CHAPTER EIGHT - Laddered Stockings

The next morning … Sunday 13th February …

9:00 am

Roger pulled up outside the main gates to the amusement park at nine o'clock the next morning. The skies were overcast and the weather was a little gloomy, but it was not raining. He got out of the big Mercedes and peered through the bars of the gate towards the main building of the complex. He could see a light on in the kitchen window high up on the fourth floor. This told him that Mr. McTavish was back. On his departure the day before he had made sure that everything was switched off. On seeing the light he unlocked the gates and drove through into the park. Mimi was seated by his side and had remained in the car throughout all that time.
"He's definitely back, there's a light on in the kitchen," Roger informed Mimi as he climbed back into the car.
Mimi combed her hair and checked her face in a mirror. She wanted to look her best for Mr. McTavish. She had never met the Scotsman, and wanted to give a good impression right from the start for Roger's sake.
"Don't worry, you look wonderful," Roger told Mimi as she ran the comb through her hair for a second time.
Mimi smiled. Yet all the same she was nervous, and she had good reason to be. She had been one of the models used in the dungeon photographs produced for Mr. McTavish's brochures. She wondered what Mr. McTavish's reactions would be to meeting someone he had only ever seen naked and either strapped to a rack or chained to a wall someplace. She was also concerned for Roger's benefit. Mr. McTavish was his boss, and she did not want to do anything that would jeopardise his position in the company.
Roger saw things differently. Mr. McTavish was not the ogre Mimi thought him to be. But all the same he had thought hard and long whether it was best to take Mimi along with him to the amusement park that morning. In the end he thought that it was best to introduce her as his girlfriend from day one, and explain that they had met prior to the photo-shoot, and that she only came down to visit him at weekends. He reckoned that sooner or later they were going to meet up anyway, so why not introduce them to each other right from the start and get it over with? And besides, he knew Mr. McTavish well enough, and he was certain that the Scotsman would be overjoyed to meet Mimi.
The Mercedes pulled up outside the main building and Roger and Mimi got out. Together they walked up the steps and into the foyer. Roger moved to a telephone on the reception desk and dialled the three digit number for the kitchen.
The phone rang three times before being answered.
"McTavish here," came the answer.
"Good morning Mr. McTavish, Roger Downton here, the new caretaker. I'm down stairs in the foyer," he told him.
"Och! Good morning Roger, I saw a car coming doon the drive, so I guessed it was yee," answered Mr. McTavish.
"Can I come up?" asked Roger.
He did not know what state of dress the Scotsman was in, and he had Mimi with him. So he considered it best to ask first.
"Och Roger I was just a coming doon the stairs. Have yee had a breakfast yet?" he asked.
Both Roger and Mimi had not eaten a thing. They had got out of bed, got themselves showered and dressed and headed straight for the amusement park. However, he still wondered what sort of question that was. All the same he answered honestly.
"No I've not eaten yet Mr. McTavish," he replied.
"Och! That's grand laddie, I was just a gooing over the  wee road to have a bite to eat. Perhaps yee can join me there Roger," suggested the Scotsman.
Roger recalled a café being just across the road where Mr. McTavish used to eat frequently, but strangely he had never been in the place himself. The main reason being Marion had always provided him with a decent breakfast back at the farm. He thought that the name of the place was 'Alf's Café', but he was not quite certain about that.
He also thought it was time to tell him about Mimi.
"I've love too have breakfast with you Mr. McTavish, but I've also got someone else with me," explained Roger.
"Och! who's that then Roger?" asked the Scotsman.
"My girlfriend's here with me," he explained. "She's come down to see me over the weekend, and we're stopping at the farm."
Mimi looked coy. This was the first time she had heard Roger announce her as his girlfriend rather than just friend. These were the first signs that their relationship was getting serious.
"Och that's grand Roger… I bet she's beautiful," said Mr. McTavish.
"She most definitely is!" confirmed Roger.
"Och Roger, I'll be doon in a wee while, just wait for me there and we'll goo across the road together," said Mr. McTavish.
"Will do," answered Roger. "We'll wait outside for you."
"Och, that's grand laddie… just give me five minutes and I'll be with yee," answered the Scotsman.
Roger put the phone down.
"He'll be down in about five minutes," he told Mimi. "I said we'd wait outside."
Arm in arm they departed the foyer and walked down the steps to wait alongside the Mercedes. Mimi opened up her handbag and checked her face once more in the mirror. She was more nervous than ever now.
