“We’ll Stay at Your Place for a While Since We Don’t Have Money for a Flat!” – My Friend Told Me I’m an energetic woman, even at 65: I love traveling across England, meeting fascinating people, and reminiscing about my youth when you could take a seaside holiday or go camping with friends for just a few quid. Life was simple, adventures were affordable, and I made friendships that lasted for decades. One summer, I became close friends with a woman named Sarah—we met at a seaside guesthouse and kept in touch by writing letters over the years. Then, one day, I received an unsigned telegram: “My train arrives at three in the morning. Meet me!” Not knowing who it was, my husband and I stayed home, only to be awakened at four by a knock at the door. To my shock, Sarah, her two teenage daughters, their grandmother, and a man stood on my doorstep with piles of luggage. We let them in, and then Sarah announced, “Why didn’t you meet us? I sent a telegram! By the way, we’re staying at yours—we can’t afford to rent anywhere!” They ate our food, didn’t help with anything, and expected to be catered to. After three chaotic days, I asked them to leave, sparking a furious row—Sarah smashed plates, screamed, and as they finally packed, they even stole my bathrobe, towels, and somehow spirited away my biggest cooking pot! That was the end of our friendship—and thank goodness. I haven’t heard from Sarah since. How could anyone be so brazen? Now, I’m much more cautious about making new friends.

Well have to stay with you for a while, since we simply cant afford to rent a place! my friend told me.

Ive always considered myself a lively woman. Even at 65, I somehow still find joy in exploring new places and meeting fascinating people. With both fondness and bittersweet nostalgia, I look back on my youththose days when summer holidays meant limitless freedom. You could head to the seaside, or spend a weekend camping with friends by the riverside. Holidaying meant taking a boat up any pleasant river, and none of it cost much at alljust a few pounds here or there.

Sadly, those simpler times are behind me. Ive always cherished meeting new faces, whether it was sharing laughter on the beach or chatting with strangers during interval at the theatre. And many of those acquaintances grew into long-lasting friendships.

One summer I met a woman named Emily while staying at a guest house on the coast. We quickly became friends. After the holiday, we went our separate ways, though we kept in touch now and then by letters.

Years trickled by, and one day a telegram appeared at my door. It was unsigned, the message plain: Train arrives at 3am. Meet me!

I was baffledwho would send such a mysterious note? Neither my husband nor I ventured out that night. But at 4am, the doorbell rang. I opened it and was utterly taken aback. There was Emily, flanked by two teenage girls, an elderly lady, and a maneach weighed down with massive piles of luggage. My husband and I were stunned, but, flustered, invited the unannounced group in. Emily turned to me and demanded, Why werent you at the station? I sent you the telegram! By the way, sending it wasnt cheap!

Im sorry, Emily, I didnt know who it was from! I stammered.
But you gave me your address. So I came.
I thought wed just exchange letters once in a while, nothing more

Emily explained that one of the girls had just finished school and decided to apply to university, so the whole family had come up to support her.

Well be staying with you! We cannot afford to rent a flat or a hotel!

I was speechless. Were not even relatedwhy should we host the entire family? Yet, for the next three days, my husband and I found ourselves cooking three meals a day for these guests. They brought along a bit of food, but never lifted a finger in the kitchenjust helped themselves to ours. I became their waitress.

After three exhausting days, Id had enough. I finally asked Emily and her relatives to leave. I didnt care where they went, just that they had to go. Thats when things explodedEmily started smashing crockery and shrieking at the top of her lungs.

I was shell-shocked by her behaviour. Eventually, they packed upmanaging, somehow, to pinch my bathrobe, a handful of towels, and even my large cooking pot. To this day, Im not sure how they managed to spirit it away, but it vanished!

That was the abrupt end of our friendshipthank goodness! Ive never heard from her again. How could someone be so brazen?

Now, Im far more guarded with new acquaintancesIve learnt my lesson on the value of caution.