PART 1

 

Chapter 1 - Upset

 

The doorbell rang, and I answered it, it was Crystal, and she was crying.

"Mum, I know I made my bed and must lie in it, but will you help me, please?" she said as I let her in.

"Of course, what's happened?" I asked.

That was a few months ago now, and a lot has happened since then, but that was the start of my adventure, what a roller coaster ride that adventure was.

Crystal started by telling me that it was her fight, and I was not to get excited, or angry. What a way to start, I was upset and angry already, and I hadn't heard anything yet, and I was beginning to fume, who or what had made her so upset?

She started by telling me that everything at the beginning was fine, they were happy, yes they had their rows as all newlyweds do, but that was all, then she lost a baby, and that was when it started to go wrong.

She was very depressed at the time, and it took a long time for her to get over the loss, she turned to comfort eating.

"I never knew that!" I said shocked.

Apparently she did, and when she started to gain weight he made her wear a corset, a full, proper one, with stays.

He had no compassion, just that the adornment of his arm was loosing her figure. Even if I say so myself, my daughter was a very pretty lady and she had elegance.

She told me that he then started to buy her clothes, in the size she was when they first got married, and wouldn't allow her to buy her own clothes. She got back her figure or suffered in clothes, too small. Needless to say nothing fitted, her bust overflowed the bras, she was a big girl in that department anyway, and her knickers were too tight and if she hadn't worn the corset, her dresses wouldn't have fitted her.

She put up with this, and couldn't lose the weight she had gained, now comfort eating, because of her miserable state, being unable to lose the weight, and his demands only exacerbated her condition. She was now comfort eating because she was depressed at not being able to lose the weight. She showed me the corset she was wearing, and her overflowing bra, I wanted to kill the bastard, she held on to me, saying that I mustn't, and burst into tears again.

I hugged her pulling her into my shoulder and allowing her to cry, wishing Brian was here, my husband, he had been killed in a car crash five years ago. She pulled herself together and wiped her eyes, and then went on that, that wasn't the worst; that came after Brian had died.

She looked at me and shook her head, and started to cry again saying, "I can't, I can't its, sorry mum," and she ran upstairs into the bathroom.

I started to pull myself together, how could he treat her like that? I was in two minds whether to go around to their house and give him a good talking to, about caring for one another, he obviously was not. To be honest I was afraid I might do him some harm, I was that angry. Crystal came back and sat down again, after she had washed her face and calmed down.

"Mum, I can't tell you what he did, I am so ashamed," Crystal said.

"Did he slap you, or hurt you," I asked now blazing.

She nodded that was all I needed, she grabbed my arm, "Please, mum don't, I want a divorce, I just want to be rid of him," she pleaded.

I took a deep breath and sat down again, "Do you need, no I won't ask, I will ring Nancy, you need to talk to someone I can see that, and she is a doctor, so you have her confidentiality," I said, and got up and rang her.

Just as I was about to sit down the doorbell rang, I'd forgotten that Edwina, Eddy for short, was coming around to go out, I opened the door.

"Hi, got a visitor," she said in her usual high spirits.

"Yes I, I'm sorry, but I will have to cancel, I have a problem," I said.

"Oh, can I help, a problem shared is a problem halved, and I have nothing to do just now," she said beaming.

I had to smile, she is just that sort of person, makes light of everything, so calm and controlled.

"Come in," I said, not knowing really if it was the right thing to do or not, but her effervescence was catching.

"Crystal, this is a neighbour of mine Eddy, she is really easy to talk to, I'll go and put the kettle on, if you don't want to talk, don't," I told Crystal.

I made a pot of tea and put everything on the tray and carried it into the room.

"Miriam, thank you that is lovely, oh you forgot the biscuits, silly of you, go on; get them," Eddy said looking at me and waving her hand at me, shooing me away. I knew she wanted me to leave, so I did, and took my time getting the biscuits, like going to the shop for them, I didn't have any. When I got back Crystal was upstairs and Eddy was alone.

"Well?" I said.