Five minutes later Mr. McTavish appeared at the top of the steps and looked down on the waiting couple. His beard was probably a little longer and bleached a little more white by the Australian sun, but other than that he was just how Roger remembered him from last summer.
The Scotsman descended the steps and the two men shook hands.
"A good journey back?" asked Roger.
"Och it's a long time sat in a plane and I'm still a wee bit stiff," replied Mr. McTavish, "but otherwise I'm just grand laddie."
Roger turned to Mimi.
"This is my girlfriend Mimi," he told him.
Mr. McTavish turned and smiled. He held out his hand.
"Mimi, yee are beautiful," he told her. "Och, I knew Roger would only pick the best."
Then he thought for a moment. Had he seen this face somewhere before? He thought that he had, but could not quite recall where. Then it came to him. This was one of the girls on the photographs he had received whilst in Australia.
"Och, and have I noo a seen yee 'afore Mimi? Yee noo the bonnie lassie on ma brochures are yee?"
Mimi nodded her head. It was true.
"That's me Mr. McTavish. I hope you liked the photographs?" she replied and took his hand.
They shook hands.
"Och Mimi, they were just grand… I thought then just what a bonnie lassie yee were… and now I know it," he answered.
The ice was broken and Mimi relaxed. Mr. McTavish was a very amiable person and obviously easy to get on with. Roger had told her so, but until she actually met him she had remained naturally nervous.
"Why thank you Mr. McTavish," said Mimi, "I'm glad you liked what we did for you."
Mr. McTavish turned to Roger.
"Och Roger, let's a goo and get a wee something to eat," he said. "I've noo eaten anything but plastic airline food for twar days, and I need a good breakfast."
And with that the trio set off at a brisk pace down the drive. Their destination Alf's Café, and with a full English breakfast of bacon, egg, sausages, mushrooms, tomatoes and fried bread in prospect.
For Roger it was just like old times.
It was good to have Mr. McTavish back.

9:30 am

Mr. McTavish, Roger and Mimi were enjoying their breakfasts when a smartly dressed man in a navy-blue chauffeurs' uniform walked into the café. He was a tall slim man, with dark hair, neatly trimmed beard, and thick black rimmed spectacles.
All three were sat at the same table next to the window. Roger and Mimi had their backs to the door, but Mr. McTavish was facing the other way and saw the chauffeur arrive. He smiled and waved, and Roger turned his head to see who it was.
"Good morning Mr. McTavish," shouted the man as he walked across to the counter to order himself a drink.
"Och, good morning Jimmy," called Mr. McTavish from the table.
Mr. McTavish turned to the front to face Roger.
"That's Jimmy Jones… He's a chauffeur for a local company called Kryton Chemicals," he explained. "It was he that picked me up from the airport yesterday."
Roger turned and gave a little wave of recognition to the man.
Jimmy Jones waved back before turning to Alf and asking for a large mug of coffee.
Eventually Jimmy Jones arrived to sit down at the same table next to Mr. McTavish. He was not having anything to eat and had just a mug of coffee in his hand.
Mimi was sat opposite him. She looked up at the man in a chauffeur's uniform and gave a little smile.
"And who's this gorgeous creature you've brought with you?" asked the chauffeur.
"Och Jimmy, this is Mimi…. and this is Roger… he's our new caretaker… Mimi is Roger's girlfriend, she's a doon here for the weekend," explained Mr. McTavish.
Jimmy held out a hand across the table.
"Hello Mimi," said Jimmy as they shook hands, "you'll have to come down here more often… It's far better than facing old ugly mug here every morning."
Mr. McTavish laughed.
Roger looked amused.
Mimi just gave another little smile. She was getting a lot of complements this morning and was starting to get slightly embarrassed. But she liked Jimmy Jones. If she was going to come down here more often now that Roger had moved into the farm, then she did not mind mixing in with Roger's circle of friends at work. They were all jolly people with whom she could get on with quite easily.
"Good morning Jimmy," answered Mimi as they shook hands across the breakfast table.
She was feeling a lot more at ease now and the early morning butterflies had gone. Somehow Roger, Littlesea and Carrowbank Farm were becoming more and more part of her life, and work in London was becoming a bind. For the first time in her life, marriage and settling down to raise a family seemed more important than work.
She wondered what it was that had changed her.
Perhaps the fact that she had just missed a period had something to do with it?
