Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 40-42.

by BigBirgd74

From her conversations with the doctor Melissa had expected some changes in Dahlia since the last time they had laid eyes on one another. Though his descriptions were not terribly detailed, he had said enough to give her a rough idea of what to expect. But this! This, she did not expect. A few days into her stay at the clinic and Melissa could scarcely believe her own eyes as she watched her sister needlessly busy herself in the already clean room. Clearly she was in the throes of some deviant fantasy that had completely eclipsed her better judgement and was using every opportunity she could to parade herself in front of the ‘stranger’.

As she manoeuvred about, her cheap dress pulled tightly on her waist and thighs, her large melon-like breasts created an odd silhouette as she bent over and they merged with her fat belly into one huge round mass. It was truly staggering how much weight she had piled on in a few months. Melissa reflected on just how much willpower it would have taken for Dahlia to do that to herself. Could she not see what was happening? Her body, a picture of slender beauty, seemed to have burst open, unable to contain the fat that now covered her. The changes were so many and so profound that Melissa struggled to take it all in. She wondered if she would have recognised her own sister had she not been told it was her in advance.

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 38-39.

by BigBird74

One week into the new guest’s stay in the clinic and Dahlia was feeling a sense of anti-climax. Her fantasies had revolved around the mystery guest turning out to be a woman of great beauty, someone surrounded by an air of superiority, dripping class and refinement. Instead she looked more like an Egyptian mummy, heavily bandaged all over her body. Dahlia speculated what could have happened to her: could it have been the result of a serious accident? The doctor said nothing and her one attempt to get information from Ms. Nechita had ended in her being scolded for her unprofessional conduct.

Still, as the days passed, further clues emerged as some of the bandages were lifted. Though no expert on the matter, Dahlia recognised some of what she saw. For a few years now, she had been considering whether or not to go under the surgeon’s knife. As the ravages of time slowly caught up with her, she had begun to look into what would have been involved had she chosen that route. Ageing is a cruel process. For those worried about what others may think - and Dahlia clearly did - it became increasingly difficult to reconcile themselves with the ageing image presented in the mirror. The slow creeping process seemed to stop some months, only for a new line, crease or blemish to present itself the following one. Dahlia’s obsessing over it did not help of course, spending too long looking for new problems to try and counter. No-one around her appreciated the turmoil inside her head. To them she was a very lucky woman, who barely looked her age.

Sunday, December 6, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 24.

by Jackie J

It would be just over a month before the move to Buckshire manor and whilst Emily was becoming a most competent maid it did not seem right somehow and Annabella wondered if it ever would. Emily did not complain oddly enough she seemed to be happy. Strange but Annabella was more content than happy she had more time with little Raymond which was nice, but it seemed sometime since she had laughed and her man with her all the time looking for things to do around the house was certainly strange. Perhaps it would be different at this Buckshire manor place, but Annabella was not totally convinced. It would be a new world a world she did not know. Emily had done her best and Annabella had learned quickly, outwardly yes, she would be a lady in anyone’s eyes, but internally, in her thoughts, she was a maid.

Annabella had spent some time reading the diaries that Emily had given her. A window on the girl she had been, the girl Emily wished her to become again.  She had missed her mother terribly and blamed her father and from reading, something never reconciled. Her father’s second wife the new Countess of Buckshire manor, Constance, was never accepted by her and a deep loathing was evident without reading between the lines. Spoiled she had been for sure, wanting for nothing but a sadness ran through the text. Her cousin Emily was mentioned on a number of pages a hint of frustration at her mimicking, dresses copied, her hairstyle but an amusing anecdote of letting Emily take her place at a summer ball. It was clear that the idea of becoming a maid gestated over time until it became an obsession. The later entries detailing that she had decided to actually force the housekeeper of Buckshire manor, Miss Jarvis, to conspire and collude with her to fulfil such a strange ambition. 

Her father and Countess would be leaving for the retreat in Switzerland with the domestic staff with only the housekeeper remaining at the manor. Cryptic entries reflected her enthusiasm and preparation even a note suspecting her stepmother was aware of her scheming was not seen to be a deterrent. There was no hint of permanency indicated, along with the feelings of compelled degradation she craved, and wished to experience it was, at the outset, to embarrass her father. On his return from Switzerland he would find his pampered princess reduced to the rank of maid. It was clear this shock intended to bring on a worsening of his fragile health, even his demise. Annabella could not recognise anything of herself in the writings, the author spoiled, conceited, arrogant and with little respect for others. No doubt many of her contemporaries would have been happy to see her reduced permanently to the status of maid and as Emily had explained, the Countess, her stepmother, had indeed sought such an outcome to steal her inheritance.

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 36-37.

by BigBird74

Dahlia kept one eye on her former room over the next few days to see if and when the new patient would arrive. Meanwhile her daily routine continued: up at 6.30am; breakfast at 7.30; cleaning until 11.30, when she stopped to eat lunch; cleaning until 4.30pm; and free time till 6.00, when she had her evening meal. The routine was so entrenched that deviating from it, even for a few minutes, proved unsettling for her. Dahlia’s rigid nature went hand-in-hand with her iron will, which in turn explained how she had maintained her low calorie diet and exercise regime for so long. Now her focus had changed and she was instead sticking diligently to her timetable of cleaning while looking forward to her three large meals.

It felt good eating, repeatedly filling herself to the brim and achieving a forbidden sense of fullness. This was not without cost. As her appetite expanded, Dahlia found she had to eat more to gain the same satisfaction. While heavier, more calorific foods sated her growing hunger more than others, she only felt truly happy when her belly pressed outwards, tight against her cheap polyester dress. Only in this bloated state did she feel like she feel ‘right’, sensing that she was investing herself fully into her role as Petra and making the most of her treatment.

