Valerie set down her knitting as the door creaked open. Mrs. Thompson from next door poked her head in, her curly grey hair catching the afternoon light.
“Valerie love, you wouldnt happen to have any milk, would you? My granddaughters come to stay, and I need to make her porridge.”
“Of course, dear,” Valerie said, rising from her chair. “Take the whole bottleIve another in the fridge.”
Mrs. Thompson beamed, but before she could leave, a deep voice rumbled from the sitting room.
“Whos that traipsing in and out like this is their own house?”
Valeries cheeks burned. Barry had been in such a foul mood latelygrumbling about the neighbours, the children playing too loudly in the street, even the way she brewed his tea.
“Sorry, love,” Valerie murmured. “Barrys been under a lot of stress at work.”
“Oh, dont fret, pet,” Mrs. Thompson waved a hand. “Men, eh? All the same. Ta for the milk.”
When the door clicked shut, Valerie returned to the sitting room. Barry sat in his armchair, rustling the newspaper as if nothing had happened.
“Why must you be so sharp with her?” Valerie asked. “Shes been a good friend all these years.”
“Your friend, not mine,” Barry muttered. “And whys she always after something? First its sugar, then butter, now milk. Cant she manage her own shopping?”
“Whats the harm? Its not as though were wanting.”
“Its not about the money. Give them an inch, theyll take a mile.”
Valerie bit her tongue. Arguing was pointless these days. Barry had grown sullen, withdrawnnothing like the man shed married. Was it age? The job?
The phone rang, sharp and sudden. Valerie picked up.
“Hello?”
“Auntie Val?” A young womans voice quivered on the line. “Its Emily.”
“Emily, love!” Valeries heart lifted. “How are you? Hows university?”
“Auntie, I” Emilys breath hitched. “Can I come stay with you? Just for a little while?”
“Of course, darling. Whats happened?”
“Mum and Dad theyve split. Dads moved some woman in, and Mums gone to Grans in Devon. Theres no room for me. My exams are coming up, and Ive nowhere to”
Valeries chest tightened. Emily was her brothers girlclever, sweet, studying business at Leeds. Just last Christmas, theyd all been together, laughing over pudding.
“Come straight away, pet. Well sort it.”
“Thank you, Auntie. Ill be there tomorrow.”
Valerie hung up and turned to Barry, who glared over his paper.
“What now?” he grunted.
“Emilys coming. Your brothers girl. Her parents have separatedshes got nowhere else.”
“And thats our problem?” Barry tossed the paper aside. “I come home to rest, not play host to some stray.”
“Barry! Shes family!”
“Your family. Not mine.” His voice hardened. “Last thing I need is some student underfoot.”
“Shes a good girl! Top of her class!”
“For how long? A week? A month? A year?” Barrys face reddened. “Next thing, shell be bringing half her mates round.”
Valerie stared, uncomprehending. Thirty years ago, Barry had been kindthe sort whod help anyone. Now, he was a stranger.
“Please, Barry,” she whispered. “Shes desperate.”
“Not my concern,” he snapped. “This is my house. I decide who stays.”
Valeries hands shook. Hed never spoken to her like this.
“Fine,” she said quietly. “Ill tell her not to come.”
“Good.” Barry picked up his paper.
In the kitchen, Valerie clutched the phone, watching the children playing outside. Somewhere in Leeds, Emily was packing her things, hoping for kindness.
“Emily?”
“Yes, Auntie?”
“Love, its just were a bit cramped here. Maybe you could stay with a friend?”
Silence. Then
“Right. Of course. Thanks anyway.”
The line went dead. Valerie wept.
The next evening, Barry came home to a suitcase in the hall.
“Whats this?”
“Emilys here,” Valerie said. “She had no choice.”
“I said no!” Barry bellowed.
Emily stepped into the hall, pale. “Uncle Barry, Ill only stay until”
“Until what?” he sneered. “Youve worn out your welcome elsewhere?”
Valerie stepped between them. “Thats enough.”
“Dont tell me what to do in my own home!” Barry roared. “You let her in behind my back?”
“Yes,” Valerie said. “Because it was the right thing to do.”
Barrys face darkened. “Then youve made your choice.” He grabbed his coat. “Ill be at my brothers.”
The door slammed.
Emily trembled. “Auntie, Ill go”
Valerie pulled her close. “No. You stay.” That night, they drank tea and talked for hours. The house felt alive again.
Barry called daily, demanding Emily leave.
“Think what youre throwing away!” he barked.
“Im choosing decency,” Valerie said.
A month later, Emily found a job and a flat share.
“Ill miss you,” Valerie said, helping her pack.
“Me too,” Emily hugged her. “Youve been more of a mum to me than anyone.”
When Barry returned, he eyed the quiet house. “Back to normal, then.”
Valerie stirred the stew. “Your idea of normal, maybe.”
Barry frowned. “Whats that mean?”
“It means,” she said softly, “I wont live with a man whos forgotten how to care.”
For the first time in years, Barry looked uncertain. “Val maybe I was too hard on the girl.”
“Maybe.”
He sank into his chair. “Ill try to do better.”
Valerie smiled. It was a start.
