English Short Story: The Uninvited Guest - Improve your English Listening (Podcast)

in this English lesson you're going to listen  to a story called The Uninvited Guest and this  

is to practice your English listing skills  if you are watching on YouTube then turn on  

the captions so that you can listen and read  at the same time and at the end of the story  

we're going to explore some key terms that will  help improve your English my name is Jack from T  

fluency I'm really excited to read this story  to you because I I think it's a great way for  

you to improve your English be sure to check the  description for the key terms from this story and  

listen to the end because the story hopefully  is going to be very interesting to you and also  

we're going to explore those key terms so that  you can learn new words and phrases so sit back  

or continue doing whatever you're doing relax and  listen to The Uninvited Guest Laura had spent all  

day preparing for the dinner party she cleaned the  apartment arranged flowers on the table and cooked  

a meal she hoped everyone would enjoy tonight was  supposed to be a quiet relaxing evening with close  

friends a break from the usual busyness of the  week her husband James was in the kitchen putting  

the final touches on dessert together they made  a great team when hosting their friends always  

appreciated the effort they put into creating a  welcoming Atmosphere by 7:30 the guests began to  

arrive Sarah and Tom a couple they had known for  years were the first to step through the door then  

came Emily L's best friend from University who  brought her new boyfriend Mark the group greeted  

each other warmly filling the apartment with  chatter and laughter Laura was just pouring the  

first round of drinks when the doorbell rang again  she frowned and looked at James are we expecting  

someone else she asked James shook his head no  maybe someone's at the wrong door curious Laura  

walked to the door and opened it her breath caught  as she saw the man standing there it was David  

someone from her past she hadn't seen in years  his face was familiar with the same confident  

smile she remembered but seeing him now felt  completely unexpected David Laura said her voice  

uncertain what are you doing here David smiled  his eyes warm but unreadable I was in the area  

and thought I'd stopped by hope I'm not intruding  Laura hesitated feeling a not form in her stomach  

before she could respond James appeared behind  her his voice curious who is it it's David Laura  

said stepping aside as James moved to the doorway  David extended his hand with a friendly grin James  

good to see you again David said his tone casual  James hesitated briefly before shaking his hand  

David this is unexpected David laughed lightly I  know sorry for the surprise I was hoping to catch  

up with you both before Laura could gather her  thoughts Sarah and Tom appeared in the hallway  

curious about the new arrival who's this Tom  asked smiling as he stepped forward an old friend  

David replied smoothly David nice to meet you  introductions were made and soon enough David was  

in the living room with the others Laura exchanged  a glance with James who Shrugged slightly as if  

to say what can we do as evening went on David's  charm and humor filled the room he shared stories  

from his recent travels making everyone laugh but  beneath the surface Laura felt tension James kept  

glancing at her and Emily seemed to study David  a little too closely there was his history here  

something only Laura and James fully understood  during dinner the conversation shifted to the Past  

David never want to miss an opportunity brought  up a trip he and Laura had taken years ago do you  

remember that Cafe by the river Laura he asked his  ton likee we spent hours there just talking Laura  

felt her face flush she knew James was listening  carefully yes I remember she replied cautiously  

trying to steal the conversation in another  Direction it was a long time ago James set his  

thought down his tone calm but firm that's right  a very long time ago David's smile his gaze steady  

funny how some memories stick with you though  isn't it the room grew quiet for a moment Emily  

sensing the shift in mood quickly changed the  subject asking about everyone's holiday plans  

the tension eased slightly but the atmosphere  wasn't the same as before later that evening as  

the party wound down Laura excused herself to the  kitchen to take a moment alone she leaned against  

the counter taking a deep breath the evening had  taken a turn she hadn't anticipated and she felt  

like she' been walking on a tight rope all night  James soon joined her his expression concerned you  

okay okay he asked quietly Laura nodded I didn't  know he'd show up I'm sorry it's not your fault  

James said his voice steady it's just surprising  that's all before they kid say more David appeared  

in the doorway leaning casually against the frame  everything all right in here Laura forced a smile  

yes we're just Tiding up David nodded his gaze  lingering for a moment before he spoke thanks  

for letting me join tonight it was great seeing  you both James gave a polite nod safe travels  

back David looked at Laura one last time take care  Laura he said his tone softer now as David walked  

out of the apartment and the door closed behind  him Laura let out her breath she didn't realize  

she had been holding she and James returned to the  living room where they're remaining for friends  

were chatting and laughing as if nothing had  happened Laura caught Jam's eye from across the  

room he gave a small reassuring smile she returned  it feeling a sense of calm the evening hadn't gone  

as planned but together they had handled it the  past might have walked through their door but it  

was a present and the people who mattered most  that stayed in this story We explain several  

key phrases and words that help convey suspense  tension and emotional depth so what we're going  

to do now is break down go through seven of them  to understand their meanings and how they can be  

used in different contexts and then once we do  this it's a good idea to go back and listen to  

the story again the first phrase is a not form in  her stomach a not form in her stomach so Laura FS  

a not form in her stomach when she sees David at  the door meaning she experiences sudden anxiety or  

unease this phrase describes a physical reaction  to stress or nervousness for example I felt a knot  

in my stomach before the exam or she had a knot in  her stomach when she realized she'd made a mistake  

the second phrase is good to see you again good  to see you again David says this to James apply  

a neutral way of greeting someone after some time  apart the phrase is commonly used in formal or  

informal context for example it's good to see  you again after all these years or good to see  

you again how have you been the third phrase is  never won to miss an opportunity never won to miss  

an opportunity David is described as never one  to miss an opportunity meaning he always takes  

advantage of chances to say or do something  this phrase can be used both positively and  

negatively for example she's never want to miss an  opportunity to help others or he never misses an  

opportunity to show off his knowledge the fourth  phrase is stick with you stick with you David  

mentions that some memories stick with you meaning  they remain in your mind for a long time and this  

is often due to emotional impact for example the  kindness of strangers during my trip really stuck  

with me or that lesson stuck with him in shapes  how he handled challenges the fifth phrase that  

I imagine a lot of you don't know is walking on a  tight rope walking on a tight rope now you might  

have something similar in your own language  because in the story Laura feels like she's  

walking on a tight rope throughout the evening  meaning she's in a delicate situation where she  

has to be very careful because David been there  this phrase is often used to describe situations  

requiring balance and caution for example  managing the team while avoiding conflicts felt  

like walking on a tight rope or she was walking  on a tight rope trying not to upset anyone we've  

got two more phrases to go and the next one is  lingering gaze lingering gaze so David's lingering  

and gaze adds to the tension meaning his look his  stare lasted longer than usual suggesting feelings  

or intentions so this phrase is often used to  describe a look that implies deeper emotion for  

example his lingering gaze told her everything  he didn't say or the lingering gaze between  

them hinted at something unspoken and the last  phrase is let out of breath she didn't realize  

she'd been holding let out of breath she didn't  realize she'd been holding so we've got the past  

perfect here but Laura let out her breath she  didn't realize she'd been holding after David  

left meaning that she felt relieved after being  tense for so long and it's often used to describe  

a moment of release from stress or anxiety for  for example when the test was over I let out a  

breath I didn't realize I'd been holding or she'd  finally let out a breath as a situation resolved  

so that's the story those are the seven phrases  again go back to listen to the story a few more  

times or at least once so that you can really  understand and get the best listening practice  

you can go to the description to get key English  learning resources courses my recommended tools  

Etc if you listen to this as a podcast then  go back to past episodes if you're on YouTube  

explore the different videos we have made over  the last 10 years and one last thing if you  

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reaches more people thanks again for listening  and we will speak to you soon bye for now