Still, for the past few days, her overeating had stepped up a level. The fact that a new guest would see her – albeit dressed as Petra – worried Dahlia. Voicing her fears to Ms Nechita, Dahlia was reassured by the mature housekeeper that the new guest would never recognise her in her wig, glasses and uniform. Naturally Ms Nechita was careful not to mention the substantial layer of fat now surrounding her body, which was threatening to burst at the seams and render her utterly unrecognisable whether she wore her disguise or not.

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 23.

by Jackie J

Following the meeting with her Aunt and cousin Annie, for a maid she still remained, caught up with Gwen who was still working in the bedrooms and she spent the rest of her day at her duties. Maud and Emily sat discussing what Annabella had told them. Maud was not unhappy; she would remain in charge of all the finances and her lifestyle would not change. Annabella would require a residence for herself, Raymond, and her baby. Rodrick would be staying in the cottage, certainly in the short term. Emily had already told Annabella that she would do anything for her, but perhaps she should have given more consideration to such an open -ended gesture if she knew what Annabella had planned for her.

A temporary residence would be found for Annabella and Emily would join them to help Annabella to readjust in regaining the poise and grace of a lady. In due course, when Annabella felt ready, she would return to Buckshire manor with her family.

 Maud stared at her daughter.

“Well I hope you are pleased with yourself, with what you have done. There was no need for it, no need at all. Annie was oblivious to who she really was this will not end well I am sure of it.”

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 34-35.

by BigBird74

Everyone that is fat was thin at some point. Dahlia had often wondered what exactly ran through their minds as they got progressively bigger. Did they see it happening? Did they not panic when their bodies started changing shape? Now she was gaining weight, Dahlia could understand a little better, though not completely. For the mind plays tricks on us all.

Those who successfully undertake a strict diet usually regress at some point as the body uses a variety of tricks to restore those suppressed habits, pulling away at a person’s subconscious. As Dahlia had long known, it takes an iron will to remain on top of things and keep one’s bad habits bottled up. Soften that up and one thing is certain, a person’s other desires will take hold.

Weight gain also tends to creep up on its victims. All is fine till one day you find a favourite dress is tight around the waist or hips. These were the thoughts running inside Dahlia’s head the morning we re-join her, as she prepared for the long day ahead. When we last encountered Dahlia, she was spending her days as Petra busy in the clinic, cleaning and attending to her duties around the large, converted country house. At the end of the day, she would return to her room where she would undress and reclaim her identity as Dahlia. A couple of days into this routine things were shaken up when it was suggested that she change rooms and go and stay instead in the servant’s quarters on the top floor. Despite some misgivings, Dahlia agreed, convinced that it would speed her ‘recovery’ by embedding herself deeper in what she imagined was the reality of being Petra.

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 22.

by Jackie J

It was late afternoon when the carriage pulled into the grounds of Sandowns and having removed the pram with little Raymond inside Annabella smoothed down his blanket.

“I will not come inside Emily, I will go back to our cottage to see Raymond and tell him the news, I am sure it will be as much of a shock to him as it is to me, I still cannot believe it, me a lady?”

Emily forced a smile she felt relieved, cleansed in some strange way but would have to tell her mother what she had done and was not looking forward to that.

“Yes, yes of course Annabella, it’s all true, what I have told you, I will see you in the morning, wear that pretty dress again, not your uniform, you won’t be needing that again will you?”

Annabella stumbled from a halted curtsy, that was going to be a hard habit to break, she had curtsied to most others for as long has she had known.

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 32-33.

by BigBird74

The doctor was regretting his decision to drive all the way to the resort at which Melissa was staying. He should have taken a redeye flight at the crack of dawn, but had somehow convinced himself a two-day road trip would have been better. It was now over two weeks since he had last seen Melissa. Since then he had been busily attending to her sister’s journey of discovery as she unveiled her self-destructive streak. To get away for a few days would be a welcome relief. No matter how you framed it, screwing with people’s heads was morally repellent and it took a toll on the doctor, who was only too happy to escape the confines of the clinic for a couple of days. It also helped that Melissa’s treatment was less morally dubious. Indeed lifting her out of her malaise might be seen as a positive endeavour in its own right.

He had intended to visit much earlier, but Dahlia’s rapid progress had meant he had needed to stay at the clinic almost constantly. Were he to commute regularly, given the clinic’s isolation, he would have been spending too much of his time on the road. Besides the amount he was charging Dahlia justified cancelling his other patients for a few weeks. Even so, he could not neglect Melissa. For his plan to work, he needed to make sure that the ‘viable option’ he was crafting for Dahlia existed. For that, Melissa’s adherence to her own ‘timetable’ was critical.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 21.

Chapter 21

Martha’s revelations both amused and intrigued Carol the chain of events set in motion by Miss Annabella’s wish to experience the life of a maid bordering on the surreal. Lady Hogarth having certainly exploited and manipulated the situation to her advantage. But for Martha’s indulgence of Miss Annabella’s fantasy, and indeed her own involvement in creating maid Annie, from the precocious privileged Miss Annabella, Lady Hogarth and her daughter would be none the richer for sure. Lady Hogarth had outwitted the Countess with the substitution of her own daughter for that of the Earl, more shame on the Countess for not knowing her stepdaughter better. Carol laughed to herself. Even she had been taken in, the change in personality had been put down to her trauma, which was credible enough, and a doppelganger, Lady Hogarth’s daughter certainly was. Martha had known all along, indeed a co- conspirator. Once Lady Hogarth had entrapped Buckshire manor’s housekeeper into her scheming with threats of the law, for what she had done with Miss Annabella, she could not escape for fear of her liberty. The money Martha now had stashed away an even greater and continuing inducement to continue the subterfuge.

