Very well, we wont throw you out for the holidays, she said, her voice flat. Prepare three bedrooms my sisters and my niece will stay overnight. Youll sleep in the kitchen.
Eleanor Whitfield, is that all? Do you forget Im the sole owner of this house? I have the title deeds to prove it. So dont even think of trying to get in the police will have you escorted out.
It was a crisp Tuesday in early December, two weeks before the New Year, when Valerie finished her shift at the textile mill and set off for the town centre of Birmingham. She had been invited by her longtime friend Olivia to join a festive gathering at Olivias house.
Valerie knew the guest list well: Olivias daughter with her husband and children, her sister, and her niece, a university student. She was a regular visitor to Olivias home and knew everyones tastes, so she intended to buy presents in advance.
Choosing gifts had always been Valeries forte; giving them, her delight. She could already picture herself wandering through the glittering aisles of the shopping arcade, watching the shop assistants wrap parcels in sparkling paper, the scent of pine and cinnamon filling the air.
Her good humour soured the moment she stepped out onto the car park. Waiting beside her hatchback was Rita, the sister of her former husband, Michael.
Val, hello! Rita called, shivering. Why did it take you so long? Im practically turned to ice.
Good afternoon, Rita, Valerie replied, surprised to see her. I didnt expect to run into you here.
Why not? Were still family, after all, Rita said briskly. Weve been considered relatives for at least twenty years.
Thankfully were no longer counted as such, Valerie answered, reaching for the car door.
Rita halted her. Listen, Val, I have a favour to ask not just me, but the whole clan.
What clan? Valerie asked, guarded. Ive been estranged from your family for a year now. Im not entertaining any requests.
Just hear me out, Rita persisted. I dont know how you and Michael split the assets, but your mother still believes the house you live in belongs to our side of the family.
You and Mike bought it together, and he spent a decade fixing it up. We all gathered there for Christmas and May Day celebrations. Whats changed?
My mother was planning to host her birthday in May, with the whole family, set the tables on the veranda as we always did. And you turned her away, driving off somewhere unknown.
Why are you telling me all this? Valerie asked. I was simply visiting a friend, then I left. Im sorry, I forgot to ask you.
And forget about your family gatherings in my house. When Mike and I divorced, we agreed: the flat, the car and the garage went to him, the house to me. We signed everything officially. So now you can meet in Michaels flat. Thats final.
Val, my mother asked if we could use the house on the 31st, as we used to. A crowd will arrive well have nowhere else to put the relatives, Rita pleaded.
Eleanor Whitfield really? After twenty years of her only demanding from me, she suddenly asks for a favour? Tell her I refuse and have the relatives stay in a hotel.
Valerie slipped back into her car. The spirit for shopping had evaporated. Ill buy them tomorrow, she thought, and drove home.
She and Michael had lived together for nearly twenty years. The house in question had been purchased ten years earlier. A year before, Michael announced, At fortyfive lifes not over yet, and spoke of building a future with his charming young secretary.
Valerie did not try to hold Michael back, but she would not be humiliated. The house and the family savings stayed with her; Michael received a twobedroom flat, a Toyota Carina, and a garage.
Because Valeries only remaining dependent was her universitygoing daughter, Michael made no claim on the joint account.
A few days earlier, Lisa had called, telling Valerie she would spend New Years Eve in her dormitory.
Mom, will you be angry? she asked. Ill be home for the holidays.
Accepting Olivias invitation, Valerie felt the upcoming gathering would lift her spirits. Knowing Rita, she sensed more trouble lay ahead and she was right.
That evening, an unexpected call came from her former motherinlaw:
Valerie, arent you taking on too much? Youve cheekily seized Mikes house and now think you can outrun us?
Valeries reply was firm: Well all be spending New Years at our own home, the one my son graciously let you live in. Understood?
Fine, we wont evict you for the holiday. Prepare three bedrooms my sisters and my niece will stay. Youll sleep in the kitchen.
Eleanor Whitfield, do you forget Im the sole owner? I have the papers. Dont even think of breaking in the police will have you thrown out.
