Chapter 172.
Lunch proceeded in a generally calm manner, largely due to the quality of Clarissa’s cooking. Her home-made pizzas were irresistible, and her chocolate nut sundaes actually tasted even better than they looked – which was quite an achievement. Miki sat next to Bobby and fed him – the mittens prevented him from holding anything - much to his chagrin and the others’ amusement. Only Harriett was a little out of control, her excess of energy preventing her from sitting in a chair for more than a few seconds at a time, until she was eventually released into the garden, where she spent her time alternately feeding ice-cream to the next door’s cat, and chasing him when he had had enough. Eventually Mélisande asked to leave the table, in accordance with an established rule of the household, and the others followed. Whilst her four friends followed Harriett outside, Clarissa and Nicole cleared the table and went into the kitchen to do the washing-up, leaving Bobby and Miki together in the living-room.
“Mellie loved her present. You obviously know her taste well. Have you been friends for long?” asked Miki, politely, but curious about the exact nature of their relationship.
“Well, not really that long…”
“Where did you meet?”
“Er… At Pitt’s Wood riding school…”
“Oh! You ride! So do I. I don’t know Pitt’s Wood. We live nearer Fleetford, so I always go there. How long have you been riding?”
“No, I, er… I don’t really ride…it’s Mellie that rides, I…”
“Oh. So what’s the connection with Pitt’s Wood?”
“Well, I, er…will be working there later this year…”
“As…?”
“Oh, you know, general stuff…admin sort of things…”
This was getting difficult. Miki could see she was making him uncomfortable. But it was sort of fun.
“One of those ladies mentioned something about a boot boy outfit…”
“Oh, yeah…that too…”
“You’ll be cleaning boots for the riders?”
“Sometimes…yes.”
“That’s a really useful job.”
This was getting more and more interesting.
“So you have to wear a special uniform for that?”
“Yes…it goes with the job.
“So… What’s with today's outfit? I mean, you look fantastic. I’m fascinated. What is it, exactly?”
Nicole’s voice broke in from the kitchen.
“Tell Miki what it’s called, Bobby. Remember?”
Miki looked at him expectantly.
“Go on.”
“Er…yeah…it’s…it’s a, er…”
“Have you forgotten?”
“No aunt. “ He steeled himself. He couldn’t look her in the face. He managed to
mumble, “It’s a superfine latex d-dance hotpants unitard…”
“Speak up, Bobby!” from the kitchen.
“It’s a …superfine latex dance hotpants unitard,” he blurted, ears on fire.
“Wow.” Miki feigned astonishment. “I thought it might be latex. But you’ve really gone the whole hog, Bobby. I mean, the socks! And the cute headband. And everything! Gorgeous! And those mittens…are they latex too?”
Bobby glowered. “Yes...”
Nicole appeared at the kitchen door. “That was my idea. Bobby’s been pestering me for some slightly more girly outfits. His boot boy uniform’s very boyish. So my supplier came up with this. I think it suits him really well.”
“I agree.”
“See Bobby? Miki’s got good taste. Listen to her. There’s no reason to be shy. Yes, I put him in mitts so he can’t mess around with it. You know what boys are like – obsessed with their appearance. Worse than girls!”
“It’s true, Nicole. Bobby, you look great. Don’t change anything. Then maybe your aunt will let you take your mitts off.”
“Oops. Can’t do that. Padlocks. Left the key at home, I’m afraid…”
“Auntie!”
“Sorry. Didn’t think you’d need to take them off…”
“But my skirt keeps riding up…”
“Well there’s nothing to see except you little frilly shorts…”
Bobby gave a frustrated sigh.
“Might as well make the most of it, Bobby,” said Miki, stroking his arm condescendingly, as if she were an adult and he was a little boy, instead of their being about the same age. “You’re a lucky boy to have an auntie who buys you such smart clothes. What’s it called again? “Superfine…something?”
He glared at her. Nicole looked at him severely. “Answer Miki, please, Bobby…”
“A superfine latex…” he began, through gritted teeth.
“Yes, such beautiful fine latex…”
“…unitard dance….I mean dance hotpants unitard…”
“Such cute little hotpants…love the little frills…”
Before he could stop her, she’d given the frilling on one leg a playful tug, so that when she let it go the leg-band smacked sharply against his thigh.
“Ouch!”
“It’ll take all that,” remarked Nicole, blithely. “I’m told that special latex is so tough. You don’t have to worry about any accidents with tears or splits… “
“Just as well,” smirked Miki, with a meaningful glance at the taut latex. “Oh, here’s Mélisande. Wow! What a posh outfit!”
Mélisande had put on her new breeches and boots over a simple white shirt. She looked natural and beautiful. When she was younger, Clarissa had had a tendency to want to doll her up – makeup, bleached hair and so on – but Mélisande’s obsession with horses and riding had put paid to all that. She gave Bobby such a loving smile that his heart seemed to miss a beat. In that moment, all his little humiliations evaporated, and his life felt suffused with sunshine.
Her eyes sparkled. “I’m going to wear these for the show, of course. If that’s all right…”
“I was hoping you might…”
“You look a million dollars, Mellie!” criied Nicole. “Clarissa? Come see your beautiful daughter…”
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Topic: His Aunt Nicole (Read 60711 times)
