Make Some Room, Well Stay Here for Ten Years
For a moment, my mother-in-law fell silent, then she suddenly declared, Oh, Jennifer, Valerie is such a forceful woman Once she sets her heart on something, she wont stop. Try to understand her, love; she only wants Natalie to get a proper education
At my expense? Jennifer stopped in front of the mirror.
In the reflection, she saw a pale woman with dishevelled hair.
Margaret, you need to stop them, Jennifer insisted, her voice trembling. Let them get off at the next station and go back. Im not meeting them; I wont give them my flat.
How am I supposed to stop them? her mother-in-law wailed, a trace of panic in her voice. Theyre already on their way. Valeries even taken out a loan for university fees, and theyve not a farthing left for somewhere to stay. She was counting on your help, Jen. Please, ask your tenants to leave; surely its not too much to ask? After all, its familyyour own flesh and blood
Flesh and blood? Ive seen your niece Natalie twice in my life! You expect me to kick out good tenants, deny my parents help, and make my daughter miss her classes, all because your sister decided so?
Her phone pinged in her coat pocket. Without taking off her coat, Jennifer pulled out her mobile. There was a message from Valerie, Margarets older sister.
Jennifer, hello! Were already on the train, tickets for the 19:40. Well arrive at Kings Cross tomorrow morning. See you then, Natalie and I. Please send your address, we forgot to jot it down last time. Where do we collect the keys?
Jennifer froze. She read it three times, hoping it was some mistake. Which flat? Which Natalie?
Mum, why are you stuck there? Her daughter Chloe stuck her nose out of the hallway. Im hungry.
Just a minute, darling. Jennifer absently stroked her daughters head, still staring at the phone.
She dialed Valeries number. The phone was picked up instantly, clattering train wheels and peals of high-pitched laughter in the background.
Hello, Jennifer! Did you get our message? We wanted it to be a surprise, so you wouldnt trouble yourself making anything specialwell get groceries on the way!
Valerie, waitwhat do you mean? Where are you heading?
What do you mean? To London, of course! Natalie got into unididnt I tell you in the spring? She didnt get a grant, but never mind, shell manage on a paid course! Bags packed, off we go to settle into your flat.
Mywhat? Jennifer slumped against the wall. You mean the flat Ive let for the past six years? Are you out of your mind?
Oh, dont be like that! Valeries tone stiffened. Six years ago, when you inherited that one-bedroom from your gran, remember we were sitting around the table? I said, ‘Now Natalie will have somewhere to live when she studies in London.’ You didnt protest; that meant you agreed. Weve counted on it, all these years.
I didnt say anything because I thought it absurd! Jennifer nearly shouted. I never intended anyone to live there. A family with a child lives there, we have a contractthey pay rent regularly. That money keeps my retired parents afloat and pays for Chloes lessons. What were you thinking, buying tickets?
Were family! Valerie growled. Or have Londoners just lost all sense of decency? Youd leave your own niece at the station? Have you rung your husband? Hell love to hear youre turning his kin out!
My husbands on a business trip in Yorkshire, barely any reception. And the flat is mine, Valerie. Mine, bought by my grandmother and left to me. Simon has nothing to do with it.
Oh, I see what youre really like. Hear that, Natalie? Your uncles wife doesnt want to know us! Never mind, well sort it out once we arrive. Bad signal heresee you on the platform tomorrow.
The line went dead. Jennifer was left in a fog of disbelief.
Chloe, go in the kitchen, theres some casserole in the fridgewarm it up for yourself, Jennifer shouted to her daughter, hands shaking as she dialled her mother-in-law.
Margaret didnt answer right away.
Yes, Jennifer, Im listening
Did you know your sister and niece are heading to London intending to stay in my flat?
WellValerie mentioned something I thought youd sorted it out, Margaret faltered.
Sorted what out? My flats been let for six years! Half the money goes to my parents for their medicine. You know their pension is barely enough to live. The rest pays for Chloes swimming and dance. Why didnt you tell your sister it was impossible?
Dont raise your voice, Margaret replied, sounding wounded. I really have nothing to do with it. Youll have to sort it out yourselves. Dont call Simon, dont upset himsome big meetings, hes already on edge.
Jennifer flung her mobile onto the sofa. Her husband always tried to keep out of family squabbles, but whenever it came to his mother or aunt, he became helplessly agreeable.
Well, you know, Jen, theyre not city people. They see life differently, hed often say. Its simpler to just give in
She tried ringing him. No signal. Of coursenever reachable when really needed.
***
There was a monumental row. At five in the morning, Valerie started calling and demanded Jennifer come and pick them up.
Were exhausted, were starving! Its cold out herewere shivering. Are you still in bed? Get up! You have fifteen minuteshurry!
