**Unwelcome Guests**
The phone jolted Valerie awake at five in the morning. An unknown number flashed on the screen.
“Hello?” she muttered, voice thick with sleep.
“Val, sweetheart? Is that you?” A loud, cheerful womans voice crackled through the receiver.
“It is,” Valerie replied flatly.
“Its me! Did you recognise me?” the woman trilled.
“I did,” Valerie lied out of politeness, though she hadnt the foggiest who was calling.
“I just knew youd remember me straight away!” the woman gushed. “Thank goodness I caught you. Are you free to talk now?”
“I am.”
“Brilliant! Me, my husband, and the kids just got off the train at Kings Cross an hour ago. Can you hear me alright?”
“Perfectly.”
“You sound a bit quiet. Are you sure everythings alright, love?”
“Everythings fine.”
“Oh, Im so glad. We were going to book a hotel at firstthought we didnt have any family in London. But then we remembered you! Isnt that wonderful?”
“Lovely.”
“Honestly, you cant imagine how thrilled we were, especially the kids.”
“I can picture it.”
“And my husband said straight away, Ring Val. She wont let us down.”
“He was right. I wont.”
“So youll let us stay with you? Did I get that right?”
“You did. You can stay.”
“We wont be long, just a couple of weekssee the sights, then back home. You know what they say, East or west, home is best. Agreed?”
“Agreed.”
“We thought youd say that! My husband especially. He swore youd take us in. After all, familys family, even if we last saw each other ten years ago. Right?”
“Right.”
“Do you live alone now?”
“I do.”
“In that three-bed flat of yours?”
“Yes.”
“So well come straight over?”
“Come over.”
“Well be there in an hour. You still live in the same place?”
“Still here.”
“Brilliant! See you soon.”
Valerie hung up, dropped the phone onto the bedside table, rolled over, and yanked the duvet over her head. She fell back asleep without a second thought for who shed just spoken to.
An hour later, the doorbell rang. Valerie cracked an eye at the clock, groaned, and turned away. Her phone buzzed. She ignored it.
Then came the knockingpersistent, impatient. Valerie didnt budge. Finally, the phone rang again.
“Hello?” she mumbled, eyes still closed.
“Val, darling? Its us!” the same woman chirped.
“Mm.”
“Were here! Weve been ringing and knockingwhy arent you answering?”
“You rang?”
“Yes!”
“Cant hear it.”
“Try again, then.”
The doorbell sounded once more.
“Were ringing!” the woman announced.
“Nope,” Valerie said. “Nothing. Knock instead.”
A series of sharp raps followed.
“Were knocking now!”
“Still nothing.”
“Oh, I mustve got it wrong,” the woman fretted.
“What?”
“Where are you right now, love?”
“What dyou mean? At home.”
“Wheres home?”
“Manchester,” Valerie said, plucking the first city that came to mind. “Where else?”
“Manchester? Not London?”
“Moved nine years ago. Right after the divorce.”
“Why?”
“Whyd I divorce him?”
“Whyd you move?”
“Got sick of London. Too many bad memories.”
“Manchesters better?”
“Course. Miles better.”
“Whats better about it?”
“Everything. No bad memories. But why am I explaining? Come see for yourself. How many of you are there?”
“Fourme, my husband, and the kids. Our eldest, Oliver, and the youngest, Archie. Archies trying to get into uni for the third time this year.”
“Well, all four of you, come on up. Weve got a cracking university here too.”
“When should we come?”
“Nows good.”
“Ah, we cant just yet. Got too much on in London. Archies set on studying there. We were actually planning to stay with you for a yearget settled, find work. But, well you see how it is.”
“So youre not coming today?”
“Afraid not.”
“Shame. Id got the spare room ready.”
“And were gutted. Honestly, youve no idea.”
“I think I do.”
“No, love, you really dont. The thought of whats waiting for usits enough to make you want to give up.”
Valerie decided it was time to wrap up.
“Right, well,” she said, “if you cant make it now, come whenever youre able. Always happy to see you. And once youre settled in London, send me your address. Ill pop round for a visitcouple of weeks, maybe longer. See how it goes. After all, youre the only family Ive got left there. Deal? Youll send me your address?”
But the line went dead before she got an answer.
*Lesson learned: Sometimes, a little white lie saves you from a lifetime of unwanted guests.*