Mimi returned to eating her breakfast. Even though feeling more relaxed, she still felt the odd person out. She was surrounded by men talking about work and she would just let them get on with it. She turned her mind to considering which day in the week was best for her to make an appointment with her doctor.
Jimmy Jones did not stay long. He was there for as long as it took to drink his mug of coffee, and then he was gone. He said that he had to be taking his boss somewhere shortly.
However, he and Mr. McTavish had managed to chat a little bit about someone called Malcolm, the caretaker before Roger. They had talked about how he came to meet his death, and how they could not understand what had happened. Jimmy Jones had also informed Mr. McTavish that he had attended the funeral and seen Mr. McTavish's wreath. He said that it had been a big one with a splendid array of flowers. Mr. McTavish seemed pleased at the news.
Mimi listened with interest whilst eating her breakfast. It was funny how these things had worked out. If the previous caretaker had not got himself into the troubles he did, then she would probably never have met Roger. She considered that it just had to be fate the way things had turned out, and how lucky she had been.
After breakfast they moved on back to the amusement park. Mimi was just content to hang around and tag on behind the two men for most of the morning.
They visited the basement and Roger explained his reasoning for moving all the old exhibition materials to Carrowbank Farm. They also visited the dungeon. There were now dummies in place and with the dimmed green lighting the whole place looked spooky and very real.
Mimi however was disappointed that the dummies did not look like Judi or herself. Somehow she had expected the scene to look like the photographs. The dummies also wore different clothes. But Mr. McTavish explained that this was how he had ordered the dummies in the first place and he intended to make a few changes.
There was one thing that did delight Mimi however. In the large glass display case at the centre of the exhibition hall, Roger had placed two small models of a courting couple sat on the bench situated beyond the castle ruins, and these looked just like Roger and herself. She promised to thank him in a big way for thinking about her. He had not said a thing about it, and this did come as a bit of a surprise to her.
At about half past one in the afternoon they finally said goodbye to Mr. McTavish. He had walked to the main gates in order to close and lock it behind them.
As they drove out of the main gates and waved goodbye to Mr. McTavish, Roger asked: "Where to next Mimi? A visit to the castle, or straight back to Carrowbank Farm?"
Mimi looked to the skies. The sun was breaking through the clouds and it was going to be a lovely afternoon. The castle was appealing but she had other ideas. She wanted to see more of the farm before she went back to London.
"Let's go straight back to the farm Roger," she said. "I'd like to have a walk around the farm before I leave."

2:00 pm

The Mercedes arrived back at Carrowbank Farm sometime around two o'clock in the afternoon. The place was deserted and Godfrey Brookes was not expected back until later that evening. Mimi sighed with relief as the car pulled up in front of the big barn. She and Roger had four hours together and she intended to make the most of it.
Mimi had set a deadline of six o'clock for setting off back for London. She could not leave it any later than that, and even though she did not want to go, she unfortunately had to get back to London tonight. She had a lot of Lenny's photographic equipment still piled into the back of her car, and he would be needing it first thing in the morning.
Mimi got out of the car and stretched her limbs.
Roger got out the other side of the car.
"Are we going for a walk first?" he called across the roof.
By first he was thinking that second would mean at least an hour in bed with Mimi before she had to leave.
Mimi looked over the roof of the car.
"Have you got your camera with you Roger?" she asked.
"It's in the boot of the car," he told her.
Mimi looked to the skies. The sun was shining now and the temperature was quite reasonable for the time of year.
"Good, I want a walk by the river, and I want some photographs of the farm to show people," she answered back.
Mimi was thinking a little bit into the future, and by people she was thinking more about her parents than anyone else. She was an independent girl and lived in a flat of her own, but she still managed to keep in touch with her parents at least once a week. She had mentioned Roger to them on several occasions and was thinking it was about time they met up, especially if she was going to have his baby. But that was a little way off in the future, and the baby was not confirmed yet. So for the time being she was just happy to settle for photographs of Roger at Carrowbank Farm.
Roger collected his camera and slung it over his shoulder. Then hand in hand they set off for the river.
Last summer Roger had found a walk around the farm that he enjoyed, and he had taken this route often. He would follow the riverbank as far as the north meadow, then cross over to the old railway line and head back to the farm that way.
He decided that was the route to take.

2:30 pm

Many miles away in London something else was happening.
