Mother's Little Helper - short story with illustration

Sorry Bea,I haven’t posted anything here for a long time and this is not new so some readers here may have already have read it, hopefully anyone who have not may enjoy it.

I haven't had a chance to check for typos and grammatical errors so apologies if there are any.

Carrie

Mother’s Little Helper

Bby

CarrieP

Caroline had literally swept William off his feet although strictly speaking it was a wave on a secluded beach in the south of France that did that. However she did pick him up with relative ease after he had been staggering about in the water dazed and confused like a drunk monkey, much to the amusement of her friends. Being overpowered by a three foot wave was one thing but now he was engulfed by a much stronger force and quickly became subsumed by it. They became inseparable and two weeks later when she proposed he accepted, not that he had much choice in the matter. The same night she informed him they would live with her mother until they got married, William was so besotted and if he was to be honest he was also more than a little intimated by her that he made no objection – it would have hardly have mattered even if he had dared to do so.  

Her mother was as charming as Caroline – and even more determined than her daughter. From their first meeting he was overawed and not a little intimidated by her personality and when Caroline announced she had to leave for a short business meeting he pleaded with her to go with her but her mother was adamant that he should stay to keep her company.

Just before leaving as the three of them stood on the steps of her mother’s large Victorian house set in acres of parkland Caroline told him to ensure he took good care of her mother and joked – although considering the tone she used he was unsure if it was a joke – that her mother was in charge of him now and he would have to do as he was told. He felt a slight unease in his stomach as he watched her speed down the long driveway.  When her car disappeared from sight his future mother-in-law put a proprietary arm around his shoulder and pulled him close to her.

“Caroline’s absence will allow us to get to know each other better, William” she smiled as she steered him back inside the house.

Hearing the heavy oak door close and the lock snap shut sent a feeling of unease coursing through his body.

“Now come along, my darling boy.” she said as she slipped her arm into his and marched him across the large black and white tiled vestibule towards the wide staircase, “You can help me get dressed, my sister is arriving shortly and I need to be presentable. She can be quite critical when it comes to matters sartorial.”

“But…you don’t mean… I…”he stammered.

They were half way up the stairs before she answered him,

“Now William,” she began a tone of irritation creeping into her voice “You heard Caroline, I do hope you’re not going to be difficult, I was a headmistress of a boarding school and I know how to deal with disobedient boys.”

At first he thought she was joking but she forced a smile which unsettled him even more

“But…I…”he blurted in a half hearted attempt to protest but she cut him off abruptly.

“Now as you know Louise, my maid a wonderful girl, has left me quite suddenly due to a family emergency and a lady of my standing can hardly be expected to dress without assistance. I’m sure you agree?”

He knew it was a rhetorical question and he also knew from her tone that to protest or disagree would only vex her further.

“You do agree?” she declared more than asked.

“Yes.. of course.” he surrendered.

“Yes of course what?” she said sharply, “I thought we agreed how you should address me.”

“Yes Mummy.” he replied his eyes falling to the floor as his cheeks blushed.

“That’s a good boy.” she answered “Now please do not have me to remind you again, it really is most tiresome.”

“Yes Mummy.” he repeated softly so as not incur further displeasure, his cheeks betraying his shame.

If his eyes had met hers he would have seen the smile of satisfaction on her handsome face.

Another shiver went down his spine as she closed the bedroom door behind him, he felt trapped and a creeping anxiety growing inside him s he watched her stride across the room.

“I will shower now.” she informed him as she sat at her dressing table and began removing her jewellery “And while I am doing so you can make my bed… “

He looked at her aghast and desperately trying to find words to express his indignation but before he could object to her outrageous request she immediately added in a sharp and assertive tone,

“And properly, no short cuts William. I want perfect hospital corners and the sheets properly tucked in.”

He was dumbfounded, being asked – no, told- to make his future mother in law’s bed, it was an abomination and completely unacceptable. How could she ask him to perform such a menial task?

As she sat at looking at him in the mirror of her dressing table she felt a frisson of excitement run through her body and instinctively knew that what would happen next would determine their relationship. Would he have the backbone to refuse? Would he dare question her? She could see the shock and confusion in his face and decided to strike while she still had the advantage.

