His Aunt Nicole

[Simonssister]

Chapter 359.

A tall woman in an unflatteringly skimpy red dress – and the inevitable thigh boots – accompanied Connie into the living room.
“Hi Frieda…”
“Hi Bridget.  How are you?”
“Fine thanks.  Looking forward to meeting our new pageboy…  Ah, there you are…  Wow!  What an amazing little outfit!”
“Tim.  This is Bridget.  Bridget, Tim.”
“Good afternoon, Miss Bridget…”
“Hi, Tim.  Nice to meet yer.”  She stared at his shorts.  Not rudely, but with genuine admiration.  Perhaps there was a bit more to see now than before he started on Frieda’s boots… 
“They’re way cool.  I mean, I saw the photers of the weddin’…  But them yeller ones is sumpin’ else…  Let’s have a little selfie, shall we?  Sumpin’ ter show me mates…”
She gathered him up on the spot and held up her phone.
“Grab onter me  darlin’.  Nice big hug…”  She pulled him against her, squashing him against her hip.  “There we go!”  She checked the picture.  “Great!  Next time some loser asks me out, I’m gonna show ‘im this, and say, “why would I be interested in you, wiv a bf like this?””  And she let out a peal of laughter.
Tim took an instant liking to Bridget.  She seemed much warmer than Frieda.  She held onto him for a couple of minutes, holding his hand.  Her tallness made him feel like a little child with its mother.  And when she eventually let him go, she turned him round and gave him a little slap on the bottom, generating, from the collision of hand and latex, a sort of splat sound which made everyone smile.

Tim asked permission to go to the toilet.  He left the three women chatting and laughing.  On the way he peeped into the second living room.  The house was in two parts, one slightly lower than the other, and this room seemed as if it were used for big parties or dinners.  It had a high ceiling, even a chandelier.  He hurried on.  Cleaning Frieda’s boots had definitely had a stimulating effect.  He was feeling hot and itchy, and his shorts felt slightly slippery against his skin.  In the bathroom he peeled them down and rinsed himself with cold water.  That felt better.  Then he made his way back.  As he was passing the main door, there was another knock.  Dutifully he opened it.  A woman stood outside.  Leather jacket, jeans, and yes, thigh boots.  At the end of the path stood a red and black motorbike, at least a five hundred, with a crash helmet on the seat.
“Good afternoon, madam…”
“Oh, hello…  Are you Tim?”
“Yes madam.”
“I’m Maxine.  Connie’s expecting me.”
“Hi Max!” 
Connie had appeared.
“Come in, please.  Everyone else is here.  You came by bike.  How was the drive?”
“Hi Connie.  Great.  It’s a lovely day for it.  Your pageboy is very polite.  I can’t remember the last time anyone called me madam.  I don’t dress like a madam, do I?”
“Hardly.  And that’s a compliment.  Come on in and have a drink.” 

