The Settlement

[Sandra B]

Chapter 5.  A Shock.

Philip’s departure was accompanied by many tears, and as he walked away from the house there was a hollow pain in the pit of his stomach.  He had rung his aunt, the train was on time, and he arrived at Dayton just after twelve.  It was bitterly cold.  Sure enough, there she was on the windswept platform waiting for him, older, yes, but as straight and grim as she’d ever been, like a slightly rusty poker.  She approached him with what she must have imagined was a smile on her face, and kissed his cheek.  Her lips were like ice.
“Philip, dear.  You’ve grown!  You’re a very handsome young man, now.”
“Hello, aunt.  It’s been a long time, all right.”
“And how is Alice?”
“Mum’s fine.  Sends her regards.”  (She hadn’t.)
“Come on, let’s get out of this wind.  The car’s right outside.”
Philip almost laughed when she made her way over to a little yellow Mini.  Nothing could have been more incongruous.  She noticed his surprise.
“Oh, it’s not mine, dear.  Not my cup of tea at all.  It’s Tina’s.  You remember Tina?  She’s a beautiful woman now.”
Indeed he did remember Tina.  She had been a beautiful girl then.  He began to take an interest.
“She lives with you still, then.”
“Oh, yes.  And if you’re wondering – not that you would be, of course - if  you’re wondering, no, she doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
“I wasn’t,” he lied.  “But why not?”
“She’s very particular, that’s all.  Very choosy.  As any daughter of mine should be.  No-one has come up to scratch yet.”
“I see.  Fair enough.”
“And you?”
“No.  I’ve been too busy studying and working recently.  At least mum’s going to be all right, now.”
“Yes, dear.  As long as you both adhere to the agreement, she’ll do very well,” she said, with emphasis, and a sidelong glance.

The drive was not the most comfortable.  Aunt Estella was leant forward, peering through the windscreen with screwed-up eyes.  She could drive all right – she could be a boy racer, thought Philip – but she paid no attention to other road users.  They simply had to get out of her way.  He gripped the door handle and shut his eyes.  He only relaxed when she turned into the driveway.  He looked up at the house.  Victorian neo-Gothic, like it’s owner, he thought.  It was smaller than he remembered – in his mind it had been a huge mansion – but still pretty impressive.  The Mini skidded to a halt, and they got out.
”We have arrived at our destination!” cried Aunt Estella triumphantly.
“God be thanked,” murmured Philip under his breath.
As he was unloading his suitcase from the back seat, a figure appeared at the top of the front steps.  He glanced up – and froze.  Tina.  No mistaking those black eyes and that black hair.  In his mind the two manifestations - the little girl he had known, and this vision of loveliness – melted in and out of each other.  The contrast with her mother was striking.  Tina wore a long dress of yellow satin.  She smiled and waved.
“Philip!  Hurry up.  I can’t wait to see you!”
Suddenly the enforced visit took on an entirely new character.  He grabbed the case and headed for the steps.
“Tina.  It’s great to see you!  You look….”  He was going to say, “amazing”.  But he realised it would have been a bit premature.  Instead he made a joke.   â€śYou haven’t changed a bit!”
She laughed.  “Neither have you.  Except I don’t remember the stubble!”
“I’m sorry.  I should have shaved.  But I was in such a rush…”
He climbed the steps.  They gave each other a kiss on the cheek.  She held his arms for a moment and looked into his eyes.  Her eyes were as black as before, but larger, full of humour.  In that moment thoughts of his home, his mother, his siblings, all evaporated.  He was bewitched.

[dolly bo peep]

Sandra B,

I'm enjoying the start of your story. It is well written and I'm eager to read what evil Aunt Estella has in store for Philip.

[babycakes]

As usual, Sandra B, your prose is riveting and leaves one wanting more.  I hope Phillip remains the strong character you have developed so far. 

[Sissy Little Girl]

Sandra B, two great chapters.  Phillip will be delving into the unknown until his aunt and Tina spring their trap.  Right now, I have no idea what is going to happen to Phillip.  That is the sign of a good writer.  They keep you in suspense wanting more and more.  Thank you, Sandra B. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

[Sandra B]

Chapter 6.  Disillusionment.

