Jeremy's maiden aunts, Jennifer (left) and Jacobina (right), were both sisters of Josiah for Lady Bethany Twirler was an only child (the Twirler parents being rigorously opposed to undue familiarity. After Lady Bethany was conceived they slept in separate counties to avoid an unpleasant reprise).

Very little is documented about either sister beyond their much vaunted chastity. We know that Jennifer was rather reticent, speaking only eleven words between 1864 and 1879, whilst her sister spoke non-stop, even whilst breathing in.

Both seem to have encouraged Jeremy in his scientific studies. We know that Jacobina defended him more than once to his openly contemptuous father, whilst one letter from a seventeen-year-old Jeremy begins: 'Dear Aunt Jennifer, I write to express my gratitude to you for allowing me to examine your rampant desquamation. It was an astounding experience which I cannot forget. When I am older I shall describe it to Stanleyson in Geneva and request that he find you an appropriate lotion ...'.