CHAPTER FOUR - Clearing the Basement

The next morning … Tuesday 11th January …

9:00 am

Roger staggered out of the bed sometime around nine o'clock the next morning. He did not want to get up, but unfortunately work had to come first. He trundled slowly across the attic room and drew back the curtains. Bright light blazed in and he squeezed his eyes tightly. Eventually his eyes adjusted and he looked down out of the window at the grounds to the amusement park below. It had rained heavily during the night. There were some rather large puddles around, but at least it had stopped now. He looked to the skies. There were still some dark and threatening clouds around, but there was a hint of brightness on the horizon and heading his way.
Roger stretched and yawned. He was feeling very delicate after a night of drink and passion. He turned to face the room. He shook his head and wondered just what had happened. The bedroom was in an awful mess. Three empty wine bottles lay scattered on the floor and an overturned glass rested on the bedside cabinet. He spotted the other empty glass lying on the floor. He walked back across the room and returned the glass to the cabinet, he then righted the one lying on its side. He looked to the remaining occupant of the bed. Mimi was still sound asleep and he did not want to disturb her. She was naked and so was he. He covered her up with the blankets and went in search of his clothes. They were scattered everywhere. He felt rough and decided that his breakfast would consist of a strong cup of coffee and about half a dozen aspirins.
In reality Roger wanted to stay in bed. Seeing Mimi lying there made him want to climb back in and cuddle up close to her. However he had many things to do. He had an important phone call to London to make. It was time to start and arrange transport for all the display materials at present being stored in a London warehouse to be transferred to Littlesea. As happy as he was with Mimi's presence, he was also very much aware that he had been sent down to Littlesea with an important job to do. There was no getting away from it. Unfortunately work had to come first.
After making himself a strong cup of coffee, and after swilling back several headache tablets, Roger picked up the phone extension in the kitchen and dialled a London number. He wanted Joe Wright the Warehouse Manager.
"Good morning,.. warehouse,.. Joe Wright speaking," came the answer after several rings.
"Good morning Joe, Roger Downton here," replied Roger.
"Ah!.. Roger,.. nice to hear from you... I was meaning to give you a call," answered Joe.
The two men knew each other well. This was not the first time Roger had used Joe Wright's services during the course of his job as Project Researcher. But now he was speaking to him in another capacity, and probably on more equal terms in the new management structure. Someone whom at present responded directly to Mr. Harrison was sure to carry a certain amount of weight in the organisation.
"About transferring all that exhibition stuff to Littlesea I guess?" said Roger.
"That's right Roger… when do you want it?" asked Joe.
"As soon as possible Joe... when can you deliver?" enquired Roger.
"Mmmm!.. Tuesday today…. I can get the first consignment to you by Thursday," Joe informed him.
"First consignment? How many loads are there then Joe?" asked Roger.
He was thinking that one big load was about all he was going to get.
"Mmmm!.. Let me see!.. About five loads I would say,.. maybe six," revealed Joe.
This was something Roger was not expecting.
"What!.. Where am I going to put all that lot?" asked Roger.
"That's not my problem Roger… do you want me to deliver it or not?" said Joe firmly.
"Can you take some of the old stuff away to make room for the new lot?" asked Roger.
There was a pause. Roger feared the worse.
"I don't think so Roger," answered Joe thoughtfully. "We've been waiting to get rid of this little lot so that we can use the space for something else. Haven't you got any place else to store things already down there?"
Roger thought for a while. There was not really anywhere else to put all the old displays and crates that were lying about all over the place. Somehow the basement just had to be cleared before the first shipment arrived, otherwise there would be chaos.
Eventually he made a decision. He was meant to be a top executive now and capable of handling these sorts of problems. He wondered what Mr. Harrison would do in these circumstances? Knowing Mr. Harrison he would just delegate it to someone else. So basically he was back where he started. It was his problem alone, and nobody else would sort it out for him.
"Joe start sending all the consignments down starting this Thursday like you said. I'll find somewhere to shift all the old rubbish. I don't know where, but I'll find someplace," he told Joe after a long pause.
"Right then Roger, leave it with me. I'll get the first load down to you on Thursday… and we'll take it from there… probably one every two days… and I'll make sure a crew comes down with the consignments to do all the handling as well," confirmed Joe.
"Oh thanks Joe… I was wondering about that… I had visions of me and the truck driver doing all the humping," said Roger.
"No problem Roger… We'll get everything transferred on site, and then you can look to getting the whole lot assembled and put in place... I reckon it's going to be a great exhibition… especially with all the interest generated in the press over the death of the last caretaker and all his antics… Even my wife says she wants to come down and see the exhibition this summer… so that's got to be something," said Joe.
"I think it's going to be just great Joe… We had a photo-shoot yesterday for the new brochures and advertising literature… and that all went very well.. I reckon by the time Mr. McTavish gets back we'll have everything up and running," said Roger.
"When's he due back then?" asked Joe.
"Middle of February, Saturday the twelfth I think was the date mentioned," answered Roger. "So we've got about four weeks to get things done before he gets back, and another couple of weeks after that to finish everything off. I just hope we can get it all ready in time."
Joe whistle softly over the phone. The time scale was tight.
"Best of luck then mate," he wished. "I think you'll need it."
"Thanks Joe, just do your bit and we'll start to pull things together," said Roger.
"I'll do my best," answered Joe.
"Okay, see you then Joe… and get that truck arriving early on Thursday will you please?" said Roger.
"Will do… 'bye Roger," said Joe.
"Goodbye Joe," said Roger and put down the phone.
Roger sighed. All the new exhibition material was on its way. His only problem now was where to put all the existing rubbish? Somehow he had got just two days in which to clear out the basement. He could not just dump everything on the Council tip even though he wished that he could. Mr. McTavish could well have earmarked some of the items for future use, and maybe even for the forthcoming exhibition. He wondered what was best to do? Then a thought occurred to him. There were empty barns at Carrowbank Farm. At least the place would be dry if nothing else, and not too far away for Mr. McTavish to retrieve anything that had gone astray. He wondered if he could do a deal with Godfrey Brookes? It seemed like the best solution all round.
Roger returned to the bedroom, pulled back the bedclothes and slapped Mimi on the backside.
"Come on, wake up! We're going to a farm," he told her.
Mimi turned over and began to rub her eyes.
"What?" she mumbled.
She had a headache and felt awful.
"I said we're going to a farm," repeated Roger.
Mini rubbed her eyes once more and had a long stretch.
She yawned and asked: "What's the time Roger?"
"About half past nine," he told her.
"Did you say something about a farm?" she asked with another yawn.
Her head was throbbing and she was not sure what Roger had said.
"That's right… a farm… It's a place I stopped at last summer… I want to try and do a deal over storage… you can either come with me or stop in bed… what's it going to be?" asked Roger and giving her the option.
Mimi slipped out of bed and into a dressing gown.
"When do you want to go Roger?" she asked with yet another long yawn and a stretch.
"In about a half hour's time," he informed her.
"Right, let me have a quick shower and get dressed and I'll come with you," said Mimi dragging herself towards the door.
She reckoned that after a hot shower she would feel a whole lot better.
That wine last night must have been something!
Or was it the extended sex session?
She could not recall exactly how many times they had made love together, but it was a lot.
An awful lot!

