Chapter 1

Dorset 1960

As the train pulled out Shelia bit her lip, trying hard not to cry as her home in London disappeared into the hazy afternoon sunshine.

Mrs Hicks the foster officer assigned to deliver Shelia to her foster-home was a big kindly woman who smiled at the girl saying, “Your wearing the nice outfit Mrs Carroll provided for you; do you like them Shelia?”

“Yes ... best I’ve ever had; must have been expensive Mrs Hicks.” Then she looked out at the passing scenery in silence.

The buttons on the woman’s blouse in were in danger of flying off as her large bosom heaved with each sigh she made throughout the long journey. But eventually the train pulled into the station at Barton Lacy in Dorset.

“So here were are then Shelia, I’ll take your case; you make sure you leave nothing on the train my dear.” said Mrs Hicks leading the way onto the platform.

Shelia felt scared but held out her chin and said a prayer as Mrs Hicks lead her to an imposing yet tight-lipped lady there to receive them.

Mrs Hicks introduced herself and as they chatted Shelia took in the lady’s stylish outfit.

From the high-heeled brown and cream shoes up to the jaunty brown velour hat, spiked with a long feather; she looked a movie star.

Indeed the face beneath the hat could have been that of the female actress yet somehow it was neither charming nor kind.

Shelia’s heart skipped a beat as the woman’s hazel eye’s had scrutinised her own and although Shelia had tried to raise a smile the woman looked away with indifference.

Mrs Hicks turned to her now asking, “How old are you now Shelia?”

“I was fourteen last month Mrs Hicks.”

“So have your period’s started yet dear?”

Shelia’s face blushed. “Yes Mrs Hicks.”

“Do you use tampons dear?”

“Yes!”

Mrs Hicks took her by the shoulder saying,

“Now Shelia your a very lucky girl to be taken in by Mrs Marina Carroll your benefactor here; so what do you say to her?”

“I’m very grateful miss”

The lady gave a slight nod.

“That’s right Shelia and always be on your best behaviour at Squires Lodge.”

“Yes Mrs Hicks.”

Marina Carroll now address Shelia, “Follow me to the car would you child.”

She turned and with her heels tapping the concourse and hat-feather bouncing, it seemingly beckoned Shelia to a waiting grey limousine. Following obediently she shied as the chauffeur leaped forward to open the door.

“Please don’t loiter girl, just get into the Bentley.” Marina scorned.

The unfamiliar smell of leather combined with her gnawing hunger made her feel faint as she huddled into a corner and closed her eyes on it all.

“Drive strait home Jackson.” Mrs Carroll ordered.

The car soon picked up speed upon leaving the village and Shelia now looked out at the passing countryside.

“Your very quiet for a teenager,” said Mrs Carroll as she lit-up a cigarette she had fixed into a green onyx holder. She inhaled with obvious pleasure and exhaled slowly as she replaced the gold cigarette case and lighter into her bag.

“Well” Mrs Carroll shot her a sideways glance. “Have you lost your tongue girl?”

“No miss, I’m just a bit nervous miss.”

“Your a bit small for your age, and you should call me Ma’am not Miss.”

“Yes mi – ma’am.”

Mrs Carroll continued to smoke in silence, occasional tapping the ash into a secluded ashtray.

Remembering it was rude to stare Shelia gazed at the passing hedgerows and fields of ripe corn that were spiked with scarlet poppies and blue corn-flowers. She had read about the countryside and even seen the flat fields of Essex; from the train window on a family holiday to Southend but these rolling hills of Dorset were so beautiful. Later they sped passed a field of cows grazing on rich green grass. Eventually though the car slowed and turned into the entrance of Squires Lodge.

Lowering the passenger windows, Jackson then drove the Bentley sedately along the tree-line drive. It so impressed Shelia she forgot her shyness,”This is just like the botanical gardens in London ma’am!”

“Oh really.” replied Mrs Carroll sarcastically.

“Yes but nowhere so crowded.”

Shelia smiled at having got a response from the movie queen.

She spotted a small lake with an island in the middle and marble statue on a gentle slope.

It was all so trim and green and posh! And then Jackson bought the car to a gentle halt close to the imposing entrance of the house. As

Mrs Carroll stepped from the car she told Shelia to wait at the entrance for a maid collect her.

Stood there alone in such strange surroundings made the minutes seem endless. Suddenly a snorting horse was alongside her! She screamed wildly in terror! Her mind spinning from fear and fatigue; and Shelia fainted.

