The house you built came at just the right moment! Were expecting our first little one and well move in for some fresh country air, my brotherinlaw announced, but I put her back in her place.
When James and I first laid eyes on the cottage, I knew it was destiny. A twostorey brick dwelling with lofty rooms, high ceilings and big windows that looked out onto a tidy garden. It needed a bit of cosmetic work, but after we sold our flat in central London we still had enough pounds to cover it.
Emma, can you imagine how our life will be now? James said, wrapping his arms around me on the doorstep of our new home. Fresh air, peace and quiet, room for kids one day.
I nodded, admiring the spacious sitting room with its cosy fireplace. It was exactly what wed been dreaming ofno noisy neighbours, no stomping upstairs, just our own little world.
The next two months flew by like a single day. We plunged headfirst into the refurbishment. James turned out to be a surprisingly handy blokehe wallpapered, painted, even fitted new light fittings himself. I handled the decorating, picking out furniture, curtains and making everything feel homey. By the end of summer the cottage was unrecognisable.
Its time for a housewarming! James declared, admiring our hardwon result.
We invited friends and family. Our best mate Claire kept gasping at every corner.
Emma, this is a palace! she exclaimed. Youre so lucky!
Jamess mum, Margaret, was equally impressed. She toured the whole place, peeking into every room, before solemnly declaring, Well done, you two! This is what a proper home looks likenothing like those cramped city flats.
Jamess father, usually a man of few words, gave a fullblown speech about the importance of having your own roof over your head. My parents were thrilled too.
That evening was perfect. We barbecued in the garden, sipped wine and laughed until our sides hurt. I finally felt truly happyafter all, wed got what wed been chasing for ages.
A week later Margaret called, her voice a little frantic.
Emma, dear, I told Alisha about your new place. Shes over the moon and says shell come to see it.
AlishaJamess younger sister, five years his juniorlived in Manchester with her husband Mark. We only spoke on holidays, so we werent exactly close, but there were no hard feelings.
Of course shes welcome, I replied. Well be glad to show her around.
Alisha arrived two days later, not alone but with Mark and a noticeably round bellyshe was pregnant!
Surprise! she shouted from the car. Youll be an aunt and uncle soon enough!
James was delighted; the siblings were always close. I, however, felt a twinge of unease, especially when I saw the mountain of suitcases theyd hauled in. It looked like they intended to stay for a while.
Mark was a quiet, pleasant chap who worked in sales and earned a decent wage. Alisha, by contrast, was loud, emotional and loved being the centre of attention.
What a house you have! she gushed, stepping into the lounge. Its massive! Were still crammed in a twobed flat where the upstairs neighbours drill every night!
I gave them a tour and a dinner. Alisha kept clutching her belly, moaning about nausea, while Mark ate in silence, occasionally passing her a bite.
Emma, where will we sleep? Alisha asked after wed finished.
Where else? I was a bit taken aback. In a hotel, perhaps? Or youll head back home?
She laughed. Oh, were not just stopping for a night. The house you built came in handy! Were expecting, and well be staying for a breath of fresh air.
A knot tightened in my chest. Stay? Longterm? I kept my composure and decided to speak with James first.
Fine, I said calmly. You can use the guest room.
The guest room was on the first floor, small but cosy. I laid fresh linens and towels for them. Alisha kept complainingfirst the mattress was too firm, then the pillow was wrong, then a draft from the window.
The first day went relatively smoothly, but the next morning I realised we were in for a trial.
Alisha rose at seven, blasted the TV at full volume, then spent half an hour in the shower, using up all the hot water. She then descended to the kitchen, commandeered every pot and pan, and began whipping up a pregnancyfriendly breakfast.
Sorry, Emma, she called over the clatter, Im on a special diet, need something particular.
The kitchen was a disaster zonesinks piled with dirty dishes, the stove splattered, crumbs and oil drops on the floor. Alisha sat at the table, scarfing down bacon and eggs while thumbing through a glossy magazine.
Alisha, did you forget to wash the dishes? I asked gently.
Oh, the morning sickness, she waved off. Ill get to them later.
Later never came, so I ended up doing the washing myself. Mark spent the whole day in the living room on his laptop, never moving a speck of dust, never even taking his coffee cup to the sink. Alisha drifted between the sofa and the hallway, leaving her belongings everywhere.
By evening the cottage looked as if a group of university students had been living there for a week. James came home exhausted, barely noticing the chaos.
Hows it going? he asked, planting a kiss on my cheek.
Fine, I replied, keeping my tone even.
Later, after dinner, I pulled James aside. James, it feels like theyll be here for the whole pregnancymaybe even until the babys born. Thats five months!
Dont worry, he soothed. Theyll just be staying for a bit. Theyll leave soon enough.
But they didnt leave. A week turned into two, then three. Alisha grew comfortable enough to start inviting her friends overMegan and Olivia, bubbly twentysomethings who arrived on a Saturday, shrieking with delight at every corner, snapping selfies by the fireplace and staging a spontaneous photo shoot in the garden.
Ladies, lets celebrate! Alisha announced, popping open a bottle of prosecco. They set up a spread in the lounge, blared music, and turned the quiet cottage into a minidisco. I tried to hint that we had other commitments, but they were deaf to it. The party ran into the early hours, and the next morning the table was littered with dirty plates and a red wine stain on the white tablecloth.
Alisha, maybe you should give us a headsup before you bring more guests? I suggested the following day.
Come on, Emma, were not partying every night. A little fun isnt bad for a pregnant woman, she shrugged.
