“We’ll Be Staying With You for a While, Since We Can’t Afford Our Own Flat!” – My Friend Announced. I’m an Active 65-Year-Old Woman Who Loves New People and Places, but This Unexpected Visit Ended Our Friendship Forever

Author Harlan CovingtonReading 4 minViews 1

Well have to stay with you for a bitwe cant afford to rent our own place! Thats what my old friend told me.

So, you know me, Ive always been quite an active woman. Even though Im 65 now, I still love going to different places and meeting fascinating people. I look back at my youth with a mix of happiness and a bit of sadness, if Im honest. Back then, you could spend your holidays anywhere you fancieddown at Brighton Beach, camping out in the Lake District with a bunch of mates, or even hopping on a boat for a little cruise along the Thames. And the best part? None of it cost a fortune.

But those days feel like another lifetime now.

Meeting new people was always something I loved. Id make friends at the seaside, or having a chinwag during the interval at the theatre. Some of those friendships stuck with me for years.

One summer, I met a woman named Claire. We ended up staying at the same little guesthouse while on holiday. We left as good friends and, over the next few years, kept in touch mainly by sending the odd letter or Christmas card. Then, one day, out of the blue, I received a telegramno signature, just: The train arrives at three in the morning. Wait for me at the station!

I had no idea who on earth couldve sent it. Of course, my husband and I didnt go to the station. But at four in the morning, there was this loud knock at the door. When I opened it, I could hardly believe my eyesit was Claire, with two teenage girls, her gran, and a man I didnt recognise. They were all loaded down with suitcases and carrier bags. My husband and I just stood there, completely gobsmacked. But, what could we do? We let them in, not wanting to leave them on the doorstep at that time of night. Then Claire pipes up and says, Why didnt you come for us? I sent you a telegram, you know! Taxis arent exactly cheap!

I just said, Sorry, but I honestly had no idea who it was from!
She brushed it off, Well, I had your address, so here I am.
I couldnt believe it, really. I thought we would just carry on exchanging a few letters, nothing more.

Claire explained one of the girls had just finished sixth form and got into uni up here, so the whole family came to show their support.

She said, Well be staying with you for a while! We cant afford to rent anywhere, and your flats so close to the city centre!

I was floored. I mean, we werent even related. Why did they think they could just move in? Suddenly, I found myself feeding all of them three meals a day. Theyd bring a few bits from the shops, but never once did they cook a mealthey just expected me to sort everything.

After three days, I simply couldnt handle it any longer. I asked Claire and her lot to find somewhere else to stayI didnt really care where. Then all hell broke loose. Claire started screaming and smashing dishes in a fit.

I was stunned by her behaviour, honestly. They finally packed up and leftbut, would you believe it, afterwards I realised theyd nicked my dressing gown, some towels, and somehow even made off with my big pot of cabbage stew. Still have no idea how they managed to sneak out with that! The pot just disappeared.

And that was the very dramatic end to our friendship. Thank heavens for that! Ive never heard from her again. Now, Im so much more careful about who I invite into my home.

