Unwanted Guests

Unwanted Guests

The phone jolted Valerie awake at five in the morning. An unknown number flashed on the screen.

“Yes?” she mumbled dryly.

“Val? Is that you?” a loud, cheerful womans voice rang out.

“It is,” Valerie replied flatly.

“Its me! Did you recognise me?” the woman pressed.

“Of course,” Valerie lied politely, though she had no idea who was calling.

“I knew youd remember me straight away!” the woman gushed. “Im so glad I caught you. Are you free to talk?”

“I am.”

“Brilliant! Me, my husband, and the kids just got off the train at the station an hour ago. Can you hear me alright?”

“Perfectly.”

“You sound a bit quiet. Are you sure everythings alright, love?”

“Everythings fine.”

“Oh, Im so glad! We were going to book a hotel at firstthought we had no family here. But then we remembered you! Makes sense, doesnt it?”

“Absolutely.”

“We were over the moon, honestly. Especially the kids.”

“I can imagine.”

“My husband said straight away, Call Valerie. She wont let us down.”

“He was right. I wont.”

“So youll let us stay with you? Did I get that right?”

“Right. You can stay.”

“We wont be long,” the woman chirped. “Just a couple of weeks. Take in the sights, then head home. You know what they sayhome is where the heart is. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“We knew youd say yes. My husband especially. He said theres no way Valerie would turn us away. Were family, after all. Even if its been ten years since we last saw each otherstill family. Right?”

“Right.”

“You live alone now?”

“I do.”

“In a three-bed?”

“Yes.”

“So well come over now?”

“Come over.”

“Well be there in an hour. You still live in the same place?”

“Still here.”

“Right, well see you soon then!”

“See you,” Valerie replied.

She hung up, dropped the phone on the nightstand, rolled over, and pulled the duvet over her head. It didnt even cross her mind that she still had no clue who shed just spoken to.

An hour later, the doorbell rang. Valerie glanced at the clock, shut her eyes, and turned away. The phone rang again. She slept through it.

Soon, fists pounded on the door. Valerie didnt stir. Finally, the phone rang once more.

“Yes?” she answered, eyes still closed.

“Val? Its us!” the same woman cheered.

“Yes?”

“Were here! Ringing and knocking, but youre not answering!”

“Youre ringing?”

“Yes!”

“I dont hear it.”

“I dont know why. Try calling again.”

The doorbell sounded.

“Were calling now!” the woman said.

“No,” Valerie replied. “Still nothing. Try knocking.”

A loud knock echoed.

“Were knocking!” the woman announced.

“No,” Valerie said. “Cant hear a thing.”

“I mustve got the wrong place,” the woman fretted.

“What?” Valerie asked.

“Where are you right now, love?”

“What do you mean where? At home.”

“Wheres home?”

“Manchester,” Valerie answered with the first city that came to mind. “Where else would I be?”

“Manchester? Not London?”

“Moved nine years ago. Right after the divorce.”

“Why?”

“Why the divorce?”

“No, why move?”

“Got tired of London. Too many bad memories.”

“Manchesters better?”

“Much. Everythings better here. No unpleasant reminders. Why am I explaining? Come see for yourself. How many of you are there?”

“Four. Me, my husband, and the kidsPaul and little Andy. Andys trying to get into uni for the third time this year.”

“Then all four of you, come along. Weve got a cracking uni here too.”

“When should we come?”

“Nows good.”

“Cant do now. Got too much on in London. Andy only wants to study there. We were planning to stay with you for a yearget jobs sorted. But look how thats turned out.”

“So, youre not coming today?”

“Afraid not.”

“Shame. I was looking forward to it.”

“Were gutted too. Youve no idea.”

“I think I do.”

“No, you really dont. The thought of whats ahead makes me want to crawl into a hole.”

Valerie decided it was time to wrap it up.

“Alright then,” she said. “If you cant make it now, come when you can. Always happy to see you. Once youre settled in London, send me your address. Ill pop over for a couple of weeks. See how it goes. After all, youre the only family Ive got left there. Deal? Youll send me your address?”

But Valerie never heard the answerthe call cut off abruptly.

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