Days slipped by. Alisha rearranged the furniture without asking, pilfered my cosmetics, and used my perfume. The worst part was that I had to constantly clean up after her. She left dishes everywhere, never rinsed the bathtub after a soak, and scattered her belongings throughout the house. Mark added to the chaoshe smoked on the balcony, leaving ash in the flower pots, and stayed up watching football until the wee hours, oblivious to the noise.
James saw my frustration but chose to look the other way.
Hang in there a bit longer, Emma, he said. Shes pregnant, its tough for her.
Its not easy for me either! I snapped. Im cleaning up after grownups! This is our home, not a bedandbreakfast!
The final straw involved my wedding dress. Alisha stumbled upon it in the wardrobe and, with her belly bumping against it, decided to try it on.
Emma, does it suit me? she asked, stepping out in the gown that was now straining at the seams.
Take it off immediately! I shouted. Thats my wedding dress!
She waved it off. Just wanted to see how Id look in white after the baby.
The dress was ruinedstitches gave way, a smudge of foundation stained the fabric. It had been the dress Id worn on my wedding day, the one Id hoped to pass on to my future daughter.
I locked myself in the bedroom and wept for the rest of the evening. James tried to comfort me, but the tears wouldnt stop. It wasnt just a dress; it was a piece of my history, destroyed by Alishas thoughtlessness.
The next morning I decided enough was enough.
When Alisha came down for breakfast, I was ready.
Alisha, we need to talk, I said firmly.
What about? she asked, buttering her toast.
Im talking about the fact youve been living here for a month, about the fact Im not a maid, and about the ruined wedding dress.
Alisha sighed. Emma, its just a dress. You can buy another. It was poorly sewn anyway, the seams were already coming apart.
A new one? I felt heat rise. That was my wedding dress! The only one!
She shrugged. You wont wear it again anyway.
Exactly, I snapped. Im not your housekeeper. This is my home, not a hotel. Either you behave like civilised guests or you start paying for the stay, the utilities and the food.
What? Youre kicking me out of my brotherinlaws house? she shrieked.
Im asking you to act like responsible adults, I replied. James is my husband, so this house belongs to both of us. I wont let anyone turn it into a boarding house.
James stepped into the kitchen at that moment, sensing the tension.
Whats happening? he asked.
Your wife is trying to throw me out! Alisha wailed, tears streaming. She wants me to pay for staying in my own brothers house!
James looked bewildered at me. Emma, what does that mean?
It means Ive had enough of the mess, the neglect of my things, the swearing. Ive spent a month cleaning up after people who act like pigs in my home, I said calmly. This is our house, James. We bought it together, we fixed it together, we furnished it together. I will not let anyone tear it apart.
James tried to mediate. Ladies, lets not fight. Alisha, maybe you could actually help with the cleaning
James, are you really going to side with some stranger against your own sister? Alisha snapped.
Stranger? I whispered. James, Im your wife. A stranger?
James flushed. He finally realised the situation was spiralling out of control.
Emma, shes pregnant, he protested weakly.
Pregnancy isnt a licence to be rude, I retorted. Millions of women are expecting and still behave properly.
Alisha sobbed, James, can you hear how shes speaking to me?
Im speaking to you as you deserve, I replied. Ive been patient for a month, cleaning up after you, tolerating you breaking my things and acting like a hog. My patience is over.
James! Alisha shouted.
James flailed, trying to find a compromise, but I was resolute.
If you dont leave today, Ill go back to my parents tomorrow and rethink whether I need a husband who cant protect his wife from overbearing relatives, I warned.
James felt the weight of my words. If I left, I would really leave.
Alisha, perhaps its best if you go back home? he said quietly.
What? Youre evicting me? she cried.
Im not evicting. Im asking you to understand the situation. Emma is rightthis is our home and we have the right to set the rules, James answered.
I cant believe this! With my own sister! Alisha wailed.
I can, James said firmly. Because Emma is my wife and this house is ours. I wont let anyone destroy our marriage.
Defeated, Alisha hurled a chair, shouting, Fine! Well leave! But Ill never forget this! She stormed out, and within half an hour she and Mark were packing their suitcases, slamming doors and shouting at each other as they went.
Before they left, Alisha paused in the lounge where James and I sat.
James, she said, tears glistening, I hope you realise what youve lost.
I already have, he replied calmly. I almost lost you because I didnt set boundaries sooner.
Alisha stared at me with hate. Youve ruined our family.
Ive defended my family, I said. Mine, with James.
They departed, and the cottage fell back into a quiet, peaceful rhythm. I spent the day scrubbing away the remnants of their stay.
That evening James and I sat on the patio, sipping tea and watching the garden.
Emma, Im sorry, he said. I should have protected you from the start.
The important thing is you understand now, I smiled. I love you, James, but I wont let anyonenot even relativesdestroy our home, our peace, our happiness.
He nodded. Family is sacred, but our family is you and me. The rest theyre just relatives.
We sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the stillness. Our house was ours again, a snug haven filled with love. Jamess mother, Margaret, still called now and then, hoping to smooth things over with Alisha, but I was firm. Alisha could visit, but only as a guest, not as a coowner.
Six months later Alisha gave birth to a boy. James visited with gifts, but she never came back to ushonestly, I was relieved.
Our cottage remained our little slice of England, tranquil and warm. The ordeal brought James and me closer; he finally grasped that the real family is the one you build together, not the one youre born into.
And I learned that sometimes you have to be a bit stern to protect your happiness. I have no regrets.
