Chapter 1

“Jerry Smallbridge.”

“Ah, Mister Smallbridge. Alex Smith. I believe Jonny Schraeder mentioned my name.”

“Yes, indeed, Major Smith.”

“Do we need titles? I’m Alex.”

“In that case, I’m Jerry. Jonny said you’d come and review our security here?”

“That’s right. If it’s okay, I’d like to bring my wife, Zoe, and two colleagues. They’re married, so we’d only need two rooms.”

“That’s fine. When will you come? Do you need anything special in the way of diet?”

“Oh, we’re omnivorous. Will day after tomorrow work? Mid afternoon?”

“Sounds good. There’s a combination padlock on the gate; the code is 1920.”

“Thanks. I suspect that’s something I’ll want to change.”

“I’m not surprised. I’ve been wondering ever since I got here about replacing the lock with a secure gate-opener, if only to avoid stopping to open and close the gate every time Sally or I go out.”

“Good enough. We’ll see you day after tomorrow.”

“Look forward to it.”

The grubby, battered, Zafira drew up in front of the old farm house. A careful observer would notice, however, that the engine sounded smooth and quiet, and the tires were in better condition, and much more expensive, than might be expected. Four people got out, two couples, and made their way to the front door. Again, a careful observer might have noted that the four looked fit, poised, and confident, and moved with the unconscious grace of the martial artist.

One of the men stepped up to the door, and pressed the bell-button.

The door opened shortly after, and revealed a slim, naked woman, wearing a leather collar. The visitors’ eyes widened slightly, but otherwise revealed no surprise.

“Major Smith! Welcome to Woodside Lodge.”

“Missus Smallbridge! A privilege.” He turned slightly, indicating the young woman slightly behind and to his side. She was of average height, with dark blonde hair cut in a neat crop. She had large, very blue, eyes set in a sweet oval face. “This is my wife, Zoe. Zoe, our hostess, Missus Smallbridge.” The girl stepped forward, almost the same height as the naked woman. The two looked at each other, and suddenly were embracing.

The other three visitors stood waiting, their leader smiling at the scene in front of him. When they separated, Zoe stood to the side. “Missus Smallbridge, this is Rebecca and Steve Basset. Goat and Snoopy.”

“Won’t you all come in? And, please, call me Sally?” She looked at the smaller, slight woman, Rebecca Bassett. “Goat?”

The smaller woman smiled, which lit her face up. “A team name. I’ll explain later, if you wish, Sally.”

“Yes, please! Would you mind leaving your shoes there? Oh, but you’ll want to bring your luggage in!”

“Later,” Alex Smith smiled. “I’d like to put the car in your garage, if I may? But show us where we’re going to sleep, and we’ll deal with the rest later.”

“Okay! So, come with me?”

Sally turned, and, followed by the others, led the way upstairs. After showing the two couples to two guest rooms, gave them a quick tour of the house. The visitors’ eyes lit up as she showed them the attic dojo. “There are free weights in the cupboards, and gi’s if you need them.”

“Looks as though you’ve got everything!” Snoopy laughed. “What about a shooting range?”

“Oh, that’s out among the trees. Don’t like to be obvious about it, you know.” They’d seen the kitchen, dining room, lounge and study, “You’ll want to wear shoes when you go down into the cellars,” Sally told them. Snoopy and Alex were putting their shoes on when they heard the sound of a single-cylinder motorcycle outside. “That’ll be Master Jerry,” Sally said, “my husband.”

“Master?” Zoe asked with a lift of her eyebrow.

“Master,” Sally agreed. “It’s how I am.” She touched the collar. “I wear this for me, not for my husband.”

“I’d like to talk to you about that, if you don’t mind,” Zoe told her, as her husband, and Goat and Snoopy, opened the door and went out.

“Sure. I’m going to the kitchen, if you’d like to keep me company.”

Alex, with Goat and Snoopy, came up to me as I was unlocking the garage. I turned to meet them with a smile.

“Alex Smith, I suppose.”

“Jerry. Jonny sends his regards. Meet Goat and Snoopy.” We smiled and shook hands all round. “Jerry, Snoopy will be working with you on your personal security, and Sally’s, of course. Goat is our IT guru, and she’ll be evaluating that aspect. I’ll be assessing what security systems and locks you have, and whether any of it ought to be upgraded. One thing I will do while I’m here is install a gate-opener for you, remote operated, with an intercom connection to the house. I’ve also got a few wireless cameras, but they’re a temporary expedient. But that’s for later. Probably for tomorrow. For now, I’d like to put the car in your garage.”

“Oh, sure.” I opened the doors and hooked them back. Inside, the others looked round.

“Impressive,” Alex commented.