Reducing the Countess to the status of housemaid had indeed eclipsed the subjugation of young Miss Annabella, the actual Mistress of Buckshire manor wearing the livery of her own maids and put to work in her own manor, and work she had. Carol had taken great pleasure having the Countess dancing to her tune.

Three months under her harsh tutorage and it was as if she had been born into servitude with her stooping gait and flared frock curtsies to her betters. Rewarded well she had been, but she would have paid good money to slap and strap that bare backside into submission and acquiescence into its new life. More the pity that she had been spared a continuation of her torment. 

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 29-31.

By BigBird74

When she first started experiencing anxiety attacks a few years ago, Dahlia attended several self-help workshops that purported to give their attendees ‘greater consciousness and awareness’. Dahlia found some relief in what they said, but, like clockwork, the next fashion show would soon approach and her anxieties would return.

Even so her time there was not a complete waste. One particular idea had lingered long in Dahlia’s mind and she recently found herself reminded of it. Serious changes in our lives, when they happen, are largely something brought about by factors out of our control. Therefore, rather than fretting over change, we need to grow to accept it and adapt as best we can. Dahlia bit her lip hard as she contemplated those words. It had been ten days now since she had been checked into this exclusive clinic and she was already feeling nervous as to what she had let herself in for, wondering how she could accept the changes she was experiencing.

It was normal for Dahlia’s mind to wander when she was mopping. Though physically taxing, these simple chores relaxed Dahlia and gave her the space to explore the inner recesses of her mind. Right now she was reliving last night’s encounter with her doctor, dwelling upon how their recent interactions had changed.

Friday, November 6, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 20.

by Jackie J

The first visit by the judiciary, on the six-month anniversary of Connie beginning her life of a maid, to ensure that the Countess of Buckshire, Lady Constance Montgomery, was not abusing her situation and was indeed complying with the conditions that had been accepted for her, went well, very well. The Governess-Matron of Whitegate Prison, Miss Stanford- Brown, amongst the select inspecting group was most impressed. There was no evidence of pretence, Buckshire manor truly had a new and attentive maid in Connie, Miss Stanford- Brown congratulating Mrs Hardwick for her work in cajoling the privileged aristocrat into a live of servitude.

Annabella had grown to realise her mother’s scheming was not really for her benefit at all, but for her own. With the real Annabella Montgomery hidden away at Sandowns, indeed happy with her life, being Lady Hogarth’s maid, and lady Constance, her aunt, forced into servitude at Buckshire manor the waters had closed nicely above the conspiracy to defraud Miss Annabella and the Countess from their rightful inheritance. No one being aware or even suspicious that Annabella was a fraud.

Sandowns had been totally renovated and refurnished and Lady Hogarth, having made the most of the power of attorney she held for the Buckshire fortune, entertained, and socialised at her leisure, money being no longer being a consideration.

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 27-28.

by BigBird74

27.

Just as Dahlia’s body ached, so did Melissa’s, though for very different reasons. Whereas Dahlia’s soreness was the result of crawling about on all fours, scrubbing and mopping, Melissa’s sorry state had resulted from a carefully calibrated exercise routine dreamt up by her new trainer. She had needed to summon almost all her courage to ask the receptionist to arrange for a trainer, thoughts swirling around her head as she approached the imposing desk.

Ever since gaining weight in her early teens, Melissa had thought of herself existing within a certain social box. Whenever she had tried to step beyond the bounds of that box, Melissa found herself worrying about how she was being perceived: judgmental stares, whispered comments or worse. Inevitably this pushed her to retreat back to the comfort of her box, where she typically indulged in food or television to make herself feel better.

However, she was not the same woman she had been a few weeks before. While the old Melissa would have sat by idly, stewing in her own self-contempt and too shy to do anything about it, her recent change of heart nagged away at her, imploring her to action. After all this was an expensive resort and she was not going to let the opportunity pass her by.

Friday, October 30, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 19.

by Jackie J

Having washed the pots after supper Annie joined Raymond and his father by the fire and started her sewing. Raymond smiled she was in full bloom and he could not wait for the baby to come. Raymond and his father shared a pipe and talked about the fences they had been replacing at the back of the top meadow. A more perfect scene of domestic bliss would be hard to find.

Despite the apparent tranquillity at Rose Cottage Annie had been troubled but kept it to herself. During intimate moments Raymond had naturally asked Annie about her life before coming to Sandowns. She only really knew what the Mistress had told her, the rest, there seemed to be no more. It was of course put down to her illness. There was nothing temporary about the effects of the amnesia Annie suffered, resulting from the brutal drug induced coma Lady Hogarth had subjected her maid to. Whilst she recovered memories of a fictitious past had been wickedly planted in her enfeebled mind. She was an orphan, she knew that, her Mistress had told her, she had been a maid at a large residence, she knew that her Mistress had told her, she had been found wandering and destitute by the Mistress and given employment at Sandowns. She had awoken some nights following fanciful dreams of being in a large mansion, but not as a maid, but more like a young mistress. The dreams had mainly followed visits by the beautiful Miss Annabella who regularly visited her Aunt at Sandowns, but the medicine her Mistress gave her had always calmed her and stopped the nightmares. She wished she could remember more to tell her love, but she could not. Raymond always told her not to worry, he loved her for what she was and who she was, not what had happened in her past. A loving placation of her worries but worry she did.

