Mary Mary Quite Contrary

Mary met Keith in her early twenties. Mary had had a few boyfriends before Kevin, but nothing serious. Kevin was popular with Mary's family. He played golf, liked a pint, and followed the football. He worked hard in a local factory, and doted on Mary.

It wasn't long before the couple were engaged. They married in the local church. Mary's father gave away his only daughter. Her four brothers looked on with pride. Kevin was a good catch. They were sure he would look after their little sister.

Mary was a slight woman. She was easily dominated, and was a nervous individual when she met Kevin. Kevin did a good job of building up her confidence. He bought her nice clothes, and offered her compliments on her appearance. He came home with presents, and took her to good restaurants. She came out of her shell with Kevin. Her family and friends all noticed she seemed to glow in his presence.

Kevin and Mary lived in a small house near to the rest of her family. Kevin was the dominant one. Mary accepted her place in marriage was to keep home and look after her husband.

This wasn't good enough for Kevin. Kevin was trapped by Mary. He hadn't asked to end up like this. Little things about her started to irritate him. She let herself go after she had caught him. If she wasn't interested in looking after herself, why should he be?

Kevin went to work each day and brooded. It got worse and worse each time he came home. He would go to the pub, or bring cans home and sit in front of the TV. The compliments stopped. Any love Kevin ever had for his wife evaporated. She didn't make the effort. She brought it all on herself. It was her fault.

Kevin began to pick fault with everything Mary did. The already nervous woman became a timid wreck. She couldn't go to her family - they would think she had failed and agree with Kevin that it was her fault wouldn't they? Her friends had all drifted away. Kevin didn't like them.

Mary injured herself in the kitchen one day. Something happened. Mary ended up having treatment for 'mental health issues'. Kevin stood by his wife. Nobody else would take her would they? She was damaged goods. It was all her fault.

Kevin's verbal torments turned to physical violence. He would beat Mary daily more or less. He always hit her about the body so her injuries wouldn't show. Mary finally managed to tell her family. The brothers had a 'word' with Kevin. He sobbed in apology, and swore it wouldn't happen again. He loved her! Mary went back to Kevin. Marriage is for life after all.

He left her alone for a week or two. She did something, burnt his dinner or forgot to iron his shirts or something. It was no good. She was asking for it. After all that had happened! The beatings started again.

Mary went out one morning after Kevin had gone to work. She walked to the local tube station and stood on the northbound platform among the commuters. She watched a couple of trains pass. Nobody noticed Mary. Nobody noticed the stooped figure with the empty eyes. Everyone that was there took notice of Mary when she threw herself under the next train. Everyone noticed Mary. Death noticed Mary and took her away.