His Aunt Nicole

[Simonssister]

Chapter 137.

Little was heard from the three profligates in the days after the party – they didn’t remember much of the part they’d played, and they were waiting to see if any rumours reached their ears.  But having heard nothing out of the ordinary, Eleanor took the initiative and the following weekend rang Danielle.
“Hi, Dani
  It’s Eleanor
  How are you?”
“I’m fine, Eleanor.  You?”
“Yeah
yeah, great.  Just thought I’d, you know, like, check in
see how you’re doing
  What’s happening?  Anything?”
“Not much.  You made it home okay, then?  From Eleanor’s.  We left you sleeping soundly
”
“Oh
  Yes
  Yes, thank you
  We did.  Er, by the way, it looks like someone deleted a lot of stuff from our phones
”
“Oh yes, that’s right.  That was the girls.  I think Chantal was worried her mum was going to er, misuse some of that video.  So they got rid of the evidence.”
Eleanor’s tone became frosty.  “I see.  Well they had no right to interfere with them.  I could report it to the police.  But you and Trace took some video too, Dani?  Maybe you could share
?”
“Sorry, Eleanor.  We’re keeping right out of it.  I wouldn’t make too much fuss, if I were you.  I think you and your friends may have been caught in flagrante as well
”
“What?”
“Sorry, Eleanor.  Gotta go.  Let’s catch up soon, yeah?  Bye
”
Eleanor was left feeling distinctly nervous, which emotion she lost no time in transmitting to Diana and Polly


[Simonssister]

Chapter 138.

It was the last week of August.  Nicole had been updating Bobby on the preparations for his work at Pitt’s Wood.  It sounded quite exciting – not least the prospect of earning more money than he had ever had before.  But of course he was going to be at college – his exam results had easily surpassed the requirements – so his working hours would be limited.  Pity.  If he’d only been able to work full-time

Then he bumped into Timothy, one of his mates who was going to the same college as he.
“Hi Bobby.  How are you?  Ready for Darlington?”
“Yeah, I guess
  You?”
“Nope.”
“No?  What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m taking a year off.  So is Mike.  I wanna make some dosh an’ buy a car before I start.  S’pose I wanna take a girl out?  There’ll be some cute ones, I can tell yer.  I ain’t got much chance without wheels, ‘ave I?”
“You can do that?”
“Of course.  In fact, they encourage it.  Get a bit of experience of the world.  Get away from academia for a while.  They reckon those kids who take the year out end up doing better in the end.  Well, they’re older, for one thing, ain’t they?”
“I hadn’t thought of it
”
“Well, think now.  You’ll have to let them know by the tenth.  If you do we can get together a bit more.”
“Yeah, Tim
  Though I’m sort of busy
”
“Can you get a job of some sort?”
“I’m sure I can
”

The more Bobby thought about it, the more attractive it seemed.  He still hadn’t recovered from the exams.  Did he really want to go straight to college for more of the same, when he could potentially be earning a lot of money
?  Definitely more than his friends.  Why couldn’t be have a car too?  And there were loads of other things he wanted
no, needed.  You could almost see the pound signs floating in his eyes.  But his aunt
what were the chances she’d agree?  He was sure she’d put his education above everything else.  However, no harm in trying.

