In a quiet village in the English countryside, Lily stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the mess before her. “What on earth happened here?” she fumed. “Call your family and tell them to come clean up after themselves. I wont do it. Ive had enough of washing the bed linens every time your friends stay over at our cottage. Theyve made a habit of treating it like their own.”
Over dinner, her husband, James, sighed. “Mum rang earlier. She and the relatives are planning a barbecue this weekend.”
“Good for her,” Lily replied coolly. “Let them go. Whats it to do with us?” She had never warmed to her mother-in-law.
“They want to use our cottage,” James said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “They dont have one of their own, and Ive got to be at the garage on Saturday. I told them we couldnt go, so she asked for the keys.”
Lily had no choice but to agree, though she soon regretted it. The following weekend, when they finally visited the cottage, she froze at the sight. The place looked as though a storm had blown through.
Berries had been picked, the floors were muddy, and a lone pot of stale soup sat on the stove. The kitchen curtain had been taken down. Lily couldnt fathom what had taken place. James parents were in their sixtiessurely they knew better.
She confronted James. “What on earth went on here? Ring your family and tell them to come sort this out. I wont clean up after them. Ive had enough of it!”
“Its just a bit of extra work,” he muttered. “Toss it all in the washing machine and be done with it.”
“And next time, you can do it yourself! Are you happy with the state of our cottage?”
But James never made the call. Lily refused to speak to him, though they eventually made up. They had been married for only two years, wed for love, though now Lily sometimes wondered if shed rushed into it. They had no children yet.
Life went on as usualwork, home, home, work. Weekends were for walks or trips to the countryside with friends. Everything changed when Lilys mother suddenly remarried and moved to another town, leaving the family cottage to her.
Almost overnight, James relatives developed a fondness for Lily. Suddenly, everyone wanted an invitation to the cottage. Everyone knew a barbecue tasted better outdoors!
Relatives appeared as if from thin aircousins, uncles, aunts, even James grandmotherall eager for fresh air, the river, and grilled meats. And, of course, James friends.
They all stayed overnight. James cheerfully manned the grill. Lily grew weary of it but didnt want to sour relations with his family and friends. Still, something had to be done.
Now, weekends filled her with dread. When Lily and James married, his mother was already elderly. Shed had him late in life, along with an older sister, Margaret, ten years his senior. His mother was from a rural background and somehow believed everything was communal property.
She and Margaret helped themselves to everything at the cottagelotions, shampoos, sponges, even Lilys slippers. Then, yet again, James mother called, asking for the keys. This time, Margaret wanted to take her boss there for a weekend of relaxation and barbecue.
As always, no one consulted Lily.
“Well give Mum the keys,” James said. He remembered Lilys reaction to the last visit but preferred not to bring it up.
Lily knew she had to actand that James was on the other side of this battle. After considering her options, she rang her mother and complained.
“Ill call you back,” her mother said briskly.
Twenty minutes later, she rang again. “Aunt Eleanor and her husband are coming to the cottage for a while. Dont worryshell handle it.”
Lily gasped. She had always feared Aunt Eleanor. As a child, shed been sent to stay with her a few summers, and the memories lingered. Yes, Eleanor Beaumont knew how to discipline.
Aunt Eleanor called that evening.
“Why didnt you ring me sooner, dear?” she asked. “Now, how would you like me to handle thislightly, or should I be firm?” She chuckled in anticipation.
Lily shivered. “Did you ever tell them the cottage is in your name?”
“I dont recall, but they all assume its mine.”
“Dont fret, child. Ill sort it properly.”
On Sunday, an irate phone call came from James mother. “Have you sold the cottage?” she shrieked. “Wheres the money? Why werent we told?”
It turned out that Margaret, her boss, and James parents had arrived at the cottage, only to find a well-dressed woman and four others already enjoying a barbecue.
“Who are you?” Margaret gasped.
“And who, pray tell, are you?” the woman replied coolly, stepping forward. “This is my cottage. I dont know you. How did you get in? Where did you get the keys?”
There was stunned silence. Margaret stammered something about family and borrowed keys, but the womanAunt Eleanorfrowned until she faltered. James mother stayed quiet.
The keys were confiscated, and they were politely but firmly told to leaveand not return. If they did, further questions would be asked about how theyd obtained the keys.
Lily could hear her mother-in-laws screeching from across the room. James was baffled but couldnt get a word in.
“Give the phone to your wife,” the older woman demanded.
James handed it over. “That cottage isnt yours!” his mother declared.
“Did you ever ask?” Lily replied evenly. “Or did you just assume everything was yours?”
“Do you realize Margaret invited her boss? There are layoffs coming, and she was trying to keep her job! If shes sacked, itll be on your conscience!”
“How is that my fault? Aunt Eleanor owns the cottage. She came to enjoy her property. You never even asked me. Buy your own if you want.”
“After this, I wont set foot there againand neither will my family,” James snapped.
It was their first real fight. James was furious. Margaret was sacked. “Ill never forgive you for this,” he said. “My family loved you, and you deceived us.”
Lily was certain Margaret had been let go for other reasons. Suddenly, she realized she didnt feel sorry for any of them. And she hadnt started this. Their marriage had reached a dead end.
“Mum,” she said later, “I think Im leaving James.”
“Thats your choice, dear. But where will you live? Ive let my flat. You could stay with Eleanor.”
“Thanks ever so,” Lily muttered. “Ill rent a place.”
She filed for divorce, moved out, and never went back to the cottage.