For once in her very busy life Sylvia Sparelli, the chairperson of the protest group 'Cropwatch' found herself with a little time to spare. She was alone in her apartment in London's fashionable Chelsea area. She had a few phone calls to make to various delegates, but before that she had one personal call to make. She found her small address book and looked up Davina Townsend's telephone number.
She had not spoken to her old school friend for six years now. The last time she had seen her was at Davina's wedding to her husband John. But since then she had always kept in touch twice yearly by sending a Christmas card and a birthday card at the appropriate times. Davina had always responded too by sending Sylvia a card at Christmas and one on her birthday, and so their friendship had been maintained in that way.
She dialled the number in the book and listened to the rings.
Eventually a man answered.
"Hello, John Townsend," he said simply.
"Oh hello, this is Sylvia Sparelli here. Is Davina there?" she asked.
John Townsend thought for moment. He had heard the name Sylvia Sparelli somewhere before but could not quite recall whom it was he was speaking too. Then it came to him. Sylvia Sparelli was an old school friend of his wife's, and she sent her a card each Christmas if nothing else.
"Are Sylvia!" he said as he recalled the person on the phone. "Hang on, she's out in the garden. I'll go and give her a shout."
About thirty seconds later a female voice that sounded slightly out of breath answered.
"Hello Sylvia, I haven't missed your birthday have I?" asked Davina.
"No, don't be silly Davina. It's not until April anyway," replied Sylvia.
She recalled that Sylvia's birthday was on April the first. A date she could not forget anyway.
"Phew! That's a relief. Anyway how's you?" she asked.
"Oh not too bad Davina… living a hectic life as usual,.. and you?" asked Sylvia.
Davina guessed that Sylvia had not heard about her recent troubles involving the caretaker at the amusement park. She recalled that she had posted Sylvia's Christmas card along with a whole bundle of others on the day before her kidnapping. She decided that it was best not to bring up the past and just tell her everything was fine with her.
"Just fine… no problems Sylvia… just doing a spot of Sunday gardening," she replied.
"That's good," she answered, then went on to explain the reason for the phone call. "Anyway Davina, what I've phoned you up about is this… I'm planning to be in the Littlesea area in three weeks time and I was thinking that I might pop in and see you… It's been six years you know since we last saw each other?... So have you any plans for Saturday the fourth of March?"
Davina could think of no plans for any weekend in the near future. And besides if Sylvia was coming down to the south coast then she wanted her to call in and see her. They had six years of chin-wag and gossip to catch up on. There was also the prospect of some exciting news to tell her. Davina was planning a visit to the doctor's in the week. She had just missed her period and with a bit of luck tests would confirm that she was pregnant.
Davina returned her thoughts to the present.
"What did you say?.. Saturday?.. three weeks time?.. March the fourth?… That's fine Sylvia, we'll be here, we've no plans to go anywhere that day," she told her old school pal.
"Oh that's just great Davina," replied Sylvia. "I'll tell you what, I'll give you a ring once I'm finished down there, and you can tell me the way to your place. It'll probably be in the afternoon, but I won't know what time until I get finished with what I'm doing."
"Okay Sylvia, we'll look forward to seeing you. We'll be here all day and listening out for you," said Davina.
"Smashing Davina, I'll look forward to seeing you again," she said, then added: "Look, sorry but I've got to go. I've got a dozen or so more calls to make to various people. But I'll see you in three weeks time and we can have a long chat then."
"Okay Sylvia, see you then," replied Davina.
"Bye then," said Sylvia.
"Bye," said Davina, and the phone went dead.
Davina was pleased, and so was Sylvia.
Both had such a lot to talk about.
 
3:00 pm

An hour after setting out on their walk, Mimi and Roger moved away from the river and set off across the northern limits of Godfrey's farm towards a railway embankment over on the other side.
Mimi had taken all the photographs she wanted and was happy now. She had taken the camera from Roger and photographed him several times stood beside the river, some with a view of Carrowbank Farm in the distance. She now planned to take the film back with her and get Lenny to develop it for her. She also planned on having a second copy for herself.
As they walked along the edge of the meadow Mimi was curious as to what was actually being grown there.
"What's growing in this field Roger?" Mimi asked on seeing a sea of yellow and almost overcome by the strong fragrant smell of the small clusters of flowers.
"It's called oil-seed rape," he told her. "It's used mainly for cattle feed and associated products."
Mimi having been born and breed in the middle of a big city had never heard of the crop. Especially something called 'rape'.
"Rape?" she queried.
Roger nodded his head.