10:30 am

The big Mercedes entered the muddy courtyard to Carrowbank Farm and pulled up in front of a barn. Roger and Mimi got out, and once more chickens scattered everywhere. At first sight no-one seemed to be about. But then the door to the farm building across the yard opened and Marion came out to stand on the doorstep.
"Morning Roger," she called across the open space littered with muddy puddles.
Roger had forgotten all about the mud and cursed the fact that he was wearing a pair of expensive shoes once more. Mimi followed Roger across the farmyard. Treading in his footprints as they zigzagged around the many puddles.
At the doorstep they wiped their feet.
"Morning Marion," said Roger on arrival.
Marion smiled.
"Well this is a surprise Roger," she said.
Actually she was surprised on two accounts. Firstly Roger calling again so soon after Sunday, and secondly he had a very nice looking young lady with him. She thought him to be a confirmed bachelor.
"Is your father about?" asked Roger.
"He's up in the north meadows somewhere," she informed him, "but he should be back shortly… Why?.. Do you want to speak to him?"
"Yes I'd like to," said Roger. "It's about his empty barns. I'm looking for some temporary storage space for some old exhibition stuff and I thought we might come to a deal."
"You'd better come in and wait then… Would you like a cup of coffee or something while you're waiting?.. Oh, and your… err… friend too," said Marion.
"I'd think we'd both love a drink," said Roger answering for Mimi too. "And by the way, this is Mimi… she's a… a friend of mine."
Roger wondered if he should have used the words 'girl friend' or even 'fiancée', but he was not sure. After all he had only known Mimi for a few days. In the end he just opted for the word friend. It stopped embarrassment all round.
Mimi smiled at Marion and nodded her head in recognition. She had wondered why she had opted to come with Roger on a business trip in the first place. Especially to a rambling old muddy farm in the middle of nowhere. She could quite easily have stopped in bed. She had been given the option. Then she told herself the answer was simple. That afternoon she had to be on her way back to London and she wanted to be with Roger; to be by his side; until the very last moment. It was silly really, but it was just the way she felt. It was something that just had to be done. In Mimi's mind they were now a pair. She also guessed that Roger felt the same way about her.
The three were seated around the kitchen table supping their drinks when the postman arrived. Several letters dropped through the door to land on the mat. Marion moved from the table and collected the letters. Back at the table she began to open up the mail.
After a while, and after reading a letter postmarked 'Dundee - Scotland' Marion sighed.
"Oh dear!" she said. "Aunt May can't make it to the wedding… That's sad.. she say's Uncle Jimmy is too ill to make the long journey… mind you, they're both in their eighties, so I'm not surprised."
Roger had heard of Aunt May and Uncle Jimmy but never met them. He thought that Aunt May was Godfrey's Aunt but could not be certain. But after living here for three months last summer he was starting to feel like one of the family himself, and he felt the same sadness.
"That is sad," he echoed, "I do hope Uncle Jimmy gets better."
However Uncle Jimmy's illness was not Marion's primary concern as she read the letter once more. Yes she cared about him, of course she did. But with her wedding now only eleven days away she had an awful lot on her mind.
"What am I going to do about the wedding now?" asked Marion.
"Do what?" asked Roger and not understanding the question.
"Well we've booked a sit down meal for everyone… I don't like to cancel it… I've already cancelled two last week… I don't fancy phoning up again and cancelling two more…They'll think everyone is walking out on me!" explained Marion.
"Can't you think of anyone else?" asked Roger and supping his coffee.
"Not unless you want to come Roger?" she stated. "You're most welcome, and you're almost part of the family anyway."
Roger considered the offer. It was most unexpected, but in a way he felt that he would very much like to attend the wedding. Marion had been a great friend and they had all got on well together last summer. In fact she had nearly been one of his many conquests. It got very close one hot summer's night when they were alone together at the farm.
Roger returned his mind to the present. He was still uncertain as to the exact date of the wedding.
"When is the wedding exactly?" he asked.
"It's a week next Saturday Roger… just eleven days to go now… that's all it is…," she said as if counting the days down. Then she added: "You can bring Mimi along too if you want to… there's two places available now… what do think?… would both of you like to come to my wedding?… I'm offering you the invitation."
Roger looked to Mimi.
"Well what do you think Mimi?" he asked.
She nodded. The invitation had come as a bit of a surprise. She did not know the family. But if it meant an excuse to return to Littlesea and be by Roger's side then she was all for it.
"Why not? I enjoy weddings," she told Roger. "I'd love to go."
Roger turned to face Marion.
"It looks like you've got two new guests coming then," he told her.
Marion smiled.
Her little mini crisis had been solved.
Her only problem now was to break the news of Uncle Jimmy's illness to her father.

