Apologies
for the delay in posting next chapter of AVVE. Most of it was written over a
month ago but before I could finish it a lot of personal and work stuff arose
quite suddenly and unfortunately real life takes precedence. Hopefully I’ll have
it finished in the next 2 weeks.
I’m
conscious( and very grateful) that
readers are very supportive of AVVE and
because of the long delay in publishing the nest chapter I was anxious to post
something quickly just to let readers know I’m still here.
However
I needed something to get me back into the zone so I composed a black and white
illustration (I love b/w photography) and thought I would post it with a caption. The caption didn’t
seem to say what I wanted so I thought a short story (about 1000 words) would
do it. Brevity is not my strong point. It developed into a 6000 word story but on
the plus side it took only a few days to write. I would have preferred to spend
longer on it as I had three different endings and still not sure I used the
right one but if I did that heaven knows when I would post it.
I
know it’s not the post you expected but hopefully you will like it anyway.
Take
care and thank you for your patience.
Carrie
Mother’s Little Helper
Bby
CarrieP
Caroline
had literally swept William off his feet although strictly speaking it was a
wave on a secluded beach in the south of France that did that. However she did
pick him up with relative ease after he
had been staggering about in the water dazed and confused like a drunk monkey, much
to the amusement of her friends. Being overpowered by a three foot wave was one
thing but now he was engulfed by a much stronger force and quickly became
subsumed by it. They became inseparable and two weeks later when she proposed
he accepted, not that he had much choice in the matter. The same night she
informed him they would live with her mother until they got married, William
was so besotted and if he was to be honest he was also more than a little
intimated by her that he made no objection – it would have hardly have mattered
even if he had dared to do so.
Her
mother was as charming as Caroline – and even more determined than her
daughter. From their first meeting he was overawed and not a little intimidated
by her personality and when Caroline announced she had to leave for a short
business meeting he pleaded with her to go with her but her mother was adamant
that he should stay to keep her company.
Just
before leaving as the three of them stood on the steps of her mother’s large
Victorian house set in acres of parkland Caroline told him to ensure he took
good care of her mother and joked – although considering the tone she used he was
unsure if it was a joke – that her mother was in charge of him now and he would
have to do as he was told. He felt a slight unease in his stomach as he watched
her speed down the long driveway. When
her car disappeared from sight his future mother-in-law put a proprietary arm
around his shoulder and pulled him close to her.
“Caroline’s
absence will allow us to get to know each other better, William” she smiled as
she steered him back inside the house.
Hearing
the heavy oak door close and the lock snap shut sent a feeling of unease
coursing through his body.
“Now
come along, my darling boy.” she said as she slipped her arm into his and
marched him across the large black and white tiled vestibule towards the wide
staircase, “You can help me get dressed, my sister is arriving shortly and I
need to be presentable. She can be quite critical when it comes to matters
sartorial.”
“But…you
don’t mean… I…”he stammered.
They
were half way up the stairs before she answered him,
“Now
William,” she began a tone of irritation creeping into her voice “You heard
Caroline, I do hope you’re not going to be difficult, I was a headmistress of a
boarding school and I know how to deal with disobedient boys.”
At
first he thought she was joking but she forced a smile which unsettled him even
more
“But…I…”he
blurted in a half hearted attempt to protest but she cut him off abruptly.
“Now
as you know Louise, my maid a wonderful girl, has left me quite suddenly due to
a family emergency and a lady of my standing can hardly be expected to dress
without assistance. I’m sure you agree?”
He
knew it was a rhetorical question and he also knew from her tone that to
protest or disagree would only vex her further.
“You
do
agree?” she declared more than asked.
“Yes..
of course.” he surrendered.
“Yes
of course what?” she said sharply, “I thought we agreed how you should address
me.”
“Yes
Mummy.” he replied his eyes falling to the floor as his cheeks blushed.
“That’s
a good boy.” she answered “Now please do not have me to remind you again, it
really is most tiresome.”
“Yes
Mummy.” he repeated softly so as not incur further displeasure, his cheeks
betraying his shame.
If
his eyes had met hers he would have seen the smile of satisfaction on her
handsome face.
Another
shiver went down his spine as she closed the bedroom door behind him, he felt trapped
and a creeping anxiety growing inside him s he watched her stride across the
room.