Philip hadn’t been sure what to expect at Aunt Estella’s, but whatever he had imagined, it was nothing like the scenario he was presented with that afternoon.  He and Tina sat out in the conservatory, watching the sleet drifting across the lawn, and reminiscing about old times, while his aunt periodically steamed into view bearing drinks and snacks, assuming a sentimental tone of voice, and apparently quite happy to leave them together.  A pleasant day was rounded off with a dinner of rich cassoulet, accompanied by a bottle of two of red wine, and a lemon tart, all prepared by Estella and Tina working together.  As Philip relaxed with a Russian coffee, and regarded his smiling hosts, he began to think he’d made a misjudgement.  But that was largely due to three large glasses of Burgundy.  They were the perfect catalyst by which to allow him to drop his guard.

He awoke late the next morning, to find his aunt bustling about in his room.
“A-Aunt?  Good morning.  How are you?  Thank you for a lovely evening.”
She didn’t reply.  All the bonhomie of the previous evening seemed to have evaporated.  He sat up in bed.
“What’s going on?  What are you doing?”  He looked for his suitcase which he had left on the chair.  It was no longer there.  “Where’s my case?  Why are you moving things about?”
“Your toiletries are in the second drawer down,” she replied, bluntly, indicating the chest.  “Your clothes are all in the wardrobe.  Your underwear and so on is also in the chest.  Please get dressed at once and come down to the kitchen.”
“But what…”
“No discussions, please.  Your outfit for today is hanging on the side of the wardrobe.  Please shower and dress as quickly as you can.  It’s twenty-five past nine.  You will be downstairs by ten.  Is that clear?”
Not waiting for a reply, she left him, and he heard her quick steps descending the stairs.  He was bewildered.  At that moment there was a soft knock, and Tina put her head round the door.
“Tina?  What’s going on?”
“Best do as she says, Philip.  She’s in one of her moods.  Don’t upset her or it’ll be the worst for both of us.  I’m next door.  Give me a call if you need any help.”
“Tina…”  But she had gone.
He struggled out of bed, stretched, and looked around.  He opened the top drawer, but it was full of ladies underwear.  No, second drawer.  It was all there.  Flannel, razor, everything.  Also a load of creams and cosmetics.  She might have cleared all this stuff out, he thought.  He grabbed what he needed and made his way to the bathroom.  A quick shower, a shave, and he was finished.  He headed back to his bedroom.  Oh, yes.  The side of the wardrobe, she’d said.  So she thinks she’s going to decide what I wear, does she?  We’ll see about that!  He peered around the side.  What the…?  On a hanger were two items of clothing.  A pale pink off-the-shoulder T-shirt, with some banal slogan scrawled across the front, and a pair of tiny women’s denim shorts, with shoulder straps.  On the floor beneath this delightful ensemble was a pair of pink knee-highs and blue patent leather shoes with low heels.  He stared, uncomprehending.
“Well, I’m damned if I’m….  Who does she think….?   She can’t be serious!”
He stomped out of the room and knocked sharply on Tina’s door.  She opened at once.
“What is all this?  I mean, I can’t…I won’t…”
“Philip darling, please just do as she says.  I’m frightened what will happen if you’re…you know, difficult.  You did sign that agreement, after all.  She has the power, if you refuse…”
“I didn’t expect something like this, though!”
A sudden thought occurred to him, and he dashed back into the room and threw open the wardrobe door.  On the left, dresses, skirts, at least two pairs of hot pants.  On the right….on the right….he flipped through two maid’s outfits, and two schoolgirl uniforms – with badges!
“No!” he cried, aghast.  “She can’t!”
“She can, Philip.  She can do anything she wants, don’t you see?  Please don’t upset her.  I’m worried about your family.  Look, you’ve only got ten minutes.  Let me help you.”
Philip realised he would have to comply, at least for the time being.  He slipped on the T-shirt, and went to step into the shorts.
“I’m sorry.  You can’t leave your boxers on.  They’ll hang down – you’ll hang down.  Panties are in the top drawer.  Pick some you like.  I’ll turn my back.”
Philip huffed and puffed with indignation.  “What’s the idea of all this?”
“Please Philip, hurry!”
He chose a pink pair, to match his top.  Why did I do that? he asked himself.  Then on with the shorts.  He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror, and blushed with embarrassment.  Finally the knee-highs and shoes.  They fit really well, he remarked to himself.  And then he realised he’d thought that with the faintest sense of satisfaction, hardly perceptible, but annoyingly present.  He cursed inwardly.
“Come on, Philip.  Let’s go.”
They ran down the stairs, Tina leading, and walked quickly to the kitchen.  Aunt Estella was making coffee.  She looked up as they entered.
“Two minutes late, Philip!  You’ll have to learn to be punctual.  I’ll soon teach you, don’t worry.  Come here!”
He approached her, a sulky expression of his face.  Without warning, she grabbed one strap of his shorts, swung him round, and administered two hard slaps to the backs of his unprotected thighs.
“Ow!  Aunt!  That hurt!”
“One for each minute you were late.  You were lucky I didn’t use my cane.”
He was speechless.
“Now, take the tray of coffee and come into the lounge.  I want to tell you what is expected of you over the coming months.”
Obediently, Philip followed his aunt and his cousin into the spacious lounge.  He could have cried.  This was not what he had expected, even in his worst nightmares.