"I am very annoyed, and want to kick someone very, very hard in the balls, and I am not her mother, so brace yourself, Miriam, but you do not do anything, without me, give me your word, or I won't tell you, and Nancy can't, so it's up to you, agree or I don't tell you," she said and looked at me with a set face, and red with rage.

"With that look you don't need to tell me, I will kick the little shit in the balls," I said angrily.

"You will not, you will talk to me, I have an idea that is forming slowly, and the slower it forms the better I like it, and it will serve us far better than a kick in the balls, now can I trust you?" she asked me.

"Of course you can, we have been friends for three years now. How can you ask me that?" I asked in reply.

"Silly I know, but cross your heart, I want your word, you will tell no-one what I am going to tell you, and that you do not do anything about that, that, that bastard," Eddy said making a cross on her heart as children do.

"I give you my word, what did he do?" I asked sullenly still wanting to kick him in the balls, but I had given my word, and crossed my heart as she had done.

"Crystal, as you were, was very upset at her father's death naturally. They were very close, she went home after the funeral, and for a day or two he was fine, then he came home one night and she was crying again, he grabbed her hair and dragged her up stairs, made her strip, then dragged her into the spare bedroom and told her to put incontinence pants on. She looked at him aghast, so he slapped her. She was afraid and put them on, he tied her to a chair and left her whilst he ate his tea and watched television, then at bedtime," she was saying, I cut in.

"Wait, he left her without dinner, and tied up, all that time?" I asked shocked.

"Do not cut in, this is hard enough, at bedtime her came up to her removed the gag he had used, and gave her a drink of water and a couple of slices of bread. Then he untied her and tied her up in the spare bed. Saying, 'If you act like a baby then I will treat you, like one,' he tucked her up in bed and went to bed, leaving her there naked, except for the rubber pants.

The next morning he gave her some bread and water again, and tied her back in the chair. He came home at lunch and gave her more bread and water and again at dinner.

'Now,' he said, 'I will keep this up as long as you keep crying like a baby, pull yourself together woman, and loose that weight or I will tie you in here like this till it has all gone. Do you understand me, you useless piece of shit,' and slapped her again.

Miriam, she is terrified of him and I can understand why, as I am sure, you can. I am controlling myself, it is very difficult, but you promised now sit and listen to me," Eddy said, raising her voice at me, as I nearly exploded.

"Get another cup of tea, that's it that is what I did, well almost, I am afraid I split some, we cleaned it up. You don't know anything, as to how I can afford to live here, what I do for a living. I am going to tell you, because we are going to use that, to our advantage. I am not ashamed, but I prefer it be kept a secret between you and me. I am a Dominatrix," she told me.

"Sorry, a what?" I asked, wondering what on earth she was on about.

"I get paid a lot of money to spank naughty little forty, fifty, sixty year old boys on their bottoms that is the simplest form. There is a lot more to it than that, and it is very skilled, if you are as good as I am. That is why I get paid a lot of money to do it, like, one, fifty an hour," she told me.

My brain was racing, I was lost, there was so much information, and I still hadn't got over what that little shit had done to Crystal, "One pound fifty and hour isn't much," I said, in a daze.

"One hundred and fifty pounds, an hour," she said leaning in to emphasise the amount.

"I don't see how is that going to help us?" I asked.

"I will explain, my idea, whoops there's the doorbell," she said, I got up and answered it.

It was Nancy, so I led her up stairs to where Crystal was in the back bedroom, when the doorbell rang again, Eddy said she would answer it for me.

I listened when I heard David's voice from the landing.

"Hello who are you?" David asked.

"I might ask the same question, this is not my house. I am a guest at a friend's house who is busy right now. So if you'll tell me who you are, I will inform her that you are here," Eddy said very politely.

"I am David, Crystal's husband, I believe she is here, and I want to see her right now, and take her home?" he asked demandingly.

"I am sorry, but she is with the doctor at the moment, perhaps if you called back tomorrow, she will be fit to see you, I believe that you are separated," Eddy said blocking his entry.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Stopping me from seeing my wife, even if we are separated? Now get out of my way" he said angrily and tried to barge past her.

