Were thinking of ringing in the New Year at your country cottage. Ive come for the keys, said my brotherinlaws sister, Laura.
Why bother with the cottage? You two can have a lovely New Year at home. Weve got a big clanthree kids. Theyll need something to do over the holidays! Laura blurted, irritation obvious. Do you even know what its like to live with three children?
No, I dont, Leah replied calmly. Mike and I havent even started thinking about kids. First we need a roof over our heads and a steady job, then maybe well plan a family.
Tada! Greg and I never made any plans! Laura protested.
Then youre living off child benefits, Leah said. Greg hops from one gig to another, no stability. Im not keen on that life.
Thats our business. Dont count other peoples money! Laura snapped. So, hand over the cottage keys?
Nope, Leah said firmly. Weve already booked the cottage for New Years with our friends.
Fine, then change your mind! If you dont hand over the keys nicely, Ill call Mike and tell him how youre being rude, Laura threatened.
Go ahead, as long as you like, Leah smiled.
Laura made a sour face and stalked out of the flat.
***
The cottage Laura had her eye on had been left to Leah by her grandmother, Ethel, who was wellinto her eighties. Because of Ethels age, Leahs parents insisted she stay in the city under their watchful eye yearround.
The cottage was really a proper countryside house with all the comforts. Five years earlier Leahs parents had added an extension to create a bathroom for Ethel and installed a modern heater.
Ethel refused to move back to the city, but as her legs grew wobbly she began to think about it more often. She gave strict orders not to sell the house and to look after the garden, so no tree would suffer the frost.
Leah asked her parents to let her look after the place. She remembered spending summer holidays at her grandmas as a childsome of the brightest, happiest memories of her youth.
With Mikes blessing, Leah set about a cosmetic overhaul: new wallpaper, fresh paint on the ceilings, updated light fixtures, and a few pieces of contemporary furniture.
It cost a fair bit of time and money, but the result was a cosy home that could host weekend getaways any time of year. So the couple didnt think twice about inviting friends over for New Years.
Thats when Laura showed up, demanding that Leah hand over the cottage. How cheeky! She argued that, because Mike was younger, he should bow to his older sister. Leah couldnt see why the house, which had belonged to her grandmother, mattered to anyone else, and she felt no remorse for refusing.
***
Laura turned beetred with fury. Instead of calling her younger brother, she marched straight to his office. Mike was baffled when, midmorning, his sister burst into his department.
Mike! she shouted, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. We need to talkright now!
Quiet down, he snapped. People are working here. If you dont know what that means, lets step into the smoking area.
Mike lit a cigarette, already sensing that Lauras visit could only bring trouble.
What do you want? he asked briefly.
I want the keys to your cottage! Laura demanded.
What cottage? Mike was confused. Ohyes, the little country house, right?
Yes, that one, Laura said, pursing her lips. Ive already planned my New Years celebration, so you need to have a word with your wife and get those keys from her, she added, crossing her arms like a general.
Even if I could, I wouldnt do it. How dare you make such a demand? Its the twentyfifth of December; decent people give notice well in advance!
Dont teach me to live, you petty thing! Laura roared.
Were only five years apart! If it mattered when we were kids, it doesnt now, Mike tried to reason. My breaks over, you should go home.
Laura left, even more disgruntled than when she arrived, but she wasnt ready to give up.
***
On the morning of 31December, Leah was darting between shops while Mike was wrapping up his final workday of the year. He promised to be free after lunch, but Leah still felt a twinge of worry.
Fortunately everything fell into place, and by sixp.m. the couple arrived at the cottage. A bit of fiddling was needed to get the water running, and by ninep.m. guests started to gather, ready to set the table, fire up the grill, and usher out the old year.
Mike, I think someones pulling up, Leah noted. Probably Irene and Peter arriving early to lend a hand. Theyre always punctual! she added with a grin.
Ill meet them and help with the luggage, Mike replied.
Leah beamed, her excitement spilling over. Finally, New Years would be exactly as shed always dreamed: fresh air, good friends, and plenty of laughter.
Mike threw on his downfilled coat and headed out to the garden. When he opened the gate, he froze.
Hey, brother! Laura cried, dashing forward to plant kisses on his cheeks. Happy New Year!
Mike needed a moment to recover from the shock. While Greg was unloading bags from the car, Laura jabbered about the party, but Mike could barely hear her, still trying to process his sisters sudden appearance at the cottage doorstep.
At last he shook his head and asked, What are you doing here? We sorted this out a week ago!
Oh, you decided and I never said Id agree, Laura raised an eyebrow.
Mike, what are you two doing stuck here? Leah asked, surprised to see Mikes sister.
Laura? she repeated, looking puzzled at the older sister of her husband.
Yes! Laura declared proudly. Things dont always go your way, she added smugly.
Just as Greg tried to haul the first batch of boxes inside, Mike grabbed his arm.
Youre not going in, he said sharply.
While Laura helped the kids unbuckle their seatbelts, she heard Mikes harsh tone and lunged at her brother.
Let Greg in this instant! she shouted.
I wont, Mike replied. Pack up and leave right now!
What did you say? Laura asked, pulling at his arm.
You heard me!
Were not going anywhere, she said haughtily. Weve got a whole car full of children.
I love my nieces and nephews, but theyll have to celebrate New Years elsewhere, Mike said. Youre not welcome inside.
Maybe youll call the police? Laura sneered.
Id, if it werent New Years Eve, Leah interjected. Better you all leave peacefully, or my friends boxer husband will be here, and he wont let you in, she added with a mischievous grin.
You think youre threatening me? Laura taunted.
No, Im actually threatening you. Get out! Leah commanded.
Mike and Leah slammed the gate shut, refusing entry to the unwanted guests. Laura and Greg had no choice but to head home, and on the way Laura gave Greg a good lashing.
Couldnt you have pushed him aside? she shouted. What a wimp!
They trudged back to the house theyd been living in for years, where Lauras mother, Evelyn, also lived. Evelyn hadnt spoken to her son since his wedding five years ago.
Now Im cutting off Mike too, Laura announced, flinging her coat onto a chair.
What? Evelyn asked, squinting.
You kicked us out of the cottage. Can you imagine? And his wifeshe even tried to call the police as if we were thieves, Evelyn fumed. Thats why I dont speak to him. Remember when I tried to move in with them and they said there was only a onebedroom flat? Well have to cram the kids, they said!
Oh, stop, Mum! Leah has ruined Mike for me.
Meanwhile the children ran amok, while Laura and Evelyn popped champagne and watched Love Actually. Greg, meanwhile, was bustling about the kitchen.
Back at the cottage, Leah and Mike welcomed the rest of the guests and kept preparing for the celebration. Laughter, cheer, and happy faces filled the night. Leah slipped a quiet moment away from the crowd and leaned toward Mike.
Ive got something to tell you, she whispered.
She handed him an ultrasound photo.
Seriously? Mike stared, eyes wide. Were having a baby?
Yeah, Leah nodded, beaming.
Mike wrapped his arms around her, kissed her, and said, Thats the best New Years present ever.
