“Why come see me? I dont even remember you! Why should I welcome you into our home? I dont even know you!”
“Hello, Emily!”
“Hello?” Emily replied, startled. The number was hidden, and the voice was unfamiliar, yet theyd used her name.
“Its Aunt Liz from ManchesterAndys aunt. We couldnt make it to your wedding, but now that things are settled, we thought wed visit and meet the family.”
Emily was too thrown to respond. She had no idea Andy had an aunt in Manchester. Over a year since the wedding, and no one had ever mentioned her.
“You must have the wrong number.”
“You *are* Emily, right?”
“Yes, but Ive never heard of Andy having an aunt in Manchester.”
“Andy Thompson is your husband?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Im his aunt.”
“Thats all well and good, but theres no need to visit.”
“Why not?”
“Were not working, and were not taking guests.”
“Some hospitality. Didnt expect that.”
“Sorry, I havent got time to chat.”
Emily ended the call. She wasnt one to be pushed around and always stood her ground.
“More visitorsjust what we needed. Ill ask Andy about this aunt from Manchester when hes home.” Resolved, she went back to her tasks.
That evening, her mother-in-law rang.
“Hello, Emily! Its been ages since you visited.”
“Hello, Margaret! Ill pop by tomorrow with groceries and those vitamins I picked up.”
“Thank you, dear. Weve got everythingjust wanted to see you. Did Lisa call you?”
“A woman rang, claiming to be Andys aunt. Wanted to visit. I told her it wasnt a good time.”
“She called me after, saying you were rude.”
“Margaret, you know me better than that.”
“Precisely why I mentioned it,” the mother-in-law said drily.
“Im driving now. Well talk tomorrow.”
Things between Emily and her mother-in-law hadnt been smooth from the start.
Andy grew up in a military family. His father, John, was strict, instilling discipline in his son. Around him, Andy was impeccable. But with John often away on assignments, his absence left Andy unruly.
His mothers constant nagging grated on him. The more she smothered, the worse he behavedskipping school, dodging sports. She never told John, knowing punishment would be harsh, all to protect her son.
As an adult, Andy stayed under her watchcalls multiple times a day, “coincidental” pick-ups from work.
All his friends were married. Nearing 30, his mother fretted over her brilliant son staying single. Shed suggest girls from her friends circles, which only made him laugh. No queue of women formed, despite his charm.
Then the day cameAndy announced hed introduce his fiancée that weekend.
His father approved; his mother didnt. Margaret was used to ruling the household, and the men obeyed. Seeing how Andy doted on Emily, she saw a rival.
Emily was confident, never sought her approval, and in disagreements, Andy sided with his wife.
They lived in Andys flat, bought with his parents help before the wedding.
At first, Margaret dropped by unannounced to “check” things. But Emily shut that down fast.
“Dont come without warning or when were out, or well take back your keys.”
“This flat isnt just Andyswe helped buy it. Ive every right to visit.”
“Explainwhat for? What exactly are you planning to *do* here?”
Margaret faltered. Admitting she wanted to inspect the cleaning would sound ridiculous. Emily pressed on.
“Im the lady of this house now. Respect that or lose access.”
“Im his mother! We raised him, gave him everything. You waltzed in here like”
“Thanks for raising him. But Andy brought me here, and this is *my* home now. Those are the terms.”
Andy backed her, bruising his mothers pride. But the newlyweds ignored her sulking. After weeks, she caved.
No more unannounced visitsonly when Emily was home, and only with a call. Each time, Emily welcomed her warmly with tea or wine.
Early on, Margaret nitpicked about the house. Emily deflected with humor or offers:
“Sorry, works been mad. Feel free to tidy upI wont mind a break.”
“Youve got no food readywhat do you even eat?”
“Fridge is full. Whoevers hungry cooks. Help yourself.”
Gradually, they warmed to each othereven became friendly. Margaret visited with treats.
Emily and Andy popped over for dinners, bringing groceries. John, retired but still working, was seldom home; Margaret craved company.
“Anything you need? Ill driveno heavy bags for you.”
That evening, they dined together. Margaret sent leftovers home to spare Emily cooking. Naturally, the “aunt” came up.
“What did Aunt Liz say?”
“Wanted to visit. I said no.”
“Good. Howd she get your number?”
“No idea.”
“She called me after. My cousin. We barely talk. Had a rough lifedivorced, remarried badly. Lives near Manchester now, remarried again. House, garden, pets. Her daughters applying to university in London.”
“Whats that to us?”
“She wants us to meetworries about her only child. Wants someone to look out for her.”
“So shes angling for her daughter to live *here*?”
“Itd be awkward to refuse family.”
“Awkward? When did you last see them? Andy doesnt remember them. Do you even have their address?” Emily didnt wait for an answer. “Lets not invite trouble. I dont know them.”
After goodbyes, Emily left. She told Andy about the call; he barely reacted. The matter faded.
The week passed. Saturday arrivedno plans, just rest. At noon, the doorbell rang.
Emily was cooking; Andy lounged on the sofa.
“Expecting someone?”
“Nope. You get itIm busy.”
“Ugh, fine.” Andy trudged to the door and cracked it open.
Three strangers stood there. Andy barely recognized Aunt Lizlast seen when he was a boy.
“Surprise! Weve come to visit,” she chirped, bustling in with bags while her husband fetched more.
“We *really* werent expecting anyone,” Emily said flatly, shooting Andy a look. Resigned, she sighed. “Well, come in, then. You must be Aunt Liz.”
“Yes! Elizabeth Bennett. This is my daughter Claire and my husband Mark. Dont worrywe wont overstay.”
Emily let them freshen up, then invited them to eat, noting how rude it was to show up unannounced.
“Weve nothing prepared, so its fridge leftovers.”
“Oh, we brought gifts! All homemadeour own produce.”
Aunt Liz unpacked cheeses, cured meats, smoked specialties. The kitchen filled with rich aromas. Next came jars of honey, jam, dried fruit.
“This is too much! We cant eat all this.”
“Share with your in-laws! All natural, no additives. Jams dont need refrigeration.”
As they unpacked, Andy rang his parentsthey were already on their way. Aunt Liz explained their visit.
“We wanted to meet the family. Claire finishes school this yearapplying to university. Thought wed introduce her in case she needs help. Shell stay in dormssuch a bright girl.”
The awkwardness eased. Elizabeth was warm; Andy got on with Mark. His parents arrived.
Dinner was lively. Emily relaxed, even smiled. Everyone loved Elizabeths smoked cheese, home-cured hamall delicious.
The unplanned visit turned into a pleasant reunion. Stories flowedold memories, shared relatives. Elizabeth sighed.
“One day Ill go back to my village. Bet everyones moved to cities now.”
Margaret offered them her spare roomthe flat was too cramped. They agreed: Claire would stay with Emily and Andy; Elizabeth and Mark with Margaret.
Sunday, they showed Claire LondonBig Ben, Camden, the Thames.
Early Monday, Elizabeth and Mark collected Claire. Emily and Andy left for work after quick goodbyes.
That evening, they debriefed. Emily found it odd theyd come to them first.
“Lovely people, though. Whyd you lose touch?”
“No clue. Ask MumI was eight last time I saw them.”
“They invited us. Maybe we could drive down this summerstop by on the way to the coast. Bring Claire back to London if she gets into uni.”
Claire got her place. She stayed a few nights before moving into dorms, popping by occasionally. Emily and Andy postponed their tripthey had their own happy news on the way.