“Well don’t just stand there.” she said brusquely and dismissing him with a wave of her hand “You have work to do.”

By now his mind was in a state of turmoil he wanted to refuse but knew from her tone that she would become extremely annoyed as she was not used to being disobeyed. He was sure Caroline would also hear of it and this would only cause further discord at the very least. Although this task was utterly demeaning he considered that overall it would be easier to conform to her wishes. Shame welled up inside him as he turned to commence this servile and humiliating chore, he had only taken a few steps when he heard her call to him,

“And William…”she said smiling at him, pausing for him to reply.

“Yes...Mrs…” he began and as he met her eyes he corrected himself “Yes Mummy.”

“Good boy, you’re learning.” she said acknowledging his correction “Don’t forget to plump the pillows and fold my nightgown and peignoir properly.”

“Yes Mummy.” he responded, totally dejected by his timid surrender to her authority.

“And William?” she called to him once more.

“Yes Mummy.” he replied.

“I shall be very cross if you do not take good care to perform your tasks correctly and diligently.”

“Yes Mummy.” he repeated the now familiar refrain and returned to his task.

“Oh , William.” she called to him yet again as she followed his every movement in the mirror, “I almost forgot,  when you have finished making the bed,  hang up my skirt and blouse on the appropriate hangers in my closet and put my shoes away.”

“Yes Mummy.” he said meekly.

She smiled triumphantly as she removed the last piece of jewellery and got up and went to the bathroom.

This is going much better than I thought. she said to herself as she continued to watch him.

As he set about his task of stripping the king-sized bed his cheeks continued to burn with shame and as he picked up her long pale pink heavy satin nightgown he felt completely crushed and cursed himself for not refusing her request point blank. However despite these recriminations he took great care to carry out her instructions to the letter. He was folding her nightgown and peignoir with slightly trembling hands when she emerged from the bathroom in a satin burgundy coloured robe and matching two inch kitten heeled mules.

She immediately moved to the bed and stood over him as she watched him finish folding her nightgown, she said nothing but smiled as he completed his task. She made a slight but totally unnecessary adjustment to the perfectly arranged pillows before lifting the heavy quilt to inspect his work. He became quite anxious as she took her time to appraise his work and was greatly relieved when she finally patted the satin quilt and smiled.

“Mmm, quite acceptable.” she said and he smiled in gratitude.

“Thank you Mummy.” he gushed his relief quite obvious.

“It took me almost a week to train Louise, my previous maid, to do this properly.” she said patting him gently on the cheek.

He blushed unsure of how to respond.

“And you have folded my nightgown and peignoir expertly.” she enthused , in a patronising voice obviously impressed at his skill “Louise never did that properly. You should be proud of yourself.”

The inference of this remark was obvious and he recognised it immediately. His blush deepened.

“Thank you Mummy.” he answered shamefully.

She left him standing with his head bowed, completely demoralised and almost disorientated.

“Come hereWilliam.” she called from her large walk-in closet and when he joined her she was looking through various items.

He stood there silently as he removed a black dress from a hanger and gasped audibly when she held it against him.

“It may be a little tight but we can soon fix that.” she said.

“I… I…”he mumbled “I don’t understand…what…”

“Oh silly me I should have explained .” she said smiling benevolently at him “I know I project an aura of self-assuredness but I am a woman and having a…” she looked  at him with an expression of slight hesitancy  “… a male, even if you are my future son-in-law assist me dressing  makes me feel a little uncomfortable …,

He nodded enthusiastically and saw his chance to escape.

“Yes… yes…I can leave.” he stammered hopefully and began to back away from her.

“Please don’t interrupt when Mummy is speaking William. And stay right where you are young man.” she said sharply and held the dress up to him once more, trying to determine his exact size, “I would feel more relaxed if you were to wear something more appropriate now that you are in a lady’s bedroom”

“But…it’s…a dress! “ he blurted. “Surely you don’t expect me to wear that?”

“Oh dear I had hoped you were not going to be difficult.” she said and moved slightly to the right.

