“Why come see me? I don’t even remember you! Why should I welcome you into our home? I dont even know who you are!”
“Hello, Emily!”
“Hello?” replied Emily, startled. The number was withheld, and the voice was unfamiliar, yet theyd addressed her by name.
“Its Aunt Liz from Manchester, Andrews aunt. We couldnt make it to your wedding, but now that things have settled, wed love to visit and meet the new family.”
Emily was at a loss. She had no idea Andrew had an aunt in Manchester. Over a year had passed since their wedding, and this aunt had never been mentioned.
“You must have the wrong number.”
“You *are* Emily, arent you?”
“Yes, but Ive never heard of Andrew having an aunt in Manchester.”
“Andrew Whitaker *is* your husband, isnt he?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Well then, Im his aunt.”
“Thats all well and good, but theres no need to visit.”
“Why not?”
“Were not working and arent receiving guests.”
“My word, what hospitalityI didnt expect this!”
“Sorry, I dont have time to chat further.”
Emily ended the call. She wasnt one to be pushed around and always stood her ground.
“Just what we neededunexpected guests. Ill ask Andrew about this so-called aunt from Manchester when he gets home.” Resolved, she returned to her tasks.
That evening, her mother-in-law called.
“Hello, Emily! Its been ages since you last visited.”
“Hello, Margaret! Ill drop by tomorrow with groceries and those vitamins I picked up.”
“Thank you, dear. Weve got everything, I just wanted to see you. Did Lisa call you?”
“A woman rang, claiming to be Andrews aunt. She wants to visit. I told her now wasnt a good time.”
“She called me after, complaining youd been rude.”
“Margaret, you know me better than that.”
“ExactlyI *do* know you,” Margaret said dryly.
“Im driving. Well talk tomorrow.”
Things between Emily and her mother-in-law hadnt started smoothly.
Andrew had grown up in a military family. His father, James, was a strict man who instilled discipline in his son. Around him, Andrew behaved impeccably. But James was often away on duty, leaving Andrew unchecked.
Without his fathers presence, Andrew became uncontrollable. His mothers constant hovering only made things worsethe more she smothered him, the wilder he acted. He skipped school, dodged sports, and his mother never told his father, fearing the punishment would be too harsh.
As an adult, Andrew remained under her watch. She called him multiple times a day and “coincidentally” dropped by his workplace. All his friends were married, and with Andrew nearing thirty, Margaret grew anxious her golden boy might stay single.
She tried matchmaking him with daughters of friends, which only amused Andrew. The women, despite his charm, didnt line up. Then, the awaited day camehe announced hed introduce his fiancée that weekend.
James approved, but Margaret didnt take to Emily. She was used to ruling the household, and the men obeyed. Seeing how Andrew doted on Emily, she saw a rival.
Emily was assertive, never sought Margarets opinion, and in disagreements, Andrew sided with his wife. They lived in his flat, bought with his parents help before the wedding.
At first, Margaret dropped by unannounced to “check” on the place, but Emily made it clear:
“Dont come without warning or when were not here, or well take back your keys.”
“This flat isnt just Andrewswe helped buy it. I *can* come whenever I like.”
“Then explain *why*. What exactly do you plan to do here?”
Margaret hesitated. Admitting she wanted to inspect for dust was humiliating. Emily pressed on.
“Im the lady of this house now. You have keys for emergencies, not to wander in as you please.”
“Im his motherwe raised him, gave him everything. You waltzed into a ready-made home!”
“Thanks for raising him! But *he* brought me here, and as his wife, this is *my* home too. I wont accept anything less.”
Andrew backed Emily, which stung Margaret. But the newlyweds ignored her sulking. After weeks, she relentedno more unannounced visits, only calling ahead. Each time, Emily welcomed her warmly with tea or wine.
At first, Margaret nitpicked the housekeeping, but Emily disarmed her with humor:
“Sorry, works been mad. If it bothers you, feel free to tidyI wont mind a break.”
