His Aunt Nicole

[Simonssister]

Chapter 272.

They all wanted photos or little videos, demanding smiles, peace signs, and pretty much every sort of humiliating pose they could think of.  Serena largely just looked on, encouraging the other three with suggestions or little humorous quips.  Margaret was the worst, stepping forward every now and then to adjust his dress, to puff the sleeves more, hitch up the skirt, or check his bra or stockings - any excuse to paw him.  His face was burning – this was so different from yesterday.  He no longer felt admired, only humiliated.  Serena was fully aware of his discomfiture, but quite without sympathy.
“Do you find this difficult, Tim?  I’m afraid if you aspire to become a ladies’ maid, you’re going to have to get used to it.  Being the centre of attention is not always as pleasant as you might have thought.”
“Well, Ser…I mean, miss…  I don’t achally wanna be a maid, see?  I didn’t sign up for this…”
“Didn’t sign up for it?  Oh, but you did!  That’s exactly what you did.  Read your contract.  It covers any employment at the discretion of the employer – in this case, Miss Poole.”
Tim looked at her in dismay.  Yesterday she’d seemed so warm and friendly.  Today…
“Okay, let me explain what’s going to happen, and why.  My mum is involved in a range of businesses.  One of them, in which your employer also has a major interest, is a domestic maid agency specialising in boy maids.  They’re good looking, nicely dressed and well-trained, polite and obedient.  Obedience and submissiveness is the key, the sine qua non.  Well-off ladies will pay a high price such domestics.  You’re going to be trained to be one such.  No, no…don’t make a face.  If Miss Poole were to see that reaction…”
Tim wilted.  “Please don’t tell her…”
“So behave yourself!  You will be trained, you will become the best, you will serve diligently.  Understood?”
Tim nodded meekly.
“You’ll be a boot boy on weekdays, and a maid at weekends.  You will be trained until you are of sufficient proficiency to be placed.  I wouldn’t be too downcast, Timothy.  You will receive a percentage of the hourly rate which will be more than double what you are being paid as a boot boy.”
Tim perked up at this revelation.
“Really, miss?”
“Of course.  Maiding is far more skilled work than polishing boots – don’t you agree?  You will get paid accordingly.  But equally, poor performance, even minor errors of etiquette, will be punished severely, during training and at work.  Your mistresses will be empowered to apply any form of punishment or discipline they think fit.  Understand?”
“Yes, miss…”
“Good.  Serious training will begin next week.  Today you may practise serving drinks and learning to be silent and invisible when you’re not needed – which won’t be very often, by the way.  I can't pretend it won't be hard work.”  There was the sound of steps coming down the stairs  “Oh, I think I hear Terry coming downstairs.  That’s Teri with and “i” by the way.  Boy maids are always given girls’ names, and addressed as females.  We’ll decide your later.  Yes, here she is.  Teri, meet Timothy.  You may both come into the living-room.  We’ll leave you alone for thirty minutes or so to get to know each other.  Okay Nicola?”
“Sure, Serena.  Teri, fill Timothy in about what’ll be expected of him, all right?”
“Yes, miss Nicola.”  He turned to Tim.  “Hi, Timothy…”
“Hi…er, Teri…”
Teri was about his age, shortish blond hair, friendly face.  Tim took a liking to him at once. 
“I like your outfit,” said Teri.   “I wanted a pink one, but my mistress insisted on blue – said it goes with my hair…”
“It suits you…  You look great…”
“Thanks.  We should have a chat.”
“Yeah, could we?  I ‘ad no idea what was gonna ‘appen when I came ‘ere.  I’m still, like, in shock…”
“You’ll be okay.  You’re good looking.  You’ll be in demand.  I can see that already.”
“I ain’t sure…”
“It isn’t that bad.  The money’s great.  I’m full-time.  Nicola’s my permanent mistress, though I get placed too, sometimes for days at a time.  But Nicola’s very good to me…”
“That’s nice…”
“Yeah.  But it’s hit and miss when you’re sent out.  Some of those ‘ladies’ so-called…”
“Can we…go outside for a minute?”
“Miss…  May we go into the garden for a few minutes?”
“Yes.  Be back by ten.”
“Yes miss.  Thank you miss.”
“Thank you, miss,” added Tim, politely.  He was already learning…

[Simonssister]

Chapter 273.

