by G J Stevens
A minute in we could see the children in a clearing, light breaking through the small gap in the canopy above. The children were standing over a raised, wide, circular concrete structure rising to the boy’s knee. With the dog wagging its tail at their feet, they peered inside with wide eyes.
With one hand on the rust-stained concrete, the boy hovered over the opening, which was wide enough for a person to squeeze into. A small stone dropped through the open top of the pipe and soon hit the bottom with a dull thud.
“Jimmy,” Celina snapped. Both the children and the dog turned, shocked expressions glaring back toward us.
“Look, Celina,” he said, pointing down to the pipe.
As we stepped forward, we could see the pipe was a little bigger than a car tyre and open ended, but just below the edge of the opening sat a rusted grill, each of the bars more than twice the thickness of one of my fingers. To the side furthest away a large, dulled chrome padlock clamped it shut. Taking a step forward, I peered down into darkness.
“It’s a drain,” Celina said as she backed away.
I looked on. Although dark inside, I could just about see to the dry bottom, its base full of decayed leaves moving around as if teeming with life.
“And the perfect place for lunch.”
The children cheered, turning their attention away and to the hamper as we unloaded the contents across the blanket.
23
Three days later, the next parcel arrived. On hearing the bell, Celina opened the door to find the box, smaller than the last, on the mat, only giving a quiet announcement across the house.
Busying myself wrist deep in the dishwater, I waited until she left for the tennis club, which since our talk she seemed to have resigned herself to attending on her regular schedule. After the washing up, I did a few more jobs, clearing away my tasks for the day as I tried to stifle the unwanted anticipation.
I tried to forget it was there. I tried to let myself get on with the day, but passing by the shallow hall table I picked the box up, feeling as if an electrical charge ran up my hand as I touched the pale cream cardboard wrapped with ribbon and my name written on the front in the same hand.
I tried to hold back thoughts of what could be within the package which felt so much lighter than the last one. Pushing it away inside my top dresser drawer, I left the room, pulled the door closed and drew a deep breath. After a pause, rather than heading down the stairs, I turned back, stepped into my room and pulled the door closed behind me.
I lingered with my hand hovering over the drawer handle and turned, staring at the full-length mirror. For a moment I didn’t recognise myself.
“Pull yourself together,” I said to my reflection.
Sitting on the bed, I laid the box on my lap, my fingers plucking at the delicate ribbon. Closing my eyes, I drew the box to my nose and took a long draw of the scent I remembered from that last night.
Letting it back down to my lap, I lifted the lid and the first flap of tissue paper, taking the beautiful handwritten note.
My Dear Cat,
I’m so excited we’ll finally do this. A car will pick you up from your house around 4pm on Saturday. Bring the same as before and wear the same style, you got it spot on.
So sorry for the shaky hand, I’m bristling with excitement at the memory as I write. The driver will drop you off the next day. Everything will go to plan this time, we’ve made sure. In the box is a thank you from our friend. You know why.
Wear it and you can leave it on, or take it off with the rest of your things, if you like!
Excitedly,
A xx xx xx
Underneath the note lay a simple golden chain. Letting the delicate links run through my fingers, I pulled it from its paper bed to find a shining charm the size and shape of a small almond dangling narrow end up. An intricate pattern of twists and turns ran across the silvered surface.
Examining the detail, I found a tiny hinge on the top edge by the loop connecting it to the chain. Squeezing the sides and with a tiny snap of an unseen clasp, it leafed open at the top to reveal a diamond the size of a pea.
Sucking on my bottom lip I watched, wide-eyed, as the stone sparkled so bright in the light through the window, marvelling as the shell formed delicate wings of a beautiful creature, its body the shimmering diamond.
“A hidden gem,” I said out loud, my smile stretching out my cheeks.
Standing, I clasped the jewel around my neck, my head light as I marvelled at its reflection.
My first ever gift from an admirer, the symbol not lost on me.
The waiting was worse than before. At least last time I’d thought we were supposed to be only next door, the change of venue thrust upon me, so I didn’t need to worry. This time I had no clue, but still I couldn’t help thinking of the possibilities.
I thought of finding Ally. I thought of quizzing her on where we would go, but I knew that like last time she was holding herself back and wouldn’t tell me even if I could get to speak with her. Instead, I tried to focus on my own objectives; those of the assignment.
My last plan had been to get them impaired through drink and maybe a few tablets, then talk and find out what it was all about, hoping they’d let something slip. Maybe even for them to bring me into their trust and get a tour, or find my own means of entry. Now I knew some of those would never happen, no matter how far I went with letting them do whatever they had planned.
I shook away distracting thoughts and I tried to concentrate on objectives.
Get them talking.
Find out why the hell I could be here.
Get a key. Either the front or back door would do. The rest I’d figure out when I could.
Try not to lose my virginity to someone I hardly knew and to someone who was becoming a good friend. Or maybe not just a friend.