When he got home, Nicole was on the phone.  Someone called Maria. 
“So, Maria
calm down, please.  Can’t you tell me what this is all about?  All right, I can wait.  Tomorrow then, Saturday.  Okay.  Ten?  Yes, I can do that.  I’ve got the girls round for training, but if it’s urgent, of course.  I’ve always got time for you, darling.  Okay.  Okay,  Try to calm down a bit, won’t you?  Whatever it is I’m sure we can come up with
  Yes, all right.  Yes.  Yes.  See you then.  Yes.  Bye
”
“Who was that, aunt?”
“Oh, just a friend.  Panicking about nothing probably.  She’s calling in tomorrow.  You’ll be at Clarissa’s.  Going over tonight, right?”
“Yes.  She’s making dinner.”  He sighed.  “MĂ©lisande’s invited her friends, too
”
“They don’t know about
?”
“No, of course not.  Can you imagine?  Mellie’s good at keeping secrets, I’ll say that for her.”
“It’s her birthday soon, isn’t it?”
“Yes.  Fourth of October.  It’s a Saturday.”
Nicole looked surprised.  “Oh, you even know the day
”
Bobby blushed.  “Oh, er, yeah
  Like, her mum keeps going on about it
”
“I see.  Getting her a present?”
“Oh yeah, I had this great idea
”  He hesitated, and quickly modified his tone.  “I mean, yes, I guess so
”
Nicole looked at him closely and smiled.  “You actually like her quite a lot, don’t you?”
“No!”  he gave a false laugh.  “It’s not that.  It’s just
well, my own birthday’s just four days later, and I want to make sure I get something good in return
”
He’s so sweet, thought Nicole.  “Yes, I see.  Funny that
  I mean your birthdays being so close together.  You’ll be seventeen and she’ll be thirteen.  Just think, in five years you’ll be twenty-two and she’ll be eighteen.  I wonder if you’ll still like each other?”  Bobby frowned.  “Sorry.  I mean be friends.  If you were
”
“Shut up, aunt.  Listen.  I wanted to ask you
  I met Tim today.  He and Mike are taking a year off before Darlington.  I was wondering
”
“Oh.  You’re thinking
”
“Maybe
  I know you won’t approve, but I still have time
”
“Why won’t I approve?  Actually I’m quite in favour.  In my experience kids who spend the whole of their teenage years in school end up naĂŻve and often a bit boring.  Not that I think for one minute you would.  But I’m quite open to the idea, as long as you promise you go and resume your studies next year.”
“You are?  Wow, thanks, auntie!  Yes, of course I will!  No probs!  So
that’s okay then?”
“Sure.  But you’ll have to work hard at the stables
”
“I will!  Don’t worry!”
“And there’s one other thing.”
Bobby was grinning like a Cheshire cat now.  “Yeah?”
“I want you to vary your outfit a little.  Sometimes I may want you to go for something a little more feminine
  I’ve discussed it with Miss Poole.  She’s totally on board.  What do you think?”
“Oh, that’s okay with me.  I quite like
  well, I don’t mind what I wear really
”
“And there’ll be makeup
  And a few special supplements to take
”
“Supplements?  Do you mean
feminising things
?”
“Amongst others, yes.  Pills and foods
and a few creams
”
The truth was, Bobby was not averse to what his aunt was suggesting.  He found it exciting dressing as a girl, he loved the feeling of wearing makeup, and he knew he looked attractive.  It was somehow a nicer way to show off, with people admiring your whole self instead of being distracted by one piece of your anatomy.  Yes, women as well as men.  And to be honest he always felt more comfortable and confident in a female persona.  The idea of going a step further rather appealed to him.  It would be fun to have power over his male peers
not that he would exploit it in any way


[Simonssister]

Chapter 139.

