Message-ID: <3253eli$9708231827@qz.little-neck.ny.us> X-Archived-At: From: Francis Dashwood Subject: Lauren Gisal Book 2 Chapter 14-15 of 59 (ff/mf/Ff/Mf/inc,cons,nc) Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d Path: qz!not-for-mail Organization: The Committee To Thwart Spam Approved: X-Moderator-Contact: Eli the Bearded X-Story-Submission: X-Original-Message-Id: <199708230034.SAA08249@shaman.lycaeum.org> alt.stories.erotic Lauren Gisal Volume Two The following fiction portrays events that will be considered offensive to some people. Graphic scenes are described of sexual intercourse by teenagers, adults, with and without their consent. Later chapters deal with punishment. If you are offended by such material, or if you are considered a minor in your country, then delete this file. The author hereby permits the redistribution of the attached material on the understanding that it is not for financial gain and it is credited to the author, Francis Dashwood. Please do not request reposts of this material. Constructive criticism is welcomed. Chapter 14 Felix did indeed call the following morning. Lauren had forgotten and must have sounded particularly dense when she answered the phone. They exchanged pleasantries before she invited him for twelve thirty. He reminded her that he knew the place and would be on time. And, yes, he did eat everything. Emma was more excited than Lauren, fussing around the house looking for a tablecloth for the kitchen and serviettes that were hidden deep in the spare room. It was only later, just before lunch, that Lauren realised that Emma had probably never prepared for a visit of a boy to her house and that this was therefore a very special occasion. Lauren made a conscious decision that there would be no two minute romance and then bed with this young man. He was a respectable boy according to Emma - well, from a decent family anyway - and she had a responsibility to behave properly in front of the children. Memories of the previous twenty-four hours soon brought that train of thought to a shuddering halt. He rang the doorbell at just after twelve thirty and Emma scampered along the hallway to open the door. She beamed at him as she guided him through to the kitchen. "Here's a bottle of the local wine. Have you tried it?" he asked, handing the bag to Lauren. "No, I don't think so. Is it safe?" she asked, looking past his hands to his T-Shirt. He was much cleaner than when they had met. His hair had been plastered down over his head, and the rings around his eyes had been washed away. Maybe twenty-five, twenty-six thought Lauren. Her gaze returned to his eyes. They shone, clear and alert, happy and bright as he smiled at her. No lust, just pleasure in talking. She motioned to a chair and he sat. His eyes followed her. "Yeah, it's fine. The white is better than the red." "Like Lasagna?" "Las-what?" "Lasagna. Pasta and meat in layers with cheese. Salad, white wine. Maybe ice cream to follow if we can find it." said Lauren, returning his smile. "Italian, you know" Jamie joined them for lunch, reminiscing with Felix over their previous meeting. Lauren watched closely how they talked, part of the interview process even if she was not conscious of it herself. Emma watched everyone, pleased to be present at such an important lunch. They left the dishes and took their ice cream through to the lounge to watch the news. Lauren and Felix sat next to each other (Lauren's choice) while Emma sat on the floor. Jamie had other things to do in his bedroom. Emma's interest in the news and proceedings waned considerably after only a few minutes, and she wandered off to leave them to talk. Lauren was pleased to learn of his concern about the problems in the north, and shared his views on many of the news items. He had come to San Falino almost five years ago with his father. His mother had died when he was about seven, and he had been brought up by his aunt and a number of au pairs and housekeepers. Body language even to the uninitiated would have suggested harmony and pleasure, but nothing else. Lauren was pleased with herself in that she could hold a reasonably sensible conversation about San Falino, and more to the point, she didn't feel like ripping his clothes off or ramming her hand down his trousers. She regarded him as a stable boy who she would be happy to have as a friend. His eyes attracted beyond measure, but he was far from sexy, and his straw coloured hair was rough and almost middle aged. He stood a little taller than Lauren, and as he turned at the door, she was happy to offer him her cheek for a friendly peck good-bye. She waved as he drove off towards town. Emma shot out of her room. "Well?" "He's a very nice, sensible young man" said Lauren, smiling at her curiosity. Had she really been like this at her age? What on earth goes on inside that little head? Wouldn't it be simpler if people were born knowing the answers to some questions. It would save so much confusion and explanation. "I think he's gorgeous" said Emma. "He's not