Oh Marnie

"Oh Marnie"

"Stop it Steve."

"Oh Marnie, you know I adore you."

"No Steve, you're married to my sister, get away from me."

"Oh Marnie, you are so pretty and bright, let's go up stairs."

"No Steve, I need to get back to my kids soon, as my mum has picked them up from school today."

"See that gives us time for a cuddle upstairs, let me show you how I adore you."

"Steve, are you up there? I need the wine to be opened, as Marnie has to go soon."

"Coming pumpkin."

Steve licked his lips at the thought of sharing both sisters as he went back downstairs. His wife kept home so well he felt stifled by everything she stood for. The safe tights instead of stockings, and the boring white bra rather than risque red. Marnie wore stockings, and he had seen her red bra poking out from her low cut top. Thinking of his wife as a safety net and her sister as the wild child, Steve wanted both women.

"Nan, look what I made you."

"Oh Julie, that's lovely. Let's put it on my fridge wall now, so I can see it everyday while you're at school."

"Okay Nanny, do I have to go home? Can't I stay here?"

"No darling, you need to go home for your dinner."

-

"Come in Marnie, how was the wine and badminton party today?"

"They had a pipe leak, so we ended up going to Sue and Steve's and laughing there."

"Hello mummy, why couldn't I come to the party at Auntie Su Su's house?"

"It was all grown up chat darling, there weren't any other children for you to play with."

"Can we stay for dinner at Nanny's home? She has steak pie and mash today, boy, they are my favourite?"

"Do you have enough mum, I have pudding from Sue?"

"Oh go on then, Julie, go set the table for Nanny darling?:

"Can I have Quosh drink?"

"I will get it down for you and make you a glass with your dinner. Go upstairs and wash your hands ready for dinner."

"Mum, why don't I have a daddy?"

"He died, Julie."

"Uncle Steve is funny and lets me ride on his back and tickle his arm."

"Come on, get out of that bath, it's time for bed, look how sleepy you are."

"I am missing Teddy, so goodnight mum."

"Goodnight sleep tight."

"Make sure the bed bugs don't bite."

-

Julie was thinking about those earlier days of her childhood with a smile when her mum walked in.

"Are you going to see your Nan today, Julie?"

"Yes, I have bought her some shopping so we can cook together, and I will take down her nets as it's Thursday. Fish and chips I think, and I will stay tonight."

"What’s happening tomorrow?"

"I will see Auntie Sue before getting the bus back."

"Okay, then have a nice time."

"Auntie Su Su!" They hugged and laughed while chatting at Nan's house.

"Nanna thought we could eat together and you could stay at Sue's tonight."

"Nanny, I will get up on the ladder to fetch your nets down. Okay, are they going in the washing machine?"

"Oh no Julie in soak, because they are lace net curtains, and the washing machine will damage them."

"Got it, no problem Nanna. What do you put in the water to get them so white?"

"Oh this and that, don't you worry about that. Go wash your hands ready for lunch, as I have a nice bit of ham to go with that salad."

"Susan, pop the kettle on for a nice cup of tea."

"Mum, he was doing it again with her."

"Shoosh now, we will talk tomorrow afternoon, you will have to save it Susan."

"Auntie Sue, who did what?"

"Never mind, my favourite niece, let's eat. We've got baking to do."

Those were the days, thought Julie, smiling to herself. Innocent days where she thought everyone got on.

-

"Mum?"

"Stop it Steve, I mean it."

"Uncle Steve, mummy doesn't need you to scratch her back. I can do it."

"But I wanted to feel her new blouse too."

As a kid, Julie wondered about all that touching and corner whispers from Uncle Steve with Mummy. Hushed words between Auntie Sue and Nanna occasionally.

"Oh what lovely white nets this week Julie, your home will look lovely once you get one."

"Ah shucks Nanna, I am pleased you're happy. They were quite grubby this morning."

"That's what living on a main road does, the dirt from all that traffic won't stay out."

"Sounds like you need double glazing Nan."

"I can't afford that love, but maybe your grandad can fit me something?"

"Come on in Susan, what have you been buying?"

"I bought a red bra and stockings Mum. I have to do something, he says I am boring. I know she wears this muck, but I shall have to lower myself to get him tempted as I want a baby."

