Make Room, We’re Planning to Stay Here for About Ten Years: When My Husband’s Aunt Decided My London Flat Should Be Her Daughter’s for University— An Outrageous Family Drama with Uninvited Guests, Entitled Relatives, and the Battle over My Grandmother’s Hard-Earned Home

Make some room, well be living here for about a decade

My mother-in-law paused for a bit, then suddenly spoke up:
Oh Hannah, you know what Amandas like Once she sets her mind on something, theres no stopping her.
Try to see it from her side: she just wants to give Molly a good educationsend her off to university and all that.

I stopped in front of the mirror, hand on my coat button. At my expense?
The reflection staring back was some drawn woman with untidy hair and tired eyes.

Margaret, pleasestop them. Tell them to get off at the next stop and go back. I wont meet them. Im not handing over my flat.

What am I supposed to do? my mother-in-law started fretting. Theyre already on the train, halfway here. Amanda took out a loan for Mollys tuition. They havent a single pound to put towards a place to stay. Shes really counting on you, darling. Just ask the tenants to leave, it wouldnt take much. Theyre family, after all

Family? I snapped. Ive seen your niece Molly all of twice in my life, and now Im expected to throw my tenants onto the street, cut off support for my parents, and take Katie out of dance, just because Amanda fancies her daughter studying in London?

My phone pinged in my pocket. Without taking off my coat, I checked itmessage from Amanda, my mother-in-laws sister.

Hannah, hi! Were on the train, train leaves 19:40, well be in London tomorrow morning at Euston. Meet us please, Molly and me.

Send us the address to your one-bed flat again, we didnt write it down last time. Where do we pick up the keys?

I froze, read the text three times, half hoping Id misunderstood. What flat? What Molly?

Mum, whats up? Im hungry, Katie called from the hall.

One sec, love, I said, stroking my daughters head absent-mindedly, eyes still on the screen.

I dialled Amandas number. She answered instantly, with train noise and laughter in the background.

Hannah! How are you? Got my message, then? We wanted this to be a nice surpriseno need for you to fuss over dinner, well bring everything ourselves!

Amanda, waitwhats going on? Where are you headed?

Where else? London! Molly got into unitold you back in spring. Shes not on a full scholarship, but itll be fine, well pay tuition.

We packed our things and were on our way to settle into your flat.

Mywhat? I slid down the wall, stunned. You mean the little one-bed Ive been renting out for six years? Are you joking?

Oh, come off it! Amanda chirped, her tone shifting. Remember, six years ago when that flat came to you from your nan? We said, wouldnt it be perfect for Molly when she goes to uni. And you said nothing. Weve counted on it ever since.

I was quiet because it was a daft joke! I nearly shouted. I never agreed, Amanda. Theres a family living there, with a kid. We have a proper agreement, they pay on time. Thats what keeps my parents afloat and pays for Katies activities.

What were you thinking, buying train tickets?

Were family! Amanda now barked. Have all you Londoners lost your decency? What, you going to leave your own cousin on the platform? Have you told your husband youre chucking his family out?

Eds away for work up by Newcastle, barely gets a signal, and this is my flat. Mine, Amanda. My nan bought it and left it to me. Ed never had a claim on it.

Well, there you go! Hear that, Molly? Your uncles wife doesnt want to know us. Never mindwell talk in person. Trains just about to pass through a tunnel, see you at Euston.

I just about lost it.

Katie! Zap the cottage pie for yourself, would you, sweetheart? I yelled to my daughter, hands shaking as I dialled Margaret.

She picked up after a moment.
Yes, Hannah?
Margaret, were you aware your sister and Molly are on a train to London, convinced theyre moving into my flat?

WellAmanda might have said something. I thought youd sorted it between you two, she mumbled feebly.
With who? Ive been letting that place for six years! Half the rent goes to my parents for their medication, you know what their pensions are like. The rest covers Katies swimming and dance. Why couldnt you explain to Amanda it was impossible?
Dont shout at me, Margarets voice suddenly wobbled. Its nothing to do with me. Sort it out yourselves. And dont ring Edhes got enough on his plate.

I tossed my phone onto the sofa. Ed always managed to stay well clear of family dramaunless it involved his mother or aunt, for whom hed somehow go all soft.

Theyre country folk, Hannah, they do things differently, he used to say. Easier just to give in

I tried to call Ed. Caller out of range. Of course. Whenever I really needed him, he was out of range.

***

The row was spectacular. Amanda started ringing at five in the morning, demanding I pick them up.

Were tired, were hungry! Its blooming freezing out here, you still in bed? Wake up and get over here in fifteen minutes, alright?!