11:30 am

Roger, Mimi and Marion were out in the barns when Godfrey Brookes arrived back on his tractor. They had been looking around the place for a suitable storage area in which to keep all Mr. McTavish's abandoned items. Since Godfrey had given up keeping animals of any sort, except chickens of course, and turning to arable farming, then a lot of space had become available. Marion felt sure that her father would agree. It was silly having all these old barns sitting around and doing nothing, so she was out there helping them find the most suitable place to store everything in. The three of them stepped out of an old barn door and into the courtyard as soon as they heard Godfrey's tractor approaching.
Godfrey saw his daughter standing with Roger and another girl next to the doors to the old barn over on the far side of the farmyard. He climbed down from his cab and crossed the yard to join them. With wellington boots on his feet he walked in a straight line, and splashing in the puddles as he went.
On arrival he held out a hand and greeted Roger.
"Nice to see you again Roger," said Godfrey. "And what brings you back here so soon?.. Have you come to show off your pretty girlfriend?"
Roger smiled at the remark. He thought that it was best to introduce Mimi to him.
"This is Mimi… she's a friend of mine," he told the farmer.
Godfrey wiped the palms of his hands clean on his overalls before offering Mimi's his hand.
"Roger knows how to pick 'em!" he remarked. "You're very beautiful."
Mimi smiled an embarrassed smiled and shook the farmer's hand.
"Why thank you Mr. Brookes," was all she could think of to say.
Godfrey turned back to Roger.
"Have you been in the house? Has Marion offered you a drink?" he asked.
"Yes thank you Godfrey, we've been well looked after," replied Roger and then went on to explain the reason for his visit: "Godfrey, we've been looking around some of your empty barns… I'm looking for someplace to store some of last year's exhibition items… It's only temporary until Mr. McTavish gets back… but I thought that you might have some space available that was suitable… and willing to rent to me of course!"
Godfrey was only too willing to help. He had met Mr. McTavish when he had called at the farm to collect Roger one day last summer… and he liked the old Scotsman… they had chatted for quite some time and had got on well together.
"Roger, I've got more than enough space here… have what you want… just don't expect me to do any of the carrying…," answered Godfrey.
"Why thanks Godfrey," said Roger. "And I want to make this official too... I've got a big budget and I want to make sure you get something out of this… So how much do you think it's worth?"
"Oh, I don't want anything for it," protested Godfrey.
"Yes you do Godfrey!.." insisted Roger. "I'm going to make sure that all this pays for Marion's wedding at least… So how much Godfrey?.. Give me a price per week for using your big barn over there."
"How long is it going to be for then?" asked the farmer.
"Till about April I guess…At least until after the new exhibition has opened and had time to settle down… And then Mr. McTavish will probably want to rummage through what's down here and sort things out for himself," reasoned Roger.
"What's that then? About twelve weeks is it Roger?" asked Godfrey.
He still did not really want to take the money. But Marion's wedding was becoming a little bit of a financial burden, and Roger was being insistent.
"How about a hundred pounds a week?.. Will that do then?" suggested Godfrey.
"Rubbish!" stated Roger. "I'm going to pay you five hundred pounds a week… Now don't argue Godfrey… that's dirt cheap for storage nowadays."
Godfrey still did not like it. But he could see Roger was not going to be persuaded otherwise.
He nodded his head. Reluctantly he would take it.
"If it must be, then five hundred pounds a week it shall be," answered Godfrey with a shrug to the shoulders.
They shook hands on the deal.
"Thanks Godfrey," said Roger. "It's much appreciated… Now when can I start moving my stuff in?.. I'd like to start tomorrow if I may."
"The barn's empty… do with it what you want," replied Godfrey. "You can start today if you want."
"Tomorrow will do," sighed Roger. "Tomorrow will do!"
His next problem was to organise some sort of transport.
He could see that the next few weeks were going to be extremely busy.
He also had a wedding to fit in somewhere.
Yes, it was going to be very busy time indeed.
But he had one consolation. At least he would have a chance to be with Mimi again when the wedding came round.
He wondered if he could wait that long? Eleven days seemed an awful long time to him.

