**Unwelcome Guests**
The phone jolted Emily awake at five in the morning. A strangers number flashed on the screen.
“Yes?” she said flatly.
“Emily, dear?” came a loud, cheerful womans voice. “Is that you?”
“It is,” Emily replied, indifferent.
“Its me!” the woman exclaimed. “Do you recognize me?”
Emily humored her. “Of course I do,” she lied, having no idea who it was.
“I knew youd remember!” the woman gushed. “Thank goodness I caught you. Are you free to talk?”
“I am.”
“Brilliant! My husband, the kids, and I just got off the train at Kings Cross. We arrived an hour ago. Can you hear me alright?”
“Perfectly.”
“You sound a bit quiet. Are you sure everythings all right, love?”
“Everythings fine.”
“How lovely! We were going to book a hotelthought we had no family here. Then we remembered *you* lived in London! Isnt that just wonderful?”
“Wonderful,” Emily echoed.
“Couldnt believe our luck! The children were over the moon. Especially little Oliver.”
“I can imagine.”
“My husband said straightaway, Ring Emily. Shed never turn us away.”
“Quite right. I wouldnt.”
“So might we stay with you? Just for a bit?”
“Of course.”
“Oh, we wont be long!” the woman promised. “Only a fortnight. Sightseeing, then back to Manchester. You know what they sayhome is where the heart is!”
“I do.”
“We *knew* youd agree! My husband said, Emily would never refuse family. Even if its been ten years, blood is blood, isnt it?”
“Absolutely.”
“You still live alone?”
“I do.”
“In that three-bed flat?”
“Yes.”
“So well come now?”
“Come ahead.”
“Well be there in an hour. Still at the same place?”
“Still here.”
“See you soon, then!”
Emily hung up, dropped the phone on the nightstand, and burrowed under the duvet. She fell back asleep without sparing another thought for the mystery caller.
An hour later, the doorbell rang. Emily checked the clock, shut her eyes, and rolled over. Her phone buzzed. She ignored it. When the knocking started, she stayed perfectly still. Finally, the phone rang again.
“Yes?” she mumbled.
“Emily, sweetheart!” came the same chirpy voice.
“Yes?”
“Were here! Ringing and knocking, but youre not answering!”
“Are you ringing now?”
“Yes!”
“Strange. I dont hear it.”
“Try again!”
The doorbell sounded.
“Thats us!” the woman said.
“No,” Emily sighed. “Still nothing. Try knocking.”
A series of raps echoed.
“Knocking now!”
“Nope. Cant hear a thing.”
“Oh dear,” the woman faltered. “Where *are* you, love?”
“What do you mean? At home.”
“Wheres home?”
“Birmingham,” Emily said, plucking the first city that came to mind. “Where else?”
“*Birmingham?* Not London?”
“Moved eight years ago. Right after the divorce.”
“Why?”
“Why Birmingham?”
“Yes!”
“Got tired of London. Too many bad memories.”
“Birminghams better?”
“Obviously. No reminders. Lovely place. Why dont you come see for yourselves? How many are you?”
“Four. Me, my husband, and the boys. Olivers trying for uni *again* this yearthird times the charm!”
“Well, all four of you should visit. Weve got a cracking university here.”
“When should we come?”
“Nows good.”
“Oh, we cant! Oliver only wants Londonweve got *so* much to sort. Wed planned to stay with you a whole year! But, well”
“So youre not coming today?”
“Afraid not.”
“Pity. Id cleared my schedule.”
“Were gutted, love. Truly.”
“Im sure.”
“No, you *cant* imagine! The thought of whats aheadits unbearable!”
Emily decided it was time to wrap up.
“Right,” she said brightly. “When youre settled in London, send your address. Ill pop round for a fortnight. See how it goes. After all, youre all Ive got there now. Deal?”
But the line went dead before she heard a reply.
*Sometimes, the kindest lies are the ones that save your peace.*
