“Why come see me? I dont even remember you! Why should I welcome you into our home? I dont even know you!”
“Hello, Emily!”
“Hello?” Emily replied, startled. The number was withheld, the voice unfamiliaryet they knew her name.
“Its Aunt Rose from Manchester, Andrews aunt. We couldnt make the wedding, but now everythings settled, we thought wed visit and meet the new family.”
Emily hesitated, taken aback. She had no idea Andrew had an aunt in Manchester. Over a year had passed since their wedding, and no one had ever mentioned her.
“You must have the wrong number.”
“You *are* Emily, arent you?”
“Yes, but Ive never heard that Andrew has an aunt in Manchester.”
“Andrew Whitmore *is* your husband?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Im his aunt.”
“Thats nicebut theres no need to visit.”
“Why not?”
“We dont take unannounced guests.”
“What hospitality! I never expected this”
“Sorry, I havent time to discuss it.” Emily ended the call. She was never one to be pushed around.
“More visitors. Just what we needed.” Shed ask Andrew about this so-called aunt when he got home. Resolved, she returned to her tasks.
That evening, her mother-in-law rang.
“Hello, Emily! Its been ages since you visited.”
“Hello, Margaret! Ill drop by tomorrow with groceries and vitamins I bought.”
“Thank you, dear. Weve everything we needjust wanted to hear your voice. Did Rose call you?”
“A woman did, claiming to be Andrews aunt. Wanted to visit. I said now wasnt the time.”
“She phoned me after, complaining you were rude.”
“Margaret, you know mewhen am I ever rude?”
“Thats exactly why Im surprised,” Margaret said dryly.
“Im driving. Well talk tomorrow.”
Things between Emily and Margaret hadnt been smooth from the start.
Andrew grew up in a military family. His father, Richard, was strict, drilling discipline into his son. Around him, Andrew behaved impeccablybut Richard was often away on duty.
Without his father, Andrew turned wild. His mothers constant nagging only made him worse. He skipped school, dodged sports. Margaret never told Richard, knowing the punishment would be harshall to protect her boy.
Even as an adult, Andrew couldnt shake her. She called him daily, “coincidentally” passing by his work.
All his friends married young. Approaching thirty, Margaret worried her golden boy might stay single. She hunted brides among friends daughterswhich only amused Andrew. The girls, though charmed by him, never lined up.
Then, the day came. Andrew announced hed introduce his fiancée that weekend.
Richard approved. Margaret didnt. She was used to ruling the household, and the men obeyed. Seeing Emilyseeing how Andrew doted on hershe saw a rival.
Emily was confident, never sought Margarets advice, and in disagreements, Andrew stood by his wife.
They lived in Andrews flat, bought with his parents help before the wedding.
At first, Margaret “dropped in” unannounced to inspect the placeuntil Emily made herself clear.
“Dont come uninvited or when were out, or well take back your keys.”
“This flat isnt just Andrewswe helped buy it. Ive every right to visit.”
“Explain why. What exactly do you plan to do here?”
Margaret fumbled. Admitting she wanted to check the cleaning would sound petty. Emily pressed on.
“Im the mistress of this house now. Respect that, or lose access.”
Andrew backed her, stinging Margaret. But the newlyweds ignored her sulking. After weeks, she relented.
She stopped using her key, only visiting when Emily was home, and always calling first. Emily welcomed her warmlytea, wine, small talk.
Early on, Margaret nitpicked the housekeeping. Emily, unruffled, disarmed her with jokes or offers of help.
“Sorry, works been mad. If it bothers you, feel free to tidyI could use the rest.”
“Youve made no proper mealwhat do you even eat?”
“The fridge is full. Whoevers hungry cooks. Help yourself.”
Gradually, they grew friendly. Margaret even brought treats.
Andrew and Emily visited for dinners, bringing groceries. Though retired, Richard still worked. Margaret craved attention.
“What can I bring? Im drivingno need to haul bags.”
So Emily visited. They dined. Margaret sent leftovers, “saving” Emily from cooking.
Of course, the talk turned to Aunt Rose.
“What did she say?”
“Wanted to visit. I said no.”
“Good. Howd she get your number?”
“No idea.”
“She rang me after. My cousin. We barely speak. Had a rough lifedivorced, second marriage failed. Lives near Manchester now, remarried again. House, garden, pets. Her daughters applying to Oxford this year.”
“Whats that to us?”
“She wants introductions. Worried about her only child. Wants someone to watch over her.”
“You mean shes angling for free lodgings?”
“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. “Dont invite trouble. I dont know these people.”
After goodbye, Emily left. She told Andrew about the callhe barely reactedand the matter was dropped.
The week passed. Saturday came. No plansjust rest. At noon, the doorbell rang.
Emily was cooking; Andrew lounged.
“Expecting someone?”
“No. You answerIm busy.”
“Nobodys due,” Andrew grumbled, trudging to the door.
Three strangers stood there. Andrew barely recognised Aunt Roselast seen when he was eight.
“Surprise! Weve come,” she chimed, bustling in with bags as her husband fetched more.
“We *really* werent expecting guests,” Emily said flatly, eyeing Andrew. What else could they do?
“Well, *dear guests*, come in,” she said drily. “You must be Aunt Rose.”
“Elisabeth Hartley. My daughter Chloe, husband Mark. Dont worrywe wont overstay.”
Emily let them freshen up, then sat them down, stressing that unannounced visits werent done.
“Weve nothing prepared, so well make do with whats in the fridge.”
“Dont fret! Weve brought giftsall homemade, homegrown.”
Elisabeth unpacked cheeses, cured meats, smoked delicacies. Honey, jams, dried fruit followed.
“This is too much! Weve no space.”
“Share with the in-laws. No additivesnatural goodness. Jams keep without refrigeration.”
As they unpacked, Andrew rang his parents. Soon, they arrived. Elisabeth explained their purpose.
“We didnt just come to meet you. Chloe finishes school this yearhopes for Oxford. Thought wed introduce her to family, in case she needs help. Shell stay in hallsbright as a button, this one.”
The ice thawed. Elisabeth was warm, Andrew got on with Mark. The meal was livelysmoked ham, artisanal cheeses, all exquisite.
The unplanned visit became a happy reunion. Stories flowedyouthful memories, shared acquaintances. Elisabeth sighed about her village.
“Must go back someday. Doubt anyones leftall in cities now.”
Margaret invited the cousins to stay at hersthe flat was cramped. They agreed: Chloe with the newlyweds, Elisabeth and Mark at Margarets.
Sunday, Andrew and Emily showed Chloe LondonBig Ben, Camden, the Thames.
Monday early, Elisabeth returned for Chloe. Goodbyes said, the week began.
That evening, Emily mused on the odd visit.
“Lovely peoplebut why come to us first? Why not Margaret?”
“No idea. Ask MumI was ten last time I saw them.”
“They invited us. We could visit this summerdrive to the coast, stop by theirs, bring Chloe back. Hope she gets into Oxford.”
She did. Before moving into halls, she stayed briefly with them, dropping by occasionally.
Emily and Andrew delayed their seaside tripthey were expecting.
