My husband’s sister showed up expecting everything ready-made again, but this time she got an empty table
So theyre coming round this Saturday? Again? We agreed, Tom, that this weekend would be just usgo for a drive in the countryside or something! Im absolutely knackered after slogging through those end-of-quarter reports all week.
My voice pinged off the tiled walls of our little kitchen as I stood at the sink, furiously rinsing suds off the plates. Glancing over my shoulder, I watched Tom, hunched at the table, eyes down, twiddling the edge of my mums old embroidered tablecloth.
Em, what was I supposed to say? He sighed, trying to sound calm and conciliatory. Alice rang up, said she, Harry, and Ben really miss us. Havent seen each other in agesBen wants to visit his uncle. How could I turn my own sister away? Theyve made all the plans already.
Havent seen each other in ages? I shut the tap with a bang; the pipes groaned in protest. Drying my hands, I turned and folded my arms. Tom, they were here two weeks ago. And before that, three whole days over the Bank Holiday. And every time its the same. They arrive empty-handed, plonk themselves down, polish off everything Ive been slaving over for half the weekend, leave a mountain of washing up, then vanish until next time.
Tom winced. He hated these conversations, probably because his family believed you ought to take in relatives any time of day or night, drop your own plans, your tiredness irrelevant.
Why even count what other people eat? he mumbled, nudging his mug away. Shes my sister. Bloods thicker than water, isnt it? Theyre a bit short on cash right nowHarrys bonus got cut at work, Alice mentioned it. Lets just let them come, have a nice catch up. Ill nip to Tesco myself, grab whatevers needed. Promise Ill do the dishes too.
I gave a bitter little laugh. Id heard these pledges every single time. Yes, Tom sometimes did pop out to the shops, but itd be a loaf of bread, some sparkling water, and the cheapest ham he could find, genuinely thinking thats festive fare. The real costand the hours spent at the cookercame down to me. As for the washing up, well, Tom reliably passed out on the sofa after a hefty roast, leaving me and the greasy frying pans to bond in the kitchen.
Wed been married six years. Id inherited our flat from my gran before we met, so technically, it was mine alone. Tom had a decent job, but most of his salary vanished on the car loan and helping out his retired parents. I worked as a senior pharmacist for a big chain, and my salary covered our food, bills, household gadgets, and holidays.
I was never stingy or inhospitable. When we first got married, I loved laying on spreads for Toms family, baking quiches, roasting jointsall the works. But, over time, I realised Alice had turned these visits into a shameless free-for-all. Loud, confident, the sort who believed she was special, Alice treated our flat like her own private restaurant.
By Friday night, Im trudging round Sainsburys, my trolley groaning, sticking rigidly to the shopping list. Good rump steak for the mainAlice turns her nose up at chicken, calls it food for paupers. A proper side of smoked salmon for sandwiches, three sorts of cheese, fresh veg priced like caviar these days, and Bens favourite cake.
Paying at the till, my heart sank at the total: almost £80. That was money Id earmarked for new boots since my current ones were so battered it was embarrassing. But the boots would have to wait.
I schlepped home, arms about to drop off from the weight of the shopping. There was no lift in our building, so it was three flights up by myself. Tom, naturally, was still at Kwik Fit faffing with the car.
As I stepped into the hallway, finally dropping the bags, I heard Toms muffled voice from the bedroom. He mustve come in before me, chatting on the phone. I was halfway to the kitchen but paused as I caught words from Alice, her voice ringing out on speakerphone.
Told you, book the tickets now, while the early bird discount is on! Alice was saying. Weve had our sights set on that Tenerife hotel for agesfive stars, all-inclusive, right on the beach. Harrys advance came through yesterday, so we just paid the full amount. Cost a bomb, nearly a grand, but heyYOLO!
Cor, thats impressive, Tom replied, clearly taken aback. But I thought money was tight after Harrys bonus got cut? Been saving hard?