"That's what it's called Mimi," he assured her.
He wondered if he should explain to her that it was an experimental crop of genetically modified oil-seed rape, but decided against it. It was not the sort of conversation he wanted to get into.
As it happened Mimi said no more about it and they moved on. She was more concerned about the ladders in her nylon stockings. The edge of the field was bounded by brambles and not really suited to someone still wearing their Sunday best dress and walking in high healed shoes.
They reached the corner of the meadow and Roger helped Mimi scramble up the embankment to the old railway line above. At the top he pulled her up into his arms and they looked back across the field of yellow.
This was a very deserted corner of the farm. At this point the old railway line disappeared under an old boarded up tunnel and the road no-longer ran parallel with the track. The road had veered off at right angles about half a mile down the line to start its slow meander up the hill and could not be seen from here. Sheltered against the side of a steep cutting on one side, and the hill itself on the other, this was a very private and secluded spot. No-one could see them unless they stood over on the far bank of the river with a pair of powerful binoculars in their hands.
They hugged and kissed and made the most of their solitude. They were just two people very much in love.
Eventually they broke and Mimi sat down on the edge of the embankment to remove her badly laddered stockings. The brambles had also scratched her legs and she was not a happy person.
"Look at these stockings!.. They're ruined!" she told Roger and holding them up for him to see. "These were my best and they cost a fortune…The next time I go walk with you I'm wearing my jeans."
Roger tried not to laugh. It was Mimi that had insisted on looking her best for Mr. McTavish. He told her it was not necessary, but she had still gone ahead and put on her finest clothes.
Mimi slipped her shoes back on, and Roger pulled her back up to her feet. She shaped to throw away the laddered nylons in disgust, but Roger stopped her.
"Tut!… Tut!… Don't litter the countryside," he reminded her.
Mimi turned to see Roger trying hard not to laugh.
"You have them then," she snarled and handed them over to him.
Roger took the stockings and put them in his pocket.
"Come here!" he said and he drew her into his arms.
They hugged and kissed and immediately all was forgotten. Mimi was angry no more, and once again they were just two people very much in love.
Eventually they broke from the clench, and Mimi looked around. As usual she was curious and wanted to know more about the place, and especially the point where the old railway line disappeared below the hill. With everything around her so overgrown she was not even aware that she was standing on an old railway track.
"What's that over there," she asked and pointing towards the old tunnel.
"It's an old railway tunnel," he told her. "There used to be a railway line that ran along here and it went under the hill at this point."
"Where's the tracks then?" she asked and looking down at her feet.
"They was taken up a long time ago," he informed her. "All we've got left is this old embankment."
"And that's the old tunnel over there behind those shutters?" she asked and returning her attention to the rusted up corrugated sheets of iron that blocked the entrance.
"That's the old tunnel over there," confirmed Roger.
"Can I see it?" asked Mimi.
"Don't see why not," he said.
Roger took hold of Mimi's hand and together they walked up the track towards the tunnel.
Twenty-five years of neglect had left its mark. Everything was now very much overgrown and young tress were starting to spring up where once the railway lines had been. As for the boarding up of the old tunnel. Well that was brown with rust and beginning to fall apart. The corrugated sheeting had come loose in places and nearly falling off.
Roger walked right up to the boarding and tugged at a loose and flapping corrugated sheet.
"This is all falling apart," he told Mimi. "It's about time somebody did something about it."
Roger gave the sheet another little rattle and the rusty old panel fell away completely. There was now a gap about four feet wide and six feet high in the corrugated barrier.
Mimi saw the panel shake loose and stepped away just in time. It fell to the ground with a thud with Roger and Mimi stood to either side.
"Phew! That was close," muttered Mimi.
Then the curiosity took over. Mimi peered through the gap and into the tunnel. She could see very little. It was all in total darkness and very damp inside. She could hear water dripping down from the roof somewhere.
"How long has the tunnel been boarded up like this?" asked Mimi.
"I'm told the railway closed down some twenty-five years ago, so I guess it was all boarded up then," Roger told her.
Mimi being curious walked over the corrugated sheet lying on the ground, then stepped over the rotting woodwork across the bottom of the gap. She took one step into the tunnel and stopped. Roger followed her in and held her hand once more. They looked around. There was just enough light coming in through the opening for them to see inside. The tunnel itself was one huge arch and constructed entirely of brickwork. The bricks themselves being dark and black. The dripping they could hear was coming from one spot just a short distance inside, and a small rivulet ran alongside one wall and out of the corner of the tunnel entrance. But after that the place looked dry, especially the further you got into the tunnel.
