Unwelcome Guests

**Unwelcome Guests**

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

“Yes?” she said flatly.

“Emily, love?” a loud, cheerful womans voice chirped. “Is that you?”

“It is,” Emily replied, indifferent.

“Its me!” the woman continued brightly. “Do you recognise me?”

“I do,” Emily lied politely, having no idea who was calling.

“I knew youd remember me right away!” the woman gushed. “So glad I caught you. Can you talk now?”

“I can.”

“Brilliant! Me, my husband, and the kids are at the station. Got off the train an hour ago. You hear me alright?”

“Loud and clear.”

“You sound a bit quiet. Everything alright, love?”

“Perfect.”

“Im so pleased. We were going to book a hotel at first, thought we had no family here. Then we rememberedyou! You see?”

“I see.”

“Such luck, really. Youve no idea how thrilled we were. Especially the kids.”

“I can imagine.”

“And my husband said straightaway, Ring Emily. She wont let us down.”

“He was right. I wont.”

“So youll let us stay with you? Thats settled?”

“Fine. You can stay.”

“We shant be long,” the woman prattled on. “Just a fortnight. Sightseeing, then back home. You know what they sayhomes where the heart is. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

“We knew youd say yes. My husband especially. Emily would never turn us away, he said. Familys family, even if its been ten years. Right?”

“Right.”

“You live alone now?”

“Alone.”

“Three-bedroom flat?”

“Yes.”

“So well come over now?”

“Do.”

“Be there in an hour. Still at the same place?”

“Still here.”

“Wait for us, then!”

“Waiting,” Emily replied.

She hung up, dropped the phone on the nightstand, rolled over, and pulled the duvet over her head, unconcerned that she still hadnt worked out who shed just spoken to.

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

Then came the knocking. Emily didnt budge. Finally, the phone rang once more.

“Yes?” she mumbled, eyes still closed.

“Emily, darling?” the same voice trilled.

“Yes.”

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

“Youre ringing?”

“Yes!”

“Cant hear a thing.”

“I dont know why. Try again?”

The doorbell sounded.

“Were ringing!” the woman said.

“No,” Emily replied, “still nothing. Try knocking.”

A thud at the door.

“Knocking now!”

“Nope. Dead silent.”

“Oh, blast,” the woman sighed.

“What?”

“Where are you, love?”

“What dyou mean? At home.”

“Wheres home?”

“Manchester,” Emily said, the first place that came to mind. “Where else?”

“Manchester? Not London?”

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

“Why?”

“Why the divorce?”

“Why move?”

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

“Manchesters better?”

“Course. Much better.”

“Whats better?”

“Everything. No nasty reminders. But why am I explaining? Come see for yourself. How many of you are there?”

“Four. Me, my husband, and the kids. Olivers the eldest, and little Archie. Archies trying for unithird time this year.”

“All four of you, then. Come along. Weve a cracking uni here too.”

“When should we come?”

“Nows good.”

“Cant now. Loads to sort in London. Archie only wants to study there. We came up to sort jobs, actually. Planned to stay with you a whole year. But, well bit awkward now.”

“So, not coming today?”

“Afraid not.”

“Pity. Id got the spare rooms ready.”

“Such a shame. Youve no idea.”

“I think I do.”

“No, you really dont. The thought of whats aheadhonestly, its unbearable.”

Emily decided it was time to wrap things up.

“Right then,” she said. “If not now, come when you can. Always happy to have you. Once youre settled in London, send your address straightaway. Ill pop down for a fortnight. See how it goes. Youre all Ive got there now. Deal? Youll send the address?”

But the line went dead before she heard the answer.