William’s eyes widened as he saw a display of several canes and paddles hanging on the door of the closet behind her.

She remained silent but her eyes were fixed on his as she returned to her original position and once more examined the dress.

“Caroline did say you were to help me.” she said  “I’m sure she will be most disappointed.

“But…I… I mean…”he babbled “please Mummy…”

Her face softened as she took him by the arm, the dress on her other arm, and walked him back into the bedroom.

“I need you to help me dress.” she said softly as she sat on the bed and patted the space next to her indicating him to sit “and I would feel so much more comfortable if you wore it. A woman in a state of undress feels quite vulnerable in the company of a fully clothed and virile young man such as yourself. I really do wish us to be friends William and this would mean so much to me. It is a most unequal arrangement, wearing this would make me feel less threatened. I would hate to have to…”

She paused and turned her head towards the walk-in closet. She could see the look of panic in his eyes, she patted his hand and gave him a comforting smile.

“It would be such a comfort to me.” she said tenderly. “And would help us bond more strongly.”

“But..I…”he mounted one final attempt to argue his case but she was already unbuttoning his shirt and before he knew it she had unbuckled his belt and unzipped his trousers. Leaving him some dignity she put her peach satin peignoir around his shoulders and walked to one of the tallboys at the other side of the room.

“Please remove your underwear.” she said without turning her head as she busied herself rifling through drawers.

She returned and laid several items on the bed beside him, as he looked at them he paled noticeably and she heard a sharp intake of breath.

“Your corselette, stockings and slip.” she said pointing to the items.

He felt his limbs weaken and was vaguely aware his mouth was agape but could do nothing about it.

“Yes” she continued, noting the look of horror on his face “not exactly the manliest of underwear perhaps but, believe me, most necessary for wearing under your dress.”

She held up the white corselette and fingered the lace cups.

“This is one of my favourite corselettes and will control your figure.” she informed him “and don’t worry I just happen to have some breast forms that will fill the cups.”

 He felt a strange queasiness in the pit of his stomach at the very sight of the garment. He tried to speak but his mouth went dry, it was like a fog had descended on his brain, he could barely comprehend what was happening.

“As you can see,” she continued taking his trembling hand and placing on the satin panels “The material is beautifully soft but also very controlling once worn. It’s a delightful item of corsetry and will give you such confidence.”

She handed it to him and he looked at her blankly.

“Would you like me to help you get into it?”she asked  in a firm tone with a vague hint of menace.

“N…no…”he mumbled taking the hideous garment from her.

“Remove your peignoir, you silly boy” she instructed him.

“But I have…”he began.

“No clothes on. Yes I know” she snorted derisively as she unbuttoned the satin peignoir and laughed “Not the first time I’ve seen a shrivelled up male.”

In a ridiculous attempt to hide from her gaze he contorted himself and quickly stepped into the corselette and pulled it up around his torso.

“That won’t do , very unsightly.” she said pointing to his slight but nevertheless perceptible bulge.

She placed her hands at the offending protuberance and unhooked the garments gusset allowing his member to fall free. He gasped as she took hold of it and deftly pinned it back under his testicles quickly reattaching the gusset’s hooks and eyes. She stood back to admire her handiwork and ran her hand down between his legs.

“Almost perfect, could almost pass for a girl’s mons pubis. Just as well you are…”she paused and her face took on a look of sympathy “…somewhat… petit in that area.”

Satisfied that his male organ was now no longer visible Caroline’s mother drew the corselette up his body and he felt his torso compress as she placed his arms between the shoulder straps and fix them in place. It only took her seconds to place the soft breast forms in the lace cups. He caught a glimpse of himself in her dressing table mirror and began to sob. The foundation garment covered his frame from his upper chest to just above his knees and its restraining effects were immediately felt.

“There, there.” she comforted him hugging him tightly before sitting him down on the bed “I know this is difficult for you but it does need to be done.”

William was too distraught to respond and barely noticed as she quickly and expertly rolled black silk stocking up his legs and attached them to the garters dangling from the corselette.