"How long is this tunnel Roger?" asked Mimi.
Her voice echoed around the tunnel.
"About two miles long I'm told," he informed her.
There was no indication that he was right or wrong. It was just pitch black inside with no apparent light coming in from the other side.
Mimi started to show some interest and now that her eyes were becoming more accustomed to the gloom she walked across to the wall just inside the tunnel. She thought she could see something fixed to the wall.
She got there to find that the objects were a series of metal rings embedded into the wall. They were about six feet in from the entrance. There were three rings altogether. One was close to the ground, another set about six foot up the wall, and a third much higher up at a point where the wall began to arch forward into the tunnel. She looked across to the opposite side of the tunnel to find matching rings on the other side.
"What were these rings used for Roger?" she asked.
Roger had not got a clue. He shook his head. He told her the first thing that came into his head.
"Perhaps they hung chains or something across the entrance to stop people or trains entering if there were workmen inside," he suggested.
It was the best answer he could come up with.
In reality the rings were once used to hang lanterns on. But their intention was the same. They were there as a warning to train drivers, to tell them that there were workmen present in the tunnel.
As it turned out the true use of the rings was neither here nor there for Mimi. It was the talk of chains that gave her the spark of an idea. For a second or two she eyed the rings up and down, then focused on the blackened brick walls that surrounded them.
She turned to Roger. She had an idea and she wanted him to listen to what she had to say.
"You know Roger, this place would make a very good dungeon?" she told him.
"What!" exclaimed Roger.
He had other thoughts for the place, like filling it in completely and forgetting about it. Or better still filling it full with dynamite and blowing the whole place up.
But Mimi was not going to let this one go now. She reckoned that she had a brilliant idea and she was determined to get her way.
"I reckon this place would make a very good dungeon for a photo-shoot," she said and spelling out more clearly what she had meant.
"What photo-shoot?" asked Roger.
He was still very much confused.
"The photo-shoot in two weeks time, when Chloe comes back… Just look around you Roger… see what we've got here… This place is just ideal for a photo-shoot," she explained. "With all this brickwork in the background you can't go wrong,… and who's going to stop us?… It's so secluded here… no-one's going to bother us at all, are they?"
Roger's initial reaction was to squash the idea completely. But on further reflection he began to see some logic in what Mimi was advocating. He had been wondering about the forthcoming photo-shoot. In all the euphoria and possibly whisky as well, no-one had considered Godfrey being around. There was to be no Farmer's Convention that weekend and he had not spoken to the farmer as yet about doing another photo-shoot on his property. He was sure that Godfrey would agree without argument. But if they were to come to a place like this, then they would be completely out of everybody's way and could do practically anything they wanted to do in secret.
It was Roger's turn to rub his chin in thought.
"We'd need some sort of lighting in here if we were going to do it," he said and starting to consider all the pitfalls.
"Can we get a small generator from somewhere?" asked Mimi.
Roger nodded his head. There was already one stored away in the barn. He was sure that he could get it working.
"There's a small generator in the barn," he informed her. "I reckon that'll do the job."
Mimi looked around her. The next thing was some bondage equipment and possibly a few anchorage points on the walls for chains. The rings she had found at the entrance would do for a start, But a few more a little further into the tunnel would be much better. The inside of the boarding was a mess and would look unsightly on film.
"How about setting some bolts into the walls further on down the tunnel, and getting hold of some of those chains and manacles from the dungeon at work? You can photograph us both chained to the walls then… it should look really good," she told him.
Roger thought about the equipment already stored at the farm. He had gone to a lot trouble making an inventory of everything shipped over here and was aware of what was in all of the packing cases. There were not only chains and manacles stored away, but also the old pillory and stocks as well. As far as he could see, everything they need was already here at the farm.
Roger rubbed his chin once more. The more he thought about it, then the more he was becoming to like the idea.
He pulled Mimi towards him and they kissed.
"Mimi, you're a genius," he told her. "I reckon we can have a great photo-shoot over here and not be in the way of anyone. No-one will interfere with us here, and we can do what we like."
"So you like the idea?… You'll do something about it?" asked Mimi.
"I most certainly will," Roger assured her. "I shall work on it over the next two weeks… I reckon you and Chloe will come back to find the best dungeon in the world set up over here."
Mimi flung her arms about Roger's neck.
