**Diary Entry 12th October**
Bloody hell, they turned up unannounced again.
I cant stand your sister! Emily spat, her face twisted in irritation. She winds me up something rotten!
Youre not alone there, Thomas sighed, standing by his wife.
She sticks her nose in everything and acts like she knows best. You should see the smug look on her face when shes had a dig at me, Emily muttered through gritted teeth. One minute its my manners, the next its my clothes being outdated.
Shes always been like that, Thomas shrugged. Mums fault, really. Spoilt her rotten and never said no.
Thank God we live miles away from your lot, Emily rolled her eyes, exhaling sharply.
Thomass mother, Margaret, and his sister, Beatrice, lived in London, while he and Emily had settled in a quiet Cotswold village.
Both women were widows and shared a flat, so every visit to Margaret meant putting up with Beatrice too. Thomass sister couldnt stand Emily, and rows between them were as inevitable as rain in April.
At first, Emily bit her tongue, but when she noticed Margaret joining in on the criticism, she stopped holding back. Every family visit ended in a shouting match until Thomas and Emily decided to stop going altogether.
Margaret noticed straight away.
Why havent you visited? Two weeks and not a peep from you. Dont you care that your mother and sister miss you? she scolded over the phone.
Weve been busy, Thomas replied curtly.
Doing what, exactly? Margaret pressed. Has your wife forbidden it? Last time she left looking like shed swallowed a pint of vinegar.
Like I saidthings to sort out, Thomas cut in, eager to end the call.
An hour later, Margaret rang again. Beatrice and I are coming down to the village.
Why? Thomas frowned.
Visiting an old friend, and we might as well see you since you cant be bothered, she said breezily.
Thomas went pale. The whole point of staying away was to avoid this.
Well be out, most likely, he lied, hoping to put her off.
Out where? Margaret snapped. Seems to me you just dont want us around. If thats the case, at least be honest.
Birthday party, Thomas blurted.
Fine, go then, she huffed. Never mind your poor mother and sister making the effort. She hung up before he could reply.
Guilt gnawed at him, but remembering how they treated Emily, he pushed it aside. He didnt tell herno point worrying her prematurely.
Three hours later, he regretted that decision. The doorbell rang, and Emily answered, stunned to see Margaret and Beatrice smirking on the doorstep.
Thomas bolted to the hallway.
Emily, love, arent you ready yet? he said, pretending not to see them.
Ready for what? Emily blinked.
The party. You forgot? He forced a tight smile. OhMum, Bea, what brings you here?
We came to visit, as I said, Margaret replied smoothly. Are you going to leave us on the doorstep?
Sorry, were just heading out. Emily, go get changed, Thomas ordered, tugging her arm.
Emily shot him a confused look until he winkedthen she clocked on.
Where exactly are you going? Beatrice folded her arms. Bit late for a party, isnt it?
Starts at eight, Thomas said briskly. Half an hour to get there.
Youre going in your house clothes? Margaret scoffed, eyeing his joggers.
Christ, forgot to change, Thomas feigned embarrassment before darting upstairs.
Margaret and Beatrice exchanged doubtful glances. They werent buying it.
Cant you cancel? Margaret asked when he returned.
No, its paid for, Thomas said firmly. Come next weekend instead. (He knew shed refuse out of spite.)
We could wait here till youre back, Beatrice suggested, eyeing the living room.
No need, Thomas shut that down fast. Got another stop after, anyway.
Your place is nicer than that dreary friends, Margaret sniffed. She wasnt exactly thrilled to see us last time.
Ill drop you at the train station?
Last trains gone, Beatrice said smugly.
Ill book you a hotel, Thomas offered.
Margarets face fell. A hotel? Think well rob you if left alone?
No, we just dont like people in our home unsupervised, Emily cut in.
Fine! Margaret snapped, storming out. Beatrice followed, muttering curses under her breath.
Watching them leave through the window, Thomas and Emily exhaled in relief.
The fake party excuse was no longer needed.
Margaret and Beatrice hailed a cab back to London, vowing never to speak to their ungrateful family again.
Thomas only thought of them months later when he had a hospital appointment in the city and needed a place to stay. Beatrice answered the door coldly. Were going out, she said. Wouldnt leave a stranger alone in our flat.
The message was clearthey were done with him.
And honestly? Good riddance.
**Lesson learned:** Some bridges are better burnt.
