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