Marmalade
A Story Every Day in 2024 Sept 15th 259/366
It was a strange obsession to have, especially as the only person, no, creature, that could possibly relate was a fictional bear called Paddington and he'd only expressed desire for it between slices of bread, whereas she was having it with everything and was astounded at how good it tasted all the time.
Jill was thinking this as she smeared marmalade on her Weetabix and ate it like a cracker. Oh my word, she thought. This is delicious. Washed down with the finest tea.
She wasn't pregnant so she couldn't put it down to a picky passenger. But her compulsion to eat marmalade at every meal was an obstacle between her and Patrick.
He chose that moment to come in and grimaced as she bit with undisguised delight into her wheat biscuit.
"I think this has gone far enough, don't you, Jill?" he jibed, facing her, hands on his hips like a stern schoolmaster.
Jill's taste buds were aflame with the sharpness of Seville and she felt vehemently that it had not gone far enough at all. In fact, to the contrary: it needed to continue into perpetuity. The pleasure that she derived from this was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Ever.
She took the time and saliva needed to eat a dry Weetabix with marmalade topping to remain silent.
Patrick glared at her, waiting, as she chewed away in front of him. She could see with each movement of her jaw a mirrored tightening in his, further shown in the redness of his complexion as he tried unsuccessfully to contain his anger.
She reached for her tea to wash her mouth out before answering, as she was a little claggy and wanted to ensure she was heard clearly, when Patrick decided to explode.
"That's it, Jill! I have been very patient with you and this...fad, but it is not a joke anymore! Either you stop it or I'm going!"
He was asking her to choose?
Slowly, she looked at her breakfast. Then, at Patrick.
"My God!" he cried. "You're thinking about it?"
Finally, she reached for the marmalade-covered Weetabix, her hair moving slightly as Patrick turned and left, slamming the door as he did.
***
366 words
Another lengthier one today rather than a Drabble, the production of which was my original intention but my flow led me into a longer story.
Paddington Bear is a famous film character now but was a cartoon when I was a kid. You can read about him here:
Marmalade on hot buttered toast is one of the finest things known to man. Mmm...
This was written from a prompt:
A story about someone who is obsessed with marmalade.
Taken from this link:
And finally, the inspiration for having Jill spread marmalade on a Weetabix was taken from an episode of QI where someone commented on how they knew someone who liked to eat jam on Weetabix. I love QI.
I said, "And finally" but I lied. Here's a link to a poem I wrote about Weetabix. Yes, that's right. A poem about Weetabix.
Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.
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More stories from Rachel Deeming and writers in Fiction and other communities.
The Reluctant Psychic
"You do realise that this is all bogus, don't you? She's a charlatan, preying on your unresolved grief, purloining silver from your purse and placing cotton wool words around your heart, telling you what she thinks you want to hear. You're all fools! If I were you, I wouldn't spend a minute longer here. Go and live, for Heaven's sake!"
By Rachel Deemingabout a year ago in Fiction
Comments (28)
I like this. Paddington Bear is wonderful. 😊
Not a fan of marmalade, but really, why can't the woman eat what she pleases, i would choose the marmalade, unless its for the sake of the kids, still....Kudos.
Gotta love marmalade! Although I sometimes have it with butter (never margarine) on toast, I sometimes dollop it on a service of vanilla ice cream and, if nobody is looking, will happily eat it straight from the jar. Perfect with a cuppa tea, especially Earl Grey as the Bergamot oil added to the tea has a similar citrus flavour. Congrats on the placing and loved the way the MC did a double take when asked to choose. Great story
Congratulations for second place in Most Discussed Stories this Week 🎉🎉🥳
This was absolutely hilarious and enthralling. How dare her choose the marmalade over the second love of her life! I love that this isn’t a typical story title, it made me want to click on it.
Congratulations on Top Story and Leaderboard win!!!
Yay Rachel!! Congrats on second place this week for most discussed story!! 🎉
Nicely done, love the story. Congratulations on the placement
Congrats on placing on the Leaderboard … I love this story;💖 hate Weetbix!!!🤣 & LOVE Paddington Bear!💙
Excellent work, Rachel! What a scene you crafted! Could feel the tension building in the sweetest way!
So well written you barely notice.
Omgggg Paddington Bear! I miss him soooo much! He used to be a hugeeeee part of my childhood. I didn't realise he was around from when you were a kid too. They just don't make cartoons like that anymore. I didn't know they are movies about him. Gosh you gave me an incredible blast from the past! With all that being said, I hate marmalade, lol. But I'm on Jill's side. What's it to Patrick if she eats everything with marmalade? It's not like she's forcing her habits on him. It's not harming him in any way. Patrick is a big ass loser and I'm glad she picked marmalade over him!
Ha! Maybe not marmalade but I'd definitely choose peanut butter over some people! This was great Rachel.
Loved this Rachel and sadly... I'd make the same choice as Jill! 😅
Brilliant! I'd consider Jill to be quite the smart cracker or cookie.
This is brilliantly written!! A simple and silly premise, made into a genuine literary artwork by your use of language. I can't say I understand being THAT obsessed with marmalade...but it is certainly scrumptious!! I'll have to put some on some hot buttered toast this week :)
I love how absolutely polarized these comments are 😂😂
Not a fan of marmalade or Weetabix so I guess I'm on his side. Now, if it were Reeses peanut butter cups or ice cream it would be a different story.
He'll be back. He's just never tasted it yet. When he does, just imagine his regret. Perhaps he should spread it on her!
I love marmalade!! Leave her alone and let her enjoy, I say 😂♥️
Surely, she could have had worse habits? He should be happy it's only marmalade.
I'd love to sympathise with everyone saying she can eat what she likes. If the obsession had been marmite, apricot jam, peanut butter (even the inferior smooth version), I'd have been OK with that. But marmalade? That's more red flags than a Chinese political convention.
He's a twat. Let the woman eat her marmalade and bugger off.
Too funny, his ultimatum. Unless she spends all his money on crackers and marmalade, too silly too. A delightful story, Rachel.
I hate to the That Guy, but I remember Paddington from books, sooooo.... 😂