SIX YEARS LATER...

I sat on the top of my balcony. It was the middle of the afternoon, and a beautiful day. I could see the marketplace from my vantage point, and all around me there were tanned locals selling their wares, and scruffy tourists purchasing them en masse, their cheap cameras jangling from their necks. There was lots of curios there, and in a former life, I might have been tempted to join the throngs.

Not now, though. Such trivialities didn't appeal to me at all. As a Smythe-Kensington, it was beneath me to hang around with such peasants. Everything I could ever want, was provided for me, and I could never want for anything else. I sneered at the commoners below, with their mouldy fruit and tacky ornamentals, before putting my shades back on to enjoy the balmy weather.

I'd just returned from the beach with my new husband, and had such a marvellous time! Because of my illustrious family name, they were able to clear out an entire one mile radius of the area for our own use, and it was GREAT! I laughed at the crying faces of the young children being pushed off the sand with their parents in tow, leaving behind their sandcastles to be stamped on and abandoned shrimp nets to be torn apart by me. Finally, a chance for someone else to endure the misery I...

NO. Papa and Mama never hurt me during all those times I was bad. They were simply correcting my behaviour. Whenever they beat me till I bled, that was GOOD. Whenever they locked me in that tiny closet for hours, that was GOOD. When they had me pinned me down, and shouted in my ear repeatedly that no-one would ever love me like them, that was GOOD. I now am a much better person than... Whoever I was before.

I am Florence Smythe-Kensington, 18 years old. I hate sweaters, over-cheerful people, sweet foods, pigs and boy bands. I like frilly dresses, serious individuals, bland food to control my weight, designer dogs and classical music.

My Papa knows whats best for me. My Mama knows what's best for me. It's been that way, for as long as I can remember. Things are so much easier this way. I never have to make any decisions myself, I just obey. I learned long ago the consequences of ignoring them, and I won't lie and say that on occasion their methods weren't rather brutal. But it doesn't matter anymore! It was all a means to an end!

Look at me now! Happily married, to a wonderful man I'm sure I'll learn to adore, on honeymoon, at this fabulous locale. He think I'm such a prize catch, he never let's me out of his sight ! He loves me so much, I'm not allowed to talk to other men, even the waiter. Now, THAT'S commitment!

Sometimes though, I can get a little selfish... I almost didn't feel like making love last night, due to my own self-centred needs. Not to worry, though... He soon put me straight on my errant behaviour. He told me my Mama was only a phone call away if I didn't comply straightaway. I don't know why, but that threat always has the desired effect of making me give in immediately! After all, she wants a grandaughter by this time next year, and who am I to deny her that, after all she's done for me? My hubby has a real way with words!

My little sister Penelope has come along for the trip as well, and we get along famously! She helps me to clean around the house, cook the meals... She's my precious little helper! I even play cards with her sometimes. Not too much, though... Looking after my beloved is a full time job, after all. I honestly don't know what I'd do without her. Whichever man marries my sis in a few years, is going to be a lucky chappie indeed! A highly tuned domestic goddess in the making!

My brother Marmaduke is my one regret. Unlike me, he refused to see what a fantastic favour Mama and Papa did for us, by removing me and him from our old, baseless lives, and giving us this marvellous opportunity to start anew. I keep telling him not to struggle, to let Mama and Papa help him, but no... He refuses to see the light. Sometimes I see him look at me and cry, before mumbling the word 'sorry' over and over again. I have no idea why. I've never been happier!

I haven't seen him now for at least six months, and he didn't attend my wedding. I hear snatches of conversation from servants, gossip that he's been sent to a 're-education centre' and he's made friends there with a person called 'Pacifica Northwest'. I'm not sure what this all means, but I hope he's alright, wherever he is. I trust one day he'll return, and be just as content as I am with his new positive outlook!

After all, we must have the best parents in the world! We must have moved house... Or rather, mansion, at least once a year for the last six, so by the time I'm bored of the location, it's time to go on to somewhere else! My Mama and Papa tell it's because 'bad people' are after me and my brother, and they are always 'on our tail', so we can't linger too long at any of our many properties. They'd do anything to keep us safe... Why can't Marmaduke see that? Oh, well...

I rustle my short red hair, which I'm supposed to cut tonight, seeing as Mama isn't here to do it for me, and look out to the sun. Here I am... In the city of my namesake... Sipping a glass of champagne, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. I may not have picked this destination, or had any say in the trip whatsoever, but I love it here! It just goes to show... Hubby always know best! Don't forget that, ladies!

Speaking of the darling, he'll be back real soon to take me to dinner. I know this, because the guy he pays to watch me while he's away is tapping his watch impatiently. Time for me to get off my recliner, and spend a few hours in the powder room, making myself look pretty for him. This black eye and facial scarring isn't going to cover itself, after all! A big job ahead, indeed!

Can't forget about putting my coloured contacts in... VERY important, Who wants horrible brown eyes, anyway? My only real problem right now is with my teeth, as when I close my jaw, it feels as though both ends are uneven. Oh well, I'm sure that'll sort itself out as I get older!

Must dash! Toodles! Remember: Always live life to the fullest :)

From Florence Kensington-Smythe xx