They made their way to the living room, and everyone exchanged greetings.  Bridget proudly showed Maxine the selfie she had taken.
“Oh, cute !  Can I get one?  Tim, can I have a selfie too?”
Tim smiled shyly.
“I’ll take that as a yes.  Come on, right here.  No, cuddle up, like you did with that flirty Bridget.  Be careful of her.  Babysnatching bitch!  Ooh, you smell nice.  Nothing quite like the smell of warm, scented latex.  There we go…  Now, let me see those sexy little hotpants…”
Connie laughed.  “You two should get on like a house on fire.  Tell him, Maxine.  Go on.”
“All right.  Well, Tim, sometimes when I go out on my bike, I don’t wear leathers.  I wear a black latex catsuit.  Heavy leather boots, leather gloves, and lovely, glossy, heavy duty latex.  True.  You should see the looks I get…”
Tim’s eyes widened.  He could just imagine…
“Yes,” said Bridget, “’specially when she parks up and goes for a burger or somethin’.  Bit of a exhibitionist, our Maxine…”
“She’s just jealous,” returned Maxine, with a mock sneer.   “You wait, Bridget.  I’ll get you in latex one day.  You’d look good in a catsuit.  You have the stature for it.  You can have red if you want – your favourite colour, right?”
“You buy me one like yours, an’ I’ll wear it, darlin’”
“Yeah?  Okay, deal!  Then I’ll have some fun with you, dear…”
“Tim…  There are empty glasses…”
“Yes, miss.”  He collected the glasses.  “I’ll wash them.  Does everyone want white?”
“For now.”
As soon as he was out of the room, Connie put her finger to her lips.
“Listen, ladies.  You saw his reaction to Maxine’s talking about her catsuit, right?  He’s really into that stuff, you know.  Robyn – you’ve all met my niece – told me all about what transpired when Serena Egerton turned up at the boys’ boot parlour in a latex catsuit and thigh boots.  The poor little pervs were beside themselves with excitement!  Shame you didn’t wear yours today, Maxine.”
“I didn’t realise…”
“I should have told you.  Anyway, the point is, Robyn has a friend – Kit, I think that’s her name – she’s like some sort of goth, or whatever they call themselves these days.  She goes around in all that kinky latex stuff.  Robyn was going to invite her to come here with her today.  I haven’t heard yet, but I hope she does bring her.  I’d love to see Tim’s reaction…”
Frieda laughed.  “Interesting!  Now I want to see this girl too…”
“Sounds like someone I’d like to have on my pillion…” remarked Maxine, thoughtfully.  “We could be a double act...”
“Robyn’s going to call me.  Shh.  He’s coming back.”  Tim appeared carrying a tray of drinks.  “Put them down here, please.  You can help yourself to soft drinks, Tim.  Then help me serve lunch.”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 360.

Back at ESDS, Serena was concerned.  That very morning, on the way back from Connie’s, she called in at Jenny’s house.  They were both in, and over tea and cakes she’d tried to explain that Tim would be out of touch for a while, that he was working for a private firm, that he was dealing with commercial secrets, and wasn’t allowed access to his phone.  But it had not satisfied Jenny.
“Why didn’t he call me and explain himself, then?”
“Well, we didn’t realise how stringent the rules were till we got there…”
Even Grace was disappointed.
“It doesn’t seem fair to take away people’s phones without warning.  They should at least give them the chance to explain to their friends, shouldn’t they?”
“So how long will it be till I hear from him?”
“Well, er…I’m not sure, Jenny…”
“It sounds really weird…  I need to speak to him…”
It would have been better for Tim or Serena to come clean with the whole truth right from the beginning.  Discovering he was a domestic – a servant – might have been humiliating for Tim, but Serena was sure Jenny would have thought none the less of him for it.  Now they had simply made Jenny suspicious.  She was wondering what he might be hiding from her.

Serena was inclined to spill the beans even now.  Or to speak to Connie and ask if she would allow him a phone call.  But that would be unprofessional.  So first she determined to consult her mother.  She explained the whole thing.  Cassandra frowned.
“Oh, dear.  Well, no, we can’t ask our client to start bending her rules.  That’s a red line.  Wait a minute…  Aren’t you friends with her niece?  What’s her name…?”
“Robyn.  Yes, sort of…”
They had known each other for years from Pitt’s Wood, but had never had a close friendship.  However, with the advent of ESDS, and Connie’s establishment as an important client, they had often come into contact with each other, Robyn relaying her aunt’s requirements and Serena tipping her off about newbie maids.  They had also exchanged gossip, and had developed a mutual respect for each other’s trustworthiness.
“Have a quiet word with her.  She might be able to help.”
“Brilliant idea, mum.  I’m gonna call her right now.”

She explained the whole thing.
“They’ve just got together, literally a couple of days ago.  They really hit it off.  Now Tim’s at your aunt’s for the next week or maybe two, and Jenny’s distraught.  All she needs is a reassuring call, really…”
“I’m going there this afternoon.  I’ll talk to her.  Normally she hates her maids or whatever wanting to chat to friends or family - or worst of all, girlfriends.  So don’t hold out any hopes.  I’ll let you know, anyway.”
“Thanks, Robyn.  That Tim…  He’s a babe magnet…  I was pestered by so many girls at that damn wedding.”
“You were?”
“Oh yes.  Did you see those four who came to the photo shoot?  They were guests.  And then there was that Esther Shilling, who latched onto him on the dancefloor…”
“Esther?  Did she?  I saw her there, but…”
“You know her?”
“Oh, yes.  So does my mum.  We know the family.  We lived next door to them when we moved here, before my mum got divorced.”
“It’s a small place.  Everyone seems to know everyone else.”
“Yeah.  Hmm…  Esther, eh?  You say she was keen on him…”
“Very.  Asked me all about him.  I didn’t tell her much…”
“Maybe I can use that…”
“Use it…?”
“Anyway, I’ll do my best with my mum.  I’ll call you if there’s any news.”
“Great!  Thanks so much, Robyn…  I owe you one…”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 361.

