Very well, we wont throw you out for the holidays just yet. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will be staying the night. You can sleep in the kitchen.
Helen Margaret, need I remind you that I am the sole owner of this house? I have the paperwork to prove it. So dont even think about forcing your way inIll have you removed by the police.
After work, Valerie planned to stop by the shopping centre. With Christmas just two weeks away, her old friend Olivia had invited her over.
Valerie knew it would be a full houseOlivias daughter with her husband and kids, her sister, and her university-student niece.
Shed been to Olivias often enough to know everyone well, so she wanted to get the gifts sorted in advance.
Valerie had a knack for picking presents and loved giving them. Already, she could picture the joy of wandering through the glittering aisles, carefully selecting each item, watching the shop assistant wrap them in shiny paper.
But the moment she stepped outside, her mood soured. Waiting by her car was Rachelher ex-husbands sister.
Val, hi! Rachel greeted, shivering. Took you long enough. Ive been freezing out here.
Afternoon, Rachel. Didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? Were still family, arent we? Rachel replied. At least, we were for twenty years.
Thankfully, not anymore, Valerie shot back, reaching for the car door.
Rachel stopped her. Listen, Val, Ive got a favour to ask. Actually, its not just meits the whole family.
What family, Rachel? Ive had nothing to do with yours for a year now. I dont want to hear any requests.
Just listen. 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 all used to gather thereChristmas, May bank holidays. And now what?
Mum wanted to host her birthday in May, have everyone over like we always did. But you locked us out. Just disappeared somewhere.
I dont see why youre telling me all this, Valerie said sharply. I visited 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, the car, and the garage went to him. The house stayed with me. Its all legal. So go celebrate at Michaels place instead.
Val, Mums asking if we can host New Years Eve at the house like before. Therell be a crowdno way we can fit everyone in the flat, Rachel pressed.
Helen Margaret actually asked? Thats a first! For twenty years, all she did was make demands. Now suddenly, shes polite? Valerie scoffed. Tell her no. Book a hotel.
Valerie slid into her car, the joy of gift-shopping gone. Ill do it tomorrow, she muttered, driving home.
She and Michael had been married nearly twenty years. The house Rachel mentioned had been theirs for a decade.
Then, a year ago, hed announced that life doesnt end at forty-five and left her for his young, pretty secretary.
Valerie hadnt fought to keep himbut she hadnt let him take everything, either. The house and savings stayed with her; he got the two-bed flat, the Lexus, and the garage.
With their daughter, Emily, still at university, Michael hadnt pushed for the joint account.
A few days earlier, Emily had called. Mum, you wont mind if I stay at the dorm for New Years, will you? Ill come home right after.
With that, Valerie had accepted Olivias invite. At least there, she wouldnt feel alone.
Knowing Rachel, though, shed guessed this wasnt over. And she was right.
That evening, her ex-mother-in-law called.
Valerie, who do you think you are? Youve stolen my sons house, and now you think we wont do anything about it?
Listen carefully: this New Years, the whole family will be celebrating in our housethe one my son graciously let you live in. Understood?
Fine, we wont kick you out for the night. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will stay. You can sleep in the kitchen.
Helen Margaret, do you not grasp that I own this house? Legally. So dont even try forcing your way inIll have the police drag you out.
Well see about that! Just get the rooms ready. Well bring our own foodone less thing for you to worry about. And dont argue, or youll remember this New Years for all the wrong reasons!
Shes lost her mind this past year, Valerie thought.
Helen had never been gentle, but tonights tirade still shocked her. Did she really think threats would work?
Once, Valerie had been the perfect daughter-in-lawthe other two had bowed to Helens rule.
Now, divorced, Valerie could only wonder: what were they thinking?
Meanwhile, in Helens flat, plans were underway.
Rachel, you and Alex handle the food. Buy everything ahead. Well cook on the 30th and morning of the 31st.
You and I will do the roast and sides. Sarah and Lily can handle the salads. Well pack it in containersVals still has the good dinnerware. Michael left it.
Mum, what if she still refuses? Rachel asked.
She wont dare! Therell be twelve of usthe whole family. Imagine the scene: Uncle Colin, Aunt Louise, Leo and Natalie on the doorstep. You think shell slam the door in their faces? Shell let us in, sweet as pie. Might even help set the table!
At 9 p.m. on New Years Eve, four cars pulled up outside the house on East Lane.
Strange, Alex muttered. Lights are off. Maybe shes not home?
Where else would she be? Shes there. Probably hiding with Emily, Helen smirked. Ring the bell.
No answer.
WaitIve got keys, Helen said triumphantly. Knew shed pull something like this.
They filed inside, flicking on lights. Bring everything to the kitchen. Well set up fast. Let Val hide if she wantsshes not invited.
Twenty minutes later, a commotion erupted in the hall.
Here comes the lady of the house, Alex joked.
But it wasnt her.
Meanwhile, Valerie was helping Olivia set the table when her phone rang.
Ms. Valerie Knox? Your home alarm has been triggered. Officers are on-site.
There are twelve individuals inside claiming to be relatives with your permission.
I never invited them. Theyre my ex-husbands family. Theyve broken in.
Will you be pressing charges?
Absolutely. Im away until the 2nd.
The intruders spent hours at the station. By the time they got back to Helens, the salads had wilted and the roast gone cold.
When Valerie returned, Michael called, demanding she drop the charges.
Val, I thought youd changed the locks. You really didnt?
No need to ruin good doors. I just installed a new system.
Then why lock the old one before leaving?
I knew your mother wouldnt quit. Heard how she spoke to me. Didnt want her breaking in.
So you left the old lock on purposeknowing Mum had keysand set the alarm? You set them up! You wanted them arrested!
Mike, they had a choice: celebrate at home. They picked differentlyand met the police instead. Not my fault.
By the way, I had to clean up after them. The food theyd laid out had spoiled by the time I got back.
Why didnt you warn Rachel about the alarm? he snapped.
I did. There are signs: Under police surveillance. They can read.
Give my regards to your mother, Rachel, Alexand tell them theyre never welcome again.
This time, I withdrew the complaint. Next time, I wont. Theyll face the full force of the law.
