Last year, when I posted Bea’s
“Sleepover,” I wrote about how that short story was something I’d given serious
consideration to turning into a comic at one point. “A Queen, Two Rooks – and a Pawn” is another one of Bea's that I’ve felt was a strong contender for getting the comic treatment. I’ve definitely thought about doing an illustration based on it at least. I dunno, there was just something about this story that I remember liking. The fact
that the main character happens to have the same name as me has nothing to do
with it. Actually, if I were to draw
this as a comic, I might be inclined to change said character’s name.
While I’m on the subject, in the Word doc that I saved this story to, I made a note that I had used the find/replace feature to change the name of one of the characters, which I did for personal reasons.
I’ve had cause to do that sort of thing on a number of occasions. I can’t be the only one who finds it uncomfortable
when a character in a work of erotica has the same name as someone you know. However, in the interest in presenting this
story as Bea wrote it, I’ve reverted that character’s name back to what it
was originally.
QUEEN, TWO ROOKS – AND A PAWN
By Bea
The rain was falling softly as Moira drove us up in front of
the lodge. From the first moment I was properly impressed.
“From what you mentioned" I said, “I got the idea that
you and your daughters had been forced to live in some sort of broken down old
cottage. This is really quite spectacular, you know.."
I was telling the truth. My companion had
referred to her current domicile as 'the original gatekeepers cottage' for the
estate. This red sandstone building, glistening in the light rain,
was substantial to say the least, two stories and, as far as I could determine,
a fair depth to it. I estimated that it had to have at least twelve
rooms.
Moira hit the horn, laughing. “These
lazy little buggers! They know we're here. Just hoping
that we'll be stupid enough to open the gate ourselves."
She put the window down and yelled out. “C'mon
somebody! Shake a leg! Open the bloody gate!"
“Oh, I’ll do it" I offered, opening the car
door.
“I wouldn't recommend it." she
answered. “If you ever let my two away with anything, they'll press
just to see how far they can go... "
But by that time I was out of the car and heading for the
large bar that kept the gate in a closed position. As I
approached it, a rather tall red haired girl darted from the cottage door
towards the same opener. She held an umbrella above her but as her
head was down to keep the rain out of her eyes she didn't seem to see me until
we arrived at the lever together.
I didn't know who this young lady was. It
couldn't be one of the twins? Surely not! From Moira's fond
descriptions, I’d got the impression that her girls were in their early
teens. This young lady looked to be in her early twenties. She
finally looked up, and I found myself scrutinized by a pair of incredibly large
green eyes, long lashed and seductive. She moved her head slightly
to one side.
“You must be David? I’m
Patricia. Here. Let me open this." She
put her hand on the lever.
“Oh please. Let me." I answered. “It
looks rather stiff."
“It is," she said, slowly taking her hand
off and watching me.
I pressed down. It didn't budge one
iota. Reddening from the exertion and embarrassment, I tried again -
with no more success.
“Here. Let me," she said kindly and
gave my hand a light push, before taking hold of the lever
herself. Totally humiliated, I saw the muscles on her forearm
tauten, and the lever move downward with a squeal. She pulled the
gate open and motioned Moira to drive through. Then she came around
towards me with the umbrella. It was quite small, and she put her
arm around me to pull me in more under its protection.
And all of a sudden I had a premonition. Well,
maybe not that strong a feeling, but I definitely felt a faint
uneasiness. I tried to shake it off, but here I was - for a long
weekend no less, with a woman who intimidated me somewhat, and (if her other
daughter was anything like Patricia) I was in a household where I was the
smallest person and, by the looks of it, certainly not the
strongest. A small shudder ran down my body.
She must have felt it. “Cold?" She asked
solicitously. Then, without waiting for my answer. “Never
mind, we'll get you all nice and toasty warm in a little
while." And, still talking, she pulled me closer to her.
I didn't know what to do. I knew that I was older
than her. Not much perhaps, yet somehow, it was if she'd classified
me as a little kid. Someone who needed looking after. She
made me uncomfortably aware that she was just as strong minded as her mother.