Connie had prepared lunch earlier, starting with a homemade soup.  Tim helped her get everything ready, and then she went and sat with her friends while he ladled it into bowls and prepared to serve it.  He was quite proud of his waitering abilities, having been well trained in the art by Margaret.  While they were waiting, Connie’s phone rang.
“It’s Robyn…”  She picked it up.  “Hi darling?  Everything okay?  She is?  Fantastic!  What’s she going to wear?  Okay.  How long?  An hour?  That’s perfect.  See you soon!”  She rang off.  “She’s sending me a piccy…  Ah…  Oh...my...god!  Look!”
There were gasps and giggles.
“That’s so cool!” cried Maxine.
“She so cute,” added Bridget.
“Tim’s gonna have a heart attack!” laughed Frieda.
“Better than that, if the Rose-Stim does what it’s supposed to,” remarked Connie, with a wink.  “Shouldn’t be long now.  It says on the tin, “stimulates and lubricates”.  He could disgrace himself big time…  I do hope so...”
“Shh, he’s on his way,” hissed Maxine.
Tim appeared from the kitchen carrying a tray of soups.  He was trying very hard to act cool, but at the same time being careful not to spill any.  He noticed the ladies were smiling broadly.  They seemed delighted about something.  Was his waitering really that impressive?  He lowered the tray till it was resting on the coffee table, and carefully transferred the bowls. 
“Nice job, Tim!”  Connie suddenly seemed a lot more friendly.  Even Frieda gave him a mischievous wink.
“I’ll bring more wine, shall I?”
“Yes please.  Some red for Frieda.”
“I’ll bring a fresh glass…”
“Be careful of the chocolate sauce…” quipped Connie.
“Chocolate sauce?  Why chocolate sauce?” asked Bridget.
“I’ll tell you later…”

Connie was being unwontedly playful.  Tim was slightly suspicious.  Did they have some prank in store for him?  No, he was being paranoid.  They’d probably been talking about what as asset he was.  Well, it was true.  When he put his mind to it he could be amazingly efficient, and he was always polite and personable.  Connie had seemed quite strict at first.  Maybe she was warming to him.  He determined to do everything possible to impress her.  With renewed confidence he served all the courses, took away the plates, dishes and cutlery and put them in the dishwasher, made sure not to spill anything, and kept the kitchen surfaces wiped clean.  He insisted on waiting till they had all finished, and he had served coffee, before he ate his own lunch in the kitchen.
“He’s quite the little treasure,” remarked Maxine.  “Sweet, polite and industrious.  Pity you can’t make him permanent.”
“I’d like to, but I don’t think the Egertons would be willing to part with him.  Unless he committed some awful offence and they fired him.  Then I’d snap him up.  Imagine what fun we could have with him!  I’ll tell you what I’d do.  I’d…”
But there was a knock at the door.
“That must be them!”  She raised her voice.  “Tim?  Have you finished your lunch?  Answer the door, there’s a dear…”
“Yes, miss!”
He scurried out of the kitchen, made his way to the front door, and threw it open.  Robyn…and…
His eyes nearly fell out.  His mouth opened, and stayed open.
“Hello Tim.  How’s it going?”
But he was staring at Robyn’s friend.  A girl not much older than he, with short ginger hair, black lipstick, wearing…well, a startling outfit of leather and latex, adorned with chains and steel symbols.
With an effort he pulled himself together.
“I-I…  I didn’t know you were c-coming…  I, er…  only just served lunch…”
He stood there as if paralysed.
“Aren’t you going to invite us it?” asked Robyn, with a smile.  “This is my friend Kit, by the way.  Kit, Tim.”
Kit acknowledged him with an amused nod of the head.  Tim flattened himself against the wall to let them enter.  As Kit passed by she smiled at him, a smile of interest and amusement.  She exuded the mingled scents of perfume, leather and latex.  He thought he might faint.  He felt his boyhood, which had been docile and even dormant up to this point, swell and twitch under its latex skin.  He gulped.  Please, no...  Why was it suddenly waking up, and why was the latex so slick?  Was it just the sight of this girl?  It was with a mixture of fascination and trepidation that he followed Kit’s svelte, glossy rear along the corridor towards the voices of the ladies, raised in slightly tipsy laughter.

