“Fine, we wont kick you out for the holidays. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will stay the night. You can sleep in the kitchen.”
“Margaret, have you forgotten Im the sole owner of this house? The paperwork proves it. Dont even think of forcing your way inIll have you removed by the police.”
After work, Valerie planned to stop by the shopping centre. Christmas was two weeks away, and her old friend Olivia had invited her over.
Valerie knew the gathering would be crowdedOlivias daughter, her husband and kids, Olivias sister, and a student niece.
Shed been to Olivias often and knew everyone well, so she wanted to pick out gifts in advance. Valerie loved choosing presents and enjoyed giving them. She could already picture herself wandering through the glittering aisles, inspecting items while the shop assistant wrapped her selections in glossy paper.
But her mood soured the moment she stepped outside. Waiting by her car was Rachelher ex-husbands sister.
“Val! Finally! Ive been freezing out here,” Rachel greeted her.
“Hello, Rachel. Didnt expect to see you here.”
“Why not? Were familyor at least, we were for twenty years.”
“Fortunately, not anymore,” Valerie replied, reaching for the car door.
Rachel stopped her. “Listen, Ive got a favour to ask. Well, not just methe whole family.”
“What family? I havent had anything to do with yours in a year. Im not interested in favours.”
“Just hear me out. Mum still thinks the house youre living in belongs to us.”
“You and Mark bought it together, and he spent ten years fixing it up. We all used to gather there for Christmas and bank holidays. Now what?”
“Mum wanted to host her birthday in May with everyone on the terrace like we always did. But you wouldnt let us. You just disappeared.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Valerie asked. “I went to see a friend. I didnt need your permission.”
“Forget your family reunions at my house. When Mark and I divorced, we agreed: he got the flat, the car, and the garage. The house is mine, legally. So you can gather at his place instead.”
“Val, Mums asking if we can celebrate New Years Eve there like before. Therell be loads of uswe wont even all fit!”
“Margaret actually *asked*? Thats a first. For twenty years, she only ever made demands. Tell her no. Book a hotel.”
Valerie got in the car. The thought of shopping for gifts was ruined. “Ill do it tomorrow,” she muttered, driving home.
She and Mark had been married nearly twenty years. The house Rachel mentioned was bought ten years ago. Then, a year back, he declared that “life doesnt end at forty-five” and left for his pretty young assistant.
Valerie didnt fight to keep him but refused to be cheated. The house and savings stayed with her; Mark took the flat, a Jaguar, and the garage.
Since their daughter, Emily, was still at university, Mark didnt contest their shared account.
A few days ago, Emily called to say shed spend New Years in halls. “Mum, you wont mind, will you? Ill come home for the rest of the break.”
Thats when Valerie accepted Olivias invite. At least there, she wouldnt feel alone.
Knowing Rachel, she guessed this wasnt the endthey wouldnt leave her in peace. She was right.
That evening, her ex-mother-in-law called.
“Valerie, arent you getting above yourself? Youve stolen Marks house, but dont think we wont sort you out. This New Years, the whole family will celebrate in *our* homewhere my sons letting you *live*. Understood?”
“Margaret, need I remind you I own this house? The deeds dont lie. Try breaking in, and the police will remove you.”
“Well see about that! Get three rooms readymy sisters and niece are staying. You can sleep in the kitchen. And dont argue, or youll remember this New Year forever!”
*Margarets lost the plot this past year,* Valerie thought.
Her ex-mother-in-law had never been peaceful, but todays rant shocked her. Did the woman really think threats would work?
Once, Valerie had been the “perfect daughter-in-law”the others had bowed to Margarets rule. Now, divorced, she only felt baffled. What were they playing at?
Meanwhile, at Margarets flat, plans were underway.
“Rachel, you and Alex handle the food shopping. Well prep on the 30th and morning of the 31st. Mum and I will do the roast and pies; Sarah and Lucy can handle salads. Well use Valeries chinaI know shes got two full sets. Mark didnt take any.”
“But what if she refuses to let us in?” Rachel asked.
“With twelve of us, shed be embarrassed to shut the door! Uncle Colin, Aunt Louise, Leo and Natalieyou think shed slam it in their faces? Shell let us in and even help set the table. Its *family*!”
On New Years Eve at 9 PM, four cars pulled up outside the house on East Lane.
“Odd,” Alex remarked. “No lights. Maybe shes not home?”
“Where else would she be? And Emilys probably back. Theyre hiding,” Margaret said smugly. “Ring the bell.”
No one answered.
“WaitIve got keys,” Margaret announced. “I knew Valerie would pull something.”
They unlocked the gate and trooped inside.
“Hold on, Ill open the house. There. Turn on the lights and bring the food to the kitchen. Well set up fast. If Valerie wants to hide, finewe wont invite her.”
Twenty minutes later, a commotion erupted in the hall.
“Heres the hostess,” Alex joked.
But it wasnt her.
Valerie, meanwhile, was helping Olivia set the tableguests would arrive any minute.
Her phone rang unexpectedly.
“Ms. Valerie Carter? Your home alarm was triggered. Officers are on-site.”
“Twelve individuals claim to be relatives with your permission.”
“I never invited anyone. Likely my ex-husbands family. They broke in.”
“Will you press charges?”
“Absolutely. Im away until the 2nd.”
The intruders spent hours at the station. By the time they got back to Margarets, the salads had wilted and the roast gone cold.
When Valerie returned home, Mark called, demanding she drop the charges.
“Val, I thought youd changed the locks. Didnt you?”
“No need to ruin the door. I installed a new boltand an alarm.”
“Why lock the old one when you left?”
“I knew your mother wouldnt give up. Heard how she spoke to me. Didnt want them breaking in.”
“So you *let* them use the old key, then called the police? You set them up!”
“Mark, they chose not to stay home. They met the consequences. Not my fault.”
“By the way, I had to clean up. The food they left out had spoiled.”
“Why didnt you warn Rachel about the alarm?”
“Signs on the gate and door say *Protected by Police.* They can read.”
“Tell Margaret, Rachel, Alex*all* of themtheyre never welcome again. I withdrew the complaint this time, but next, I wont be so lenient.”
What do you think of the ex-familys stunt? Share your thoughts below.