I’d met Moira at a whist drive in the local
village. We'd both arrived without partners and had drawn each
other. She was very down to earth and an aggressive - very
aggressive - card player. Due to this, I’d been a part of the winning
pair for the first time in my life.
During the evening we'd chatted between hands. I’d
discovered that she was a divorced mother with twin daughters, who were home
for the 'hols' and, according to her, she was 'desperately' trying
to keep them amused. She admitted that she was enjoying her night
off. Seemingly, she had been visiting the village to talk to the
dean of the local girl's school that her daughters attended. I knew
very little of the school except that it was very exclusive - and very expensive. It
also turned out that she was staying the night with a friend, Jane Waugh, who
happened to be my solicitor.
As that evening had progressed, I had got the feeling that
she was evaluating me. Don't get me wrong. I don't mean
romantically: for one thing, she was quite a lot older than
me. Definitely attractive still, but well out of my age
bracket. For another, I’ve never really interested
women. It's as if they sense that I’m shy of them - something, I
don't know. I’m not homosexual, I just don't seem to have the
necessary 'drive' to get romantically involved with someone of the opposite
sex.
There was nothing unfriendly about her scrutiny really, just
something about it that made me a little uneasy.
Anyway, before the night was over, she'd invited me to her
home for the following weekend. It turned out that she lived on a
large estate some forty miles away - more amazingly, that she owned it - a part
of the divorce settlement. (though she did say that the heating
bills - and the cost of servants to staff the main house during the winter had
caused her to experiment with moving to the forementioned gatekeepers
cottage. She was going to be passing through my village on her way
home on the Friday, so could pick me up then. As I don't drive, this
eliminated any transportation problems. I accepted her invitation
with alacrity.
I’d somehow got the picture of me, Moira, and a couple of
naughty (but nice) little girls playing monopoly, toasting marshmallows,
drinking hot chocolate - with everyone deferring to my masculine
presence. As can be imagined from the conditions attending my actual
arrival, this picture was starting to disintegrate a little in my imagination.
Evelyn met us at the door. As big - and as
beautiful as her sister. More blonde in coloring though, and blue
eyes instead of green, but with the same grace and athleticism. She
shook my hand at the introduction, and I could feel the strength in her arm.
“David? It is David? Yes? I
saw you come in. Have trouble opening the gate?" she
asked in a low, throaty voice.
“Yes I did." I admitted. “Is
there some sort of knack to it?"
“Not that I’m aware of." Patricia
said. “Needs a little muscle, that's all."
And Evelyn shocked me. She laughing
unbelievingly, she took hold of my arm and squeezed my bicep.
“Not much there, I’m afraid," she giggled,
turning to her sister. “Think that even Sissy Walker has more than
this."
“You're kidding!" Patricia said, then did
the same thing. “Y'know! I think you're dead on! Not much
there at all, is there?"
“Would you two stop pawing our guest?" I
heard Moira's voice behind us. “He'll think you've got no social
manners at all - and I’ve been trying to convince him that you gals are
nice! Now! One of you? Take his bag up to his
room, please?" She came up to us and dumped my weekender
suitcase on the floor beside us.
“Mumsy!" both girls cried, and went and
hugged her enthusiastically.
She returned their embraces. Looked over Evelyn's shoulder
at me.
“David? Don't believe this show of affection,
it's put on strictly for your sake. And? Especially don't
let these girls run over you. They will, given the
chance. In this house I’m afraid, it's survival of the fittest, so
don't feel averse to giving either one of them a whack alongside the head -
it's the only language they understand."
I couldn't believe it. Was she seriously
advocating that I give one - or both, of these amazons a
'whack'? She obviously had more confidence in my physical prowess
than I did.
I shrugged and grinned as well as I could. “They're
fine!" I said. “Young. That's all."
The two girls were now pulling at my case, arguing as to who
was going to do me the honor of escorting me to my room, reminding me more of
two rambunctious lion cubs rough-housing than anything else.
“Hey!" Moira said. “What about my
luggage? Would either one of you ..?"
But she shrugged as the two of them totally ignored her and
started up the stairs.