When Bobby arrived at Clarissa’s he found Charlotte and Amelia already there, delighted at the chance to renew their relationship with him.  Encouraged by MĂ©lisande, who stood smirking behind them, they ran up and threw their arms around him.
“Bobby!” cried Charlotte, “it’s been weeks!  You look so handsome!”
He had dressed simply in new jeans and a crisp white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to show off his downy forearms and a couple of braided bracelets.
“We’ve missed you so much,” squealed Amelia, nearly pulling his arm out of its socket, “come into the garden.  Mrs Burlington has set up a table and she says we can to have a picnic!  We’ve got loads of food.  Mellie’s mummy has made a lovely lasagne and a salad, and Charlotte’s mummy has made currant buns, and my mummy helped me make fairy cakes!”
Bobby allowed himself to be dragged into the garden.  There was indeed a table set up – a trestle table loaded with food and drink.  That was good; not so good was the fact that Clarissa and two other women, who must be the “mummies” referred to, were sitting at it sipping glasses of wine and simpering at the sight of a big boy being pushed around by their little daughters.  Farther down the garden a tablecloth had been laid on the ground.
“Hello Bobby,” smiled Clarissa.  “These are my friends – and the girls’ mothers - Bethany and Natasha.”  Bobby tried to move towards them to say hello, but he was held back by his captors.  “No, don’t bother to try and escape.  The girls want you all to themselves today.  Girls
  Why don’t you take Bobby down to the picnic place and then you can serve him some food?”
Obediently the two girls frog-marched him to the tablecloth and pushed him to the ground.  Then all three ferried dishes and plates and cups back and forth, and soon they were stuffing themselves with delicious food.  This wasn’t so bad, thought Bobby, as he swallowed another forkful of lasagne, and revelled in the girls’ adoring stares.  He could be quite vain at times, wherever the attention originated.  Out of the corner of his eye could see the women whispering together and sneaking  glances at him.  He was feeling rather smug, until he remembered the latex pony suit that was at this moment hanging in the loose box not thirty yards away, together with all his tack.  Imagine if any of them came across that!  He shivered, and took a swig of lemonade.
When they had eaten and drunk their full, the girls wanted to play.  Bobby would have been content to sit on the grass and contemplate the coming year – the freedom from school, the money, and all the things he might do and buy.  But Charlotte and Amelia in particular had no intention of giving him any peace.  MĂ©lisande took pleasure in egging them on, watching him being constantly pestered and manhandled.
“He’s just messing about, Amelia.  He loves playing “he” – don’t you Bobs?”
Bobs?  She’d never called him that before.  Like a pet name for a dog – or a pony!  Yes, it was her way of hinting that he’d better entertain her friends, or
  He shivered again, and got to his feet.  Charlotte slapped his arm.
“You’re it!”
They scampered off in all directions.  He went after MĂ©lisande, but she was too elusive for him, so he settled on Charlotte, and had a few moments freedom.  But then “he” was followed by hide-and-seek; which was fine for a few minutes, until Amelia decided she wanted to hide in the loose box, and started to struggle with the latch.  Bobby shouted to Clarissa.
“Aunt?”  (He had taken to calling her just “aunt” or “miss” these days, because it was easier.)  “Aunt!  Should Amelia be
?”
But she had already noticed.  She jumped up and ran over.  Amelia had just got the door open.  Clarissa took her arm.
“Sorry, darling – you can’t go in there.  There’s lots of sharp tools and things.”  She quickly closed and relatched the door.  “Children, why don’t you go and play hide-and-seek in the house?  There’s lots of rooms and secret corners
”
“Yes, let’s!”
“Yippee!”
It  was more fun inside.  Even Bobby was enjoying himself.  He found the most out-of-the-way places to secrete himself – but when he did, it was always MĂ©lisande who found him.  The girls were easy to find, but he’d pretend not to be able to, to make them feel clever. 
It was all going great, Bobby was counting a hundred, and the others had all gone to find hiding-places, when all of a sudden

“Mellie!  Mellie!  Come here!”
It was Charlotte’s high-pitched scream.  The others converged on the source of the commotion, which turned out to be MĂ©lisande’s room.  They ran in, Amelia first, then MĂ©lisande, and finally Bobby.
“Charlie?  What’s the matter?”  MĂ©lisande sounded a little concerned.
“Come here!  Quick!”
Charlotte was by the wardrobe, standing behind the open door.  She was beside herself with excitement.
“Is this
Bobby?”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 140.

