Alex-Alex and Alec were sitting at the breakfast table sharing breakfast
The morning sun was breaking free from the heavy anvil clouds
Alec looked at his sister and smiled
Are you thinking of my scar again
Alec often thought of this sister’s scar which ran from her lowest rib to her pelvis
She had been born as a conjoined twin
But her twin had died during surgery so she had added her twins name to her own
Alec liked his sister’s name for he too had been born a conjoined twin
But his twin also called Alec had survived the surgery and was now living in Canada
Alex-Alex stood up and removed her nightdress and stood naked in front of her brother
I think your scar grows more beautiful each day
He ran his fingers along the deep groove of the scar
Yu will not be able to do this tomorrow or for the rest of the week as I am in Margate and then I am travelling to Bath
You will have to masturbate on your own I am afraid
Are you curating the Joseph Wright of Derby exhibition on your own?
No there is a team of us I am if you can imagine such a thing the forward rider
Are the exhibitions being held at the same time?
No it is the same exhibition
I will miss you
Well invite your girlfriend around
I will but I prefer your scar
Alex-Alex sat on her brother’s lap and he instantly ran his hand over her breasts
I thought you were interested in my scar
I am but you have a small scratch on your breast
Yes I did that as I took my silly nightdress off for you
Then cut your nails
I like my nails this length
The sun was fully clear of the clouds and was shining brightly into the kitchen
A train rumbled by
See brother not one of the passengers looked up from their newspapers nobody was interested in my scar
They would have been if they had seen it
It is just a scar
Do you think of it when you are dressed?
No
Never?
Well sometimes I feel myself running my finger down it as you do when I am contemplating something
Your work?
Anything it is like biting your nails or playing with your hair
Alex-Alex stood up and put her nightdress back on
She looked out of the window at the sun
See the superb shadows the morning sun is creating I so wish that Joseph was alive to see it
He is most probably conducting the light orchestra from his place in heaven
Maybe
When you return I am going to paint you by the light of a candle as Joseph Wright would have done
You have tried it before and failed
I feel I have the confidence this time
Then I will model for you on my return but do not be disappointed
Alec removed his tee shirt showing his sister his scar which although longer was less impressive
This is not going to work Alec I am going to close my eyes and not get excited
You will
Don’t be cruel I have to be in Margate by this afternoon as I have a meeting
Just tough it
Fuck off Alec you know I am busy
Alex-Alex tried to leave the kitchen but her brother caught her hand and placed on his scar
Stop turning me on you shit you are not being fair
Well walk away
You know I cannot
Is Margate that important?
It is my job you do not have one how would we live?
I am an artist
Yes an artist that does not sell many paintings
That is not my fault
I know I am sorry
Alex-Alex kissed her brother fully on the lips and stroked his hair
I must go sleepyhead invite Maisie around when I leave she is such good company
I will thank you for letting me touch your scar
And thank you for letting me touch yours
Alex-Alex disappeared into the shower room
Alec looked at the sun
The sun looked at Alec
Joseph Wight of Derby looked at the sun from his place in Heaven
Alex-Alex looked at her reflection in the mirror
She was not looking at the sun as there was no window in the shower room
She picked up her mobile phone and took a photo of her scar
She would send it to her brother when she reached Margate
She took another photo of herself
She would send it to Joseph Wright of Derby when she reached Margate
Thirty-five minutes later Alex-Alex left the flat and cauhjt the train to Margate
Alec rang Maisie on his mobile and agreed to meet her at their usual meeting place by the river
Little did either Alec or Alex-Alex know was that Joseph Wright of Derby was watching them as he took a close interest in both their lives
After an evening out Maisie and Alec lay naked on the bed
Maisie was running her pale hands over Alec’s body hair
You seem to have more hair every time I see you
I am just nearer to our ancestors you know
Maisie looked at her own body which was totally devoid of hair with the exception of tufts of thick black hair which gathered around the her scar
Alec playfully pulled at the black hair
It never goes I shave it when I remove my body hair but within days it has returned
Do you like it?
Yes and no
What do you mean?
Well it hides your wonderful scar but is so soft to the touch
I am self-conscious of it when I am on the beach I feel that people are looking at it
Nobody gives a shit on beaches when do you see a really perfect body?
Imagine how I feel I resemble an ape you know
And act like one
Fuck you Maisie
How does Alex-Alex deal with her scar as it is much bigger than mine?