"I am the person at the door. I have asked you politely to go away, now perhaps you will tell me why you wish to see her, or just leave, I will convey the message," she said.

"She is my wife, and if she is ill I want to know what is wrong with her," he demanded.

"Its women's problems, you know down below, her fanny is playing her up, OK?" She asked coldly, "Or it could be an arsehole?" She added with a double meaning, which he failed to get.

"Shit, and just when I needed her, I got the promotion and need my wife to be with me for some promotion thing. Just a drink or two, I thought she would manage that, for me. I'll find a woman somewhere," he said disgruntled.

"So it doesn't have to be your actual wife, just a female, to say she is your wife," Eddy said.

"Yes, but I thought she would have supported me. I mean we are married," he said.

"Now, see how things turn out, I am free tomorrow, would I do? Because she definitely will not be, and that is for sure, a week maybe two before she is up and about again, it's nasty," Eddy said, I could have killed her, helping him.

"Well, I, yes I suppose so do you have any elegant dresses, I mean it won't be a jumble sale," he said looking her up and down.

"Yes I do actually, how classy is this do, I don't want to over dress now, do I?" she asked calmly.

"Oh, managing director type, low cut evening gown type dress, you know a cocktail gown or dinner gown, well not quite so posh, but, erm to make a good impression, see this is the problem, I bought Crystal a dress for the do, I know exactly what is expected," he said unsure.

"Tell you what, I will come like this with a few dresses in the car and change when you have seen them, how's that?" she asked eagerly.

"Yes, but underwear is also important, it must look right," he said.

"It will, I can assure you of that," she said and went to close the door.

"Oh you need my address, and time, two o' clock in the afternoon, will that be alright?" he asked.

"Fine, and I presume you still live in Crystal's house, don't you?" she asked and closed the door.

"Judas, you f, f, f, Judas," I shouted after he had gone.

She smiled at me, "Calm dear, calm, my plan is working beautifully, he will after tomorrow be my friend, or shall I say I will be his. I can never work that one out, so he will owe me, won't he. Now Crystal told us that the promotion was in Malta, as under manager, and that he has two weeks to settle in, and a week's holiday he is due, giving him three weeks in total. Now if I were to suggest, no ask him for help. I mean we did book, didn't we and they let us down, we are stuck without a hotel, wouldn't you offer me a bed for one night, once inside the door, and now by invitation. I will have the little bastard, and it will not be illegal," Eddy said smiling, a smile that lit the hallway up.

It went from ear to ear and it would have gone further if it could, I had to smile back, not knowing what on earth, she was talking about.

"Eddy, what are you on about?" I asked.

"My plan Miriam, my plan, he will invite me and you, if you want, into his apartment in Malta. By doing that we are there by invitation, so he can't, call the police," she said and kissed me, "Boy am I thirsty, where's that kettle, I'll make another brew, we have plans to make," she said and walked off, leaving me bemused.

I went into the lounge and sat down, waiting for Nancy to come down, she entered as Eddy came in with the coffee.

"Obviously I can't tell you what was said, but I have never before felt that I wanted to use the cane on someone like I do now," Nancy said.

"That's an odd thing to say," Eddy said, picking up on what Nancy had said.

"It's erm it's just a figure of speech, I meant hurt, beat, kick," Nancy said, trying to recover.

"No, you said cane, and in such a way that a normal person shall we say would miss, but in my profession, it rings a bell," Eddy said.

"Oh, in your profession, you," she started then thought for a moment or two, "OK, I was a maid to help pay my way through university, I'm not proud of it, but I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that?"

"That's it Nancy, get it out in the open we are all friends here, and it will go no further than this room, as me telling you that I am a dominatrix, that is why I picked up, on it," Eddy said.

"Oh, I didn't know, yes you do have that air about you, now I know. You kept that a secret very well, where do you work?" Nancy asked.

"Now that would be telling, wouldn't it? What about you, where did you work?" Eddy asked.

"It's all in the past, she's probably retired now, for a woman just starting out, Madam Jane, over the other side of town," Nancy said more relaxed now.