“Looks as if you've already got them interested
David. What did I tell you?"
I had no answer as both girls, obviously coming to a truce,
were calling down and urging me to come to my room. Helplessly, I
followed, listening to the sounds of Moira 's
laughter from behind us.
“I 'm telling you David. Watch out! I recognize
the signs - they've got their eyes on you!"
I grinned back weakly at her, but continued on up the
stairs.
My room was small, but comfortably furnished. A
fire burned brightly in the grate.
“Oh! How nice!" I
said. “So welcoming after a drive on a cold rainy day."
“Glad you like it" Patricia
said. “But aren't you going to thank Evelyn properly? She
was the one that set it."
“Of course." I said, turning towards her
sister. “Evelyn? That was so nice.. Mmmmm"
Finding myself speechless as Evelyn took me in her arms and
kissed me, full on the lips and to my amazement, her tongue forcing its way
down my throat!
I was so surprised that I didn't even struggle, just reacted
by submitting, and putting my arms around her neck. Then, somehow or
other, I found myself sitting on the bed, Evelyn's arms now around my shoulder
watching Patricia unpack my suitcase. She smiled broadly, lifting my
jockey shorts in the air.
“Would you look at these? So masculine!"
“Oooh! And would you look at that
robe!" Evelyn said excitedly. “I’ve always wanted
one just like that. Blue plaid!"
“Me too!" Patricia retorted - “But I’ve got
it, and possession is nine tenths of the law. Right?"
With that, she slipped her arms into it, pulled it around
her, and tied the sash.
“A little small, maybe - but oh, so
warm!" she enthused. “Can I have it?"
I was nonplussed by her brazen request. “But.. But - it's a
man's ... And it's the only one I have with me... " I protested
weakly.
She pursed her lips and pouted.
“What difference does it make if it's a man's,
eh? And if it turns out that you need a robe that badly? - I’ll swap
you for it. I’ve got some pretty ones. There's sure to be
one you'll like."
Evelyn spoke up. “He'd drown in one of yours, you
big horse .. Why don't you ask mumsy for one? She's got tons, and
she's almost exactly the same size as him."
“Great idea sis!" Patricia exulted and,
still in my robe ran out of the room.
“That's got rid of that pest for a minute" I heard a
whisper in my ear and, without any other warning I was pulled into Evelyn's
embrace again and kissed soundly. To my shame, I whimpered a little
and struggled weakly. She giggled a little, and overcame my futile protest
easily, then twisted my body so that I was lying almost on my back, across her
thighs, cradled in her left arm, her right stroking my face, bending over to
give me gentle kisses.
“Now lie there and be good!" she admonished
me. “You don't want to get Evelyn unhappy now. Do
you?"
I shook my head.
“You're so cute!" she said admiringly, stroking my face
with her fingertips. “And smooth too. Just a real
sweetie!" and she dropped her lips on to mine
again. This kiss only lasted a few seconds before she lifted her
head. I looked up at her.
“Now! Before sis gets back. You going
to be Evelyn's little pussy cat?"
“Eh?" I asked dreamily. “What d'you mean?"
She pinched my cheek. “Don't be naughty
now! I’m asking if you want to be my little pussy cat?"
“A pussy cat?"
“Well, silly. Not a real puss - just a pretty
soft pet that I can stroke and be nice to." she gave me another
quick kiss.
“What happens if I don't want to be a ...
Pet?" I knew that I was asking a perfectly reasonable question
- but why did my voice tremble as I asked it?
She shook her head. “No. Don't be
silly now. You don't want to get Evelyn all upset, do you?"
There was decidedly some menace in her voice - a veiled
threat.
“Oh no, Evelyn." I
submitted. “I wouldn't want to do that."
“Good!" she said. “Now miew for Evelyn,
like a good little pussy."
“Miew" I responded.
“Not bad at all! Just a little softer this
time. Try again."
And I did. A number of times before she was
completely satisfied.
She reached into a pocket and pulled something
out. I didn't get a full view of it, but it looked like a band of
blue velvet with a small chrome circle attached to it. She wrapped
it around my neck.
