**Why come to see me? I dont even remember you!**
**Why should I welcome you into our home? I dont even recall knowing you!**
“Good morning, Emily!”
“Good morning!” Emily answered, startled. The number hadnt shown up, and the voice was unfamiliar, yet the caller had used her first name.
“Its Aunt Lizzie from Manchester, Andrews aunt. We couldnt make it to your wedding, but now everythings settled, we thought wed visit and meet the new family.”
Emily was at a loss for words, caught entirely off guard. She had no idea Andrew had an aunt in Manchester. Over a year had passed since their wedding, and no one had ever mentioned this absent relative.
“You must have the wrong number.”
“You are Emily, arent you?”
“Yes, but Id never heard Andrew had an aunt in Manchester.”
“Andrew Whittaker is your husband, isnt he?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Well then, Im his aunt.”
“Thats all well and good, but theres no need for you to visit.”
“Why not?”
“Were not working, and we dont take guests.”
“Some hospitalityI wasnt expecting that.”
“Sorry, I dont have time to chat further.”
Emily ended the call. She was a woman who stood her ground and wasnt easily shaken.
“More visitorsjust what we needed. Ill ask Andrew about this so-called aunt when hes home.” Resolved, she carried on with her chores.
That evening, her mother-in-law rang.
“Hello, Emily! Its been ages since you last visited.”
“Hello, Margaret! Ill drop by tomorrow with some groceries and vitamins I picked up.”
“Thank you, dear. We have everything we needI just wanted to hear your voice. Did Lizzie call you?”
“A woman rang, claiming to be Andrews aunt, wanting to visit. I told her it wasnt a good time.”
“She called me afterward, complaining youd been rude.”
“Margaret, how could I be rude? You know me.”
“ExactlyI do know you,” Margaret replied dryly.
“Im driving. Well talk tomorrow.”
Emily and her mother-in-law hadnt started off on the best footing.
Andrew had grown up in a military family. His father, James, was a strict man who instilled discipline in his son. When his father was home, Andrew behaved impeccably. But duty often took James away on assignments, leaving Andrew free to run wild.
Without his fathers presence, Andrew became unmanageable.
His mothers constant vigilance drove him mad. The more she hovered, the worse he actedskipping school, dodging sports. She never told his father, knowing the punishment would be harsh. She thought she was protecting him.
Even as an adult, Andrew remained under her watchful eye. She called him multiple times a day and “happened” to pass by his workplace just as he finished.
All Andrews friends were married, and with his thirtieth approaching, his mother worried her brilliant son might stay a bachelor.
She scouted potential brides among her friends daughters, which only made Andrew laugh. And despite his charm and good looks, no queue of hopefuls formed.
Then, at last, the day came. Andrew announced hed bring his fiancée home that weekend.
His father approved, but Margaret disliked the girl on sight. She was used to ruling the household, and the men obeyed.
Watching how Marie carried herself, and the tenderness between her and Andrew, Margaret saw a rival.
Emily was assertive, never sought her mother-in-laws opinion, and in disagreements, Andrew sided with his wife.
They lived in Andrews flat, bought with his parents help before the wedding.
At first, Margaret would drop by unannounced to inspect the place, but Emily made her stance clear.
“Dont come over uninvited or while were out, or well take back your key and change the locks.”
“That flat isnt just Andrewswe helped pay for it. I have every right to visit whenever I please.”
“Explain why. What exactly do you plan to do here?”
Margaret faltered. Admitting she wanted to check the cleaning would sound petty. Emily pressed on.
“Im the mistress of this home now, as Andrews wife. My rules stand. You have a key for emergencies, not to let yourself in as you please.”
“Im his mother. We raised him, gave him everything. You walked into a ready-made home!”
Emily cut her off.
“Thank you for raising him. But it was my husband who brought me here, and as his wife, this is my home. There wont be any other arrangement.”
Andrew backed his wife, wounding his mother. But the newlyweds ignored her sulking. After weeks, she relented.
She stopped using her key, only came when Emily was home, and always called first. Each time, Emily welcomed her warmly with tea or wine.
At first, Margaret made remarks about the housekeeping, but Emily, unruffled, deflected with humour or offers of help.
“Sorry, works been mad. If it bothers you, feel free to tidy upI wouldnt mind the break.”
“Youve made no dinnerwhat do you even eat?”
“The fridge is full. Whoevers hungry cooks. Help yourself.”
Gradually, their relationship shifted. They even became friends, with Margaret bringing treats when she visited.
Emily and Andrew dropped by for Sunday roast, bringing groceries. James, though retired, still worked, while Margaret craved company.
“What can I fetch you? Ive got the carno need to lug bags.”
That evening, Emily visited, dined with Margaret, and sent packed meals home to spare her cooking. Of course, the topic of Aunt Lizzie arose.
“What did your aunt say?”
“She wanted to visit. I told her it wasnt convenient.”
“Good. Howd she get your number?”
“No idea.”
“She rang me after. Shes my cousinweve barely spoken. Lifes been hard on her. Divorced, then a bad second marriage. Now in Manchester, seems settled. House, garden, pets. Her girl hopes to study in London this year.”
“Whats that to us?”
“She wants us to meetworried for her only child. Wants someone to watch over her.”
“You mean shes angling to dump her daughter on us?”
“Itd be awkward not to help family.”
“Awkward how? When did you last see them? Andrew doesnt remember them. Do you even have their address?” Without waiting, Emily ploughed on. “Lets not invite trouble. I dont know them and never heard of this family.”
After farewells, Emily left. She told Andrew about the call, but he barely reacted, and the matter faded.
A week passed. Saturday arrived with no plans but rest. At noon, the doorbell rang.
Emily was cooking; Andrew lounged on the sofa.
“Expecting someone?”
“No! You get itIm elbows-deep.”
“Why? No ones coming,” Andrew grumbled, shuffling to the door.
Three people stood there. Andrew barely recognised Aunt Lizziehed last seen her as a boy.
“You werent expecting us, but here we are!” she chimed, bustling in with bags as her husband fetched more.
“No, we really werent,” Emily said flatly, shooting Andrew a look. With little choice, she gestured them in.
“Well then, dear guests, come in,” she said wryly. “I suppose youre Aunt Lizzie?”
“Elizabeth Bennett, yes. This is my daughter Charlotte and my husband, Mark. Dont fretwe wont outstay our welcome.”
Emily let them freshen up, then invited them to eat, making clear unannounced visits werent done.
“We werent expecting company, so its whatevers in the fridge.”
“Oh, weve brought supplies! All homemadeour own produce.”
Elizabeth unpacked cheeses, cured meats, smoked delicacies. The kitchen filled with rich aromas. Next came honey, jam, dried fruit.
“This is too much! We cant eat all this, nor store it.”
“Share with your in-laws. Shop-bought cant compareno additives. Jars keep without chilling.”
As Emily helped unpack, Andrew rang his parents, who soon arrived. Elizabeth explained their purpose.
“We didnt just come to meet you. Charlotte finishes school this yearhopes to study in London. Thought wed introduce her to family, in case she ever needs help. Shell stay in hallsbright girl, she is.”
The stiffness eased. Elizabeth was warm, Andrew got on with Mark. Margaret and James arrived.
Dinner was lively. Emily relaxed, smiling. Everyone praised Elizabeths smoked cheese, home-cured hamall superb.
What began as an imposition turned pleasant. Stories flowedyouthful memories, shared acquaintances. Elizabeth spoke wistfully of her village.
“One day Ill goThey waved goodbye the next morning, the unexpected visit leaving behind not strife, but the faint warmth of rekindled family ties.