“I
will shower now.” she informed him as she sat at her dressing table and began
removing her jewellery “And while I am doing so you can make my bed… “
He
looked at her aghast and desperately trying to find words to express his
indignation but before he could object to her outrageous request she
immediately added in a sharp and assertive tone,
“And
properly, no short cuts William. I want perfect hospital corners and the sheets
properly tucked in.”
He
was dumbfounded, being asked – no, told-
to make his future mother in law’s bed, it was an abomination and completely
unacceptable. How could she ask him to perform such a menial task?
As
she sat at looking at him in the mirror of her dressing table she felt a
frisson of excitement run through her body and instinctively knew that what
would happen next would determine their relationship. Would he have the
backbone to refuse? Would he dare question her? She could see the shock and
confusion in his face and decided to strike while she still had the advantage.
“Well
don’t just stand there.” she said brusquely and dismissing him with a wave of
her hand “You have work to do.”
By
now his mind was in a state of turmoil he wanted to refuse but knew from her
tone that she would become extremely annoyed as she was not used to being disobeyed.
He was sure Caroline would also hear of it and this would only cause further
discord at the very least. Although this task was utterly demeaning he
considered that overall it would be easier to conform to her wishes. Shame
welled up inside him as he turned to commence this servile and humiliating
chore, he had only taken a few steps when he heard her call to him,
“And
William…”she said smiling at him, pausing for him to reply.
“Yes...Mrs…”
he began and as he met her eyes he corrected himself “Yes Mummy.”
“Good
boy, you’re learning.” she said acknowledging his correction “Don’t forget to
plump the pillows and fold my nightgown and peignoir properly.”
“Yes
Mummy.” he responded, totally dejected by his timid surrender to her authority.
“And
William?” she called to him once more.
“Yes
Mummy.” he replied.
“I
shall be very cross if you do not take good care to perform your tasks
correctly and diligently.”
“Yes
Mummy.” he repeated the now familiar refrain and returned to his task.
“Oh
, William.” she called to him yet again as she followed his every movement in
the mirror, “I almost forgot, when you
have finished making the bed, hang up my
skirt and blouse on the appropriate hangers in my closet and put my shoes away.”
“Yes
Mummy.” he said meekly.
She
smiled triumphantly as she removed the last piece of jewellery and got up and
went to the bathroom.
This is going much better than I
thought. she
said to herself as she continued to watch him.
As
he set about his task of stripping the king-sized bed his cheeks continued to
burn with shame and as he picked up her long pale pink heavy satin nightgown he
felt completely crushed and cursed himself for not refusing her request point
blank. However despite these recriminations he took great care to carry out her
instructions to the letter. He was folding her nightgown and peignoir with
slightly trembling hands when she emerged from the bathroom in a satin burgundy
coloured robe and matching two inch kitten heeled mules.
She
immediately moved to the bed and stood over him as she watched him finish
folding her nightgown, she said nothing but smiled as he completed his task. She
made a slight but totally unnecessary adjustment to the perfectly arranged
pillows before lifting the heavy quilt to inspect his work. He became quite
anxious as she took her time to appraise his work and was greatly relieved when
she finally patted the satin quilt and smiled.
“Mmm,
quite acceptable.” she said and he smiled in gratitude.
“Thank
you Mummy.” he gushed his relief quite obvious.
“It
took me almost a week to train Louise, my previous maid, to do this properly.”
she said patting him gently on the cheek.
He
blushed unsure of how to respond.
“And
you have folded my nightgown and peignoir expertly.” she enthused , in a
patronising voice obviously impressed at his skill “Louise never did that properly.
You should be proud of yourself.”
The
inference of this remark was obvious and he recognised it immediately. His
blush deepened.
“Thank
you Mummy.” he answered shamefully.
She
left him standing with his head bowed, completely demoralised and almost
disorientated.
“Come
hereWilliam.” she called from her large walk-in closet and when he joined her
she was looking through various items.
He
stood there silently as he removed a black dress from a hanger and gasped
audibly when she held it against him.
“It
may be a little tight but we can soon fix that.” she said.
“I…
I…”he mumbled “I don’t understand…what…”
“Oh
silly me I should have explained .” she said smiling benevolently at him “I
know I project an aura of self-assuredness but I am a woman and having a…” she looked at him with an expression of slight hesitancy
“… a male, even if you are my future
son-in-law assist me dressing makes me
feel a little uncomfortable …,
He
nodded enthusiastically and saw his chance to escape.
