“We’ll Stay at Your Place for a While Since We Can’t Afford to Rent a Flat!” – My Friend Announced At 65, I’m a lively woman, never letting age stop me from exploring new places or meeting fascinating people. I look back at my youth with both joy and a touch of sadness. Back then, you could holiday anywhere you fancied! From seaside trips to camping adventures with friends, even sailing down any river you chose—all for just a little money. Sadly, those days are behind me now. I always loved meeting new people—on the beach, at the theatre, anywhere really. Many of those acquaintances became lifelong friends. One summer, I met Sara while staying at the same B&B. We parted as friends, keeping in touch with the occasional letter over the years. Then one day, I received an unsigned telegram: “The train arrives at 3 a.m. Please meet me!” Puzzled about who had sent it, my husband and I stayed put. But at four in the morning, our doorbell rang. To my shock, there stood Sara with two teenage girls, a grandmother, and a man, all surrounded by heaps of luggage. My husband and I were baffled but let these unexpected guests in. Sara exclaimed: – “Why didn’t you meet us? I sent you a telegram! Besides, that’s not cheap! – Sorry, we didn’t know who sent it! – Well, you gave me your address. So here we are. – I thought we’d stick to letters, nothing more!” Sara explained that one of the girls had just left school and decided to go to university, so the whole family came to support her. – “We’ll be living with you! We can’t afford to rent a flat or stay in a hotel!” I was stunned. We weren’t even related—why should we let them stay? We had to feed them three times a day; although they brought a bit of food, they cooked nothing and ate ours. I was left to serve everyone. After three exhausting days, I asked Sara and her family to leave—I didn’t care where to. That sparked a row. Sara smashed crockery and screamed hysterically. I was appalled. As they packed, they even managed to steal my dressing gown, a few towels, and somehow my large cooking pot vanished too—no idea how! That was the end of our friendship—and thank heavens! I’ve never heard from her since. How could anyone be so cheeky?! Now, I’m much more wary when I meet new people.

Well be staying at yours for a while. We dont have any money to rent a flat!my friend declared.

I consider myself a lively woman. Even at sixty-five, I find ways to explore various places and meet fascinating people. With a mixture of nostalgia and longing, I recall my younger days. Back then, holidays were pure freedom! You could take a trip to the seaside on a whim, head off camping with friends, or join a leisurely boat cruise down any riverand none of it cost much.

But thats all behind me now. Ive always cherished meeting new faces, whether chatting on the beach or striking up a conversation at the theatre. Many of those encounters blossomed into friendships that lasted for years.

It was during one of those holidays that I met a woman named Margaret. We ended up lodging together at the same guesthouse and parted as close friends. Years passed, and we occasionally exchanged letters.

Then, one day, a telegram arrivedunsigned. Theres a train at three in the morning. Meet me! it said.

I couldnt make sense of it, nor who might have sent it. My husband and I decided not to go anywhere, but at four oclock in the morning, the doorbell rang. I opened the door, utterly stunned. Margaret stood there with two teenage girls, an elderly lady, and a man, all lugging multiple bags and suitcases. My husband and I stared in disbelief, but in the end, we allowed them in.

Margaret turned to me and asked, Why didnt you come to meet us? I sent you a telegram! And mind you, that costs!
I apologised and explained, We simply had no idea who sent it!
She shrugged. Well, you did give me your address. Here we are.
But I thought wed just write occasionally, thats all

She then recounted how one of the girls had just finished school and decided to go to university, so the whole family had come along to support her.

Were going to live with you! We truly cant afford a flat or even a hotel.

I was shell-shocked. We arent even relatives; why should we let them occupy our home? Suddenly, we were responsible for feeding our guests three times a day. Theyd brought some food, but never lifted a finger in the kitchenjust ate whatever we served. I found myself waiting on all of them.

After three exhausting days, I asked Margaret and her relatives to leave. I didnt care where they went.

An argument erupted; Margaret smashed dishes and shrieked hysterically.

I was astounded by such behaviour. They eventually began packing, and somehow managed to make off with my dressing gown, several towels, andunbelievablyeven my large stockpot. Ill never understand how they managed to sneak it out, but the pot vanished without a trace.

So ended our friendship. Thank goodness! I never heard from her again. How could anyone be so brazen?

These days, Im far more careful about opening my door to new people.