"Funny that; was she tall, slim, elegant, dark brown hair, and had a mole on her chin, I say had, it's gone now," Eddy said smiling.

"Yes, that sounds like her, why?" Nancy asked shocked.

"She is my partner, small world," Eddy said.

"Yes very small, so you will understand how I feel then? Has she told you, everything?" Nancy asked.

"Yes, and I have told Miriam, and she has sworn not to say a word, and we are just making plans to visit, the subject," Eddy said smiling nastily, "We will also be taking, erm, some of my equipment, shall we say? It will be used in conjunction with the educational lesson I propose to hive him, and it will be of about a week's duration. I think that should be long enough. I may extend it, if I am not happy that the subject has learned his lesson, though. There has to be that proviso," Eddy said smiling."

"I am only sorry that I will not be available when you start the lesson. He leaves in two weeks, and then it will be too late," Nancy said.

"Oh cont rare, he will need a week to move in, and then we will visit him, when he is comfortable, but not yet working. So in say one month from today, we will be going on holiday to Malta. You are welcome to come if you so wish, but if work does not allow it, then we will have to bring you pictures, won't we?" Eddy said nastily, but not at Nancy.

"An excellent idea I will look forward to Martinis one evening after your return, to peruse your, what I am sure will be, excellent work," she said smiling, and raising her cup to them.

"Thank you, I will also look forward to that evening, so nice to be able to admire one's work, isn't it?" Eddy said.

They finished their coffees and Nancy agreed to help educate me in the role of the maid, and what the dominatrix actually did, with Eddy's help. We made our plans, and Eddy booked a flight for us on the day she chose, I was free anyway. I won't tell you our plans that would spoil the story for you, but I will tell you I was getting worried and excited as the day neared. The first job was to get David to invite us to stay, this was Eddy's job, she had an idea, and she had already laid the foundations.

"Hi David, yes, it's Eddy, do you remember me? I helped you out a few weeks ago. Look I'm sorry to intrude when you have just moved there, by the way. How did the move go, everything all right, are you now settled in nicely?" she asked not allowing him to speak.

"Yes, fine, how are you? Of course I remember you, helping me out like that, you were excellent. If possible, I would like to see you again," he replied.

"I enjoyed the party, but I do have a very small problem. I seemed to remember you said that you were moving to Malta, and as I told you I had booked a holiday there, quite a coincidence really. Well my problem is the hotel I booked, has just rung me to say that they are fully booked. I complained bitterly about it. I mean, short notice isn't in it. So I well it is awkward, but I am stuck, can you do me a big favour, and put me and a friend up for one night, if need be. We land at midday or there about tomorrow, so I would hope to find suitable accommodation that afternoon, but if I can't, can you help me out, please? My friend booked on my recommendation and now we have no-where to sleep," she asked so, so sweetly.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, of course you can stay with me, which flight is it?" he said.

"Seven in the morning, from Manchester, I believe it lands at twelve roughly," Eddy said.

"It's the one I came out on, I will meet you at the airport, it is a double bed in the spare room, or there is a bed settee if that will do?" he said.

"David you are a darling; that is so sweet of you, don't worry about sleeping arrangements, we can sort that out when we get there. I am sure I can find a bed in an afternoon for us, but if needed, we are covered, that was all I wanted you're so kind, thank you so much," Eddy said and hung up.

"Can I go and be sick now?" she asked, having had to be so nice, to him.

I smiled at her, "Not on the carpet, use the bathroom," I joked back.

The flight was as usual pretty boring, yet I was excited and still apprehensive, Eddy was as calm as the proverbial cucumber, and joked and laughed all the way. I think it was as much to try and put me at ease as anything, I was tense.

As we walked through the arrivals area she stopped, and turned to me.

"Joyce this is it. You have to be nice to him, greet him like a long lost friend, you know nothing of what happened, and are sorry that they split up, he is such a nice guy, and you have to keep it up till tomorrow. Be strong girl, I need you, fail and we lose, now smile that's it. We are on holiday, where's my sunglasses, here we are," she said and pulled out the most enormous pair of bright pink sunglasses I have ever seen, I couldn't help myself laughing at her, as she stuck her nose in the air and walked off, I followed her.