But what would be the worst thing if I did it? If I went through with the deed?
Their guard would come down at the very least. I couldn’t help imagining how the night would go.
I would arrive and we would have drinks at a bar or some hotel suite. He’d meet me downstairs and talk, not heading up to the bedroom straight away.
The place might be public, but I guessed that wouldn’t be the case from Ally’s letter. They’d taken care to make sure we weren’t disturbed this time.
I’d drink too much. I already knew that, to help with the nerves, balancing on the line of control. We’d stay away from the bedroom longer than Ally would like. I wondered what she was more eager for; me and her or watching me and him. Maybe there would be no distinction.
My heart raced at both thoughts, but each for different reasons.
Frank would want to stay and drink for a while, to talk, to build up his appetite; that’s what he’d said. But barring any raids on the building, we’d head up the stairs. They would lead me into a big bedroom with a wide bed; an emperor or bigger, if such a thing existed.
We would kiss. We’d undress. Who would first, I wasn’t sure, or perhaps at the same time?
We’d take our time. I would have to linger in my bra and knickers, or else why had they gone to the trouble? He would want to see me, what he could spy just underneath. He’d hold himself back for as long as he dared.
I wondered what he’d instructed Ally to wear. Would we be twins? Or was the white just for me, this once only?
We would kiss again. One on one, or all three. Me and Ally first, putting on a show. Building the tension. The pressure rising for everyone.
Hands would be everywhere, all over, mouths too. All this would be new to me. My senses overwhelmed with new sights. New smells. New tastes.
Then it would happen. They would lay me down and in it would go. It would be quick, maybe with a little pain, but it would soon be over. The build-up would see to that. For me and for him, no doubt.
We’d recover and he would have to take his turn on Ally. I’d watch. I would enjoy that, too. And then that would be it, or maybe once or twice more.
We would sleep, then start again in the morning, but that would be it. When we were back, maybe he’d call. Maybe I would get an invitation, another hand delivered box? Perhaps he would move on.
I didn’t know if that could be true. Of course I could ask. What would I do if that was it? Deflower me and move on.
But to me it’s not a real thing. It’s only important in my head, I suppose, and to him and to other men, but I don’t care about that.
Do I?
Anyway, the aim was not to do those things. Wasn't it?
I could just get blind drunk. They could still have me, but I doubt they would.
I don’t think.
I’m not sure Ally would let him rape my unconscious body. If he did, maybe she would have no choice, then I would lose it and not have known; not have the experience I guess would be the payment for it going.
Of course there is my professionalism. I was working. Set a task, although not an objective. In training we never dealt with how we should react. How professional was it to sleep with a target?
Not that he was officially anything.
I’d been told to watch their house, not the person. And anyway, who would know apart from me? And, of course, Ally.
Maybe Dr Devlin if I wrote it here.
Ally would watch, involved too. I’d have sex with them both. The same issue twice over, I guessed.
I didn’t know.
I didn’t know if I wanted my first guy to be anyone, let alone someone linked to my work, someone who I may have to target later down the line; to detain or otherwise take action against. Or kill.
I didn’t know if I wanted my first girl to be in this way. Ally was turning in to as good a friend as I’d ever found, better perhaps. No. Much better.
I paused, checking the word fit. Friend was not quite right, not enough for what I thought, but I didn’t dare think about what suited more.
Celina was not far from the mark either, but she had issues and I didn’t think it would do either of us any good. It could of course be her making.
I wasn’t sure of anything. What did any of it matter?
After all the thoughts racing around in my head, I made my mind up not to decide until I was there. I would fly by the seat of my pants, like I’d had to so many times before.
I knew the arguments for and against and I’d have to do what I was good at; get in a state of mind and react to whatever took place. I could always say I’d changed my mind, or maybe I would get a headache.
I could watch and see how it went down. What went where.
I’d had enough of my thoughts and hiding the gift away; I ran for over an hour. It was that or break out the stubby toy. But not in this house, not at the thought of Lenart’s cameras.
Venting my frustration on my feet, I used the energy to improve my time, and it was getting dark as I arrived back to Celina with the kids. She’d already put the dinner on and beamed back at me as I came through the front door.
Lenart stood by the fireplace, his face bunched with anger.
“Is it from a boyfriend?” he said, catching me in the kitchen with no one else around.
I stood still, shocked at his attack.
“You can’t afford these sorts of distractions,” he said, edging forward.
That was it. I had no idea why the hell he thought he had any power over me. I almost felt like fucking Frank just to piss off this stupid old man.
Taking a deep breath, I caught my thoughts before they could morph into action. I was not a teenager. Not a child. I was a professional young lady in pursuit of a very important career. This guy in front of me was irrelevant.
“If you want me to leave I will,” I replied.
“What makes you say that?” he said, his face widening in surprise.
