This story is a complete fantasy and no association with real life whatsoever. No one is under the age of 20 and there is no physical hurt or pain.
*
I had always had a lovely well cared for home. My mother Helen and father Henry were ideal parents and looked after my every need. My mother would drum into me "Maureen, you must show everyone true respect and sincerity and it will have its own rewards."
I could see from simply observing their way of life that this really was the right way to behave. I followed their example and everyone would comment that I was an ideal daughter. This was gratifying but it was also important for me to show modesty and respect.
Then my life fell apart. My mother and father both passed away in a tragic car accident and I was 16 years old and on my own. Then my Uncle John and Aunty Mary came to the rescue. Aunty Mary was my mother's sister and had always been close to her. Uncle John was a lovely man and everybody respected him. It wasn't the same but I was grateful.
Life settled down again and my Aunt and Uncle really took good care of me and encouraged me with my schooling and then paid out a small fortune sending me to university. When I was 22 years old I was in a great job in the City with wonderful prospects. My Aunt and Uncle were so proud of me.
Then it started to go wrong. I just lost it, and went off the rails. I thought I could do anything and took drugs and drink like there was no tomorrow.
The final heart break for my Aunt and Uncle was when I married a no good drunkard. Aunty Mary was distraught, but I didn't care and didn't even invite them to the wedding. Uncle John was so angry at my ingratitude, but there was nothing he could do. His poor wife was in tears for months.
Then the waster who married me took my money and vanished. At the same time the Credit Crunch occurred and I was left without a job and without a home and owed the banks an astronomical amount. Reality. I was destitute.
I was so embarrassed and humiliated when I turned up one evening at my Aunty's door pleading for help. Aunt Mary was quite bitter and said nothing but did let me in for a few minutes. I was so ashamed that I just sat in front of them, expecting a tremendous row. My Aunt and Uncle just stared at me and said nothing. They were too angry.
Finally I broke down and pleaded with them to take me in. I had nowhere to turn. They still said nothing.
Aunt Mary told me coldly, "You are an utter disgrace to your parents and to us. You deserve nothing. You look filthy and had better go for a shower whilst your Uncle and I discuss whether we are prepared to do anything for you."
When I returned to the lounge I felt terrified and nervous. I was relieved to see a cup of tea and some fairy cakes waiting for me.
Aunty Mary spoke. She was utterly detached saying "Uncle John has said you can stay here and he will get you a menial job as a clerk working for one of his friends. It is ridiculous and shameful for you to be doing that, bearing in mind your magnificent education and qualifications, but there you are. You will not be treated as our niece. You will be treated as a lodger."
I simply muttered "Yes I understand Aunty. I deserve it."
Uncle John intervened "You don't understand half of it, Maureen."
He turned to his wife saying "Explain everything to the little slut Dear."
Mary nodded and went on "You cannot be treated as an adult so you will be treated like the silly little girl you are. You will dress normally when you go to work but when you return you will change into your old school uniform."
I panicked "But Aunty when I was 16 it was rather small. Now I am 24 and a lot bigger."
Aunt Mary said dispassioately "That's quite right Maureen. The decision is yours."
I knew I had no option, but before I could accept John told my Aunt "Tell her everything."
Aunty Mary nodded "Yes Dear. I agree. She needs to fully understand."
She turned back to me. I was waiting in trepidation "You will not be allowed out in the evenings unless we take you to a party with our special friends. Even then you will be in your short school clothes. At weekends you will wear the pretty little silk dress and the accessories you used to like when you were a little girl."
I gulped. I was always puzzled about the parties my mother and father went to with their posh friends and some of our relatives. I was always kept well away.
I knew I couldn't object to the clothes but did manage "I used to wear the little pink dress when I was ten."
Aunt Mary nodded. I carried on in a daze "My friends used to call it my pretty little Shirley Temple dress. Everybody could see my frilly pink knickers."
Mary looked at me sternly. "We still have your little pink knickers. They looked nice with shiny buckle up shoes and snow white socks and your pretty little dress. When we take you to parties with our special friends you will be quite popular."
I nodded. I knew that my Aunt and Uncle and my mother and father used to go to special parties with their friends from church but never knew much about them. They were a sort of secret and taboo. I had to accept.
Aunty Mary told me "Go upstairs and have a proper bath Maureen and then to your old bedroom, I will put your clean clothes out."
After my lovely bath I reached my old bedroom I felt so relieved. It was so warm and comfortable exactly like the old days. It was like heaven after the painful times of the last 2 years. I felt so happy for the first time in ages. There was a lovely cuddly teddy bear on the pillow.
Then I had a shock. Whilst I had been in the bath Aunt Mary had set my clothes out on the bed.
It was my old school uniform. I wanted to cry but realized that I had let everyone down so badly that it would get me nowhere.
I could see it was just not the uniform. It was my shoes, socks and even my old blue school knickers. I slowly put my new clothes on and made my way back down to the lounge I felt like a 24 year old schoolgirl.
I knew things were completely different from the old days and politely knocked on the lounge door. I heard Uncle John bellow "You can come in."
I pushed the door open and they looked at me in absolute silence. I had a short black skirt and blue blouse and striped tie on. I knew my clothes were too small and I was bulging out everywhere.
My skirt and blouse was straining to keep me all in. I just hoped it was acceptable as I stood in front of my Aunt and Uncle.
Aunt Mary looked at her husband "What do you think Dear?"
He nodded "It will do for now, but we will have to shorten her skirt for some of our parties. The men will insist on it."