What on earth has been going on here? Call your family and tell them to come clean up their mess, Lily fumed. Im not tidying up after them. I already do enough washing the bedding every time your mates crash at our cottage. Theyve made a habit of it.
Over dinner, her husband, James, casually mentioned, Mum called earlier. She and the relatives are planning a barbecue this weekend.
Good for her, Lily replied dryly. Let them go. Whats it got to do with us? Shed never warmed to her mother-in-law.
They want to use our cottage, James explained, as if it were obvious. They dont have one, and Ive got to be at the garage on Saturday. I told them we couldnt go, so Mum asked for the keys.
Lily had no choice but to agree, though shed soon regret it. The following weekend, when they arrived at the cottage, she froze at the sight. It looked like a bomb had hit.
The fruit had been picked, the floors were filthy, and a pot of stale soup sat abandoned on the stove. The kitchen curtain had been taken down. Lily couldnt fathom what had happened. His parents were in their sixtieshow could they leave it like this?
She confronted James.
What kind of mess is this? Ring your family and tell them to come sort it out, she snapped. Im not cleaning up after them. Im sick of washing bedding every time your friends stay over. They treat our cottage like a free B&B!
Its not that big a deal. Just chuck it in the washing machine and hang it up.
Oh, maybe *you* can do that next time! Are you happy with the state of our place?
But James never made the call. Lily gave him the silent treatment, though they eventually made up. Theyd only been married two yearsfor love, though lately, Lily wondered if shed rushed into it. No kids yet.
Life went on as usualwork, home, home, work. Weekends were for walks or trips to the countryside with friends. Everything changed when Lilys mum suddenly remarried and moved to another town, leaving Lily the family cottage.
Overnight, Jamess relatives *adored* her. Suddenly, everyone wanted an invite. Because, as everyone knows, barbecues taste better outdoors!
Relatives popped up out of nowherecousins, aunts, uncles, even Jamess granall flocking to the cottage for fresh air, the river, and grilled meat. Even Jamess mates joined in.
Everyone stayed overnight. James manned the grill like it was nothing. Lily was fed up, but she didnt want to stir trouble with his family or friends. Still, something had to change.
Now, weekends filled her with dread. When Lily and James married, his mum was already oldershed had him late. There was also a sister, Marie, ten years his senior. His mum was from the countryside and acted like everything was communal property.
Her and Marie helped themselves to anythinglotions, shampoo, even Lilys slippers. Then the call came again: his mum wanted the keys. This time, Marie was bringing her boss for a relaxing barbecue.
And, as usual, no one asked Lily how she felt.
Well give Mum the keys, James said. He remembered Lilys reaction last time but didnt bring it up.
Lily knew she had to actand James wasnt on her side. Weighing her options, she rang her mum and vented.
Ill sort it, her mum replied simply.
Twenty minutes later, she called back: her sister and husband would be staying at the cottage. Dont worry. Auntie Helen will handle it.
Lily gasped. Auntie Helen had terrified her since childhoodsummer visits to her house were burned into her memory. Oh yes, Helen *knew* how to lay down the law.
That evening, Auntie Helen rang.
Why so quiet, niece? You shouldve called sooner. How do you want this handledgently or firmly? She laughed, clearly relishing the task.
Lily shivered. Did you ever tell them the cottage was in your name?
I dont remember, but they all act like its theirs.
Dont fret, love. Itll be sorted.
On Sunday, Jamess mum called, furious. You *sold* the cottage? Wheres the money? Why werent we told?
Turns out, on Saturday, Marie, her boss, and Jamess parents had arrivedonly to find a group of five already barbecuing.
Who *are* you? his mum spluttered.
And who might *you* be? a poised woman countered, stepping forward. Im the owner. I dont know you. How did you get in? Where are the keys?
Awkward silence. Marie babbled about family and borrowed keys. The woman glared until Marie floundered. Jamess mum stayed quiet.
In the end, they took the keys, politely asked them to leave, and threatened to report them if they returned.
Lily was treated to a screaming phone call. James, baffled, couldnt get a word in.
Give the phone to your wife, his mum snapped. That cottage isnt yours!
Did you ever ask? Lily kept her voice steady. Or did you just assume everything was yours?
Do you realise Marie invited her *boss*? There are layoffs coming, and she was trying to butter her up! If shes fired, thats on *you*!
Not my problem. Auntie Helen owns itshe came to relax. You never even asked me. Buy your own place if you want weekends away.
Im *never* going back there, and neither is my family, James spat.
They had their first real row. James was furious. Marie got sacked. Ill never forgive you for this, he said. My family loved you, and you *lied*.
Lily was sure Marie was fired for other reasons. And suddenly, she didnt feel sorry for any of them. She hadnt started this. Their marriage had hit a dead end.
Mum, I think Im divorcing James.
Your choice, love. Youre a grown woman. But where will you live? Ive rented out my flat. You could stay with Helen.
Thanks a lot, Lily muttered. Ill rent my own place.
She filed for divorce, moved out, and never went back to the cottage.