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Captions Sunday!

More captions fun from Vessa Vellucci. Enjoy!










  


Friday, October 23, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 18.

By Jackie J

The Constable visited Buckshire manor, the next day, following his trip to Whitegate, telling an amused Lady Hogarth of the Countesses unplanned fate at the hands of the sadistic Governess-Matron at Whitegate prison. His description of what he had witnessed from the viewing rail raised some concerns with Annabella, but these were quickly dispelled by Lady Hogarth.

“Annabella, Constance made her choice, be your maid or spend time in prison, a month you say Constable, at least a month before you can arrange a transfer or even speak with her. How bad can that be, perhaps she will come to her senses, accept a new life here at Buckshire manor being a maid, better than what you have described constable.”

Maud chuckled.

“Gagged you say, sounds painful, and caned, and her lovely hair, shorn like a sheep perfect. You have nothing to reproach yourself constable, this is all of her own doing please keep us informed.”

Sat in what were the Countesses chambers Annabella watched her mother sifting through the Countess’s jewellery selecting pieces that took her fancy. Her brother had paid for all on display after all, not the Countess.

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 25-26.

by BigBird74

Dahlia’s evening was short and punctuated only by her evening meal and a visit from her doctor. Her body ached with an unfamiliar exhaustion. Though she was used to exercise, the same could not be said for hard, real work. The few times that evening she had risen from her bed, she had felt a twinge in the small of her back, a sign perhaps of having overdone things a little. Laying on the bed, she stared up at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts and contemplating what had been a highly unusual day. Stretching her spine, she lengthened the arch of her back and ran her hands up and down her svelte figure. Pausing at her belly, she slid her fingertips over her flat stomach.

Closing her eyes, she sunk her fingers in as far as they would go, her taut, muscular stomach providing instant resistance. She felt kind of disappointed: there was no evidence of her earlier, substantial lunch, no bulge, no fatty softness. She pictured how it would feel instead to touch soft flesh layered on wider hips and a fuller belly. The idea sparked heat within her nether regions and she let her mind wander down this formerly forbidden trail.

Friday, October 16, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 17.

by Jackie J

The Bishop and Swinney, having left Buckshire manor shortly after the departure of the Constables and their prisoner, Lady Hogarth and Annabella sat with Lord Edmund. Lord Edmund still coming to terms with how Constance had been spirited away by the constables to Whitegate prison.

Annabella smiled.

“You know Edmund, if I suspected you were involved in seeking my demise, to become one of the Countesses maid’s, you would be joining her at Whitegate. I understand how she manipulated you and your performance earlier, well I would be lying if I said I was not impressed, but to business.”

“You will continue with your work for Buckshire manor, much the same as you did for my father the Earl, however, I will expect you to cover all the tenants not just those you had selected. Your allowance will remain unchanged and will remain so. I warn you though, any contact with the Countess and your allowance will cease and I will have no problem in publicising your adulterous relationship with Constance during my father’s illness. The consequences for you which you are well aware on both counts.”

Despite Lord Edmunds explanation, of how the Countess had contrived to have him to her bed, Maud could find no pity or forgiveness for his shameless acts of betrayal of her brother and suspected his adulterous affair had not brought its own pleasures.

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 23-24.

by BigBird74

23.

Sooner or later, Dahlia knew there was an important line she would approach and, at that moment, she would have to take a decision whether or not to cross it. A bit like Caesar’s crossing of the Rubicon, it would mark the moment she took this a step farther than would be ‘advisable’. A game is a game, a controlled experiment in a secluded place another, but this was fast developing into something beyond that, something that may have lasting consequences. She wondered when that Rubicon moment might be? Would she even know when it had happened?

‘Could it be now?’ Dahlia mused as she sat in the cleaners’ room looking down at the food left there for her lunch. She had expected to eat in her room. But when she had returned there earlier, Ms Nechita pounced on her from somewhere close, as though she had been waiting for her.

“You are not allowed in there. That room is for patients only. You are cleaner,” she exclaimed. Dahlia searched her face to see if she could determine whether or not she was serious. Did she really not know I was a patient here? Confused I nodded, agreeing with her. “You have lunch now. Make the most of it. I will come find you in half an hour”, she barked at me, clearly not wanting to waste a moment longer on me than was needed.

As I wandered back along the corridor, I turned to see if she was watching me. As if to emphasise that there was no entering the room, she turned the key on the door locking it shut, making a scene of placing the key in her top pocket.

Friday, October 9, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 16.

by Jackie J

The intruders left the Countesses chambers making their way to the parlour with only Annabella left in the room.

Constance glared at Annabella pulling a sheet around herself.

“Annabella for goodness sake what is going on why are they here the Bishop? the Constable, our family solicitor that grubby worm of a man Swinney? Allowing them to come up into my chambers like they did? And you, I thought you were staying in London, why are you back at Buckshire?”

Annabella needed to keep her composure; the guidance given to her by her mother making sure she did.

“Look, Constance some things need resolving, that is why I am back, and they are here. I never considered you would be entertaining your lover; this is shameless behaviour.”

Annabella turned to Lord Edmund who was buttoning his shirt.

“You Edmund, my father not long to his grave and you here in his home doing this, it is despicable.”

Lord Edmund having been instructed to do exactly has he had by Annabella and Lady Hogarth looked awkward now sliding into his boots and knew his script.

