What on earth did those rascals do here? Call your family, let them come and set this place straight, Ethel snapped, her voice trembling with fury. Im not going to clean up after them. Ive had enough of washing the sheets after your friends. Theyve made a habit of staying the night at our cottage.
Listen, Mum rang earlier, James said, cutting his steak, trying to keep his tone even. She and the rest of the clan are planning a weekend barbecue.
Good for them, his wife replied, rolling her eyes. Let them go; whats left for us? Ive never liked your mother, Ethel.
They just want to use our cottage, James tried to explain, a hint of resignation in his voice. We dont have a place of our own, and Ive got a garage job on Saturday. He spoke as if it were obvious. I told Mum we couldnt go to the cottage this weekend, thats why she asked for the keys.
Ethel had no choice but to agree, a decision she would later regret. When the following weekend arrived, James and she drove out to the cottage, and the sight that met her eyes froze her blood. The garden looked as if a storm had swept through.
Berries lay trampled, the floor inside was filthy, a lone pot of stale soup sat on the stove, and the kitchen window was stripped of its curtain. Ethel could not comprehend the chaos. Jamess parents were already in their sixties.
She let it all out to her husband.
What on earth did those rascals do here? Call your family, let them come and set this place straight, Ethel roared again. I wont tidy up after them. Im sick of washing the sheets after your friends. Theyve made a habit of staying the night at our cottage.
You think Im overworked? Toss the laundry in the machine, take it out, hang it, James muttered.
Then do it yourself next time! Are you happy with the state of our cottage and garden? she demanded.
James said nothing, his phone remained silent. Ethel stopped speaking to him, but eventually they reconciled. Theyd only been married two years, a union born of love, though Ethel sometimes wondered if shed rushed. They had no children.
Life rolled onwork, house, work, house. Weekends were spent walking or escaping to the countryside with friends. Everything changed when Ethels mother suddenly remarried and moved to another city, leaving the family cottage to Ethel.
From that moment, the whole side of Jamess family seemed to adore her. Relatives kept dropping by the cottage, claiming that nothing tasted better than a barbecue in fresh air.
Cousins, distant aunts and uncles, even Jamess own grandmother, all converged on the riverbank and the grill, along with Jamess friends. They arrived with sleeping bags, and James dutifully fired up the barbecue. Ethel grew weary of the endless visitors, but she didnt want to damage the fragile ties with Jamess kin. Something had to change.
Now the approach of the weekend filled her with a strange anticipation. When Ethel and James wed, his mother was already an elderly woman whod given birth to her son late in life. She also had a daughter, Jamess sister, ten years his senior. The motherinlaw, a true countryfolk, believed everything belonged to the family.
The motherinlaw and Jamess sister Grace began raiding the cottage for anythingcreams, shampoos, sponges, even Ethels indoor slippers. Then the motherinlaw called again, asking James to hand over the cottage keys. This time Grace wanted to bring her boss for a weekend retreat and barbecue.
Ethel was never asked for her opinion.
Well give Mum the keys, James said. Of course he remembered Ethels reaction to the previous family visit, but he kept quiet.
Ethel realised she had to act, even if James found himself on the opposite side. Weighing her options, she called her own mother and complained.
Ill call you back, her mother replied shortly.
Within twenty minutes Ethel phoned again, telling her mother that her sister and brotherinlaw would be staying at the cottage for a while. Dont worry, Aunt Olivia will sort it out, she added.
Ethels heart leapt. Shed always been uneasy about Aunt Olivia; as a child shed been sent to stay with her every summer, memories that lingered like a cold draft. Olivia was a formidable woman, she knew how to keep order.
That evening Olivia called.
Oh, sweetheart, youve been awfully quiet. You shouldve rung me ages ago. How do you want to handle thissoftly scare them off or take a hard line? she laughed, the thrill of the impending drama clear in her voice.
Ethel shivered. Did you tell them the cottage belongs to me? Olivia asked.
I dont recall, but theyre all convinced its mine, Ethel admitted.
Dont fret, dear, well fix this in the best possible way, Olivia assured.
On Sunday Jamess motherinlaw called, furious. You sold the cottage? she shouted. Wheres the money? Why didnt anyone tell us?
It turned out that on Saturday Grace, her boss, and the motherinlaw had arrived at the cottage, only to find a picturesque group of five already grilling.
Who are you? gasped the startled homeowner, Mrs. Green.
And who are you, exactly? the woman in charge demanded, voice firm, stepping forward. Im the owner of this cottage. I dont know you. How did you get the keys?
The motherinlaws side faltered. Grace tried to explain the family ties and the handover of the keys. Mrs. Green glared, and Grace stumbled over her words. The older woman said nothing, merely watched.
In the end the keys were taken back, the intruders politely asked to leave and warned never to return, lest the matter be taken to the authorities.
From a distance Ethel heard her motherinlaws shrill voice over the receiver. James stood mute, unable to say a word.
Hand the phone to your wife, James said, passing the handset to Ethel. The cottage isnt yours! the motherinlaw declared, her tone almost ceremonial.
Did you even ask? Ethel tried to keep her voice steady. Have you decided that everything around us belongs to you?
Do you understand that Grace invited her boss to the cottage? You know what could happen nowher company is planning cuts, and she wanted to win favour. If she gets sacked, thatll be on your conscience, Mrs. Green scolded.
And whats my part? Aunt Olivia is the owner, shes just here to rest, you never asked me. Buy your own place and enjoy it, Ethel replied, finding a sudden courage. Youve lived without this cottage before; youll live without it now.
After this I wont go back, and neither will my relatives, James muttered, his voice trembling.
It was the first real fight theyd ever had. James was hurt. Grace lost her job. Ill never forgive you for this, he said. My family loved you, cared for you, and you deceived us.
Ethel was convinced Graces dismissal had another motive. She suddenly realised she didnt really mourn any of them. Their marriage had hit a dead end.
Mum, I think Im divorcing James, she whispered.
Its your decision, love. Youre an adult now. Where will you live? Ive given up my flat. Go stay with Olivia.
Thank you, of course, Ethel said, surprised by herself. Ill probably rent a flat.
Ethel filed for divorce, moved into a rented flat, and never set foot in the cottage again.