Odd Hours by Ania Bas

Author:Ania Bas
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781787399488
Publisher: WelBeck

70

A compact double bedroom overlooking an insipid street in a small town not too far from London, but not too close either. The closed door displays discoloured and creased collaged images cut out from cheap magazines from the previous century. The youthful face of Julia Roberts grins in the centre, surrounded by photos of bright flowers, butterflies, pictures of guitars and surfers interwoven with some hand-drawn sketches of furniture.

The metal frame of a double bed is pushed against a wall marked with the dark outlines of timber, where bunk beds used to stand. A flowery bedspread from a budget shop, and three velvet heart-shaped cushions in clashing teal cover up the mattress. On the right-hand bedside table sit pictures of twins in cheap chrome mounts, at different stages of development. On the left-hand bedside table, there is a single image in a heavy wooden frame of a couple looking lovingly at each other’s foreheads.

In front of a large mirrored double wardrobe stand Gosia and Chrissy. They try on matching dresses for their brother’s wedding.

Chrissy moans excessively as she pushes the zip past her hips. Gosia’s dress hangs on her, boldly exposing her flat chest, excess material folding on itself in places where the expected breasts are supposed to fit. The dresses are light and flimsy, made from 100% polyester in sickly-sweet pale pink.

‘We look like restored virgins,’ says Gosia.

Chrissy groans and forces the zip up the side of her ribcage.

‘I’d rather wear something that blends in with the surroundings,’ Gosia says, smoothing the fabric that clings to her tights.

‘I told Mum not to buy them from a catalogue,’ says Chrissy, her face flushed with effort. ‘But you know how she is.’

Gosia just nods. Their parsimonious mother made them wear each other’s clothes throughout their childhood, when Bernie’s wardrobe was not to be touched. This is one of a few occasions when they have been given a dress each. Gosia has already preselected a charity shop to donate this heap of synthetic resin to.

Chrissy sways in front of the mirror, trying different modest poses. Gosia sighs and sits heavily on the bed.

‘It looks OK,’ she offers to Chrissy. Their eyes meet in the mirror. Chrissy points at herself.

‘I look fat and don’t even dare to sit down in case it splits. I’ll have to eat dinner by the bar!’

Gosia laughs.

‘You look cute. Duncan will love seeing you in it.’

‘Can’t wait to see him, to be honest.’ Chrissy tints red again. ‘It’s so odd. We’re married and have kids, but because he’s away so much it feels like dating!’

Gosia nods encouragingly as Chrissy continues.

‘I don’t get it when people say their marriage has gone stale. I’m, like, over the moon whenever he’s home. But there’s never enough time to do all the things we want to do and the boys, you know, they love having their daddy to play with. Having grandparents is great for them but it’s not the same, you know, they need a solid role model. I worry sometimes that they’ll think men need to be away all the time from the family, that this is normal.

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