**Diary Entry**
“Where are you off to? Weve come to visit!”
“I cant stand your sister!” Emily snapped, her face twisted in frustration. “She drives me mad!”
“Youre not alone there,” replied William, standing by his wife.
“She sticks her nose into everything and acts like she knows best. You should see the smug look on her face when she thinks shes made me look a fool,” Emily muttered through gritted teeth. “One minute its my upbringing, the next its my ‘outdated’ makeup.”
“Shes always been like that,” William shrugged. “Blame Mumshe spoiled her rotten.”
“Thank goodness we live fifty miles away from your lot,” Emily sighed, rolling her eyes.
Williams mother, Margaret, and his sister, Charlotte, lived in London, while he and Emily settled in a quiet village nearby.
The two widows shared a flat, so every trip to see Margaret meant putting up with Charlotte too. Williams sister had it in for Emily, and rows were inevitable.
At first, Emily bit her tongue, but when Margaret started joining in the criticism, shed had enough. Every visit ended in a scene, so they stopped going altogether.
Margaret noticed, of course. “Why havent you visited? Two weeks and not a word! Dont you care if your mother and sister miss you?” she scolded over the phone.
“Weve been busy,” William said flatly, not bothering with details.
“Too busy for family?” Margaret sniffed. “Or is your wife behind this? Last time, she looked like shed swallowed a sour grape.”
“I told youthings to sort out,” William cut in, eager to end the call.
An hour later, Margaret rang again. “Charlotte and I are coming to the village.”
“Why?” William frowned.
“To see an old friendand you, since you wont come to us,” she said matter-of-factly.
Williams stomach dropped. Avoiding them was one thing; having them turn up unannounced was another.
“We might not be in,” he lied, hoping to put them off.
“Where are you going, then?” Margaret huffed. “Or is this just an excuse?”
“Birthday party,” William blurted.
“Fine. Run off to your partyjust know your mother and sister wont always come knocking,” she said bitterly before hanging up.
Guilt gnawed at him, but remembering how they treated Emily, he pushed it aside. He didnt tell herno point worrying her needlessly.
Three hours later, he regretted that decision. The doorbell rang, and Emily answeredonly to freeze at the sight of Margaret and Charlotte smirking on the doorstep.
“Emily, ready yet? Youre not even dressed!” William called, pretending not to see them.
“Ready for what?” Emily blinked.
“The party. You forgot?” He forced a tense smile. “OhMum, Charlotte, what brings you here?”
“Were visiting. I rang you,” Margaret said coolly. “Are you going to leave us on the step?”
“Cant. Were leaving. Emily, go change,” William ordered, steering her away.
Emily shot him a puzzled lookuntil he winked. Then she caught on.
“Where are you off to? Weve come all this way!” Charlotte folded her arms. “Bit late for a party, isnt it?”
“Starts at eight. Half an hour to get there,” William said briskly.
“Youre going in your lounging clothes?” Margaret laughed, eyeing his joggers.
“Blimeyforgot to change!” William feigned embarrassment and dashed off.
Charlotte and Margaret exchanged doubtful glances. They didnt buy itclearly, this “party” was a ruse to ditch them.
“Cant you cancel?” Margaret pressed when he returned.
“Absolutely not. Dinners paid for, and were expected. Come next week instead,” William said, knowing shed refuse out of pride.
“Maybe well wait here till youre back?” Charlotte suggested, eyeing the living room.
“No need. Youve got other plans, surely?” William countered.
“Your place is nicer than some old friends,” Margaret said with a tight laugh. “Besides, she wasnt exactly thrilled to see us earlier.”
“Want a lift to the coach station?” William offered, nudging them toward the door.
“Last bus is gone, and you cant drive us,” Charlotte said smugly.
“Ill book you a hotel room for the night. Best I can do,” William said firmly.
Margarets face fell. Shed hoped hed cave.
“A hotel?” Charlotte scoffed. “Think wed rob you if you left us here?”
“No, we just prefer no ones in when were out,” Emily cut in.
“Ill take you now,” William insisted.
“Dont bother!” Margaret snapped, storming off. Charlotte followed, muttering insults.
Watching their taxi leave, William and Emily exhaled in relief. The fake party excuse had worked.
Margaret and Charlotte cut ties, stewing in their offence. William only thought of them months later, when a London doctors appointment left him needing lunch.
Charlotte answered the door. “Were just leaving,” she said coldly. “Cant have strangers in the house.”
The message was clear: they werent family anymore. After that, the distance stayed for good.
**Lesson:** Some bridges burn for a reason. Keeping peace sometimes means letting go.
