The Monster At My Wedding
Pick Me Up !|July 20 2017
  • Abused by stepdad from age 5
  • Fake smiles in the wedding pictures
  • Justice at last – but at what cost?
Michelle Rawlins
The Monster At My Wedding

Snuggling under my parents’ duvet, I closed my eyes.

I’d often sleep next to Mum.

My stepdad Stephen Campy would climb into bed after his shifts as a taxi driver.

But within minutes of Mum getting up for work, I’d bite my lip, knowing what was coming...

I was only 5. But most days, Stephen would abuse me.

Every time, I’d pretend to be asleep and stay perfectly still as he put his hand under the cover and into my underwear.

Too scared to cry, I’d count the seconds until it was over.

Mum had met Stephen not long after my real dad had left.

Although Stephen was strict, he was also loving and kind.

He had two children of his own and became like a dad to me and my two older sisters.

When the abuse started, I hated it but took it as normal.

What dads do.

But growing up, that changed.

I felt sick

None of my friends talked about their dads going into their room at night.

Something told me I couldn’t talk about what Stephen did.

Years passed and it escalated. If Mum was out, he’d prey on me.

He never raped me, but would make me masturbate him. Later I’d feel sick and scrub myself.

Sometimes Stephen would buy me a bag of sweets after.

Bu hikaye Pick Me Up ! dergisinin July 20 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Pick Me Up ! dergisinin July 20 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

PICK ME UP ! DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
ACCEPTING MYSELF
Pick Me Up !

ACCEPTING MYSELF

Claire Panchel, 32, from Burgess Hill, neglected her condition for years...

time-read
3 dak  |
March 09, 2023
WHAT'S BURNING?!
Pick Me Up !

WHAT'S BURNING?!

When Leanne Chatfield, 32, from Brighton, smelt smoke coming from her kitchen, she couldn't help but panic...

time-read
2 dak  |
March 09, 2023
SOMETHING STOLEN
Pick Me Up !

SOMETHING STOLEN

Kayleigh Hanrahan, 29, from Wigan, never expected to lose so much on her wedding day...

time-read
4 dak  |
March 09, 2023
FOCUSED ON NOW
Pick Me Up !

FOCUSED ON NOW

Stephanie Edwards, 33, from Bridgwater, Somerset, is watching her little girl become a human statue in front of her eyes...

time-read
6 dak  |
March 09, 2023
A HAND TO HOLD
Pick Me Up !

A HAND TO HOLD

Amy Brown, 29, from Kent, just wanted to take her children out to the park on her own...

time-read
6 dak  |
March 09, 2023
JUST GETTING STARTED
Pick Me Up !

JUST GETTING STARTED

When Shelby Laidlaw, 30, from London, split from her partner Hassan, she had no idea how he was able to keep tabs on what she was doing...

time-read
9 dak  |
March 09, 2023
TASTES LIKE LOVE
Pick Me Up !

TASTES LIKE LOVE

Felicia DiSalvo, 21, flew all the way to Manchester for some British culture…

time-read
3 dak  |
March 02, 2023
LURKING AT LUNCH
Pick Me Up !

LURKING AT LUNCH

Carolyn Byington popped home for a bite to eat, unaware of an intruder that would make her regret that very decision…

time-read
5 dak  |
March 02, 2023
LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX
Pick Me Up !

LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX

Jenn Hanniston, 34, from Essex, and hubby Brad love stripping off to an audience...

time-read
6 dak  |
March 02, 2023
CODE RED
Pick Me Up !

CODE RED

When Victoria Lang, 31, from Banton, North Lanarkshire, experienced a period that was a cause of concern she never thought it would reveal something far more disturbing…

time-read
7 dak  |
March 02, 2023