Nothing is going smoothly for me, I heard Ethel say, her voice tight. My stepfather is always nagging me.
Youre called what, love? the stranger asked, leaning close to the girl.
Ethel! she replied. And you are?
Im Charles, and your mother and I are going to live together. From now on itll be you, me and your mum a proper family.
Soon after, Ethel and her mother moved into Charless flat in Manchester. Her stepfather owned a spacious threebedroom apartment, and he gave Ethel her own room. Charles was kind, constantly buying sweets and toys for the little girl, while her real father only called when he wanted to argue with her mother.
One day her mother told Ethel that her father had started a new family and had moved away. The news hit the girl hard; she loved him. Her mother could shout at her and spank her, but her father never did. Ethel remembered clearly the day her parents split up her mother screamed at her dad, even threatened to hit him. The words her mother finally shouted at the father stuck with Ethel forever:
Dont think youre the first to give me the horns; youve been wearing them for ages, like a stag!
After that, her mother packed their things and they went to stay with Ethels grandmother. The girl couldnt understand why her father was said to have horns when he was bald and smoothskinned. From then on her parents were completely separated.
Charles remained a good stepfather until Ethel started Year 1. She disliked school, but she caused mischief during breaks, so the parents were often called into the classroom, and sometimes Charles had to go in place of her mum. The stepfather took her education seriously, often tutoring her himself.
Youre no one to me, so you cant teach me! Ethel would sometimes shout at Uncle Victor, repeating something shed heard from her grandmother.
Im actually your father now, because Im the one who feeds and clothes you, Charles would answer.
When Ethel was ten, her biological father returned to town. By then she knew exactly what to give someone horns meant. He was probably having an affair, which is why he left, her mother had said. He asked for permission to see his daughter, and her mother agreed. The reunion was pleasant.
Girl, how are you getting on? he asked.
Not too well, Ethel replied. My stepfather always yells at me.
Why does he think he can shout at you? the father snapped.
My granny says the same, and he doesnt care, Ethel exaggerated, hoping her stepfather would worry about her.
Fine, Ill look after that, he said.
While walking through the local park, they learned that out of all the rides there, children could only go on the carousel alone; all other attractions required an adult, and her stepfather refused to join. Ethel then hinted that her birthday was approaching and she dreamed of a new smartphone. When her mother spoke to Charles, she told him that Charles never raised his voice at her, but the stepfather ignored her.
Dads such a miser! Ethel shouted at Charles. I wanted to go on the rides, but he wouldnt let me, and all he bought me in the park was an icecream. Just a walk, nothing more. Charles, youre better than my dad.
Well make up for Dads mistake and spend the weekend at the indoor play centre, Charles promised.
The plan fell through when Charles had to dash to work for lunch, so instead of the water park they went straight home. He also brushed off the talk about a new phone.
Telly, Charles has let me down! Ethel cried to her father, tears streaming. He said wed go to the play centre and only let us climb the ropes. He said I didnt deserve anything more no waterpark day, no smartphone.
Even though it was a blatant lie, it had a strange effect on the stepfather; he bought Ethel a cheap smartphone, admitting he couldnt afford the topend model.
Couldnt you wait for your birthday? Charles asked.
I dream of having a dog! she said.
Not likely, since a dog needs walks and youll just stay lazy, the stepfather replied.
Those words sent Ethel into a hysterical fit. She rang her father straight away, pleading, Dad, please take me away from them! Charles is just teasing and teaching me. She shouted, I cant stand it any longer.
Soon everyone was arguing. While all this was happening, Ethel was sent to stay with her grandmother, and her mother arrived with her belongings, announcing she was divorcing Charles.
The adults finally realized Ethels cunning. Her biological father went back to his wife because she was pregnant. Now Ethel would have neither the new phone nor a dog, and her grandmother would never allow even a cat.