“Yep. Old Uncle Jeremiah was a bit of a master of all trades. Automotive, electrical, plumbing, carpentry, estate management, I’ve got professional quality equipment for all of them. Of course, some of it’s dated. I’ve got metric spanners and sockets, but no taps and dies, that sort of thing. Nearly all of the automotive stuff is Imperial standards.”

“None the less...” Alex looked at our collection of interesting vehicles. “A Norton? ES2?”

“Model 18,” I corrected.

“And a Lotus 7. I heard about that one. The Ford ... I always thought that was a fine car. But a VW camper-van? Do you use it?”

“No, we’ve not got round to that. As you can see, it’s still blocked up, and I’d have to tax and insure it for the road. I do keep the registration current, though, on all of them. The VW is SORN.*”

*SORN. The official notification to DVLA that the vehicle is kept off road and not used on public roads. ‘Statutory Off Road Notification.’

“If you got the VW taxed, tested and insured, I think it might come in useful. In fact, if no-one else, I’d like to borrow it. I’d love to see Zoe’s face when I suggest a holiday in that!”

“Um ... good? Or bad?”

He laughed. “I don’t know. It could go either way. I think she’d love it, but it could be horror.”

“Well, if you leave the keys in your car so I can move it if need be, I’ll see what I can do about getting it on the road.”

“You do know that one’s tax and MOT exempt?”

“Well, it dates from 1957, so yes. But I’d still want it tested.”

“Fair enough.”

Sally, wearing her pinafore apron and collar, nothing else, served them local trout, baby potatoes and green beans, helped by Zoe. They’d obviously bonded in some fashion beyond my ken. Removing her apron, she knelt beside me as I dissected the first of two trout. The slow process of feeding ourselves didn’t matter, as Alex, Goat and Snoopy discussed options for our security, interspersing the discussion with compliments to Sally, who was pink with embarrassment. It’s always puzzled me that a woman who can happily act normal while naked, even in the presence of others than her husband, blushes when complimented, whether on her cooking, her housekeeping, or her appearance.

After the meal, which we’d accompanied by wine from Uncle Jeremiah’s cellar; Alex being much more knowledgeable than me about wine, we retired to the lounge. Coffee was offered and declined in favour of beer for Alex and Snoopy, and wine for Zoe and Goat.

“I can’t resist any longer,” I smiled. “I get Snoopy, with your surname of Bassett,” I was glancing at Snoopy, “but Goat?”

Goat laughed. “It’s one of those team things. My name’s Rebecca, and I was always Beck, Bekki or Bex, but I’ve been into technology most of my life, especially electronics, so I was naturally ‘Ibex’. Then someone,” with a theatrical glare at Alex, “pointed out that an Ibex was a mountain goat. I’ve been ‘Goat’ ever since.”

“Well, Goat. I’d have to say you’re the prettiest goat I ever saw. Snoopy’s a lucky man.”

“He is, isn’t he!” It was a hearty laugh, though a pretty one, and everyone joined in.

“I’ve got to admit I am,” confessed Snoopy Basset.

“But ... Missus Smith. How about you? I gather you’re here partly as a holiday.”

She inclined her head in acknowledgement. “That, and I relish the chance to accompany my husband. But, please, it’s Zoe.”

“Very well, Zoe. But what can we do for you?”

“Two things, really. Did you know I’m a psychology student?”

“Yes; your husband said that.”

“I’m hoping to chat to Sally a lot.” She looked at Sally, “Not as a subject. I hope we’re going to be friends,” then back to me, “I’m fascinated by Sally’s chosen lifestyle. I was forced into a submissive role, but it was never a choice for me. Apart from that, I’m looking forward to spending time just enjoying Cumbria. Perhaps we can combine the two, if Sally’s agreeable and you can spare your wife to keep me company.”

Sally lifted her head from my knee and looked up at me. “Up to you, my Love. You know we’ll be fine if you want to take Zoe out for the day.” I caressed her head, enjoying the silky softness of her hair. “If you like, you can think of it as your duty to entertain our guest.” She smiled, and I surreptitiously winked at Zoe. Sally rested her head back on my thigh and purred audibly.

“Good enough,” Alex put in. “If we all get a good night’s sleep, we can get on in the morning.”

We scattered in our pairs to freshen up and go to bed. I can’t, obviously, comment on the activities of the others. It’s a large, old, house and any sounds they made were lost in the structure, but Sally and I? Rarely a day went by without some physical expression of our devotion; often several ... okay, we make love ... a lot. That evening, though, Sally’s attentions throughout the shower, and afterwards, were even more intense than usual. I enjoyed taking her through numerous orgasms and she pulled two out of me. Afterwards, we lay together, panting with the exertions.