Chapter 2

Shelia recovering, vaguely realised there was a crystal chandelier above her? ... where before there was sky!

Then a female was speaking; Shelia turned her head, seeing Pamela and Guy beside her.

“Well she’s a sexy little thing Guy isn’t she, is she sleepy or something?”

“No Pam, she went down like a ninepin, having shied Romeo who nearly crushed her!”

“My god Guy! She’s wearing some of my old clothes! Who the hell is she anyway?” Pam exclaimed.

“She’s mother’s little foster-girl from somewhere in the slums of London; and she’s a bit accident prone in her new surroundings.”

“Christ Guy! Marina would’ve had your guts for garters if you’d damaged her!”

Little Shelia began to move, then she mumbled,” I’m so sorry I blundered into you Mr Guy, is your horse all right?”

Guy’s finger gently stroked her pale cheek and his spice-scented cologne penetrated her senses; such a handsome man.

“You OK little thing?”

His kindness surprised her and she responded to him, “Right as rain,” she smiled weakly.

Guy and his sister Pamela both let out an amused chuckle at her funny cockney expression.

Guy stood up ... then leaving his older sister to attend the girl. He went off to see his horse Romeo who had already been led to the stable.

Pamela chuckled, “Well little thing, its nice to see my old clothes are still useful ... I understand that your to be my son’s night-nurse; so we’ll be rubbing up against each other from time to time.” ... Her fingertip sensually brushed Shelia’s lip, then she turned and left the girl alone.

Shelia straitened herself up; then wandered out into the grounds; her head brimming over with so many questions; Why had she been brought to this big house? Why had she been chosen by this family with staff and servants, when she was but a simple slum girl?

And so it was that Shelia from the slums of London began work as Rupert’s night-nurse above the yard at the rear of the big house. She did get time off during the daytime when Rupert was with Mavis, an older child minder. During Shelia’s free time there was much to explore around the grounds and beyond.

She was out now gazing at the mature trees planted long ago, she guessed the family here may be far richer than even London’s wealthy lords; and likely originating from the black slave trade.

She paused at a very old oak-tree; it’s low-slung branch so large and heavy, it almost touched the ground; and it seemed to beckon her as a refuge; and a strange and sudden urge took hold of her!

She clambered onto the bough, and scampered deep into its foliage and got astride a broad branch; then sat there quietly soaking in its still cool peacefulness.

She had never experienced such tranquillity. She began to hum a tune to herself; but then after a short while there was a sort of tapping sound. She turned and she was startled by a man’s presence! It was Mr Guy! He had also been slumbering in the tree; and was now gently applauding her singing.

“Why ... Mr Guy! Where did you come from!”

He chuckled, “Well, we’ve be drawn together by nature little thing!”

“Oh I see ... I’ve never sat in a tree before?”

“Well this old tree has been my secret place since I was a lad. I came here when things got to much for me on the outside ... inside this ancient tree is like entering into the past ... perhaps you felt some of its power, before you decided to explore inside it?”

Although she was not sure what he meant, Shelia was surprised he was talking in such a manner with her. As the new nursery-maid, she was low on the social ladder.

“I ... well I’m not sure? Can a tree have power? So many questions have come in at me since I arrived at Squires Lodge Mr Guy.”

“O K little thing ... like what for instance?”

“Well ... firstly, why is Miss Pamela and little Rupert here at Squires Lodge when her husband lives in London? Don’t seem natural for a young wife to be cut off from her husband like that?”

Mr Guy just nodded a sort of agreement at her, so she decided to say a bit more,

“Also strange to me was the late night activity in the yard below me. From the nursery widow I watched Miss Pamela and others making off to the woods? What could they they be doing so late at night?”

Guy stared gently at Shelia for quiet a while; before answering. “Well, I’ll explain it all one day but you’ve moved from the city into the country-side, so it all seems odd to you now; but before long it will all seem normal! And from now on you can just call me Guy; ok?”

“Ok, but please don’t call me Little Thing; my name’s Shelia!”

“O K, well Shelia, I see you have very nice legs! he chuckled.

Shelia realised her skirt was round her hips and her bare thighs hugged the bough like a huge phallus; and she blushed with embarrassment.

He laughed, “It looks like your practising horse riding! “, “Have you ever done any riding?”

“Well no ... Guy; I’m terrified of them!”

“Oh, I see! Well ... when your not on duty after breakfast, get into jodhpurs and meet me in the yard; I think we could overcome your fear quiet easily,” smiled Guy.