Chapter 356.
Tim was desperate to make amends. He put away all his outfits and dresses – including a couple he hadn’t seen before – the came downstairs and took Mrs Brookshaw’s cup and washed and dried it, cleaned the sticky counter, and wiped the sauce bottle and put it away.
“When you’ve cleaned the kitchen you can go to the laundry room. Take the clothes out of the washing machine and put them all in the dryer. Fold mine neatly onto the shelves when you’re done, and then iron your shirt and bring it to me.”
“Yes, miss.”
It was nearly twelve when he reappeared before his mistress holding his clean, ironed shirt. She held it up, and nodded approvingly.
“Hmm. Looks like there’s one thing you can do without making mistakes. Maybe I should train you up as my laundry maid. All right. You need to shower before my friends arrive. Stand still so I can unlock your collar.” She unlocked it and took it off. “Remember that. Any time I want to I can put that back on, attach a leash, and you’ll be my little pet. If you’re lucky, I might even take you out for a walk around town. Would you like that?” She smiled mischievously.
Tim shook his head.
“Don’t think I wouldn’t. I’ve done it before with a trainee. Silly boy cried the whole time.”
Tim believed it.
“Right. Now you can use the bathroom downstairs. Put all your clothes outside. I’m going to wash you shorts, find you some nice clean socks, and, oh, I’ve got some prettier gloves for you. You need to look your best today.”
“Thank you, miss. I’m really sorry…”
“And stop apologising. I’m still considering how I shall punish you. I’ll discuss it with my friends later. Apologies are not going to make any difference. Off you go, then. Take your time, and use plenty of that lovely rose-scented shower gel. I want you smelling nice. Call me when you’re done.”
She collected his clothes from outside the bathroom door. His shoes and cap she left with his shirt in the living room. The pink top and his socks she dumped in the laundry. She went to his room and found clean white socks, then to another bed room and took a new pair of latex gloves from a drawer. These had pink bows at the wrists. She brought them downstairs, then attended to his shorts. She went back to the laundry room, washed them in water, then in water and rubber-shine, so they’d be nice and glossy. Once they were dry, she turned them inside out and lay them flat on the counter. Then she took a small pink spray-can from the cupboard and sprayed the front thoroughly. The fine spray glistened on the latex for a minute or two, then faded slowly as it dried. She gave it a second spray, and once that had dried too she carefully turned his shorts back the right way. She looked at the small can and smiled. Beneath the name “Rose-Stim” was a depiction of a rose, standing erect with petals succulent and bristling. “How appropriate,” she murmured, “even has his name on the can…”
Her phone was ringing. She carried the shorts, gloves and socks back to the living room, and picked it up.
“Frieda…hi… Yes, he’s here. Just having a shower. It’s going well…” She laughed. “A little accident with a bottle of chocolate sauce…yes…I’ll tell you about it later. But listen…” She lowered her voice. “You won’t be disappointed. I’ve had a preview, actually. An opportunity presented itself and I took full advantage… Very nice. Couldn’t ask for more. And you’ve seen the piccies. Yes, he is. But so sweet with it! Eager to please. Like a little kid… Yes, I used the stuff. It says it may take an hour or two to work… “activated by body temperature”. Come a bit early? Course you can. One-thirty’s fine. He’ll be ready. Okay… See you!”
“Miss…? I’m done…”
“Coming, darling.” She walked to the bathroom. Tim was hiding behind the door, naked. Mrs Brookshaw came up close.
“Ooh, you smell gorgeous. Here’s your shorts. Pop them on and come to the living room, and I’ll help you with the rest…”
Mrs Brookshaw was being so nice as she helped him into his clothes that he began to forget her earlier strictness.
“Now, Tim, you won’t need your belt purse, because you’ll be wearing you nice new gloves the whole time. Do you like them? They have pink bows to match your bow-tie. Here, sit down and let me help you with your socks and shoes…”
She was being so solicitous that poor Tim actually felt guilty about his behaviour earlier, and resolved to be the best boy he could possibly be from now on…
“Miss…” He was about to apologise again, but stopped himself just in time.
“Yes, Tim?”
“I, er… I’m really grateful for your taking me on… I’m going to be a good boy from now on, and I’ll wait on your friends very nicely, and do everything I’m told…”
“Oh, thank you, Tim. That’s so sweet of you. I think they’re going to like you, and I’m sure they’re going to love your pageboy look. Don’t you agree?”
“Oh, I hope so!” he said, excitedly. “Everyone at the wedding thought it was really smart. And my new yellow…er, hotpants are really cool. They’re so glossy now…”
“Yes, I gave them a little shine. Well, you have my full permission to show off a little in your outfit. All three of my friends really appreciate fashion. In fact, I’d like a snap of you right now, for my mantlepiece. Come here and stand by the wall. Turn that way a bit…now look at me over your shoulder…perfect!”
Tim felt happy and relaxed.
“Is there anything I can do, miss? Shall I get some glasses out?
“No, Tim. In fact, all I want is for you not to get into any more scrapes before they arrive. So…”
She opened a drawer in a sideboard and took out something pink, and a length of silver chain.
“Come over here, please. Stand by this wall ring.”
Tim looked at the ring, not understanding. She knelt down, buckled and locked a pink leather cuff around his ankle, and attached it to the ring with the chain. She stood up.
“There! That should keep you out of mischief for an hour or so, while I go and shower. Behave, won’t you?”
She winked, and left. Tim could only stand there, surprised and a little confused.