After the revelations of the last few minutes, Tim was desperate to know what it was he was in for.  He had quickly dismissed the prospect of escape or evasion – he was too well aware of the power of Miss Poole and her friends, and in the light of his new knowledge Serena’s mother had suddenly become equally intimidatory.  In the garden he confronted Teri, speaking in a low voice.
“Tell me everyfing, Teri.  What will I ‘ave to do?  Am I ‘spected to wear outfits like this all the time?  What do you ‘ave to do?  ‘Ow did they rope you inter this stuff?”
Teri sighed.  “Really, I don’t know what you’ll have to do.  For me…  Well, I’ll explain.  I’m at uni now, studying digital tech, but I only have to attend three days a week, so I have Friday to Monday free.  They set aside Friday and Mondays mornings for study, but the rest of the time I work for them, for ESDS – Egerton’s Special Domestic Services.  They recruited me at the beginning of the summer hols, just after I left school.  I was desperate to earn some money, and I answered this ad in the local paper for “hard-working, fit young men” I think it was – something like that – with mention of pay “up to twenty pounds an hour”.  Seemed too good to be true, but I went along, sat in a waiting room with a bunch of other blokes, and then got interviewed by miss – sorry, I mean Cassandra Egerton, and another woman I now know to be your Miss Poole.”
“Shit…”
“Yeah…  They seemed really keen on me…  I kept asking exactly what my duties would be, but all they would say was it was domestic work, I might have to do long hours or stay over at other premises, but I be paid for every hour, even if I was asleep!  And yeah, they confirmed that after training, which would last a month, I’d get twenty an hour basic, and during training, fifteen!  Oh, and all my work clothes would be supplied, and I’d need to be ultra pleasant and polite and do what I was told.  When they confirmed the pay that was all I wanted to hear.  I signed a contract without reading it, which I now know makes me virtually a slave, and has a penalty clause if I try to leave on, what shall I say, rather unfavourable terms!  But I guess you’d know all about that.”
“Not ‘alf…  Same fing ‘appened at Pitt’s Wood…”
“Suppose we’re both a bit naïve…”
“We was…”
“Yeah.  We know better now – now it’s too late…”
“So we get ‘ired by some woman…  So what do we ‘ave to do?”
“It varies, Tim.  Basically they’re always these rich types.  I guess they need to be, considering what they’re being charged.  They might be married or unmarried.  They can be young, but they’re usually middle-aged.  They all get off on power – having a maid to order around.  The fact it’s a bloke gives ‘em an extra kick, I reckon.  I would say there’s three basic types.  There’s those that want to shock, or at least impress, their friends.  In those cases you usually find yourself waiting at a dinner or some sort of party – hen parties usually.  Then there’s those that are titillated by the idea of a bloke in a maid’s uniform.  You have to be prepared to be pawed – or worse.”
“That would be the worst…”
“No.  That’s not the worst,  Category three, that’s the worst.”
“Category free…?”
“The genuine sadists.  They’re idea of pleasure is having a submissive guy at their mercy – someone who daren’t even make the slightest protest for fear he’ll get reported.  They can justify a complaint on the basis of some minor misdemeanour or hesitation.  With those people you have to say “yes, miss, right away, miss” all the time, and when they scold you or whip you, “sorry, miss, thank you, miss”.  You have to be prepared to grovel.”
“What ‘appens if someone does report you?”
“You know ESDS is paranoid about its reputation.  They’re big selling point is the total obedience of their employees.  Any rebelliousness or refusal to comply with orders is severely punished.  The disciplinary procedure is very strict.  You may get away with a whipping, but in serious cases they are quite prepared to use social media to ruin your life.  Never forget that.” 
“Have you worked for one o’ them sadistic ones, then?”
“I had one recently.”  He lowered his voice.  “Friend of your Miss Poole.  Bowchurch?”
“Bowditch?  Eleanor Bowditch?”
“That’s her.”
“Shit!  She didn’t ‘ave a friend wiv ‘er by any chance, did she?”
“As a matter of fact…”
“Diana?”
“That’s right.  You know them then.”
“Yes.  A right pair of b…”
“Boys?  Come in now please.”
It was Nicola.
“Yes, miss!”
“Coming, miss!”
As they headed for the kitchen door, Teri put a hand on Tim’s shoulder.
“Don’t be too worried, Tim,” he whispered.  “They’re not all as bad as that…”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 274.


