Diary entry Sometimes I wonder, honestly, how Ive managed to keep going this long. Living with a forty-year-old
If you dont care for it, you can show yourselves out, declared Judith to her uninvited guests.
My mum left our home when I was eleven. One afternoon, she packed her things and walked out.
“We’ll Be Staying With You for a While, Since We Can’t Afford to Rent a Flat! – My Friend Announced to Me
I’m a very active woman. Even at 65, I still manage to explore new places and meet all sorts of fascinating people. I look back on my youth with both joy and nostalgia—back then, you could spend your holidays wherever you wanted! You could travel to the seaside, go camping with friends, or take a boat trip down any river—and all for just a little money.
Sadly, those days are long gone. I’ve always loved meeting new people. I met friends on the beach, at the theatre—and some friendships lasted for years.
One day, I met a woman named Sarah while holidaying at the same B&B. We parted as friends and over the years, sent each other the occasional letter. Then, one day, I received an unsigned telegram: “The train arrives at 3 a.m. Meet me!”
I had no idea who had sent it, so my husband and I stayed home. But at 4 a.m., there was a knock at our door. I was stunned when I opened it: Sarah stood there with two teenage daughters, her grandmother, and a man, all with a mountain of luggage. My husband and I were bewildered. But we let them in, and Sarah said to me:
“Why didn’t you meet us? I sent you a telegram! You know that costs money!”
“Sorry, but we didn’t know who sent it!”
“Well, you gave me your address. Here I am.”
“I thought we’d just write letters, that’s all!”
Sarah explained that one of the girls had just finished school and planned to go to university, so the family had come to support her.
“We’re going to stay with you! We can’t afford to rent a flat or a hotel!”
I was shocked. We weren’t even related—why should we let them move in? We had to feed our guests three times a day. They brought some food, but never cooked; they just ate ours, and I had to serve them all.
After three days, I couldn’t take it anymore and asked Sarah and her family to leave. I didn’t care where they went.
A huge row erupted. Sarah started smashing dishes and shouting hysterically.
I was just dumbfounded by her behaviour. Then, Sarah and her family started packing. They managed to steal my dressing gown, several towels, and even somehow snuck out with my big saucepan. I still don’t understand how—but it just vanished!
And that was the end of our friendship. Thank goodness! I never heard from her again, and never saw her. How could anyone be so brazen!
I’m much more cautious now when I meet new people.” Well have to stay with you for a while, since we cant afford to rent a place! my friend announced to me.
The Daytime Cuckoo Outstayed Her Welcome No, shes having a laugh! Emily flared up. Luke, come in here. Now!
Oh, come off it, neighbour, surely youre not fussing over a few cucumbers, are you? Theyll only go over
My Marriage Seemed Ordinary – Not “Perfect” Like on Social Media, but Stable. No Arguments, No Jealousy, No Strange Signs. He Didn’t Hide His Phone, Never Came Home Late, Never Changed His Routine. I Never Suspected a Thing. The Woman He Left Me For Worked with Him – Younger, Single, No Children. I’d Met Her Before, Even Welcomed Her into My Home for a Work Event, and Nothing Seemed Amiss.
The Conversation Happened on a Friday Night – He Came Home, Set His Keys Down, and Told Me Straight: He Didn’t Love Me Anymore, He’d Met Someone Else, and He Was Leaving. He Said It Wasn’t My Fault, That I Was a Good Wife, but He Felt Alive with Her. He Packed a Few Clothes and Left That Night – No Arguments, No Attempts to Fix Things.
The Next Few Months Were Awful. I Had No Steady Income. Bills Piled Up – Rent, Utilities, Food. I Started Selling My Belongings. Some Days I Survived on One Meal. Sometimes I Cut the Gas Off to Save Money. I Cried, but Still Had to Get Up and Figure Things Out.
I Searched for Jobs, but No One Would Hire Me Without Recent Experience or Qualifications. Out of Desperation, I Made a Dessert and Sold It to a Neighbour. Then I Made More, Selling Them on WhatsApp, Walking Around to Deliver Them. Sometimes I Came Home with Nothing Sold, Sometimes I Sold Out.
Slowly, People Started Seeking Me Out. I Baked at Night and Delivered in the Mornings, Paid for Groceries, Then the Bills, Then the Rent. It Wasn’t Quick or Easy – Months of Exhaustion, Little Sleep, Living on the Edge.
Even Now, That’s My Life. I Didn’t Become Rich, But I’ve Survived. I Don’t Rely on Anyone. The Home Isn’t the Same, But It’s Mine. He’s Still With the Woman He Left Me For. I Haven’t Spoken to Him Since.
If I Learned Anything, It Was How to Survive When There’s No Choice – Not Because I Wanted to Be Strong, But Because There Was No One Else to Do It for Me. My marriage always seemed ordinary. Not the kind you see on Instagramflawless and stagedbut solid, dependable.
Time you grew up, Emily told her husband. His reaction really got under her skin. Can you imagine living
You know, I met my husband at a mutual friends wedding in London. At that time, Id just moved to the
Im forty-two, married to the woman whos been my best mate since we were fourteen. We met at secondary