As David had said he was waiting by the zebra crossing, right next to it in fact, which was a help, making him easy to spot. We didn't have to look for him. I saw his face drop when he saw me, Eddy had been right, he would think I would have a do at him, but I didn't, I smiled.

"David how lovely to see you again, I was so sorry when you and Crystal split up, but at least the divorce was amicable, that was all she told me, about it. Saying that it was unfair to apportion blame it takes two to disagree. You're looking tanned and in good health, this place seems to suit you," I said, as easily as I could do, and hoping I hadn't gone, too far.

"Mrs. Benson, what a surprise, Eddy didn't tell me who her friend was, yes I like it here. How are you doing, and is Crystal feeling better, now? I understood that it would take a month or more for her to feel better?" he asked, I felt awkward, perhaps that was how I sounded.

"Call me Joyce, please, yes she is well on the way to being better now, the doctor has told her she can start work again in a week or so, thank you," I said wanting to strangle the bastard, six weeks she had been under the doctor all because of him.

Loaded he drove us to his apartment, Eddy talked all the way making suggestive noises and putting her hand on his lap as he drove. I began to wonder if she fancied him, but I was in too deep to say anything now, so I sat quietly fuming, and accepting that she knew what she was doing, I just didn't like it.

It was a nice apartment overlooking the sea, with no-one in front of him and fields behind him, as he showed us around. It was a two bedroom apartment the living area had a kitchen in an alcove separate, yet in the main room, and the table was in the living area, so that was two rooms yet only one area, off that room was the bathroom and two bedrooms both with double beds, and quite large, a wardrobe, dressing table and chest of drawers stood in each room, with enough room to walk around comfortably.

The rooms were all painted with emulsion in a creamy white colour, a few paintings and ornaments were dotted about, some I recognised as from their home in England, the rest had been left by the owner. He had told us that property was expensive here, and couldn't afford to buy just yet, but if the job went well and he decided to stay, then, he would buy.

"Awra that is how you pronounce it, you don't sound the, 'Q,' it's Arabic, the 'Q' accentuates the 'A' so it's more like coughing, 'AUW'," he told us.

"I see, it's a lovely apartment and what a view, two balconies one off the front so that you can sit in the evening and watch the ships passing, and one from your bedroom for the morning sun, I presume," Eddy said enthusiastically.

"No, the sun is on both all day it rises over there, and sets that side. I get the sun on both balconies all day, hence the tan. I've been a bit lazy and still not fully unpacked, a lot of my stuff is in the garage that goes with the apartment, four hundred a month they are charging me for this, but it is well appointed, and like you said the view, and not overlooked. The block is new, and so far I am the only one in it, all alone, beautiful," he said and went into a daze as he enjoyed the thought, and our compliments.

"David, as I said, we must go and look for a hotel, if it's alright, we will leave the suitcases in the car till we get back. If we don't find one, then we will have to bring them up, but if we do, then there is no need to carry them up to take them down again, is there?" Eddy asked, hurrying him up to get Joyce out before she thumped him.

"Would you like me to drive you around I will, there are several nice hotels from fifty Euros a night to well five hundred a night," he offered.

"No, don't be silly, the walk will do us good, and like you said, you still have unpacking to do, and we can get our bearings and stop for coffees," Eddy said and kissed him on the cheek, "And thanks, you have been a great help."

We left him and went outside, we walked down the front then Eddy said that she needed to go somewhere. I thought she meant the toilet, but she didn't and stopped at this dingy looking bar.

"Joyce you don't have to come with me, I will be about ten minutes maybe fifteen. Why don't you go to that café over there and wait for me, trust me, it will be for the best," she said smiling.

I took her advice and crossed the street into a café, and ordered a coffee. I watched as the holiday makers wandered about going into shops and stopping at several café's that dotted the sea front. I sat in the sun allowing it's warmth to enter my body, and tan my skin, what was showing that is, I still had my trousers and blouse on from travelling, as did Eddy.