“What is that Evelyn? What are you doing?"
“Putting your collar on, Fluffy. Pets need
collars, you know? And you are my pet, aren't you?"
“You want me to wear a collar?"
“Of course! What else would you
wear? D'you have a problem with a velvet one? Would you
rather it was leather?"
I shook my head. “No. The velvet one's
okay I guess." thinking, what in the world had I got myself
into?
“That's a good Fluffy" she said, reaching
into her pocket. “Now, where's that leash?" she
pulled a length of pink satin ribbon out of her pocket.
“Aha! Here it is!"
She then looped one end around the chrome circle on my
collar and tied it with a bow. She slipped out from under me,
holding the other end of the ribbon. Gave it a tug.
“C'mon Fluffy. Let's go and look for aunty
Patricia. C'mon now! That's a good pussy!"
I couldn't believe what was happening to me. I
hadn't been in the house for a half hour, yet had been kissed and fondled - and
was now going to be led around the house on a leash, like a cat - and I sensed
that she didn't exactly consider me a tom either! She tugged at the
leash.
“C'mon!"
I knew what was
expected. Followed. But before we reached the door,
Patricia came bursting in, still wearing my robe, a pink terry towel robe over
her arm.
“Mummy said..." she started, then saw what
was happening.
“That's not fair!" she yowled. “I saw him
first. It was me that went out in the rain. You're mean Evelyn! He's
mine!"
Evelyn turned to me. “Sit Fluffy! Sit!"
I obeyed and sat down on the carpet.
The two girls glared at each other.
“If you hadn't been in such a damn hurry to get him into
something pretty.." Evelyn started.
“You knew he was to be my dolly." Patricia
argued. “I mean, I let you kiss him, but that doesn't mean you get
to keep him!"
“Did I say anything about keeping him?" Evelyn
asked pleasantly. “He was just so sweet and docile about putting on
his collar - and, I mean he just loves the name 'Fluffy" -
don't you Fluffy? Say miew."
I miewed for my mistress.
“That I wanted to bring him to meet you.." Evelyn
continued.
Patricia grinned. “Well, that's
better. Why didn't you say so? Boy sis! You
sure are a good trainer. I don't know how you do it! But
no argument now? He's my dolly?"
“I don't see why you're so greedy" Evelyn
retorted. “Can't you share a little?"
Patricia got a suspicious look on her
face. “What's a little?"
“I was thinking that I could take Fluffy to let
mumsy see ..."
“Well. If that's all,
okay." Patricia agreed. “But her lipstick's the
wrong shade - I’d want to change that.."
“Oh that's not his lipstick" Evelyn giggled,
“That's mine I guess."
“I don't care who's it is." Patricia said
sharply. “What would mumsy think if she saw one of my dollies
walking around like that?"
Evelyn shrugged. “Ok by me. Your
room?"
At Patricia's nod, Evelyn jerked my leash
gently. “C'mon Fluffy. Let's go to aunty Pat's room, let
her make you all pretty."
I followed her, but started pleading. “Please
girls? Please? Hasn't this joke gone far enough?"
Both of them shook their heads, and giggled in disbelief.
“Isn't she funny!" Patricia
laughed. She turned back to me. “Dolly? I
haven't even started yet.." she saw the frightened look on my
face. “Aw is Dolly scared? Tell you what. Just
a little lipstick just now. Okay? I’ve got a nice red
shade that'll look so pretty on you..."
“What about eyelashes?" Evelyn asked. “Your
dollies never look proper without eyelashes.... Least I don't think so.."
Five minutes later, the three of us stood
outside Moira's room. I was still on my leash, but
was now made up with a bright red lipstick and a pair of very thick, black,
false eyelashes.
“Ok. That's the deal" Patricia
said. “You get to lead Fluffy in, then she's my
dolly. Comes and sits on my lap. Right?"
Evelyn nodded. Knocked on the
door. “Mumsy? Can we come in?"
“Girls? Yes! Come in!"
And I was paraded in to Moira's room - like a female slave
behind Roman centurions.
