All the Wrong Reasons

Families, what are they good for?

Chapter 6: Families, what are they good for?

Jennifer was getting ready to leave when I arrived home that Friday evening, bustling around the house, humming a silly little tune.

“Hey Annie” she said, trotting downstairs carrying a small suitcase.

“Where are you going all dressed up like that?” I asked.

My sister was looking absolutely stunning, wrapped in a red silk dress that set off her pale skin and fair hair perfectly. It was classic Jenny: the dressed looked incredibly classy, but it was cut to display just the right amount of creamy cleavage and it skimmed her perfect little bottom. She was also made-up to the nines and grinning like crazy.

“Just down to London to see some friends” She let out a silly little giggle as she said this. Right, and I’m the pope, I thought. That was not the sort of outfit you wore “to see friends”.

I didn’t say so out loud. I had other things to think about than where or with who Jenny was going to spend her weekend. It was making her very happy, though. She was practically skipping as she went to load her suitcase in the car, and she only called me Annie when she was in a good mood. Amazing what the prospect of getting away from your family for a couple days can do for you.

I mentally rebuked myself. I could hardly blame her. I would be dancing around and singing if I could get away for the weekend. Hell, I would be overjoyed if I was able to get away from this dump for an hour.

 “I’ll be back Sunday night, so please don’t get involved in any accidents until then”

I was too weary to get angry about this stupid little quip, so I just said “that’s funny” and went upstairs. I decided to make the most of having the house to myself and have a long soak in the bath. I even added a sneaky little touch of Jenny’s Eau de Herlim bath oil. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

I stripped off and sunk into the hot water, feeling more relaxed already. Slowly, the knot of tension in my back loosened, and I started to feel slightly less freaked out.

Forty five minutes later, the water had cooled and my fingers and toes resembled wrinkled prunes. Anyway, my mother was back from work, accompanied by Ruby. I got out of the bath and pulled on my dressing gown before padding downstairs to the kitchen.

Mum had obviously been to the supermarket, the kitchen table was covered with shopping bags. Ruby was frisking around, putting things away. Mum was following her around, removing the things Ruby had just put away and putting them in the correct place. Ruby was very enthusiastic, but she lacked talent.

“Annie, you’re back” Mum was sounding very strained. I wasn’t sure how to reply to this, so I said nothing. “Your father is coming around tonight, and he wants to take you girls out for dinner.”

“I have plans for…”

“Cancel them” she snapped. “No buts, Annabeth” she continued, as I opened my mouth to protest. “You are going to put your party face on and you are going to have dinner with your father and his girlfriend”

I shut my mouth with a snapped. Mum looked exhausted and very annoyed. There were not many things that annoyed my mother, but my father was one of them.

“He’s bringing the trollop?” I spluttered.

“Don’t call her that” Mum said vaguely “is Jennifer back from work yet?”

“Yes, and she’s gone off to London for the weekend.” Which had nothing to do with Dad coming to see us. Obviously. How she had found out about this, I didn’t know, but I vowed silent revenge for not warning me as well. I didn’t enjoy the dinners with my father anymore than she did. Actually, it was probably for the best, especially if Nikki, Dad’s former secretary and current girlfriend, was going to be there. The last outing with Dad had ended in a shouting match, with Jennifer storming out of the restaurant and leaving Ruby and me to walk home.