Chapter 1
The trip had been wonderful. For her 18th birthday, Angelina's father had taken her to Paris for a few days -- including a day trip to Euro Disney. She knew it wasn't a patch on its American counterpart, but the chance to spend time with her father was what made it special.
Natalie, her mother, couldn't go because she had always refused to fly, so she wished both of them a safe journey at the airport and then drove home again.
The day that they were due to leave was welcomed by a freak snowstorm (it was March) and after a few phone calls John Duncan discovered that Charles de Gaulle Airport was closed and that there were no flights likely for the rest of the day. He rang home and told his wife that they were unlikely to be back.
"Daddy, what about Eurostar?" asked Angelina.
"I shouldn't think there was much chance of getting on one now. Everybody will be rushing to get seats," he replied. "Still, might as well ask."
As it turned out, the cheapest available seats were going to cost around Β£225 each. John was about to put the phone down, knowing that an extra night in the hotel was going to cost a lot less than this, when the woman on the line suddenly said, "Oh! Wait Monsieur! I have just had a cancellation show up."
The quick-witted customer service agent had reserved the tickets even before he could ask how much. At a fifth of the previous price, she knew that he would take them. The only trouble was that they had to rush to get to the Gare du Nord station in order to make check-in in time. It wasn't until they had taken their seats that John realised that he hadn't yet told his wife. As bad luck would have it, the battery on his phone died as he tried to recall the number. Angelina had left her mobile at home -- to prevent her texting her friends non-stop at exorbitant European prices.
John decided that he would make a call from St. Pancras Station when they reached London.
Two and a half hours later, John had completely forgotten about the call. The pair made their way down onto the Underground and took the Circle Line to Liverpool Street Station, where they boarded a train for Ipswich. Just over an hour later they were in a taxi headed for home.
The lights were on as the car pulled into the drive, but surprisingly his wife didn't hear them arrive. John paid the driver and, along with Angelina walked inside. They could hear music from the basement, where the home Gym had been set up and Natalie and her trainer worked out. John worked hard and had a pretty good income and so indulged his wife and daughter to make up for his absences.
Angelina opened the door and walked down the steps, closely followed by her father. The music was even louder here -- almost deafening, which explained why Natalie didn't hear her husband's yell of rage. The eighteen year old just stood with her mouth open, shocked at the scene in front of her.
Natalie was kneeling on the floor, her leotard pushed down around her waist and her sports bra cast to one side, revealing her firm breasts. Meanwhile, Maurice the Trainer -- who until now Angelina had assumed was gay -- was standing in front of her mother with his shorts and underpants around his ankles. It was only when she saw her Mother's head bobbing rhythmically that the truth dawned on the young girl. Her Mother was giving him a blowjob! Much of the scene was hidden from view by her Mother's hair that had fallen loose when her hair scrunchy had been removed.
John turned Angelina around and ordered her to go to her room. As she began to walk upstairs she saw that Maurice and her Mother had finally realised they were not alone and were desperately trying to get dressed.
Angelina waited in her room, listening at the door for any sounds of what was happening. She heard raised voices and then the front door closed with a bang. She heard her parents arguing and then there were footsteps on the stairs. Their voices were a harsh whisper as they rushed past her door to their own room. All she could hear was her Mother's voice, in between sobs, pleading with her husband. Not long after, they went back downstairs. She heard the front door closing again and then her Father's car engine fired and he drove away rapidly.
She waited a long time before she dared to venture downstairs. When she did so, she found her Mother sitting in the lounge, red-eyed from crying. When Natalie was able, she explained that John had left and didn't intend to return. Angelina was dumbstruck. Her Mother misunderstood her expression and said, "Oh, don't worry. He's promised to support us as long as you stay at home. He wants you to carry on at college and finish your course."
Angelina was still so shocked that she was unable to speak. "Oh Angel," her Mother said. "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault." She stood and moved towards her daughter, hoping to embrace her.
"No!" said Angelina. "Get away from me! How could you do that to Daddy? You're such a... a hypocrite! You've always told me that I should save myself. You said that boys were only ever after one thing. You told me that I should wait for the right man and get married first. You said that if I was faithful to him he would be faithful to me!" The last words were screamed from less than a foot away. She ran back upstairs, slammed and locked her bedroom door. She didn't cry, but lay on the bed replaying the scene from the Gym in her head.
*****
Chapter 2
For the next few days Angelina refused to even be in the same room as her Mother. She turned down the offers of meals and instead fed herself when Natalie had left the kitchen. Eventually, however, they had to come face to face.
"I need my allowance," she said curtly.
"Oh. Wait a minute, I'll just get my purse," her Mother replied.
When she returned and handed over the usual amount, Angelina looked at it at it and said, "It's not enough. I need more."
"What for?"
"I just do. You can take it out of the housekeeping. After all, you've only got two mouths to feed now." With an acid smile, she added, "Since you opened yours for Maurice's dick."
"Angel! That's not fair! I couldn't help it. I'd never, ever done anything like that before."
"Oh, please. Don't make yourself even more of a hypocrite than you already are."
"But it's true, I swear." Her Mother's voice was almost pleading to be believed.
"Just give me the money. I don't want to hear this any more."
Natalie relented and opened her purse. When she passed another ten pounds across, Angelina stood with her hand out waiting for more. Another note was placed on top of the first. "That's all I've got left," she said.