Half asleep, it took me a moment to figure out who was shouting at me. When I realised, I barked back:
Leave me alone! Im not picking you up, and youre not moving into my flat. Goodbye. After the tenth call, Amanda, my mother-in-laws sister, went onto the block list.

She spammed me from Mollys mobile next. Blocked that too.

All day, Margaret badgered me: pleading, guilt-tripping, swearing shed tell Ed everything if I didnt cooperate

And then in the evening Ed rolled in, having come straight from his trip.

Whats going on? he asked, barely inside. Mums been in tears on the phone, says you left Auntie Amanda and Molly out on the street.

After a quick hug and a peck on the cheek, I explained: They showed up out of the blue, then demanded I kick out my tenants and let Molly move in for free for at least five years.

Ed, who behaves like that? Have they no shame? Besides, as far as I know, theyve already made themselves quite comfy at your mums place. Whyd you come home suddenly?

Mum pestered me, to be honest. And Amandas been blowing up my phone too Shouldnt we just help out? At least till they can get into halls

I shook my head.
Ed, there are no hallsnot for them. They havent even applied. Amanda decided they had a flat heremine! They never looked for anything else, they just rocked up home.

Mum says you promised six years ago

It was at my nans wake, Ed! She said something bizarre and I just ignored itI had other things to think about then.

Amandas furious, says were dead to her now. Oh, and no, they didnt stay at mums after allits too far from their campus. I sent Amanda a thousand pounds, looks like theyve found something

Thank heavens! I slammed the table. Best news of the day. Im not even cross about the money. Theyre no longer my problem, and thats all I care about!

Ed sighed and stared at the floor.
They ended up in a room in a shared flat. Amandas moaning about cockroaches and drunk neighbours.

Let her get used to it. If you want to live in the capital, you have to get by somehow, not just expect a miracle from a cousin youve not spoken to in yearsor even bothered with a birthday card for!

I turned and marched towards the bedroom, Ed trailing behind.

This is awkward though, Hannah. Feels like we properly abandoned them. What if something goes wrong? What if a dodgy neighbour tries something? Dont you feel a bit sorry for Amanda?

I spun round.
Ive got a daughter and parents to look after, plus a flat my nan worked hard to save for. Im not throwing that all away because someone, 300 miles away, thinks theyre more entitled. Why should I be the one to feel guilty?

Ed just stayed silent, so I continued:
Are you coming for dinner? Ill heat something up. And lets drop it. If you want to help, do it out of your own wages.

But the flat stays let out. Im not evicting anyone. End of story.

Alright. Youre right. I wouldnt be thrilled if your parents turned up at my parents house and said, Make some space, well be living here for the next decade.

After dinner, once Ed was in the shower, I checked my phone. An unread message from Margaret:

Hannah, you cant just leave it like this. Amandas absolutely shattered with stressget them some groceries at least! Stock up enough for a couple of weeks: meat, veg, fruit, chocolates, coffee, tea, toiletries, cooking oil. Maybe some fish. But no tinned stuffAmanda wont eat that. Address:

I blocked Margaret too. Let her sit in the black list for a few days.

***

The night was relatively peacefulno phone calls.

But then Amanda herself showed up at 7am the next day.

I bolted awake to her pounding on the door.

Ed was still asleep, so I opened it.

She barged in, arms crossed, grumbling:
Oh, sleeping in a warm bed, are we? Did you even think for a second how Molly and I spent the night? It was appalling! Cockroaches dropping on our heads, the rooms freezing, floors are grimy, and the walls are ice!

One side, someone was singing Jerusalem all night, the other lot were arguing till dawn! Have you no decency, letting relatives live in such horror?

Listen up, she continued, I dont want to argue. If you wont kick out your tenants, fine! Molly and I will just move in with youyouve got three bedrooms, surely you can spare one, preferably the largest? Two of us, after all!

Dont stress, we wont stay long, maybe three or four months, half a year max. Once Molly settles in, well move on.

I was gobsmacked.

Forget it! Dont even think about showing up again. Dont make me call the policeI will, honestly, its no skin off my nose. You dont need all that hassle, do you?

Amanda flushed beet-redI almost felt sorry for her.

Oh, you You selfish London cow! May your daughter end up cleaning schools all her days, never get an education! Ill remember this, you mark my words. Life is fickle, and what goes around comes around! Dont come crawling to me if you need help one day. Ill never forgive this, ever!

I just closed the door in her face. She carried on ranting in the stairwell for several minutes, then finally left.

***

We havent spoken since. Margaret cut me off, wont pick up even if I ring about Katies birthday. Ed still sees his mum, brings Katie up for visits sometimes, but Margaret steers clear of our flat.

Honestly, Im relievedits one less headache to deal with.