MĂ©lisande stopped in her tracks.  She’d forgotten all about it.  The poster of Bobby on the back of her wardrobe door!  Amelia had already joined her friend and let out a squeal of delight.  Both of them started looking from the poster to Bobby and back again.
“It is him!  Bobby, this is you, right?  Boot Boy?”
MĂ©lisande stepped forward, pushed them aside, and slammed the door.
“Who said you could look in my wardrobe?” she snapped. 
Now, had she been a little more laid-back, simply laughed it off while she thought of an explanation, everything may have been all right.  But instead her brusque reaction told the girls they had uncovered a big big secret.  She tried to row back, but it was too late.
“Oh, yeah
like Bobby
last Halloween
remember Bobby?  That silly outfit
”
“What does it mean
Boot Boy,” asked Charlotte, suspiciously.
“Yeah, Mellie,” added Amelia.  “And why is he all in blue and yellow?  And wearing those funny little hot pants things?” 
At last Bobby understood.  He went white, then red.
“Can we see it again?  Pleeeze
.”
MĂ©lisande was thinking fast.  If she said no, they’d become even more suspicious.  If she said yes


Oh, what the hell.  They’d seen it now, anyway.  She glanced at Bobby.  He had such a comic expression on his face - fear, anxiety and helplessness all mixed together – that she couldn’t supress a sudden laugh.
“Here.  Help yourselves.”  She threw open the door and watched as they gawped and goggled at Bobby the Boot Boy, in all his glory.  After staring at it for the best part of a minute, they simultaneously turned their gazes on Bobby himself, standing awkwardly between them and the door.  Their eyes were sparkling, dimples forming in their cheeks, and smiles on their lips.
“What do boot boys
do?” asked Charlotte, slowly.
“I-I
er
you know
I m-mean
”
“They clean boots,” said MĂ©lisande, curtly, “of course.  Bobby’s very good at it, aren’t you, Bobby?”
Charlotte and Amelia exchanged glances, then without another word ran out of the room together.
“Mummy!  Mummy!  Come and see!  Bobby’s a
a boot boy!  And he has a uniform!”
Bobby stared at MĂ©lisande.  He walked over and opened the wardrobe door fully.  For a moment he was speechless.  Then,
“Why?  Why would you have that where anyone could see it?  And how did you get it?”
“I like it there.  It makes me smile every time I get my clothes out.  So what?”
“But
”
“You can’t keep it a secret forever, Bobby.  What about when you’re working at the stables?”
“I’ll have a mask
”
“You seriously think no-one will know who you are?”
“But
I mean
Charlotte and
”
But at that moment the girls returned, with all three women in tow.
“Look mummy!  Bobby’s a boot boy!  See?  He really is.  Do you like his outfit?”
Amelia was genuinely enthusiastic.  Bobby was in despair.  Bethany and Natasha studied the poster carefully.
Natasha looked at him, a smile flickering on her lips.  “Bobby
  You really are a boot boy, then.  That’s so cool!” 
“I love your uniform,” added Bethany, with mock innocence.  “It's so pretty!  I love the yellow and blue - they go together so nicely.”  She peered closely.    “And if I'm not mistaken...isn’t that....”  She looked at Clarissa and mouthed the word “latex?”   Clarissa gave a single discreet nod.  “Wow!  Er...do you
have it here?”