“Yes…
yes…I can leave.” he stammered hopefully and began to back away from her.
“Please
don’t interrupt when Mummy is speaking William. And stay right where you are
young man.” she said sharply and held the dress up to him once more, trying to
determine his exact size, “I would feel more relaxed if you were to wear
something more appropriate now that you are in a lady’s bedroom”
“But…it’s…a
dress! “ he blurted. “Surely you don’t expect me to wear that?”
“Oh
dear I had hoped you were not going to be difficult.” she said and moved
slightly to the right.
William’s
eyes widened as he saw a display of several canes and paddles hanging on the
door of the closet behind her.
She
remained silent but her eyes were fixed on his as she returned to her original
position and once more examined the dress.
“Caroline
did
say you were to help me.” she said “I’m sure she will be most disappointed.
“But…I…
I mean…”he babbled “please Mummy…”
Her
face softened as she took him by the arm, the dress on her other arm, and
walked him back into the bedroom.
“I
need you to help me dress.” she said softly as she sat on the bed and patted
the space next to her indicating him to sit “and I would feel so much more
comfortable if you wore it. A woman in a state of undress feels quite
vulnerable in the company of a fully clothed and virile young man such as
yourself. I really do wish us to be friends William and this would mean so much
to me. It is a most unequal arrangement, wearing this would make me feel less
threatened. I would hate to have to…”
She
paused and turned her head towards the walk-in closet. She could see the look
of panic in his eyes, she patted his hand and gave him a comforting smile.
“It
would be such a comfort to me.” she said tenderly. “And would help us bond more
strongly.”
“But..I…”he
mounted one final attempt to argue his case but she was already unbuttoning his
shirt and before he knew it she had unbuckled his belt and unzipped his
trousers. Leaving him some dignity she put her peach satin peignoir around his
shoulders and walked to one of the tallboys at the other side of the room.
“Please
remove your underwear.” she said without turning her head as she busied herself
rifling through drawers.
She
returned and laid several items on the bed beside him, as he looked at them he
paled noticeably and she heard a sharp intake of breath.
“Your
corselette, stockings and slip.” she said pointing to the items.
He
felt his limbs weaken and was vaguely aware his mouth was agape but could do
nothing about it.
“Yes”
she continued, noting the look of horror on his face “not exactly the manliest
of underwear perhaps but, believe me, most necessary for wearing under your
dress.”
She
held up the white corselette and fingered the lace cups.
“This
is one of my favourite corselettes and will control your figure.” she informed
him “and don’t worry I just happen to have some breast forms that will fill the
cups.”
He felt a strange queasiness in the pit of his
stomach at the very sight of the garment. He tried to speak but his mouth went
dry, it was like a fog had descended on his brain, he could barely comprehend
what was happening.
“As
you can see,” she continued taking his trembling hand and placing on the satin
panels “The material is beautifully soft but also very controlling once worn. It’s
a delightful item of corsetry and will give you such confidence.”
She
handed it to him and he looked at her blankly.
“Would
you like me to help you get into it?”she asked
in a firm tone with a vague hint of menace.
“N…no…”he
mumbled taking the hideous garment from her.
“Remove
your
peignoir, you silly boy” she instructed him.
“But
I have…”he began.
“No
clothes on. Yes I know” she snorted derisively as she unbuttoned the satin
peignoir and laughed “Not the first time I’ve seen a shrivelled up male.”
In
a ridiculous attempt to hide from her gaze he contorted himself and quickly
stepped into the corselette and pulled it up around his torso.
“That
won’t do , very unsightly.” she said pointing to his slight but nevertheless
perceptible bulge.
She
placed her hands at the offending protuberance and unhooked the garments gusset
allowing his member to fall free. He gasped as she took hold of it and deftly
pinned it back under his testicles quickly reattaching the gusset’s hooks and
eyes. She stood back to admire her handiwork and ran her hand down between his
legs.
“Almost
perfect, could almost pass for a girl’s mons
pubis. Just as well you are…”she paused and her face took on a look of
sympathy “…somewhat… petit in that area.”
Satisfied
that his male organ was now no longer visible Caroline’s mother drew the
corselette up his body and he felt his torso compress as she placed his arms
between the shoulder straps and fix them in place. It only took her seconds to
place the soft breast forms in the lace cups. He caught a glimpse of himself in
her dressing table mirror and began to sob. The foundation garment covered his
frame from his upper chest to just above his knees and its restraining effects
were immediately felt.
