They had carefully kept their newly purchased holiday cottage a secret from the relatives. Everything needed to be sorted out immediately. Grab the spades and start working in the garden. They arent coming anymore.
A phone call shattered the morning silence so abruptly that Emily nearly jumped. The screen flashed: Aunt Margaret.
Emmy, darling! came an excited voice. Guess what? Were coming to your country house!
Her tea froze mid-sip. Aunt Margaret was the very one who had popped in to stay at their new flat for three months while her own place was being done up. Those endless months had been filled with constant comments: Why dont you have this? or Why do you do it like that?always followed by her favourite line, Back in my day
How are you coming? Whos we? Emily managed to choke out.
Oh, just me and the girls! Fancy a week away, Aunt Margaret chirped, laughter and the clink of glasses in the background. Whats the issue? Family first, love!
The word family had always been Aunt Margarets golden ticket, unlocking any door. After the flat ordeal, Emily and Tom had sworn not to tell anyone about the cottage. But someone must have let it slipeven given away the address.
Aunt Margaret, we cant Emily tried to steady her voice.
Oh, dont fuss! Were already on the train! her aunt cut in cheerfully. See you soon!
The line went dead. Emilys pulse quickened. She dialled her husband.
Tom, Aunt Margaret and the girls are on their way.
Bloody hell, not again, he sighed. Just dont answer the door.
They wont leave, Emily muttered, twisting the edge of her jumper. Theyll camp outside, shaming us to the neighbours. Remember the flat? Our own niece, throwing family out on the street!
By lunchtime, Aunt Margaret and her entouragethree middle-aged cousinshad commandeered the kitchen. The patio, where Emily had enjoyed quiet that morning, was now strewn with suitcases. The fridge brimmed with jars of homemade chutney and someone elses shopping, alongside bottles of wine.
Emily, where are your towels? called Sarah from the bathroom.
And fetch some loo roll! added Lucy.
Your shampoos a bit odd, sniffed Claire, wrinkling her nose at the lavender bottle. Got anything normal?
Emily dug her nails into her palms. Her shampoo was perfecthers, not meant for a crowd. It was time to learn to say no, even to family.
Youve done well for yourselves! Aunt Margaret declared, sinking into the wicker chair theyd brought back from France. Lovely garden, a sauna Why keep it a secret? Were family!
Exactly why, Emily said softly, though her voice wavered.
Pardon? Aunt Margaret cupped her ear theatrically.
Exactly why! Emilys voice rose sharply. Because youre the sort who just turn up, take over, and treat our home like your own!
Emily! Aunt Margaret gasped, clutching her chest. How could you
Easily! Something long-suppressed boiled over. Remember the flat? Just a week, you saidthen three months of rearranging our lives! Every day, it was This isnt right, Thats not how its done
The cousins appeared in the doorwaytowels in hand, wine glasses poisedstaring.
Were actually going away soon, Emily said, forcing calm. Trains booked.
Oh, dont mind us! Aunt Margaret waved a hand. Well manage!
No, Emily said, knees trembling but voice steady. Youre not staying. Not for a week, not at all. This is our home, and we want it to ourselves.
Aunt Margaret blinked, as if the words hadnt registered.
They lasted three days. Three days of forced smiles. Mornings began with strange voices in the kitchen, afternoons with endless critiques: Whys this here? or No one does it like this Evenings brought guitar strumming till midnight, ignoring the annoyed neighbours. Emilys geraniums wilted, untouched. Lilys toys vanished from the patiotoo cluttered. Even the cat fled next door to escape the noise.
On the fourth morning
Aunt Margaret, Emily said firmly, setting suitcases by the door. You need to leave today.
What nonsense! her aunt spluttered into her wine. We agreed on a week!
We never agreed, Emily shook her head. You decided for us. Just like the flat. Enough. We leave tomorrow, and theres packing to do.
How dare you? Claire snapped. Were
Family, I know, Emily finished bitterly. But that doesnt mean invading our lives. You didnt ask. You just arrived.
Whats the harm? Sarah scoffed. A short stay never hurt!
A short stay? Emilys anger flared. Youve taken over. Criticised, rearranged, demanded Do you know how many nights I cried in that flat?
Aunt Margaret set down her glass.
Emily, we never meant
Emily remembered it clearlythe knock, Aunt Margaret tearful on the doorstep: Emmy, my place is being redone! Just a week! That week became three months.
At first, it seemed harmless. Just a few days, surely? Theyd just moved into their new flattwo bedrooms in a quiet street, every detail carefully chosen.
Then
Emily, why these dreary curtains? Aunt Margaret had tutted, reorganising the cupboard. Claires are lovelyfrills, flowers
Theyre minimalist, Aunt Margaret, Emily had explained.
Minimalist? Her aunt snorted. Looks like a funeral parlour! And who stacks plates like this? Let me sort it properly
Day by day, their home morphed into something foreignbright tea towels (your kitchens so clinical!), toiletries crowding the bathroom (the girls visit!), coats piling up (family must be welcome!).
Then came the girls nights.
Emily, dont fuss! Aunt Margaret would say, lining up wine glasses. Just a cuppa!
The cuppa lasted till dawn. Tom hid in the bedroom with headphones; Emily locked herself in the loo, crying silently.
Love, why hide? Aunt Margaret would coo. Come join us! Claire brought her famous pie
Mornings brought fresh critiques.
Emily, your fridge is so bare! Aunt Margaret lamented. Back in my day
Back in my day was the final verdict. Back then, women cooked daily, hosted constantly, followed strict rules. Each morning, Emily vowed: Today, Ill tell her to leave. But the words never came.
Hang in there, Tom whispered at night. Its temporary
That temporary stretched to three months. Three months of someone elses clutter, someone elses rules. Three months of Claire does it this way and No one lives like this
When Aunt Margaret finally packed
Darling, how will I cope without you? shed said, clutching her bag. Maybe just a bit longer?
Aunt Margaret, Emily had replied gently. Your place is ready, isnt it?
Is that what matters? Were family!
For two weeks afterward, they reclaimed their flat. Out went the frilly tea towels, the clutter, the unwanted advice. They vowed: no more uninvited guests, no just popping in, no family without asking.
Yet here she was againsuitcases, wine, the same old but were family
Silence fell, broken only by the patio clock, bees in the flowers, a distant train.
Alright, Aunt Margaret said quietly. Youre right. We overstepped. Girls, pack up.
An hour later, they were gone. No slamming doors, no theatrics. Just goneas if theyd finally understood.
That evening, sipping tea on the patio, Emily wondered: had it always been this simple? Just saying no? Not with excuses, but firmly. Sometimes the hardest part wasnt learning to refusebut finding the courage to do it when it counted.
