“Why visit me? I dont even remember you!”
“Why should I welcome you into our home? I dont even know you!”
“Hello, Emily!”
“Hello?” replied Emily, startled. The number was hidden, and the voice unfamiliar, yet theyd used her name.
“Its Aunt Liz from Manchester, Andrews aunt. We couldnt make it to your wedding, but now everythings settled, we thought wed pop by to meet the family.”
Emily was too flustered to respond. She had no idea Andrew had an aunt in Manchester. Over a year had passed since their wedding, and not once had this mystery relative 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 Thompson is your husband, isnt he?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Well then, Im his aunt.”
“Lovely that youre his aunt, but theres really no need to visit.”
“Why not?”
“Were not working from home and arent entertaining guests.”
“Well, thats charming hospitality. Didnt see that coming”
“Sorry, I havent got time to chat further.”
Emily ended the call. She was a woman who never let herself be steamrolled and always stood her ground.
“More visitors? Just what we needed. Ill ask Andrew about this so-called aunt when he gets back.” Resolved, she went back to her tasks.
That evening, her mother-in-law rang.
“Hello, Emily! Long time no see.”
“Hello, Margaret! Ill drop by tomorrow with some groceries and vitamins I picked up.”
“Thank you, dear. Weve got everything, reallyjust missed seeing you. Did Lisa call you?”
“A woman rang, claimed to be Andrews aunt, wanted to visit. I told her now wasnt the best time.”
“She called me afterwards, complaining youd been rude.”
“Margaret, how could I be rude? You know me.”
“Precisely why Im asking,” Margaret said dryly.
“Im driving. Well talk tomorrow.”
Emily and her mother-in-law hadnt started off on the best foot.
Andrew had grown up in a military family. His father, James, was strict, drilling discipline into his son. When Dad was home, Andrew was a model son. But with his job requiring frequent deployments, James was often away.
Left to his mothers care, Andrew became uncontrollable.
Her constant hovering drove him mad. The more she smothered him, the wilder he gotskipping school, dodging football practice. She never told his father, knowing the punishment would be harsh, all to “protect” her boy.
As an adult, Andrew remained under her watch. She called multiple times a day and “just happened” to swing by his workplace.
All his mates were married. Nearing thirty, Margaret fretted her golden boy might stay a bachelor.
She scouted fiancées for him among friends daughtersearning only eye-rolls from Andrew. And despite his charm, the girls never queued up.
Then, the big day arrived. Andrew announced hed introduce his fiancée that weekend.
His father approved. His mother did not. Margaret was used to calling the shots, and the men obeyed.
Watching Emilyseeing Andrews affection for hershe saw a rival.
Emily was self-assured, never sought her approval, and when disagreements arose, Andrew sided with his wife.
They lived in Andrews flat, bought with parental help before the wedding.
At first, Margaret “dropped in” unannounced to “check” the place. After repeated warnings from Emily, she stopped.
“Dont come over uninvited or when were out, or well take back your keys.”
“That flats half ourswe helped pay for it!”
“Then tell mewhat exactly are you planning to do here?”
Margaret faltered. Admitting shed come to inspect the house was both petty and absurd.
“Im the mistress of this home now. Respect that, or the keys are gone.”
“Im his mother! We raised him, gave him everything!”
Emily cut her off.
“Thank you for raising him. But Andrew brought me here, and as his wife, this is my home too. No compromises.”
Andrew backed his wife. Margaret sulked for weeks before caving.
She stopped letting herself in, only visited when Emily was home, and always called first. Each time, Emily welcomed her warmlytea, wine, the works.
Early on, Margaret nitpicked about housekeeping. Emily, unruffled, deflected with humour.
“Sorry, been swamped with work. If it bothers you, feel free to tidy upI could use the break.”
“Youve not cookedwhat do you even eat?”
“Fridge is full. First one hungry cooks. Help yourself!”
Gradually, they grew friendlier. Margaret started bringing treats.
Emily and Andrew visited for Sunday roasts, bringing groceries. James, though retired, still worked odd jobs. Margaret just wanted company.
“Ill driveno need to haul bags.”
One evening, over dinner, Margaret sent leftovers home “to spare Emily cooking.” Naturally, Aunt Liz came up.
“What did she say?”
“Wanted to visit. I said no.”
“Good. Howd she get your number?”
“No clue.”
“She rang me. Its my cousin Liz. We barely spoke for years. Shes had a rough godivorced twice. Lives near Manchester now, remarried. Has a cottage, garden, pets. Her daughter Chloes hoping for Oxford this year.”
“Whats that to do with us?”
“She wants family nearby to look out for Chloe.”
“Let me guessshes angling for free lodgings?”
“Itd be awkward to refuse.”
“Awkward? When did you last see them? Andrew barely remembers her.”
After goodbyes, Emily left. Andrew barely reacted to the story, and it was forgotten.
A week passed. Saturday arrived. No plansjust lazing about. At noon, the doorbell rang.
Emily was cooking; Andrew was glued to the sofa.
“Expecting someone?”
“No! You get itIm up to my elbows in dough.”
Grumbling, Andrew answered. Three strangers stood thereAunt Liz and family.
“Surprise! Weve come to visit!” she chirped, barging in with bags.
“Wasnt exactly on our agenda,” Emily muttered, shooting Andrew a look.
“Well, come in, then,” she said drily. “You must be Aunt Liz.”
“Elisabeth Brown. This is Chloe and my husband Mark. Dont worrywe wont overstay.”
Emily let them freshen up, then served lunch. “Bit rude, dropping in unannounced.”
“Didnt want to trouble you. We brought our own foodhomemade, homegrown.”
Aunt Liz unpacked cheeses, cured meats, jams. The kitchen smelled like a farmers market.
“No room for all this!”
“Share with the in-laws. No chemicals hereall natural.”
While they unpacked, Andrew rang his parents, who soon arrived. Aunt Liz got to the point.
“Were not *just* visiting. Chloes finishing schoolhoping for Oxford. Wanted her to know family before term starts. Shell be in hallsbright girl, top grades.”
The ice thawed. Elisabeth was warm; Andrew got on with Mark.
Dinner was lively. Even Emily relaxed, enjoying the spreadsmoked cheese, homemade ham, all superb.
The uninvited visit turned into a reunion. Stories flowedold memories, hometown nostalgia.
Margaret offered their spare room. They settled on Chloe staying with the young couple; Elisabeth and Mark would bunk with Margaret.
Sunday, they showed Chloe LondonBig Ben, Camden, the lot.
Monday, early, Aunt Liz fetched Chloe. Goodbyes were warm. That evening, Emily mused:
“Nice people. Why the radio silence all these years?”
“No idea. Ask MumI was nine when I last saw them.”
“They invited us. Fancy a summer road trip? Detour via Manchester, then the seaside. Bring Chloe back for term.”
Chloe got into Oxford. She stayed briefly before moving into halls, visiting occasionally.
The seaside trip was postponedEmily was expecting.