“Youve made no dinnerwhat do you even eat?”
“The fridge is full. Whoevers hungry cooks. Help yourself.”
Gradually, they bonded, even becoming friends, with Margaret bringing treats. Meanwhile, Emily and Andrew visited for dinners, bringing groceries. James, though retired, still worked, while Margaret craved attention.
“What can I bring you? Ive got the carno need to lug bags.”
So Emily visited, they dined, and Margaret sent food home to spare her cooking. Naturally, the topic turned to Aunt Liz.
“What did she say?”
“She wanted to visit. I said no.”
“Good call. Howd she get your number?”
“No idea.”
“She rang me after. Shes my cousin. We barely spoke for years. Lifes been roughtwo messy divorces. Now remarried, living near Manchester with a garden, animals. Her daughters applying to Oxford.”
“Whats that to us?”
“She wants us to meetworried for her only child. Wants someone to keep an eye on her.”
“So shes angling to dump her daughter *here*?”
“Itd be awkward to refuse family.”
“Awkward? When did you last see them? Andrew doesnt remember them. Do you even have their address?” Emily didnt wait for an answer. “Lets not invite trouble. I dont know them.”
After saying goodbye, Emily left. She told Andrew about the call, but he barely reacted, and the matter was dropped.
The week passed. By Saturday, Emily and Andrew had no plansjust rest. At noon, the doorbell rang.
Emily was cooking; Andrew lounged on the sofa.
“Expecting someone?”
“Nope! You get itmy hands are full.”
“Who on earth?” Grumbling, Andrew opened the door.
Three people stood there. Andrew barely recognized Aunt Lizhed last seen her as a child.
“Surprise! Weve come to visit,” she chirped, bustling in with bags as her husband fetched more.
“We *really* werent expecting anyone,” Emily said flatly, shooting Andrew a look. Resigned, she gestured them in.
“Well then, *dear* guests, come in. You must be Aunt Liz.”
“Yes! Elizabeth Harper. This is my daughter Claire and my husband Mark. Dont worry, we wont overstay.”
Emily let them freshen up, then invited them to eat, noting that dropping in unannounced wasnt done.
“Weve nothing prepared, so well make do with whats in the fridge.”
“Oh, weve brought gifts! All homemadeour own produce.”
Aunt Liz unpacked cheeses, cured meats, smoked specialties. The kitchen filled with rich aromas. Another bag held honey, jams, dried fruit.
“This is too much! We cant eat all thisnor store it.”
“Share some with your in-laws. Its all natural, no additives. The jams dont need refrigerating.”
As they unpacked, Andrew called his parents, who soon arrived. Aunt Liz revealed her purpose:
“We didnt just come to meet you. Claires finishing school this yearshes off to uni. Thought wed introduce her to family, in case she ever needs help. Shell be in hallsbright girl, top of her class.”
The ice thawed. Elizabeth was warm, Andrew got on with Mark, and the meal was lively. Everyone enjoyed the Harpers faresmoked cheddar, homemade ham, all exquisite.
The unplanned visit became a pleasant reunion. Stories flowed, old memories resurfaced, and news was exchanged. Elizabeth spoke wistfully of her village:
“One day Ill go back. Its been yearsprobably a ghost town now.”
Margaret offered the Harpers her spare room, so Claire stayed with the young couple while Elizabeth and Mark went there. On Sunday, Emily and Andrew showed Claire LondonBig Ben, Camden, Oxford Street.
Early Monday, the Harpers collected Claire. The couple bid farewell and headed to work. That evening, they reflected:
“Lovely people, really. Whyd you lose touch?”
“No clue. Ask MumI was in Year 4 when I last saw them.”
“They invited us. Maybe this summer we could drive to the coast,Despite their initial hesitation, Emily and Andrew ended up visiting Aunt Liz that summer, forging a bond that made them wonder why theyd ever kept their distance.