2:00 pm

Four females, namely Davina Townsend, Georgina Watkinson, Tracy Goodyear and Wendy Bartlett all found themselves sitting in the reception area outside Dr. Lang's surgery at Littlesea General Hospital. Tracy and Wendy had travelled there together; whilst Davina and Georgina had arrived in separate cars. As it happened there was no more than five minutes difference between the first and last arrival, and all were punctual and in good time for the appointment. Whilst they waited they chatted. They had to get their stories straight. It was important that everyone remembered what they had to say.
These four girls, all very much different and from all walks of life, shared one thing in common. They had all once been captured and put through some horrific tortures at the hands of a psychopath by the name of Malcolm Smith. Today's appointment with Dr. Lang was to be their first counselling session since that horrendous time when all were being held prisoner in the mock dungeon in the basement of a building at the local amusement park in Littlesea.
Dr. Gabriel Lang greeted all four girls in the reception area and led them through into his consulting chambers. He was ready to begin his first therapeutic counselling session. And perhaps at the end of it all, he might find himself a little closer to the truth. For he had a lot of nagging questions still to be answered.
The room was big and specially laid out to give a relaxing atmosphere. There were easy chairs laid in a circle with a small low table at the centre. On the surface of the table lay a large tray with both steaming hot coffee and tea available. There was also an assortment of biscuits on offer.
After enquiring what each girl wanted, Dr. Lang set about pouring out the hot drinks. It was now time to summon up their attention.
"Now girls," he started. "This is what I propose to do today."
The four girls looked to each other and then turned to face the doctor.
All four crossed their fingers and hoped that they had all got their stories straight.

