— Are you out of your mind? We can’t invite them! — Victor drummed his fingers nervously on the kitchen counter.
— Why not? My brother hasn’t seen you in fifteen years, for goodness’ sake! — Anna crossed her arms, turning to the window.
— The brother you haven’t spoken to in a decade! And now he shows up out of the blue and you expect me to host a dinner party for him all of a sudden?
— He didn’t appear from nowhere. Andy came back from Manchester. His business went bust there.
— Of course he did! Now he’s here to beg money from his sister after abandoning her during her darkest time. Have you forgotten how he left you?
Anna busied herself wiping the already spotless stove with a red-checked cloth.
— I haven’t forgotten. But he’s still my brother.
— And I’m your husband who objects.
Anna exhaled sharply, turning back to Victor.
— Fine, I already invited them. Andy, his wife Lucy, and their boy will be here tonight.
Victor closed his eyes and let out a slow breath.
— And when were you going to tell me this? Five minutes before their arrival?
— I…
She didn’t get to finish before her phone rang. She glanced at the screen.
— It’s Kate.
— Just what we need, really, — Victor muttered. — Is your daughter even aware her uncle is back?
— No. I don’t even know why she’s calling. We haven’t spoken much since that last argument.
Anna answered.
— Hello? Kate?
A cheerful voice crackled from the receiver.
— Mum! Hope we’re not interrupting, but Oleg and I thought we’d pop by for dinner tonight? Got an announcement to make!
Victor shook his head furiously, but Anna grinned at him defiantly.
— Of course, come right over! We’ll be delighted!
— Great! We’ll be there by seven. Oh, and we’re bringing someone along.
Before Anna could ask, Kate hung up.
— Listen, Vic, isn’t this wonderful? The whole family gets together tonight!
— I don’t see why you’re so excited, — Victor cut in, heading out of the kitchen. — We have opera tickets at nine o’clock. Remember?
— Oh! — Anna slapped her palms to her cheeks. — Blimey, I forgot completely!
— So do I. Cancel everything and reschedule, — he ordered.
— But Vic…
— No arguments! — He disappeared into the bathroom.
Anna sank onto a chair, massaging her temples. The tickets to *The Marriage of Figaro* were his surprise for their twentieth wedding anniversary, booked a month ago. Now…
She stood and opened the freezer. Guess it was time to cook for an army. Victor would rage, but kicking guests out wasn’t an option. Especially since Andy was a ghost in her memory, and Kate… they hadn’t spoken since Kate dumped her studies to work in a pub against Anna’s wishes.
By the time Victor emerged, the kitchen smelled of roasting chicken and roasted vegetables.
— I see you’ve made all the decisions, — he said dryly.
— Vic, what’s wrong with you? It’s miracle to have the whole family together!
— Family? He’s not my brother. Your daughter hasn’t spoken in months. And this Oleg character with his brat? He’s a stranger!
— Maybe things are supposed to mend tonight, — she hoped.
He just shook his head but left the room muttering about ruined evenings.
As Anna stirred the gravy, her thoughts drifted. Life with Victor had been peaceful for years – both teachers at the primary school. Tea in the evenings, discussing pupils, the occasional trip to the National Theatre. Relatives had never quite clicked. After his parents’ funeral, Andy left to Manchester, sending holiday cards at best. And Kate? She’d always been headstrong, dropping out of university to work at a restaurant.
The doorbell rang. There was Mrs. Thompson, their elderly neighbor, holding a tray.
— Anna, love, I baked some scones. Help yourself, — she offered.
— Ah, just in time! Tonight’s an impromptu family dinner.
— Is it? And who’s coming to see you? — The old woman’s eyes sparkled.
— My brother Andy with his family, and my daughter Kate with her husband.
— Husband? — Mrs. Thompson gasped. — A wedding? But say the word and I’ll bring my fruit cake!
— Not sure yet, — Anna shrugged. — She just said it was important.
— Well, bless you! I’ll tell you what, my nephew Nick from Avon is in town. Ex-military, widower, staying with me while starting over. Perhaps he’d like to join you? Needs some company…
Anna hesitated but nodded. What better way to fill the empty hours.
— Of course, let him come at seven.
Mrs. Thompson beamed and scurried off.
Victor caught her on the way to the kitchen.
— Don’t tell me you’ve invited the neighbor’s nephew too!
— He’s new to the area, needs friends…
— So we’re now a bloody job centre?
— Give him a chance to settle, — she begged.
He gave a defeated wave and went to change. That look meant he’d capitulated, as he always did.
By six, the table was set with Andy’s roast chicken and vegetables. Victor, glancing at the spread, smiled faintly.
— Maybe you’re right. It’s been ages since we had everyone together.
Anna hugged him.
— That’s what I thought. And we can go to the theatre another time.
Victor kissed her forehead.
— Fair enough, you’ve convinced me.
The doorbell rang again. A tall man with a military stance stood there.
