HORRIFIC REAL LIFE
Katie Simpson, 19, from Suffolk, always looked forward to playtime with her stepdad. Until it took a sinister turn…
Playing in my bedroom with my toys, I was completely lost in my own imagination.
At nine years old, I’d run upstairs after having tea with my mum Sarah to enjoy my playtime.
And like most nights, my stepdad Pete would join me.
‘What are you up to?’ he’d smile, sitting on the floor.
Grabbing my hedgehog toy, he’d start playing with me. Then, he’d tickle me.
Giggling, he’d lift up my vest and place his lips on my belly.
Blowing hard, raspberries rippled across my skin. I started laughing. ‘You’re my favourite,’ he’d say. He always made me feel so special.
With Mum splitting from my dad when I was three, I didn’t have a father figure.
At least until Pete moved in when I was eight.
Mum and Pete had been dating since I was four, so he’d always been in my life.
One day, Pete surprised Mum by showing her a photo he’d taken.
He tried to make me feel special
‘Look at this photo of Katie,’ he beamed.
It was of me playing on some rocks, while out on a family walk.
‘That’s so lovely,’ Mum smiled, framing it.
I idolised Pete. He was like a father to me. Going for walks along the beach, I’d hold Mum and Pete’s hands.
One day, Mum had to stay in hospital for a few days to have an operation.
‘You’ll be OK,’ she said. ‘Pete’s going to be looking after you.’ Nodding, I knew
I’d be in safe hands.
Pete cooked me dinner, made my packed lunches and helped me get ready for school.
Whenever I felt upset about Mum, he’d take me to visit her. One night after dinner, I ran up to my bedroom, like usual. Playing with my hedgehog, my bedroom door swung open. ‘How are we getting on?’
Pete smiled.
He grabbed my hedgehog. ‘Why did the hedgehog cross the road?’ he asked.
Looking blankly at him, I had no idea.
‘To see his flat mate!’ Pete exclaimed, grinning. Laughing hysterically, Pete began to tickle me.
Lifting up my cotton vest, he pressed his lips to my belly. Loudly blowing raspberries,
I kept on giggling.
Then, he grabbed me harder. I stopped laughing.
He slipped his fingers under the waistband of my leggings. Pulling them down to my knees, I was so confused. This isn’t part of the game. Lowering his head to my privates, Pete started licking and touching me.
Frozen, I didn’t understand what he was doing.
Afterwards, Pete walked out of the room. He didn’t say a word to me.
I felt so lost.
Pete had never