[Simonssister]

Chapter 362.

As the girls entered the living room, there was a crescendo of greetings, followed by a hubbub of voices, questions, cries of admiration, exclamations of delight.  Tim slipped back into the kitchen, checked the dishwasher, and switched it on.  For whatever reason, he was feeling more and more aroused.  It couldn’t be just that fleeting sight of the girl.  What was her name?  Kim?  No, Kit.  Yes, Kit.  It was sort of cute.  Could have been a boy’s name.  Well, there was something boyish about her.  Slim, boyish body.  He peeped round the door to remind himself.  Oh, god…  She was too much.  She was the last thing he needed…  He wondered how long they would stay.  Probably just a fleeting visit.  Was he glad?  Or sorry?  Or just confused? 
He tried to think of other things.  He took another peep.  Robyn was introducing her to her aunt.  Connie looked as though she was eulogising about her outfit.  Then everyone was demanding a photo.  She demurred.  They gave her a glass of wine.  She sipped it shyly.  Bridget was begging her to pose for them. 
“I not…photogenic…  Just ordinary girl…”  An eastern European accent.  That somehow made her all the more interesting.  His heart was beating fast.  She was wearing a latex suit, a wide belt with a big buckle, lovely big clumpy boots.  Latex gloves as well…and the chains…
Tim felt he could hardly breathe.  Oh, now they had persuaded her.  Why couldn’t they leave her alone?  They had her standing by the French doors while they snapped away from every conceivable angle.  It was obvious she felt uncomfortable.  She was clearly shy, but felt she should oblige these seemingly important women.  She was a person, not their toy…  It reminded him of his photo shoot.  Everyone staring at his hotpants…  Now he was calling them hotpants  as well.  He needed to escape, or he would end up entrapped in this world of possessive middle-aged women.  He felt angry with them.  Privileged, conservative, narrow-minded, living in their own tiny bubble…
   
When they were done, Maxine engaged her in conversation.  Maxine wasn’t so bad.  At least a bit wild, a free spirit…  And she understood fetishism.  He could see they were discussing Kit's outfit like two people who understood the allure...

“And what are you up to, young man?”
It was Connie.
“Hiding behind the kitchen door like a peeping Tom?  Come out at once and say hello to Kit properly.  Come on.  She doesn’t bite…  Well, I don't think so, anyway...”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 363.

