Chapter 15: Post Script

“Now, Henry,” Julia’s manner was austere. She was normally easy going but one of Raven’s classes had explained how important it was to address problems in a clear and direct manner as soon as possible after the event. The more she did it, the easier she found it to take a controlling position and, curiously, the more she found she enjoyed it. “I wonder if you could explain to me what you think I might be cross about?”

Henry looked bashful. He was standing in the living room in Julia’s apartment. Sun was streaming in through the windows across the Thames and in the kitchen he could just hear the radio news chattering its way through the gossip of the day. “I suppose it was how I reacted to Ms Courten,” Henry ventured.

“I think we both know that is exactly the cause. You really must do a better job of concealing your interests and enthusiasms. Ms Courten is bad enough but don’t think I haven’t noticed the side-ways looks you’ve been giving to Suzanne too. It embarrasses people and it shows a lack of respect to me and to the individual concerned.”

The words ‘lack of respect’ brought Henry up short. The Home Office had just launched their latest campaign focused on what they called ‘The Respect Agenda’. Their were posters up around the office and on advertising hoardings on the streets too. The last thing Julia would want would be for him to be behaving in a way that looked as though it contravened a new Government initiative.

“So, I’ve decided to beat you.” Henry was startled. Julia had never indicated that she might enjoy or even be prepared to inflict pain. “I really think that it is important that I replace Ms. Courten as the focus of your submissive desires and if it means I have to thrash your hide to do it then I will. She told me that punishment didn’t form a big part of your meetings. Perhaps it will help you to change your focus. Would you drop your trousers and pants and bend over the back of that chair, please?”

The combination of determination and politeness in Julia’s words unbalanced Henry but he did as she ordered. A moment later he felt the hard rubber ball of a gag being pushed into his mouth and strapped in place. “I don’t,” Julia said, “want to disturb the neighbours.”

Henry grunted as Julia tightened the straps and winced nervously as she ran her hand across his naked buttocks.

He was steeling himself for a blow when he heard the doorbell ring. “Stay there,” Julia commanded and he heard her leave the room to answer it.

Moments later there was the happy chatter of conversation. Henry could make out the voices of Raven Courten and Suzanne as the women came into the room. “Now don’t mind Henry,” Julia said. “He and I were just about to have a bit of a chat about the Respect Agenda and how it affects staff in government offices, but that can wait for a while.”

“It looks,” this was Suzanne’s voice, “like you are planning a rather one sided chat.”

“Just ignore him, he is too fond of attention,” said Julia.

“You do seem to have got to grips with Henry’s foibles quickly,” Raven contributed.

“I’m finding it easier by the day,” Julia responded. “And I’m beginning to enjoy it too. I’ll confess that I had reservations about sponsorship but I’m finding it’s not so bad after all. Once you get the idea that its a process that needs to be gone through to keep them behaving properly and it’s not just cruelty for the sake of it, it becomes much easier to see what’s needed.”

“Well, I’ll confess I’m finding it difficult,” Suzanne said. “Ollie is being a real trial and its not easy putting those few ideas we went through in the demonstration session into practice.”

“That’s exactly why we need the full programme,” Raven added.

“And don’t be discouraged by his run in with the MCF,” Julia said. “He was very respectful to me the other day when I bumped into him in the corridor. That would have been just after you’d had him fitted with his restrainer I think.”

“Well that’s good news, certainly. I did think the restrainer was improving his behaviour. At least in the bedroom, at any rate!” Suzanne grinned. “I suppose they all make some mistakes, don’t’ they?”