gorgeous. He's dependable and bright." "He's got lovely eyes" "Yes, he has." said Lauren, staring back up the driveway. "You're right." They spent the afternoon reading, snoozing, eating and preparing for bed and the return of Gustav and Elizabeth.. Chapter 15 Lauren realised two things when she woke the following morning. Firstly that Emma hadn't had her medicine the night before and that she had made love to her brother while using the ointment inside her. Neither of the thoughts cheered her up, but she determined that after Elizabeth and Gustav departed she would make sure that Emma had another dose of the slimy stuff to get her back on the road to recovery. She swung out of bed and showered in her bathroom. It was before eight o'clock, which surprised her given her late night. The news TV had more unintelligible reports of trouble in the north, and with the elections approaching, more and more analysis of the state of the parties. She dressed in her usual bikini bottoms and, forsaking a bra, slipped a T-Shirt over her head. She found Elizabeth and Gustav in the kitchen, drinking coffee and discussing the house. "Hey, thanks for getting all that food." said Gustav, his eyes taking in the tautness of her T-Shirt. "It must have taken quite a time" "Most of the morning. But that's OK, it's good to get out." said Lauren, making more coffee and tidying up the sink. "Lauren, we don't want to alarm you, but we were just saying that the situation in the north is very ugly. I think, although Elizabeth doesn't wholly agree, that whatever the outcome of the election, there's going to be a general strike across the country. Did you hear about the devaluation yesterday?" "No, what, they devalued the Peso?" "Yeah, but it seems that half the government knew about it and sold for dollars last week, making a fortune. On top of that, the government has decided to reduce the subsidies it gives to farmers." "If anything happens, then just stay in the house. Keep the doors locked and stay by the phone." "Do you think it will come to that?" asked Lauren, looking at them both. "I don't know, but we just want you to know what's really going on. Not what's on the news. There's no need for Emma and Jamie to know yet, although they listen to the news just like anyone else." said Elizabeth. "Anyway, we must be off. I'll be back in about four days, hopefully." said Gustav. "And I'll be gone for a week, so I'll call you later in the week." said Elizabeth, kissing her head. "Look after yourself, and thanks for being here. We'd be lost without you!" Lauren watched them go and decided that since she was awake, she'd make a cup of coffee for Emma and wake her up as well. She knocked on her door and peered in. Emma was asleep, facing the window away from Lauren. She crept in and closed the door. Emma looked so peaceful in bed. Putting the coffee by her bed, she made her way to the curtains and opened them slightly, causing Emma to stir and turn over. Lauren sat on the edge of the bed, touched her cheek and watched her stir. She was suprised to realise that the T-Shirt that she normally wore to bed was lying in a heap on the floor. Emma smiled and opened one eye, squinting at her against the bright daylight. "What time is it?" she said, stretching above her. "About nine. Your mum and dad have just left. Time to get up. And I remembered that you didn't have your ointment last night." "Can't we do it now and get it out of the way, then we could go shopping!" "Yeah, but somewhere else, you'll get the bed all messy." "No I won't. Anyway, today is 'sheet change day'. It won't matter." said Emma, almost keen for her medication. Lauren allowed herself to be convinced and slipped out to her own room and got what she needed. On her way past her sofa she paused, thought briefly and put the ointment and other bits down on the cushions. Quickly, she pulled her bikini bottoms down and let them drop to the floor. Checking the her T-Shirt covered most of her thighs, she gathered up the things on the sofa and walked back to the little girl waiting across the corridor. She sat down with her legs together on the side of the bed again and waited while Emma drank her coffee. She slurped noisily and dropped back against her pillow, looking up at Lauren through dreamy, half-open eyes. Her hand dropped onto Lauren's thigh. "I'm sorry you have to do this for me" she said. She knew that being an au pair was going to give her a heart attack. Her senses tuned in and focused their attention on the tiny hand that gently rested above her knee. She was sure that Emma had no idea she had taken her knickers off, but nevertheless, she knew she needed to keep the mornings activities strictly medicinal. Lauren almost laughed as she recalled what they had done less than twelve hours earlier in the lounge. Her mind once again tried to reconcile the event as pure education, but failed. "That's OK. It's better than having to go to the doctor's every day, isn't it?" The hand moved away as casually at it had arrived. An innocent early