Weve sold you the house, but we still have the right to stay for a week, the previous owners said.
It was back in 1975 when we moved from the countryside into London. We bought a house on the outskirts of the city, completely oblivious to the surprise awaiting us
People back in the villages always lent each other a hand, and my parents were no different.
So when the previous owners asked if they could remain in our new house for a couple of weeks while they sorted out some paperwork, my parents naturally agreed.
Those people owned a massive and rather aggressive dog, a black brute we didnt want to keep since it never listened to us. That dog still lives in my memory.
One week went by, then two, then three, and the previous owners were still living in our house. Theyd lounge about until dinner, hardly ever stepping out, and it became clear they had little intention of leaving. Worse still, they carried on as if they owned the place, especially the previous owners mother.
My parents kept reminding them of our arrangement, but their departure seemed endlessly delayed.
Theyd let the dog out unsupervised. Not only did the mutt use our garden as a loo, but we were also actually frightened to step outside. The beast would have a go at anyone. My parents repeatedly asked that the dog not be let loose, but as soon as Dad was off to work and my brother and sister headed to school, their dog would immediately reappear in the garden.
As it turned out, the dog eventually helped my dad get rid of our unwanted guests.
One afternoon, my sister came home from school, not thinking about the dog as she opened the gate. The black monster knocked her down, and by some miracle, she escaped with nothing more than a few scrapes. Once the dog was caught and chained up, they dared blame my little sister, saying it was her fault for coming home early.
That evening, it all came to a head. Dad arrived home from work and, not even bothering to remove his coat, hauled the old lady out, dress and all, straight onto the street. Next out ran her daughter and husband. All their belongingsevery last coat, box and teapotsailed over the fence into the mud and puddles.
They tried to set their dog on Dad, but the animal, seeing what was happening, tucked his tail between his legs and curled up in his shed, refusing to budge. Within the hour, all their things were outside, the gate was locked, and their dog was left sitting behind the gate with them.
