“We’ll Be Staying With You For A While, We Can’t Afford To Rent A Flat!” – Said My Friend I’m a very active woman. Even though I’m 65, I still manage to visit fascinating places and meet interesting people. I recall my youth with both joy and nostalgia—back then, you could holiday wherever you liked! You could go to the seaside, or camping with friends, or set sail down any river, all for little money. Sadly, those days are gone. I always loved meeting new people, be it on the beach or at the theatre, and many friendships lasted years. One day, I met a woman named Sarah. We were holidaying at the same seaside guesthouse and parted as friends. Years passed and we’d occasionally exchange letters. Then, one day, I received an unsigned telegram: “The train arrives at three in the morning. Meet me!” I couldn’t imagine who would send it. My husband and I didn’t go anywhere, but at four in the morning, there was a knock at our door. Opening it, I was stunned—standing there was Sarah, two teenage girls, her mother, and a man, with a mountain of luggage. My husband and I were bewildered, but we let them in. Then Sarah asked me: “Why didn’t you come to meet us? I sent you a telegram! And you know, that cost me!” “Sorry, but we didn’t know who sent it.” “Well, you gave me your address. So, here I am.” “I thought we’d just write letters, that’s all!” Sarah explained that one of the girls had just finished school and wanted to attend university. The family had come to support her. “We’ll be living with you! We have no money for a flat or hotel!” I was shocked—we weren’t even family! Why should we let them stay with us? We had to feed them three times a day. They’d brought some food, but didn’t cook, just ate ours. I ended up looking after everyone. I couldn’t take it anymore, so after three days I asked Sarah and her family to leave. I didn’t care where to. There was an awful row. Sarah started smashing crockery and screamed hysterically. I was utterly appalled. As they packed up, they managed to steal my bathrobe, several towels, and—astonishingly—even a large saucepan. I still don’t know how they got it out, but that pan simply vanished! And so ended our friendship—thank goodness! I never saw or heard from her again. How can people be so shameless? Now, I’m much more wary when meeting new acquaintances.

Well be staying with you for a while because we havent got the money for a flat! my friend announced out of the blue.

Honestly, Im a rather lively woman. Even now, at 65, Im always out and about, exploring new places and meeting interesting people. I look back on my younger days with a bittersweet fondnessyou could go anywhere on holiday! A trip to the seaside was always on the cards, or you would camp out with mates, maybe set off on a little boat journey along any river you fancied. And back then, it never cost you an arm and a leg, just a bit of spare change.

But those days belong to the past now. Ive always loved meeting new faces, whether it was chatting with folks on the beach or running into someone at the theatre. Some of those encounters blossomed into proper friendships that lasted for years.

One summer, I met a woman named Harriet. We crossed paths during a holiday at the same B&B in Cornwall. We parted ways as good friends and, over the years, kept in touch now and then through letters.

Then, out of the blue, I received a messagean unsigned telegram. All it said was, The train arrives at 3am. Meet me! I had no idea who couldve sent such a thing. So, naturally, my husband and I didnt go anywhere.

But at 4 in the morning, there was a loud knock at our front door. I opened it and just stared in disbelief. Standing on the doorstep was Harriet, two teenage girls, an elderly grandmother and a man, all surrounded by an enormous pile of luggage. My husband and I just looked at each other, stunned. But, after a moment, we let them all in. Harriet turned to me and said,

Why didnt you meet us? I sent you a telegram! You know, its not cheap!
Im really sorry, but we had no idea who sent it!
Well, you gave me your address. So here I am.
I just thought wed keep exchanging letters, thats all!

Later, Harriet told me one of the girls had just finished school and was heading off to university this year, so the family had come along for support.

Well stay with you! We cant afford to rent a place or book a hotel!

I was gobsmacked, to be honest. We werent even related, so why were we expected to put them all up? We ended up feeding our unexpected guests three times a day. Theyd brought along a bit of food, but they never cooked anything themselvesjust ate whatever wed prepared. And it was me clearing up after everyone.

After three days, I just couldnt take it anymore, so I asked Harriet and her family to move out. I didnt care where they went. That kicked off a rowHarriet started smashing crockery and screaming her head off.

I was absolutely floored by the whole spectacle. Eventually, Harriet and the lot began packing their things. They even managed to pinch my dressing gown, a few towels and, somehow, my big saucepan vanished as well. To this day, Ive no idea how they snuck it out, but it just disappeared!

And just like that, the friendship was overthank heavens! Ive never heard from her or seen her since. Seriously, how can anyone be so cheeky?

These days, Im far more cautious about who I let into my life, let me tell you.