 3:00 pm

As mid-afternoon came round Roger and Mimi found themselves back at the amusement park. On arrival they made straight for the kitchen to rustle up a quick meal for themselves. This was their first chance to eat something since leaving the building early that morning. As ever Roger had been very busy and Mimi had just tagged on behind. Wherever Roger went she just followed.
Roger was desperate to find someone willing to transport all the unwanted junk in the basement to Carrowbank Farm starting first thing tomorrow morning. He had gone round most of the hauliers in the area before finding someone willing to take on the job. In the end he found success and there was a lorry now coming in the morning along with a couple of strong guys to help with the loading and unloading.
Roger was a little more relaxed now that everything had been organised. The only trouble now being, it would soon be time for Mimi to return to London. He was not looking forward to that at all. He had considered asking her down next weekend, but Joe Wright had phoned since and confirmed the second shipment from London would appear on Saturday morning along with a gang of men. The remaining three loads were due to arrive on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of the following week. So whether Roger liked it or not he was going to be a very busy man right up to the day of the wedding. In the end he just resigned himself to the fact that he would not see Mimi again for the next eleven days. He wondered if he could last out that long.
Secretly Mimi was thinking along the same lines. But she too was resigned to the fact that Roger and his work had to come first.
As they were about to finish their meal, Roger asked: "What time were you thinking of going back then Mimi?"
Somehow with all the panics going on he had not got around to asking.
Mimi gave the question some thought. In reality she did not want to go at all, but she knew that Lenny would be wanting her on Wednesday morning. She was aware that another quite lucrative photo-shoot was coming up and it was important that she should be there.
She shrugged her shoulders: "At about five o'clock I suppose Roger," she sighed noticeably. She would then be back for eight o'clock and in plenty of time to tidy up her flat and get things ready for in the morning. There was also a cat somewhere that would most probably need feeding.
Roger held out a hand and placed it on top of Mimi's on the table. They looked into each other's eyes and smiled.
"Never mind Mimi," he said and trying to comfort her. "A week on Saturday and you'll be back for the wedding."
Mimi looked at Roger.
"I guess so Roger," she sighed.
Roger looked to his watch. They still had two hours together. He had a few more things to do, but that would not take long. He needed to pay a quick visit to the basement and check on everything that had to go to Carrowbank Farm in the morning. But after that he would be free to concentrate on being with Mimi. Perhaps a stroll along the beach before she went, or even another trip to the old castle. It was nice and pleasant up there just sitting on one of those benches on top of the cliffs. However, the basement had to come first. He could not rest his mind until that was sorted. There were a few things that had to be kept here and he did not want to see them go missing. Somehow there just had to be a little bit of organisation amongst the chaos.
"A trip to the basement first," Roger told Mimi, "and then a stroll on the beach or a trip to the castle afterwards… I'll leave it to you to decide."
Mimi smiled. She did not mind what they did as long as they were together. But secretly she wanted to spend the last hour back in bed with Roger. It felt right that way.
"I'll just tag on Roger," she told him, "wherever you go I'll just follow."
Roger got up from the table and dumped the plates in the sink. The washing up could wait till later.
Mimi helped clear the table.
"Right," said Roger, "follow me… it's the basement next… I need to check on a few things… after that… I'm all yours Mimi."
Mimi could not wait to gain Roger's sole and undivided attention once more. She desperately craved one more lovemaking session before she returned to London. She just hoped that Roger still had enough energy left after last night's many prolonged and steamy sessions. She was even thinking of teasing him with a bit more bondage to gain his interest. But on reflection she did not think that would be necessary.
Roger and Mimi took the service lifts all the way down to basement level. Roger was not a great fan of using stairs when there was a lift around that would do all the work for you.
They emerged into the large hall through a door next to the steps leading up to the foyer. Mimi had not got a clue where Roger was heading. As ever she was just tagging on along. But when they turned and walked away from the cave entrances and long tunnels that led to the dungeon area she had to admit that she felt slightly disappointed.
Mimi followed on. At the opposite end of the hall lay a partitioned off area. She had not been here before. Together they passed through a door in the screens and entered an area littered with all sorts of display items and packing cases.
Roger held out his arms.
"All this lot's got to go to the farm Mimi," he informed her. "I just need to check through everything and make sure that nothing we want to keep here finds its way to Godfrey's barn."
Before Mimi could reply Roger moved away to investigate the contents of a metal cabinet stood against the back wall. There was also a workbench stood next to the cabinet. This area had many uses apart from the storing of unwanted items. It also doubled up as a workshop to repair various broken items for one thing.
Mimi stood alone amongst the crates. She looked around the partitioned off area. Most of what was stored down here appeared to be junk. But two items of interest did catch her eye. There were stocks in one corner and a pillory at the bottom of a long flight of concrete stairs. She looked around to see that Roger was still busy investigating the contents of the large metal cabinet. She twiddled her thumbs in frustration. In the end, out of sheer boredom, she decided to go over and take a quick peek at the pillory.
The pillory itself was on a raised wooden platform which looked to be transportable since she could see four caster wheels placed on the four corners of the base. She tried to push the whole construction, but the wheels appeared to be locked, or even rusted up, it was hard to tell. But either way, nothing moved.
She bent down and picked up a cane that had been lying on the floor beside the pillory. She wondered if anyone had been using this before? But finding the cane alongside the device did arouse a few suspicions. She wondered if the previous caretaker had anything to do with it? She placed it on the platform, then walked a complete circle around the device.
The pillory itself was at the front of the platform and supported on one single large wooden pillar. On top of that stood a horizontal board with a further hinged board on top of that. Between the boards were three holes. A large one in the centre for the head, and two smaller holes, one to either side for the hands. Other than that there was not a lot more to it.
Mimi climbed up onto the platform to take a closer look at the hinged boards. There was one very similar to this in the FotoPix Studios, but theirs also had boards next to the floor for holding the legs in place. The top hinged upwards at one corner. On the opposite end to the hinge there was a locking device that was obviously designed to take a padlock, but she could see no signs of it. She lifted up the top board. It was a bit stiff but she was able to raise the board up and down.
She looked across the floor to Roger. He appeared to be still very busy. From somewhere he had produced a clipboard and was making various notes as he walked around the crates.
