Alright, you dont have to kick us out for the holidays. Just sort out three spare rooms my sisters and my niece will stay over. Youll be stuck in the kitchen yourself.
MrsGrace Whitaker, and what if Im the sole owner of this house? Ive got the title deeds to prove it. So dont even think about barging in the police will have you out on the spot.
Today after work, Victoria was planning to swing by the new shopping centre. Christmas was just two weeks away, and an old friend, Susan, had invited her over.
Victoria knew the guest list would be massive: Susans daughter with her husband and kids, Susans sister, and her niece a university student. Shed been to Susans place countless times and knew everyone by name, so she wanted to buy the presents in advance.
Shes always been good at picking gifts, and she loved handing them over. Right now she could already picture herself weaving through aisles decked out in fairy lights, eyeing the perfect items, watching the shop assistant wrap them up in glossy paper.
But her mood soured the moment she stepped outside. In the car park, leaning against her sedan, was Rebecca the sister of her exhusband.
Vicky, hi! Rebecca called out. What took you so long? Im already turning into a block of ice.
Good afternoon, Rebecca. Didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? Were family, after all.
At least weve been called that for twenty years.
Luckily thats not the case any more, Victoria replied, reaching for the door handle.
Rebecca stopped her.
Listen, Vick, Ive got a favour to ask. Actually, its not just me its the whole family.
Which family, Rebecca? I havent spoken to yours in a year. Im not in the mood for any requests, Victoria said.
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 us.
You and Mike bought it together, and he spent ten years fixing it up. We all gathered there for Christmas and May Day celebrations. What now?
Mum had planned to host her birthday in May, bring the whole clan together on the patio, just like we used to. And you shut us out, drove off somewhere unknown.
Why are you telling me all this? Victoria asked. I just popped over to my friends place, thought Id stay a night. Sorry, I forgot to ask you.
Forget about your family gettogethers in my house. When Mike and I split, we agreed: flat, car and garage went to him, the house stayed with me. We signed everything off the bat. So now you can meet in Mikes flat. Thats it.
Vick, Mum asked if we could use the house on the 31st, like before. A lot of people will turn up we wont even have room for all the relatives, Rebecca said.
MrsGrace Whitaker actually asked? Thats odd. Shes spent twenty years nagging me, yet now shes making a request. Tell her Im not agreeing, and book the relatives a hotel.
Victoria slipped into her car. The thought of hunting for gifts vanished. Ill do it tomorrow, she muttered, and drove home.
She and Michael had spent almost twenty years together. Theyd bought the house ten years ago. A year ago, Michael declared, At fortyfive, lifes not over, and started flirting with his young, attractive secretary.
Victoria didnt try to hold him back, but she also didnt let herself be trampled on. She kept the house and the family savings; Michael walked off with a twobed flat, a Toyota Corolla and a garage.
Because their daughter Emily was still a student, Michael never claimed a joint account.
A few days earlier, Lucy called and said shed be staying in her university hall for NewYears.
Mum, are you okay with that? she asked. Ill be home for the holidays.
With that settled, Victoria accepted Susans invitation. She knew she wouldnt be lonely in that crowd.
Knowing Rebecca, though, she also knew this wasnt the end of the drama. She was right.
That evening her former motherinlaw phoned:
Victoria, arent you taking on too much? Youve cheekily taken the house from Mike, and now you think we cant get a word in?
Fine then, well all spend NewYears in my house the one my son kindly let you stay in. Got that?
Fine, we wont throw you out for the holidays. Prepare three bedrooms my sisters and my niece will stay, youll be stuck in the kitchen.
MrsWhitaker, do you forget Im the sole owner? I have the papers. Dont even try to break in the police will have you out.
Well see who gets the upper hand! Anyway, get the rooms ready, well bring all the food, so you wont have to cook a thing. Dont argue, youll remember this NewYear for the rest of your life!
Victoria thought, *My motherinlaw has gone completely off the rails this year.*
Grace Whitaker had never been a peacekeeper, but her rant caught Victoria off guard. Was the old lady really hoping Victoria would be scared into obeying?
Victoria had once been the golden daughterinlaw the other two sisters had eventually accepted her authority.
Now that she and Michael were divorced, Graces words only left Victoria scratching her head: what were they counting on?
Meanwhile, in Graces flat, a plan was taking shape.
Rebecca, you and Alex are in charge of the groceries. Get everything you can, early. Well cook on the evening of the 31st and the morning of the 1st.
Well handle the cold cuts and hot dishes. Sophie and Olivia will sort the salads. Well pack everything in containers, and for the dishes well ask Vicky I know she still has two sets left. Michael didnt take any when he moved out.
Mum, what if she refuses to let us in? Rebecca asked.
Let her try! Were twelve people the whole clan. Shell be embarrassed. Imagine the door opening to Uncle Chris, Aunt Lucy, Len and Natalie, and the rest. Shell have to welcome us, not shut us out.
On the night of December31st, at nine oclock, four cars pulled up in front of number14 East Street.
Strange, Alex, Rebeccas husband, remarked. The lights are off. Maybe Victoria isnt home?
Where could she be? Shes probably inside. And Lucy must be arriving. Theyre hiding, trying to stay out of sight, Grace laughed. Ring the bell.
No one answered, and the door stayed shut.
Hold on, I have a spare key, Grace said. I figured Victoria might try something, so I kept one.
She opened the gate, and the whole gang marched into the courtyard.
Give me a minute, Ill open the house. Turn on the lights and bring everything to the kitchen well set the table in a flash. And Vicky, if she wants, can hide; we wont even invite her to sit down.
About twenty minutes later, a ruckus erupted from the hallway.
Here comes the lady of the house, Alex announced.
But it wasnt the lady.
Victoria was busy helping Susan set the table; guests were due any minute.
Her phone rang unexpectedly.
MrsVictoria Hart? Your alarm has gone off at the house. The patrol unit is on its way.
There are twelve people here, all claiming to be my relatives and saying they have my permission.
I never gave anyone permission to be here. It must be my exhusbands side of the family. They entered uninvited.
Will you be filing 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 arrived at Graces flat, the salads were already spilling and the hot dishes had cooled.
When Victoria got back home, Michael called, demanding she hand over the police report.
Vick, I thought youd changed the lock. Didn’t you notice? he asked.
I didnt change it why would I break the door? I just put a new deadbolt on and use it.
Why did you lock it with the old key when you left?
I guessed your mum wouldnt be happy and would turn up with her guests. I didnt want strangers ruining the door.
So you deliberately left the old lock, which Mum had a key to, and set the alarm? Youve provoked them! You wanted them caught?
Mike, your side of the family could have celebrated NewYears at home. They chose otherwise, so they ended up at the police station. Im not to blame.
By the way, I had to clean and ventilate the flat after they left. What theyd left on the table was a bit spoiled by the time I got back.
Why didnt you tell Rebecca you were putting the house on alarm? Michael asked.
Why should I? There are signs on the gate and door that read Protected by Police. Anyone can read them.
Tell everyone my mum, Rebecca, Alex and the rest that Im not expecting any more of you at my place.
Ill file the report this time, but next time youll face the full force of the law
So, what do you think of the exfamilys behaviour? Drop a comment, let me know your thoughts, and give it a like if you enjoyed the tale.