— Evening, I’m Nick, Mrs. Thompson’s nephew.
— Please, Nick, I’m Anna, this is my husband Victor.
They shook hands. Nick proved to be a lively conversationalist, sharing tales of his service in Sierra Leone and the grief of his late wife. He’d moved to Wiltshire to rebuild his life.
He was mid-story when another knock came.
— Must be Kate, — Anna rushed to open it.
But there stood Andy, with his wife Lucy and pre-teen son Gary.
— Andy! — Anna embraced her brother.
— Hey, sis, — he awkwardly patted her back. — Meet my wife Lucy and son Gary.
Victor greeted them coldly. Andy looked uneasy, Lucy quiet, Gary glued to his phone.
— So how are you doing, Andy? — Anna poured tea.
— Difficult to explain… Business folded. Left debts. We’ve been renting a flat, but I got a job stacking shelves in the supermarket. Temporary, of course.
— I work part-time in a pharmacy, — Lucy added. — The pay isn’t great, but it’s enough for now.
Anna nodded sympathetically when the doorbell rang once more.
Kate stood there, glowing, with a tall man in a smart suit and a little girl of seven.
— Mum, Dad, meet Oleg, my husband and our daughter Polly.
— Husband? — Anna nearly dropped her dishcloth. — When did you…?
— We got married three months ago, — Kate smiled. — I meant to tell you, but after our fight…
Victor hugged his daughter.
— Congrats. Come in, the meal’s ready.
Oleg and Polly entered. Kate’s eyes scanned the room, startled.
— And who is this all?
— Your uncle Andy and his family, and Nick from next door.
Kate’s brow furrowed.
— That uncle who left after Grandma and Dad’s funeral?
— KATE! Don’t start!
— What? I’m just clarifying.
Tension rippled as Andy looked down, Lucy fidgeted, Gary finally glanced up.
— Let’s raise a toast, — Nick suggested, lifting his wine glass.
— Cheers to that, — Victor refilled.
The atmosphere softened. Oleg explained he was an engineer at an old factory, Polly a first-grader doing gymnastics.
— How’d you meet my daughter? — Anna asked.
— In the restaurant where she worked, — Kate answered. — Oleg was celebrating his divorce.
— That’s not very romantic, — Victor observed.
— But honest, — Oleg smiled.
Suddenly Andy interjected:
— I’m divorced, too. This is my second marriage.
— Really? I didn’t know, — Anna blinked.
— We’ve got a lot to learn about each other, — Andy sighed.
— Whose fault is that? — Kate retorted.
— KATE! — Anna snapped.
— What? He vanished for fifteen years, now turns up with debts, probably asking for cash?
— We’re not here for money! — Lucy insisted. — We have pride!
— Quiet! Let’s not ruin the night, — Victor barked. — We’re all adults here.
Polina and Gary exchanged confused glances. Polly broke the silence.
— Mr. Nick, are you opening a café like the one in the Titchfield?
— Exactly, — Nick grinned. — Andy, would you like the managing role?
— Me? I’m not qualified for that, — Andy stammered.
— I am, — Kate interjected. — I worked in a restaurant for three years. Could help with the operations.
— Perfect! And I need an engineer for the renovations. Old place, full of problems.
— That’s my line of work, — Oleg offered. — I’d be happy to advise.
Anna gaped as strangers formed a business plan.
— Where’d you find the venue? — she asked.
— In Littleover, a former pie shop. Floors are creaky, but it’s got decent foot traffic.
— I could help with the renovations, too, — Victor chimed in. — I was a builder before teaching.
— I can do the cooking, — Lucy surprised them. — Took a culinary course once, though never finished.
— Then you’re part of the team! — Nick beamed.
Anna watched as everyone buzzed about menus and pink rooms for kids. Gary finally smiled.
— Can I waitress after school?
— Of course, — Nick agreed.
Victor and Anna exchanged a look. What on earth had happened?
Andy approached her quietly.
— Forgive me, Anna. All those years lost…
— The important thing is you’re back, — she hugged him.
Kate moved to their parents.
— I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the wedding. I was scared you’d disapprove. But Oleg’s great, and Polly loves me.
— We’re happy for you, — Anna embraced her. — Just don’t disappear like that next time, okay?
At midnight, the guests left with exchanged numbers and plans to visit the venue. Nick bid farewell.
— What a night! Who knew I’d find a whole team?
As Victor and Anna closed the door, she turned to him.
— No hard feelings about the theatre?
— What theatre? That was a damn better show! — he laughed. — And you know, I think we’ve all got something special here.
— Us too? — she raised an eyebrow.
— Of course! You’ll be the one to name the dishes. A teacher, what better title?
They stood in the messy living room, full of laughter and new beginnings.
— Who’d have thought a meal no one planned would bring everything together.
— I think fate had plans all along, — Victor winked.
In that moment, the scattered family had reassembled, even finding new kindred spirits. All thanks to a dinner no one had expected.