Clarissa was equal to the situation.  The unfortunate accident could not be undone, but she would do her best to make the whole thing as prosaic as possible.  The main thing was to demystify for the benefit of the daughters.
“Bobby was trained as a boot boy by his aunt Nicole.  He’s very very good at cleaning all types of boots.  She has quite a collection, you see, and when he was younger she came across him one day cleaning them for her.  “I wondered why my boots were always so clean and shiny!” she exclaimed.  “Would you like to be a boot boy when you grow up?  I can train you so you’ll be the best.”  “Yes please, auntie,” said Bobby – didn’t you, Bobby?”
Bobby nodded, slowly.  What else could he do?
“So she trained him up, and bought him a couple of nice uniforms, and a proper sets of polishes, cloths and brushes, and now
  Well, I’m going to tell you a secret, but you mustn’t tell anyone else.  Promise?  Charlotte, Amelia
promise?”
“Yes, Mrs Burlington!  We promise!” in chorus.
“Well then
  Bobby’s been offered a job as official Boot Boy to Pitt’s Wood Equestrian Centre!  He’s going to work there in his very own special boot parlour starting very soon.  But it’s a secret job – he’s going to be a sort of super boot boy with a secret identity, so no-one must know it’s him.  Do you understand?”
“Yes
we understand,” said Charlotte – glancing again at the poster and looking as though she understood only too well, “but
does he have his uniform here
?”
Clarissa sighed.  She looked at her friends and shrugged.  Bobby felt panic rising inside him.  “No
” he prayed silently 
 “don’t
please
”
“He does have one
.”
“Yippee!  Is it that one?”
“Yes, Amelia.”
“Can he
.?”
“Bobby?  Just for my friends and the girls?  They’d so like to see
and you do look so smart
”
“Go on Bobby,” said Bethany.  “We’d love to see you in your gear.  You can clean my boots if you’d like
  And I promise to come and use your service once you’re installed at Pitt’s Wood
”
Bobby could only stammer inarticulately.
“Good.  That’s settled then,” smiled Clarissa.  “If you’d all like to go back downstairs, I’ll take Bobby to his room and help him get ready.  Come on, Bobby
”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 141.

Bobby’s room being downstairs, Clarissa led the way with her arm around him, the others following behind and chattering delightedly.  They parted ways at the foot of the stairs.  Clarissa walked ahead to his little room and opened the door for him.  Once inside, Bobby started to remonstrate.
“Miss?  Why did you do that?  I wouldn’t have minded if it was just your friends, but Charlotte and Amelia
  They’ll never be able to keep their mouths shut
”
“Oh, I’m sure they will.  I’m going to talk to their mothers.  In any case, why should you worry?  You’re done with that school.”
“Yes, I know.  But now they know about Pitt’s Wood, too.  If word gets around
”
“If word gets around you’ll get even more paying customers.  You’re going to make a small fortune, young man.  You can’t do that without making a few sacrifices.”
Bobby grunted.  The thought of the money he was going to make mollified him somewhat.
“Now, let’s get you dressed.”  She opened the bottom drawer in the chest.  “Here.  Hot pants first.  Take your clothes off and get these on.  I’ll turn my back.”
Still grumbling, he slipped out of his everyday clothes and into his blue and yellow latex pants, ready dusted with rose-scented talc.  They were cool and light.  He looked own at them.  Well, at least there was no chance of him disgracing himself today.  His normally unruly member had, at the prospect of public exposure, shrunk to the size of a button mushroom.  It nestled modestly on the blue side of his pants to the right of the seam, just above the latex leg frilling, determined to efface itself as much as possible. 
“Ready.”
Clarissa passed him his yellow spandex T-shirt with Boot Boy Bobby proudly emblazoned across the chest.  He pulled it on, pulled it down so it fitted snugly, tucked it into his pants, and buckled the yellow plastic buckle on his blue latex belt.  Next came his short yellow socks and blue trainers with yellow laces.  He sat on the side of the bed, put them on, and laced them up.  Then his Boot Boy cap, and the short yellow latex gloves with blue frills around the wrists.
“There.  Show me.  Stand up straight, silly, don’t slouch.  You look stunning.  Look at yourself in the mirror.  How smart is that?”
“But, auntie
  Do I really have to?  I mean
”
“Yes, you do.  Don’t be so shy!  If you’re all shy and nervous those girls will see it and make fun of you.  Have confidence in yourself, Bobby!  Think of this as practice for Pitt’s Wood.  You won’t be able to hide away there, now will you?  Right.  Good, I’m glad you understand.  Now
  Oh, what’s this?  I’d forgotten.  Your choker!”
“I don’t need that
”
“It’s part of the uniform.  Cynthia gave it to me for nothing, just to complete the effect.  Look, it’s just a simple blue ring of latex
”
“Yeah – with tiny yellow frills all round!”
“Yes.  To match your uniform!  She made purposely so it fits your neck without need of any adjustments.  Come here
  Take off your cap for a second
  Bend forward
get it over you big head
  There.  Perfect!”
Bobby groaned, but she ignored him.  He put his cap back on.
“Now, take your jacket
  No, you don’t have to put it on right away.  Maybe later, in the garden.”
“Later?  How long have I got to wear all this then?”
“For the rest of the day.  Hush!  No objections, or I’ll tell your aunt.  This is the perfect practice session.  And you’ll find after all the initial attention you’ll forget all about it.  That’s what you need to do.  So let’s go then.  You first
go on.”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 142.