“There,
there.” she comforted him hugging him tightly before sitting him down on the
bed “I know this is difficult for you but it does need to be done.”
William
was too distraught to respond and barely noticed as she quickly and expertly
rolled black silk stocking up his legs and attached them to the garters
dangling from the corselette.
She
stood him up and through his sobs he heard the soft rustle of silk slide down
over the corselette, Caroline’s mother hummed merrily to herself as she made
adjustments to the straps and fussed with it until she was satisfied that it
hung correctly on his newly corseted
body.
“Now
William we are almost finished.” she said in a light and self-satisfied voice
as if dressing a young man in her foundation garments and lingerie was the most
normal thing in the world. She placed a pair of two inch court shoes in front
of him and gestured him to put them on. He hesitated momentarily but her frown
and the sheer helplessness his new feminine undergarments inflicted on him he
quickly obeyed her and as if in a trance he managed to slip his feet into the
heels.
“Don’t
worry you’ll soon get used to wearing heels.” she said airily as she led him in
an awkward gait across the room and positioning him in front of the mirror she
added, almost as an afterthought “All girls do.”
He
tried to avoid looking at his reflection but she would not even allow this
small concession.
“Look
my dear””she gently instructed him, her hand turning his head to directly face
the mirror “I feel so much more relaxed now that you are dressed more
appropriately.”
He
gasped as he saw the feminised vision before him.
“That
is one of my favourite slips.” she cooed “And it fits you almost perectly.”
He
was almost relieved when she placed the heavy black velvet dress over his head
and without being told he placed his arms into the sleeves.
“Good
girl.” she commended him as he felt her zipping up the back of the dress “With
a little practice you will soon learn to do this yourself.”
She
stood back and viewed the figure in front of her.
“Mmm,
something’s missing?”she said pensively
“Of course come with me.”
He
was seated at the dressing table and before he realised what she was doing his
face was covered in a light foundation cream.
He
tried to protest but she pressed her hand to the sides if his cheeks.
“Now
pout my dear.” she said, demonstrating herself as he looked at her
blankly. “That’s a good boy, this shade
should really suit your pale complexion.”
When
she was satisfied she brought him back to the full length mirror to allow him
to view her handiwork.
Once
more he looked away, unable to contemplate what had been done to him.
“Look.”she
commanded him but he found it too painful.
But
she was insistent and to enforce her authority a sharp slap was delivered to
his right buttock and penetrated his heavy foundation wear. His eyes opened to
reveal a female figure with barely perceptible male facial features that initially
he had difficulty distinguishing as his own.
“Yes
quite presentable don’t you think?” she asked as she made a slight adjustment
to the white lace collar at the neck of the dress.
His
mouth opened slightly in disbelief at the image before him but this only emphasised
the femininity of the face staring back at him.
“Well?”
she asked once more, her tone expecting the correct reply.
“Yes
Mummy.” she answered, the fog in his brain becoming denser by the minute, he
could only repeat her words. “Quite presentable.”
“Yes.”
she agreed and smiled, a look of pride and achievement etched on her face. “You
do
make quite a pretty girl.”
His
eyes fell to the floor but could take little comfort from his downward gaze as
all he saw was two feet- his two feet- encased in black nylon and patent
leather court shoes. The humiliation was too much to bear and he could feel the
tears well up inside.
“Don’t
you dare
cry. You’re acting like a petulant little girl.” she snapped and he
received another sharp smack on his behind.
His
face registered the shock but it had the desired effect.
“You will ruin your make-up.” Caroline’s
mother admonished “and I shall be most
annoyed.”
The
look of irritation on her face and he immediately recalled the row of paddles
and canes in the closet.
“Yes
Mummy.” he managed to reply without sobbing.
“That’s
a good girl.” she said, her face softening into a smile.
He
cringed at her words but thought it best to return her smile. Her reaction was
immediate.
“I
knew I could count on you.” she said squeezing his hands, her voice becoming
more relaxed and affectionate and once more she stood back and admired her new
creation
“You
look wonderful!” she exclaimed caressing his face “Yes, I feel much more
comfortable in your presence.”
He
managed a weak smile.
“You’ll
find several corselettes in that tallboy.” she said pointing to one close to
the window as she moved towards the dressing table “I’ll wear a similar one to
the one you are wearing but in black. They really do hold one in tightly don’t
they?”
