Stay with My Mate, Auntie from Salisbury’s Visiting for a Month – My Husband Said, as He Hauled My Suitcase Outside

Just crash at a friends, love, my aunts arriving from Sheffield for a month, Victor said, sliding my suitcase out the door.

Mrs. Clarke! Mrs. Clarke, youve parked on my spot again! I asked yesterday not to be bothered! I shouted.

Mrs. Whitaker, what spot? There are no allocated bays here! I park wherever I like! Victor retorted.

How can there be no spot? Ive lived on this floor for thirty years. That space has always been mine! I snapped.

And that gives you any right to own it? he shot back.

I was standing by the lift landing with a few heavy grocery bags, listening to the two neighbours argue over a parking place. I wanted to slip past, but the two of them blocked the whole corridor, waving arms and raising voices.

Excuse me, may I get through? I whispered.

Reluctantly they shuffled aside, still shooting angry glances at each other. I squeezed between them, nudging the door with my shoulder. My arms were so full the fingers went numb. I should have taken a trolley, but I always forget until Im already at the front door.

I walked up to the fourth floor on my feet the lift was, as usual, out of order. I stopped at my flat, dumped the bags onto one hip, felt around my coat pocket for the keys, unlocked the door and froze.

There, in the hallway, sat my blue carryon, the one I always pack for holidays. It was closed, the handle lifted as if someone had just taken it out for a spin.

Victor? I called as I stepped inside. Are you home?

Yeah, in the kitchen! came his voice.

I set the bags down, shrugged off my coat and made my way to the kitchen. Victor was perched at the table with a coffee, scrolling on his phone.

Hey, he said without looking up.

Hey, Victor, whats that suitcase doing in the hall? I asked.

He finally put his phone down and looked at me.

Right, love, listen. Remember my Aunt Maude from Sheffield? I frowned, trying to picture the silverhaired lady Id only seen at Christmas gatherings.

Sort of, I muttered.

So, shes coming to London for a month. She needs an operation and then rehab, so I invited her to stay with us.

I sank into a chair, the world suddenly feeling very small.

You invited her here? For a whole month? I asked.

Yeah, whats the problem? Shes family.

Victor, this is a onebed flat. Where is she supposed to sleep?

He finished his coffee, set the mug down and said, Thats the catch. Space is tight. I thought maybe you could crash at a friends for a bit. How about Lucy? She lives alone in a twobed flat, plenty of room. Aunt Maude could stay with us for a month, then she’ll go home, and youll be back.

My mouth dropped open.

What?

Just stay with Lucy. She has space, and Maude will be here for a month, then shell leave. Youll come back.

You want me to move out of my own flat? I asked, feeling the absurdity creep in.

Not move out, just stay somewhere else temporarily. Its Aunt Maudeshe needs home care after her operation, she cant just stay in a hospital.

And wholl look after her?

I will. And she can manage as much as she can herself.

I stood, pacing the kitchen, my head spinning. My husband was basically asking me to vacate my own home for a distant relative.

This is my flat, Victor. I live here. Im not going anywhere, I said.

Victor frowned. Ally, dont be stubborn. Its only a month!

A month is a long time! And why should I go? Let Aunt Maude rent a place or stay in a hotel!

She doesnt have the cash for a hotel! Come on, Ally, are you being greedy? Shes family!

Im not greedy! I just dont understand why I have to sacrifice my comfort, I replied.

He snapped up the keys from the table. Ive already sorted it. Aunt Maude arrives this evening. Ive packed her suitcase, put my things in it. Go to Lucys Ive already called her, shell take you in.

You called Lucy without me?

Yeah, why waste time? No need for a drama. Heres the suitcase, heres some cash for a cab. He shoved a few notes into my hand. I stared at the money, the suitcase, him. Was this really happening? Was I actually being kicked out of my own home?

Im not going, I said.

You will. Its just a month. Then youll be back.

What if I dont want to?

Victor sighed, rubbing his face. Dont be childish, Ally. Aunt Maude is old and ill. She needs help. And youre being a bit petulant.

Im not being petulant! Im defending my right to live in my own flat!

Rights, rights all you think about are your rights! What about family? About helping relatives?

Tears welled up, and I turned away so he couldnt see them. Fine. Ill go.

I grabbed the suitcase, opened the front door, and Victor escorted me to the threshold. Good girl. Ill call when Aunt Maude leaves.

I stepped onto the landing, the door slammed behind me, and I stood there with my suitcase, tears sliding down my cheeks onto the hallway floor.

I fumbled for my phone and dialled Lucy. She answered instantly. Ally, love! Victor said youre coming over. Im waiting!

Lucy, are you really okay with this? I asked, voice shaking.

Of course! Come on, theres plenty of space! she chirped.

I flagged a black cab, hopped into the back seat, gave her address, and stared out the window, the city a blur through my tears.

Lucy opened the door, gave me a hug. Whats happened? Victor says Aunt Maude is staying and youre well, you look like youve just watched a soap opera.

He threw me out of the flat, I sobbed.

Thrown out? How?

I told her everything. She shook her head. Your Victor, eh? No discussion?

Just a flatout decision. Thats it.

She led me to her living room, plopped me on the sofa. Are you sure its about the aunt?

What else could it be? I muttered.

She frowned. Its odd, isnt it? Kicking a wife out for an aunt Are you two okay?

I dont know. Hes been distant lately, glued to his phone, coming home, eating dinner, then straight to bed. No more movie nights or chats.

Lucy raised an eyebrow. Maybe hes got someone else?

Someone else? You think?