Connie took him by the hand and led him over to where Kit and Maxine were talking. 
“Kit…  You met Tim briefly when he let you in, but I think you two should get to know each other better…  Especially as you have something in common.”
Kit looked at Connie questioningly.  “Yes?”
She pointed at Tim.  “Latex!”
“Ah…  Tim wear latex panties…  Yes.  Very pretty yellow ones.”
Tim felt a fool.  She called them panties.  He coloured up, but hid his chagrin.
“Panties!” crowed Connie, delighted.  “He gets annoyed when we call them hotpants!  But panties!”
And she laughed rudely.
Tim ignored her.  He had something else on his mind.  The pressure in his shorts was increasing.  He kept both hands neatly clasped in front of the small but growing bulge, in an attempt to disguise his arousal with a show of pageboy propriety.
“See, miss, I work as a pageboy, and these are part of the uniform…”
“He’s got some lovely dresses, too,” persisted Connie, watching him out of the corner of her eye squirming with embarrassment.  This was her thing.  Her and her friends.  Humiliation.  Watching them blush, and stammer, and suffer.  But Tim might be the best yet.  And this Kit girl was better than she could ever have hoped.  Robyn had really hit the jackpot there.  But she was already planning for the days ahead.  New outfits, awkward situations, outings…  His cheeks would be burning, he’d be wriggling like a hooked worm.  They’d have him begging for mercy…  But there wouldn’t be any.  Not a smidgin.   
At the mention of dresses, Kit’s eyes lit up. 
“Tim?  You have dresses?”
“Well, some…  I had to model them, see, and…”
“And he looked amazing,” said Robyn, sidling up.  “Serena sent me all the pictures from the shoot, Tim.”
“Can I see pictures?”  Kit’s eyes were sparkling.
“Of course, Kit.  But he brought some with him, didn’t he auntie?”
“Of course.  And I have other things…  You must model some for Kit, sweetie.”
“Please do, Tim.  I like to see you very much in pretty dresses…”
Connie and Robin exchanged looks.  Tim was looking at Kit with wide eyes, like a surprised child looking at its mother.  It was obvious to everyone present that there was some sort of unusual chemistry between them.  Bridget, Maxine and Frieda moved away to a corner of the room, sat down, poured themselves fresh drinks, and engaged in a whispered conversation punctuated with stifled giggles. 
Robyn took the opportunity to buttonhole her aunt.
“Auntie?” said Robyn.  “I need to talk to you about something.  Could we go into the kitchen for a minute?”
“Of course, dear.  We’ll leave you two to get to know each other.  Won’t be long.”
They made their way to the kitchen.
“Let us go there,” smiled Kit, taking Tim by the hand.  The living room was L-shaped, one arm divided off by a short wall.  She led him out of sight of the ladies.  His heart was beating fast.  He backed against the wall.  Kit smiled.  “You are good boy, Tim…  Special boy.  I think we could be good friends…”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 364.

