Life

Marie Louise McConville: Slithery stunt stops me in my tracks

I am a total loss as to why my husband, Darren thought it was a good idea - and perfectly safe - to allow our seven-year-old daughter, Abbie to put a snake around her neck at a petting zoo
I am a total loss as to why my husband, Darren thought it was a good idea - and perfectly safe - to allow our seven-year-old daughter, Abbie to put a snake around her neck at a petting zoo I am a total loss as to why my husband, Darren thought it was a good idea - and perfectly safe - to allow our seven-year-old daughter, Abbie to put a snake around her neck at a petting zoo

What is it with some men?

Don't get me wrong, I know it's a question women have been trying to find the answer to for centuries but seriously - I do wonder sometimes.

I know there's a book which tells us they're from a different planet, but I don't think even that explains it.

One thing is for certain, men do change when they become fathers.

All of a sudden, they become the ultimate protectors and it's all about security and safety.

Take Darren for example, he is all about keeping Abbie and James safe and healthy.

If we're going out for a walk, coats and hats are on, helmets are a must when the bikes are out and hands are always held if we're near a main road.

At home, he keeps a close eye too.

The zip must always be pulled down on the trampoline enclosure, for fear of them tumbling out and repeated requests for bunk beds have thus far been ignored for fear of someone sleep-falling to their doom.

I suppose I should be thankful that he is such a responsible father.

So, if that's the case, can you tell me then how our seven-year-old daughter ended up with a snake wrapped around her neck?

Oh yes, you heard me right.

A live snake, all dry and leathery, twisted around my baby's neck and it wasn't an attack or anything.

Oh no, her father permitted it.

In fact, encouraged it while I was elsewhere with James at a petting zoo.

Picture this.

We had enjoyed a fantastic day at the Galgorm Castle Fairy Trail in Ballymena on Easter Monday.

We had followed the brilliant trail throughout the forest and had come across colourful characters along the way, including Peter Rabbit, Poppy the Troll and the Easter Bunny.

As we came towards the end, we came across inflatables, a painting station and a petting zoo.

As James and I went to view the alpaca, Abbie went exploring with her dad and when we went to find them just a few minutes later, I was suddenly stopped in my tracks.

I could actually feel the blood draining from my face and I was rendered speechless as I saw my little girl - with a snake wrapped around her neck.

I honestly wanted to scream and run and grab it off her - whilst Darren grinned from ear to ear as he took photos.

After the reptile was removed from my child, I quizzed Darren about what on earth he was doing allowing this, to which he replied: "It's just a bit of craic. She wanted to".

Well, the drive home from Ballymena was fun let me tell you.

She could have been strangled or suffocated.

Seriously, what was he thinking?

I suppose it's just one of life's eternal mysteries we will never know the answer to, but really...

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Singer Frankie Bridge has revealed that she and her footballer husband Wayne often walk around their home naked.

The 33-year-old performer said she doesn't see any issue with being open with your body around the house.

Speaking on Loose Women, the I'm A Celebrity star, who has two sons, Parker (8) and Carter (6), grew up in quite a naked family.

She said: "I don't see what the issue is. I think if Parker and Carter started to look uncomfortable or if they started saying, `Ooh, mummy," then I would go from there'."

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I have been absolutely captivated this week by ITV drama The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe.

Based on the true story of former British teacher John Darwin, who faked his own death in 2002 by staging a canoe accident and the involvement of his wife, Anne, who claimed the life insurance, the dramatisation had me hooked.

Starring Monica Dolan as Anne and Eddie Marsan as John, I don't think I am the only one who has been left simply astounded by this frankly quite unbelievable plan, actioned so John could do away with mounting debt.

Both Monica and Eddie played these parts magnificently this week.

Of course, while his sons, Mark and Anthony and extended family mourned John following his fictitious death at sea, he was brazenly living right under their noses in a bedsit just next door.

Eventually, the couple's new life in Panama came crashing down around them when John returned to the UK and handed himself into the authorities, claiming amnesia.

Everyone saw through their ridiculous lies and long story short, they both ended up in prison - but hey, what an adventure.

I will admit, I did feel a pang of sympathy for Anne but wrong is wrong.

Great viewing.