Three' s a crowd

Karen' s brother-in-law followed them wherever they went. It was time to teach him a lesson¼

The first time it happened, Karen didn' t mind. She and Steve had already paid for the holiday and because it was a special deal, there was no possibility of a refund. And when Steve offered the holiday to his brother, Mike said he' d give them something in return.

If only she' d known then that Mike was a cheapskate. Not only had he accepted the holiday and spent those two weeks in a cheerful resort in southern Spain, he hadn' t given them a penny. Not even a postcard or a bottle of wine.

Why don' t you remind Mike that he offered to repay us?'

Karen suggested.

He' s well off. Maybe he' s just forgotten?'

Steve shook his head. He' s always been like this. A real penny pincher.'

Karen felt cross all day, as she arranged holiday deals for her customers at the travel agency.

Everyone else was spending a week or two by the sea or on a cruise. She and Steve couldn' t afford a second holiday on their budget. They' d had no option but to cancel the Spanish holiday to keep the business afloat when Steve' s boss had been taken ill. It was either that or lose his job, and they relied on his income to pay their mortgage.

It was nearly closing time when one of Karen' s customers mentioned that she' d arranged a house swap. Karen' s ears pricked up.

No accommodation costs, the use of a car, and it' s located on a fjord in Norway,' the woman said. Have a look.' And she showed her photos of a yellow house with green doors and big windows facing the sea.

After dinner, Karen sat at the computer, checking out house-swap sites, and sent off several enquiries.

Just a few hours later, she received a response. An old gentleman living in Bude wanted to spend a week somewhere quiet, preferably near the Peak District.

He was interested in a house swap, and emailed her half-a-dozen photos. He lived in a two-storey white house with brick chimneys, situated on the waterfront. Fireplaces, wooden floorboards and ocean views.

Would he be interested in their two-bedroom bungalow on the outskirts of Macclesfield, located in a cul de sac?

To her surprise, he accepted. It should' ve been a wonderful holiday.

The man' s home was spacious and wellmaintained.nd

And she fell in love with the blue Citroen they were allowed to use.

How has it all gone so wrong?' she asked Steve, as they lay in bed one night. Through the open window they could hear the ocean and smell the salty sea air.

Mike just said he' d like to come along,' Steve began weakly. I didn' t know how to tell him he wasn' t invited.'

Mike had arrived on their first afternoon there, admired the view, and announced he' d join them.

For the sake of family

Mike just said hed like to come along. I didnt know how to tell him he wasnt invited

peace, Karen had kept quiet. But she was seething the whole time.

She' d have been better off at home than here, fuming and upset. Mike didn' t even pay for the Citroen' s petrol or contribute to the grocery bill. I don' t know how you put up with him,' Karen said. Someone needs to teach him a lesson.'

After checking tourist sites online, she suggested they drive to Boscastle and do the five-mile walk to Tintagel, knowing Mike hated exercise.

But the dramatic views along the rugged coastline were breathtaking, and left him wanting to stay longer. Especially after they visited Padstow and spent a morning in Clovelly Village.

Karen decided she' d like to go back to Cornwall sometime, if the old gentleman was happy to swap houses again.

It had certainly been a cheap holiday for them, and they' d explored a part of the country they hadn' t seen.

Once they were home again, it became a hobby for her, checking house-swap sites in the evenings after work. She was always calling Steve to the computer to show him a new apartment or bungalow, somewhere exotic.

There was an apartment in Manhattan, a luxury home on Sydney Harbour, and one person in Copenhagen offered the additional use of his holiday home. Fancy having the use of two properties?' said Karen.

Steve was looking over her shoulder, as she clicked on the thumbnail photos.

The home in Copenhagen was two storeys, and the interior was far more luxurious than their modest bungalow. And the holiday home in Sweden looked solid and well cared for. Why would someone living in a house like that want to swap with us?' Steve asked.

Karen pointed to the list of preferred destinations indicated by the owner. Peak District or vicinity,' she read, and the dates given would coincide with their wedding anniversary. It was too good to pass by. They' d never been able to afford a holiday in Copenhagen. I' m going to email him anyway,' Karen said. All he can do is say no.'

Steve looked doubtful. It was a week later when the owner replied. His name was Jens Nielsen and he was interested.

Karen was ecstatic. He' s coming over for a family reunion,' she explained. And he doesn' t like staying in hotels.'

It was a bit more complicated to organise than last time, but Jens spoke good English and they arrived at arrangements that suited both parties.

The night before they were due to fly to Copenhagen, Mike came over for dinner. Remember what I said about not mentioning our holiday,' Karen said, as Mike' s car pulled into the drive. He' s bound to invite himself along if he knows we' re going away.'

Steve nodded. You can rely on me.'

After two glasses of Merlot, Steve started to talk about Scandinavia. The truth soon came out.

Mike' s face lit up. I' ve heard about those Scandinavian women,' he said. Long legs, blonde, fabulous.'

Before he went home, he' d managed to talk Steve into giving him the address and even the spare house keys Jens had provided.

He' d make his own travel arrangements. That' s what families are for, isn' t it, Steve?' he said. We stick together.'

Steve just smiled and didn' t look at Karen, who' d turned away.

He was still smiling next day as he and Karen sat in the plane on their way to Copenhagen. City of Hans Christian Andersen, master storyteller.

They' d told a story of their own. The only disappointment was that they wouldn' t find out how it ended.

If only they could see

Mike' s face when he arrived at the remote holiday house by the lake in Sweden, and found that he' d be holidaying there on his own, hundreds of miles away. They' d be in Jens' lovely Copenhagen residence with its central heating and log fires. Let' s hope he remembered to pack his thermals,' Karen laughed. Jens said it' s freezing there at this time of year.'

Let s hope he remembered to pack his thermals. Jens said it Õs freezing there at this time of yearÕ