Chapter 203.
It wasn’t the end of the party. It wasn’t even the beginning of the end. But it may have been the end of the beginning. Be that as it may, it is necessary for the moment to return to the present, and to the Pitt’s Wood Show. And a dry, sunny day forecast. The staff had been hard at work since before six that morning. The jumps course had been laid out in the big paddock, the dressage area had been raked smooth, the judges chairs placed in the middle of the seating area. Outside reception, down the far side of the field, and in the show area itself, stalls were being set up – everything from tack and equipment from the big retailers to pictures to gifts to charity stalls, from Pony Club and BHS stands to stalls selling food and drink of every sort you could imagine. There was an air of fervid excitement everywhere, and in the quieter areas nervous competitors, beautifully turned out in full riding habits, polishing tack or grooming their mounts. And in stable 13, Timothy was already working hard. Supervised by Ellie and Jasmin, he was employed polishing the boots of some of the junior entrants, who were allowed in in groups of two or three, whilst outside there was a queue of a dozen or more. A wooden chair had been placed in the middle of the stable, in front of which Timothy, wearing knee-pads, knelt with his brushes, cloths and polishes next to him, diligently bringing the boots to a hazy shine. He was still tethered to the wall by his chain, having been released only temporarily for a toilet break.
“You’ll notice the younger ones normally wear rubber boots,” remarked Ellie, “ which makes it easy for you. You can wipe them with a damp rag and polish with the rubber polish, and they look great. It’s too expensive for girls who are growing so fast to wear leather. Rubber’s much cheaper, and it looks just as good. Timmy! You missed the heel! Come on, boy – get with it. If Miss Poole finds out…”
“Okay, okay! I’m sorry. There, I’ve done it now. Don’t make such a fuss!”
“Don’t answer back!” She gave him a gentle smack with her whip, making the girls giggle. “Every boot is important. If you start skimping with some of the professionals you’ll get in big trouble. They won’t stand carelessness or inefficiency. And you call me miss, right? In fact, you call all your customers miss or madam. It’s basic courtesy.”
The girl whose boots he had been polishing got up and made for the door.
“Thank you…Timmy!” she smirked as she exited.
“Thank you…miss…”
Cue more giggles. Ellie waved his next customer into the chair, and called another girl in from outside, who watched smiling whilst he continued with his work.
This was not at all how he had imagined it. He had thought he would be a respected, skilled technician. But this was downright humiliating, being sneered and giggled at by a bunch of little girls. Where were all these professionals Ellie was talking about? He had seen them around in the Centre – tall, beautiful women, immaculately turned out in cream breeches, not a wrinkle in sight, and lovely gleaming leather riding boots – proper ones, with raised sides and laces and little silver spurs… Just wait till he had the chance to work with them. Then he’d show them how good he was. They were bound to be impressed… Maybe he’d get to date one of them, even. He sighed. Well, at least he didn’t have to wear that silly superhero outfit today. That would have been purgatory.
The thought was hardly out of his mind when there was a knock at the open door, and there stood Cynthia, holding a shiny pink overnight bag.
“Hello? I’m Cynthia from Fantastex. Ellie is it?”
“Hi. Yes I’m Ellie. This is Jasmin.”
“Miss Poole told me to come early. Can we do Timmy’s fitting in here?”
Timothy’s heart sank. Please no, not here…
“Of course. Timmy, when you’ve finished Imelda’s boots I’ll ask the others to wait while Cynthia does the fitting.”
“But…”
“Shush. Get on, please.”
Ten minutes later Jasmin shut the door, and she and Ellie stood to one side and watched gleefully as Cynthia stripped him and handed him his outfit piece by piece. First the superhero pants, which she lubed carefully while he stood, quite naked, covering himself with his hands. She handed them to him, he turned his back, and this time, in his embarrassment, he couldn’t get them on quick enough. They felt snugger than before, but perhaps it was his imagination. The lube made them slip against his skin whenever he moved. Next his calf-length boots, with raised fronts embellished with letter “T”s, his gloves, which were shorter and more close-fitting than the original ones, and his crop top with its big “T”. Cynthia helped him to tie his cape, which now came only half way down his back.
“I think this looks nicer. It won’t get in the way while you’re working, and it won’t interfere with the view of your cute little bum!”
“Oh no,” cried Jasmin, delighted, “everyone needs to see your cute little bum!”
And she and Ellie dissolved in mirth.
Finally, Cynthia produced his baseball cap – red vinyl, with “BOOT BOY TIMMY” across the front in yellow letters.
“There. You look smashing. And the alterations are perfect. What do you think, girls?”
“Ooh, you look gorgeous, Timmy!” cooed Ellie, satirically. Wait till the girls see you.”
She strode to the door and opened it. “Ooh, quite a queue…”
“No!” squealed Timothy. “Wait! I have to change back before…”
But it was too late. Ellie had already called in the first three. Aghast, Bobby tried to flee to the bathroom section. But he was firmly arrested by his chain. He turned, helplessly, his face the picture of despair. The three young girls gaped, then screamed in unison. The first made a dash for the chair, and just claimed it ahead of the others. They stared at him, their faces studies in disbelief. He went to turn his back on them, but Ellie turned him back firmly and knelt to strap on his knee-pads.
“Stand still, Timmy. These poor girls have been waiting outside for a while now, and you’ve got a lot more to attend to. Won’t be a minute girls. What are your names?”
“I’m Soria.”
“I’m Deborah Cresswell.”
“I’m Felicity Bell,” said the one sitting in the chair.
“Well, Felicity Bell, you’ll be the first one to have your boots polished by our newest Boot Boy in his very first outfit. Timmy’s only just joined us, haven’t you, sweetie? He’s very excited about his superhero costume. I hope you like it as much as he does…”
“Oh, it’s gorgeous!” cried Felicity. “He looks so handsome in it!”
“Gosh, yes,” nodded Soria, seriously, looking him up and down.
“I love it,” added Deborah. “Timmy…? What’s it made of? It sort of looks like…you know…”
“It’s one hundred percent latex,” interjected Jasmin.
“Yes,” said Cynthia proudly, “in fact, it’s the finest quality latex on the market. Very stretchy and comfortable, but extra strong and tear resistant. Why don’t you girls go and feel it?”
“Don’t worry, Felicity,” smiled Ellie. “Your next. You won’t lose your place.”
To his utter mortification Timothy had to stand there while the three girls surrounded him, touching and tugging and even sniffing at the latex.
“It has that nice rubber smell,” cried Soria, “just like balloons.”
“Even the little frills are latex,” marvelled Felicity.
“It looks so sexy,” giggled Deborah. “I wish all boys has to wear things like this!”
Ellie gave them a minute, then asked Felicity to get back in the chair.
“We’d better get on. You’ve got a lot more customers waiting, Timmy.”
“Yes, miss.” He sank to his knees. Felicity’s boots looked brand new, and he soon had them gleaming.
“Thank you Timmy. I’m going to come and visit you again soon.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, what, Timmy?”
“Thank you, Miss Felicity…”
“Good boy. Now let’s get a move on, shall we?”
As he embarked upon the next pair of boots, he could hear Felicity outside spreading the news to her friends, and the little whoops and gasps of surprise from those waiting in the queue. It was going to be a long day…