Very well, we wont throw you out for the holidays just yet. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will stay overnight. You can sleep in the kitchen.
Helen Williams, have you forgotten Im the sole owner of this house? I have the paperwork to prove it. Dont even think about setting foot insideIll have the police remove you.
After work, Evelyn planned to stop by the shopping centre. Christmas was just two weeks away, and her old friend Charlotte had invited her over.
Evelyn knew it would be a full houseCharlottes daughter with her husband and children, her sister, and her university-student niece. Shed been to Charlottes many times and knew everyone well, so she wanted to buy gifts in advance.
Evelyn had a knack for picking presents and loved giving them. She could already picture herself wandering through festively decorated aisles, carefully selecting gifts, watching the shop assistant wrap them in glossy paper.
But her mood soured the moment she stepped outsideparked by her car stood Rebecca, her ex-husbands sister.
Evie, hello! Rebecca greeted. What took you so long? Im frozen stiff.
Good afternoon, Rebecca. Didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? Were still family, Rebecca replied. At least, thats what we were for twenty years.
Thankfully, not anymore, Evelyn said, reaching for the car door.
Rebecca stopped her. Listen, theres something Iwell, the familywants to ask you.
What family, Rebecca? Ive had no ties to yours for a year. Im not interested in hearing any requests.
Just listen. I dont know how you and Michael split the assets, but Mum still believes the house youre living in belongs to us.
You and Mike bought it together, and he spent ten years fixing it up. We all used to gather thereChristmas, May bank holidays. And now?
Mum wanted to host her birthday in May, have everyone over like we always did. But you shut us out. Disappeared somewhere.
Why are you telling me this? Evelyn asked. I went to visit a friend. I didnt need your permission.
And forget about your family gatherings in *my* house. When Michael and I divorced, we agreedhe got the flat, the car, and the garage. The house stayed with me. Legally. So now you can all meet at Michaels place. End of discussion.
Evie, Mums asking if we can have New Years Eve at the house, like before. Therell be a crowdnowhere near enough space for everyone, Rebecca pressed.
Helen *asked*? Thats a first. Twenty years of demands, and suddenly shes polite? Tell her no. Book a hotel for your relatives.
Evelyn got in her car. The thought of shopping for gifts was ruined. Ill go tomorrow, she decided, driving home.
She and Michael had been married nearly twenty years. The house Rebecca mentioned had been bought ten years ago.
Then, a year earlier, Michael announced that life doesnt end at forty-five and left for his pretty young secretary.
Evelyn didnt fight to keep him but refused to let him take everything. The house and savings stayed with her; Michael got the flat, his Jaguar, and the garage.
Since their daughter, Emily, was still at university, Michael didnt contest their joint account.
A few days earlier, Emily had called. Mum, you wont mind if I spend New Years at the dorm, will you? Ill come home for the rest of the holidays.
That settled itEvelyn accepted Charlottes invitation. At least there, she wouldnt feel alone.
Knowing Rebecca, she suspected this wasnt over. She was right.
That evening, her ex-mother-in-law called.
Evelyn, arent you getting above yourself? Youve stolen Michaels house, and now you think well let that slide?
Mark my wordsthis New Year, *we* will be celebrating in *our* house! The one my son so *graciously* let you live in. Understood?
Fine, we wont kick you out just yet. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece are staying. You can sleep in the kitchen.
Helen, need I remind youIm the legal owner. Try forcing your way in, and Ill have you removed by the police.
Well see about that! Just get the rooms ready. Well bring our own food, so you wont have to lift a finger. And dont argueunless you want this to be a New Year youll never forget.
*Has Michaels mother completely lost her mind?* Evelyn wondered.
Helen had never been the peaceful type, but this was something else. Did she really expect Evelyn to cower and obey?
Once, Evelyn had been the favourite daughter-in-lawthe others had submitted to Helens rule. Now, her ex-mother-in-laws words only baffled her. What were they hoping to achieve?
Meanwhile, at Helens flat, plans were being made.
Rebecca, you and Andrew will handle the shopping. Well cook on the thirtieth and the morning of the thirty-first.
You and I will handle the roast and sides. Sarah and Olivia will do the salads. Well pack everything in containersand well use Evelyns good china. I know she still has two full sets. Michael didnt take them.
Mum, what if she still refuses? Rebecca asked.
Let her try! Therell be twelve of usthe whole family. Shed be ashamed to turn us away!
Imagine itshe opens the door, and theres Uncle Colin, Aunt Louise, Leo and Natalie, the rest. You think shell slam it in their faces? Shell let us in, sweet as pie, even help set the table. Were *family*!
On New Years Eve, at nine in the evening, four cars pulled up outside the house on East Street.
Odd, said Andrew, Rebeccas husband. No lights on. Maybe shes not home?
Where else would she be? And Emilys probably back. Theyre hiding, Helen smirked. Ring the bell.
No one answered.
WaitIve got keys, Helen said. Knew Evelyn would pull something like this.
They unlocked the gate and filed into the garden.
Wait here. Ill open the house. Thereturn on the lights and bring everything to the kitchen. Well set up quickly. If Evelyn wants to hide, let her. We wont invite her to join.
Twenty minutes later, commotion erupted in the hallway.
Theres the lady of the house, Andrew said.
But it wasnt.
Meanwhile, Evelyn was helping Charlotte set the tableguests were due any minute.
Her phone rang.
Evelyn Carter? Your alarm has been triggered. Officers are on-site.
There are twelve individuals inside claiming to be relatives with your permission.
I didnt invite anyone. Likely my ex-husbands family. Theyve broken in.
Will you be pressing charges?
Absolutely. Im out of town until the second.
The unwanted guests spent hours at the station. By the time they returned to Helens flat, the salads had wilted, and the roast was cold.
When Evelyn got home, Michael called, demanding she drop the charges.
Evie, I thought youd changed the locks. Didnt you?
No need to ruin good doors. I installed an alarm instead.
Then why did you lock the old one before leaving?
I had a feeling your mother wouldnt give up. Heard how she spoke to me. Didnt want her breaking in.
So you *let* them trigger the alarm? You *wanted* them arrested?
They had a choicecelebrate at home. They chose differently. The police were their own doing.
By the way, I had to air out the house. The food theyd laid out had started to spoil.
Why didnt you warn Rebecca about the alarm?
I did. There are signs: *Premises under police surveillance.* Everyone can read.
Give my regards to your mother, Rebecca, Andrew, and the rest. And tell themtheyre never welcome here again.
This time, Ill withdraw the complaint. But next time, the law wont be so kind.
**Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is set a firm boundaryespecially with those who mistake kindness for weakness.**
