Well be staying with you for a while, as we havent got enough money to rent our own place! my friend told me.
Ive always been a lively woman. Even though Im 65, I still manage to visit all sorts of places and meet fascinating people. I look back on my younger days with both joy and nostalgia. Back then, you could spend your holidays wherever you pleased! You could go off to the seaside. You could go camping with friends and workmates. You could even take a boat trip down any river you fancied. And you could do it all on just a few pounds.
But all of that seems like a distant memory now.
I’ve always enjoyed meeting new people. I met folks on the beach, at the theatremany of them became friends I kept for years.
One summer, I met a woman named Helen. We ended up sharing a room at a guesthouse during our holiday. We parted as friends and, for a few years, kept in touch with the odd letter and greetings at Christmas or birthdays. Then, one day, an unsigned telegram arrived. All it said was, The train comes in at three in the morning. Wait for me at the station!
I couldn’t fathom who would send such a message. Of course, my husband and I didnt go anywhere. But at four oclock in the morning, our doorbell rang. I answered it, and my jaw dropped with shock. There stood Helen, two teenage girls, an elderly grandmother, and a man, all surrounded by heaps of luggage. My husband and I were speechless. But, eventually, we let them inside. Helen turned to me and said:
Why didnt you meet us? I sent you a telegram! Besides, the taxi was expensive!
Im sorry, but I had no idea who sent it, I replied.
Well, I had your address, she said. Here I am.
I thought wed just keep in touch by post, I said, still bewildered.
Helen then explained that one of the girls had just finished school and wanted to study at university. The whole family had come along to support her.
Well be staying with you, she announced. We cant afford rentand your place is so central!
I was stunned. After all, we werent even related. Why should we let them move in? We had to feed them three times a day. While they sometimes brought home a bit of food shopping, not once did they cook. I found myself running around after everyone.
After three days, Id had enough. I asked Helen and her family to move out. I truly didnt care where they went. Chaos ensued. Helen started smashing crockery and screamed the house down in hysteria.
I was absolutely shocked by her behaviour. Eventually, they all left. As it turned out, they managed to pinch my dressing gown, some towels, andquite impressivelymy biggest pot, which had been full of cabbage stew. To this day, Ive no idea how on earth they managed to carry it off. But the pot vanished!
Just like that, our friendship ended. Thank heavens! I never saw or heard from her again. These days, Im far more cautious about whom I let into my home. Lifes experiences have taught me an important lesson: kindness is a virtue, but never lose sight of your own boundaries and self-respect.