Mimi shook her head. Why did she love him so much? Roger could be quite a workaholic at times. Here they both were, with less than two hours to go before she had to leave, and all he could do was walk around the place with pad and pencil and making cryptic notes about some boring old packing cases. She felt helpless and frustrated. She wanted him badly and was dripping wet with desire between her legs, but nothing was happening. How on Earth could she attract his undivided attention? She leaned on the pillory and sighed. Then she had an idea.
Quickly she began to take off her clothes.
Roger looked up, and through the corner of his eye he saw what Mimi was doing. For a second or two he could not figure out what was happening, but then he cottoned on. He had a fair notion that she was going to use the pillory in some way to distract him. Well she had, and he could no longer think of work.
Mimi had been pulling a jersey up and over her head when he spotted her, so she had not seen him look up. Deliberately he looked away as Mimi turned to face him. As far as Mimi was concerned he did not want her to know that he had seen what she was doing. He bent down and tied to look as if he was counting the contents of a crate. He then began to think what evil trick he could play on her. He had inspected the pillory on the first day he arrived, and if he recalled correctly everything was there except a padlock for the side.
Roger had an idea. Somewhere along the line he had written down padlocks on his clipboard. He traced his finger down the notes and found the crate he was looking for. Slowly he sidled across the area to a crate he had previously recorded and moved the lid to one side. He selected a particularly large padlock and checked that the key that went with it fitted. He then found another key that would most definitely not fit. He then slipped the padlock and the correct key into one pocket, and the wrong one into another. Now he was ready.
About two minutes later he heard Mimi call: "Roger!" across the floor.
He looked up to find her stood totally naked on the platform to the pillory. She had the hinged board raised and was threatening to lock her arms and head inside.
Roger tried to sound surprised.
"Mimi?.. What do you think you're doing?" he asked with voice raised.
"Testing out your equipment for you Roger," she shouted back.
"I don't think it needs testing!" he informed her.
"Well I think it does… I'm an expert at this sort of thing don't forget… And I'm an even better tester…," argued Mimi.
She was pleased. At least she had gained Roger's attention. Even if it meant being stripped stark naked to do so. Now she was determined to keep that attention.
"Well you can test it all you like, but it's no good without a padlock," he told her.
Mimi conceded the point.
"Well you'd better find me a padlock then Roger," she called back across the floor.
"Stay there," said Roger. "I'll sort you out a padlock."
And with that he walked away to the cupboard and tried to give the impression that he was searching for something. Hidden behind the cupboard door he extracted the padlock and the good key from out of his pocket and held them in his hand. He then set off to join Mimi. She was still stood naked on the platform with the board half raised and waiting patiently for Roger to arrive.
Roger showed Mimi the padlock.
"I've found this one in the cupboard," he told her. "Will this provide you with the suitable test you require?"
Mimi smiled and so did Roger. Work was forgotten and they were fooling around again.
"Well I'm not sure Roger," replied Mimi with a wicked glint to her eye. "I guess the only way to find out is to give it a thorough test."
"I guess so!" reasoned Roger as he stepped up onto the platform to join Mimi. "And all our equipment must be rigorously tested before it leaves the premises. I'm sure Mr. McTavish would approve of your actions if he was here. He's a stickler for authenticity."
"Well if that's the case, I'd better get testing then," said Mimi, and raising the board some more in readiness.
"Just a minute Mimi," said Roger. "I've not tried out this padlock before. I'd better test the key and see if it fits first."
Mimi watched as Roger closed up the padlock and inserted the key. He turned it and the padlock opened. He did it once more in order to convince Mimi that the key worked.
"Yes, that's fine Mimi… the key fits," he told her. "Now how do we go about testing this much bigger part?" he said quickly and pointing to the pillory.
Mimi turned her head away, and in that second Roger switched the keys.
"I guess I need to put my hands and head in these slots," said Mimi. "I think that's how it's got to be tested."
"Here hang on to this then," said Roger and handing Mimi the wrong key. "I don't want to be accused of losing it. And I think it will be much safer in your hands."
Mimi smiled and took the key from Roger. She then clutched it tightly in her fist.
"I guess it will be safer with me," she told him.
"Right, let's get testing," said Roger and taking over the holding of the hinged board. He then tutted and added: "The things I have to do for this company!… I think I'll have to put in for an even bigger pay rise after this."
Mimi chuckled and stooped forward. Carefully she placed her wrists and neck into the slots provided. Her one fist was closed and clutching on tightly to the key. Roger positioned the board carefully to make sure that no flesh was pinched, then closed up the catch and locked the padlock in place.
"Well there we are, it all seems to work," said Roger stepping down from off the platform. "Now I guess we've got to see if you can escape or not."
Mimi gave a little shuffle and attempted to remove her arms and head from out of the holes. Obviously she was never going to get out of it, it was just a token gesture done in fun. But all the same it did prove that the pillory really did all it was designed to do.
"I guess it works properly," confirmed Mimi, then asked: "So what next Roger?"
"Mmm.. now let me see!… " said Roger rubbing his chin and looking thoughtful. "People weren't just locked into pillories and then immediately released… I guess to test it properly we'll have to keep you in there a little while longer… What do you think Mimi?.. Will that be the best way to give it a proper test?"
"I guess that it would!… We've got to test it properly now that I'm here," replied Mimi.
"How long then?" asked Roger.
"Oh! At least ten minutes I should think… maybe even longer… I'll let you decide," suggested Mimi.
Roger moved to stand directly in front of the pillory so that Mimi could turn her head and see him.
"So what do we do in the mean time?" he asked and trying hard to look serious.
"I guess the proper thing to do would be to throw rotten tomatoes at me," suggested Mimi.
"Sorry, but we're right out of rotten tomatoes," apologised Roger.
"I wonder how I should be punished then?" queried Mimi.
"Would a cane do it?" asked Roger and retrieving the one resting on the platform by her feet.
He showed it to her face.
"Mmm… might!" answered Mimi, then gave a wicked smile. "It just might do the trick."
"Perhaps I'd better give it a try and see," suggested Roger.
"I suppose you must," said Mimi with another little chuckle.
Now that she had Roger's full and undivided attention she was enjoying this to the hilt. She was so glad that she had decided to take off all her clothes and call Roger over to her.
Roger moved around the platform to stand behind Mimi and a little to one side. Her bare buttocks were thrust out backwards and she stood with legs slightly apart. He sized up a suitable spot from to where to stand, gauged the distance with outstretched arm and cane in hand, and tapped her lightly on the buttocks a few times.
"Would six be a good test?" he asked.
"Could be a good number," replied Mimi, her head hidden from view by the boards. "You'd better try it and see!"
Mimi had been caned on many occasions before. More than she cared to remember. So she was not unduly concerned with what was happening now. It was all in a days work to her. And besides she was confident that Roger would be most sparing with the strokes. She knew that deep down he would never intentionally harm her. In fact she was most happy just to let him play out this little fantasy and let him enjoy every moment of it. And as for herself. She too was going to enjoy every moment of the fantasy.
