“We’ll Be Staying With You for a While, Since We Can’t Afford to Rent a Flat! – My Friend Announced to Me I’m a very active woman. Even at 65, I still manage to explore new places and meet all sorts of fascinating people. I look back on my youth with both joy and nostalgia—back then, you could spend your holidays wherever you wanted! You could travel to the seaside, go camping with friends, or take a boat trip down any river—and all for just a little money. Sadly, those days are long gone. I’ve always loved meeting new people. I met friends on the beach, at the theatre—and some friendships lasted for years. One day, I met a woman named Sarah while holidaying at the same B&B. We parted as friends and over the years, sent each other the occasional letter. Then, one day, I received an unsigned telegram: “The train arrives at 3 a.m. Meet me!” I had no idea who had sent it, so my husband and I stayed home. But at 4 a.m., there was a knock at our door. I was stunned when I opened it: Sarah stood there with two teenage daughters, her grandmother, and a man, all with a mountain of luggage. My husband and I were bewildered. But we let them in, and Sarah said to me: “Why didn’t you meet us? I sent you a telegram! You know that costs money!” “Sorry, but we didn’t know who sent it!” “Well, you gave me your address. Here I am.” “I thought we’d just write letters, that’s all!” Sarah explained that one of the girls had just finished school and planned to go to university, so the family had come to support her. “We’re going to stay with you! We can’t afford to rent a flat or a hotel!” I was shocked. We weren’t even related—why should we let them move in? We had to feed our guests three times a day. They brought some food, but never cooked; they just ate ours, and I had to serve them all. After three days, I couldn’t take it anymore and asked Sarah and her family to leave. I didn’t care where they went. A huge row erupted. Sarah started smashing dishes and shouting hysterically. I was just dumbfounded by her behaviour. Then, Sarah and her family started packing. They managed to steal my dressing gown, several towels, and even somehow snuck out with my big saucepan. I still don’t understand how—but it just vanished! And that was the end of our friendship. Thank goodness! I never heard from her again, and never saw her. How could anyone be so brazen! I’m much more cautious now when I meet new people.”

Well have to stay with you for a while, since we cant afford to rent a place! my friend announced to me.

Im quite an active woman. Even at 65, I still find great joy in travelling to new places and meeting fascinating people. My youth holds a special place in my heartmemories both sweet and bittersweet. Back then, holidays were so easy! We could spend summer wherever we fanciedperhaps a trip to the seaside, a camping getaway with friends, or even a cruise along any river we wished. All of that was possible with just a modest amount of money.

Sadly, those days are gone. Ive always cherished the opportunity to meet different people, whether on the beach or in the theatre. Many of those friendships endured through the years.

It was during one of those holidays I met a woman named Charlotte. We stayed at the same guesthouse and became fast friends. After the trip, we parted ways but kept in touch occasionally through letters.

Several years passed and one day, I received a strange telegramno signature, just a message: The train arrives at three in the morning. Please meet me!

I wasnt sure who could have sent it. Naturally, my husband and I chose not to go out at that hour. Yet, at four in the morning, our doorbell rang. When I opened the door, I was stunned to find Charlotte standing on my doorstep, flanked by two teenage daughters, an elderly woman, and a man. They had mountains of luggage with them. My husband and I were taken aback, but eventually ushered our unexpected visitors inside.

Charlotte turned to me and said, Why didnt you meet us? I sent you a telegram! Besides, that wasnt cheap!

Im sorry, we had no idea who it was from, I replied.

Well, you gave me your address. And now here I am.

I thought wed just continue writing letters to one another and that would be all!

Charlotte went on to explain that one of her daughters had just finished school and planned to go to university. The entire family had come to give her support.

Well be staying with you! We cant afford to rent a flat or book a hotel.

I was absolutely stunned. We werent even relatedwhy should we let them move in? We found ourselves with guests to feed three times a day. Theyd brought a little food but didnt cook; they simply ate ours. I was left serving everyone.

After three days, unable to cope any longer, I kindly asked Charlotte and her relatives to leave. I didnt care where they went. That resulted in a row: Charlotte started smashing dishes and shouting hysterically.

I was absolutely appalled by her behaviour. Eventually, Charlotte and her clan began packing up. Somehow, they managed to steal my dressing gown, several towels, andastonishinglyeven took my large cooking pot. I still dont know how they managed that; the pot simply vanished!

So ended our friendship, and frankly, Im grateful for it! I never saw or heard from her again. The sheer nerve of some people is unbelievable.

Nowadays, Im far more cautious about whom I let into my life. Sometimes, its wise to draw a clear line between kindness and naivetyhelping others is important, but not at the cost of your own peace and well-being.