“Annabella I am so sorry you have found us like this, Constance, your mother, was meant to tell, you don’t understand.”

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 21-22.

by BigBird74

21.

The rippling electricity that filled her body made Dahlia breathe in short, shallow breaths. She peered left and right down to opposite ends of the corridor. From her brief tour of the house, Dahlia could tell that her room was situated in one of two wings. She stepped from the room a little further, still nervous of being ‘seen’ in this dress.

Just as her nerves were starting to jangle, she could hear the clip of heels on the solid wooden flooring, approaching her from behind. She spun around to see a woman approaching her. This being an old house, the corridors were dimly lit with only a little natural light let in through the small windows. Dahlia froze. She did not recognise the woman and, for a moment, debated in her head whether or not to duck back into her room. But that would look terribly odd!

“Petra?” The woman asked in an alien accent. “I am looking for Petra.” Dahlia’s fingers twitched. She was still holding the name tag and decided now was the time to lift it into place.

“That….. that is me,” she answered with little thought as she pinned the badge to the lapel of her dowdy dress. She was still mildly drowsy from the aftereffects of the tablets and her mind was not at its sharpest.

“Hmm. You were not quite what I expected,” the woman replied, surveying Dahlia intimately, her dark brown eyes scanning her face and body. The two of them stood beside a window, the daylight revealing the older woman’s worn, dark features. “I am Ms Nechita. I am the head of cleaning for the clinic.” She paused, still weighing Dahlia up. “I understand that you are here for ‘training’ and induction.” Her voice betrayed a slight measure of disbelief, as though, in spite of Dahlia’s drab uniform and name tag, she was somehow talking to the wrong person.

Friday, October 2, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 15.

by Jackie J

Poor and wretched as their lives in truth were, Raymond and Annie could not be happier. Annie, the most competent of maids, was now seldom scolded by Lady Hogarth’s housekeeper Mrs Scripts. Since Annie’s illness Mrs Scripts had seen a change in her maid, hard to put her finger on but Annie just seemed more settled, she put this in the main down to her romance with Raymond. When Annie’s pregnancy became apparent the housekeeper thought her Mistress would have the poor girl out on the streets.  A pregnancy out of wedlock was bad enough but keeping a maid with child was seldom the case if ever. 

Strangely Lady Hogarth however seemed pleased for Annie and Raymond and there was no question of her maid being dismissed. Annie now living in Raymond and his father’s cottage, A walkable distance from the manor, and Annie was always punctual to attend to her duties. Having returned from the local village, with the parcel she had collected for her Mistress at the blacksmiths, Mrs Scripts smiled watching and listening to Annie sat with Gwen at the kitchen table sipping on their mugs of tea discussing the days rota. Annie had taught Gwen much and, whilst not up to the standard of Annie, Gwen had become a much more competent and confidant maid. What made Mrs Scripts smile, listening to her two maids chattering, was the vocabulary of Annie and how she spoke, it had changed considerably since her arrival at Sandowns, more so since her illness. It was obvious to Mrs Scripts, that in her previous employment, the poor girl must have been forced to act quite refined for her Mistress or Master, using big words and talking like she did. With no such conditions a Sandowns she had reverted to her obviously more natural way of speaking, no big words and losing that refined accent, which had stopped the teasing she suffered when she arrived.

Emily, Annabella, of course had not travelled to London has she had told the Countess, she was back at Sandowns with her mother. Annie was always pleased when Miss Annabella visited Sandowns and served tea for her Mistress and guest. Annie stared at Miss Annabella sat in her lovely dress, her flowing golden hair hanging on her shoulders, she was beautiful. There was something about Miss Annabella, Annie felt there was a bond between them, she did not know what it was, and the dreams she had of actually being Miss Annabella no longer haunted her, although those dreams had been so lucid. Annie had never mentioned those dreams to anyone and thankfully for Annie, since her illness, that fantasy and the dreams were now over.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 19-20.

by BigBird74

19.

Dahlia slept peacefully through the night. After she had been helped from the car to her room and readied for bed, she had slept almost ten hours straight. When she did finally awake it was into unfamiliar surroundings. The plush decor of her home could not have been more different to the Spartan interior she now found herself in.

As she gazed slowly around her, she could tell that she was in some kind of medical facility. Definite clues to that surrounded her everywhere: the pale, wipe-clean décor, the patient’s chart hanging on the wall, and the functional bed linen. While some effort had been made to make the room feel less functional and more like a hotel room, it was still obvious that Dahlia was in a clinic of some sort.
She pulled back the covers, stretching her lithe body, clothed only in a patient’s gown, as she arose from her deep slumber. Spotting a mirror on the side wall, she took a few slow steps towards it and peered at herself. She looked tired. Very tired. Her face had taken on a heavy look overnight. Slowly the memory of just what had happened hit her. An all-consuming sense of shame took hold as her mind pieced together the broken fragments of the evening’s events.

Oh god! What had happened? She felt she must ring Tommy! She looked for her phone and realised it was nowhere to be found. She hunted through the few cupboards that lined the room, searching up and down, opening and closing every drawer in a rising panic.

Just at that moment, a middle-aged woman entered the room. By the way she was dressed, Dahlia could see she was a nurse or some kind of attendant.

