Whos been traipsing through the garden? Lily huffed, slamming the phone down. Give your relatives a ring; maybe theyll come and tidy up after themselves. Im done washing the sheets you lot leave behind. Your mates have been crashing at the cottage for weeks.
Your mother called earlier, Sam said over the stew, ladling sauce onto his plate. She and the rest of the family are planning a weekend barbecue.
Good for them, Lily replied, rolling her eyes. Let them go. Ive never liked your motherinlaw, Mrs. Hargreaves, anyway.
They just want to use our cottage, Sam tried to sound reasonable. They dont have one of their own, and Ive got a garage appointment on Saturday. He shrugged. I told Mum we couldnt go away this weekend, so she asked for the keys.
Lily had no choice but to agree, a decision she would soon regret. When the following Saturday arrived, Sam and she drove out to the cottage and Lilys mouth fell open at the sight. The place looked like a tornado had visited.
Berries were strewn about, the floor was dusty, a lone pot of ancient soup sat on the stove, and a kitchen curtain had been yanked down. Lily stared, bewildered. The Hargreaves clan were both sixty and still managed to throw a party that looked like a demolition site.
She let it all out to Sam.
Who let these vandals in? Call your family and have them sort this mess out, Lily snapped. Im not going to clean up after them. Im already fed up washing the sheets your friends leave behind. Theyve been staying at our cottage for ages.
Youre overreacting, Sam said, sliding the laundry into the washing machine. Just throw it in, spin it, and hang it out to dry.
Fine, next time you do it all yourself! Lily shot back. Are you happy with the state of our cottage and garden?
Sam didnt say another word. Lily stayed silent, then the two made up. Theyd only been married two years, a whirlwind romance that now seemed a little rushed. No children yet.
Life went on as usual: work, house, work, house. Weekends were spent walking the dog or heading out with friends for a bite of fresh air. Everything changed when Lilys own mother remarried and moved to a different city, leaving the family cottage to Lily.
Suddenly the Hargreaves lot adored her. Visits became a daily routine; everyone claimed the cottage was the perfect spot for a BBQ. Cousins, distant aunts, uncles, even Grandma Hargreaves turned up, all eager for riverside picnics and grilled sausages. And Sams pals werent far behind.
Everyone arrived with overnight bags. Sam dutifully fired up the grill, while Lilys patience wore thinner than the garden fence. She didnt want to alienate the family, but something had to give.
The approach of the next weekend became a nervous anticipation. By now, Sams mother was well into her golden years and had given birth to a son rather late in life. She also had a daughter, Mary, ten years older than Sam, who thought everything was a shared family affair.
Mrs. Hargreaves and Mary raided the cottage for everythingcreams, shampoos, loofahs, even Lilys indoor slippers. Then Mrs. Hargreaves called again, asking Sam to hand over the cottage keys so Mary could bring her boss for a weekend retreat and a barbecue.
As usual, Lily wasnt consulted.
Well give Mum the keys, Sam said. He remembered Lilys fury after the previous family visit but chose not to mention it.
Realising she needed a plan, Lily switched sides. After weighing her options, she called her own mother and vented.
Give me a ring back later, her mother replied briskly.
About twenty minutes later Lily called again, telling her mother that her sister and brotherinlaw would be staying at the cottage for a while. Dont worry, Aunt Olive will sort it out, she added.
Lilys eyes widened. Aunt Olive had been the terrifying figure whod taken her on summer holidays as a child, leaving enough childhood trauma to fill a scrapbook. Yet Olive was a seasoned organiser.
That evening Aunt Olive phoned.
Whats the matter, dear niece? Youve been so quiet. Call me sooner next time. How should I handle thisgentle coaxing or a fullblown panic? she chuckled, delighted at the prospect.
Lily shivered. Did you tell them the cottage is mine? Olive asked.
I cant recall, but theyre all convinced it belongs to me.
Dont worry, love. Well fix it up nicely.
The following Sunday Sams phone rang with an irate Mrs. Hargreaves.
Did you sell the cottage? Wheres the money? Why didnt you tell us?
It turned out that on Saturday Mary and her boss, along with Mrs. Hargreaves and her husband, had all turned up at the cottage. A picturesque group of five was already tending the grill.
Who are you? gasped Lily, eyes wide.
And who are you? the lady in a sharp coat demanded, striding forward. Im the owner of this cottage. I dont know you. Where did you get the keys?
The Hargreaves clan stumbled over explanations about family ties and handedover keys. The impostor, visibly annoyed, stared at Mary, who instantly lost her composure. Mrs. Hargreaves fell silent.
In the end, the keys were confiscated, and the intruders were politely asked to leave, with a warning that theyd be traced if they tried to sneak back.
From a distance Lily heard Mrs. Hargreaves shriek into the handset. Sam was clueless, unable to utter a single word.
Hand the phone to your wife, Sam muttered, passing the receiver to Lily. The cottage isnt yours! Mrs. Hargreaves declared dramatically.
Did you even ask us first? Lily tried to stay calm. Do you think everything around here is automatically yours too?
And you realise Mary invited her boss to the cottage? That could backfirethere are layoffs looming, and she wanted to butter her up. If she gets the sack, itll be on your conscience, Mrs. Hargreaves fumed.
And what about me? Aunt Olive is just on holiday, you didnt even ask me. Buy your own place and enjoy it there, Lily shot back. Youve lived without this cottage before; youll manage without it now.
Sams face turned pale. After this, I wont go back, and neither will my relatives, he stammered.
It was the first real fight theyd had. Sam was hurt, Mary lost her job, and Lily declared, Ill never forgive you for this.
Lily suspected Marys dismissal had a different cause, and suddenly she didnt feel much pity for anyone. Their marriage had hit a dead end.
Mum, I think Im getting a divorce, Lily said.
Decide for yourself, youre an adult now. Where will you live? Ive let my flat go. Go stay with Olive.
Thanks, really, Lily replied, surprised at her own sarcasm. Ill probably rent a flat.
She filed for divorce, moved into a rented flat, and never set foot in the cottage again.
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