Cheeky Aunt
“Is it so hard to help family now? Kick out your flatmates and make some room for us!” the woman insisted, desperate for a free stay in London. “Little Carrie has always dreamed of visiting London! By the way, we’ve already bought our tickets and will arrive tomorrow. Make sure the flat is ready by then, okay?”
“Yeah, right.” Ed, a college student, replied sarcastically, eager to end the conversation. “Want a red carpet rolled out for you too? I’ve said my piece, sort it out yourselves.”
It was a lovely June day. Alex was returning from university, relieved that exams were finally over and he could relax a bit. He stopped by the shop to grab some junk food to enjoy with his favourite TV series. On reaching the flat he shared with his mates, Chris and Matt, he planned to spend the rest of the day unwinding when suddenly, his phone rang. The screen displayed: “Mom”.
“Hi, Mom!” Alex greeted with a grin. “How are things? Not too bored, are you?”
On the other end, he heard his mother’s soothing but tired voice: “Hello, my dear,” Zoe replied, savoring the sound of her son’s voice. “We’re managing, lots to keep us busy, no time for boredom.” She chuckled. “How did the exams go, Alex?”
“Finished them, Mom,” Alex replied, crunching on some crisps. “Now, I’m thinking of looking for a summer job.”
“Thank goodness,” Zoe sighed with relief. “Actually, there’s something I need to ask you…”
“What is it?” Alex asked curiously.
“Do you remember Aunt Becky? My cousin?”
Alex struggled to recall this Becky, mentally scrolling through his vast family tree. Despite some effort, he could not quite place her.
“Oh, surely you remember,” Zoe said, a bit surprised. “She visited us ten years ago on your birthday. She brought her daughter with her, Carrie.”
Ah, now Alex remembered. Aunt Becky did attend, but the memories weren’t the fondest.
Alex slowly reconstructed memories of that day, when his aunt had gifted him a hideous jumper and had nitpicked about the tidiness of his room while his parents were busy in the kitchen. “Carrie keeps her room spotless,” Becky had announced, inspecting every corner. “And look at this mess! Your parents aren’t raising you right; you’re turning into a little piggy.”
As a child, Alex didn’t quite grasp their adult critiques. What harm could unarranged toys or cups on a table do?
And then there was little Carrie, two years younger than him. She behaved like the house was hers, largely unchecked by her mother. Despite repeated requests to leave his room, Carrie had merely giggled, stuck out her tongue, and rummaged through his drawer in search of something intriguing. When she found Alex’s favourite coloring book, she tore it up spitefully while staring back at him with mischief. Alex reached his breaking point, wrestled the remnants away from her, and pushed Carrie out the door. A cry outside quickly turned into a theatrical wail, followed by the thundering approach of a woman, who appeared in the room’s doorway.
“You little brat!” Becky yelled, glaring hatefully at Alex. “Did you hit my daughter?”
“I didn’t hit her…” Alex tried to defend himself, pointing to the scattered, torn pages, but Becky was not listening. Instead, she slapped him roundly before shaking him by the shoulders with rage. “I’ll teach you not to pick on my girl!”
More than anything, Alex felt shocked, dangling there, tears streaming down. He noticed his parents standing in the doorway, frozen in disbelief. Finally, his father regained composure, freed Alex, and practically dragged Becky and her crying daughter out of their home. Alex hadn’t seen them since.
Recalling this “party” to his mother, Alex heard a heavy sigh and a resigned reply:
“It’s all in the past, my dear. Many years have passed; there’s no point holding grudges. Surely Becky’s changed…”
“I’m not so sure,” Alex doubted his aunt’s transformation. “But why are you bringing her up?”
Zoe hesitated before elaborating. “Well… Becky, Carrie, and her father are planning to visit London. They want to stay at yours for a week and would love it if you could show them around.”
“Ah, now I see,” Alex thought, realizing the sudden reappearance of his aunt in their lives.
“Mom, I can’t put them up, sorry,” Alex replied. “There’s no room. Besides, Chris and Matt pay rent as well; they’re entitled to their space. If family wants to visit, a hotel it is.”
“Fair enough,” Zoe conceded. “I’ll let her know. Take care, love.”
After the call, Alex decided to do some cleaning. He didn’t hear his phone buzzing persistently. When he finally noticed, there were twenty missed calls – all from the same unknown number. Intrigued, he called back only for an enraged woman to answer immediately.
“Alex!” Becky shouted, not bothering with a greeting. “Why aren’t you letting us stay in your flat? Don’t you understand hotels cost a fortune?”
“I already told Mom,” the shrill voice jolted unpleasant memories for Alex. “I share the flat with two others…”
“And you can’t help family? Kick them out and instantly you have space!” Becky persisted, eager to freeload in the big city. “Carrie’s so excited about coming to London! Our tickets are booked, and we’re arriving tomorrow. That flat better be ready!”
“Yeah, sure.” Alex smirked, ready to end the call. “Shall I roll out a red carpet for you, too? I’ve said everything, work it out yourselves.”
Feeling good about handling the situation, Alex resumed tidying up. When Chris and Matt returned, Alex shared the story, and they laughed about it.
“She’s off her rocker, don’t stress about it,” Matt chuckled, gesturing a spin by his temple. “I’ve got heaps like her in my circle. Got used to it.”
Spending time with his mates helped Alex forget. The next morning, he woke up in a good mood, planning to stick indoors. Mid-game, his phone’s unexpected ring startled him again. Aunt Becky again.
Puzzled about her persistence, Alex reluctantly answered.
“Hello.”
“And where are you?” Becky’s disgruntled voice greeted him. “We’re at the station, waiting for you to pick us up!”
“Don’t follow,” Alex responded, now more interested in his computer than family squabbles.
“To the flat, of course!” Becky yelled, almost breaking the sound barrier. “Have you lost your mind? Forgotten yesterday?”
Flabbergasted by her nerve, Alex shot back, raising his voice too:
“Maybe it’s you who’s short-sighted? Let me say it straight: free lodging isn’t on the cards for you! You wanted London – go wander around, take in the fresh air!”
Alex slammed the phone down, promptly blocking her number. Though irked, he mentally eased himself, existing firmly in rooms of his own.
Meanwhile, Becky relentlessly whined to Zoe, lamenting her fate:
“That big city has ruined your Alex! Here’s family in need, and he… well, just let him know not to expect a shred of help from us again!”
Zoe, sighing helplessly, gestured pointlessly while her cousin shrieked down the line.