Roger struck Mimi six times across the buttocks. On each occasion the cane swished and met the flesh with a sharp crack. Yet there was nothing vicious about the caning. But all the same, strong enough to redden up the cheeks. Mimi took each stroke with the minimum of fuss. There were intakes of breath and little whimpers as each stroke of the cane landed, but there was nothing to suggest any distress.
Roger walked to the front of the pillory. He was still holding the cane. He flexed it between his hands and waited for Mimi to look up. She turned her head the best she could and saw the cane. Her backside was still smarting from the blows but she was not in pain. She smiled and rattled the pillory with her trapped hands.
"I'm still in here Roger, and nothing collapsed or fell apart," she remarked. "So I guess that was another successful test!"
"I guess that was a good test Mimi," responded Roger. "But now what?.. Do we carry on testing?… Another six strokes perhaps?… Or shall we spend the last hour of your stay up in the bedroom?.. What do you think Mimi?… What's it to be?"
Mimi did not need asking twice. Roger was offering to take her to bed. This is what she had schemed for all along. She had deliberately stripped naked to gain his attention, and this little episode with the pillory, though enjoyable had been nothing but foreplay leading up to the main thing. Now she had Roger's undivided attention she was not going to give up the opportunity to go to bed with him.
"I think we've done enough testing, don't you Roger?" she answered. "So bed seems like the best suggestion."
Roger smiled. He knew that Mimi would opt for the offer of going to bed with him. But he had other ideas. Already his penis was rampant beneath his pants. He might take her to bed afterwards, but not before he took her down here first.
"Give us the key then Mimi," he said. "And let's retire to the attics for an hour or so. I guess that I don't have to do any more work until this evening."
Roger held out his hand and Mimi handed him the key from out of her clenched fist. He collected it, and making sure that the key remained permanently in her sight, he placed it in the lock. He gave the key a turn, but nothing moved. He of course was expecting this, but Mimi was not. She was expecting the barrels to turn and the padlock to open.
Suddenly Roger pulled a worried face.
Mimi, with head turned sideways was watching what Roger was doing. As the key jammed she asked: "What's the matter Roger?"
"The key doesn't fit Mimi!… It just won't turn," he told her. "I just don't understand?.. It was all right when I tested it!… Are you sure this is the same key?"
Mimi was looking worried. She already had visions of being locked in the pillory for a very long time.
"Of course it is!" she responded. "I've not let it go since you handed it me."
"Well it certainly doesn't fit anymore Mimi," said Roger. "I guess it must be the padlock that's jammed then… It's an old one and probably something inside has snapped… I think we might have to get the Fire Brigade out to cut you free… Unless you can think of something better?"
"Are you sure it's the lock that's broken?" asked a very worried Mimi.
"It must be Mimi, I can't think of anything else," he told her, and he attempted to turn the key once more.
Mimi could see that Roger was genuinely trying to undo the lock and with little success. She wondered if Roger was being serious about calling out the Fire Brigade? But it was like he said: If he could not get her out then he would just have to send for help.
Roger gave up turning the key and stepped in front of the pillory.
"What we going to do then Mimi?" he asked. "The only thing I can think of is call for some help."
"Well don't let them see me like this Roger," said a very worried Mimi. "I haven't got a stitch of clothing on… what am I going to do?"
Roger looked behind the pillory at Mimi's thrust out backside. Secretly he was enjoying this little tease.
"Well I can put your panties back on," he said. "But I don't know about the top… I guess they'll just have to put up with seeing your tits."
"Roger, that's not very funny!" remarked Mimi.
"I'll tell you what Mimi," said Roger. "I've got an idea… If I've got to phone for help and they're going to see you naked… then to make it fair,… they can see me naked as well."
And with that he started to remove his shirt.
"Roger?.. What are you doing?" asked a confused Mimi.
"I told you Mimi… I'm taking off my clothes too… All for one, and one for all!.. or something like that!" he told her.
Mimi watched Roger drop his trousers and saw his manhood spring out. Roger was rampant and wanting her. In that second she twigged what was going on. Roger was not unduly worried over the key not fitting. Instead he wanted her badly. This was just another little game, and he was playing out another fantasy. Suddenly she relaxed. Either he had another key, or he knew of some way to release her. Perhaps unscrewing the hinges or something.
She decided to return the tease. She would help Roger with his new fantasy.
"Well if people are going to see us both naked, then you'd better do something to get rid of that thing first… hadn't you big boy?" she remarked and looking at his massive erection.
Roger was completely naked himself now and looked down to see what Mimi was referring to.
"I think you're right Mimi," he told her. "I wonder what's the best way to make it settle down?"
"I think it needs putting somewhere!" hinted Mimi and waggling her rear suggestively. "Somewhere where it'll be happy for a while!"
Roger stepped up on the platform behind Mimi. She trust out her backside the best she could and opened out her legs wide. He ran a finger along her slit. It was dripping wet. Slowly a finger entered her virgina and he moved it around the inner walls in a circular motion.
"Is this the spot where it should go?" he asked her. "Will it be happy in here?"
"I think it will be extremely happy in there," replied Mimi.
She could not wait.
Roger removed his finger and stepped forward. Slowly he began to rub the end of his penis up and down the full length of her dripping wet slit.
Mimi groaned and tried to thrust her buttocks back even further. To somehow try and capture the tantalising goodies on offer. To suck it in and never let it go.
But Roger kept her waiting a little bit longer. He could see that she wanted him badly. But eventually he could hold back his desire for her a moment longer, and he entered her. Slipping his rampant penis into her and holding it there, buried deep inside her.
"Do you think it's happy now?" he asked.
Mimi immediately sucked in a deep intake of breath and screamed with pleasure. Roger started to move slowly in and out of her lubricated passage. It took about four deep strokes to bring her to orgasm, that was all, and she screamed again. This was something wonderful. When it came to the art of bringing someone off, then Roger was the perfect lover. How he managed to do this to her every time they made love, she did not know?
Panting for breath, Mimi gasped: "I think he's very happy now!"
Roger pumped away slowly to start with. He did not want to rush. As the rate picked up, Mimi began to call out once more. A second orgasm was on its way. As Roger climaxed, she did the same, and the hall echoed to her screams of delight.
When it was all over, Roger stepped down and moved to the front. He collected a key from a pocket and set it in the padlock. This time the key turned and the padlock opened. He raised up the board and Mimi sagged to her knees on the boards of the platform.
Roger picked her up into his arms. They were both stark naked and both very much out of breath.
"Bed next Mimi?" he asked. "We've still got another hour left to go."
Mimi looked up into Roger's eyes and smiled.
"Why not Roger?" she answered. "Let's go to bed for an hour?"