Friday, September 25, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 14.

by Jackie J

Stood around the Earls bed there was genuine sadness and many tears. Emily, Annabella, had spent many happy times with her uncle and felt a level of betrayal that she stood at his bedside an imposter. Constance had loved the man he was and whilst she had sort solace in the arms of another her grief was genuine. Maud sobbed remembering her handsome brother laid low long before his time from his wretched ill health. She took some comfort that his adulterous wife would be paying for her sins in the years to come. Constance had grown distant from Malcolm over recent years at a time that he needed her most. Maud never thought Constance worthy of her brother’s love believing her to be nothing but a gold digger. Miss Jarvis herself in tears along with the maids and ground staff were allowed to see the Earl beyond his last moments and filed from the room heads lowered and sniffling in remorse at the Earls inevitable passing.

The Funeral was a family affair, the service in the local church and internment in the family crypt. Tenants from the farms and rented properties came to pay their respects in large numbers the Earl had been a popular, fair, and just landlord.

One particular mourner, that Maud watched carefully, was Lord Edmund and was most intrigued by seeing a note surreptitiously passed from Constance to the handsome Lord. No doubt arranging a clandestine meeting and her husband only just laid to rest.

The Earls Will was read three days after the funeral and in keeping with expectations, apart from minor bequests, Buckshire manor and all its associated wealth passed to his daughter Annabella.

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 17-18.

by BigBird74

17 & 18.

When Dahlia emerged from her cocoon, just like a butterfly, her appearance was immaculate and primped to perfection. Ever the professional, she had doubled down on her strict diet and exercise this past week and everything seemed to be floating along as expected. Fortunately Tommy had ensured that the show was to be held relatively locally, meaning a limo ride of two hours or so. She looked at the clock and thought how the day might pan out. Makeup and dressing would take approximately three hours, the show itself would last an hour. Once the after show photos were out of the way and she had been escorted home, she could expect to be back in ten hours.

Wincing a little at that thought, she nevertheless pressed on, being polite to all those hanging around her trying to help and never giving a hint of the irritation she felt at their ‘fussing’. Her entourage was there to help of course, but Dahlia could not help but see them as unnecessary. None of them were close friends. Indeed a good number of them were a decade or so younger, so she could expect very little sympathy from them. They were all climbing up the career ladder that Dahlia was perched precariously on top of.

Sure that this would be the last show for some months, Dahlia could almost see a finish line ahead of her and a time she could live a little more freely. Though this thought may have been expected to cheer her up, she actually found herself getting as wound up as before her last show, if not somehow worse. She had been fine on the drive over, but almost as soon as she had sat in the makeup chair, her nerves had started jangling, as powerful as ever.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Captions Sunday!









Friday, September 18, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 13.

by Jackie J

Emily, Annabella, had persuaded Constance into the maid’s uniform intended for herself and left her in no doubt that Annabella’s days of being a maid were well and truly over. Having presented Constance with her ultimatum, Annabella left Buckshire manor for London. Or so the Countess believed.

It was Annie who met and greeted Miss Annabella at the entrance of Sandowns with a curtsy.

“Miss Annabella.”

The mirror of her past self that Annie gazed upon in admiration was more perfected than ever, the image and mannerisms of the sophisticated young mistress she greeted was all that Annie had ever been.

Five months Annie had been in service at Sandowns, a maid for Lady Hogarth, under the supervision of Mrs Scripts and no longer did she even think, although it was the truth, that the young lady stepping gracefully down the hallway in her beautiful dress towards the parlour was once herself.

Over the first months Lady Hogarth had given Annie free reign at Sandowns to become the maid she wished to be fuelling her obsession for unconditional servility. Fears of losing her mind to her imbedded desires no longer haunted her believing herself to be in a safe place under the protection of her Aunt Maud, who understood and was sympathetic to her weakness.

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 15-16.

by BigBird74

15.

A week later and Dahlia’s lighter mood had begun to darken again. Another show was approaching and she was starting to feel the pangs of anxiety creep up on her. Despite seeing the doctor twice a week now, very little seemed to help her pass through her panic attacks. All her usual tricks and confidence boosting routines were failing to inspire her and she felt flattened by the demands the show’s organisers were making. Not only was this a lingerie show – something that always unsettled Dahlia – but she was to wear the show’s masterpiece: a diamond encrusted bra and panty set, complete with angel wings!

The morning before the show, Tommy, her agent, had been on the receiving end of a firm rebuke. He had been trying to push Dahlia into yet another show, hot on the heels of what he assumed would be a great success tomorrow. But Dahlia had stood her ground. She had finally secured some time to herself and nothing, she repeated to Tommy – nothing – was going to disturb that.

Tommy had sensed the edge to her voice and knew better than to push harder. He had known Dahlia since she started out in the world of modelling some 20 years ago now. She had been his ‘greatest success’, after he had discovered the pretty girl in a supermarket of all places. While Dahlia had snapped up the opportunity he afforded her without much thought, Tommy had been a good influence on her. Diligent, if pushy, and honest, he had worked very hard to propel Dahlia to the heights she now inhabited. He was not going to stop till he had lifted her onto the pantheon of the very best models. Though the press had labelled her a ‘supermodel’, he knew, from inside the industry, that Dahlia still needed a few more notable appearances to achieve true greatness.

Sunday, September 13, 2020

Story: The Trials of Kate Tillotson

The original story, The Humbling of Kate Tillotson, was so well received Jane decides to treat to us to this unplanned sequel. Enjoy!


(1)

It was late. Emily and Chloe, after a stint of tidying and washing up as the party wound down, changed out of their uniforms and went to get paid. Kate gave them each a little extra, along with thank you notes she’d written by hand. ‘Good work, girls. It all went very well. I know Mr and Mrs Kinley were pleased with your efforts, both of you.’