morning greeting. Except that her pussy had very different ideas. She placed the ointment on the bedside table along with the flannel and leaned her head to one side, a smile on her lips. "Ready?" "Sure" said Emma, pushing the covers down. Her little breasts looked so delicate, so young and pure. The sheets were about half way down her stomach and Emma indicated that the rest was up to Lauren. She stood and took hold of the top of the covers. "Lori?" Lauren looked up. This morning's bombshell warning had just sounded. "Mmm?" She pulled the sheets down, past her navel, revealing her tanned stomach and the tiny white briefs that covered her pussy. "Can you take your knickers off for me?" asked Lauren quickly. Emma pouted like a young child as she raised her bottom off the bed. She looked at Lauren and made no effort to take her knickers down. Deciding that now was not the time for an argument, Lauren pulled her knickers down to her knees, feeling another cocktail of drugs surge through her body as Emma's hairless pussy lips came into view. Lauren could see that there was a definite swelling and the feint aroma of her sex drifted up as Lauren breathed in as deeply as she could. She turned to Emma to ask her to help a little more and saw that her eyes were closed, a look of rapture on her face as she exhaled. Emma moved briefly onto her side and slipped the knickers off the remaining way, letting them fall off the bed. "Lori....yesterday...." She paused, not waiting for effect, just trying to find the way of saying it that conveyed the message she wanted. Lauren turned to her, waiting. Emma opened her eyes and studied her face, examining the shape of her breasts, then down past the end of her T-Shirt. Lauren felt another surge inside as she realised that Emma might see she had removed her knickers. They smiled at each other, the unspoken exchange signifying that it was safe to progress, they were friends. "Yesterday, did you want to do it with Jamie?" "Emma, of course not! I told you, it was for your education. And because you kept pestering me!" Lauren thought that she should have rehearsed this. It was obviously going to be discussed and an excuse that losing your virginity to your brother helps you get better grades wasn't one of her best. Emma turned onto her side and leaned on her elbow. Lauren sat down again on the bed next to her, feeling her leg touching the bottom of her T-Shirt. She knew that she was so wet and the slightest touch from the young girl would have sent her streaking towards gratification. "But, don't you feel like you need to come, just like I did? Last night I couldn't sleep because I kept thinking how you made me feel, and then how you helped Jamie. It just seemed unfair! And every time I thought about it, I got my warm feeling coming back again." "Emma, that's OK. It's very good that you think that way about people, honestly. But it won't happen again, don't forget. " Lauren looked around her room, checking the ointment and gloves, focusing on anything but Emma's eyes. "It's not the sort of thing that you can tell people about, now is it?" said Lauren, putting her hand on her bottom. "Come on, let's get this done, then we can have breakfast." Emma rolled onto her back and parted her legs a little, obviously still thinking about Lauren's words. Lauren fetched a towel from Emma's bathroom, lifting her bottom slightly as she spread it out underneath her. Emma's silky labia had parted generously to reveal the beginnings of the inner folds of her lips. The most delicate of folds glinted with inner moisture. Lauren forced her gaze away from wondrous sight between her young tanned legs and concentrated on the task. The gloves seemed a little awkward to get over her fingers, possibly because her hands were hot and slightly sweaty. "But, if you feel like I did, and you don't have a boyfriend, then, what do you do?" asked Emma, watching the thin latex gloves. "Emma, you're very young to be asking these sort of questions. Now let's get on with this, shall we?" Unscrewing the top of the ointment, she scooped out a dollop of the jel and nodded at Emma. She waited for Emma to pull her legs back before spreading a generous amount over the entrance to her bottom. "Lori, is it called 'mastibeating'?" asked Emma, eyes fluttering closed. "Is it what?" she replied, her voice rising to a squeak. "When you do it yourself. That's what Sabrina's sister said." "Masturbating" said Lauren, swallowing noisily. Emma closed her eyes again as Lauren introduced her index finger to the hole and pushed, easing herself inside the tight opening quickly in the hope of shutting her up. "Oh!" groaned Emma, trembling slightly on the cool linen sheets. It was no easier than the day before and Lauren took it very slowly. She leaned forward, the sweet scent of her pussy meeting her, causing her to sway, happily intoxicated. She breathed deeply, her mind registering the sweetness and recalling distant memories, forgotten until now, of erotic encounters with Nikki that had left her