Mandy

"Dad, I can see Mum! Simeon's not there either!"

"Ok, honey. You got everything Mandy? Got your bear? Got your clothes, got everything out of the bathroom?"

"Yes Dad. It all fits in my bag too."

"That's what I'm worried about." John lifts the bag, "What have you got here anyway? Bricks?"

"No silly. Bye Dad, bye Jenny."

"Bye Mandy, see you next time."

"Hello Margaret."

"Hello John. Mandy, it's time to go. Get in the car."

"Hold on a minute Margaret, I wouldn't mind knowing about this Simeon fellow."

"I don't think he's really any of your business. Hurry up Mandy."

"He is when my daughter thinks he's creepy."

"She just doesn't like him, that's all."

"She said he called her evil."

"She's just telling stories."

"Not when she's crying when she's telling me, she's not."

Jenny came out of the house. "Mandy, come inside for a minute," she said gently. Mandy followed her in, tears trickling down her face.

"Mandy, you're crying." Jenny kneels down to give her a hug. Mandy gratefully accepts. "Big sisters are also supposed to look after little sisters when things go wrong."

"Did Dad tell you I said that?" Mandy sniffed.

"Yes he did. He thought it was funny. I've got a big sister, you know. And yes, she did pick on me a lot, but if anyone else tried, they were in for it."

Mandy gave a tentative smile, "Did you ever pick on her back?"

"Sometimes. By the time I was fifteen, I was bigger than her, and I got my revenge. That's why," Jenny said thoughtfully, "I'm not going to pick on you much, in case you end up bigger than me."

"But that's not going to happen in forever."

"Forever comes round soon enough." Jenny glances up as the voices outside die down, "I think it might be time to go, best to be good and jump in the car."

"Mandy, get in the car now!"

"Don't you dare yell at our daughter like that!"

"Don't tell me what to do John. You forfeited that right when you took up with that slut. Mandy, get away from her."

Mandy looks at Jenny who puts her finger to her lips. Mandy nods and meekly gets in the car. She continues to watch Jenny who waves goodbye. Mandy returns the wave.

"Mandy, don't wave to that bitch," Margaret slaps her hand down. "And don't you dare cry either, or it will be the worse for you."