I could see Hazel casting an eye over the clothes I wore. She realised I was teasing Jeff in my short skirts and low tops. Even so we shared a little grin between us. We sat watching telly and entertaining the kids, and then got them home to bed.
I bumped into one of my old neighbours a few weeks later. Marcus had gone into a record shop, and I was outside with the kids.
She started rambling on about the strange goings on at my old house. 'That Julie girl' as she referred to her, was screaming her head off a few days before Christmas. Before that there was a woman staring through her garage and then she fled in tears! A few minutes later some man was running in and out of the garage in just his underpants!
"Mrs Heaney you shouldn't spy on people," I said, holding back a chuckle.
"Well it has never been the same since your poor mother died," she said, with an indignant sniff.
She looked down and gave the kids a smile, and then looked back at me. I was remembering the photos that had dropped on the pavement. Her voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"That new family living at your old house now, I don't like them. Well that daughter of his, her school skirt is no bigger than a belt!"
"Its just fashion Mrs Heaney," I said, now unable to control my giggles.
"Yes well, but I'm sure the girl is nearly as old as the mother."
My laughing had subsided a little.
"I expect you got a little confused." I offered.
"Oh no dear she had a school uniform, I mean they look more like sisters, but she called her mum, and she called the man dad, but she didn't seem happy about it. No dear I'm sure something is going in your old house. I know people think I see things and I'm a little crazy, but I'm sure it's a story we shall be hearing about in the future."
I smiled but I must admit I was a little curious myself.
Two weeks before Marcus went back to Germany he went to the races with his friends. I wasn't expecting him until late and when the door opened I felt a little flustered.
"You are home early?"
"Yeah the racing was called off, too foggy. I thought you were cleaning up today wasn't that the idea of mum having the kids?"
"I, I didn't really feel like it," I mumbled.
"Why are you wearing your dressing gown?"
"I thought we could have a little fun before the kids get home."
"So have you been on your own all day?"
"Yeah of course," I said, with a smile that dropped when I saw him looking at the two coffee cups.
"Oh a Faye came round for a chat. Look I'm just going to the loo and, well why don't you give me 5 minutes then come upstairs," I said gulping.
"Are you wearing stockings?"
"I told you I was getting ready for you," I replied.
I began hurriedly tidying the bed.
"Have you been back to bed today?"
I jumped.
"No what ever gave you that idea?" I asked nervously.
"Because when I left this morning you had made the bed. And why is your hair all messed up?"