He walked to the door of the living room.  He could hear animated voices within.  He hesitated.  Clarissa gave him a gentle shove.  He took a deep breath, and entered.
There was a communal intake of breath, followed by a moment stunned silence.  Then whoops and cries of delight.
“Bobby!  You look fantastic!” cried Charlotte.
“Wow!  Bobby!  Incredible!  So cute!” added Amelia jumping up and running towards him to get a closer look.  “You even put on your choker!  It’s great!  I’m jealous!”
Then Charlotte joined her, and they were touching the smooth latex and tugging at the frills, and looking him up and down.  Bethany and Natasha were laughing an applauding.
“Well, you’re a big hit here,” said Bethany, “and I’ll bet you’ll be an even bigger one when you start work!”
“Oh, you’re one handsome guy, all right!” cried Natasha.  “God, you’re so fanciable in that outfit.  Don’t you think so, Beth?”
“He’s gorgeous,” said Beth, with just a touch of seriousness in her tone.
“Now, now, ladies,” laughed Clarissa.  “Behave yourselves, please!”  But as she said it she blushed a little, thinking of the things she got up to with Bobby.
As for Bobby himself, in his innocence, his initial embarrassment was quickly being overcome by his natural vanity.  Soon he was revelling in the admiration of the women and the excitement of the girls, and his smile was no longer forced, but happy and natural.  And when Bethany and Natasha produced their phones and started taking snaps, he was easily persuaded to pose for them.  Clarissa couldn’t help laughing, and when she caught MĂ©lisande’s eye they both went into fits.  Natasha asked to see his jacket, and when he passed it over she and Bethany examined it very closely.
“This is amazing quality, Nat.  I love the translucence of the latex
and the workmanship!  Clarissa?  Who made Bobby’s uniform?”
“Oh, it’s a company called Fantastex, run by a very nice lady called Cynthia.  They can make absolutely anything in latex.  This isn’t the only outfit he has, you know
”
“Let’s go out in the garden and play,” cried Amelia, grabbing Bobby’s hand.  Charlotte took the other, and they pulled him towards the door.  With a wink to her mother, MĂ©lisande followed.
“Here, take his jacket,” said Bethany, tossing it to her.  “Have fun, kids!”

