Can we have the keys to your cottage? Wed love to stay there for a bit.
When Richards mother fell ill, he and his wife Mary decided to spend Christmas at home in London rather than going away. Their New Years Eve was quiet and cosy, just the two of them. Their friends, Alice and Peter, were a bit disappointed; the original plan had been for all four of them to spend time at Richard and Marys cottage in the Lake District. But none of them could have foreseen Mrs. Thompsons sudden illness right during the holidays.
Still, Mary felt guilty about having to cancel on Alice and Peter. So when Alice rang her on the 2nd of January, saying theyd had a dreadful New Years in their small flat with Peters mum, Marys guilt resurfaced.
Ive had an earful of my mother-in-law. She just turned up with her suitcase on the 31st and told us the central heating in her flat broke down! Now shes staying until the council fix it. Honestly, Ill divorce Peter if this goes on. Youre lucky with Richards mum just sick, but not moving in! Alice groaned down the phone.
Mary sympathised. I wish I could help you know I would if I could.
You can help, actually
How?
The cottage! Could we please borrow the keys and escape to the countryside until the holidays are over? Peters mum can have our place to herself she can drive herself mad!
Mary hesitated. She felt for Alice, but wasnt sure what Richard would make of it. The cottage legally belonged to him, even though they always treated it as shared.
I Ill have to ask Richard.
Of course! But I promise well treat everything with the utmost care.
There might be snow blocking the lane, Mary pointed out. We havent had the roads cleared.
No worries our cars four-wheel drive.
And the boiler hasnt been checked in ages Better someone goes up before you to be sure its all running.
Come on, Mary, were adults. Peter knows boilers like the back of his hand, after all the years doing repairs. Well even fix anything thats off!
Alice sounded so convinced that Mary found herself agreeing to at least check with Richard.
Richard was dubious. Are you sure this is wise?
I dont know, Mary admitted, but weve been close with Alice and Peter for years. If it werent for your mum
But we couldnt get up there ourselves if something went wrong, and Mum cant be left alone.
Yes, but Alice is really having trouble at home. Apparently, Peters mum is impossible, and their marriage is under strain.
They gave it due thought and decided that if their help could save Alice and Peters relationship, it was worth the risk.
Well give them the keys, Mary. But theyre on their own for any problems. Were not getting involved, Richard said resolutely.
Alice readily accepted, promising to call with updates. She and Peter set off for the cottage, out in the Lake District, but the snowy roads slowed their journey. Even with four-wheel drive, they ended up stuck and had to ring the owners for help.
What should we do now? Alice asked nervously.
Better turn back, Mary replied. No one will be clearing roads on the third of January everyones still on holiday.
Weve come all this way! Doesnt Richard know someone local with a tractor? Alice insisted.
Yes, theres a farmer always helps out.
Could you ring him, ask for a favour?
Sure, Ill send you his number.
Half an hour later, Alice called again.
Hes not picking up perhaps he doesnt recognise our number. Can Richard please call him?
Eventually, Richard did, and the farmer promised to come within the hour.
During this time, Alice kept calling for updates, leaving both Mary and Richard worn out and tense. Thankfully, the farmer arrived and cleared the drive. Peter had to dig a narrow path to the front door, but finally they got inside.
However, the radiators were barely warm, and the boiler wasnt working as expected. Peter tried to fix things, but ended up ringing Richard for technical advice. Two hours and much frustration later, the boiler rumbled to life.
Richard felt uneasy. The calls from Alice didnt stop, now about where to find the frying pan, and why the cottage felt cold.
By evening, Mary and Richard switched off their phones for some peace. The next morning, they woke to dozens of missed calls.
Whats now? Mary wondered.
She rang Alice, who answered after a pause. Whereve you been?!
We were sleeping.
There was smoke in the sauna hut. We nearly started a fire!
My word
Theres something wrong with the flue!
What happened?
You shouldve warned us about the baffle on the pipe. Luckily, Peter figured it out, but honestly, Mary, youve got to tell guests these things.
Sorry! It never crossed my mind youd want the sauna on the first night Is everything else all right?
Well, we cant find the barbecue.
It broke, Im afraid.
Well, you couldve mentioned! Now, how are we supposed to grill sausages?! Alice grumbled.
I really dont know, Alice. Youll have to sort something out yourselves. Just dont burn the cottage down!
Mary ended the call. She was finding Alices complaints a bit much.
More trouble? Richard asked.
Of course.
She explained what happened.
Peter used that sauna with me last summer, he knows about the flue, so they cant blame us. As for the barbecue thats not our concern. If they fancied a curry, would I be expected to provide a pot? If they want grilled food, theres a shop in the village disposable barbecues last a weekend.
Mary relayed this to Alice during the next call.
Fine. Well go to the village. At least weve got the road clear thanks to our persistence.
After this, Alice stopped pestering Mary. Perhaps she realised her friend was fed up with running after them.
They didnt hear from Alice and Peter for the next day or so. Richard suggested they simply trust their friends, forget about the cottage for now, and let things be.
When the holidays ended, Mrs. Thompson felt much better. Mary suggested Richard drive up, collect the keys, and check on the cottage.
Richard returned home later that night in a foul mood, refusing to share details of the trip. The next day, Alice called Mary and invited her over; they lived just one street apart.
Mrs. Thomson all moved out? Mary asked.
Yes, the council fixed her heating, thank heaven. She’s gone.
Mary visited, curious about Richards mood. Alice wasted no time.
Here, she said, handing over a sheet of paper.
Whats this?
A breakdown of what we spent at your cottage: farmers fee for clearing the drive, electric shovel, disposable barbecue, charcoal, lighter fluid, grill rack, three lightbulbs, and some essential oils for the sauna hut.
We left them all for you. Feel free to use them, Alice explained.
Thanks, Mary replied, puzzled.
Thing is, Peter and I thought since youll be using these things, its only fair if we split the costs.
Mary paused, thinking Alice must be joking. Are you serious?
Yes. If youd had a barbecue, we wouldnt have had to buy one. If youd had a shovel, we wouldnt have got a new one. And if your farmer had cleared the drive ahead of time, we wouldnt have burned extra petrol waiting for him. Not to mention no shampoo in the sauna hut had to buy all that.
Alice, youre being a bit much. The cottage isnt a hotel we dont stock shampoo and shower caps. You bought the electric shovel and barbecue on your own so take them back, along with the oils, charcoal and grill rack. As for the farmers fee, that’s on you; no one forced you to visit in deep winter. We do get our tracks cleared for free, just not during bank holidays. But Ill pay you for the lightbulbs, thank you for replacing those.
Mary transferred three pounds and eighty pence to Alice, thanked her curtly, and left. She stopped answering calls and texts. Later, she and Richard packed up everything that belonged to Alice and Peter and sent it by courier.
By then Mrs. Thompson was fully recovered, and the couple were able to enjoy weekends at their cottage again. Meanwhile, Alice and Peter no longer had access, and the friendship cooled. The couple never trusted friends with their cottage again, a strange attitude that, though baffling to some, protected their peace of mind.
We bent over backwards to help, but what did they do? Ungrateful! Alice complained to Peter, ringing Mary once more. She didnt want the electric shovel but couldnt return it to the shop without the receiptwhich was still at the cottage.
The holiday saga left everyone changed. Mary realised that generosity is best given with clear boundaries, and that not everyone will appreciate your kindness as you hope. And sometimes, choosing peace over people-pleasing is the wisest gift you can give yourself.
