Very well, we wont kick you out for the holidays. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will be staying the night. You can sleep in the kitchen.
Margaret, need I remind you Im the sole owner of this house? The deeds are in my name. Dont even think of forcing your way inIll have the police escort you out.
After work, Evelyn planned to stop by the shopping centre. Christmas was two weeks away, and her old friend Charlotte had invited her over.
Evelyn knew the gathering would be large: Charlottes daughter with her husband and children, her sister, and a university-student niece. Shed spent enough time at Charlottes to know them all well. So she wanted to get the gifts sorted in advance.
Evelyn had a knack for picking presents and loved giving them. She could already picture herself wandering through the glittering aisles, carefully selecting each item, watching the shop assistant wrap them in shiny paper.
But her mood soured the moment she stepped outside. Waiting by her car was Rebeccaher ex-husbands sister.
Evie, hi! You took agesIve been freezing out here.
Afternoon, Rebecca. Didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? Familys family.
Not anymore. Not for the past year. Evelyn reached for the car door.
Rebecca stopped her. Listen, Ive got a favour to ask. Well, more like the whole family does.
What family? Ive had nothing to do with yours in a year. Im not hearing any favours.
Just listen. I dont know how you and Michael split the assets, but Mum still thinks the house youre living in belongs to our family.
You and Michael bought it together. He spent years fixing it up. We had every Christmas and summer gathering there. And now what?
Mum wanted to host her birthday in Mayall of us on the terrace, just like old times. But you shut us out. Disappeared somewhere.
Why are you telling me this? Evelyn snapped. I went to see a friend. Didnt realise I needed your permission.
And forget about your little family gatherings in my house. When Michael and I divorced, we agreed: flat, car, and garage for him, the house for me. Legally binding. So now you can all cram into his flat instead.
Rebecca pressed on. Mums asking if we can have New Years Eve at the house. Therell be loads of usnowhere else to fit everyone.
Margaret actually asked? I dont believe it. Twenty years of demands, and now suddenly shes polite? Tell her no. Book a hotel.
Evelyn got in the car. Her shopping trip was ruined. Ill get the gifts tomorrow, she muttered, driving home.
She and Michael had been married nearly twenty years. The house Rebecca mentioned was bought a decade ago. Then, a year back, hed announced that life doesnt end at forty-five and left for his pretty young secretary.
Evelyn hadnt fought to keep him but refused to be short-changed. The house and savings stayed with her; he got the flat, his Jaguar, and the garage. With their daughter still in university, he hadnt touched the joint account.
A few days ago, Sophie had called. Mum, you wont mind if I stay at the dorm for New Years, will you? Ill come home after the holidays.
Evelyn had accepted Charlottes invitebetter than moping alone.
Knowing Rebecca, this wouldnt be the end. And she was right.
That evening, her ex-mother-in-law called. Evelyn, youre pushing your luck. Snatching Michaels house, thinking we wont fight back? Well, heres a warning: were celebrating New Years in our housethe one my son let you stay in. Understood?
Fine. We wont throw you out. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece are staying. Youll sleep in the kitchen.
Margaret, do you not grasp that I legally own this house? Try breaking in, and the police will drag you out.
Well see who gets dragged out! Get the rooms ready. Well bring our own foodless work for you. And dont argue, unless you want this to be the worst New Year of your life.
Evelyn hung up, stunned. Margaret had never been pleasant, but this was outright deranged. Did she really think threats would work?
Once, Evelyn had been the favourite daughter-in-lawthe others had bowed to Margarets rule. Now? She just wondered what they were playing at.
Meanwhile, at Margarets flat, plans were underway.
Rebecca, you and Alex handle the food shopping. Well cook on the 30th and the morning of the 31st. Ill do the roast and sides. Sarah and Olivia will handle the salads. Well pack everything in containersand well use Evelyns good china. Michael left two sets behind.
Mum, what if she still refuses?
Let her try! Therell be twelve of usall the family. She wouldnt dare slam the door in our faces. Shell let us inmight even help set the table!
On New Years Eve, at 9 PM, four cars pulled up outside the house on East Lane.
Odd, Alex muttered. Lights are off. Maybe shes not home?
Where else would she be? And Sophies probably back. Theyre hiding. Margaret smirked. Ring the bell.
No answer.
WaitIve got keys. Margaret jingled them. Knew shed pull something.
The gate creaked open. The whole family filed in.
Get the lights on. Bring the food to the kitchenwell set up fast. If Evelyn wants to hide, fine. We wont invite her.
Twenty minutes later, commotion erupted in the hall.
Here comes the lady of the house, Alex joked.
But it wasnt Evelyn.
Meanwhile, Evelyn was helping Charlotte set the tableguests were due any minute. Her phone rang.
Ms. Evelyn Carter? Your alarms been triggered. Officers are on-site.
Twelve people claim theyre family and have your permission to be there.
I didnt invite anyone. Its my ex-husbands relatives. Theyve broken in.
Will you press charges?
Absolutely. Im out of townback the day after.
The intruders spent hours at the station. By the time they limped back to Margarets, the salads had spoiled and the roast was cold.
When Evelyn returned, Michael called, demanding she drop the charges.
Evie, why didnt you change the locks?
I didnt need to. I just installed an alarm.
Then why lock the old one?
Because I knew your mother wouldnt give up. Heard how she spoke to me? I didnt want my door smashed.
So you set them up? Knew theyd be arrested?
They had a choice, Michael. They couldve stayed home. Instead, they chose the police station. Not my fault.
And I had to clean up after themhalf the food had gone off by the time I got back.
Why didnt you warn Rebecca about the alarm?
I did. There are signs: Protected by Police. Everyone can read.
Anyway, give my regards to your mother, Rebecca, Alexand tell them theyre never welcome again.
This time, Ill withdraw the complaint. But next time? Theyll face the full force of the law.
