Fine, We Won’t Kick You Out for the Holiday – But Prepare Three Bedrooms: My Sisters and Niece Are Staying Overnight. You’ll Sleep in the Kitchen.

“Fine then, we wont kick you out for the holidays. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will stay the night. You can sleep in the kitchen.”

“Evelyn Margaret, need I remind you that Im the sole owner of this house? I have the paperwork to prove it. Dont even think about stepping insideIll have you removed by the police.”

After work today, Victoria planned to stop by the shopping centre. New Years Eve was two weeks away, and her old friend Emma had invited her over.

Victoria knew a big crowd would gather there: Emmas daughter with her husband and kids, her sister, and a niece who was a university student.

Shed been to Emmas often and knew everyone well, so she wanted to get gifts in advance.

Victoria was good at picking presents and loved giving them. She could already picture the joy of wandering through the glittering aisles, carefully selecting each item, watching the shop assistant wrap them in shiny paper.

But her mood soured the moment she stepped outside. Waiting by her car in the car park was Rachelher ex-husbands sister.

“Vicky, hi!” Rachel greeted. “Took you long enough. Ive been freezing out here.”

“Good afternoon, Rachel. Didnt expect to see you here.”

“Why not? Were still family,” Rachel replied. “At least, we were for twenty years.”

“Luckily, not anymore,” Victoria said and reached for the car door.

Rachel stopped her.

“Listen, Vic, Ive got a favour to ask. Well, not just methe whole family.”

“What family, Rachel? Ive had nothing to do with yours for a year now. Im not interested in favours.”

“No, just hear me out. I dont know how you and Michael split things, but Mum still thinks the house youre living in belongs to our family.”

“You and Mike bought it together, and he spent ten years fixing it up. We used to gather there every New Years and May bank holiday. And now what?”

“Mum wanted to host her birthday in May with everyone on the terrace, like we always did. But you shut us out. Just disappeared somewhere.”

“I dont see why youre telling me this,” Victoria asked. “I went to see a friend. I wanted to, so I did. Sorry I forgot to ask your permission.”

“And forget about your little family gatherings in my house. When Michael and I divorced, we agreed: the flat, the car, and the garage went to him. The house stayed with me. All legally done. So now you can all cram into Michaels place. Simple.”

“Vic, Mums asking if we can use the house for New Years Eve, like before. Therell be loads of usno room for everyone otherwise,” Rachel said.

“Evelyn Margaret actually asked? I dont believe it! For twenty years, all she did was make demands. And now suddenly, she asks? Rachel, tell her no. Book hotel rooms for your relatives.”

Victoria got into her car. The mood for shopping was gone. “Ill do it tomorrow,” she thought and drove home.

She and Michael had been married nearly twenty years. The house Rachel mentioned was bought ten years ago.

A year ago, he declared that “life doesnt end at forty-five” and left to build a new one with his pretty young secretary.

Victoria didnt fight to keep him but refused to be short-changed. The house and savings stayed with her; he got the two-bed flat, the Jaguar, and the garage.

Since their university-student daughter remained under Victorias care, Michael didnt touch their joint account.

A few days ago, Lily called to say shed stay in halls for New Years.

“Mum, you wont mind, will you? Ill come home for the rest of the holidays.”

After that, Victoria accepted Emmas invitation. She wouldnt feel lonely in that crowd.

Knowing Rachel, she suspected this wasnt the end. She was right.

That evening, her ex-mother-in-law called.

“Victoria, arent you getting above yourself? Snatched Michaels house, and now you think we wont sort you out?”

“Well, heres news: this New Years, the whole family will celebrate in our house! The one my son let you live in out of kindness. Understood?”

“Fine then, we wont kick you out for the holidays. Prepare three bedroomsmy sisters and niece will stay the night. You can sleep in the kitchen.”

“Evelyn Margaret, need I remind you that Im the sole owner of this house? I have the paperwork to prove it. Dont even think about stepping insideIll have you removed by the police.”

“Well see who removes who! Get the rooms readywell bring the food, so you wont have to lift a finger. And dont argue, or youll remember this New Years forever!”

“Honestly, Michaels mothers lost all sense this past year,” Victoria thought.

Evelyn had never been a peacemaker, but tonights rant shocked her. Did she really think Victoria would tremble and obey?

Once, Victoria had been her favourite daughter-in-lawthe others bowed to Evelyns authority. Now, divorced, her words just baffled Victoria. What were they expecting?

Meanwhile, at Evelyns flat, plans were being made.

“Rachel, you and Alex handle the food. Buy everything ahead. Cooking starts the evening of the 30th and morning of the 31st.”

“You and I will do the roast and pies. Sarah and Olivia handle salads. Pack it all in containers. Well use Vickys dinnerwareshe still has two full sets. Michael didnt take any when he left.”

“Mum, what if she digs her heels in and wont let us in?” Rachel asked.

“Let her try! Twelve of us will show uppractically the whole clan. Shed be ashamed to turn us away!”

“She opens the door, and theres Uncle Colin, Aunt Louise, Leo and Natalie, all standing there. You think shell slam it in their faces? Shell let us in, sweet as pie, even help set the table. Were family!”

On New Years Eve at 9 PM, four cars pulled up outside Number 14, East Lane.

“Odd,” said Alex, Rachels husband. “Lights are off. Maybe shes not home?”

“Where else would she be? And Lilys probably back. Theyre hiding, avoiding us,” Evelyn smirked. “Ring the bell.”

No one answered.

“Wait, Ive got keys,” Evelyn said. “Knew Vicky would pull this. Brought them just in case.”

They unlocked the gate and filed into the garden.

“Hold on, Ill get the house open. There. Turn on the lights and bring the food to the kitchenwell set up quick. If Vicky wants to hide, fine. We wont invite her to join.”

Twenty minutes later, a commotion erupted in the hallway.

“Here comes the lady of the house,” Alex said.

But it wasnt her.

Meanwhile, Victoria was helping Emma set the tableguests would arrive any minute.

Her phone rang unexpectedly.

“Ms. Victoria Keating? Your home alarm has been triggered. A patrol unit is on-site.”

“There are twelve individuals present, claiming to be relatives with your permission.”

“I didnt authorise anyone. Likely my ex-husbands family. Theyve trespassed.”

“Will you be filing a report?”

“Absolutely. Im out of town and wont be back until the 2nd.”

The uninvited guests spent hours at the station. By the time they returned to Evelyns flat, the salads had wilted, and the roast was cold.

When Victoria got home, Michael called, demanding she drop the charges.

“Vicky, I thought youd changed the locks. Didnt you think?”

“I didnt need to. I installed an alarm instead.”

“Why did you lock the old one when you left?”

“I had a feeling your mother wouldnt let this goyou shouldve heard her. Didnt want them breaking in.”

“So you left the old lockknowing Mum had keysand set the alarm? You set them up! You wanted them arrested!”

“Mike, your family had a choicecelebrate at home. They picked differently and spent New Years with the police. Not my fault.”

“By the way, I had to clean up after them. What theyd set out had spoiled by the time I got back.”

“Why didnt you warn Rachel about the alarm?” Michael snapped.

“Why? There are signs on the gate and door: Protected by Police. Everyone can read.”

“Anyway, pass my regards to your mum, Rachel, Alex, and the rest. And tell them theyre never welcome again.”

“I withdrew the report this time, but next time, theyll face the full force of the