Miss Poole had been looking forward to the day of pony rides, for several reasons.  Principally, of course, because it marked the first stage in the tightening of ownership of the boys.  They were beginning to struggle against their bonds, so today she would bind them both a little tighter.  Tim would get a taste of real discipline at last.  He would begin to learn what it meant to be in total servitude, under the thumb of a demanding an unsympathetic mistress.  And he would experience the anxiety of not knowing what his next boss might be like.  Cassandra had plenty of demanding clients lined up.  Perfect!  If there was anything more pleasurable than watching unruly boys brought to heel, it was only the planning that preceded it!  And then Bobby.  He’d been indulging himself lately, swanning around the boot parlour, dressing up in pretty dresses and making everyone fall in love with him.  Oh yes, he could wear dresses all right – but from now on it would be she who would decide what sort of dresses he wore!  The pony rides would be the perfect reminder that he was basically a little beast of burden, and also that his social life hung on a thread, in the form of a little fine latex mask.  If that were ever to be removed, then…  But no.  That wouldn’t serve her purpose at present.  In any case, if everything worked out as she had planned, she’d have something much more effective…

But they were not the only ones in her sights today.  Two weeks ago she had received a rather unpleasant letter from a firm of solicitors acting on instructions from a Lady Middiford, threatening court action if the Centre failed to pay compensation of two thousand pounds for anguish suffered by the complainant’s daughter, Thomasina, as a result of bullying by stable girls.  Miss Poole was aware of the incident, which had occurred weeks ago.  Thomasina was a member, about Bobby’s age, an only child, and to judge by her naivety and shyness, had been the victim of an over-protective mother.  One of the girls had made a disparaging remark about her outfit, which was both expensive and rather ostentatious – her black jacket had gold thread around the lapels, and her gloves were Chanel.  She ended up being pushed around a bit, to which she reacted, not by fighting back, but by bursting into tears.  The ringleader had already been dismissed, and that really should have been the end of it.  Thomasina herself continued to ride there two or three times a week.  Miss Poole suspected that she did so at the insistence of her mother, since she suspected that the girl’s instinct would have been to find a new riding centre. 

Whatever else she might have been, Miss Poole was no snob, and indeed had a ingrained dislike of pretentiousness and titles, especially those gained by inheritance, marriage, or nepotism, and she had no intention of bowing to Lady Middiford’s threats.  The daughter offered a possible defence.  She felt no malice towards the daughter – but equally she had no qualms about using her, exploiting her timidity.  In fact, she found her timorousness slightly irritating; it was really time she “grew a pair”, thought Violet.

Her plan had been cooked up between herself and Ellie.  They made a great pair of conspirators, both with devious minds, Violet motivated partly by money, but both with salacious imaginations.
Ellie also found Thomasina’s meekness rather amusing.  She related an incident she had witnessed at reception, where the girl was blinking and blushing like a crossing beacon.
“What was that all about?” asked Violet.
“Oh, she’d come to pick up a programme for the county shows.  Then Evelina says to her, joking like, “oh, while you’re here Thomasina, the boot boys have had a cancellation this afternoon.  Fancy a free session?”  She turned bright red!  She’s so shy, the poor thing.  Even the mention of boys is enough to fluster her.”
“Oh…  Interesting.  She doesn’t have a boyfriend, then?”
“What?  Thomasina?  No way!  You should see how she dresses.  Except when she’s in her riding gear, of course – then she looks like a million dollars.  Her face has never seen a speck of makeup!  No, anything to do with sex – even the idea of a sexy little dress, say – and she turns as red as a beetroot, and runs a mile.”
“Really?  Sounds to me as though she needs to chill out a bit…”
“I don’t think that’s likely to happen anytime soon.”
“Well, maybe sooner than you think, Ellie.  I have an idea how I can kill two birds with one stone…”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 275.

A week after she had received the threatening letter, and a week before pony rides Sunday, Miss Poole asked to see Thomasina in her office.
“Y-you wanted to see me, Miss Poole…?”
“Yes, come in, dear.  Sit down.  Now, I’ll tell you what this is about.  Next Sunday afternoon I’m going to organise pony rides in the main field.  We’re preparing the flyers now, and it’ll be announced in the newsletter.”
“Oh…  That’s nice…”
“Yes.  But there’s a twist.  Only one pony.  Can you guess who?”
“Only one?  No…  Who?”
“Ponyboy!  Ponyboy from the show.  You must have seen him.”
Thomasina blushed scarlet.  “Oh…  Oh, yes, I see…  P-Ponyboy…”
“The thing is, I need a steward to sell and collect tickets, keep the queue in order, and make sure each rider has their allotted time.  Would you be able…”
“M-me?  Oh, I’m not sure, Miss Poole…  You see….it’s rather difficult…so much work…”
“Nonsense, Thomasina.  I’m asking you because I know how diligent you are.  I’ll give you a forty pound bonus, and you’ll have a special uniform so that everyone will know who’s in charge.  Okay?”
Well, I…”
“Good.  That’s settled then.  Oh, and if you could pop back at about ten this coming Wednesday – you normally ride Wednesday mornings, don’t you - my colleague will get you measured up.  Good girl.  Keep up the good work.  See you Wednesday, then.  Ten o’clock.”