The three women were left together in the living room.  Clarissa poured some coffee.
“Well, well, Clarissa,” said Bethany.  “That boy
  Quite a revelation.  So he’s pretty much living with you now?”
“For the time being
”
“Is there a particular reason?”
“Well
yes, there is.  But I’m afraid can’t tell you what it is, at least, not without breaking a promise.  Maybe in a few months I’ll be able to explain.”
“That’s all right.  Lucky you, though.  He’s so sweet
”
“And cute,” added Natasha.  “I wouldn’t mind having him hanging around my house, I can tell you.  Though Graham may not like it too much!  And in that latex gear
  Is that
I mean, does he have a thing about latex, or
”
“Yeah.  And what about the boot stuff?  Is he into all that?”
“Okay girls.  It’s like this.  I don’t think I’m telling you anything that isn’t obvious.  Yes, Bobby’s definitely got a serious fetish.  Girls in boots
  I wouldn’t say they drive him wild.  It’s not like that.  It’s more than they make him weak at the knees – so weak he just has to kneel, if you get my meaning.  That’s when he’s happiest, I think
  No, that’s not right.  That’s when he’s most fulfilled.  He’s a natural submissive, and leather and rubber clothes just drain any power he has.  It’s like Kryptonite to Superman.  He’s shy of girls, too.  He hasn’t got a girlfriend.  I don't think he really desires girls physically.  He yearns for them, but they have to be clothed, and clothed in a certain way.  Then he’ll do anything for any woman.  Dressed as he is now I could make him do anything I wanted.  If I told him to go down to the mall, stand on a box, and sing Ave Maria, he’d do it.  Later on you can tell him to polish your boots.  He’ll obey without question, and he’ll love it.  Whether it’s knee boots like yours, Beth, or ankle boots like yours, Nat, he’ll be your slave.  More so when he’s wearing latex himself.”
“Isn’t that a bit dangerous – for him, I mean
?”
“I suppose so.  But we all make sure he’s always safe.  Safe and satisfied.  Look at him now
”
The ladies looked out of the French doors.  Bobby was chasing the girls wildly around the garden.
“He such a nice bloke.  The worst we do is to embarrass him.  He’s really easy to embarrass.  It’s so fun to make him squirm and blush.  Maybe I’ll show you that when they come in.  Or I’ll get MĂ©lisande to do it – even better!  She has total control of him.  Half his size but complete authority.  He’d do absolutely anything for her.  I think she’s the only girl he’s actually in love with.  Sometimes she has to discipline him.  He takes it without a murmur.”
“Discipline him?  What exactly
” asked Natasha.  “Do you mean
?”
“Tell him off.  Slap his leg,  Spank him if necessary.”
“Spank him?”
“Oh yes.  Because he can be rude at times, and under the present er
arrangement, she's the person responsible for supervising his behaviour.  She has carte blanche.  She’s very mature and trustworthy.”
“Goodness, Clarissa,” exclaimed Bethany, “I had no idea you had such interesting things going on.  I feel I want to know more.”
“I can’t tell you much more at the moment, Bethany.  And I’d be grateful if you’d both make sure the girls don’t breathe a word about today to anyone.  For the time being Bobby’s occupation needs to stay secret.”
“Don’t worry, Clarissa.  We’re going to talk to the girls at home and make sure they understand.”
“Thanks.  Oh, by the way.  You might want to visit the Pitt’s Wood Dressage Day in October.  MĂ©lisande’s supposed to be making a special appearance just before the main competition.  It should be fun.”
“Really?  What’s she going to be doing?”
“Just riding a little pony.  Just a short novelty act.”
“Well of course we’ll both go, won’t we Nat?  Take the kids.  They’d like to see MĂ©lisande perform, I’m sure.”
“Yeah.  They’ll probably ask us anyway.”
“But we were talking about Bobby.  I’d heard of him already – how he knocked over MĂ©lisande when he was running for the bus.  That’s how they became friends, isn’t it?”
Clarissa laughed. “Not quite...  But look, I think they’ve decided to come in.  Okay.  Maybe we can have some fun
”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 143.

The children burst into the kitchen and could be heard laughing and squealing whilst they raided the fridge for drinks.  After a few minutes they wandered into the living room, still chattering, faces flushed, MĂ©lisande carrying a bowl full of chocolate bars, biscuits, and packets of crisps.  Bobby followed behind, carrying his jacket and sipping from a can.
“Have a good time, girls?” asked Clarissa.
“Yes, thank you, Mrs Burlington,” mumbled Amelia, through a mouthful of chocolate.  “I’m ‘sausted!  Bobby was chasing us and he runs too fast!”
“You should tie his ankles together next time,” suggested Natasha.
Charlotte’s eyes lit up.  “Yeah!  C’mon, let’s do it now!”
“No,” protested Bobby.  “I’m too tired.  It’s hard work chasing you lot.  There’s three of you and only one of me.  You’re the ones that need tying up.”
“Okay, why don’t you all just relax for a bit,” said Clarissa.  “Play some quiet indoor games for a bit.  Mellie?  Come here, darling.”
MĂ©lisande went over to her mother.  Clarissa whispered to her for a few moments.  Then she went and joined the others sitting on the floor.
“Why don’t we play a game?” she said, after finishing her snack.
“Okay Mellie.  What we gonna play?” asked Charlotte.
“How about Sheep Round-Up?”
“What’s that?” asked Bobby, with a faint sneer.
“Oh, you wouldn’t be any good at it,” said MĂ©lisande, dismissively,  “it’s a computer game.”
“Yeah?  Wanna bet, Mellie?  I bet I could wipe the floor with you three!”
This should be fun, he thought.  What, doesn't she know I was like one of the top players in my year?  I'm the best - and they're a bunch of kids!  No chance.
“Okay, then.  You’ll probably slow us down, but we’ll let you play.”
“So generous of you
”
“But the one with the lowest score has to do a forfeit.  Agreed?”
“Of course.”
“Anything the other three decide.  Anything.”
“Yes.  All right.  Get on with it.”

