Marjoreece - Written In The Stars

Fooling Siobhan

Several weeks passed. The act was continuing. Reece had stopped bringing Marjorie her morning coffee, and yesterday, as Autumn was on a day off, Marjorie had rung her from the nursery phone asking if she knew what was wrong with her brother. They talked about him not bringing her coffee, just seeming distant, and staying out later than he used to, knowing the reason for this was because Roger was asking to see him several times a week to make sure the plan was still on track. To really make sure it was convincing when Roger listened back, she even talked about how the sex was different. He was less attentive and considerate, almost like to was a quick fix and done, but they were still at it as often as ever. Autumn struggled to listen to this part, and Marjorie struggled to say it as it simply wasn't true, but it was what Roger needed to hear to convince him Reece was still going to leave. Marjorie allowed herself to get upset during the phone call to make it sound convincing and lucky for her. Before she could hang up, Siobhan walked through the door.

"Marjorie."

"Siobhan, to what do I owe the pleasure of her ladyship stopping by?" Marjorie replied, while trying to make it look like she was hiding the fact she was upset.

"Roger needs these forms that arrived in the post this morning filled out for the nursery. Some new health and safety checks."

"Very well, I'll do them now. Do I need to post them or bring them to the office?" Marjorie asked.

"Neither, I'll come back before the end of the week to collect them." Siobhan answered, narrowing her eyes at Marjorie, trying to decide whether to ask if there was something wrong. She turned back to the door before stopping with her hand on her door handle. She sighed and turned back to face Marjorie. "Marjorie, are you OK?"

Marjorie looked up in shock. "Ay? What?"

"Look, I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but you were right in what you said before, and we will be family one day and I can tell there is something bothering you so I'm asking if you're OK?"

Marjorie gulped. "It's just some stuff with Reece. I'm sure it will be fine, he's just changed recently."

Siobhan sat down in the chair opposite Marjorie. She was intrigued. Roger had always treated Siobhan really well and was loving and attentive until one day he wasn't. Admittedly, he was never anywhere near as lovely to her as she had seen Reece be with Marjorie, but Marjories demeanour did make her wonder if history was about to repeat itself. "Changed how?"

"He's just stopped bringing me my morning coffee and says he's too busy, he's distant, he moves away if I try and be affectionate, he's staying out late and won't say where he is. It's really odd. We still have sex as often as always, but it just feels different, too. It's like he only wants one thing from me all of a sudden. He's not the same way towards me." She lied to the blonde. She spotted the flicker of recognition in her eyes as she finished speaking. Mia had been right.

"Marjorie, I...." Siobhan didn't know what to say. She wanted to empathise. She knew exactly what Marjorie said she was going through. That was how it started with Roger. First, it was the late nights out, then it got to a point when he would only use her body for his pleasure, and then it started getting physical. She struggled to match her image of Roger to the one she had of his son as he always seemed so different and determined to not be like his father, but maybe he couldn't help it and deep down he was. "Marjorie, in terms of his late nights, I can tell you that he has been with Roger a lot. I don't know what they do or talk about because I am always kicked out to the other end of the house to leave the men to talk. It may not be all the late nights, but some are definitely there."

"With Roger?" Marjorie asked, trying to sound confused. She knew that was where he was going, and he always kept his location on his phone to make sure she didn't worry. "But those two have never got on. Why would they suddenly be spending time together?"