The telephone roused Valerie at five in the morning. An unknown number flashed on the screen.
“Yes?” she answered dryly.
“Val?” a loud, cheerful womans voice chimed. “Is that you?”
“It is,” Valerie replied, indifferent.
“Its me!” the woman exclaimed. “Do you recognise me?”
“I do,” Valerie lied out of politeness, though she hadnt the faintest idea who was speaking.
“I knew youd remember straight away!” the woman continued, delighted. “How lovely to catch you. Are you free to talk now?”
“I am.”
“Splendid! My husband, the children, and I have just arrived at the stationgot off the train an hour ago. Can you hear me alright?”
“Perfectly.”
“You sound a tad quiet. Are you sure everythings all right, Val?”
“Everythings fine.”
“Oh, Im ever so glad. At first, we thought wed stay at a hotelimagined we had no family left in this city. Then we remembered you! Do you see?”
“I do.”
“Such luck, recalling you just in time. Youve no idea how thrilled we wereespecially the children.”
“I can imagine.”
“And my husband said straight off, Ring Valerie. She wont let us down.”
“He was right. I wont.”
“So, youll let us stay with you? Have I got that right?”
“You have. Of course.”
“We shant be long,” the woman prattled on. “Just a fortnightto see the sights, then back home we go. Theres ever so much to do there, and as they say, theres no place like home. Dont you agree?”
“I do.”
“We thought as much! My husband especially. He said, Val would never turn us awaywere family, after all. Distant, perhaps, and the last we met was ten years back, but stillfamily. Isnt that so?”
“It is.”
“You live alone now?”
“I do.”
“In a three-bedroom flat?”
“Yes.”
“So, well come straight over?”
“Do.”
“Well be there within the hour. You still live in the same place?”
“I do.”
“Then expect us soon!”
“I shall.”
Valerie switched off the phone, set it on the nightstand, rolled over, and pulled the blanket over her head. She fell back asleep without much care for who, exactly, shed just spoken to.
An hour later, the doorbell chimed. Valerie glanced at the clock, shut her eyes, and turned away. The phone rang again. Valerie slept on.
After a while, fists pounded on the door. Valerie remained unmoved. Finally, the phone rang once more.
“Yes?” she murmured, eyes still closed.
“Val, darling?” the same woman cried.
“Yes?”
“Its us! Weve arrived. Weve been ringing and knocking, but youre not answering!”
“Youre ringing?”
“We are!”
“StrangeI dont hear it.”
“I cant imagine why. Try again, will you?”
The phone in the flat trilled.
“Therewere ringing!” the woman announced.
“No,” Valerie said, “still nothing. Now try knocking.”
A sharp rap sounded at the door.
“Were knocking!”
“Nothing,” Valerie replied.
“I mustve got it wrong,” the woman fretted.
“What?”
“Where are you now, Val?”
“What dyou mean, where? At home.”
“Wheres home?”
“Manchester,” Valerie answered, the first place that came to mind. “Where else would I be?”
“Manchester? Why not London?”
“I moved nine years agoright after the divorce.”
“Why?”
“Why the divorce?”
“Why the move?”
“Grew tired of London. Too many unpleasant memories.”
“Is Manchester better?”
“Of course. Much better.”
“How so?”
“Everything. Whatever I do. And no wretched memories. But why am I telling you? Come and see for yourself. How many are you?”
“Four. Me, my husband, and the two children. The eldest is Paul, the youngers Andrew. Andrews trying for universitythird time this year.”
“Well, all four of you must come. Weve a fine university here too.”
“When should we?”
“Now, if you like.”
“Not possible! Weve too much to sort in London. Andrew only wants to study there. We came to settle work mattersmeant to stay with you a whole year. But there you have it.”
“So, youre not coming today?”
“Afraid not.”
“Pity. Id quite looked forward to it.”
“Oh, were gutted. Youve no idea.”
“I think I have.”
“No, you truly havent. The thought of what lies aheadits enough to make one dread living.”
Valerie decided it was time to end the call.
“Right then,” she said, “if not now, come when you can. Ill always welcome you. Once youre settled in London, send your address straightaway. Ill visitfor a fortnight or so. Well see how it goes. After all, youre the only family Ive left there now. Agreed? Youll send your address?”
But Valerie heard no replythe line had gone dead.