Finally the last guest had left. Emma flopped down on a chair in the dining room and kicked off her heels. ‘Oh, Kate, there’s so much to be done. But give my feet a rub first, would you? I’ve been standing around all day.’ She wiggled her toes at Kate, who went and sat down beside her. ‘Oh no, don’t sprawl all over the floor like that! Whoever heard of a person sitting to rub her mistress’s feet?’ Emma drunkenly giggled. It was not a word she often used. ‘I want to look down and see my faithful good Kate kneeling obediently as she caresses my sacred feet, staring up at me with devotion and joy!’ She could be a little grandiose when she’d had a few. But Kate, who had had nothing to drink except water all day, simply said, ‘Yes, ma’am,’ kneeled up at Emma’s feet and began rubbing, all the while looking up at her with devotion and joy. Occasionally Emma would prod and caress Kate’s face with her sweaty toes.

‘Ahh, that’s so much better! When you’ve finished have a sit down and a glass of champers if you like. You’ve earned it. Lord knows you’ve served enough of them.’

Friday, September 11, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 12.

by Jackie J

The diaries of Annabella had been most revealing to Emily, she had studied them in detail and had become familiar with all aspects of Annabella’s life and motivation’s over the recent past and going back many years. The entries leading up to Annabella taking the reckless plunge, and giving herself into the clutches of Buckshire manors housekeeper, exposing her troubled mind.  The beautiful self- assured socialite, that Emily had so much admired, was in stark contrast to the truth of her writings. 

Emily had spent hours and hours over many years with Annabella but never had the truth, that had been revealed by her readings, ever been exposed. Annabella’s deep- rooted wish and need for her self -flagellation and denigration a continuing theme for many years. Desires and needs now being fully exploited by her mother with maid Annie. The more that Emily read the more understanding of Annabella’s apparent misery she became. Whilst Emily had heard rumours, she was surprised that to compound Annabella’s self- loathing, Annabella knew, in detail, all about the Countesses affair with Lord Edmond, that made salacious reading.  

Every hour of every day Emily was all that Annabella displayed, now adept at portraying all the traits Emily had known, not what Emily now knew to be truth of her character. Emily had found the Earl, her father now, both fragile and charming but understood the roots of Annabella’s loathing and that continued relationship between them had to be maintained, as difficult as that was. Emily had no problem in enjoying the lavish lifestyle that Annabella had lived. Spending time at her apartments in London, no less frequently than Annabella had before her. Emily’s mother, Lady Hogarth had visited Buckshire manor on numerous occasions since the return of her brother and had amused Emily with an update on maid Annie’s progress at Sandowns.  Annie, Annabella, still unaware that her father and Constance had returned from Switzerland over two months ago. All was proceeding well at Buckshire manor and Sandowns and the recent seizures, the Earl had suffered, provided all the encouragement needed for the continued subterfuge.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 13-14.

by BigBird74

13.

How many thresholds do we cross in our lives? When we leave home? When we enter our marital home for the first time? However many it would be, we can all relate to the sensations as we do it. A feeling of bubbling excitement, a step into the unknown or a moment of acute anxiety as we push ourselves forward. That was how Dahlia felt as she walked into the waiting room and then into the doctor’s office dressed as ‘Petra.’

In the back of her mind, she still felt she risked a ridicule. But that child-like moment of raw excitement pushed her into his room, her eyes cast to the ground. It was strange how dressing up can affect a person’s whole demeanour, how their body language can shift in a moment. Dahlia felt like a massive weight was pressing down on her shoulders, making them slouch. She struggled to lift her eyes to the level of the doctor. Shorn of her ‘body’ and the confidence her beauty had given her, she found herself a shy, retiring woman.

That said, the redness in her cheeks was not from shyness. Dahlia was experiencing a tremendous sexual high as the handsome doctor surveyed her, not as a supermodel, but as an ordinary, dumpy cleaner. Oh god! Why did she find this so arousing? “Good Mornin’ Sir,” she said in her mock accent.

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Story: The Humbling of Kate Tillotson

by Jane H. Aubrey

(1)

It all started the Friday night Tom came home from work and announced that he wanted to break off the engagement. Kate was flabbergasted. After all, things had been going so well, hadn’t they?

They had been together for just over five years. Kate had been doing admin and secretarial work at Tom’s firm, and they’d started dating after the Christmas party. Since then she’d moved in to his sizeable house; after she was let go from the company she made little effort to find new work, and they did not need the money. Kate had become increasingly dependent on Tom, in more ways than one. She had no family left—an only child, her father had passed away before she met Tom, and her mother died two years ago. Kate was devastated. She became listless, bored, irritable. Occasionally she saw friends, but mostly sat around the house in jeans and t-shirts or old jumpers, watching television, spending time on social media and browsing things to buy on the internet. Their cleaner took care of the housework. As time went on, Kate and Tom had less and less to talk about, but the one thing that remained excellent was the sex, and after one particularly passionate session nine months ago, she proposed to him. Flushed with desire and excitement, he accepted immediately. But they still hadn’t set a date.

Of course, Kate was furious at Tom’s sudden decision. She shouted, remonstrated with him, berated him, told him she didn’t want to marry him anyway. Then she stormed upstairs. When she returned an hour later, she was calmer. She wanted to know why.

Friday, September 4, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 11.

by Jackie J

With the Earl being taken upstairs to his prepared rooms Constance accepted the curtsies of the maids and Miss Jarvis. Constance pausing in front of the new maid, that she did not recognise, she grimaced, oh that, that was Annabella.

The Countesses tongue was sharp.

“Miss Jarvis, my study. NOW.”

Constance took her seat and glared at Martha.