4:00 pm

As four o'clock arrived the group session at Dr. Gabriel Lang's surgery was coming to a close. The doctor considered two hours had been long enough for starters. There was not a lot wrong with the four girls anyway. None of them had any emotional hang-ups that needed drastic treatment, and the pressure was also off. The police were no longer interested in explicit interviews. As far as they were concerned the case against Malcolm Smith was closed. As a result the next group session had been arranged for four weeks time, and that might even be the last.
The four girls involved put on their coats and shook hands goodbye with the doctor. They all considered the session had gone well. The doctor had not asked them anything strenuous, in fact most of the session had just been filled with good humoured chit-chat about nothing in particular.
Davina's and Tracy's trip to the 'Coach and Horses' public house in Lancashire had been touched upon, but neither girl had let anything slip. As far as anyone was concerned, they had simply stayed there for five nights, and that was it. It had just been a nice relaxing break, and they had come away suitably refreshed.
As Dr. Lang closed the door behind them and found himself alone in the room, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
The girls were hiding quite a number things from him. Their stories were too neat and far too conveniently corroborated to ring true.
He was curious as to what it was they were all hiding? There was a special bonding between them that could not be explained easily.
So what was their big secret? They were certainly hiding something, that was a fact. He pondered on how best to go about finding out without letting the girls know that he was on to them?
What it needed was a session with one of the girls, preferably when she was alone and off her guard. But which one of the four? And where would he gain the opportunity?
He had already given hypnosis treatment to Wendy whilst she was recovering in hospital, and she was receptive to his suggestions. But he was a doctor and it was his professional duty to look after her welfare, and not take advantage of their relationship. And anyway she was obviously the junior of the four, and probably not as well informed as the rest. No, Wendy was the wrong choice. It had to be one of the others. But which one?
After careful consideration the doctor came to a decision. Tracy Goodyear was the obvious choice. He could then kill two birds with one stone. He had some rather private questions to ask this girl regarding her change in attitude to the opposite sex, and he had promised Richard Davies that he would get back to him on this issue.
Having decided on whom to question, then next he needed to find the right opportunity. It could not be done with an official appointment. That was too dangerous and would alert the others. It had to be done by stealth.
The doctor recalled a forthcoming event.
He moved to his desk and opened up his diary. He was looking for a certain date.
His finger tapped on a page. He had found what he was looking for.
"The twenty-second of January… that's the date… it's a week next Saturday… in eleven days time," he said quietly to himself. "Perhaps I can do something then?… With a bit of luck I might get the opportunity to take Tracy to one side and probe for a few answers?"
The note in the diary read: 'Wendy Bartlett's eighteenth birthday.'
The teenager was holding a party at her home at Castle Point, and he had been invited.

5:00 pm

Five o'clock arrived and it was time for Mimi to leave for London.
Roger saw Mimi's car to the main gate and kissed her goodbye through the wound down window.
"Goodbye then Mimi," he said, "I'll see you in eleven days time then."
Mimi smiled, but there was also a touch of sadness there too. Eleven days was a long time to be apart.
"Goodbye Roger," replied Mimi, "I'll ring as soon as I get back and let you know I got home safely."
Roger returned the smile.
"I'll be waiting by the phone," he told her.
They kissed one more time.
"I love you Roger," said Mimi as they broke apart.
"And I love you too," echoed Roger through the wound down window.
Neither wanted the parting to happen, but both had their respective work to go to. Mimi engaged gear and moved on through the gates.
Roger closed up the gates behind the car and waved.
A hand appeared from out of the car and waved back, and then the car was heading off down the road.
Roger sighed as Mimi's car disappeared out of sight.
Eleven days?
How could he possibly last that long without seeing his Mimi?
He started to count down the hours.

End of Chapter Four