Fine, we wont drive you out for the holidays. Sort out three bedrooms my sisters and my niece will stay overnight. Youll spend the night in the kitchen yourself.
Margaret, what if Im the sole owner of this house? I have the title deeds. Dont even think about breaking in the police will throw you out.
Today, after work, Victoria is heading for the shopping centre. In two weeks it will be Christmas. Her old friend Claire has invited her over.
Victoria knows a big gathering will be there: the hosts daughter with her husband and children, her sister, and her niece who is a university student.
Victoria often visits Claire and knows everyone well, so she wants to buy presents in advance.
She is a good picker of gifts and loves handing them out. Right now she can already picture the pleasure of wandering through the tinselladen aisles, examining items, watching the shop assistant wrap purchases in shimmering paper.
But her mood sours the moment she steps outside. In the car park, by her vehicle, Rachel the sister of her former husband is waiting.
Hey, Vicky! Rachel greets her. Why so long? Im freezing solid.
Good afternoon, Rachel. I didnt expect to see you here.
Why not? Were family, after all at least weve been considered that for twenty years.
Luckily were not considered that any longer, Victoria replies, reaching for the car door.
Rachel stops her.
Listen, Vicky, I have a favour to ask. Actually, its not just me its the whole family.
What family, Rachel? I havent had any contact with yours for a year. Im not entertaining requests, Victoria says.
No, just hear me out. I dont know how you and Michael split the assets, but Mum still thinks the house you live in belongs to our side of the family.
You and Mike bought it together, and he spent ten years fixing it up. We all celebrated Christmas and May Day there as a family. And now?
Mum planned to host the whole clan at the house for her birthday in May, set the tables on the veranda as we always did. But you turned us away and drove off somewhere unknown.
I dont see why youre telling me all this, Victoria asks. I was just visiting a friend and left. Sorry, I forgot to ask you.
Forget about your family gatherings in my house. When Mike and I split, we agreed: the flat, the car and the garage go to him, the house stays with me. We signed everything legally. So you can all meet at Mikes flat. Thats it.
Vicky, Mum asked if she could let guests stay at the house on the thirtyfirst, like before. A lot of people will come we wont have room for the whole lot, Rachel says.
Margaret asked? Thats odd! I cant believe it. For twenty years she only demanded things from me. If shes actually asking, tell her I refuse. Get the relatives a hotel instead.
Victoria slides into her car. She no longer feels like hunting for presents. Ill buy them tomorrow, she thinks, and drives home.
She and Michael lived together for almost twenty years. They bought the house ten years ago.
A year ago Michael declared, At fortyfive life doesnt end, and said he would build a future with his charming young secretary.
Victoria doesnt try to stop him, but she also doesnt let him take everything. She keeps the house and the familys savings; Michael gets a twobedroom flat, a Ford Focus, and a garage.
Since Victorias only dependent is her student daughter Emily, Michael never claims a joint account.
A few days ago Emily called to say shell spend New Years Eve in her university halls.
Mum, you wont be offended, will you? Ill be home for the holidays, she asks.
After that, Victoria accepts Claires invitation. She knows she wont be lonely in that crowd.
Knowing Rachel, Victoria realises this wont be the end they wont let her rest easy. And shes right.
That evening, her former motherinlaw calls:
Victoria, arent you taking on too much? Youve brazenly seized Michaels house and now you think we wont be able to get at you?
Yes, listen: this Christmas well all be together in my house the one my son kindly let you live in. Got that?
Fine, we wont drive you out for the festivities. Prepare three bedrooms my sisters and my niece will stay overnight. Youll sleep in the kitchen.
Margaret, what if Im the sole owner? I have the deed. Dont even try to break in the police will throw you out.
Well see who throws whom out! Anyway, get the rooms ready; well bring all the food, so you wont have to cook a thing. Dont argue, youll remember this Christmas for the rest of your life!
In my opinion, Michaels mother has gone completely off the rails this year, Victoria mutters.
Margaret has never been a peacemaker, but her outburst today catches the former daughterinlaw off guard. Does she really think Victoria will be scared into obeying?
Previously, Victoria was considered the best daughterinlaw; the other two eventually accepted Margarets authority.
Now that she and Michael are divorced, Margarets words only leave Victoria baffled: what are they counting on?
Meanwhile, in Margarets flat, a plan is taking shape.
Rachel, you and Alex are in charge of buying provisions. Get everything we can ahead of time. Well cook on the evening of the thirtyfirst and the morning of the first.
Well handle the cold cuts and hot dishes. Sarah and Olivia will make the salads. Well pack everything in containers, and well borrow the dinnerware from Victoria I know she still has two service sets. Michael didnt take any when he moved out.
Mum, what if she refuses to let us in? Rachel asks.
Let her try! There will be twelve of us the whole clan. Shell be embarrassed. Imagine the door opening to Uncle Kevin and Aunt Lucy, Lily and Natalie, and the rest. Do you think shell shut the door on that?
On the thirtyfirst of December at nine oclock, four cars pull up outside number fourteen East Street.
Strange, Alex, Rachels husband, remarks. The lights are off. Maybe Victoria isnt home.
Where could she be? Shes here, and Emily must have arrived. Theyre probably hiding, trying to avoid us, Margaret laughs. Ring the bell.
No one answers, and the door stays shut.
Wait, I have the keys, Margaret says. I knew Vicky might cause trouble, so I took them.
She opens the gate and the large party moves into the courtyard.
Hold on, Ill open the house. Turn on the lights and bring everything into the kitchen; well set the table quickly. Victoria can hide if she wants we wont even invite her to the table.
About twenty minutes later, a clatter echoes from the hallway.
The lady of the house has appeared, Alex announces.
But it isnt the lady.
Victoria is busy helping Claire set the table; the guests will be here any minute.
Suddenly her phone rings.
Is this Victoria Mitchell? Your alarm has been triggered. The patrol unit is on its way.
There are twelve people here, claiming to be my relatives and saying they have your permission to be in the house.
I never gave anyone permission to come. It must be my exhusbands family. I didnt invite them. They entered uninvited.
Will you be filing a report?
Of course. Im out of town and wont be back until the day after tomorrow.
The uninvited guests are taken to the police station for a few hours. By the time they reach Margarets flat, the salads are already spilling and the hot dishes have cooled.
When Victoria finally gets home, Michael calls, demanding she retrieve the police report.
Vicky, I thought youd changed the lock. Didnt you? he asks.
I didnt change it why ruin the door? I kept the old one and I use it.
Why did you lock it with the old key when you left?
I guessed your mother wouldnt be satisfied and would show up with her guests. I didnt want unwanted people damaging the door, Victoria explains.
So you deliberately locked the house with the old lock, gave your mother a key, and set off the alarm? You provoked them! You wanted them caught?
Mike, your family could have spent Christmas at their own place. They chose to come here and ended up in police custody. Thats not my fault.
By the way, I had to tidy the house and air it out after they left; some of the food theyd already set out was a bit spoiled by the time I got back.
Why didnt you tell Rachel you were activating the alarm? Michael asks.
Why not? There are signs on the gate and the door that read Protected by police. Anyone can read them.
Tell your mother, Rachel, Alex and everyone else I wont be hosting them again, Victoria says.
Ill take the statement this time, but it wont happen again. The law will be applied in full.
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