Chapter 287.
“If I tell you what happened, you must promise faithfully never to tell anyone else, hope to die!”
“Of course not! You know me, Thomasina. I would never…”
“I mean it! Not that they would believe you…”
“Just tell me! I bet it’s something really stupid. I know…some boy asked you out. Yeah, some guy asked you out, and you don’t know what to do. Am I right? Honestly, Thommie, you can be so stupid. You act like a twelve-year-old in front of boys. Do you not like them or something?”
“Actually, Caroline, no, I don’t particularly like boys. They’re big-headed and boring. So that’s what you think this is about, do you? Okay. Take a look at this.”
They were sitting at the table in the annexe, a single-storey building at the end of the garden, behind a hedge. It was a great place to hide out and have secret meetings. She hadn’t been intending to say anything about Bobby, let alone showing Caroline the video. She had decided simply to show her the catsuit, which she had brought down from her room in a carrier bag. But Caroline’s scepticism had angered her and made her impulsive. She started the video of her unusual ride, intending to stop it before the critical accident, and laid it on the table between them, facing her friend. Thomasina watched with satisfaction as her friend’s mouth fell open.
“W-what…?” She blinked and stared harder. “W-what’s….that?”
“That, Caroline, is a young guy in a pony suit. He’s called “Ponyboy”. He gives pony rides at Pitt’s Wood. Cute, isn’t he?”
“And…whatever are you wearing…?”
“Oh, I’ll show you that in a minute…it wasn’t my choice…”
She reached over to recover her phone, but before she could touch it Caroline had snatched it up.
“Give that back!”
“That’s latex! I can tell! Where did you get…?”
“Give it back!”
Caroline gave a short laugh. “No way, Thommie… I have to see this.”
Thomasina jumped up, tipping over her chair, and lunged at her friend. But Caroline was too quick for her. They dodged around the table for a few seconds, then Thomasina tripped over a leg of the upset chair and fell. Caroline made a beeline for the door, and was outside before she could regain her feet. The key was in the lock on the outside. One quick turn and Thomasina was locked inside. She got to the door and hammered on the glass.
“Don’t watch any more! Don’t you dare! Caroline! I’ll never speak to you again…”
But it was futile. Caroline was staring open-mouthed at the screen. After a while she walked a few paces away, sat down on the grass, and watched it all over again. At last she looked up, with an evil smile on her face. She rose, walked over, and unlocked the door. Thomasina, red-faced, threw it open and snatched back her phone.
“I’ll never trust you again!”
“You were right. They wouldn’t believe me. I still don’t quite believe it myself.”
“I-I didn’t have a choice…”
“That was quite a performance – by both of you. You should put it on your Facebook. Can you imagine…?
“Stop it, Caroline. You weren’t meant to see the whole thing. I’m going to delete it.”
“Can if you want. I’ve already sent it to myself, anyway.”
“You’ve what? Give me your phone. Now!”
“Won’t do you any good. I emailed it too. It’ll be on my laptop at home.”
“You….”
“You might as well explain. Tell me the story. You’ve got nothing to lose. I’m fascinated how you ended up…doing that…”
Thomasina looked at her with a mixture of anger and despair.
“Please don’t show anyone else… Promise you won’t…”
“We’ll see…if you tell me the whole story.”
They went back into the annexe, and resumed their seats to the table.
“Well? Come on, spill it, Thommie. You, of all people…”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. Just…well, you’re such a good girl, normally…”
“I was forced into it. It’s true! That Miss Poole…”
“The principal?”
“That’s right. She chose me to be in charge of the pony rides, and gave me that outfit…”
“Oh yeah… Where is it?”
“In that bag. Help yourself.”
“Wow… This is so cool… So, what were these pony rides?””
“Yes. This guy B… I mean Ponyboy… Well, he’s giving pony rides every Sunday now. See? She’s blackmailed him into it, I guess.”
“Who is he, exactly?”
“Dunno. He’s always in his pony suit. Anyway, she said that as a steward, I would have to wear this bright pink latex catsuit so everyone would know who was in charge. Really, I had no choice. Then she made me ride him round this courtyard place. Actually it was quite fun in a way. I got to use my whip on him, and he would flinch every time I gave him a smack. I had no idea what was going on underneath till he suddenly stopped, and…”
“Popped his cork. Gosh, Thommie, whoever he is he must have liked you all right… I mean you made him c-um, just by riding him? That’s, like, magic!”
“It’s was so embarrassing, Caroline. I didn’t realise what was happening at the time…”
“What happened next?”
“They made me stand outside on a box for half an hour while all Ellie’s mates – Ellie’s sort of one of Miss Poole’s sidekick – all her mates came and took photos. Then after that I had to go up to the main field, and I was there supervising the pony rides all afternoon.”
“That’s crazy. What about Ponyboy? He must have been knackered after what you did to him…”
“I didn’t do anything to him, Caroline! I can’t help it if he’s some sort of crazy pervert.”
Caroline pondered silently for a few moments.
“So now everyone must know about you and your sexy outfit… What are you going to do about that?”
“I don’t know exactly… And the lady who made it for me may want me to model for her…”
“Really? Are you going to? You have to! Modelling? It’s perfect for you! And as to what you have to do, it’s obvious. You have to go back there wearing it from now on.”
“What?”
“If you don’t, they’ll all laugh at you. I can just imagine it. Those horsey types are so catty. It’ll be stuff like, “where’s your pretty catsuit today, Thomasina?” “No latex, sweetie? Oh, what a shame!” “Oooh, it’s our little fetishist, Thomasina…” All day long.”
“But…”
“No, you have to wear it back there. And as soon as possible. Tomorrow. You normally ride Wednesday mornings, don’t you?”
“Not tomorrow. I need to think what to do…”
“Yes tomorrow. Otherwise…”
“Otherwise what?”
“I’ll send this video to someone…let me see…ah, yes. Millie Harpington. Perfect.”
“You wouldn’t dare…”
“Oh, I would, too. In fact, I would just love to. Show little Goody-two-shoes up for what she really is. The whole school would be talking about it. It would be on social media within minutes.”
“You’re joking, Caroline.”
“Try me. Don’t you think I get fed up with everything sometimes? Thomasina…so pretty, so clever.. Her mum’s a Lady, you know. Rich. All, that sort of crap? Don’t look so shocked. Yes, I would do it. Happily. No hesitation. So you are going to wear it tomorrow. I’m coming with you to make sure. And we’re going by bus, too. Why are you looking shocked?”
“Caroline… I didn’t know you felt like that about me…”
“Well sometimes I do. Sometimes I get fuc-king fed up with how perfect you are. What, do you hate me now? Well I don’t care, see? I always do what you want!” Her eyes filled with angry tears. “So now you’re going to do what I want for a change! Yes, and I'm coming with you to see that lady about the modelling, too. So there!”