She stood him up and through his sobs he heard the soft rustle of silk slide down over the corselette, Caroline’s mother hummed merrily to herself as she made adjustments to the straps and fussed with it until she was satisfied that it hung  correctly on his newly corseted body.

“Now William we are almost finished.” she said in a light and self-satisfied voice as if dressing a young man in her foundation garments and lingerie was the most normal thing in the world. She placed a pair of two inch court shoes in front of him and gestured him to put them on. He hesitated momentarily but her frown and the sheer helplessness his new feminine undergarments inflicted on him he quickly obeyed her and as if in a trance he managed to slip his feet into the heels.

“Don’t worry you’ll soon get used to wearing heels.” she said airily as she led him in an awkward gait across the room and positioning him in front of the mirror she added, almost as an afterthought “All girls do.”

He tried to avoid looking at his reflection but she would not even allow this small concession.

“Look my dear””she gently instructed him, her hand turning his head to directly face the mirror “I feel so much more relaxed now that you are dressed more appropriately.”

He gasped as he saw the feminised vision before him.

“That is one of my favourite slips.” she cooed “And it fits you almost perectly.”

He was almost relieved when she placed the heavy black velvet dress over his head and without being told he placed his arms into the sleeves.

“Good girl.” she commended him as he felt her zipping up the back of the dress “With a little practice you will soon learn to do this yourself.”

She stood back and viewed the figure in front of her.

“Mmm, something’s missing?”she said pensively  “Of course come with me.”

He was seated at the dressing table and before he realised what she was doing his face was covered in a light foundation cream.

He tried to protest but she pressed her hand to the sides if his cheeks.

“Now pout my dear.” she said, demonstrating herself as he looked at her blankly.   “That’s a good boy, this shade should really suit your pale complexion.”

When she was satisfied she brought him back to the full length mirror to allow him to view her handiwork.

Once more he looked away, unable to contemplate what had been done to him.

“Look.”she commanded him  but he found it too painful.

But she was insistent and to enforce her authority a sharp slap was delivered to his right buttock and penetrated his heavy foundation wear. His eyes opened to reveal a female figure with barely perceptible male facial features that initially he had difficulty distinguishing as his own.

“Yes quite presentable don’t you think?” she asked as she made a slight adjustment to the white lace collar at the neck of the dress.

His mouth opened slightly in disbelief at the image before him but this only emphasised the femininity of the face staring back at him.

“Well?” she asked once more, her tone expecting the correct reply.

“Yes Mummy.” she answered, the fog in his brain becoming denser by the minute, he could only repeat her words. “Quite presentable.”

“Yes.” she agreed and smiled, a look of pride and achievement etched on her face. “You do make quite a pretty girl.”

His eyes fell to the floor but could take little comfort from his downward gaze as all he saw was two feet- his two feet- encased in black nylon and patent leather court shoes. The humiliation was too much to bear and he could feel the tears well up inside.

“Don’t you dare cry. You’re acting like a petulant little girl.” she snapped and he received another sharp smack on his behind.

His face registered the shock but it had the desired effect.

 “You will ruin your make-up.” Caroline’s mother admonished  “and I shall be most annoyed.”

The look of irritation on her face and he immediately recalled the row of paddles and canes in the closet.

“Yes Mummy.” he managed to reply without sobbing.

“That’s a good girl.” she said, her face softening into a smile.

He cringed at her words but thought it best to return her smile. Her reaction was immediate.

“I knew I could count on you.” she said squeezing his hands, her voice becoming more relaxed and affectionate and once more she stood back and admired her new creation

“You look wonderful!” she exclaimed caressing his face “Yes, I feel much more comfortable in your presence.”

He managed a weak smile.

“You’ll find several corselettes in that tallboy.” she said pointing to one close to the window as she moved towards the dressing table “I’ll wear a similar one to the one you are wearing but in black. They really do hold one in tightly don’t they?”

He could only nod his agreement as the unfamiliar garment’s straps bit into his shoulders and he felt as if his stomach and buttocks were being squeezed by an invisible force.

The uncomfortable expression on his face amused her.

