunt Lucy, Lorna, Natalie and the rest. She cant shut it on us. Were family!
At nine oclock on the thirtyfirst of December, four cars pulled up in front of the house at 14 East Lane, Reading.
Strange, Alex said, Rachels husband. The lights are off. Maybe Victorias not home?
Where could she be? Shes at home. And Lucys probably arrived. Theyre hiding from us, Margaret laughed. Ring the bell.
No one answered, and the front door stayed shut.
I have a spare key, Margaret announced. I knew Val might try something, so I kept one.
She unlocked the gate and the whole party trudged into the courtyard.
Hold on, Ill open the house now. Switch the lights on and bring everything into the kitchen; well set the table in a flash. As for Val, let her hide if she wishes we wont even invite her to the table.
About twenty minutes later a clamor rose from the hallway.
The lady of the house has arrived, Alex announced.
But it wasnt the lady.
I was busy helping Olivia set the table when the phone rang.
Is this Victoria Hart? Your alarm has been triggered. The patrol unit is on site.
There are twelve people here claiming to be relatives, saying I gave them permission, I said, trying to stay calm.
I never invited anyone. It must be my exhusbands family. They entered without my consent.
Will you file a report?
Of course. Im out of town and wont be back until the day after tomorrow.
The uninvited guests were taken to the police station for a few hours. By the time they reached Margarets flat, the salads were already sweating, and the hot dishes were cooling.
When I finally got home, Michael called, demanding I file the statement.
Did you change the lock? You didnt expect it, did you? he asked.
I didnt replace it why would I ruin the door? I just set the new code and used it, I replied.
Why did you lock it with the old key after you left?
I guessed your mum would show up with her guests, so I kept the old lock that she had a key to, and I activated the alarm. I didnt want the uninvited crowd to damage the door.
So you deliberately left the old lock, knowing Mum had a key, and set the alarm? You provoked them! You wanted them caught?
Mike, your family could have spent NewYears at your own place. They chose otherwise, so they ended up at the police station. Thats not my fault.
By the way, I had to tidy up and ventilate the flat after they left what theyd set on the table was a bit ruined by the time I got back.
Why didnt you warn Rachel about the alarm? Michael asked.
Why should I? There are signs on the gate and door: Protected by police. Everyone reads that.
Tell my mum, Rachel, Alex and everyone else I wont be hosting them again, I said.
This time Ill drop the report, but next time the law will be applied strictly.
What do you think of the former familys actions? Leave a comment with your thoughts and give a thumbsup if you agree.
