Ellen was cheerfully washing up after breakfast when her mother-in-law, Margaret, called. Six-month-old Oliver was peacefully napping in his pram on the balcony, giving her a rare moment to chat undisturbed.
“Ellen, love, Ive got a little favour to ask,” Margaret began, her voice warm but slightly hesitant. “Id love to see my grandson. Fancy a visit?”
Ellen didnt sense any trouble. Margaret lived up in Manchester, and they rarely met in person. Since Olivers arrival, their contact had been limited to phone calls.
“Of course, Margaret, do come down. Olivers growing so fastyoull hardly recognise him!”
“How long can I stay? A week, maybe?”
“Thats fine,” Ellen agreed generously. “The sofa in the lounge pulls outquite comfy, actually.”
Margaret immediately brightened.
“Oh, lovely, darling! Ill be down in a couple of days. Already booked my train tickets, just in case.”
Ellen smiled. After hanging up, she mentioned the visit to her husband, James.
“Fine by me,” he said with a shrug. “Havent seen Mum in ages.”
Three days later, Ellen got a text from Margaret:
*”Arriving todayno need to fetch me, Ill grab a cab.”*
Ellen prepped the sofa bed, stocked up on groceries, and even bought a Victoria sponge.
Margaret arrived that evening, beaming, with two oversized suitcases. But behind her stood a man Ellen had never seen.
“Ellen, meet Walter,” Margaret announced cheerfully. “My good friend. He needed to pop down to London for business, so we thought wed travel together.”
Ellen blinked at the strangera silver-haired man in a slightly worn suit, gripping a battered briefcase.
“Hello,” she managed.
“Pleasure,” Walter said, offering a handshake. “Margarets told me all about you.”
Ellen ushered them into the lounge, her mind racing. Their two-bed flat in Croydon was snug enough for threenow suddenly, five?
She pulled Margaret aside. “You never mentioned bringing someone.”
“Oh, whats the fuss?” Margaret waved it off. “The sofas plenty big. Walters easygoing.”
Ellen stood there, mentally calculating space. “But weve only prepped for one. And with the baby”
“Dont fret, love,” Margaret said, already unpacking. “We wont be underfoot. Right, Walt?”
Walter nodded, scanning the flat. “Nice place. Decent area, good transport links. Perfect for job hunting.”
“Job hunting?” Ellen echoed.
“Aye,” Walter said. “No prospects up north. Thought Id try my luck here.”
Ellens head spun. So this wasnt just a weekend visit.
“How long are you planning to stay?”
“Oh, as long as it takes,” Margaret chimed in. “Walter needs time to settle.”
Ellen, keeping a straight face, retreated to the kitchen. James walked in moments later.
“All right? Mum here yet?”
“She is. And she brought company.”
James froze. “What dyou mean?”
“A gentleman friend. Go say hello to Walter.”
In the lounge, Margaret was showing Walter family photos on her phone.
“Mum, you didnt mention a plus-one.”
“Jamie, darling!” Margaret beamed. “Meet Walter. Walter, this is my son.”
The men shook hands. “Heard loads about you,” Walter said amiably. “Youve done well for yourself.”
“Cheers,” James said flatly. “Mum, a word?”
They stepped into the hallway. Ellen pretended to focus on dinner.
“Have you lost the plot?” James hissed. “Bringing a stranger into our home?”
“Dont be rude! Walters lovelyweve been friends for months.”
“Fine, but not under our roof! Weve got a baby, routines”
Margarets face fell. “So your own mothers a bother now?”
James sighed. “Its not about you. A heads-up wouldve been nice.”
“Well be quiet,” Margaret promised. “Just till Walter gets on his feet.”
In the end, James relented. Kicking his mum and her “friend” out felt too harsh, and Ellen stayed silent.
The first few days passed uneventfully. Margaret doted on Oliver; Walter scoured job listings. But soon, cracks appeared.
Mornings meant queueing for the loo while Walter took ages shaving. Margaret cooked massive fry-ups without asking what anyone wanted. Evenings were spent crammed in the bedroom while the guests commandeered the telly.
“Ellen, youve got a laptop, yeah?” Walter asked over dinner. “Need to send off my CV.”
“We use it for work,” Ellen said.
“Just borrowing it for a mo. Important, this.”
He camped in the lounge all day, loudly cold-calling employers.
“Aye, decades of experiencemanaged a factory team up in Leeds. Age? Im in me prime!”
Oliver, startled, wailed. Ellen soothed him while Walter boomed on.
“Sorry, thats the grandson. Bit fussy, you know how it is.”
Margaret “helped” with the babyher methods clashing wildly with Ellens.
“Why pick him up straight away? A good cry clears the lungs.”
“Hes hungry, Margaret.”
“Cant behe ate an hour ago. Must be teething.”
Ellen bit her tongue.
By weeks end, patience wore thin. Walter remained jobless but undeterred. Margaret redecorated the fridge.
“Ellen, whys it so bare? Proper shoppings needed.”
“We buy what we eat.”
“Walter needs proper mealsjob huntings hard work!”
Ellen gaped. Their budget was already stretched. The guests had only bought milkonce.
Worse were Walters calls:
“Dave! Down in London now. Staying at me mates sons placetwo-bed in Croydon. Lovely gaff.”
Ellen seethed. So they were funding a stranger who bragged about it?
The breaking point came when Oliver fell illfeverish and restless. Ellen was exhausted, but Walter demanded silence for his “critical calls.”
“Sorry, but the babys poorly,” Ellen said.
“Got an interview lined up! Priorities!”
James snapped. “Mum, how longs this going on?”
“Jamie, be reasonable! Walters trying.”
“And if he doesnt find work? Pension age and still here?”
Margaret gasped. “How could you? Were family!”
“Hes not,” James said firmly. “Youve got two days.”
Tears, sulksbut James stood firm. Two days later, they left for Manchester.
As they departed, Margaret sighed. “Shame I wont see Oliver for ages.”
The rift lingered. Ellen vowed: no more guests, not even for tea. Hospitality has limitsespecially in a rented flat with a baby.
So, did James overreact, or was he justified? Drop your thoughts belowand dont forget to like and follow for more tales!
