Oh gosh, I have to tell you about this ridiculous thing that happened last summer! It was a Friday, my husband was off at work, and I was at home with my daughter. We popped into the local market to grab a few bits and bobs.
Once wed sorted the shopping, we headed home. My daughter started tidying up the living room and I got busy in the kitchen, sorting out dinner.
Suddenly, we hear this screech of brakes outside. Turns out some of my distant relatives decided to drop by unannouncedmy cousin Olivia, her husband Dave, and their fifteen-year-old daughter Emily.
So I did my best to welcome them in, got the kettle on, and quickly set the table. I asked what the occasion was, and well, apparently it was Olivias birthday yesterday and, out of the blue, they fancied a visit.
Of course, I was completely caught off guard; I hadnt prepared anything for guests. While they sipped their tea, I rang my husband, John, filled him in, and he suggested we make some pork skewers. Luckily, there was some pork stashed in the freezer just for that.
I went into the living room, apologised for not being ready, and explained the plan: wed marinate the pork and have it ready in a couple of hoursjust about when John would be home from work.
They seemed fine with that, gave me a nod, then all plopped themselves onto the sofa, turned on the telly, and settled in to watch some daytime television.
Honestly, I was a bit thrown by it all. I asked Dave if he could give me a hand chopping the meat, but he complained his hand was hurting. Olivia, meanwhile, muttered something about feeling travel-sick and just rolled over to carry on watching TV.
So, in silence, I set about chopping and marinating the meat. In the end, my daughter and I did everything ourselveswe set the table and sorted everything for dinner, while my relatives didnt offer so much as a finger to help out.
When John got home, I quietly told him what had happened. He couldnt believe itsaid they were incredibly rude! Still, he called everyone to the table for dinner.
And you wouldnt believe it: the atmosphere was absolutely dead. No one said a word, people just ate in silence. Dave grabbed three skewers straight off and tucked in like he hadnt eaten for days. I could tell John was not impressed with their behaviour.
After the meal, I asked if they might help with the washing up, thinking, well, maybe now theyll do the decent thing. But Olivia pipes up she cant risk ruining her manicure, and Emily, apparently, cant possibly do the dishes either.
Then, just as were thinking the evenings nearly over, they announce its too late to drive home and say theyll spend the nightbut not just that, they want to sleep in our bed, because Daves back needs a firm mattress.
That was the final straw for John; he absolutely lost his rag and shouted, Do you think this is a hotel and were your servants? Pack your bagsnowand go home!
I was honestly gobsmacked. I tried to calm him down but, seeing my relatives reactions, wellthey legged it out the door, hopped in their car, and sped off without another word.
Honestly, what a mad day! Families, eh?