Alices laugh rang out. Oh, Tom, youre such a softie. Of course were saving! Buying just the basics, no dinners out, no fancy stuff. Im cooking pasta with sausages for Harry. Besides, when we come to yours, Em sets the table like its Christmasred salmon, roasts, fancy salads. After gorging there all weekend, we can survive on yoghurts till Wednesday. Its a right lifesaver, Im telling you! Just be sure to tell her to get that smoked salmonBen loves it. Anyway, see you at one tomorrow. Well be starving!
The call ended. Tom gave a little chuckle and tossed his phone onto the bed.
I stood there in the hallway, fingers going numb around my shopping bags, but the ache in my hands was nothing compared to the lump of ice forming inside me. A mixture of hurt and pure rage surged up into my throat.
So, no money, are we? Just living on pasta? Yet heres a thousand quid dropped on a seaside holiday, while I go without boots to feed these freeloading chancers luxury fishbecause theyre saving their cash at my expense.
I quietly retreated to the kitchen and started unloading the bags in silence. Then, something in me just snappedevery trace of my gentle, model daughter-in-law tendencies vanished. In their place: cold, steely determination.
Instead of erupting, I got methodical. The expensive beef went deep in the freezer. The posh cheeses, smoked salmon, cured meatsall tucked away in an opaque box and hidden on the bottom fridge shelf behind a fortress of saucepans. The cake I cut in halfone bit boxed with the treats, the other left in plain sight.
The result: one spotless countertop, not a crumb or dirty fork in sight.
The rest of the evening, I made us a simple supperjust buckwheat and some leftover cottage pie. Tom, blissfully unaware of my mood, scoffed his dinner and zoned out in front of the telly. No mention of his familys upcoming visithe just assumed, as always, Id made everything perfect for them.
Saturday morning dawned quiet. I slept in, had a lazy shower, took my sweet time over a strong cup of tea and a nice slice of cheese. For once, I wasnt rushing about in my pinny dicing this and roasting that. I plopped down in my reading chair and enjoyed the peace.
By noon, Tom finally surfaced, blinked at the kitchen, then sniffed the unremarkable air.
Em, arent you making anything? Alice and the lot will be here in an hour. The oven broken? He peered in the empty pots, confused.
Nope, ovens fine, I replied, eyes on my book. But Im having a day off. Its my weekend too.
Tom just stared, mouth agog. But what about lunch? Whatll we feed them?
No idea, Tom. Maybe rustle up some buckwheat? Theres a bit of pie left from yesterday. Otherwise, the Tescos over the roadyour wallets in the hallway.
He started to laugh uncomfortably, thinking I was messing with him.
Oh, come on, dont sulk just because theyre coming. I said Id do the dishes! Wheres all the stuff you brought in yesterday? I saw you hauling shopping in!
Thats this weeks groceries. Not for people who scrimp on their own shop so they can sun themselves in Tenerife on my dime, I finally looked straight at him. My voice was calm, ice-cold. I overheard everything you and Alice said last night. Every single word. Well, guess what? The free canteen is now closed for good.
He flushed bright blotchy red, too stunned to reply as the doorbell blared through the flat. Right on timefamily arrived, hungry and expectant.
Tom darted off. Suddenly, the place was full of clattering, excited voices, cheap perfume.
Oh thank god! The traffic was atrocious! bellowed Alice as she barged in. Tom, whereve you put our slippers? Ben, dont drag your coat on the wall!
Alice barged into the kitchen, tracksuit on, ponytail swinging, and scanned the sparkling counter hopefully. Her husband Harry, lumbering and surly, slumped onto a chair. Ben, nose glued to his phone, flopped down too.
Em, hi. Alice sniffed the air, frowning. Whys there nothing cooking? Havent you started yet? Were absolutely starved; made sure to skip breakfast especially for your roast!
I shut my book calmly, set it down, and faced them. Hi, Alice. Hello, Harry. We havent started lunch, and were not planning to. Theres no meal today.
Alice batted her lashes in blank confusion, then shot a look at Tom, who hovered in the doorway like a schoolboy waiting for detention.
What do you mean, no lunch? Tom, you said you were ready for us! Weve come all this way! Bens a growing lad, he cant miss his meals! Alices voice rose nearly to a shriek.
Well, if Ben has an eating schedule, maybe you should have given him lunch at homemaybe stopped by a café on the way, I replied, mild smile firmly in place.