breathless. Lauren withdrew slowly, waiting agonizing moments as she watched the intense expression of pleasure drift across Emma's sleepy sweet face. Her finger finally left her bottom, returning to the jar for a final dose of the wonderful ointment. Never again would Lauren consider herbalist cures to be concoctions of the types found at dawn on the summer solstice, worshipping the sun, earth and their pagan gods. She pushed in firmly, twisting as she entered, pretending to coat the walls of her passageway as it rippled and gripped in pleasure. Emma lifted her bottom slightly off the bed, pushing against Lauren as the palm of her hand touched the cheek of her bottom. Slowly, she withdrew, resting her thumb on her pussy lips as though announcing the next area to be treated to her touch. Emma lay with her head buried deep into her pillow, the look of anguish gone as she luxuriated with the remnants of the feeling below. Lauren wiped her gently and decided to change gloves. She snapped them off and dropped them in a heap on the floor before pulling on another pair. Lauren looked very closely at her pussy and saw that she was trembling, very slightly, as though it had suddenly turned cold. Lauren touched her inner thigh, just to announce her presence, and Emma opened her legs as wide as she could. Her supple thighs touched the sheets and Lauren was surprised she could maintain the position so comfortably with her feet together. Lauren decided that she wanted to join in a little more than last time, so she sat on the bed, facing Emma, and picked her feet up and put them on her lap so that she had to keep her legs open but it allowed Lauren greater access to her vagina. She pulled her T-Shirt down a little to cover herself before scooping out another helping of the ointment. With her left hand she gripped her feet and pulled them against her stomach. She placed the ointment at the wet opening to her vagina and pushed very gently, marveling how the lips gave way and the darkness of her young tunnel was revealed. Her clitoris stood out proudly, the hood now above allowing it to gleam in all its glory. Her gloved finger slipped in to her easily, although several attempts were necessary to ensure that all the ointment went inside rather than over her little girl pussy lips. Emma moved occasionally under her touch, pushing and pulling against both her hands as though trying to get maximum relief from the therapy. She took a last measure of the jel and pushed it directly inside her in a smooth motion that brought Emma's hips off the bed. Lauren held her firmly, her middle finger inside her pussy while the palm of her hand pushed down on her clitoris. Lauren moved her hand around in a grinding motion, simulating what Emma had done herself the evening before. She felt the walls of her vagina contracting slightly, and knew that she was approaching orgasm. She wasn't going to pretend this time that she was just finishing off, or talk to her at all. She wanted to be quite sincere with Emma and give her the opportunity to experience her orgasm naturally without trying to be quiet. Emma's feet pushed hard into her stomach, her T-Shirt rising, uncovering her nakedness. Lauren pushed harder, twisting her hand so that she felt along the top of her hot tunnel as her thumb rubbed her hard clitoris. Emma bucked gently, her breathing keeping pace with the attention Lauren was giving to her clitoris as her thumb moved in lazy circles over the tiny pear of pleasure. Lauren felt the grip increase on her finger as she explored, the tight teenage tunnel twitching as she felt her way inside. Slowly, she introduced a second finger, slipping it in against the contracting muscles. Emma could have no doubt now that this could be anything to do with the medicine and had everything to do with making sure she came at the hands of the girl who had helped her lose her virginity. Suddenly, Emma's feet slipped out of Lauren's hands and wrapped round her back, pulling her hand deeper into her pussy and gripping with an abnormal strength. She shrieked as her hips thrust off the bed. Lauren fought to keep her from hurting herself as she came violently, thrashing on the sticky sheets as Lauren lost control, her fingers coming out of the young girl. Emma looked at her, her face in agony, desperation etched across her sweat-streaked face. Lauren pushed her fingers back inside and rubbed her clitoris madly as Emma sank her nails into the top of her thighs, her legs pulling Lauren towards her with all her might. The random squeezing of her vaginal walls slowed as Emma lowered her bottom back onto the bed and forced herself to breath. Lauren let her fingers slip out her naturally as Emma rolled onto her side towards Lauren. She pulled off the gloves and dropped them on the floor. The towel had been useful and would be fine after a quick wash. Lauren stood and pulled the covers up to Emma's chin, tucking her in. The noise of the curtains caused Emma to open her eyes. Lauren sat again on the edge of the bed and