Well see who gets thrown out! Eleanor retorted. Just get the rooms ready; well bring all the food, so you wont have to cook. And dont argue, youll remember this New Year for the rest of your life!
In my opinion, Eleanors mother has gone completely off her rocker this year, Valerie mused later.
Eleanor had never been a peacemaker, but todays outburst shocked her former daughterinlaw. Did the woman truly expect Valerie to cower and follow her orders?
Once, Valerie had been regarded as the model daughterinlaw; the other two had bowed to Eleanors authority. Now, after the divorce, Eleanors words only raised Valeries eyebrows: what were they hoping to achieve?
Meanwhile, in Eleanors flat, a plan was unfolding.
Rita, you and Oliver are in charge of buying the provisions. Get everything we can, ahead of time. Well be cooking on the evening of the 31st and the morning of the 1st, Eleanor instructed.
Well handle the cold cuts and hot dishes. Samantha and Lucy will make the salads. Well store everything in containers, and well ask Val for the tableware she still has two service sets. Michael never took any when he moved out, Oliver replied.
Mother, what if she refuses to let us in? Rita asked.
Let her try! Well be twelve in total the whole clan. Shell be embarrassed. Imagine her opening the door to find Uncle Ken, Aunt Lucy, Lena, Natalie and the rest standing on the porch. She cant possibly close it on us.
On the night of 31December, at nine oclock, four cars pulled up outside number14 East Street, a modest terraced house in the suburb of Sutton.
Strange, said Oliver, Ritas husband, glancing at the dark windows. The lights arent on. Maybe Val isnt home?
Where could she be? Shes at home. And Lisa must have arrived too. Theyre hiding, avoiding us, Eleanor chuckled. Ring the bell.
No one answered, and the front door remained shut.
I have a spare key, Eleanor announced, pulling a small metal key from her pocket. Id figured Val might try something, so I kept one.
She unlocked the side gate, and the whole party streamed into the courtyard.
Hold on, Ill open the house, she called. Lights on, bring everything into the kitchen; well set the table quickly. As for Val, let her hide if she wishes we wont be asking her to the table.
Minutes ticked by, then a clatter sounded from the hallway.
The lady of the house has finally appeared, Oliver announced, only to discover it wasnt the lady at all.
Valerie, meanwhile, was helping Olivia lay the table; the guests were due any minute.
Her phone rang abruptly.
Valerie Hart? Your alarm system has been triggered. The patrol unit is on its way, a police operator said.
There are twelve people here, all claiming to be my relatives and insisting they have permission to be inside, Valerie replied, bewildered.
I never gave anyone permission. Theyre probably relatives of my exhusband, uninvited. Ill be filing a report.
Ill do that, but Im out of town until the day after tomorrow, the operator replied.
The uninvited guests were escorted to the police station, where they spent a few hours. By the time they arrived at Eleanors flat, the salads were already wilting and the hot dishes had cooled.
When Valerie finally returned home, Michael called, demanding she retrieve the police report.
Val, didnt you change the lock? Didnt you anticipate this? he asked.
I didnt change it why would I damage the door? I just installed the new deadbolt and am using it, she answered.
Then why did you lock the old one when you left?
I suspected your mother would refuse to stay away and would show up with her guests. I didnt want the uninvited crowd damaging the door, Valerie explained.
So you deliberately left the old lock, knowing she had a key, and set the alarm? You provoked them! You wanted them caught?
Mike, your family could have celebrated New Years at their own home. They chose otherwise, and now theyre at the police station. Thats not my fault.
By the way, I had to tidy the house and air it out after they left. The food theyd already set out had gone a bit off by the time I got back.
Why didnt you tell Rita you were going to arm the house? Michael asked.
Theres a sign on the gate and the door that reads Protected by Police. Anyone can read that, Valerie replied.
Pass this message on to your mother, Rita, Oliver and everyone else I wont be hosting them again, she said.
Ill collect the report this time, but it wont happen again. Theyll answer to the law in full force
What do you think of the former familys actions? Share your thoughts in the comments and give a like if you agree.
