Dh tells me that a good friend of his who lives in France has just rung to say that his au pair fancies visiting London for two or three days next week and can she come and stay with us? I work FT and we are going on holiday next Saturday, I am travelling on Friday next week so will have to pack during the evenings of the coming week. When we have friends to stay I clear out my study (which I work from home in one day a week) so that they stay there. I am not really willing to have to cook for someone's au pair each evening, give up my evenings making polite conversation each evening (dh gets in late), clear out the study, have the extra laundry etc etc. I have said to dh that I am not willing for his friend's au pair to come to stay at all and certainly not next week. AIBU to refuse this request and to think it is a bit cheeky to ask at all? Is it usual to ask friends abroad to put your au pair up?