He
could only nod his agreement as the unfamiliar garment’s straps bit into his
shoulders and he felt as if his stomach and buttocks were being squeezed by an
invisible force.
The
uncomfortable expression on his face amused her.
“Yes
William,“it is tight isn’t it?” she said empathically “But that is the whole
point of foundation garments. Women and girls must suffer these little
discomforts in order to look as alluring as we… and now, you do. ”
This
was little consolation to him either physically or mentally as he tottered
ungainly in his new footwear towards the tall boy.
“You’ll
find my slips and stockings in the lower drawers.” she called out to him “Bring
a cream slip, the one with the pretty lace hem and a pair of tan stockings.”
As
he searched through the drawers for the required items the shock began to wear
off only to be replaced by a feeling of utter helplessness and deep humiliation
as the magnitude of his grotesque predicament fully dawned on him.
How could I have allowed myself to be
forced into …into… this?” he said to himself as he
caught his reflection in the mirror and was so mesmerised by the image he did not notice Caroline’s mother
suddenly appear at his side.
“Yes,
my dear you do look rather convincing.” she said slipped her arm around his
shoulder“ And don’t feel embarrassed , we are family, this is just between you
and I. Caroline would be so happy we are getting on so well, I’m sure we will
become the best of friends.”
She
took him by the hand and walked him across the room to the dressing table.
“One
foot in front of the other William” she instructed him in the finer points of
walking in heels, encouraging him with every few steps “That’s my girl.”
Arriving
at the bed she untied her peignoir and allowed it fall to the floor and apart
from her mules she was completely naked. His eyes widened at the sight of her
small but beautifully formed breasts and wide hips, her vulva was hairless.
He’d never imagined a middle-aged woman could have such a youthful figure.
“Please
don’t tell me you have not seen a naked woman before.” she said noting the look
on his face.
He
had almost forgotten how he was dressed until his organ began to stiffen
however its enlargement was immediately curtained by its position lodged
securely between his legs, his corselette keeping it resolutely in place. His
immediate reaction was to reach down and touch it to gain some releif but he
instinctively knew that was out of the question, the only thing he could do to
gain any relief was to press his thighs together. The straining garters and the
stocking tops only added to his torment and it was patently obvious this
reflexive masculine response to the naked feminine form was causing him great
discomfort albeit of an exquisite nature. It did not go unnoticed by his future
mother-in-law.
“Oh
dear.” she said in a faux concerned voice as she took a step closer “a little
uncomfortable William?”
He
remained quiet, his unmistakeable torment spoke for itself.
“Now
you see why I insisted you dress in a more feminine fashion.” she said quietly
as she slipped her hand under his dress and between his legs gently squeezing
his straining organ.
“Oooh…please…”
he pleaded.
“Please
what?”she said gripping him a little
tighter and looking him directly in the eye.
“Please
Mummy.” he moaned softly.
“Now
good girls don’t behave like the horrible male sex.” she whispered her eyes
still fixed on his as she continued to gently rub the confined organ “And you
are a good girl, aren’t you William?”
“Oh
…yes… Mummy.” he answered, his breathing laboured and his silk encased legs
trembling
“Say
it.” she said firmly.
He
tried desperately to resist uttering these shameful words but yet another
gentle squeeze sent an exquisite shudder through his body and he found he had
no control over his response.
“I’m…
a good girl Mummy” he moaned unable to stop himself from the humiliating
admission.
She
withdrew her hand and arranged the skirt of his dress properly before patting
his cheek.
“Yes
I know you are.” she said softly and as the full implication of this mortifying
acknowledgement unfolded in his brain his eyes fell to the ground.
He
had admitted to being a girl and dressed as he was it would have been even more
humiliating to deny it.
His
engorged member shrivelled instantly.
“No
need to be ashamed William.” she consoled him with a smile “You will make a delightful
girl and a wonderful companion when Caroline is away.”
“But…”he
tried to begin “but…”
“But
what?” she replied “you have already admitted you consider yourself a girl.”
She
looked at him intently before continuing,
“And
you do
make such a pretty one. Now that you realise those horrible masculine urges
must be kept securely under control you will find it much easier to fulfil your
role. You do understand don’t you?”
His
shame had drained any will to resist.
“Yes
Mummy.” he meekly surrendered.
“Excellent!”
she trilled “Now that I feel completely safe with you we can begin. Fetch my
corselette…”she said in a voice that was at once gentle yet authoritative
before adding”… like a good girl.”