Mum, Please Smile Arina never liked it when the neighbours came round and asked her mum to sing. “Go on, Ann, sing us a song – you’ve such a beautiful voice, and you’re such a good dancer too!” her mum would start singing, the neighbours would join in, and sometimes everyone would be dancing together out in the yard. At the time, Arina lived with her parents and her younger brother Anthony (Antoshka) in their own home in a quiet English village. Her mother was cheerful and friendly, and when the neighbours said goodbye, she’d always say, “Come round again, we had such a lovely time,” and they promised they would. But Arina felt uncomfortable when her mother sang and danced – it embarrassed her, though she couldn’t quite say why, even to herself. She was in Year 6 then, and one day she blurted out: “Mum, please don’t sing or dance… I feel embarrassed.” She didn’t even really understand why. Even now, as an adult and a mum herself, she still couldn’t explain it. But Ann had only smiled and said, “Arina, you shouldn’t be embarrassed when I sing. Be happy! I won’t always be young enough to sing and dance like this…” At the time, Arina didn’t understand. She didn’t realise that not all of life would be full of laughter. The next year, when Arina was in Year 7 and her brother in Year 3, their dad left for good. He packed up and walked out with no explanation. Arina didn’t know why, and when she was a bit older she finally asked her mum, “Mum, why did Dad leave?” Ann could only reply, “You’ll understand when you’re older.” Ann just couldn’t bring herself to tell her daughter that she’d found her husband at home with another woman, Vera, who lived nearby. Arina and Anthony were at school when, running home to fetch her purse, Ann unexpectedly walked in on them. Her husband and Vera just looked at her, surprised and grinning, as if to say, “What are you doing here?” That evening, when her husband returned from work, there was a scene – the children were playing outside and heard nothing. “Pack your things, I’ve already put them in a bag, and go. I’ll never forgive you for betraying me,” Ann told him. Ivan tried to talk his way out, but she wouldn’t listen. He left, and Ann, watching from behind the corner of the house, swore she’d never forgive him. She told herself, “We’ll get by, just me and the children.” But she never smiled again. Raising two children alone was harder than she ever imagined. Ann worked two jobs: cleaning floors by day, baking bread at night. She hardly slept, and the smile faded from her face. Though the children still saw their father – after all, he and Vera lived just a few doors down – they always came home for meals, because Vera never welcomed or fed them. Still, sometimes Vera’s son, Anthony’s classmate, would come home with them, and Ann would feed all the children. She never held a grudge against her husband’s stepson. But Arina never saw her mother smile again. Ann was kind and caring, but so withdrawn. Sometimes Arina would come home from school desperate for her mum’s attention, telling her stories about her day: “Mum, you’ll never believe it! Genny brought a kitten to school and it meowed all through lessons!” But Ann would only reply, “Oh, I see…” Nothing seemed to lift her spirits, and at night Arina would hear her crying by the window, lost in thought. Only years later did Arina understand. “Mum must have been exhausted, working two jobs and never sleeping. And she must have been lacking in vitamins too. But she did everything she could for me and Anthony. We were always well dressed, our clothes ironed and clean.” The daughter would recall. Back then, little Arina just longed for one thing: “Mum, please smile. It’s been such a long time since I saw you happy…” Ann loved her children deeply, though sometimes she showed it in quiet ways – she rarely hugged them, but praised them for doing well at school and never causing trouble. She cooked wonderful meals, the house was always neat and tidy. Arina felt her mother’s love most when she braided her hair. Sitting in silence, Ann would gently stroke her daughter’s head, shoulders slumping with sadness. Her teeth fell out early, and she never had them replaced. After finishing school, Arina never considered going to university – she couldn’t leave her mum alone, knowing they had no money for studies. So she took a job at a nearby shop to help at home, especially as Anthony needed new clothes and shoes as he grew. One day, Mikhail came into the shop. He was from another village, nine years older, and quickly fell for Arina. “What’s your name, beautiful? Are you new here? I haven’t seen you before when I stopped by.” “I’m Arina – I haven’t seen you before, either.” “I’m Mikhail – from the next village over, about five miles away.” They started seeing each other; he picked her up after work, brought her home to meet his mum, and they soon talked about marriage. After all, he had a big house and needed help caring for his ailing mother. Arina agreed – it meant good food and a kind man – and so she said yes. After the wedding, Arina moved in with Mikhail. She felt ready for a new start. Anthony had grown up and was off at college, coming home for weekends and holidays. Time passed, and Arina truly found happiness with Mikhail. They raised two boys, one after the other, and she kept busy at home with the boys and the house (Mikhail’s mother passed away after two years). Mikhail worked hard and forbade her from lifting anything heavy – he took care of the heavy work himself, wanting only for her to take care of the animals and children. Every now and then, Mikhail would load up the car with meat, cream, and milk to bring to Arina’s mum, Ann, who still lived alone in their old village home. Ann accepted the gifts with gratitude, but never smiled. Even around her grandchildren, she remained solemn and thoughtful, and Arina’s heart ached for her mum, wishing she could bring her back to life. Once, prompted by Mikhail, Arina asked the vicar at the village church for help. “Pray to God,” he urged, “that your mum will meet someone kind.” And Arina prayed for just that. One day, Ann called needing to borrow money to fix her teeth. Overjoyed, Arina gave her the money gladly, but Ann insisted it was a loan and promised to repay her. Not long after, when Arina wasn’t able to visit for a while, Mikhail came home and said, “It looks like Uncle Nick wants to remarry! I overheard him on the phone – who do you think with?” Sure enough, soon Uncle Nick invited them both round. “I’ve found my first love – we went to school together. She’s moving in tomorrow – come for dinner the next day!” The next day, Arina and Mikhail arrived with gifts – and Arina nearly fainted with shock. Before her stood her mum, Ann, looking radiant, smiling at last. Ann blushed when she saw her daughter, but her smile never faded. “Mum! I’m so happy… but why didn’t you tell me?” “I didn’t want to say anything in case it didn’t work out.” “Uncle Nick, why didn’t you say anything?” “I was afraid Ann would change her mind. But now we’re both happy!” Arina and Mikhail were overjoyed to see Ann’s happiness. From that day on, Ann glowed with contentment – and smiled all the time. Thank you for reading, subscribing, and all your support. Wishing you happiness always.