Connie closed the door of the kitchen behind them.
“That girl…  She’s amazing!  Where did you meet her?”
“Actually at a club.  A few months ago.  She was wearing one of her outrageous outfits.  Seriously aunt, I’m completely hetero, but I tell you, I fancied her like mad right from the off.”
“Have you…?”
“No.  Not that I wouldn’t like to.  But I don’t want to upset the apple cart.  She has a steady girlfriend.  Not that that would stop her, if I gave in to temptation.  She may seem sweet and well-behaved, but I can tell you she has no inhibitions.  None whatsoever.  Have you seen the way she looks at Tim?”
“Yes, of course.  I was rather hoping she might exploit his vulnerability a little.  What’s the girlfriend like?”
“What’s she like?”
Robyn laughed.  “You’d be surprised.  Ditzy.  Goth Lolita.  Kit’s the boy in that relationship.  She makes the running, all right.  You wouldn’t believe the stuff they get up to…”
“I probably would.  But what was it you wanted to talk about?”
“Ah.  Yes.  You’re not going to like this, I don’t think.  You know Tim has a girlfriend?  Apparently it’s recent – like as recent as a couple of days – and now she’s distraught because she hasn’t had a word from him, and Serena’s spun her some yarn about commercial secrecy, and the whole thing…”
“And so?”
“And so…  Serena’s in a spot.  She wouldn’t suggest anything like this to you, but the only solution she can see is for Tim to be allowed a quick call…”
“No way.  You know my policy.”
“Yes, I do…  The other thing she told me…  She’s being pestered by Esther Shilling…”
“Esther?  Really?  Why?”
“Because she’s got a crush on Tim too, and she’s desperate to meet up with him again.  She got a selfie with him at the wedding, and apparently she can’t get over him.  Incredible, yeah?  He dresses up in those silly little rubber hotpants and the girls are all over him like bees round a honeypot.”
“Oh, how funny!  Little Esther.  Imagine.  Well, I haven’t seen her for a year, so I guess she’s not so little any more.”
“So shall I tell Serena no, or just not say anything?”
“Oh, tell her no.  She knows the rules.  I’m surprised her mother didn’t explain it to her.”
“Apparently she asked her mum, and it was her who suggested she have a word with me…”
“What?  Whatever was she thinking?  I can’t imagine…  What benefit could possibly…”
She lapsed into silent thought for a few seconds.
“Wait a minute…  I remember something we did years ago…  Yes…  I wonder…”
“What is it, aunt?”
“Okay.  I’ll explain.  Oh, I’m such a devious bitch.  This is how it works.  You foster this passionate, romantic attachment, relationship, whatever.  First love or something.  Powerful and jealous.  Then you compromise one partner, and collect evidence.  Maybe a slight thing, of no real significance.  But that partner becomes terrified the other will find out.  That partner will do anything – absolutely anything – to avoid exposure.  Of course, you never do actually expose them, because then you'd have no further hold over them.  But as long as they’re in that relationship, you effectively have them in the palm of your hand…”
She smiled grimly, and closed one fist.  Even Robyn was quite taken aback.
“Isn’t that…like blackmail, though…?”
Connie ignored the remark.  “And here we are, not only with Kit, the ravishing latex predator, but at the other end of the spectrum, the possibility of sweet little Esther Shilling, with her innocent teenage crush.  Of the two I think I’d put my money on Esther.  She’s the perfect instrument.  Lovers can sometimes been forgiven for capitulating to a determined, sensual seductress, but a kid with a crush would be an outright insult.  I’m sure what’s-her-name… Jenny, is it?”  Robyn nodded.  “I feel sure there’s nothing this Jenny would hate more than being usurped by some lovesick teenager  Do you agree?”
“If you put it like that...”
“Right.  Then I think I’ll make a call.”
“Okay.”  Robyn made towards the door.
“No, darling…stay, please…  Watch and learn…”
She picked up her phone and called a number.
“Hello?  Mabel?  How are you?  It’s Connie – Connie Brookshaw.  Yes!  I’m fine, dear.  I know.  Probably nearly a year.  Well, I do have an ulterior motive…”
“You can say that again,” murmured Robyn.
“I understand your Esther has been trying to get in contact with a boy she met at that wedding recently.  Tim.  Yes.  Is she?  Okay…”  A pause.  “Esther!  Hi.  How are you?  Yes, that’s right.  I do know him.  What’s more, he’s living in my house for the next week or two.  Yes!  Yes, it is.  I was wondering if…  Yes, I was going to offer.  What about tomorrow?  You could stay all day if you wanted.  Eat with us, get to know Tim a bit better…  Okay, if it’s okay with your mum…  Hi, Mabel.  Robyn’s volunteered to collect her.  Ten?  Oh, earlier!  Nine then.  I bet she is.  Okay, great.  Let’s get together  for a drink sometime soon.  Sure.  Great, yes.  Okay, bye for now…”
She turned to her niece.
“See?  Easy peasy.  Be a dear and bring her over tomorrow.  You can stay and watch the fun.  Help me get a few snaps.
“Okay, aunt…  I guess…”


Although Robyn herself had vaguely thought of some sort of trade-off, she was a little shocked by her aunt’s brazen duplicity.
“So you can tell Serena Tim will be allowed one call every evening from now on.”
“How kind of you, aunt…”
Connie ignored the sarcasm.  “It is, isn’t it?  What do you think?  Fifteen minutes?  Yes, that would be enough.  Long enough for them to get all luvvie-duvvie, but short enough to keep them wanting more.  But this Jenny will want an explanation.  I’ll talk to her myself.  Her number will be on Tim’s phone.  I’ll do it later.  No, maybe now…”
But she was interrupted by a knock at the door.  It was Frieda, with a smirk on her face.
“What is it, Frieda?”
“That girl and Tim…  They’re getting on so well…  Thought you might be interested, so I managed to sneak a piccy.”
She held up her phone.  Connie squinted at it.  “Well, well…  Fancy that.  See this, Robyn?  Just the sort of thing I was talking about.  And it’s dropped straight into my lap!”
“Gosh…  She didn’t waste any time…”
“Now, get out there and see if you can get more.  Total discretion, naturally.  Here, take my phone as well.  Maybe hide it on the cabinet by the door and take a video.  Go on, hurry.  We don’t want to miss anything…”

[Simonssister]

Chapter 365.