The
words stung him but he was too crushed to react, he picked the heavy corselette
from the bed and knelt down at her feet and held it open for her to step into
and once she had done so he began tugging the garment up her legs. His
masculinity had become so diminished that now even such close proximity to a vagina
did not register the normal way.
This
too did not go unnoticed as she helped him pull the corselette into place over
her breasts.
“That’s
a good girl.” she complemented him “your
urges will probably return and if you are well behaved I may allow you some
relief occasionally.”
Occasionally he repeated to
himself.
“But
how much longer will I have to continue to wear these clothes?”he plucked up
the courage to ask. “Surely you don’t…”
“My
stockings William.” she said ignoring his question.
“But…”
“Hush
my dear.” she said and pointed to the stockings “I really need you to
concentrate otherwise you will ladder them.”
She
showed him how to prepare the stocking before he rolled it up her leg and
demonstrated how to attach the garter to the top and once this was done she
pointed to the satin slip. He lifted it over her head and settled it into
place, his hands glancing against her breasts as he did so. To his surprise his
member stirred once more and he immediately avoided eye contact.
“I
do hope your little thing is not getting excited again William.” she said fixing him with her grey eyes. “I shall be
most annoyed.”
Her
tone was enough to halt any further arousal.
“Oh
no Mummy.” he blurted as his organ shrivelled.
“I’m
glad to see you are showing some degree of control. Now be a dear and fetch a
bouffant petticoat from that ottoman.” she said as she stepped into her shoes
and as he returned with the bulky garment she showed him how to help her into
it.
“You’re
much better than I had expected William.” she said as she settled it on her
hips and fluffed it out. “Almost as if Louise had never left.”
He
blushed furiously at the tribute.
“Now
my dress.” she said pointing to a black silk creation on the bed “And we are almost
finished. My sister will be here shortly and I don’t think you wish to be
present when she arrives?”
“She!” a voice boomed through the room and he stood
frozen to the spot unable to turn around.
“I
do hope you are not speaking about me Eleanor.” the voice continued.
“Clara!”
Caroline’s mother identified the voice with only mild surprise. “You’re early,
I wasn’t expecting you for an hour or so.”
“I
wanted to be here sooner as I wished to see Caroline’s fiancée. William isn’t
it” she said making herself comfortable in a large armchair “but unfortunately I ran into some of the girls from the club and
was delayed.”
William
could feel his heart race and a bead of sweat form at his hairline, he briefly
thought about running for the door but his legs would not move.
“Oh
do hurry Eleanor.”Clara said impatiently “I simply dying to meet this young
man. Where is he by the way? There was no one downstairs when I arrived.”
“Oh
he is around somewhere.” Caroline’s mother replied with a smile as sat at the
dressing table and calmly applied her eye shadow.
“Girl!”
Clara’s voice bellowed, followed by an eerie
silence.
“Is
your new maid deaf? Clara” her sister asked as William felt his legs tremble
and had to hold on to the tallboy for support but he knew sooner than later he
would have to turn around and confront his fate. He slowly twisted his body to
face her and felt a knot tighten in his stomach.
“She
has not been in service long Clara.” Eleanor informed her sister truthfully “I’m
still training her.”
“Well,
I’ll have a sherry while you finish your make-up.” Clara said tersely as she
ran her eye over him. “At least she’s prettier than her predecessor and a
better figure. At least she has the sense to wear a good girdle. You always
liked them slim and pretty although her hair is far too tomboyish for my
tastes.”
To
William’s amazement her gaze lingered for only a few seconds and without
further comment she returned to flicking through a magazine.
“Gertrude,
please bring Miss Clara a sherry.” his future mother-in law ordered.
He
remained where he stood , a look of disorientation of his perfectly made up face.
“Gertrude!”
Clara snorted raising her eyes from the magazine and re-examined the figure
standing at the other side of the room “She doesn’t look like a Gertrude.
Gertrude always calls to mind a strong, muscular almost masculine type of
woman. This Gertrude is a mere slip of a girl.”
She
regarded him once more at him, this time a look of annoyance on her face.
“Are
you asleep girl? the older woman snapped. “My sherry!”
Gertrude he screamed inside his brain when it
finally dawned on him-I’m Gertrude.
She
returned to her magazine, William’s panicked eyes met his future mother-in law’s.