“Well, Martha explain yourself, you wrote telling me that stupid girl had lost her mind. That you and that maid, you brought back had beaten and humiliated the pretty princess into a grovelling servant. So, why do I return to find that very same young woman dressed in silk and lace and not aproned and adorned in coarse wool and calico? And who is that new maid, I hire staff not you.”

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 11-12.

by BigBird74

11.

It actually took a couple of days for the bulge in Dahlia’s stomach to work its way out of her body. The thick glutinous sludge of the various treats she had enjoyed that sinful night was hard for her bod - used to a richly fibrous diet - to digest and expel. When it finally vanished, she felt mildly remorseful, as her guilty souvenir from the weekend had been lost. The strange thrill of appearing to be less than perfect was matched by the sweet tingling she got inside of her every time she recalled that weekend’s events.

In fact the only downside had been the strained conversation she had with her sister when she returned to find the mansion virtually spotless and cleaned. Melissa swallowed Dahlia’s explanation that she had hired a ‘one-time’ cleaning company to deal with the mess. She was on too much of a high after the weekend camp that she was not in the mood to deal with what she saw as minor triviality. For her part, Dahlia was relieved that Melissa bought her story with relatively little fuss.

The only fly in the ointment was that the clean-up had done nothing to correct Melissa’s slack attitude and, two days into the new week, the house was already looking untidy around the edges. This left Dahlia confused as to how to handle the situation. Perhaps she really should hire a cleaning company and be done with it and let Melissa have her ‘victory’?

Friday, August 28, 2020

Story: What Annabella Wants Annabella Gets. Chapter 10.

by Jackie J

Having passed through a small village eventually the carriage rumbled up the drive to Sandowns. Not palatial like Buckshire manor and the grounds less extensive but still an imposing property. Lady Hogarth exited the carriage by the main entrance and her maid was told to stay on the carriage until collected and taken into the house. With Lady Hogarth welcomed in the doorway by a brute of a woman, who stared up at Annie, the carriage jolted forwards and made its way to the rear of the house.

Sat on the carriage for some time the woman she had seen welcoming her Mistress into the house with a warm smile appeared on the steps of the rear entrance with a different less welcoming expression and shouted up to her.

“Down girl let's be having you.”

Down off the carriage Annie stood in front of the woman at the bottom of the steps.

“So, you are Annie, Mistress told me about your troubles, well I judge as I see, keep your nose clean here girl or you will be out on your ear understand?”

Annie nodded giving little consideration to what her aunt had told this this woman about her “troubles”.

“Yes Miss.”

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Story: The Cleaner Returns. Chapters 9-10.



by BigBird74

 9.

It was hard to adequately describe the feelings Dahlia experienced as she dragged the cheap polyester dress up her lithe, beautiful body. She had slowly removed the adornments one expects of a beautiful, rich woman: the expensive earrings, the tasteful layers of makeup lightly covered her face, her full mane of long blonde hair now tied up into a tight pony tail. Of course, Dahlia still looked better than 95% of other women, even in her natural state. Deep inside her own thoughts, she considered how a woman of her status, a cleaner that is and not a successful model, would act. That sent a spasm of pleasure shooting through her body. As did the next thought: “For this weekend, I will think of myself as Dahlia Western’s cleaner. I will be…. Petra.”

To those of us unaware of the doctor’s shenanigans, this would all appear a sudden epiphany. But that is to miss so much of what had happened the previous few weeks. The doctor had pumped Dahlia full of the idea that she yearned for anonymity. Dahlia’s desire to slowly fade away was a symptom of this and being a cleaner made that happen to sudden effect. While she was suggestive, he had also evoked the sexual eroticism that can be achieved by safely degrading oneself. What would be hugely embarrassing in public, might be highly enjoyable in private. Psychologically, she had been groomed for this moment and was totally unaware how her natural tendencies had been worked up into a frenzy. So it was only natural that, once dressed in her cleaner uniform, Dahlia felt an explosion of euphoria as though she were escaping all that fear and angst that had built up.

Now it is important to remember that Dahlia was not some kind of automaton. Hypnotherapy does not affect those unwilling to move in a certain direction, but it most certainly gives a big shove to those that are inclined towards that action. Her inhibitions had been lowered in a way one might see on a drunkard. The mind is still there, just many of its defences are lowered.

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Story: Contracted. Chapter 1-4.

A story from a new contibutor, Anastasia Devereaux. The first four chapters, there is more to come. Hope you enjoy it. 

CONTRACTED
by Anastasia Devereaux

CHAPTER ONE: LUNETTE 

The message on the card was simple. “The usual coffee shop. 1 p.m. tomorrow. Arrive drag.” 

As he entered the coffee shop, Stewart fingered the card and flipped over the other side. He knew what was written there — it was his own business card, after all — but it always made him smile a bit. 

“Anastasia Devereaux Household Services: old-fashioned service, old-world respect,” it read. It sounded so pretentious when phrased that way, but then, a certain amount of formality was inherent to the game. “Sounds like a stripper name, or maybe a drag queen,” Lunette had told him years ago, when he first made the proposal.

In three years, he had not yet come up with a phrase to genuinely describe what he was doing. He didn’t consider himself transgender, not really — when not dressed up, he felt quite male — nor did he think of himself exactly as a crossdresser. “I’m a drag queen who does housework rather than perform onstage,” he’d once said, and that felt as accurate as anything else. “Sissy maid” was a term he’d encountered, but it felt … inadequate … to describe what this was. He wasn’t in this for humiliation; he genuinely liked living as a servant. He called Ana “my other face,” and that was as good as anything.