Not quite awake, Jennifer didnt realise who she was speaking to. Once she did, she snapped, Leave me alone. Im not coming! And you cant have my flat. Thats final. Ive had enough.
By the tenth call, shed blocked Valeries number.
So Valerie called from her daughters phone. Jennifer blocked that one, too.
All day, Margaret pestered Jennifer: urging her to help her ‘dear family,’ threatening to take offence, vowing to tell her son everything…
And by evening, Simon himself returned home unexpectedly from his trip.
Whats going on? he asked as soon as he walked in. Mum phoned in tears, said you chucked Aunt Valerie onto the street.
Jennifer hugged and kissed him. They arrived out of the blue and demanded I evict my tenants so Natalie could have free lodging for at least five years. Simon, what decent people behave this way? And as far as I know, theyre with your mother now. Why did you rush home?
Mum begged me, Simon sighed. And Aunt Valerie flooded my phone with messages. Jen, couldnt we just help them? At least until they sort out halls
Jennifer shook her head. Simon, there are no halls. They didnt even apply for accommodation. Valerie just assumed they had my flat. Do you know how cheeky they are? They didnt look for anywhere elsethey simply decided theyd take over.
Mum says you promised six years ago
I stayed silent at Grans funeral, Simon. I didnt pay her any mindI had other things to think about.
Aunt Valeries fuming, says were dead to her now. They couldnt stay with mumits far from Natalies college. I sent Valerie £200theyve taken a room somewhere
Thank heavens! Jennifer exclaimed, clapping her hands on the table. Thats the best news today. I wont even argue over the money. Let them bewere free at last!
Simon gave a long sigh, lowering his gaze.
Jen, its justtheyve ended up in a shared house. Valerie says there are cockroaches, the neighbours drink all night.
Well, now they know what its like. If you want to live in the capital, you have to fend for yourself, not expect a windfall from family members you hardly ever see and have never even bothered to send a birthday card to my daughter!
Jennifer turned away toward the bedroom, Simon trailing behind.
Jen, it just seems wrong. Its like we really have left them in the lurch. What if something happens? What if the neighbours are rough? Arent you the least bit sorry for Valerie?
Jennifer spun around. Simon, I have a daughter and parentsIm responsible for them. I have a flat my grandmother earned through hard work. I wont let it go just because someone, hundreds of miles away, fancied it. Why should I feel sorry for them?
Simon fell silent as Jennifer continued, Are you hungry? Lets heat up some supper. And lets just let it go, shall we? If you want to help, use your wages. The flat is staying letand thats the end of it.
Alright, youre right. I suppose Id be furious too if your parents moved into my mums place and declared, Make room, well stay here for ten years.
After supper, while Simon showered, Jennifer glanced at her phone. A message from her mother-in-law, still unread:
Jennifer, this isnt on. Valeries not wellso stressed. Take them some groceries at least. Make sure its enough for a few weeksmeat, veg, fruit, and chocolate. Coffee and tea, toiletries, vegetable oil. Fish, if you can, but no tinned stuffValerie wont eat that. Address:
Jennifer just blocked her as well. Let her stew in the blocked list for a while.
***
That night passed in relative peaceno calls from the family.
Valerie showed up at seven the next morning. Jennifer woke to the loud banging at the door.
Simon, still asleep, left her to answer.
From the threshold, Valerie launched into a tirade:
So, sleeping warm under a nice blanket, are you? Not even curious how we spent the night? It was appalling, let me tell you! Cockroaches falling on us, chilly, dirty, the floor like ice! Someone to the right was belting out Greensleeves all night, another was having a blazing row. Have you no conscience? Letting close family live in such dreadful conditions? Look, Jennifer, I dont want a row with you. If you wont evict your tenants, fine! Well move in with you! Youve got three bedroomssurely you can spare one? Two, actually, since theres two of us! Dont fret, it wont be for longjust three or four months, half a year at most. Ill leave once my daughters settled in.
Jennifer was dumbstruck.
Dont darken my door again. Dont make things worse than they are. Would you like me to call the police? It’s not hard. But is that what you really want?
Valerie flushed crimsonJennifer almost felt frightened.
You wretched Londoner! May your daughter spend her life mopping floors with no education! Just you wait, Ill remember this. What goes around comes around!
Jennifer shut the door in her face. For several minutes, Valerie howled on the landing, then finally left.
***
The quarrel with Valerie ruined what little relationship Jennifer had with Margarether mother-in-law never spoke to her again.
Simon still visited his mother, helped her out, brought Chloe to see her now and again, but Margaret never set foot in her sons home again.
And, truth be told, Jennifer was glad. One less problem to worry about.