[Sissy Little Girl]

Sandra B, Oh the wicked webs you weave.  Philip had no idea that his aunt was as strict and serious as she is now.  He is going to be dressed like a girl and I love the fact that he has school uniforms in the closet.  You have done another great job with this story.  Please keep going and don't leave us hanging very long. :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Sandra B]

Chapter 7.  Minutiae.

Tina pulled up three armchairs, and they sat around the coffee table, facing each other.  Nothing was said for several minutes, as Tina poured out the coffee and handed round the cups.  Aunt Estella sat very upright, with a virtuous expression on her face, looking straight at Philip.  He felt the need to break the silence.
“These…things.  They fit me perfectly.  Is that coincidence, or…”
“Nothing I do is coincidence, young man.  Don’t you remember I sent you some clothes last autumn, for your birthday?”
He did.  They were not at all the sort of things he would have worn.  They were still in their packets at home, unopened.
“Yes…”
“Well, I used that as a pretext to ask your mother for your sizes and measurements.”
Philip remembered his mother measuring him.  He had been slightly puzzled about it at the time, but she had said she was thinking of ordering him some stuff.
“So you had this planned a year ago?”
“Not planned.  But it was in the back of my mind.”
“So what you’re saying is, that in fact you’re a total pervert.  You were fantasizing about dressing me up as a girl even when you hadn’t seen me for years.”
“Philip, please don’t…” interjected Tina.
“No, that’s all right, darling.  You misunderstand, Philip.  I have no sexual interest in you.  In fact, as my nephew, I want you get on in the world.  I think this training, together with the schooling, will help you do that.  No, I do have personal motives, but they’re not perverted, merely utilitarian.  You see, our maid had been talking about leaving since last summer.  I really can’t manage without a maid, you understand.  Then a few weeks ago, she finally did it.  You have no idea how difficult it is to find a maid these days.  I always prefer a trainee – they’re so much more compliant.  But girls simply aren’t going into the profession any more.  However, I have a feeling that you are going to be perfect for what I want.”
“Is this true, Tina?”
“I’m afraid so, Philip.  But your aunt will be a good mistress, really.  Please just do what she asks.  It will be best for everyone.  And I’ll be here to assist in any way I can.”
She looked at him with such an expression of concern and interest, that Philip forgot all about his situation for an instant.  He would have endured anything to be closer to Tina. 
“I guess I’ll have to get used to it for a while.  I don’t have an alternative, do I?”
“No Philip. you don’t.  I’m glad you’ve decided to co-operate.  If you’re diligent and conscientious I’m sure we’ll get along.  Who knows, you might even get to like it.”
Philip made no reply.
“So, let me explain what will be required of you.  I’m a great believer in routine.  Routine ensures things get done in their proper order and proportion, and it frees the mind of worry about what to do next.  This will be your routine.  On weekdays you will rise at seven, shower, and dress in your maid’s uniform.  You have a winter uniform, full-length, made of wool, and a summer uniform, much shorter and lighter, made of cotton.  I have also acquired a fancy uniform for special occasions - just a silly indulgence of mine - but you needn’t concern yourself with that at present.  You will come downstairs and make the coffee, which you will take to Tina and myself on trays.  You will then lay the breakfast table, make more coffee, and tea – I like tea with my breakfast – and, if I have asked you the night before, maybe make some toast or put a croissant in the oven.  Having done that you will clean the shoes and do any other little jobs I assign to you.  We shall descend at eight and eat breakfast, after which you will eat your own breakfast, and clear away and wash the breakfast things.  This should take you until eight forty-five.  You will then return to your room, change into your school uniform, and be ready to leave with Tina at nine.  If she is not available to drop you at school, you will walk – it is only fifteen minutes away.”
Philip, who had been listening to his aunt’s lecture with growing discomfort, stared at her aghast.  “But I can’t walk there dressed up in a girl’s uniform, aunt!  It would be…..”