watched as she pushed the matted hair out of her face. They needed to discuss what they were going to do in the morning, and whether Jamie had any plans. Certainly their useless school teacher wasn't likely to materialise. Unless it was pay day. Lauren caressed her hair for a few quiet, gentle moments. "I ought to go to the shops for another bikini, and a few more T- shirts" said Lauren quietly. "Oh, can you take me to see Cressida? She's my friend from the school party things, remember? It's not far!" "Sure, just show me how to get there!" "Get a white bikini. That'll make you look more tanned, although it's coming on nicely!" said Emma, looking down at her thighs. Her hand drifted onto her leg, perfectly naturally, as though to congratulate her on her progress. Emma crawled down slightly further into her bed, her hand moving so dangerously close to the hot wet haven between Lauren's long legs. This wasn't what Lauren wanted. That was definite. There was no way that she could have Emma as a lover - it would mean certain discovery and death. New pressures forced her to consider which path she would take, her morality being severely tested by nothing more than the gentle, delicate touch of a hand on her thigh. Emma inched closer. Perhaps it was just Emma exploring. After all, she had been a virgin yesterday morning and she was such a curious young girl. Lauren recognised the tricks being played in her head. She held her hand. "I'm starving. I'll cook some breakfast after I've had a shower." She groped on the floor for the towel and other paraphernalia and stumbled out of the room, embarrassed by her state of mind and lack of coordination. Her door slammed noisily behind her as she threw herself onto her bed. Laying on her stomach, she ground her pussy against the silky cover not caring if it became stained with her own sweet juice. Dissatisfied with the progress she was making, she dived into the bathroom and ran the bath, shaking as her pent up desires took control of her actions. She grabbed her hairbrush and knelt as the warm water splashed her legs. When it reached mid thigh she turned the taps off and soaped her anus. Throwing the soap into the water, she pushed the middle finger of her left hand into her muscular passageway. She held herself tight as she rested the brush against her hot slit, then mercilessly pushed it inside so fast that it hurt. She pumped wildly, the coordination between hands starting well but deteriorating as she closed her eyes and began to lose her balance. She slid down into the water, reinserted her finger into her pouting arse and leaned back, the water sloshing around her ears. She had no thoughts for potential headaches. Her sole purpose was to obtain release from the sickness that pervaded within her, that consumed her every thought and drove her to seek ways to abuse herself, to maximise the feeling that might satiate the idiotic demands inside. Demands on her that were ridiculous and so powerful that she knew she was hurting herself in the pursuit of her orgasm. To her utter delight, she felt it start. In fact, she realised that it had been conceived many minutes ago, it had just been lurking in some dark corner. The brush seemed to be possessed, doing someone's bidding but not hers. She saw it flashing in and out of her pussy, her lips trying desperately to cling to it but the lubrication available was so plentiful that nothing seemed to help. She jerked suddenly as a spasm burst through into her world. Water swirled over her mouth but she would rather drown than stop to let some out. She spat crudely and thrashed around blindly for the soap. Delightedly, she twirled the bar around in her left hand, threw it once again into the water, and forced her slippery finger back into her anus to seek out the depths of her body. She twisted her hand and used her thumb on her clitoris, the brush in between thrusting like a demonic piston. She convulsed, her head banging on the bottom of the bath. Water flooded into her mouth and she spat again. And then, at last, she knew she was to be rewarded. That elevator that took her to the heavens was on it's way with her on board, and she knew she was going to be carried higher and higher with every stroke of the brush, until, as her finger rubbed in lunatic circles around her clitoris, she came and the elevator crashed through the roof into the stratosphere, sky-rocketing her to oblivion and another world that only she could inhabit. She held her breath as she sunk below the water, her legs rising higher and higher before coming to rest on the side of the bath. The only sounds she could hear were the thumping of her heart and her groans as she expertly controlled her orgasm with the thumb and the finger buried in her bottom. Slowly, she breathed out, raising her head for another breath. Her neck and stomach muscles strained as she rose up and pushed herself backwards, above the surface. Lauren relaxed slowly, shivering slightly in the water. She allowed her finger to slip out of her anus