It took Cynthia about three minutes to take the salient measurements.  Then Thomasina heard nothing more until the Saturday, when Ellie took her aside to explain her duties, and told her report to “the Old House”, a wooden building, half house and half stable, behind the indoor school, on the edge of one of the paddocks - so called because years ago the owner of the estate used to live there.
“Be there at one sharp. Bring your riding boots, whip and helmet.”
“Why will I need…”
“Just do as you’re told.  You will change into your uniform, and I believe…  Well, if you’re lucky, you may get to meet Ponyboy himself.”
Thomasina’s eyes widened in terror.  Ellie supressed a smile, and pretended not to notice.

[Simonssister]

Chapter 276.

Clarissa led Bobby back into stable 13.  He had less than half an hour to recover.  They took off his mask, he rested, used the toilet, and had an energy drink.  Much to his relief, Ellie then put on his standard mask.  Several stable girls, friends of Mélisande, had gathered outside, eager to ask her where she had taken Ponyboy and what they had done.  Clarissa relieved Mélisande of her hat and whip, and left her chatting with her friends.  Ellie and Clarissa led Bobby up the hill, round the offices, and out of the gate to the Old House.  The House had a spacious enclosed courtyard, and was divided into two parts, on the left the living quarters, on the right a spacious stable.  Ellie noted a little wooden upturned crate in the courtyard, and smiled.  The plan was afoot!  She opened the stable door and Clarissa led Bobby in.  The floor was a big plain stone flags, and there was little furniture – only a couple of benches and a big cupboard.  Ellie shut the door and called out “we’re here”.  The adjoining door opened, and who should appear but Miss Poole herself, with the familiar face of Magda’s sidekick Zeta following on behind!
“Hello Ellie.  Hi Clarissa.  I’m not sure if you know Zeta.”  Zeta smiled and inclined her head.  “Zeta is Magda’s best friend.  And she’s an ace photographer.”
“Violet!  Hi, Zeta.  But…  What are you doing here on a Sunday?”
“Well I’m here to witness the pony rides, of course, Clarissa.  To watch your charge at work.”
“Oh, yes.  Of course…”
“And to have a bit of fun.  Perhaps I’d better explain.  We have a few minutes before our other guest arrives, I think?”
“About fifteen minutes,” said Ellie.
“Good.  Right.  Clarissa, I’ve explained everything to Zeta,  Ellie’s in on this too, so now I just need to tell you.  Ellie, got the ear plugs?”
“Right here, Violet.” 
She took Bobby by the bridle, stretched open his hood, and plugged both his ears.
“Thank you.  As I was saying, Clarissa, today I need to make an example of a certain person who will be arriving here shortly.  Bobby is going to help me, though he doesn’t know it yet.  Please just go along with anything we do.  After the filming Ellie’s going to call a few of the girls.  But before that, our guest is going to have a little ride round the courtyard.   So I have to ask…is Bobby fully, er, equipped, today?”
She pointed at his pink pouch.  Clarissa looked startled.
“Does he have his nice red…?”
“Yes, of course…”
“Excellent.  Then at the appropriate time, maybe his zip could slip undone…?”
Clarissa's eyes widened slightly.  “If...you say so…”
“Good!  We’re all set, then. All we have to do is wait for…”
She was interrupted by a faint double knock at the stable door…

[Simonssister]

Chapter 277.