“I’m not a child. Not your child. I do my work and I fulfil my end of the contract you pay me for. That is how it works. There is nothing else, will be nothing else. Get used to that or I’ll leave. You cannot treat me like this,” I replied. I’d had enough of his shit.
He turned and for the first time saw Celina in the doorway. I hadn’t seen her there, either.
“She’s right, you know,” she said. “She’s the hired help. I’m not sure what else you could want for, but she gives us everything she’s meant to. The rest of the time she should get on with her life. That’s what’s meant to happen. It’s what I should have done.”
Lenart stood facing her, his body unmoving. He turned around and glanced in my direction. I swear if I’d been smiling he would have swung at me and then at her. But no, I didn’t smile because I knew how much it had taken Celina to say those things and I knew she would have to pay some price for the words.
He stormed off, snatching open the drinks cabinet door then banged up the stairs before slamming the bedroom door.
“Thank you,” I said.
“I wouldn’t thank me. It was as much for me as it was for you.”
“Thank you anyway,” I said, wrapping my arms around her.
“I think this might come to an end soon.”
“My job?” I replied in a flat tone.
“Mine, too,” she said, nodding. “Our relationship, I mean. I’ve had enough.”
I kissed her on the cheek and went up to my room.
24
Saturday came too soon again, and I hadn’t seen Ally since receiving the gift. I couldn’t decide if I thought she was just busy or saving herself for this evening.
Since Lenart confronted me, I’d spent more time in my room than I had since I’d arrived at the house. He’d stopped drinking the laced whiskey and would instead follow Celina around, hounding her, always getting at her for little things as if taking out his frustrations on her because he couldn’t get to me.
Celina had said she thought my time was ending and I thought she might be right. At this address at least. I couldn’t help but wonder if the news would elicit more than the standard response. Observe. Report.
I would have to do this all from another base.
Pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I ignored the detail of Lenart’s grumbles as I drove his car off the driveway, Celina’s still not working since I loosened one of the engine’s HT leads.
I busied myself with the stroll around the supermarket, then after unloading the bags I concentrated the rest of my day on preparations.
In the bath I kept myself covered under the bubbles as much as I could, then stood in front of my bedroom mirror in just the lacy whites, wrapping the chain around my neck with the unsheathed diamond hanging in the light.
Staring at my image I took a deep breath, eventually pushing the diamond home and pulling on the second batch of thin clothes which only went some way to covering me up.
I waited until I saw the car pull outside, a black Mercedes, its paintwork so polished I could see myself even from my room.
Pulling on my long coat, I shot down the stairs and out of the door, calling back at the last minute that I would see everyone tomorrow as the door closed.
Searching Alarica out in the dark interior, I was a little surprised to find no one other than the driver behind the blacked-out windows as I opened the door before he had a chance to do it for me. The middle-aged man greeted me with a nod of his cap and pointed out the fridge, asking if I would like him to open the champagne.
I told him I could manage and uncorked the bottle. There was no chance I was going to wherever it was without having had something to drink.
With my glass charged I leant forward and asked where we were going, but as I’d suspected, the destination would remain a surprise and I should relax and enjoy the ride.
We drove for an hour and with the bottle empty, the car pulled off the wide high-speed road, the flat land beginning to undulate and line with a dense covering of trees either side.
Another half an hour passed and I declined another bottle just before the car slowed. Still I couldn’t see much other than the trees.
“Where are we?” I sa
id as the car stopped.
“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” he replied and pulled himself out of the car, soon opening my door to give me the first proper look at what appeared to be a two-storey log cabin.
No public.
No other guests.
The realisation hit. Here he could do what he wanted with little or no chance of interruption.
The wide front door opened and the driver wished me all the best as he left my side to hand over my bag to a tall man in a morning suit.
“Good evening, ma’am,” the old gent said in a stiff English accent, his hand waving me inside.
“Thank you,” I replied and watched the glimmer of recognition of my accent in his eyes. “Are the others here?” I said, walking over the threshold.
“Yes. They are in the pool house,” he replied.
“The pool house?” I mouthed.
“Can I take your coat?”
I shook off my coat and watched as he slid a few steps to the side, pulling open a cupboard door and disappearing my coat under the dark wooden stairs rolling to the floor above.
“If you would like to follow me,” he said, seeming unfazed by the amount of skin I had on show.
Keeping quiet, I followed through door after door, winding our way across the house, passing orange glowing lamps hanging down from dark wooden-panelled walls.
Soon we arrived at a white plastic door out of keeping with the rest of what I’d seen, but the chlorine in the air as it opened betrayed its reason.
Holding open the door, the butler stood to the side and ushered me forward, not following as I took slow steps from the carpet to the light tiled floor with my gaze fixed on the Olympic-sized pool as voices chatted in the distance.
With the door closing at my back I saw Frank laying on a lounger in just a pair of bright-blue speedos. Ally sat up on another to his side with a book held out in front of her. She wore a tiny red bikini and let the book drop, her eyes widening as she saw me.