"That's the best way Susan, men have gutters for minds most of the time."

"Hello Auntie Sue, have you been shopping for something nice? What's for lunch Nan? I should go soon or mum will nag me."

"Nag you about what Julie? Put the kettle on Susan and get that tiptop cream out of the fridge. We will have a creamy coffee today to cheer us all up."

"Are you alright Auntie Sue?"

"Of course, it's Uncle Steve's birthday soon, so I am dressing up in something, er, that he likes."

What an odd way of saying that about such a pretty bra, Julie thought.

"It's a lovely colour Auntie Sue, mum has that colour."

Auntie Sue stiffened in the lunch chair, and Nanna shot her a look to quieten her.

"Oh right, I forgot the bread, silly me."

-

"That's wonderful news Sue, congratulations on the birth of your new daughter. I will give you all of Julie's baby clothes I have been saving."

"Oh you don't want them?” Mum's face dropped upset at her sister's rebuff. "Bye, then give my love to Steve."

The phone was slammed down.

"Oh Marnie, don't get upset Susan is tired after the birth of Gemma-ann. You know how post pregnancy can go, all night feeds, daytime tears, and an unfeeling husband bored at playing house. Keep away and let them bond as a new family."

-

"Come on Gemma-ann, it's time to take you out to the park."

"Only if I can hold your hand all the way there Auntie Julie."

"Gemma-ann, I'm your cousin."

"That's a big word though."

"Okay, how about Cuzi instead?"

"Okay cuzi," giggling little Gemma-ann rushed towards a swing. "Pick me up cuzi."

"Come on then, get ready."

Julie and her toddler cousin Gemma-ann spent happy summer days at the swing park near the Abbey ruins, while Auntie Sue had some rest. Uncle Steve was working and Nan was baking a chicken pie to take over to Sue's.

"I'm here Nanna."

"I've packed everything, so let's get to Susan's, you can set the table while I cook the vegetables."

"Oh mum, you shouldn't have. I was about to get lunch ready for Julie and Gemma-ann. Did you two have a good time?"

"Oh mummy, I almost touched the sky."

"Oh Julie, you were careful with her, weren't you?:

"Of course I was, my hand stayed on the swing the whole time as we chatted and laughed. Even Teddy had a go."

"Oh you are a good cousin to Gemma-ann."

"Mummy, it's cuzi now, as we came up with a new word today."

"Okay dear, come and wash your hands for lunch."

"We had a snack, as Gemma-ann asked, so we stopped off for an ice cream at the park cafe. Don't worry, though, she wore most of it all over her face. Hair washing tonight I think," laughed Julie.

"I bathe her every night anyway." Sniffed Auntie Sue.

"I meant extra scrubbing to get that ice cream out Auntie Sue Sue, I wasn't saying anything negative."

"Sorry, I must be hungry."

"I will save some for Steven, so you can have a sandwich and cake later Susan."

Her eyes filled up, "he's staying out late again. Can I stay with you tonight mum?"

"Stay here tonight and bring both of you over tomorrow Susan. You need to stay here to see what time he gets home. As he has three mouths to feed, I expect he is working extra hard."

"Yes mum, that must be what it is." Sue dried her eyes and they ate.

Julie remembered the immaculate home where everything was brand new. No toddler toys everywhere, not even Gemma-ann's bedroom. All the toys had neat shelves, and the smell of polish everywhere.

Julie felt a bit stifled by all that neatness and breathed a sigh of relief when she got on the bus. What was Uncle Steve thinking of staying out late, coming home drunk and amorous, and Auntie Sue in floods of tears almost every day? Gemma-ann was two years old, but Uncle Steve hardly looked at her. Auntie Sue and Gemma-ann were together all the time, which seemed to exclude Uncle Steve.

"Do you want some tea Sue?"

"Yes please Marnie, do you still have that red bra?"

"What red bra?"

"That one you used to wear at my house when me and Steve had just got married?"

"I never touched him, Sue. I'm sorry your marriage is sour."

"It's your fault, you know, he craved that red bra. I had to buy one so we could make Gemma-ann."

"Oh Sue."

'Get off me, with your long blonde hair, big smile and flashing boobs, I am so jealous of you. But my home is prettier than yours."

Julie had just stepped in the front door from college and rooted to the spot she dropped her bag and ran upstairs."