Exactly. A lover, perhaps.

I shook my head. No, Victors a decent man.

Decent men dont boot their wives out, Lucy said, the words sticking in my mind like a splinter.

I spent the night on her sofa, tossing and turning, replaying Victors plan in my head.

The next morning I called Victor. Hey, Victor, hows Aunt Maude?

Good, shes settled. You?

I was wondering if I could pop over to collect a few things?

Theres no need. Maudes resting, I dont want to disturb her.

But Ill just be a minute

No, Ally, Ill bring whatever you need later. Just stay away.

I hung up, feeling the weight of Lucys warning. He doesnt want me back, I told her later.

Somethings off. Go back when hes at work, see whats really happening, Lucy suggested.

I had a spare key, so I waited until Victor left for his job. I slipped up to the fourth floor, unlocked the door and slipped inside.

The flat was quiet. I peered into the bedroom the bed was made, a bedside table held a few bottles of medication. Everything looked ordinary.

In the kitchen lay a note. I picked it up and read: Victor, Im at the hospital for a checkup. Ill be back this evening. Dont worry. Maude

So Maude was indeed staying there. I breathed a sigh of relief. No lover, just a sick aunt.

Just then the landline rang. The caller ID flashed Mum. It was Victors mother, my motherinlaw.

Ally? she said. Victor told me youve left.

Im just picking up a few things, I replied.

Hows Maude doing? she asked.

Shes at the hospital for a scan. Victor said the operation is tomorrow.

Tomorrow? He told me it was only a weeks stay! I blinked, heart pounding. Why the change?

Its only a week, dear. Victor mentioned that. She sounded confused.

I hung up, the puzzle pieces not fitting. I opened the wardrobe my clothes were exactly where I left them. I opened the chest of drawers everything untouched.

I sat on the edge of the bed, eyes wandering to the nightstand where a small notebook lay. I flipped it open. On the first page, in Victors hurried scrawl, was the word Plan.

Below, a list:

1. Convince Ally to move out.
2. Meet with estate agent.
3. Show flat to potential buyers.
4. Complete paperwork.
5. Get cash.
6. Move in with Sophie.

My stomach dropped. Sell the flat? Move in with someone called Sophie? Who was Sophie?

I snapped a photo of the page, slipped the notebook back, and fled the flat, my mind a whirlwind.

Back at Lucys flat I showed her the picture. She read it, swore softly. Youre right. Hes got someone else.

Whos Sophie? I asked.

Probably his new flame. She shook her head. He wants to sell the flat you both own, even though its in his name only because you were on maternity leave and not formally employed.

What now? I whispered, clutching my head.

Lucy put a hand on my shoulder. Call him. Get answers.

Ill think about it, I said, too exhausted to dial.

The days dragged on. Victor never brought my things, always too busy. I kept quiet.

The following week I visited my motherinlaw, Galina. She greeted me with a surprised smile. Ally, come in. Whats the matter?

Galina, do you know Victor wants to sell the flat? I asked.

She went pale. How did you?

I have proof. I showed her the notebook photo.

She sighed. Victor told me he wants a smaller place, a studio, and to use the rest of the money for a car. He said you dont need a big flat.

We have a onebedroom! Its not big, I protested.

He meant a studio, she murmured. He wants to move in with someone else. She faltered.

Someone else? I pressed.

She read the photo, her face hardening. I can talk to him, but you should handle this yourself.

Ill speak to him, I said.

I called Victor that evening. We need to meet.

Cant, Im swamped, he replied.

Make time. Its important, I insisted.

He finally agreed to meet at a café near Lucys flat. We sat with coffees steaming.

Whats going on, Victor? I demanded, sliding the photo across the table.

He stared at it, colour draining. Where did you get that?

It doesnt matter. Explain.

He was silent for a moment, then sighed. Alright, Ally. Ive been seeing someone. Sophie. Weve been together half a year. I love her.

The words hit me like a slap.

For six months? I whispered.

Yes. I didnt know how to tell you. He looked ashamed.

And the flat? You want to sell it? I asked.

Its in my name, legally. I have the right. He hesitated. I can give you money, help you find a place, or you could move back with your parents.

I stood, shaking. You know what, Victor? Sell the flat, move in with Sophie. Youll have lost me forever.

I walked out of the café without looking back.

Back at Lucys, she wrapped me in a hug, rubbing my back as I wept. You did the right thing, Ally. He doesnt deserve you.

But I have nowhere to go. Hell sell the flat, I wont get a penny. Ill be on the street.

Your parents have a onebedroom. No room.

Then Ill stay here, Lucy said firmly. Youll live as long as you need.

I spent the next month on Lucys couch. Victor sold the flat and moved in with Sophie. I filed for divorce, went to court for compensation, but the judge ruled the property belonged to Victor, as it was legally his.

I found a job, saved up, and eventually rented a small room in a shared house. Not luxurious, but it was mine. I took up yoga, met new friends, and slowly the pain faded, leaving only a faint ache.

One afternoon my motherinlaw called. Ally, how are you?

Im okay, thank you, I replied.

Just so you know, Victor and Sophie split. She left when the money ran out. Hes now renting a room, complaining how lonely it is. He asked about you. He wonders if you might reconcile?

Im not going back to the man who betrayed me, I said.

Good for you, she sighed. Just wanted you to know.

I hung up, looked out at the grey London sky, at the bustling streets below. Life was still hard a modest flat, modest pay, occasional loneliness but it was honest, free of lies and betrayal.

That was worth more than any flat or any man who didnt appreciate me.