Once Robyn and Frieda had left, Connie went to a cupboard at the end of the kitchen, reached up to the top shelf, and took down Tim’s confiscated phone.  She soon found Jenny’s number.  She stood thinking for a few moments, then called.
An anxious voice answered.
“Tim?”
“I’m sorry.  Tim’s a little busy at present.  I’m his present employer.  My name’s Connie Brookshaw.  You must be Jenny.”
“Yes, I’m Jenny.  Is he…all right?”
“Oh, he’s fine.  Great.  I’m so happy he came to work for us.  Look, I’m really sorry about having to restrict your contact.  Had I known the situation, that you had only just started dating when he was snatched away from you, as it were, I would have postponed the contract for a couple of days.  But an urgent job had come up, and in my haste I failed to ascertain all the facts.  May I explain?”
“Please…”
“I don’t know quite what you’ve been told, but this is the position.  I’ve hired Tim from ESDS, which you may have heard of - Ms Egerton’s mother is a director - and his present contract lasts for two weeks, covering both domestic and modelling work.  We are essentially fashion designers.  We work out of an isolated private house in the locality of Kennett, but the fashion industry…  You wouldn’t believe how cutthroat it is.  So many times we’ve had our designs leaked, and lost money.  So we were forced to institute restrictions on the movement and communications of our employees.  Do you understand, Jenny?”
“Y-yes, I think so…”
“Their contracts are short term, so there’s normally no problem.  Unfortunately in this instance it seems the information was not transmitted to you in time.  That’s totally my fault, and I apologise unreservedly.  Now Tim is someone I trust implicitly, so I’ve decided in his case I will allow daily phone calls each evening of fifteen minutes duration.  I know that’s not much, but it’s a privilege my co-directors would not normally allow me to extend to any employee.  So I would ask you keep the concession absolutely confidential.
“Oh, of course!  I wouldn’t say a word!  I’m so grateful, Ms Brookshaw…  Though…  Can I tell my mum all this?”
“Of course.  Ms Egerton holds both you and your mother in very high regard.”
“It’s really very kind of you…”
“Not at all.  Tim is an asset to the firm.  So what time would it be convenient for him to call?”
“Maybe…about nine?”
“Perfect.  I’ll explain the rules to him.  Well then…”
“Can you tell me what he does?  And what’s the name of your company?”
“Oh, er, of course.  So Tim is modelling various outfits.  You would be aware of the recent shoot at Pitt’s Wood, in which we were also involved.  On top of that he undertakes domestic services within the house, and keeps us all happy and, er, entertained.  We call ourselves CFBM Couture.  It’s just the initials of the four directors.  You may not find us in any directories.  We work very discreetly for the reasons I’ve already mentioned.
“Thank you.  You’ve been very kind.  I feel so reassured, and my mum will be relieved.”
“I’m so glad I could clear things up, Jenny.  Well, I’ll ask Tim to ring you at nine.  And every evening till his contract ends.”
Thank you again…”
“No problem.  Bye for now, Jenny…”
“Goodbye, Ms Brookshaw…”
“Connie, please…”
“Goodbye then, Connie…”
“Bye dear…”

She took a deep breath.
“There.  Sorted.  All I have to do is to make sure Tim gets the story straight.  Jenny sounds a bright girl.  Tim should stick with her, not mess about with sexy little flirts like Kit.  But how could he resist, when she pops up out of the blue like that, all neatly packaged up in glossy black latex?”  She chuckled.  “Naughty boy…  I’d better see what’s going on out there…”
She opened the door and walked out.  Bridget was outside waiting for her.
“That was a long call.  Connie, someone needs to rescue Tim.  Robyn had to go – her mother wanted her at ESDS.  She said sorry, but if you need her later to pick up that girl just to give her a call.”
“Okay…
She held out her phone.
“Oh.  I see…”
“She’s completely ignoring the rest of us.  Rude little bitch.  She’s already drunk another two glasses of the best Chablis.”
“She’s got good taste…in everything.  Are there more pictures?”
“Oh yes.  She’s been pawing him pretty much everywhere.”
“Good.  Make sure no-one deletes any of them, will you?”
“Sorry?”
“You heard me.  Now…”