“We’ll Stay at Yours for a While – We Can’t Afford a Flat!” My Friend Announced I’m a very active woman. Even though I’m 65, I still explore new places and meet fascinating people. I look back at my youth with both joy and nostalgia—back then, you could spend your holidays anywhere! Trips to the seaside, camping adventures with friends, river cruises… and all of it for next to nothing. Sadly, those days are over. I always loved meeting new faces, whether on the beach or at the theatre, and maintained many lifelong friendships. One summer, I met a woman named Sarah. We bonded on holiday at the same guesthouse and parted as friends, exchanging letters now and then over the years. Then, one day, an unsigned telegram arrived: “The train gets in at three in the morning. Meet me!” I had no idea who sent it, so my husband and I stayed home. But at four a.m. our doorbell rang. There stood Sarah, two teenage girls, a grandmother, and a man, all loaded with luggage. My husband and I were stunned, but we let them in. Sarah exclaimed: “Why didn’t you meet us? I sent a telegram! And honestly, that was expensive.” “I’m sorry, I didn’t know who’d sent it!” I replied. “Well, you gave me your address. Here I am.” “I thought we’d just write letters…” Sarah explained that one of the girls had finished school and wanted to study in London, so the whole family had come to support her. “We’ll live with you! We can’t afford a flat or a hotel!” I was shocked—we weren’t even related! Yet suddenly, we were feeding and housing unexpected guests, who brought some food but didn’t cook, relying entirely on us. I was effectively running after all of them. After three days, I asked Sarah and her family to leave; I didn’t care where. A huge row broke out. Sarah began smashing dishes and shrieking hysterically. Stunned, I watched them pack up. Somehow, they even managed to steal my bathrobe, towels, and a large saucepan—which simply disappeared! And so, my friendship with Sarah abruptly ended. Thank goodness—I never saw or heard from her again. How could anyone be so audacious? Now, I’m far more cautious about trusting new people.

Well be staying at your place for a while, since we havent got the money to rent a flat! my friend told me.

Im quite an energetic man, despite being 65 years old. I manage to travel around, exploring new corners and meeting fascinating folks every chance I get. I often look back on my youth, with both nostalgia and a bittersweet smile. Back then, holidays could be anything I wanted a trip to the seaside, camping with mates, or hopping on a river cruise. All those adventures, and it barely cost a penny.

Sadly, those days are behind me now. Ive always delighted in meeting people from all walks of life chatting on the beach, exchanging stories in the theatre. Some friendships from those encounters have spanned decades.

One memorable summer, I met a woman named Emily while on holiday at a guesthouse in Devon; we parted ways as friends. Years passed, and occasionally wed send each other letters.

Then, one day, a telegram arrived. It wasnt signed; it simply read, Train arrives at three in the morning. Please meet me! I honestly hadnt a clue who sent it, and my wife and I certainly didnt make any nocturnal journeys to the station.

But, at four oclock that morning, someone knocked at our door. When I opened it, I was utterly stunned. There stood Emily, two teenage girls, an elderly lady, and a chap I didnt recognise, surrounded by mountains of luggage. My wife and I exchanged bewildered looks before letting them in. Emily immediately demanded:

Why didnt you meet us? I sent you a telegram! And by the way, it wasnt cheap!
Sorry, but we had no idea who sent it!
Well, you did give me your address. Here I am.
I thought wed just exchange letters, thats all!

Emily explained that one of the girls had just finished her A-levels and wanted to start university, so the whole family had come along to support her.

Well be living with you! We cant afford a flat or a hotel!

I was gobsmacked. We werent even relatives! Why should we let them move in with us? Suddenly, we were feeding the lot of them three meals a day. Theyd brought a few groceries, but never once cooked for themselves. They simply helped themselves to whatever we had, leaving me running around after them.

After three exhausting days, my patience ran dry and I asked Emily and her family to leave. I didnt care where they went.

A row blew up. Emily began smashing dishes and yelling at the top of her lungs.

I was shocked beyond words at her tantrum. Eventually, she and her clan started hastily packing, managing to nick my dressing gown, several towels, and somehow my largest saucepan. Ive no idea how they got away with it, but the saucepan was simply gone!

That episode marked the end of our friendship, and honestly, thank goodness. I never heard from her again. How can anyone be so shameless?

Nowadays, Im far more wary of the people I let into my life. The lesson I learned: kindness shouldnt mean letting common sense fly out the window.