Moira 's reaction surprised me. I
hadn't known what to expect, but was totally shaken when her only facial
expression was one of aggravation.
“Oh David!" She remonstrated. “I
told you! Now what am I going to do? I
mean. This is too much! How could you!"
“Her name is Dolly, mumsy." Patricia
said. Though Evelyn calls her 'Fluffy,"
“Dolly? Fluffy? If I had known you two
were this far along, I’d never have given you that terry robe of mine
Patricia. That's one of my favorites you know."
“Well. She hasn't worn it yet. Has
she?" Patricia retorted. “And anyway, I like my
dollies in prettier things than that.."
“Yeah." Moira responded,
“But it's my pretties you generally want to borrow, isn't it?"
Patricia giggled. “I was thinking of that polka
dot - you know? The yellow one?"
Moira pursed her lips. “You're
kidding, surely! But now that I think of it, I’d bet he'd look
really sweet in it - all these little frills and flounces ...
Oooh!. Where did I put it?" She walked to a closet
and started rummaging through it.
The next thing, she was walking back towards me with a cloud
of yellow fabric over her arm. “Stand up straight Dolly, Fluffy,
whatever your name is! Let me see how this outfit will look on you.”
“Moira? A dress? I can’t wear a
dress!” I mewled.
“Can’t? Can’t? Don’t be so bloody
negative Dolly! And anyway? It’s a skirt and blouse! Come
on now!”
“Well mumsy? Didn’t you think of bringing undies
for the poor thing?” Patricia said. “I mean, if he’s to be MY girl?”
She shot a pointed look at Evelyn. “I want him to be nice!”
“Jesus!” Moira laughed. “I don’t think there’s
any pleasing you. But I suppose . .” She wandered
off towards a chest of drawers.
Nothing in my life up to that point had prepared me for the
shame and indignity that was to follow. A middle aged woman sitting sniggering
on a couch as her two strapping daughters man-handled me out of my clothes –
and into feminine lingerie, laughing and giggling at my resistance – or lack of
it.
“Oh, you look so pretty!” Evelyn said.
“Needs more padding in that bra! I like my girls
to have big tits!” Patricia said.
“No need to be coarse, darling!” Moira
chided. “You’ll hurt Dolly’s feelings!”
Strangely enough? Once they had finished dressing me, the
teasing ended. It was as if by donning the yellow skirt with large white polka
dots, the peasant blouse, the layered petticoat – the stockings and the strappy
white sandals, I became Dolly – just another girl. Yes, I
had to wear another velvet collar – a soft brown in color this time – and I had
to smile and answer to the name Dolly – and sitting on Patricia’s lap, I
discovered what, exactly, was meant by the term ‘Patricia’s
girlfriend’ but, to be quite honest, I learned to play along and really? It
was quite pleasant being kissed tenderly and fondled. I’m ashamed, but must
admit that I giggled girlishly a few times.
I also found it somewhat difficult to attune to my
‘breasts’. The girls had simply filled some balloons with some sort of water and
gel mixture and put them within the cups of my bra. They had a most
natural feel to them – and movement, and after the girls had trained me to walk
properly – that is carefully place one foot directly in front of the other – my
hips fell into alignment by swaying which not only made my skirts
move but my breasts as well. So, when I say it was
difficult for me to attune to them, it wasn’t the movement – it was as if my
center of gravity had changed. The fact that both girls seemed to
take a great delight in fondling them added to the strangeness.
The movement I’m describing came as we three prepared a meal
and drank copious glasses of wine while doing so. It was just a
light meal and, after we had finished clearing up, I felt quite drunk – and
don’t think I was alone in that regard.
I was sitting in Patricia’s lap when Evelyn said “I think
it’s time for Fluffy to get fed.”
Moira got up from her chair. “Ah well then, it’s
time for me to go to bed. Now girls? Please don’t hurt the poor
little thing.”
“We won’t! Night mumsy!” The two of them
chorused. “Sleep tight!”
Moira shook her head and came over to
me. “Goodnight Dolly. See you in the
morning. Try not to cry – okay?” With that, she brushed cheeks with
me and left the room.
