Fine, we wont kick you out over the holidays. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will stay overnight. You can sleep in the kitchen.
Helen Victoria, have you forgotten Im the sole owner of this house? Ive got the paperwork to prove it. Dont even think about forcing your way inIll have the police remove you.
After work, Valerie planned to stop by the shopping centre. With New Years Eve just two weeks away, her old friend Emily had invited her over.
Valerie knew the gathering would be large: Emilys daughter with her husband and kids, a sister, and a niece in university. Shed visited Emily often and knew everyone well, so she wanted to buy gifts in advance.
Valerie had a knack for picking presents and loved giving them. She could already imagine wandering through the festively decorated aisles, carefully selecting gifts, watching as the shop assistant wrapped them in shiny paper.
But her mood soured the moment she stepped outside. Waiting by her car was Rebeccaher ex-husbands sister.
Val, hi! Rebecca called. Took you long enough. Im freezing out here.
Good afternoon, Rebecca. Didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? Were still family, Rebecca replied. At least, we were for twenty years.
Fortunately, not anymore, Valerie said, reaching for the car door.
Rebecca stopped her. Listen, Val, Ive got a favour to ask. Actually, its not just meits the whole family.
What family, Rebecca? Ive had no ties to yours for a year now. Im not interested in favours.
Just hear me out. I dont know how you and Michael split things, but Mum still believes the house youre living in belongs to our family.
You and Mike bought it together, and he spent ten years fixing it up. We used to gather there for New Years and bank holidays. And now? Mum wanted to host her birthday in May, just like old timesdinner on the terrace, the whole family. But you shut us out. Disappeared somewhere.
I dont see why youre telling me this, Valerie said. I went to visit a friend. I didnt need your permission.
And forget about your family gatherings in my house. When Michael and I divorced, we agreed: the flat, car, and garage were his; the house was mine. Everythings legally settled. So now you can meet at Michaels place.
Val, Mum asked if we could use the house for New Years Eve. Therell be loads of peoplenowhere near enough space otherwise.
Helen Victoria actually asked? Thats new. Twenty years of demands, and suddenly shes polite? Tell her no. Book a hotel for your relatives.
Valerie got into her car. The thought of shopping for gifts was ruined now. Ill do it tomorrow, she muttered, driving home.
She and Michael had been married nearly twenty years. The house Rebecca mentioned had been bought ten years ago.
Then, a year ago, Michael announced that life doesnt end at forty-five and left her for his young, pretty assistant.
Valerie didnt fight to keep him, but she refused to be cheated. The house and savings stayed with her; Michael got the two-bedroom flat, a Jaguar, and the garage.
Since their university-student daughter remained in Valeries care, he didnt touch their joint account.
A few days earlier, Lily had called to say shed be celebrating New Years in her dorm.
Mum, you wont mind, will you? Ill come home for the rest of the holidays.
With that, Valerie had accepted Emilys invitationat least she wouldnt be alone.
Knowing Rebecca, she suspected this wasnt over. She was right.
That evening, her ex-mother-in-law called.
Valerie, arent you getting a bit above yourself? Youve snatched Michaels house and now think we wont do anything about it?
Well, heres the thing: this New Years, the whole family will be celebrating in our housethe one my son let you live in. Understood?
Fine, we wont kick you out for the occasion. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will stay. You can sleep in the kitchen.
Helen Victoria, have you forgotten I own this house? Ive got the paperwork. Try forcing your way in, and Ill have you removed by the police.
Well see about that! Just get the rooms ready. Well bring our own food, so you wont even have to cook. Dont argue, unless you want this to be a New Years youll never forget.
Michaels mother has gone completely mad, Valerie thought.
Helen Victoria had never been gentle, but tonights outburst stunned her. Did she really expect Valerie to cave to her demands?
Once, Valerie had been the favourite daughter-in-lawthe others had accepted Helens dominance. Now, divorced, her ex-mother-in-laws words only left her baffled. What were they playing at?
Meanwhile, in Helens flat, plans were being made.
Rebecca, you and Alex handle the food. Buy everything in advance. Well cook on the 30th and the morning of the 31st.
You and I will do the roast and sides. Sarah and Olivia can handle salads. Well pack everything in containersand well use Valeries china. She still has two full sets. Michael didnt take them.
Mum, what if she refuses to let us in? Rebecca asked.
She wont dare! Therell be twelve of uspractically the whole family. Shed be ashamed to turn us away!
Shell open the door to find Uncle Colin, Aunt Louise, Leo and Natalie, and the rest. You think shell slam it in their faces? Shell let us in, maybe even help set the table. Were family!
At 9 p.m. on New Years Eve, four cars pulled up outside the house on East Street.
Odd, AlexRebeccas husbandsaid. No lights on. Maybe Valeries not home?
Where else would she be? Shes in there. Probably Lily too. Theyre hiding from us, Helen smirked. Ring the bell.
No one answered.
Wait, Ive got keys, Helen said. I knew Valerie would pull something, so I brought them.
They unlocked the gate and filed into the garden.
Hold on, Ill open the house. Thereturn on the lights and bring the food to the kitchen. Well set the table fast. As for Valerie, let her hide. We wont invite her anyway.
Twenty minutes later, noise erupted in the hallway.
Here comes the hostess, Alex said.
But it wasnt her.
Meanwhile, Valerie was helping Emily set the tableguests would arrive any minute.
Her phone rang unexpectedly.
Ms. Valerie Knox? Your home alarm has been triggered. Officers are on-site.
There are twelve people inside, claiming to be relatives with your permission.
I didnt invite anyone. Its my ex-husbands family. Theyve broken in.
Would you like to press charges?
Absolutely. Im out of town until the 2nd.
The unwanted guests spent hours at the station. By the time they returned to Helens flat, the salads had wilted and the roast was cold.
When Valerie got home, Michael called, demanding she drop the charges.
Val, I thought youd changed the locks. Didnt you?
No need to wreck the door. I installed an alarm instead.
Then why lock it with the old key?
I figured your mother wouldnt give up. You shouldve heard her. I didnt want your relatives breaking in.
So you deliberately left the old lockknowing Mum had keysand set the alarm? You set them up! You wanted them arrested!
Mike, they had a choicecelebrate at home. Instead, they rang in the New Year at a police station. Not my fault.
By the way, I had to clean up after them. The food they left out had gone bad by the time I got back.
Why didnt you warn Rebecca about the alarm?
I did. There are signs on the gate and door: Protected by Police. Everyone can read.
Anyway, give my regards to your mum, Rebecca, Alex, and the rest. And tell them theyre never welcome here again.
I withdrew the complaint this time, but next time, theyll face the full force of the law.
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