“Why should I see you? I dont even remember you! Why should I let you into our home? I dont even know you!”
“Hello, Emily!”
“Hello,” replied Emily, startled. The number was hidden, and the voice unfamiliaryet theyd used her name.
“Its Aunt Louise from Manchester, Andrews aunt. We couldnt make it to your wedding, but now things have settled, wed love to visit and meet the family.”
Emily hesitated, completely caught off guard. She had no idea Andrew even 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 of Andrew having an aunt in Manchester.”
“Andrew *Bennett* is your husband, isnt he?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Well, Im his aunt.”
“Thats all well and good, but theres no need to visit.”
“Why not?”
“Were not working right now and arent receiving guests.”
“What hospitality! I wasnt expecting this…”
“Sorry, I dont have time to chat further.”
Emily ended the call. She was a woman who stood her ground and knew how to defend her boundaries.
“Uninvited guestsjust what we needed. Ill ask Andrew about this Aunt Louise when he gets home.” Resolute, she returned to her tasks.
That evening, her mother-in-law called.
“Emily, love! Its been ages since you visited.”
“Hello, Margaret! Ill drop by tomorrow with groceries and those vitamins I picked up for you.”
“Thank you, dear. Weve got everythingjust wanted to see you. Did Lisa call you?”
“A woman phoned, claiming to be Andrews aunt. She wants to visit. I told her it wasnt a good time.”
“She rang me after, complaining you were rude.”
“Margaret, you *know* I wasnt rudeyou know me.”
“Thats *precisely* why I asked,” Margaret said drily.
“Im driving. Well talk tomorrow.”
Emily and her mother-in-law hadnt started on the best terms.
Andrew had grown up in a military family. His father, Richard, was strict, instilling discipline in his son. Under his watch, Andrew behaved impeccably. But due to work, Richard was often away on assignments, leaving Andrew unruly in his absence.
His mothers constant nagging only made it worse. The more she smothered him, the more he acted outskipping school, dodging sports. She never told Richard, knowing the punishment would be harsh, wanting to protect her son.
Even as an adult, Andrew remained under her thumb. She called him multiple times a day and would “coincidentally” swing by his workplace.
All his friends were married, and as he neared thirty, his mother fretted over her “brilliant boy” staying single. She even scouted brides among her friends daughters, much to Andrews amusement. Yet none lined up for him, despite his charm.
Then, finallyhe announced hed introduce his fiancée that weekend.
Richard approved, but Margaret didnt take to Emily. She was used to ruling the household, and the men obeyed. Seeing the love Andrew showered on Emily, she saw a rival.
Emily was assertive, never sought her approval, and when disagreements arose, Andrew sided with his wife.
They lived in his flat, bought with his parents help before the wedding.
At first, Margaret would drop by unannounced to “check” the place. But Emily made it clear:
“Dont come without warning or while were out, or well take back your keys.”
“This flat isnt just Andrews*we* helped buy it. Ive every right to visit!”
“Explain why. What exactly are you planning to do here?”
Margaret faltered. Admitting she wanted to inspect the cleaning would sound petty. Emily pressed on.
“Im the lady of this house now. Respect that. The keys are for emergenciesnot for popping in whenever you like.”
“Im his mother! We raised him, gave him everything. *You* just waltzed in where everything was ready”
Emily cut her off.
“Thank you for raising him. But *he* brought me here, and as his wife, this is my home too. No negotiations.”
Andrew backed Emily, bruising Margarets pride. But the newlyweds ignored her sulking until she relented.
She stopped using her key uninvited, only coming when Emily was home and after calling. Each time, Emily welcomed her warmlytea or wine in hand.
At first, Margaret nitpicked the housekeeping, but Emily joked it off.
“Sorry, works been mad. Feel free to tidy if it bothers youI could use the break!”
“Youve got nothing cookedwhat do you even eat?”
“The fridge is full. Whoevers hungry cooks. Help yourself!”
Slowly, they warmed to each other, even becoming friends. Margaret visited with treats, and Emily and Andrew dropped by for dinner, bringing groceries. Though retired, Richard still worked, while Margaret craved company.
“What can I bring? Ive got the carno need to lug bags.”
So Emily visited, they dined, and Margaret sent cooked meals home, “so Emily wouldnt have to bother.” Naturally, they circled back to Aunt Louise.
“What did she say?”
“She wanted to visit. I said no.”
“Good. Howd she get your number?”
“No idea.”
“She rang back. My cousinwe barely speak. Lifes been hard for herdivorced, remarried badly. Now in Manchester with a house, garden, pets. Her daughters applying to university in London.”
“And thats *our* problem?”
“She wants a safety net for her girl.”
“So shes angling for free accommodation?”
“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. “Lets not invite drama. I dont know them.”
After leaving Margarets, Emily told Andrew about the call. He barely reacted, and the matter fadeduntil Saturday.
No weekend plansjust rest. Then, at noon, the doorbell rang.
Emily was cooking; Andrew lounged.
“Expecting someone?”
“No. You get itmy hands are full.”
“Why? No ones coming,” Andrew grumbled, cracking the door open.
Three people stood there. Andrew barely recognised Aunt Louiselast seen when he was a child.
“Surprise! Weve come to visit,” she chirped, barging in with bags while her husband fetched more.
“We *really* werent expecting anyone,” Emily said flatly, shooting Andrew a look. Defeated, she sighed.
“Well, guestscome in, I suppose. You must be Aunt Louise.”
“Yes! Elizabeth Nortonmy daughter Lily, husband Mark. Dont worry, we wont overstay.”
Emily let them freshen up, then invited them to eat, stressing that dropping in unannounced wasnt proper.
“Weve nothing preparedmake do with whats in the fridge.”
“Oh, we brought gifts! Homemadeall from our garden.”
Aunt Louise unpacked cheeses, cured meats, smoked specialities filling the kitchen. Next came honey, jam, dried fruit.
“This is too much! Weve no space for it all.”
“Share with your parents. Store-boughts full of additivesours is pure. Jars dont need refrigerating.”
As they unpacked, Andrew rang his parentsthey were already en route. Elizabeth explained their visit.
“We didnt just come to meet you. Lilys finishing schoolapplying to uni. Good to know family, in case she needs help. Shell be in hallsbright girl, top of her class.”
The awkwardness eased. Elizabeth was warm; Andrew and Mark hit it off. Andrews parents arrived, and the meal turned lively. Everyone loved Elizabeths smoked cheese, homemade hamall delicious.
The unplanned visit became a pleasant reunion. Stories flowedold memories, shared acquaintances. Elizabeth sighed.
“I must visit my hometown again. Its been yearsprobably a ghost town now.”
Margaret offered them her spare roomhers was bigger. They agreed Lily would stay with the couple, Elizabeth and Mark with Margaret. Sunday, Emily and Andrew showed Lily LondonBig Ben, Camden, the Thames.
Monday dawned early. Elizabeth and Mark collected Lily. The couple bid farewell before work. That evening, they reflected.
“Lovely peoplebut why *our* place, not Margarets?”
“No clue. Ask MumI was eight last time I saw them.”
“They invited us. Maybe we could drive down this summerstop by on the coast trip. Bring Lily back to London if she gets in.”
Lily got her place. She stayed briefly before moving into halls, visitingMonths later, as Emily cradled their newborn daughter, she smiled, realizing familywhether expected or nothad a way of weaving itself into the tapestry of their lives.