“Come in!”
Thomasina opened the door half way, and peered nervously around.  She hesitated when she saw so many people.
“Come in, girl – and close the door behind you.”
“I-I’m not late, am I…”
“Of course not.”
Then her gaze fell on Bobby, standing next to Clarissa by one of the benches.  She gasped, and backed away.
“For goodness’ sake, girl…  What are you frightened of?  It’s just a boy.”
“B-but…”
“Don’t you believe me?  Clarissa, please take off his bridle, pony hood and mask.”
“What?”
“Do it please.  Let’s demystify him once and for all.”
As Thomasina and the others watched, Clarissa methodically removed the layers, till there was Ponyboy, his face and tousled hair revealed for all to see.
“Oh…  It’s…B-Bobby!” exclaimed Thomasina, staring.
“Yes.  So now you know,” said Miss Poole, matter-of-factly.  But you must never tell, Thomasina dear – do you understand?”
“Oh…Oh, yes…perfectly, Miss Poole.  I would never…”
“Yes, all right.  Now leave your kit here.  Ellie will take you next door and help you with your uniform.  Off you go.”
Ellie opened the connecting door, smiled encouragingly, and ushered Thomasina in.
“Will she go for it?” asked Zeta.
“We’ll soon find out,” smiled Miss Poole.
The words were barely out of her mouth when there was a short scream from next door.  A second later the door opened and Thomasina appeared in the doorway.
“Please…  Miss Poole, please no…  I can’t go out there in…that!”
“Can’t?  You can and you will, my dear.  You’ll look very nice, I’m sure…”
“B-but…it’s rubber!”
Miss Poole sighed.  “To be accurate, it’s latex.  Lovely soft pink latex, made especially for you.  Now put it on and stop complaining.”  She looked at her watch.  “If you delay proceedings I’m going to be quite annoyed.  Go!”
Thomasina was distressed,  “Can I keep my panties…”
“No!  Of course not!  It’s designed to fit your body perfectly.  So don’t be so silly.  Now for the last time, go.  If you’re not dressed in five minutes I’ll put you out there naked!”
That seemed to do the trick.  Five minutes later the door opened, and Ellie appeared.  She held it wide open.
“Come on Thomasina.  Good girl.”  She might have been talking to a puppy.
Thomasina appeared in the doorway, but seemed reluctant to advance any further.  Ellie took her arm and pulled her into the centre of the room.
“Well!  You look absolutely gorgeous, dear,” enthused Miss Poole.
“I already told her,” laughed Ellie.  “You look fantastic.  If you’re looking for a boyfriend, there’ll be plenty of takers today.”
“I’m not!” cried Thomasina, cheeks on fire, with the first exhibition of spirit anyone had seen.  “I hate boys!”
“Ooh…” cried Zeta, adding hopefully “do you like girls by any chance?”
“What?”
“Nothing…”
Miss Poole had a strange smile on her face. 
“Ellie tells me you’re a very accomplished rider, Thomasina.”
No reply.
“She said you could ride anything.  Is that true?”
“I guess…”
“Could you ride…him?”  She gestured towards Bobby.
“What?”
“We’d need to lengthen the stirrups an inch or two.  Could you do that Clarissa?  No mask, just his pony hood and bridle.  Make sure the bit-strap’s nice and tight.  Oh, and don’t forget to…   Okay?”
Clarissa looked askance, but nodded.  She lowered the stirrups a notch, tacked Nobby up, and surreptitiously loosened the zip on his pouch.  But as she did so, she became aware that he was already semi-tumescent!  Well, he may not have had any sort of sex for a while…  Maybe it was just being back in his pony suit.  But he was also staring at Thomasina…  Surely he didn’t fancy her…  Though in that catsuit she did look rather enticing.  So she left the zip half open.  If he did get an erection, that would certainly do the rest…

[Simonssister]

Chapter 278.

“Could you ride him?”
“Huh.  Of course I could, but…”
“Show me then.  If you can really ride him, you’ll be the only one apart from Mélisande who can.  You’re a lot older than her.  If you don’t have the confidence, of course…”
The only thing that could elicit a passionate response from Thomasina was a disparaging comment about her riding.
“Get him outside and I’ll show you how much confidence I have.”
“All right.  Riding boots, helmet and whip.  You’re wearing spurs, I see.  Excellent.  You may need them.” 
Zeta had already been filming.  Now, as Thomasina pulled on her boots and hat, and picked up her whip, and everyone began to make their way out into the courtyard she paused the video and waited for the next chapter. 