“Yes William,“it is tight isn’t it?” she said empathically “But that is the whole point of foundation garments. Women and girls must suffer these little discomforts in order to look as alluring as we… and now, you do. ”

This was little consolation to him either physically or mentally as he tottered ungainly in his new footwear towards the tall boy.

“You’ll find my slips and stockings in the lower drawers.” she called out to him “Bring a cream slip, the one with the pretty lace hem and a pair of tan stockings.”

As he searched through the drawers for the required items the shock began to wear off only to be replaced by a feeling of utter helplessness and deep humiliation as the magnitude of his grotesque predicament fully dawned on him.

How could I have allowed myself to be forced into …into… this?” he said to himself as he caught his reflection in the mirror and was so mesmerised by the  image he did not notice Caroline’s mother suddenly appear at his side.

“Yes, my dear you do look rather convincing.” she said slipped her arm around his shoulder“ And don’t feel embarrassed , we are family, this is just between you and I. Caroline would be so happy we are getting on so well, I’m sure we will become the best of friends.”

She took him by the hand and walked him across the room to the dressing table.

“One foot in front of the other William” she instructed him in the finer points of walking in heels, encouraging him with every few steps “That’s my girl.”

Arriving at the bed she untied her peignoir and allowed it fall to the floor and apart from her mules she was completely naked. His eyes widened at the sight of her small but beautifully formed breasts and wide hips, her vulva was hairless. He’d never imagined a middle-aged woman could have such a youthful figure.

“Please don’t tell me you have not seen a naked woman before.” she said noting the look on his face.

He had almost forgotten how he was dressed until his organ began to stiffen however its enlargement was immediately curtained by its position lodged securely between his legs, his corselette keeping it resolutely in place. His immediate reaction was to reach down and touch it to gain some releif but he instinctively knew that was out of the question, the only thing he could do to gain any relief was to press his thighs together. The straining garters and the stocking tops only added to his torment and it was patently obvious this reflexive masculine response to the naked feminine form was causing him great discomfort albeit of an exquisite nature. It did not go unnoticed by his future mother-in-law.

“Oh dear.” she said in a faux concerned voice as she took a step closer “a little uncomfortable William?”

He remained quiet, his unmistakeable torment spoke for itself.

“Now you see why I insisted you dress in a more feminine fashion.” she said quietly as she slipped her hand under his dress and between his legs gently squeezing his straining organ.

“Oooh…please…” he pleaded.

“Please what?”she said  gripping him a little tighter and looking him directly in the eye.

“Please Mummy.” he moaned softly.

“Now good girls don’t behave like the horrible male sex.” she whispered her eyes still fixed on his as she continued to gently rub the confined organ “And you are a good girl, aren’t you William?”

“Oh …yes… Mummy.” he answered, his breathing laboured and his silk encased legs trembling

“Say it.” she said firmly.

He tried desperately to resist uttering these shameful words but yet another gentle squeeze sent an exquisite shudder through his body and he found he had no control over his response.

“I’m… a good girl Mummy” he moaned unable to stop himself from the humiliating admission.

She withdrew her hand and arranged the skirt of his dress properly before patting his cheek.

“Yes I know you are.” she said softly and as the full implication of this mortifying acknowledgement unfolded in his brain his eyes fell to the ground.

He had admitted to being a girl and dressed as he was it would have been even more humiliating to deny it.

His engorged member shrivelled instantly.

“No need to be ashamed William.” she consoled him with a smile “You will make a delightful girl and a wonderful companion when Caroline is away.”

“But…”he tried to begin “but…”

“But what?” she replied “you have already admitted you consider yourself a girl.”

She looked at him intently before continuing,

“And you do make such a pretty one. Now that you realise those horrible masculine urges must be kept securely under control you will find it much easier to fulfil your role. You do understand don’t you?”

His shame had drained any will to resist.

“Yes Mummy.” he meekly surrendered.

“Excellent!” she trilled “Now that I feel completely safe with you we can begin. Fetch my corselette…”she said in a voice that was at once gentle yet authoritative before adding”… like a good girl.”

The words stung him but he was too crushed to react, he picked the heavy corselette from the bed and knelt down at her feet and held it open for her to step into and once she had done so he began tugging the garment up her legs. His masculinity had become so diminished that now even such close proximity to a vagina did not register the normal way.