"Are you home Julie, nip out to fetch some potatoes for dinner."

Back home there was a phone call, and a very calm Grandmother was talking, "Looks like he fell for a woman in the office and wants to leave. Susan is begging him now."

"Mum, do you want some tea?"

"A bucket of gin would be preferable, but tea will do."

-

"Hello Julie, no don't worry yourself Steve has been reminded of where his loyalties are and he's staying."

Auntie Sue lost loads of weight, and Uncle Steve was besotted with her like never before. She only wore what he approved of, put on the makeup he chose, was syrupy sweet all the time to everyone, including mum.

"Is Auntie Sue alright Nanna?"

"She's working hard to save her marriage."

Then Nan refused to say any more, but her eyes flashed a fierceness which shocked Julie, and she shook her head.

-

Badminton on a Thursday night to keep Auntie Sue trim started up, so mum met James. He was young, single and handsome, and only looked at mum. With her long blonde hair, red bra and low cut tops, he couldn't stop looking. They were a foursome at Badminton, and it looked like Mum and Auntie Sue were getting on well again. James and Uncle Steve got on well, so they were a regular group. While James doted on cute little Gemma-ann like she was his. Uncle Steve still didn't look at her much. Weirdly enough, Uncle Steve gave more attention to Julie.

"Oh Sue, we are getting married," he said, he adores me."

"And you adore his wallet, no doubt." Sneered Sue.

"It's not like that."

"Since you've been going out with him, I have had Julie four times while you two went away on holiday. I feel like a free babysitter, Marnie."

"I gave you food, money, and a thank you gift. "

"My husband is not good enough for you?"

"I told you I have never touched him."

"Yes, but he touched you plenty. How far did it go in my marital bed, I wonder."

.

"What are you talking about? I was coming out of the toilet and he was waiting for me."

"They all say that."

-

"Come on Sue, Marnie loves you so much. Don't be angry with her."

"Oh James, you're so understanding and sweet."

-

"You did what Susan, oh good grief?” Gasped Nanna.

"Oh mum, Steve hasn't touched me since Gemma-ann, no matter how slim I stay. I have ten red bras now, and he bought me a black one the other week. Mum, I felt like a red light should go on."

"Well, make that the only time with James, you used a condom right?"

"No, I wanted to be pregnant with his baby to shut Marnie up."

"Oh Susan, you will have to get rid of it."

"I won't mum, I want another baby. I will seduce Steve tonight so he won't know."

"You little minx."

"I need to keep my husband whatever way possible, you said."

Leon was born into Steve's arms. He doted on his son, but still ignored Gemma-ann.

Gemma-ann had her mum around her little finger.

-

"Have a good first day at college Julie."

"Thanks mum, see you tonight."

-

"Hey Nanna, I had a good first day at college, thanks. How's Auntie Sue?"

"No, I haven't heard." Julie was silent for a minute,

"Uncle Steve left Auntie Sue for that same office woman and wants a divorce?"

"Yes, Susan has the two of them now, so she cannot work. Leon is only one year old and keeps crying for his dad. He is the spitting image of Steve, like two peas in a pod to look at. But he said James was the dad and wants nothing to do with Susan. She's so distraught."

"What’s she going to do?"

" I will talk to Granddad about it once he gets back from the wood mongers."

-

"Mum, are you alright?"

"Sue slept with my James. I feel so betrayed. She shouted at me that I had slept with her husband all through her marriage. I never did, he was always harassing me. He pulled me into their bedroom once, and I slapped him. He laughed and asked if that was foreplay. Oh Julie, I was horrified and ran down stairs as Sue came up looking for Steve. The look on her face could have killed."

-

"Sue, I never slept with your husband."

"But you wanted to."

"No I didn't, he was always harassing me."

"Oh yes, all that laughter during badminton, you didn't seem harassed then."

"We were playing."

"Don't I know. So when James came around to comfort me, I let him confort me three times in my marital bed. As it was I who seduced him. Then I took Steve the next night so our son Leon is his."

"What the hell Sue, you're my sister for goodness sake."

"Oh you remember that do you, now I have done to you what you did to me?"

"I never did anything with Steve, not even a kiss Sue."

"Well, I did everything with your husband while he was your boyfriend, way before your wedding night. I am satisfied now."