“We’ll Be Staying at Yours for a While, Since We Can’t Afford a Flat!” – My Friend Announced to Me I’m an energetic woman of 65, always out exploring new places and meeting fascinating people in England. I look back on my youth with both joy and sadness—back then, summer holidays could be spent wherever you fancied! You could pop down to Brighton, go camping in the countryside with friends, or cruise along any river—all for a few quid. But those days are long gone. I’ve always loved meeting new people, whether at the seaside or at the theatre, and have sustained friendships with many folks for years. One day, I met a woman named Sarah while staying at a guesthouse on holiday. We parted as friends and exchanged letters over the years. Then, unexpectedly, a telegram arrived: “The train gets in at three in the morning. Meet me!” No signature. Confused, my husband and I didn’t go anywhere. But at four a.m., there was a knock. I opened the door in shock—there stood Sarah, her two teenage daughters, their gran, and a bloke, all with heaps of luggage. My husband and I were flabbergasted, but we let them in. Then Sarah said: “Why didn’t you meet us? I sent you a telegram! Do you know how much that cost?” “Sorry, but we had no idea who sent it!” “Well, you gave me your address. Here we are.” “I thought we’d just write letters occasionally, that’s all!” Sarah explained that one of the girls had just finished school and was off to university, so the whole family had come to support her. “We’ll be living with you! We can’t afford to rent or stay in a hotel!” I was gobsmacked. We’re not family—why should we let them move in? We had to feed them all three times a day. They brought a little food, but never cooked—just ate ours, leaving all the work to me. After three days, I’d had enough and asked Sarah and her relatives to leave. I didn’t care where. That sparked a row. Sarah started smashing dishes and screaming hysterically. I was stunned by her behaviour. As they packed up, they managed to nick my dressing gown, several towels, and somehow even made off with my big cooking pot—I still don’t know how that disappeared! And so our friendship ended—thank heavens! I’ve never seen nor heard from her again. How can anyone be so shameless? Now, I’m much more wary when I meet new people.

Well be staying with you for a bit, since we havent got enough money to rent a flat! my friend announced unexpectedly.

Ive always led an active life. Even at 65, I still manage to visit new places and meet incredibly interesting people. Looking back, I recall my youth with both joy and a touch of sadness. Back then, you could spend your holidays wherever your heart desiredperhaps by the seaside, or on camping trips with friends, or even a river cruise. It only ever cost a modest sum.

Sadly, those days are long gone now. Ive always enjoyed meeting new people, whether on the beach or even at the theatre. Many of the friends I made over the years remained close for a long time.

One summer, I met a woman named Emily at a guest house during my holidays. We parted as good friends and kept in touch occasionally through letters over the years.

Then, out of the blue, I received a telegram. It wasnt signed, and it simply read My train arrives at three in the morning. Please meet me!

I was utterly baffled. I didnt know who had sent it, so my husband and I stayed home, not venturing anywhere. But at four in the morning, our doorbell rang. I opened the door and froze in astonishment. There stood Emily, two teenage girls, an elderly grandmother, and a gentleman, all surrounded by heaps of luggage. My husband and I were speechless, but we let them in, surprised and uncertain. Emily said,

Why didnt you meet us? I sent a telegram! And it wasnt cheap either!
Im sorry, but we had no idea who it was from!
Well, you gave me your address. So here I am.
I thought wed just write to each other every now and then, thats all!

Emily explained that one of the girls had finished school and was heading off to university, and the rest of the family had come along to support her.

Well be living with you for a while! We cant afford to rent a flat or stay in a guest house!

I was stunned. We werent even related. Why should we let them move in? We ended up feeding them three meals a day. Theyd brought some food, but cooked nothing themselves, simply helping themselves to what we made. I was left caring for all these guests.

After three days, I reached my limit and asked Emily and her family to leave. I didnt much care where they went.
A row erupted. Emily began smashing crockery and shrieking.

I was utterly shocked by her behaviour. As the family packed up, I discovered theyd helped themselves to my bathrobe, several towels, and evenquite mysteriouslymy large saucepan. To this day, Ive no idea how they managed to make off with it, but it simply vanished!

So ended my friendship with Emilythank goodness! Ive neither seen nor heard from her since. I still can’t fathom such brazenness.

Now, Im far more careful when I meet new people. Sometimes, life reminds us to set boundaries and not let generosity blind us to common sense.