“Embarrassing?  Please don’t interrupt, Philip.  No, you will soon get used to it, believe me.  Most days you will have to make your own way home, in any case.  To continue, on your return from school, you change back into your maid’s uniform, and deal with the washing and ironing.  You will need to collect the clothes from the bedrooms, wash them, dry them , and, if necessary, iron them.  And please make sure use the appropriate wash cycle – I don’t want to see any of our clothes ruined by your incompetence.  Everything you need is in the cellar.  Once that is done, your duties, apart from washing up after supper – are done.  You may wear casual clothes during the evening.  I have calculated that that should leave you a total of about five hours before bed at eleven-thirty.  You will devote four of those hours to study, and one to leisure.  You will not study on Friday evenings or on Saturdays.  But on Sundays, apart from your early morning duties, which will be scheduled one hour later than on weekdays, and your usual evening duties, you will devote yourself exclusively to school work and preparation for school the next day.”
“So what happens on Friday evenings and on Saturdays?”
“If you have worked well during the week, that will also be leisure time.  You may have friends round, or do something with Tina ,and if I feel I can trust you not to break any of the terms of the agreement, I may – may, mind – allow you to visit a friend, or go out, as well.  But you will have to earn my trust.  Occasionally I will require you to work either or both evenings, if, for example, I have a dinner party.”
“Is that all?”
“It is a fair division of labour and leisure, nephew.  I have put a full timetable in your room, so you will know exactly what your duties are at any time.  Though I imagine you will not need a reminder after the first few days.  If you stick to the rules, it will instil in you a proper sense of responsibility, as well as benefiting your academic pursuits.”
“Aunt, I’m gonna look stupid in those clothes…”
“Which is why I’m employing a beautician for you, Philip.  She will be visiting for the next three or four weekends.  She will be here at two this afternoon.  By the time she’s finished, I hope you will look anything but “stupid”.   Moreover you aren’t that tall for a man, so you should fit in nicely amongst all the girls.  And tomorrow morning I will travel to school with you.  We have an interview with Miss Tancred, the headmistress, at ten.”
“What is this school, anyway?” Philip sulked.
“It is one of the best sixth-form academies in the country, Philip.  The Caroline Norton School.  There are only two years, with, I think, about forty girls in each year.  Tina went there, didn’t you, dear?”
“Yes, Philip.  It really is an awfully good school.  The teachers are really nice, and consequently the girls are all very happy.”
“Christabel Tancred is a very close friend, and she has agreed to bestow upon you the honour of being the first boy ever to attend.”
“So why can’t I be a boy, then, and not a girl?”
“Oh, don't worry.  It will be made clear to everyone that you are a boy.  But you can’t expect the school to start altering the uniform for a single pupil.  So you will wear the standard uniform – you will have seen it in your closet – and, like all the girls, you will be expected to be presentable – hence the beautician.”
Philip’s head dropped and he mumbled something under his breath.  He felt that listening to his aunt had worn him out.  She had broken down all his resistance by sheer weight of verbiage.
“Any questions?  No?  I take your silence as acquiescence.  Good.  You will have some, I'm sure, when all my instructions have sunk in.  Tina and I will always be pleased to offer you guidance.  Won’t we, darling?”
Tina nodded, looking at Philip and lowering her head slightly at the same time as if trying to gauge his reaction.
“And one last thing, Philip.  It would be unwise to deviate from the schedule, or neglect your duties.  Remember your declaration.  If you manifest laziness or dissent, be assured, you will be punished.  Do you understand?”  Philip made a face.  “Do you?”
“Yes, aunt.”
“Good.  So you are now free until this afternoon.  Sally will be here after lunch.  Dismissed.”
Philip glanced at her with disbelief.  Did she actually say “dismissed” to him? 
“You may go, Philip.  I suggest you arrange your wardrobe to your own satisfaction.  Let me know if there’s any item of clothing you would particularly like, and if I think it appropriate, I will endeavour to obtain it for you.”
A pair of trousers would be nice, he thought.  But he decided such pleasantries were better unspoken at present.