This too did not go unnoticed as she helped him pull the corselette into place over her breasts.

“That’s a good girl.” she complemented  him “your urges will probably return and if you are well behaved I may allow you some relief occasionally.”

Occasionally he repeated to himself. 

“But how much longer will I have to continue to wear these clothes?”he plucked up the courage to ask. “Surely you don’t…”

“My stockings William.” she said ignoring his question.

“But…”

“Hush my dear.” she said and pointed to the stockings “I really need you to concentrate otherwise you will ladder them.”

She showed him how to prepare the stocking before he rolled it up her leg and demonstrated how to attach the garter to the top and once this was done she pointed to the satin slip. He lifted it over her head and settled it into place, his hands glancing against her breasts as he did so. To his surprise his member stirred once more and he immediately avoided  eye contact.

“I do hope your little thing is not getting excited again William.” she said  fixing him with her grey eyes. “I shall be most annoyed.”

Her tone was enough to halt any further arousal.

“Oh no Mummy.” he blurted as his organ shrivelled.

“I’m glad to see you are showing some degree of control. Now be a dear and fetch a bouffant petticoat from that ottoman.” she said as she stepped into her shoes and as he returned with the bulky garment she showed him how to help her into it.

“You’re much better than I had expected William.” she said as she settled it on her hips and fluffed it out. “Almost as if Louise had never left.”

He blushed furiously at the tribute.

“Now my dress.” she said pointing to a black silk creation on the bed “And we are almost finished. My sister will be here shortly and I don’t think you wish to be present when she arrives?”

“She!”  a voice boomed through the room and he stood frozen to the spot unable to turn around.

“I do hope you are not speaking about me Eleanor.” the voice continued.

“Clara!” Caroline’s mother identified the voice with only mild surprise. “You’re early, I wasn’t expecting you for an hour or so.”

“I wanted to be here sooner as I wished to see Caroline’s fiancée. William isn’t it” she said making herself comfortable in a large armchair “but unfortunately  I ran into some of the girls from the club and was delayed.”

William could feel his heart race and a bead of sweat form at his hairline, he briefly thought about running for the door but his legs would not move.

“Oh do hurry Eleanor.”Clara said impatiently “I simply dying to meet this young man. Where is he by the way? There was no one downstairs when I arrived.”

“Oh he is around somewhere.” Caroline’s mother replied with a smile as sat at the dressing table and calmly applied her eye shadow.

“Girl!”  Clara’s voice bellowed, followed by an eerie silence.

“Is your new maid deaf? Clara” her sister asked as William felt his legs tremble and had to hold on to the tallboy for support but he knew sooner than later he would have to turn around and confront his fate. He slowly twisted his body to face her and felt a knot tighten in his stomach.

“She has not been in service long Clara.” Eleanor informed her sister truthfully “I’m still training her.”

“Well, I’ll have a sherry while you finish your make-up.” Clara said tersely as she ran her eye over him. “At least she’s prettier than her predecessor and a better figure. At least she has the sense to wear a good girdle. You always liked them slim and pretty although her hair is far too tomboyish for my tastes.”

To William’s amazement her gaze lingered for only a few seconds and without further comment she returned to flicking through a magazine.

“Gertrude, please bring Miss Clara a sherry.” his future mother-in law ordered.

He remained where he stood , a look of disorientation  of his perfectly made up face.

“Gertrude!” Clara snorted raising her eyes from the magazine and re-examined the figure standing at the other side of the room “She doesn’t look like a Gertrude. Gertrude always calls to mind a strong, muscular almost masculine type of woman. This Gertrude is a mere slip of a girl.”

She regarded him once more at him, this time a look of annoyance on her face.

“Are you asleep girl? the older woman snapped. “My sherry!”

Gertrude he screamed inside his brain when it finally dawned on him-I’m Gertrude.

She returned to her magazine, William’s panicked eyes met his future mother-in law’s. Her face exuded clam and she nodded her head slightly to reassure him.