slowly, waiting for and rejoicing in the final half inch of intense pleasure. Natural forces inside her vagina expelled the hairbrush, the lips of her pussy reluctantly releasing their prisoner. The brush floated slowly to the end of the bath, its duty done, satisfaction delivered once again. She turned the hot tap on with her foot and brought her legs onto the side of the bath as it filled once again with warm water, waiting until the very last moment to turn it off before it scalded her bottom. She swished the water around and luxuriated in the heat, a sense of euphoria settling in, joining forces with a sleepy feeling that told her to cuddle something soft and warm and drift back to sleep. Perspiration trickled down the side of her face while she searched for the bar of soap. She knew she ought to wash, but closed her eyes and sank in the warm water, sensing the pleasure and glow building in her pussy and anus. She took an inventory of her mental state and was pleased with how she felt. She was glad that she had resisted the urge to become further involved with Emma. Tomorrow she would tell her that she should do her medicine herself, thus putting the relationship on a more sensible footing. She washed herself slowly, dreaming of Switzerland once again, and wondering what people were doing. She realised that it must be evening, but had lost track of day of the week. Unconcerned, she stepped out of the bath and dried her long hair with a clean towel and brushed her teeth. She stood in front of the long mirror and posed, cupping her breasts as she stood face on and then in profile. Her tan was certainly coming on, but the white patch around her bottom was unsightly. She let go of her breasts and put her hands on her hips, dipping to one side. Very sexy, she thought. Well, she could be very sexy, sometimes. She turned her back to the mirror and bent over, looking at her pussy from between her legs. Her pussy was alive, pouting, with the inner lips clearly visible. She remembered doing the same thing once before in her mother's bedroom, posing like Miss World and practicing her acceptance speech. She had even told Nikki, who recommended a few phrases about helping children and living in peace. Nikki said they all said that. She smiled and put a foot on the edge of the bath. Her pussy was still very aroused and she felt the slipperiness of the lips. She hadn't washed herself but decided that could be done by having a quick swim. Finally, she sat on the floor and looked at her pussy in the mirror, parting the lips and trying to compare hers to Emma's. There was just something about Emma's that made her so delectable. She assumed some of it was the fact that she was smaller, tighter. The rest, she knew, was simply the risk and danger of being with an innocent, awakening girl. She wandered naked back into her bedroom. Her clothes drawers and cupboards were a mess, which was surprising since she really had so few clothes. The discovery of a single pair of knickers in her underwear drawer annoyed her - they were cheap ones that she would only wear as a last resort. One of her father's shirts hung in the wardrobe that he had given to her many years ago when she had decided that everybody in the world was wearing men's shirts and she would die without one. She liked the way it ironed so well, the crisp creases pronouncing the fact that it was a size eighteen and she was a six. Well, six and a bit. She buttoned it up and headed for the laundry. The smell of coffee greeted her as she rounded the corner of the lounge. It grew stronger as she went through the dining room, until she saw Jamie, standing by the cooker, emptying the percolator into the sink, ready for another batch. He turned, admiring the shirt. "Nice!" he smiled, looking back to his work. Lauren wondered what, if anything, he had on under his T- Shirt. "Coffee will be about ten minutes." "I'll have a yoghurt while I'm waiting and some fruit, I think." She avoided his eyes, keenly aware that they hadn't spoken at all since last night's performance. "Emma awake?" "Sort of. I think she'll go back to sleep though." She sat and watched as he walked to the cupboard and reached up for the ground coffee. The T-Shirt rode up his buttocks, answering her question. She realised that she had really wanted to go to the laundry. The knickers could wait, she thought, leaning across the table for an orange and banana. He handed her a yoghurt from the fridge and sat down. "Hey, thanks." They ate, the percolator's plop punctuating the silence. Another wonderful day was taking shape outside. The bushes rippled with the faintest of breezes but Lauren knew that there would only be calm on the patio. "How are your ears? Did you get a headache?" he asked. There was no innuendo in his voice, no expression on his face that could have told her how he felt. It was just as though nothing had happened. She frowned. "No, it's weird. I always used to when I was little. Really bad they were." She looked at him again. Perhaps she had imagined it. Perhaps