My niece popped round for a visit, but shes sulking because I havent fed her.
Im based in Manchester while my sister lives up in Bristol. Her daughter, Charlotte, is gunning for a place at the university that happens to be in my town. Shell be moving into a hall of residence later, but for now shes come for a couple of weeks to sort out a few things some exams, maybe just the paperwork, Im not entirely sure. All I know is that turning up before you start university is perfectly normal. My sister struck a deal that Charlotte would crash on my sofa for the spell.
Whos supposed to set the table?
We never really talked about meals. If her mum stays quiet on the subject, they sort it out between themselves. I walk into the lounge and find Charlotte looking utterly dejected. Whats the matter? I ask. She tells me shed expected a warm lunch from me. I snap back, Im not only refusing to feed you, Im on my own schedule. Ive got to dash now! Call your mum and have her transfer some cash to your account, then grab some cheese biscuits, a few rolls and a cuppa. Oh, and buy the tea too Im out! Come on, youre 18, you can manage that, cant you?
Her mum hasnt spoken to me in ages, and she doesnt know that once the kids flew the nest my husband vanished into a job somewhere else, and I threw myself into work. My timetable is a nightmare, so Im only home irregularly and my energy for domestic chores has pretty much fled. A decent nap would be a miracle right about now.
Im not about to sacrifice anything for a guest.
Its lovely, of course, to see Charlotte. Shes grown, more ladylike even, but Im no longer that breezy, quickthinking Aunt Lucy who could once whip up an elephantsize stew without breaking a sweat. Let her do the shopping, slice the veg, boil the potatoes, fry the fish and steam the peas. Better still, have her pick up something readymade so she doesnt ruin my stovetop or my flat.
So she sulked, calmed down a bit, and now burns with silent fury each day, apparently having expected a fullboard stay with mum. Maybe things will settle. Its hard to go from the helpful, easygoing aunt to the aloof one overnight, especially after all these years of keeping the peace with everyone around me. Still, Im reasonably diplomatic: Ive offered a free bed albeit one missing the fullservice element. I even saw a counsellor for tips on how to gently explain to the family that Im not the same superfunctioning machine I used to be. Theyll just have to expect a little less from me now.
