The doorbell jolted Robert awake. Beside him, his wife stirred. He brushed a hand over her shoulder.
“Love, go back to sleep. Ill get it.” He shuffled to the door, muttering under his breath. “Who on earth is here at this hour?”
When he opened the door, there stood his Aunt Mabel, clutching an oversized suitcase. Behind her, his uncle, Harold, shifted awkwardly from foot to foot.
“My dear nephew!” Aunt Mabel trilled. “Arent you happy to see me? Come, give your old aunt a proper hug!” She seized Roberts arm with a grip that threatened to suffocate him.
“So much for peace,” Robert thought grimly, hauling her luggage down the hallway.
The rest of the night descended into chaos. Aunt Mabel refused to sleep on the sofafar too uncomfortable, she declaredthen suggested Robert might tuck her in himself.
His wife, Eleanor, watched in stunned silence. Barely an hour had passed since their arrival, and already the flat was turned upside down. Eventually, everyone retiredAunt Mabel and Harold took the bed, while Robert and Eleanor squeezed onto the sofa.
“How long do you think theyll stay?” Eleanor whispered, setting breakfast before him the next morning.
“I dont know. Ill ask when I get back from work.”
She listened tensely to the snores rumbling from the bedroom, then said, “Robert, Im frightened of them. Cant you come home early today?”
“Ill try,” he promised before slipping out.
When Robert returned from work, an elaborate dinner awaited.
“Come in, dear! Were celebrating our reunion!” Aunt Mabel called from the kitchen.
Eleanor leaned in, voice low. “Im so glad youre back.”
They settled at the table.
“Aunt Mabel, how long have you been planning this visit?” Robert ventured.
“Already trying to kick us out? So were not welcome here?” she huffed, nudging Harold.
“Aunt Mabel, what are you talking about? Stay as long as you like!” Robert was baffled.
“Oh, we will, darling. Forever, in fact. Weve sold our flat. Youre all the family weve got left. You wouldnt throw your poor aunt out on the streets, would you? Surely you can manage?” She dabbed theatrically at a tear.
Roberts jaw dropped. Eleanor burst into tears and fled.
An awkward hush fell over the room. Harold chewed his salad with infuriating calm.
“And why are you so quiet?” Aunt Mabel snapped. “All you do is eat. Cant you say something?”
“Quite agree, my dear,” Harold murmured.
“Youre hopeless!” she barked. “Always like this. I make all the decisions, and he just nods along. What sort of man is that?” She turned to Robert. “Are you happy, dear?”
“Youre welcome to stay as long as you need!” Robert saidjust as Eleanors weeping echoed from the hallway.
Robert pushed his food around half-heartedly. Harold and Mabel ate with such gusto, the clatter of cutlery rang in his ears.
When Aunt Mabel finished, she leaned back with a sigh.
“Robert, I was only joking. Were here for hospital teststhree days at most. And you, my dear, handled it beautifully. You were terrified, but you didnt show it. Family means something to you. When Im gone, youll inherit my flat. No children of our own, you see. Youre our only heir.”
Relief flooded Robert. He forced a smile.
“May you live to be a hundred, Aunt Mabel.”
In those three days, Eleanor became a weeping mess, unable to please her auntthe soup was too bland, the chops too tough, the laundry done wrong, the floors not scrubbed properly.
As they finally said their goodbyes, Aunt Mabel whispered to Robert:
“How did you marry such a crybaby? Is she pregnant? She never stops blubbering.”
The moment the door clicked shut, Eleanor danced with joy.
“Maybe theyll never come back,” she breathed hopefully.
“I wouldnt count on it. I think Aunt Mabel rather liked it here.”
“I cant take it!” she moaned.
The doorbell rang againsharp, insistent.
“Bloody hell, not again” Robert leapt up, then laughed. “Oh, its just the alarm!”
A wonderful day awaited.