I felt kinda giggly. “But Evelyn? Why
should Moira tell me not to cry? And I’m not hungry. I
just ate.”
“Fluffy? Pussies can’t talk. Just miew
for me please?”
“Miew?”
“That’s better! Now Patricia? Why
don’t you put Fluffy’s leash on her for me, would you? I’m too lazy
to get up.” With that, she tossed one end of the ribbon leash to
Patricia, who tied it onto the ring on my collar.
“What’re you doing?” I giggled, then yelped as Patricia gave
my leash a sharp tug! “Come here Fluffy – you good little
pussy! On all fours now!”
We all giggled as, on my hands and knees, I
crossed over to where Patricia sprawled on the sofar, They cheered
when I miewed a few times on the way over.
“Isn’t she just the prettiest pussy?” Patricia
asked. “Gonna make her your Dolly?”
“Seems like a good time for it, “ Evelyn said, getting up
and going out of the room.
To my amazement, I say Patricia hike her skirts up in a most
immodest way, and then pulling her panties down – and off. “Okay
Fluffy,” she smiled at me as she lounged back. “Up on the sofa now –
There’s a good little pussy!”
As I knelt up on the sofa, she then said “Look
what Patricia has for her little pussy – a nice bowl of cream.! Now
why don’t you lap it all up!” With that, she spread her legs, gave
my leash a strong tug, and I found myself with my face in her groin!
“Now stay there!” she commanded – and pulled her skirt down
over my head, then one of her hands pressed was placed on back of my head and
forced me face hard into her vagina. “Lick it all up!” she commanded.
I’ve heard of men who enjoy doing this sort of thing to a
woman – but I didn’t. Thought that I couldn’t be more degraded as I
licked away at her and she lay there, groaning in ecstasy – but I was wrong.
I heard the door open and Evelyn come back
in. “Oh Evelyn, that’s just a little one!” I heard Patricia say.
“Yeah – but I don’t want to hurt my little
Dolly. I’ll keep the bigger ones for later,” Evelyn said – and I
felt my skirt being lifted – and then my panties being slid down my legs and
slowly removed. Then I felt the couch sag a little as Evelyn knelt
behind me, forcing my knees apart so that she could get in between
them.
I may be an innocent, but I knew what she had in mind when I
felt something soft and squishy being worked into my back passage. I started to
cry. “Please Evelyn? Don’t do this. I’ll do anything you
want. Just please don’t.”
“Hush Dolly. Just relax!” she said and her hands
were forcing my buttocks apart, then something was slowly entering me.
With me sandwiched between them, the girls laughingly
compared the ‘fun’ I was giving them over my head as, gradually, the tempo of Evelyn’s
dildo increased and we all panted and moaned then finally Evelyn
reached around me with panties wadded around my penis and we all orgasmed at
the same time.
Unfortunately for me, it rained like cats and dogs all
weekend. I say unfortunately simply because it kept us all in the
house, Though now that I come to think on it, I wonder what
additional humiliations they would have thought up if they’d been able to take
me outside.
You’ve heard of sex toys? That’s what I
was. Both girls seemed to be insatiable. Patricia could
only have orgasm from being licked and Evelyn from putting on a dildo and
buggering me. She also liked to dress me in her mother’s
clothes. She had called me Dolly for a very good reason, because
that’s what I became – her doll. The whole time afterwards, I never wore
anything but women’s clothes. My eyebrows were plucked, I was bikini
waxed, my ears were pierced – I was manicured and pedicured. My hair was put up
in rollers and styled.
Don’t get me wrong. Both girls were very
demanding but as long as I behaved they were nice to me. They didn’t mind me
crying – which I did a lot at first – because they’d coo sympathetically and
cuddle their little toy. I learned that they didn’t like me to
complain verbally though – and after being spanked just once by Evelyn acted
thrilled and delighted each time either of them wanted anything – or did
anything to me. Patricia just LOVED me servicing her with a ribbon
in my hair – and wearing flouncy baby dolls.. It was a nuisance
having to go and change in the middle of the afternoon – or any other time for
that matter, but I learned to approach her on my hands and knees, smiling and
miewing happily.