She does not give a fuck about it I received a text this afternoon to say that she had finished early and would be swimming off of Margate beach
She is so brave
Not brave her scar is part of her like her arms
It is funny I do not care if people see me naked it does not worry me I do not care if they look at my cunt my arse my tits but I hate it when they look at my scar and the black hair
Am I mad?
Not at all
You know when I am naked I feel so sensuous
We all do so free
Last summer you know I had a period when we were in France and there was one guy on the beach who noticed it
And?
It turned me on greatly the feeling that he could see my blood
But then he spoilt it all by looking at my scar
Have you ever heard of Frida Kahlo?
Was your sister not involved in recent exhibition of her work?
Well like you she was involved a tram accident but she was run through by a steel handrail which entered her near her hip and exited through her cunt
She was lucky to survive
I was hit by a tram you know after a night on the town the scar you see is the result of the bumper ripping me open
Her accident influenced her work greatly how do you remember yours?
It scares me all my hair fell out due to the shock and has only really returned on my scalp and as you know I often wear wigs
I hate looking like Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc?
You remember Falconetti in Joan of Arc
Yes
You said that I resembled the actress greatly
You still do
There was a beauty to Falconetti an austere beauty
You beauty is softer but you still have a striking resemblance to the actress
She had such a sad life
Alex pulled Maisie towards him and let her body cover his own
Enough of this just rest in the ape’s nest
Alex-Alex had finished her meeting early and had decided to swim in the sea off of Margate beach
She changed into her indigo bikini and walked towards the sea
A boy of about ten came towards her
Where did you get your scar?
I was born conjoined
Where is your twin?
She died sadly
What was her name?
Alex
What is your name?
Alex-Alex
Alex-Alex?
Yes my name was Alex but when Alex died I adopted the name Alex-Alex
I have a scar
The boy lifted his arm showing what appeared to be a young scar
How did you do that?
I fell off of my bike and was hit by a car
Poor you
Its ok I cried at the time but I am over it now
Do not worry about your scar I do not worry about mine
I saw people looking at you
And so they should as I have a beautiful scar which I am very proud of it is the parting letter of my dead sister
The boy looked blankly at Alex-Alex
Perhaps you will understand what I mean in a few years
I do not worry about my scar my dad calls it my war wound a reminder to cycle more carefully in future
Sorry Miss he is a bad one always chatting up the young ladies
The boy’s mother appeared from behind a wind-break
He was not bothering me only asking after my sister
Alex-Alex swam for nearly an hour occasionally stopping into the shallows to regain her breath
Although the day was hot and the beach was quite crowded she felt completely alone when swimming
The special light that was always attracted to the town was especially bright and Alex-Alex frequently swam under the waves so that she could see the mermaids at play
She was surprised that the sea was so clear as Margate had a reputation for having murky waters
As she surfaced for the final time she saw an artist working on the jetty near to the art gallery where she had been earlier in the day
She recognised the man but could not remember his name
As she made her way into the shallows she noticed a man selling his wares
Do you have a name?
Yes it is Alex-Alex
Are you planning to bathe tonight?
Then you will need some of my Bonnard bath colouring
As you can see I am nearly naked and I have not brought much money to the beach in case it gets stolen
I am not asking for money please turn around
Alex-Alex turned around and was aware that the seller was deliberately not looking at her scar which was only visible from certain angles
Jasper and Tangerine I think you can turn around now
Alex-Alex turned around and was give two sachets
Do use them separately never mix them your bath water will change colour immediately
Do they have any special qualities?
No but artists love them
Alex-Alex returned to her hotel room and as she felt grimy soon ran a bath
She chose the Jasper sachet and emptied the contents into the swirling waters
Her bath water immediately changed colour and as her bath water was ready Alex-Alex stepped into the bath
She had placed candles on the sink and the shelf near the window and had drawn the curtains although the day was not spent
In heaven one of the angels fetched Joseph Wight of Derby who had been painting one of the saints
She is ready Joseph and will soon close her eyes and relax fully it is time for you to capture her likeness
Has she lit her candles and extinguished the day
Yes
Then I am ready
Joseph Wright of Derby looked at Alex-Alex as she relaxed in the bath
He extinguished one the candles and began painting
Alex-Alex was dreaming of her brother and slowly her hand moved towards her cunt
Would you keep still Miss as I am working and I have only the most limited time
Alex-Alex felt her brother’s rough body cover her own
She was enjoying her dream
The artist flicked a few drops of cold water at her
Alex-Alex flinched
Her dream was over
Her hand relaxed
The artist started his work again