"You're wonderful," she told him, "have I ever told you that I love you?"
"I think you might have done sometime," replied Roger.
They kissed hard and long.
Eventually they parted. Roger was ready to return to the farm, but Mimi had other ideas. Roger had his camera with him, and she wanted to take the film back with her for developing.
Still with her arms locked around Roger's neck, she asked: "Roger, how many films are left in your camera?"
"About half a dozen I guess," he told her, then asked: "Why?"
"Because I want it all used up so that I can take it with me," she explained.
"Well I can finish it off on the way back to the farm if that's the case," he reasoned.
"No Roger, I've got a better idea," Mimi informed him.
With previous talk of dungeons and photo-shoots, Roger had a fair idea of what was coming next, but he left it for Mimi explain.
"What idea's that then?" he queried.
"Look… I'll show you," she said.
And with that Mimi broke away from the clench and moved to the rings on the tunnel wall. She stood herself with back against the wall and raised up her hands. A ring was positioned just above her head and she held on to it. She then opened out her legs slightly. Another ring was between her legs, and low down to her ankles.
Roger's eyes were becoming much more accustomed to the darkness, and he could see more clearly now.
He smiled at what he saw.
"So I take my last six photo's of you standing like that?" he asked.
"Yes, with me like this tied to the rings… It'll make a good study and Lenny might even be able to get them published," said Mimi.
"Great idea, but you're forgetting one thing Mimi," Roger told her. "We've got nothing here to tie you up with."
"Oh yes you have!" she retorted.
"Have I?" asked Roger.
"Yes, you've got my nylons in you pocket. They'll do," she told him.
Roger smiled and extracted the laddered stockings from out of his pocket. He had forgotten all about them.
"Mmmm… I guess they'll do the trick," said Roger thoughtfully.
"Right," said Mimi stepping forward and removing her shoes. "That's settled then… just let me get my clothes off and I'll be ready."
"So they're going to be nude as well as bondage shots are they?" enquired Roger.
He knew that they would be, but was always willing to tease.
Mimi turned her back to him.
"Look, just unzip me and shut up," she said, "and I'll tell you what to do."
Roger pulled down the zip at the back of her dress, and then let Mimi do the rest. He was content just to watch and wait. He just wished that there was a little more light to see those beautiful curves more clearly.
The last thing to go were Mimi panties. She pulled them down her legs and stepped out of them. She dropped them on the pile of clothes on the floor.
"Right, let's see how good you are at tying knots," she said when she was finished undressing.
And with that she moved to stand with her back to the wall once more.
Roger moved to stand facing her. He raised up Mimi's hands so that they were held together at the front. Then taking hold of one of the nylons he bound her wrists together.
"Hands up then," he told her once he was done.
Mimi raised up her hands above her head and Roger attached the rest of the stocking to the ring. He then bent down and bound the other nylon about her ankles. Finally he tied the loose end of the stocking to the ring between her legs. She was now bound hand and foot to the rings.
When he was done, Roger stood up and took a couple of paces back.
"Well you look lovely Mimi," he told her.
Mimi gave a little smile.
"Look Roger, forget about how I look and concentrate on taking the photos. Do what Lenny does… tell me struggle… or pull a face… or something… and try to make every shot slightly different… go on try it... you need to get some practice in ready for two weeks time remember?…," she reminded him.
Roger took his camera out of the case. He switched it on and waited for the green light to appear. He raised the view finder to his eye and adjusted the zoom lens. He was ready.
"Right slump on your bonds to start with, and lower your head… let's have the first one looking like you're exhausted," he told her.
Mimi did as she was told and took all her weight on her wrists. She then dropped her head to her chest and waited.
A flash suddenly lit up the chamber and the first shot had been taken.
Mimi looked up.
"That's great!… You're getting the hang of it now Roger," she told him.
"Shut up.. slump again.. and let's have you looking up this time… look scared as if something nasty is about to happen to you," instructed Roger.
Mimi looked up and pulled a terrified face.
"That's good… hold it…" shouted Roger.
The camera flashed once more.
Roger took four more shots in four more positions and the film came to an end.
"That's it… all gone," he informed her.
Mimi looked up and grinned.
"I bet they'll all look good once they're developed," she told him.
Roger grinned back.
"I guess I'm slowly getting the hang of it," he told her.
And with that Roger returned the camera to the case and placed it on the floor next to Mimi's clothes. He then began to remove his coat. He dropped it on the pile.
