Fine, she said, we wont throw you out for the holidays. Make three spare rooms my sisters and my niece will stay over. Youll sleep in the kitchen yourself.
Agnes, I replied, do you forget Im the sole legal owner of this house? I have the title deeds. If you try to barge in, the police will have you escorted out.
It was a crisp Tuesday after work when Eleanor pulled into the town centre. NewYear was only two weeks away, and an old friend, Margaret, had invited her over for a festive gathering.
Eleanor knew the guest list well: Margarets daughter with her husband and children, Margarets sister, and her niece a university student. Shed visited Margarets flat countless times, so she wanted to buy presents in advance.
Eleanor had a knack for picking gifts, and she loved giving them. She already imagined the pleasure of wandering through the twinkling aisles, eyeing the perfect items, watching the shop assistant wrap them in glossy paper.
Her mood soured the moment she stepped out onto the car park. Waiting by her sedan was Rachel, the sister of her former husband.
Ellie, hello! Rachel called, shivering. Why did it take you so long? Im freezing my toes off.
Good afternoon, Rachel, Eleanor replied. I didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? After all, were family, Rachel said, smiling weakly. At least weve been called that for twenty years.
Thankfully thats changed, Eleanor answered, reaching for the car door.
But Rachel held her back.
Listen, Ellie, Ive got a favour to ask not just me, but the whole family.
What family? Eleanor asked, irritated. I havent spoken to yours in a year. Im not entertaining any requests.
Just hear me out. I dont know how you and Michael split the assets, but mum still thinks the house you live in belongs to our side.
You and Mike bought that place together, and he spent ten years fixing it up. Weve all celebrated Christmas and May Day there. What now?
Mum planned to host her birthday in May, with everyone gathered on the verandah, just like old times. You turned us away and drove off somewhere unknown.
Why are you telling me all this? Eleanor asked. I was just visiting a friend. I forgot to ask you, sorry.
And forget about holding family meals in my house. When Mike and I divorced, we agreed: the flat, the car and the garage went to him, the house to me. We signed everything legally. So now you can all meet at Mikes flat. Thats that.
Ellie, mum asked if we could invite guests to the house on the thirtyfirst, like before. Loads of people are coming we wont have enough rooms for the whole clan, Rachel pleaded.
Agnes? Eleanor muttered, incredulous. After twenty years of demands, she finally asks nicely? Tell her Im not agreeing. Tell the relatives to book hotel rooms.
Eleanor slipped back into her car. The spirit of shopping was gone. Ill buy it tomorrow, she told herself, and drove home.
She and Michael had been together for almost twenty years. Theyd bought the house ten years earlier. A year ago, Michael announced that life doesnt end at fortyfive and that he would start a new chapter with his attractive young secretary.
Eleanor didnt try to stop him, but she also didnt let him walk all over her. She kept the house and the family savings; Michael took a twobedroom flat, a Ford Focus, and a garage.
Because Michaels daughter was still a student, he didnt press for a joint account.
A few days earlier, Claire had called to say shed be staying in her dorm over NewYear.
Mom, you wont be angry? she asked. Ill be home for the holidays.
After that, Eleanor accepted Margarets invitation. She knew she wouldnt be bored in that crowd.
Knowing Rachel, she sensed this wasnt the end they wouldnt let her off easily. And she was right.
That evening, the former motherinlaw phoned.
Eleanor, arent you biting off more than you can chew? Youve seized Mikes house and now think we cant find any trouble for you?
This NewYear well all celebrate in our house! The one where my son kindly let you stay. Got that?
Fine, we wont evict you for the holiday. Prepare three bedrooms my sisters and niece will stay. Youll sleep in the kitchen.
Agnes, do you forget Im the sole owner? I have the deeds. If you try to barge in, the police will have you escorted out.
Well see who gets thrown out! Anyway, set up the rooms, well bring all the food, so you wont have to cook a thing. And dont argue youll remember this NewYear forever!
In my view, Mikes mother has gone completely off the rails, Eleanor thought.
Agnes had never been a peacemaker, but todays tirade shocked her former daughterinlaw. Did she really expect Eleanor to cower and obey?
Once, Eleanor had been considered the best daughterinlaw; the other two had given in and accepted the matriarchs authority. Now, after the divorce, Agness words only raised Eleanors eyebrows: what were they counting on?
Meanwhile, in Agness flat, a plan was brewing.
Rachel, you and Andrew are in charge of the groceries. Buy everything you can in advance. Well cook on the evening of the thirtieth and the morning of the thirtyfirst.
Well handle the cold cuts and hot dishes. Emily and Olivia will bring salads. Well pack everything in containers, and well borrow two dinner sets from Ellie I hear she still has them. Mike didnt take any when he moved out.
Mom, what if she refuses to let us in? Rachel asked.
Let her try! Well be twelve in total the whole clan. Shell be ashamed. Imagine the front door opening to Uncle Robert, Aunt Lucy, Liam, Natalie and the rest. She wont dare shut it on them.
On the evening of December30, at nine oclock, four cars pulled up outside number14 East Street.
Strange, said Andrew, Rachels husband. The lights are off. Maybe Eleanor isnt home?
Where could she be? Shes at home. And Claire must have arrived. Theyre hiding, trying to dodge us, Agnes chuckled. Ring the bell.
No one answered, and the door stayed shut.
I have the keys, Agnes declared. I figured Ellie might try something, so I kept a spare.
She opened the gate, and the whole party marched into the courtyard.
Hold on, Ill open the house, she called. Turn on the lights and bring everything into the kitchen; well set the table quickly. As for Ellie, let her hide if she wishes we wont even invite her to the table.
About twenty minutes later, a clatter echoed from the hallway.
Theres the lady of the house, Andrew announced.
But it wasnt the lady.
Eleanor was busy helping Margaret set the table; the guests were due any minute.
Suddenly her phone rang.
This is Eleanor Bennett? An alarm has gone off at your address. A patrol unit is on the way.
There are twelve people here, claiming to be relatives with your permission.
I never gave anyone permission. It must be my exhusbands family. I didnt invite them. Theyve entered without consent.
Will you file a report?
Yes. 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 Agness flat was reached, the salads were already soggy and the hot dishes cooling.
When Eleanor returned home, Michael called, demanding she retrieve the police report.
Ellie, I thought youd changed the lock. Didnt you? he asked.
I didnt change it why ruin the door? I just installed a new deadbolt and use it.
Why did you lock the old one when you left?
I guessed your mother wouldnt settle down and would show up with her party, so I left the old lock to keep the door intact.
So you purposely left the old lock, which mum could open, and set the alarm? You provoked them! You wanted them caught?
Mike, your family could have spent NewYear at their 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 air the house after they left the food theyd set out had already started to spoil before I got back.
Why didnt you tell Rachel you were activating the alarm? Michael asked.
Why not? There are signs on the gate and door that read Protected by Police. Everyone can read that.
Just pass the word to your mum, Rachel, Andrew and everyone else Im not expecting them at my house again.
This time Ill withdraw the report, but it wont happen again. Theyll face the full force of the law
What do you think of the exfamilys behaviour? Leave a comment with your thoughts and give a like if you enjoyed the tale.