she hadn't helped him take his sister's virginity the day before. "Not always, surely?" he asked, disturbing her daydream. "Well, whenever I went underwater. But it didn't happen when I fell in. Yeah, you're right. Isn't that funny?" His thoughtfulness elevated him in her estimation. They heard footsteps, and a woman's voice from outside. The 'servants' as Elizabeth called them, had arrived. The local staff were really cleaners and helpers, and Lauren was thankful that they arrived so regularly every day. She certainly wouldn't have wanted the job of cleaning the house. They were both about thirty and very tanned, neither very pretty but Lauren knew they had been reliable and Elizabeth was happy with their work. She smiled at the two women as she went into the laundry and retrieved her washed but un- ironed underwear. "Back in a minute" said Lauren as she made her way to her room. She stuffed the clothing into her drawer and then pulled on a pair that had a little bow on the waistband. She smiled when she recalled all the layers she used to wear not just in Switzerland but in Boquette when she first arrived. After breakfast, Emma emerged from her room, sleepily stretching as she wandered around the house. Lauren and Emma eventually made it to the car and drove north for almost half an hour to Cressida's house. Lauren took time to memorise the return route and pulled up outside the small house as directed. Cressida was at the door to greet her, and Emma waved good-bye as she disappeared inside. Amazingly, Lauren arrived back at the house within twenty-five minutes without a ticket or police escort. She parked and skipped up the front door, retrieving a handful of mail from the box on the wall and a small brown parcel propped up on the ground. The door banged shut behind her as she absently sorted the letters. A couple of magazines for Emma and Jamie, three bills which she would deal with later, and a postcard from Switzerland. The parcel, to her surprise and delight, was for her as well. She tore it open, recognising the handwriting as her mother's and watched as sheaves of newspaper fell to the floor. Scooping up her treasure, she made her way to the kitchen and dumped everything on the table. With great self discipline, she made coffee before opening her mother's letter and the two small presents inside. The letter contained much of the latest gossip and news of her classmates who were either still looking for jobs or who had been successful like Lauren. After the third page, Lauren stopped reading and opened the presents. The first, from her mother, was as she had guessed, underwear (regulation white, no frills, cotton, size 6, Swiss Made) and white socks (same pedigree). The second parcel was from Nikki and contained magazine clippings, a letter and a cassette of a live band that she had been to see two weeks ago. Lauren wandered through her letter, giggling at the dismissive way she dealt with their mutual enemies. The tone though suddenly changed when she talked about Claudette. Nikki was aware that Lauren and Claudette had been lifelong enemies for no good reason, and once or twice a year their animosity flared into ugliness, only to die again two days later. But apparently, with Lauren out of the country, Claudette had taken the opportunity to sling some mud that had definitely stuck. Nikki said she had let it be known that she had evidence that Lauren and Nikki had engaged in activities together of a sexual nature up until the time that Lauren left. While Lauren wasn't too concerned about that, Nikki mentioned that some of the villagers had asked Lauren's mother whether this was true, and her mother had been flustered and very protective on several occasions. Lauren felt a cold sweat break out around her neck as she visualised the worst. She was pretty sure that her mother knew about herself and Nikki, even though they had never (and could never) talk about it. The looks that Lauren had been given when she announced that she was going to be an au pair for a young girl and her brother had said it all, and repeated reminders about the stress and strain of looking after the children, 'especially the young girl' had not missed their mark. Lauren's stomach lurched as she read both letters twice, seeking out the real meaning and trying to determine the depth of the problem. Finishing her coffee, she cleared the table and wandered aimlessly into the lounge, slumping on the sofa to ruminate further, her imagination creating scenarios and hypothetical conversations that spelled doom and gloom should she return to Switzerland. Her energies finally turned to retribution and she spent the remainder of the day thinking about pain and how to inflict it remotely. The word 'bitch' entered her mind with every breath she took. -- +--------------' Story submission `-+-' Moderator contact `------------+ | story-submit@qz.little-neck.ny.us | story-admin@qz.little-neck.ny.us | | Archive site +--------------------+------------------+ Newsgroup FAQ | \ .../assm/faq.html> /