"What are you doing?" asked Mimi on seeing Roger unzip his flies.
Roger removed his trousers and dropped them on the pile before giving a reply.
"I can't untie you before giving you a little thank you present, now can I?" he teased.
Mimi sighed.
"I guess not Roger," she answered back.
Roger removed the rest of his clothes and dropped them on the pile. He then walked over to Mimi who was still tied to the rings in the wall. His penis was rampant. He stooped down and removed the nylon stocking from around her ankles. Immediately Mimi opened out her legs. Her hands were not bound that far above her head and she could spread her legs wide.
"Is that my present between your legs, big boy?" she asked.
"That's your present," he confirmed.
"It's looks lovely… thank you Roger," she told him.
Roger stepped in close so that their bodies touched. Naked flesh against naked flesh. Their lips met and they kissed. Mimi's tongue started to dart in and out of Roger's mouth.
Mimi could feel the head of his penis touching between her legs and she tried to pull him in. To try and take hold and suck him in with her virgina muscles. But Roger was not ready for her yet, and he moved back a fraction. Instead he dropped a hand down between her legs and began to rub a finger gently against her clitoris.
"Oooah! That's lovely," groaned Mimi as the finger started to gyrate in a small circle about her most sensitive spot.
After a while the finger moved on to glide smoothly along her moisten slit. Eventually it reached her passage and penetrated her insides. Then a second finger entered and began to slowly move around her inner walls; and all the time Roger was doing this, their lips were locked together in a lasting kiss.
Roger eventually withdrew his hand and moved his body in close again. He was ready to take her now. Slowly he let his penis slide in between her legs and let the length of his shaft rub along her slit. Mimi raised up her legs and wrapped them around Roger's waist, and at the same time his erection glided smoothly into her well lubricated passage.
"Ooooahhh!" she moaned as the end of his penis trust hard against the back walls of her virgina.
Slowly Roger began to pump away and Mimi hooked on tightly with her legs about his waist. She had him inside her now and she was determined not to let go. The nylon stocking that bound her wrists was pulling tight and stopping the circulation, but she did not care. Roger could do with her whatever he wanted. He was her master and she was his slave.
Gradually the rhythm got stronger and faster, and the groans from Mimi got louder and louder. Until, in the end, her screams were echoing the full length of long the tunnel.
Finally they climaxed. Both coming at the same time. Then their mouths locked together once more and they kissed hard and long.
"I love you Roger," said Mimi as they broke away and she unwound her legs from his body.
"And I love you too Mimi," said Roger as he withdrew his penis from her virgina.
Mimi dropped her feet to the ground and stood upright. Roger untied her hands and released her from the ring. Her naked body slumped into his arms and they hugged and kissed once more.
"That's one of the best presents I've ever had," Mimi told him with a sigh.
"I'm glad you liked it," replied Roger.

6:00 pm

Six o'clock arrived and it was time to say goodbye.
Roger kissed Mimi as she stood by her car with the driver's door open. He did not want to see her go.
Mimi also did not want to leave, but she had work to go to tomorrow and so did Roger. What made it worse was that Roger was working all next weekend too. It meant that the next time she saw him would be in two weeks time when she returned with Chloe.
Finally they broke away and Mimi climbed into the car.
"Goodbye Roger," she said with a great sigh. "I'll see you in two weeks time then?"
Roger looked equally as sad.
"Two weeks time then Mimi… I'll phone you every night," he told her.
Mimi nodded her head.
"You make sure you do," she told him.
Roger bent down and they kissed again.
Eventually it was time to go and Roger stepped back so that she could close the door.
Mimi started up the ignition and dropped the car into reverse.
As she manoeuvred backwards and then switched to going forwards to drive out of the courtyard she gave a little wave.
"I love you Roger," she called through the open window as the car moved away.
"And I love you too Mimi," called Roger, "see you in two weeks time."
Roger stood and waited until the car disappeared out of sight, then returned to the farmhouse. He hoped that the next two weeks would go quickly. One consolation was, at least he had a lot of work to do to keep himself occupied. He not only had to get the new dungeon exhibition finished, but he also had a dungeon of his own to have a go at.
Yes, he certainly was going to be a busy man during the next two weeks.
For Mimi, who was well on her way by now, her mind was filled with much more different thoughts. When she returned to the farm in two weeks time she would probably know whether she was pregnant or not.
She wondered how Roger would take the news?

End of Chapter Eight