Sheep Round-Up turned out to be a little more difficult than Bobby had imagined.  He was used to playing fast-action games for teenagers.  This was a kids’ game, and the rules were
well, unless the girls were explaining them badly
simply baffling!  Mellie explained.
“See, you’ve got to get as many sheep as possible in this pen.  But it only holds a hundred, and there are
I don’t know, maybe a hundred and twenty – the twenty are strays, see?  So you have to get them in this other pen over here.  But you’ve only got two dogs, and you need one of them to stay behind to guard the first pen, so no sheep can escape – but some always do – while the second dog – oh, by the way, you can give the dogs names, see?  Like mine are always Danny an’ Bobby – yeah, I called him after you – not cos you’re like a dog
more a pony, I think
  Anyway, so the second dog has to try to catch the strays and put them in the second pen – though if dogs have escaped from the first pen, he can put them in there
  There’s a time limit, and at the end you’ll get your score.  Get it?”
“Er, yeah
” said Bobby, not wishing to appear stupid.  “Er
  Do you play this game often?”
“Oh, yes.  All the time!” cried Amelia.  “It’s great.  Charlotte’s brilliant at it!”


Charlotte won the first game.  All the girls scored over a hundred.  Bobby got twenty-seven.
“You have to do a forfeit, Bobby!  Now, what shall we make him do
?”
The girls went into a huddle.  After a lot of giggling, they decided he had to perform “I’m a little teapot”, with all the body and hand movements.  They found the words online, and while Bobby was learning them, Bethany, who fancied herself as a bit of a poet, contrived to write a third verse, which altered the teapot to a piggy!  The ladies had fun instructing him in the appropriate movements for the new verse, which were not difficult to devise.  They insisted he do it on the patio, and opened the French doors so the mothers could get a good view.  They warned him that if he made any mistakes he’d have to start again.  Once everyone was ready, with their phones out to preserve his performance for posterity, he was instructed to begin.  He looked so comical performing in his cute little Boot Boy outfit, they found it hard to keep their phones steady.  But after four repeats they were satisfied, both with the quality of his act and of their videos. 

I’m a little teapot
Short and stout.
Here’s my handle,
Here’s my spout.
When I get all steamed up
Hear me shout:
Tip me over
And pour me out!

I’m a very special pot
This is true.
Here is an example
Of what I do.
I can change my handle
And my spout.
Tip me over
And pour me out!

I’m a little piggy
Here’s my snout:
Pull my tail
And make me pout.
Rolling in the mud
When I go out:
I’m a little piggy
There’s no doubt!

For the final verse he was required to squash his nose with his finger and roll his eyes, point at his bottom, and finally roll on the ground.  Clarissa was so impressed she surreptitiously sent the video to Miss Poole, with the message, “Miss Poole – as you can see, Bobby is already in training for his new position, and can provide entertainment as well as boot service to anyone who requests it
”  Then she sat back in her chair and watched it again.  Yes, it was a really special one.  That last verse of Bethany’s was genius.  But for some reason the bit that made her smile the most was when he sang:

“When I get all steamed up
Hear me shout:
Tip me over
And pour me out!”