A gentleman sat on the table next to me leaned over and spoke to me.

"First time here?" he asked smiling.

"Yes, just arrived, as if you couldn't tell from the white skin," I replied, smiling back.

"May I join you?" he asked I nodded and indicated a seat; I might as well play the tourist.

"I take it you live here?" I asked.

"Yes, I have been here four no five years now, from Manchester," he said.

"What a coincidence, I have come from Bolton, it's so friendly here. I've only been here a few hours two, three and I am being chatted up already," I joked.

"Yes, it is, it's so relaxing that it makes you friendly, you'll never be alone here, there is always someone to talk to, if you open up and stop being reserved, which we English usually are," he said smiling.

"What are those, they look like small swimming pools, kiddie's paddling pools, but not deep enough, even for that?" I asked.

"Salt pans, from the days of the Knights of St John, they made a lot of money from salt in those days, they even exported it, there are salt pans all over this area and others," he told me.

"I see, the tide comes in and then it can't get out, and when it has receded again it leaves behind sea water that evaporates, and that leaves the salt, fascinating," I said, truly fascinated.

"What else is there, it's so small?" I asked.

"Yes, just about as big as London, yet the history, wow just as fascinating, and as long as London, conquest after conquest, Roman's, Arab's, Phoenicians, and of course the English, and they all left their mark on the island. See over there in the distance that round thing," he said pointing forward and to my right.

"Yes, I think so, it's a mound of some kind," I said.

"Yes, it's a fort, still intact and a wall runs from it in both directions, a Victorian line, fortifications built in Queen Victoria's time from one side right across to the other, like Hadrian's wall, you can walk it, and there are others as well. That one is just outside Mosta, where the dome is that was bombed in the war, and the bomb didn't go off, well worth a visit. Most if not all, can be reached by bus, and the fares here are so cheap compared to England, you can get all over the island for fifty pence," he said.

"Wow that's good, here's my friend," I said as I saw Eddy crossing the road.

"Eddy, this is, sorry, my name is Joyce" I said holding out my hand.

"Tom, pleased to meet you Eddy and Joyce, well I hope I haven't bored you, and enjoy your holiday, I am usually here at this time, see you again, I hope," he said and left us.

"Can't leave you alone for two minutes can I, chatting up strangers," Eddy said teasing me.

"Did you get what you wanted?" I asked.

"Yes let's go, we need some details to take back with us," Eddy said.

"But I thought," I started.

"You'll never make a secret agent, will you? I said details not a booking, just something to show that we looked," Eddy said smiling.

We went around several hotels asking prices and availability, all around the front and up side streets, back to David's flat and on arriving Eddy flopped on the settee, and I sat carefully, but wanted to flop.

"Whew, what a trek, we have been to all these, and none have what we need, they can put up one of us, or in a few days both, but not both of us tonight. There is one that can put us both up tomorrow night, so can we impose on you as I said, for one night?" Eddy asked looking worn out.

"Of course you can, it isn't a problem, stay longer if you wish," he said, there it was the invite Eddy wanted so much, stay longer if we wanted, we were now covered.

"I am hoping not, I hate to impose, but thank you, we do not wish to impose on your kindness. Can I have a shower, I need one?" Eddy asked sniffing under her arms to emphasise the point.

"In there, there's plenty of hot water for you, you can follow her if you wish Joyce, it can get sweaty, it's the humidity," he said genuinely.

"Thank you, I think I will," I said.

We both showered when Eddy came out she had the hand towel covering her front just, she didn't show anything, but everything was apparent. I followed her in and took the bath towel, to cover me up.

"That was rather, what are you doing?" I said, in an agitated whisper, shocked as she put a thin pair of briefs on and a baby doll nightdress.

"Didn't you see me in the car, exciting him? By the morning he will be sure I am going to have sex with him. What a come down when he finds out the truth," she said smiling at me, "Before we slap him physically, I am going to slap him mentally, emotionally, build his hopes up and then crush them," Eddy said.