“As I said she is new and doesn’t know which cabinet the drinks are held in.” she explained getting up and moving across the room “I’ll show her.”

William tottered unsteadily to the drinks cabinet to join her.

“She thinks I’m a girl…your maid.” he blurted quietly, his fear palpable. “Please let me leave…Mummy.”

“Leaving is out of the question it would only raise suspicion.” she retorted. “Now remember you are Gertrude, my maid and don’t forget to address me as Madam. Now bring the sherry before she begins to have doubts. You have seen servant girls in these situations before– now act like one.”

He quickly realised she was right, maids were rarely noticed by guests- only when they made mistakes.With great concentration he carried the tray across the room, his long corselette restricting his stride giving him a reasonable semblance of a feminine gait albeit a most ungainly one. As he approached the older woman fear gripped him even tighter than his foundation garment and his hand began to tremble slightly.

She is sure to recognise me as a man. he blubbered internally as he got closer to his destination. How can I ever face her again, she will surely tell Caroline not to mention all her friends. Perhaps the best thing would be to  just run for the door.

“Your sherry Miss” he said nervously proffering the tray and waiting for her to expose him.

As she took the glass he thought her gaze lingered a little longer than necessary.

“My my, Gertrude, you are a nervous little thing.” she said lightly “ Don’t be afraid I won’t bite you.” and returned to her magazine without further comment.

“Yes Miss, thank you Miss.” he mumbled anxiously as he quickly left her presence almost stumbling as he did so.

“I hope you don’t mind Eleanor, I need a favour” Clara said casually as she sipped her sherry “as my house is being decorated I asked the committee from the Ladies Club to hold our meeting here. There will only be four or five and we can hold it in the blue drawing room.”

“Quite impossible Clara.” Eleanor replied as applied her lipstick “I have an appointment later.”

“Oh don’t be so inflexible.” Clara said as her sister walked past her on her way to the closet. “It’s a most important meeting. And I don’t need you to be here just your maid.”

William left the tray drop and immediately both their eyes fixed on him.

“Aah… sorry…Madam…”he stammered and with difficulty bent down to pick it up.

“Clumsy girl.” Clara said but quickly turned back to her sister

“Those women are such dreadful gossips and besides Gertrude is accompanying me to my appointment.” Eleanor said  standing up and gesturing to William to follow her “Come here Gertrude, I need to choose a suitable coat.”

William minced after his future mother in law to the safety of the closet and out of earshot from her sister she whispered to William.

“You make a most convincing girl. Clara has no idea you’re a male.” his future mother-in-law said softly as she tried to decide on a coat and casually said “Isn’t this fun?”

“She must know, she could not possibly think I’m a girl.” he blurted in a quiet but urgent voice. “What am I to do? I have to leave.”

“Of course she thinks you’re a girl, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were a girl.”she retorted “She even thought you were prettier than Louise. Do you want me to enlighten her?”

“No… but …”he mumbled.

“I wonder how long this little subterfuge could continue?” she said absentmindedly as she continued to search the closet.

“Oh… please…please….”he pleaded. But was interrupted by Clara’s voice from the bedroom.

“Eleanor. Be reasonable I cannot host these ladies without a maid.” her sister’s voice called out without reply from Eleanor, there was a few seconds pause before Clara added “I’ll lend you those emeralds you admired for the charity ball we’re going to next week.”

He could see Eleanor’s face change at this offer.

“No…oh no…please…Mummy …please…”he whimpered realising what was happening.

“Well my dear William, I’ll let you decide.” she smiled “ I have already told Clara that you are accompanying me to my appointment which means you will either have to become the maid or step out and face the public dressed as a girl.”

He tried to open his mouth but nothing came out.

“One or the other, it is your choice.” she said looking at his bewildered expression as she held up a maid’s white apron and cap.

His eyes fell to the floor as he reached out and took the apron and cap.

“Probably the best decision Gertrude.” she said as she turned on her heel “Perhaps you are not ready to go outside…yet!”

“But…I…”he stammered but she had already returned to the bedroom.

The shrill sound of Miss Clara’s voice rang out and he could feel the tears well up inside.

“Gertrude!”