Her face exuded clam and she nodded her head slightly to reassure him.
“As
I said she is new and doesn’t know which cabinet the drinks are held in.” she
explained getting up and moving across the room “I’ll show her.”
William
tottered unsteadily to the drinks cabinet to join her.
“She
thinks I’m a girl…your maid.” he blurted quietly, his fear palpable. “Please
let me leave…Mummy.”
“Leaving
is out of the question it would only raise suspicion.” she retorted. “Now
remember you are Gertrude, my maid and don’t forget to address me as Madam. Now
bring the sherry before she begins to have doubts. You have seen servant girls
in these situations before– now act like one.”
He
quickly realised she was right, maids were rarely noticed by guests- only when
they made mistakes.With great concentration he carried the tray across the room,
his long corselette restricting his stride giving him a reasonable semblance of
a feminine gait albeit a most ungainly one. As he approached the older woman
fear gripped him even tighter than his foundation garment and his hand began to
tremble slightly.
She is sure to recognise me as a man. he blubbered internally
as he got closer to his destination. How
can I ever face her again, she will surely tell Caroline not to mention all her
friends. Perhaps the best thing would be to
just run for the door.
“Your
sherry Miss” he said nervously proffering the tray and waiting for her to
expose him.
As
she took the glass he thought her gaze lingered a little longer than necessary.
“My
my, Gertrude, you are a nervous little thing.” she said lightly “ Don’t be
afraid I won’t bite you.” and returned to her magazine without further comment.
“Yes
Miss, thank you Miss.” he mumbled anxiously as he quickly left her presence
almost stumbling as he did so.
“I
hope you don’t mind Eleanor, I need a favour” Clara said casually as she sipped
her sherry “as my house is being decorated I asked the committee from the
Ladies Club to hold our meeting here. There will only be four or five and we
can hold it in the blue drawing room.”
“Quite
impossible Clara.” Eleanor replied as applied her lipstick “I have an
appointment later.”
“Oh
don’t be so inflexible.” Clara said as her sister walked past her on her way to
the closet. “It’s a most important meeting. And I don’t need you to be here
just your maid.”
William
left the tray drop and immediately both their eyes fixed on him.
“Aah…
sorry…Madam…”he stammered and with difficulty bent down to pick it up.
“Clumsy
girl.” Clara said but quickly turned back to her sister
“Those
women are such dreadful gossips and besides Gertrude is accompanying me to my
appointment.” Eleanor said standing up
and gesturing to William to follow her “Come here Gertrude, I need to choose a
suitable coat.”
William
minced after his future mother in law to the safety of the closet and out of
earshot from her sister she whispered to William.
“You
make a most convincing girl. Clara has no idea you’re a male.” his future
mother-in-law said softly as she tried to decide on a coat and casually said “Isn’t
this fun?”
“She
must know, she could not possibly think I’m a girl.” he blurted in a quiet but
urgent voice. “What am I to do? I have to leave.”
“Of
course she thinks you’re a girl, if I didn’t know better I’d think you were a
girl.”she retorted “She even thought you were prettier than Louise. Do you want
me to enlighten her?”
“No…
but …”he mumbled.
“I
wonder how long this little subterfuge could continue?” she said absentmindedly
as she continued to search the closet.
“Oh…
please…please….”he pleaded. But was interrupted by Clara’s voice from the
bedroom.
“Eleanor.
Be reasonable I cannot host these ladies without a maid.” her sister’s voice
called out without reply from Eleanor, there was a few seconds pause before
Clara added “I’ll lend you those emeralds you admired for the charity ball
we’re going to next week.”
He
could see Eleanor’s face change at this offer.
“No…oh
no…please…Mummy …please…”he whimpered realising what was happening.
“Well
my dear William, I’ll let you decide.” she smiled “ I have already told Clara
that you are accompanying me to my appointment which means you will either have
to become the maid or step out and face the public dressed as a girl.”
He
tried to open his mouth but nothing came out.
“One
or the other, it is your choice.” she said looking at his bewildered expression
as she held up a maid’s white apron and cap.
His
eyes fell to the floor as he reached out and took the apron and cap.
“Probably
the best decision Gertrude.” she said as she turned on her heel “Perhaps you
are not ready to go outside…yet!”
“But…I…”he
stammered but she had already returned to the bedroom.
The
shrill sound of Miss Clara’s voice rang out and he could feel the tears well up
inside.
“Gertrude!”