Moira would sit there smiling benignly as they played with
me – or had sex. She called me Dolly all the time now and would say things
like. “Now Evelyn! Don’t be so rough with Dolly!” as Evelyn
would be banging away at my backside. Or she’d say
“Patricia! That’s SO immodest! Pull your skirts down!” as
I was lapping away.
They dressed me in a skirt suit the day I
left. It was a tiny white polka dot on navy blue
grosgrain. The jacket was nipped in at the waist and it had a fairly
large peplum, which made me appear to have hips. A faux ruby brooch
on the rounded collar matched my lipstick and earrings – and nail
polish. Under the jacket I wore a lacy camisole and, having had
breast forms adhered to my chest, naturally, a matching bra. The
lace of the camisole showed a little, tastefully of course, under my jacket
I wore dark nylons under the straight skirt. High
heeled shoes had given me trouble at first – they were a little too big for me,
but they’d put some insoles inside them and now I was walking in heels as if
I’d done so all of my life. I also carried a white handbag to match – with all
of my cosmetics inside. A decorous white straw hat that
framed one side of my face prettily, completed my outfit.
The two girls kissed me goodbye tenderly and smiled as I
promised to return and visit them again before they returned to school.
Once we had left I was stupid enough to ask Moira if I could
change before she took me home.
“Whatever for? You look very nice Dolly.”
“But my housekeeper. Mrs.
Bridges. She’ll see me!”
“I’d imagine that she will – unless she’s blind of course.”
I started to whimper.
“Dolly! If you’re going to be naughty, I’ll take you back
and have the girls drive you home. That what you want?”
“No mummy.” (I’d found that she liked me to call her that.)
“That’s a good girl. Now talk nicely, or don’t
talk at all.” She said.
I’d tried to plan on how to avoid Mrs. Bridges but I needn’t
have bothered. Moira insisted on accompanying me to the door, then
chattered to me as I opened the door to let us both in. Naturally,
Mrs. Bridges heard us and came to meet us. A tall, austere, woman she didn’t
recognize me at first but once she did, a small smile played around her mouth.
“May I say sir? You look very pretty today?”
“Sir? Don’t be silly Mrs.
Bridges. Her name is Dolly now.” She turned to
me. “Tell her, Dolly!”
“My name is Dolly now, Mrs. Bridges.” I said,
blushing.
“Yes. She’s just spent the weekend with my two
girls and me, dressing up and learning to be a proper girl. Having
all sorts of fun, haven’t you Dolly?” Moira said.
“Yes mummy.”
Moira nodded. “Now Mrs. Bridges, there’s something I’d like
to talk to you about.”
“Yes ma’am?”
“Oh just call me Moira. You seem to have quite a
few rooms in this house?”
“Yes Moira, we do.”
“Good! My two daughters – delightful girls – will
be going back to school in a month or so. I was wondering if it
would be an imposition to put them up here? The dorms the school provide are
totally unsuitable.”
Mrs. Bridges looked puzzled. “You should be
asking the master about that, I think.”
“You mean Dolly?” Moira asked incredulously.
“I suppose so,” Mrs. Bridges smiled.
“Dolly?” Moira said.
“Yes mummy?”
“Your nose is shiny. Why don’t you powder it?”
“Yes mummy,” I said then, in front of the smiling Mrs.
Bridges I took my compact from my handbag and dusted my nose with the powder.
Daintily put it back in my handbag and closed it.
“Now Dolly? Why don’t you take off that pretty
hat, then go into the kitchen and put on an apron – and make us two ladies a
pot of tea?”
“Yes ma’am I said, and taking the sides of my skirts made a
small curtsey.
“I was wondering, “ Mrs. Bridges said as she took
Moira’s arm and escorted her to the sitting room “What I’d do for help if we had
other people staying here. Now I see that I needn’t
worry. Dolly? Don’t forget to serve some lemon with the
tea.”
“Yes ma’am” I said and curtseyed her too.
The end