**Uninvited Guests**
The phone woke Valerie at five in the morning. It was an unknown number.
“Yes?” she said dryly.
“Val, sweetheart?” a loud, cheerful womans voice exclaimed. “Is that you?”
“It is,” Valerie replied, indifferent.
“Its me!” the woman said brightly. “Do you recognise me?”
“I do,” Valerie lied politely, though she had no idea who was calling.
“I knew youd recognise me straight away!” the woman continued. “So glad I caught you. Can you talk now?”
“I can.”
“Brilliant! My husband, the kids, and I are already at the station. We got off the train an hour ago. Can you hear me alright?”
“Perfectly.”
“Your voice is a bit quiet. Are you sure everythings all right, Val?”
“Everythings fine.”
“Im so glad. At first, we thought wed stay in a hotel. We didnt think we had any family here. But then we rememberedyou! See?”
“I see.”
“Honestly, its such a relief. Youve no idea how happy we were. Especially the kids.”
“I can imagine.”
“And my husband said straight away, Call Valerie. She wont let you down.”
“He was right. I wont let you down.”
“So might we stay with you? Did I get that right?”
“You did. You may.”
“We wont be long,” the woman chirped. “Just a couple of weeks. See the sights, then head back home. Theres so much to do, and as they say, theres no place like home. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“We thought so. Especially my husband. He said theres no way Valerie would turn us away. After all, were family. Distant, perhaps, and we havent seen each other in ten years, but familys family. Right?”
“Right.”
“Are you living alone now?”
“I am.”
“In a three-bedroom flat?”
“Yes.”
“So well come straight over?”
“Come over.”
“Well be there in an hour. Still at the same place?”
“Still here.”
“Wait for us, then. Well be there soon.”
“Ill wait,” Valerie replied.
She hung up, set the phone on the nightstand, rolled over, pulled the duvet over her head, and fell back asleep, entirely untroubled by the fact she still had no idea who shed just spoken to.
An hour later, the doorbell rang. Valerie glanced at the clock, shut her eyes, and turned away. The phone rang again. Valerie slept on.
After a while, knocking started at the door. Valerie remained indifferent. Finally, the phone rang once more.
“Yes?” she said, eyes still closed.
“Val, darling?” the same woman cried cheerfully.
“Yes?”
“Its us! Were here. Weve been ringing and knocking, but youre not answering.”
“Youre ringing now?”
“Yes!”
“Why cant I hear you?”
“I dont know.”
“Try again.”
The doorbell sounded.
“Were ringing,” the woman said.
“No,” Valerie replied, “I dont hear you. Knock instead.”
A knock came at the door.
“Were knocking!”
“No,” Valerie said, “I dont hear that either.”
“I mustve got the wrong place,” the woman muttered.
“What?” Valerie asked.
“Where are you right now, Val?”
“What do you mean? At home.”
“Wheres home?”
“Birmingham,” Valerie said, the first place that came to mind. “Where else would I be?”
“Birmingham? Why not London?”
“I moved nine years ago. Right after the divorce.”
“Why?”
“Why the divorce?”
“Why the move?”
“Got tired of London. Too many bad memories.”
“Is Birmingham better?”
“Of course. Much better.”
“Whats better there?”
“Everything. Whatever I do. And no bad memories. But why am I telling you? Come see for yourself. How many of you are there?”
“Four. Me, my husband, and the two kids. The eldest is Peter, the youngest is Andy. Andys trying to get into university for the third time this year.”
“Well, all four of you, come along. Weve got a fine university here too.”
“When should we come?”
“Now, if you like.”
“Cant do now. Got too much to sort in London. Andy only wants to study there. We came up to find work. We were planning to stay with you a year. But look how its turned out.”
“So, youre not coming today?”
“Afraid not.”
“Shame. I was looking forward to it.”
“Were gutted too. Youve no idea.”
“I can imagine.”
“No, you cant. Thinking about whats ahead of us nowI dont even want to live.”
Valerie decided it was time to end the call.
“Alright then,” she said. “If you cant come now, come when you can. Youre always welcome. Once youre settled in London, send me your address. Ill visit. For a couple of weeks. Well see. After all, youre the only family Ive got left there. Deal? Youll send me your address?”
But Valerie didnt hear the answerthe line went dead.
**Life Lesson:** Sometimes, the kindest lies are the ones that spare othersand ourselvesfrom unnecessary trouble. Politeness doesnt always require honesty, but wisdom knows when to draw the line.