When everyone was outside Thomasina, blushing more than ever, climbed astride Bobby, fitted her feet into the stirrups, gathered up the reins, which she wound round her left hand, and gave him a smart whack with her whip.  He shot forward at a brisk trot.  Thomasina, still smarting from Miss Poole’s comments, and feeling humiliated by her proximity to such a boy, employed heels and whip with unwonted vigour.  Zeta had clear space to film the exciting spectacle, and she knelt down to get the best angle.  But while Thomasina spurred Bobby on, Violet spurred her on.
“Is that the best you can do?  Mélisande has him going much faster - eh Clarissa?”
The first circuit was completed without incident.  Whether it was the feeling of having a grown girl on his back for the first time, or whether he had a bit of a thing for her, Bobby’s growing erection suddenly became too much for the zip, and it popped out, long and shiny and red, waggling beneath his tummy.  Everyone gasped, but Violet gave them a look, and they hid their surprise.  Thomasina was pushing hard now, and Bobby’s erection was bouncing in rhythm with his paces, slapping audibly against his tummy.  Thomasina must have heard, because once she looked down, but she probably assumed it was just his thighs brushing together. 
“There,” she said, breathlessly, as she embarked on the fourth circuit, “still think I don’t have the confidence?”
“I think you’ve proved your expertise,” said Violet.  “A couple more circuits, perhaps…  Bobby seems to have a lot of energy today…”
It was at this point that Ellie remembered something.  She slipped a hand into her pocket.  There it was!  The remote!  Almost too late!  As quickly as she could she dialled it up to maximum and hit the start button.

Bobby stopped dead.  Thomasina lurched forward.
“Stupid animal!”
She gave him three hard strokes, forcing him into a walk.
“What’s the matter with you?  Go!  Come on!”
She swung her heels back and dig her spurs into his flanks,  He made a whining sound through his bit. And speeded up a little.  As he passed Zeta she was amazed to observe his erection apparently vibrating visibly!  She looked up at the others, standing in line with their backs to the stable.  Ellie smiled and gave her a wink.  She returned a delighted grin.
It was on the final circuit.  He was directly opposite the spectators.  He stopped suddenly, and made a strange muffled trumpeting noise, like a baby elephant in distress.  Both he and Thomasina stared questioningly at the onlookers.  Thomasina as if to say, “what’s going on with him?”  Bobby as if pleading, asking, “why are you doing this to me?”  Then his eyes closed and his lips parted in silent ecstasy.  For a moment he was motionless, despite a jab from Thomasina’s spurs, then he lurched, and his body undulated violently and rhythmically with wave after wave of orgasm.  Thomasina had to gather up the reins and clamp her thighs around him, or she would have been unshipped.  He stood there, shuddering and pumping c-um, filling the teat of his scarlet condom till it was swinging and dancing like a hooked fish, while Thomasina, tossed about helplessly in the saddle, looked at her grinning audience with bewilderment.  Zeta had already moved in front of them, and was virtually lying on the ground, her eyes fixed on the display of her camera.
“This is so cool….” she murmured, in the tone of a professional who has captured a scene to perfection.

As for Thomasina, it was only as Bobby’s climax began to subside that the awful truth dawned on her.  With a cry of disgust she leapt off his back and retreated to the side of the courtyard, her eyes fixed on her discarded mount, now quite spent and panting, with horrified disbelief.
Ellie turned off the remote in her pocket, and winked at Violet, who had watched the whole performance with calm, though smug, absorption.  She turned to Thomasina.
“That was a masterful exhibition of equestrian control, my dear.  I commend you for your faultless technique – though I think you may perhaps have over-stimulated your mount.  Please resume, if you would like – he seems to have almost regained his composure…”
Thomasina’s response was a glance, half of anger, half of fright, followed by a dash back into the stable to hide her burning cheeks and the tears welling in her eyes.
Clarissa went to follow her, probably with the idea of consoling her and blaming everything on Bobby, but Violet restrained her.
“Give her a few minutes.  Then we’ll get Bobby inside, and we can move onto phase two.”
“Phase two?” asked Clarissa, puzzled.
“She’s going to spend the last half-hour before the pony rides begin standing on that little crate,” said Ellie, pointing at it.  “I’ve invited some of the girls to come around and see her, when I give them the word.  It’s the second phase of her training to overcome her shyness.”
“Oh…I see…  But surely there’s no way she’ll stand up there like some exhibit in a museum…”
“Oh, she will, Clarissa,” said Violet.  “You’ll see.  Phase three will be the stewarding of the pony rides.  She should have no alternative but to overcome some of her shyness.  If not, we have other strategies.”
“Gosh, Violet.  You had this all planned out.  What if she just ups and leaves, and never comes back?”
“That is not an option, Clarissa.  I assure you, she will stay.  Indeed, she will stay for as long as I wish…”