Emily was washing dishes after breakfast when her mother-in-law, Margaret, called. Six-month-old Oliver was peacefully asleep in his pram on the balcony, so it was a good time to chat.
*”Emily, love, Ive got a favour to ask,”* Margaret began, her voice bright. *”Id really love to see my grandson. Maybe I could come for a visit?”*
Emily didnt sense any trouble. Margaret lived up in Newcastle, and they rarely saw each other. Since Oliver was born, theyd only spoken over the phone.
*”Of course, Margaret, do come,”* Emily agreed. *”You should see Oliverhes growing so quickly.”*
*”How long could I stay? A week, perhaps?”*
*”Yes, thats fine,”* Emily said generously. *”The sofa in the lounge pulls outits quite comfortable.”*
Margaret sounded delighted. *”Oh, thank you, dear. Ill come in a couple of days then. Ive already bought my train tickets, just in case.”*
Emily smiled. After the call, she told her husband, James, about the upcoming visit.
*”Fine, let her come,”* he agreed. *”Havent seen Mum in ages.”*
Three days later, Emily got a text from Margaret: *”Arriving todayno need to meet me, Ill take a taxi.”*
Emily prepared the sofa bed, stocked up on groceries, and even bought a cake.
Margaret arrived in the evening with two large bags and a wide smile. But behind her stood a man.
*”Emily, meet William,”* Margaret said cheerfully. *”Hes a friend of mine. He had business in London too, so we thought wed travel together and get acquainted.”*
Emily stared at the strangera grey-haired man in his sixties, wearing a worn suit and carrying a battered suitcase.
*”Hello,”* she mumbled.
*”Pleasure to meet you,”* William replied, extending his hand. *”Margarets told me so much about you.”*
Emily led them into the lounge, trying to make sense of the situation. She pulled Margaret aside.
*”Margaret, where is William staying? You didnt mention bringing anyone else.”*
*”Whats the problem?”* Margaret frowned. *”The sofas big enough. Williams not fussy.”*
Emily stood frozen, trying to process this. Their two-bed flat, rented for a family of three, was now hosting five.
*”Margaret, I only prepared for one guest. Weve got a babytheres hardly any space.”*
Margaret was already unpacking. *”Dont fret, love. We wont take up much room. Right, William?”*
William nodded, glancing around. *”Nice place. Decent area, good transport links. Perfect for job hunting.”*
*”Job hunting?”* Emily repeated.
*”Aye,”* William said. *”No prospects back in my town. Thought Id try my luck here.”*
Emily felt a headache coming on. So he wasnt just visiting for a few days.
*”How long were you planning to stay?”*
*”As long as it takes,”* Margaret cut in. *”William needs time to sort out work.”*
Emily kept calm, retreating to the kitchen to make dinner. Just then, James came home.
*”Alright? Has Mum arrived?”*
*”She has. And shes not alone.”*
James paused. *”What dyou mean?”*
*”She brought a gentleman friend. Go say hello to William.”*
James walked into the lounge, where Margaret was showing William family photos on her phone.
*”Mum, you never said you were bringing a guest.”*
*”Jamie, love!”* Margaret beamed. *”Meet William at last. William, this is my son.”*
The men shook hands. William smiled warmly. *”Margarets told me all about you. Youve built a lovely life here.”*
*”Thanks,”* James said dryly. *”Mum, can we talk?”*
They stepped into the kitchen. Emily pretended to focus on cooking but listened closely.
*”Mum, have you lost the plot? Bringing a stranger into our home?”*
*”Jamie, dont shout! Williams a good man. Weve been friends for months.”*
*”Be friends all you likejust not under our roof!”*
Margaret looked hurt. *”So thats how it is. Your own mothers a nuisance. And here I thought youd be happy.”*
James sighed. *”Its not about you. But you shouldve warned us. Weve got a baby, routines, we need peace.”*
*”Well be quiet,”* Margaret promised. *”And it wont be long. William just needs time to settle.”*
In the end, James gave in. Throwing his own mother out wouldve been too harsh, and Emily stayed silent, not pressing the issue.
The first few days passed without much fuss. Margaret doted on Oliver, while William scoured job listings. But soon, problems arose.
Mornings meant queuing for the bathroom while William took ages shaving. Margaret cooked breakfast without asking what anyone wanted. Evenings were spent with the guests watching telly in the lounge, forcing James and Emily to retreat to their bedroom.
*”Emily, youve got a laptop, right?”* William asked one evening. *”Need to send off my CV.”*
*”Yes, but we use it for work,”* Emily said.
*”Just borrowing it for a bit. Important, this.”*
He set up in the lounge, spending hours on calls with recruitersloudly.
*”Aye, decades of experience. Deputy foreman back in Manchester. Whats age got to do with it? Ive still got plenty to give!”*
Oliver, startled by the noise, would wake crying. Emily soothed him while William carried on.
*”Sorry, thats the grandson. Still a babe, you know.”*
Margaret tried to help, but her methods clashed with Emilys.
*”Emily, why pick him up straight away? Let him cryits good for his lungs.”*
*”Margaret, hes hungry.”*
*”Cant behe fed an hour ago. Must be teething.”*
Emily bit her tongue.
By the weeks end, patience wore thin. William hadnt found work but remained optimistic. Margaret acted like she owned the place.
*”Emily, whys the fridge so bare?”* she asked one day. *”Need proper food in here.”*
*”We buy what we eat,”* Emily said.
*”Need something hearty, not just yoghurts and cheese. William needs proper mealsjob huntings hard work.”*
Emily was stunned but stayed quiet. Their budget was already stretched. The guests had only been to the shops once.
Then there were Williams boastful calls.
*”Dave? Aye, in London now. Staying at my ladys sons place. Nice two-bed in a good areasorted!”*
Emily listened in disbelief. So they were housing and feeding a stranger, and he was bragging about it.
The final straw came when Oliver fell ill. Feverish and fussy, he barely slept. Emily was up all night, only for William to demand quiet for his important calls.
*”Sorry, but the babys poorly,”* Emily said.
*”I get that, but this is an employer calling! Its urgent!”*
James had heard enough.
*”Mum, how long is this going on?”*
*”Jamie, just a bit longer. William needs to get settled.”*
*”And if he doesnt? Lives here till retirement?”*
Margaret looked offended. *”How could you say that? Were family.”*
*”Hes not,”* James said firmly. *”I want you both gone. Two more daysmax.”*
Margaret cried, William sulked. But James stood his ground. Two days later, they left for Newcastle.
Before going, Margaret told James, *”Shame I wont see my grandson for a while.”*
The relationship was strained. Emily vowed never to host anyone againnot even for a night. Hospitality had limits, especially in a rented flat with a baby.
So, did James do the right thing? Or was he too harsh? Let us know in the commentsand dont forget to like if you enjoyed the story. Cheers!
