Right, we wont kick you out for the holidays. Just get three bedrooms ready my sisters and my niece will stay over, you can crash in the kitchen.
Mrs. Gallagher, do you even own this house? I have the title deeds. So dont even try to get in the police will have you out.
Today after work, Victoria was about to swing by the shopping centre. NewYears was only two weeks away and an old friend, Sarah, had invited her over.
Victoria knew the place would be packed: Sarahs daughter with her husband and kids, her sister, and her niece a university student.
Shed been to Sarahs flat a lot, so she knew everyone. Shed already thought about buying presents in advance.
Victorias a good picker when it comes to gifts, and she loves handing them out. Already she could picture herself wandering the festivelydecorated aisles, admiring the glittery wrap, watching the shop assistant tuck each parcel into shiny paper.
But her mood soured the moment she stepped outside. In the car park, by her boot, waited Rachel the sister of her exhusband.
Hey, Vicky! Rachel chirped. What took you so long? Im practically frozen solid.
Good afternoon, Rachel. Didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? Were family, after all, Rachel replied. At least for the past twenty years weve acted like it.
Glad thats over, Victoria said, reaching for the car door.
But Rachel held her back.
Listen, Vicky, Ive got a favour to ask. Actually, its the whole family.
What family? I havent spoken to yours in a year. Im not taking any requests, Victoria snapped.
No, just listen. I dont know how you and Michael split the assets, but Mum still thinks the house you live in belongs to our side.
You and Mike bought it together, and he spent ten years fixing it up. We all celebrated NewYear and May Day there as a family. Whats the problem now?
Mum planned to host her birthday in May at the house, set the tables on the veranda, just like we always did. And you turned us away. You drove off somewhere.
I dont get why youre telling me all this, Victoria said. I was just visiting a friend, thought Id drop by. Sorry, I forgot to ask you.
And forget about having your family gatherings in my house. When Mike and I split, we agreed: flat, car and garage go to him, the house to me. We signed everything off the record. So you can now meet at Mikes flat. Thats it.
Vicky, Mum asked if we could let guests stay at the house on the 31st, like before. A lot of people will turn up well have nowhere to fit the whole clan, Rachel pleaded.
Mrs. Gallagher, really? After twenty years of her only ever nagging me? I cant believe it. Tell her Im not having it. Book the relatives a hotel instead.
Victoria slipped into the drivers seat, her enthusiasm for gifthunting gone. Ill buy them tomorrow, she thought, and drove home.
She and Michael had been together nearly twenty years. Theyd bought the house ten years ago.
A year ago, Michael declared, At fortyfive my life isnt over and said hed start a new chapter with his charming young secretary.
Victoria didnt try to stop him, but she also didnt let him walk all over her. She kept the house and the familys savings; Michael got a twobed flat, a Toyota Corolla, and a garage.
Because Victorias only dependent left was her universitygoing daughter, Michael didnt press for a joint account.
A few days earlier, Lisa called and said shed be staying in a student dorm over the holidays.
Mom, will you be angry? she asked. Ill be home for the break.
Victoria accepted Sarahs invitation. With that crowd she wouldnt be lonely.
Knowing Rachel, she sensed this wasnt the end they wouldnt let her off that easy. And she was right.
That evening her former motherinlaw rang:
Victoria, arent you taking on too much? Youve grabbed the house from Michael, now you think well have nowhere to complain?
Fine, well all spend NewYears in my house the one my son graciously let you live in. Got that?
Alright then, we wont evict you for the festivities. Sort out three bedrooms my sisters and niece will stay, youll be on kitchen duty.
Mrs. Gallagher, do you forget Im the sole owner? Ive got the deeds. Dont even think of barging in the police will have you out.
Well see who gets the upper hand! Anyway, get the rooms ready, well bring all the food, so you wont have to cook a thing. And dont argue, youll remember this NewYear forever!
Honestly, Michaels mother has gone off the rails this year, Victoria thought.
Mrs. Gallagher had never been a peacemaker, but her latest performance impressed the exdaughterinlaw. Did she really expect Victoria to cower and obey?
Previously, Victoria had been the model daughterinlaw; the other two eventually accepted the motherinlaws authority.
Now, after the divorce, the old womans words only left Victoria puzzled: what were they counting on?
Meanwhile, in Mrs. Gallaghers flat, a plan was shaping.
Rachel, you and Alex are in charge of the groceries. Buy everything you can, ahead of time. Well cook on the evening of the 31st and the morning of the 1st.
Well handle the meat and the hot dishes. Sarah and Olivia will do the salads. Well pack everything in containers, and well borrow the dinnerware from Vicky she still has two service sets. Michael never took any when he moved.
Mom, what if she refuses to let us in? Rachel asked.
Let her try! Well be twelve, the whole clan. Shell be embarrassed. Imagine the scene.
Shell open the door and Uncle Kostas and Aunt Lucy, Lyn and Natalie, and the rest will be waiting on the porch. Do you really think shell shut the door on them? Shell let us in, maybe even help set the table. Its family!
At 9p.m. on 31December, four cars pulled up in front of number14 Eastern Road.
Odd, Alex, Rachels husband, remarked. The lights are off. Maybe Victorias not home?
Where could she be? Shes at home. And Lisas probably arrived. Theyre hiding, trying to keep us at bay, Mrs. Gallagher laughed. Ring the bell.
No one answered, the door stayed shut.
Ive got a spare key, Mrs. Gallagher said. I knew Vicky might try something, so I kept one.
She opened the gate and the whole gang marched into the courtyard.
Hold on, Ill get the house open. Here we go. Turn the lights on and bring everything into the kitchen, well set the table in a flash. And Vicky, if you want, disappear. We wont even invite you to the table.
About twenty minutes later a clatter erupted in the hallway.
The lady of the house is finally here, Alex announced.
But it wasnt her.
Victoria was busy helping Sarah set the table the guests were due any minute.
Suddenly her phone rang.
Is this Victoria Collins? Your alarm has gone off. The police are on their way.
There are twelve people here, all claiming to be relatives with your permission.
I never gave anyone permission. Most likely theyre my exhusbands family. I didnt invite them. Theyre trespassing.
Will you be filing a report?
Yes. Im out of town and wont be back until the day after tomorrow.
The uninvited crowd spent a few hours at the police station. By the time they got back to Mrs. Gallaghers flat, the salads were already wilting and the hot dishes had cooled.
When Victoria finally got home, Michael called, demanding the report.
Vicky, I thought youd changed the lock. Didnt you suspect? he asked.
I didnt change it why break a door? I just put a new lock on and use it, she replied.
So why lock it with the old one when you left?
I guessed your mother wouldnt be satisfied and would show up with her guests. You should have heard how she talked to me. I didnt want the strangers messing up the door, Victoria explained.
So you purposely left the old lock, which Mum had a key for, and set the alarm? You provoked them! You wanted them caught?
Mike, your side could have celebrated NewYears at their own home. They chose otherwise, so they ended up at the police station. Thats not my fault.
By the way, I had to clean and air out the house after they left the food theyd already set out was a bit spoiled by the time I got back.
Why didnt you tell Rachel youd trigger the alarm? Michael pressed.
Why would I? The gate and door have signs that read Protected by Police. Everyone can read them.
Anyway, pass on my hello to your mum, Rachel, Alex and the rest, and let them know I wont be hosting them again.
This time Ill take the report, but it wont happen again. Theyll face the full force of the law
What do you think of the exfamilys antics? Drop a comment with your thoughts and give it a like.