Harry grumbled, dropping into a kitchen stool, arms crossed. Is this a joke? We traipse all the way here for you to show us an empty table? Bloody hell, Em, stick the salad out, will you? Were famished.
That word grated my nerves, but I stayed cool. I leaned on the table, staring right at Alice.
Theres no salad, or roast, or salmon, Harry. Last night, purely by accident, I heard you waxing lyrical about how my house is a great way for you to cut your food costs for your Spanish holiday.
Alice blanched, then flushed crimson, shooting death rays at Tom. You had me on speaker in front of her?! she shrieked, totally giving herself away.
Tom hunched his shoulders. Alice, I didnt know Em was in the hallwayI thought she was in the kitchen
You thought! Well, so what if were off to Tenerife? So what if we save what we can? Were family! Hosting us is your duty! You dont have kids, what else do you need money for? Weve got a family to support! He could pitch in for his sister! Its not like youd miss a beef joint! Miserable!
I straightened up. Years of weary annoyance rose up and out through my voice, now steely and slow.
First, Alice, in my home, nobody owes anybody anything. I paid for this flat, not you, not Tom. Second, my wages arent a handout fund for your sunny getaways. Over the past three months your visits have cost me almost £500. Thats my money. Earned by me. Ill spend it as I see fit, not on people laughing at how easily Im conned into feeding them.
Youre going to count the bites my lad eats? Alice made a big show of being upset, pressing a hand to her chest. Harry, are you hearing this? Its humiliating!
Harry pushed himself up, squaring his shoulders. Oi, love, watch your step. We came here for Tom, not you.
Harry, enough! Tom finally found his voice, stepping between us. Dont talk to Em like that in her own home.
In her home? Alice sneered. What, now youre just a lodger? Have no say at all? Are you even a man? Tell your wife to get herself to the kitchen and sort your familys lunch!
For the first time, Tom stared properly at his sister. No sympathy, no nervesjust a kind of shame. It hit him, I could see itthat hed been letting this happen, for years, to me. Buying the bargain ham while I did everything else, too meek to say no.
My wife owes you nothing, Alice, he said, voice lower, firmer than Id ever heard. Shes right. You show up for a free meal, never asking how we are, never offering so much as a cake. The free rides over.
Oh really? So youve picked your wife over your sister, have you? Im telling Mum what a whipped wimp you are. Im never stepping foot here again!
You do that, I said with a smile. Doors over there. And maybe grab some sausages for Ben from the Tesco on your way outyoull save money, right?
Alice huffed, clinging to Bens sleeve so hard he almost dropped his phone.
Come on, Harrywere not wanted here! Let them keep their precious money! she cried, storming out like a hurricane.
They left behind a trail of scuffed rugs, banging the door so hard the hallway keys rattled.
For a moment, the flat was unnaturally still. I let out a breath and felt a weight drop from my shoulders. My hands trembled a bit, but my chest felt gloriously light, as if Id finally kicked off agonisingly tight shoes.
Tom hovered nearby, staring at the floor, then carefully rested a hand on my shoulder.
Emma Im sorry. I was clueless. Really, I didnt realise what it looked like from your side. I thought it was just family stuff, but now I see they were using us. Using you.
I looked at himreally looked. He was struggling, but the remorse was so clear, and I knew how tough it must have been for him to stand up to Alice. Hed chosen us, picked his own family at last.
Its all right, Tom, as long as you get it now, I said quietly but firmly. Ill never be against family, but I expect respect in our home. If they want to visit, theyre welcomeif they bring a cake, good manners, and an apology. Until then, the matters closed.
Closed, he nodded obediently, shuffling awkwardly. He gave me a sheepish smile. You know since nobodys coming and weve no plans now Fancy pizza? Or sushi? My treat. And no washing up.
For the first time in ages, I laughed big and genuinely. Pizza, please. And put on that film weve been meaning to watch.
While Tom gleefully prodded his phone for delivery, I dug out the hidden half of the chocolate cake from the fridge, sliced myself a fat wedge, poured another mug of tea, and parked myself at the sparkling table. Ahead of us stretched a peaceful weekendjust for us.
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