Anyone who’s ever had a job will understand that rare rush of excitement when the doorbell rings on the one morning you finally had off.
Before I was even properly awake, for some strange reason, my first thought was of a plumbing disaster, and I dashed out to check if I’d accidentally flooded someone downstairs. Both the bathroom and the kitchen were bone dry, so thankfully, it wasn’t the downstairs neighbours whom I’d already soaked six months ago.
But the doorbell wouldnt stop ringing. Still in my dressing gown, I shuffled over obediently and, opening the door, was immediately greeted by the sight of several suitcases and a handful of people clustered behind them.
Oh, Id never have recognised you if Id passed you in the street! came a suspiciously backhanded compliment from an older woman whose voice caught me completely off guard.
I tried to piece together who she might be…
I stared harder at her companion, who beamed at me and held out his hand cheerfully. Hovering behind them was the head of a ladsilent, thankfully, rather than joining the guessing game. But before I could gather my wits, the woman piped up, Well, dont keep us in the hallwayarent you going to let us in?
I beg your pardon? Let you in? I asked, blinking.
Oh, you havent worked out who your uncle is? she replied, tilting her head at the man beside her. I looked after you, you know! And this one she gestured towards the boy is your cousin. Hes come to study in London and hasnt got anywhere else to stay. So weve decided hell move in with you for a bit. Well buy him a bed later, not to worry. Weve even brought presents! Hasnt your father called?
No he hasnt called, I managed.
Well, probably just slipped his mind. Never mind, well sort ourselves out without him! Now, where shall we put these bags?
Waitsort yourselves out? Are you saying hes to live here with me?
Yes, love. You’ll look after him, wont you? London can be a lonely place for a young lad.
Im sorry, but I cant have anyone else living here. My fiancé calls round all the time as it is. There just isnt room.
Well, well just have to figure something out, wont we?
No, Im sorry. Theres really nothing to figure out. He can stay at the university hallseveryone does when they first start out. I did it myself.
Oh, well, thats completely unreasonable!
My relatives began to grow testy and attempted to edge their bags through the front door, but I stood firmI realised if those suitcases crossed the threshold into my flat, Id never be rid of them again. I politely told them to give me five minutes, marched themsuitcases and allto my cousins university dormitory, where hed already been assigned accommodation.
The reaction was swift. I was accused of being heartless and selfish, their smiles wiped away as quickly as theyd come. But finally, they, and their luggage, disappeared altogether. I rang my parents, bewildered: What on earth was all that about?
Once she heard the story, my mother was thoroughly put out and scolded me for not caring enough about family.But once the dust settled and the last echo of indignation faded from my voicemail, I looked around my blissfully quiet flatand, suddenly, laughed. The absurdity of it all struck me: family dramas arriving like rogue waves on an otherwise calm morning, the expectation that my front door would always swing open no matter the mess they brought.
Well, perhaps I had disappointed them, but as I curled up on my sofa, the sun breaking through the window at last, I felt a strange freedom. I texted my fiancé: You will NOT believe my morning. But I think Ive finally learned to say no.
The reply arrived almost instantly: Proud of you. Shall I bring pastries?
There would be more doorbells, more suitcase-wielding relatives somedaybut for now, I let the peace settle, my own chosen guest on the way, and allowed myself to savor this rare, hard-won quiet. For the first time, the flat felt truly mine, and I decided that was more than enough.
