Chapter 20: Neighbours

My first encounter with one of the other residents of the apartment block occurs two days later. Mistress Penelope and I are returning home from work around six o’clock when we pass a middle aged man on the stairs. Despite the generous width of the staircase, he moves to block our path.

“You got a new girlfriend, Darkie?” he growls.

I instantly become guarded and I step behind Mistress Penelope. His reference to ‘darkie’ is clearly a racial slur. I instantly dislike the man and I wait nervously for Mistress Penelope’s reaction.

“None of your business, Griff,” she says calmly, despite the racial insult.

“You can do better than the likes of her,” says Griff, stepping around us and continuing on his way.

At first I think his last comment is directed at Mistress Penelope, but I quickly realise that he was addressing me.

“Not all the residents here are as bigoted as Griff, but he isn’t the only one who believes in white supremacy,” says Mistress Penelope. “Avoid him when you can. He’s all bark and no bite, so don’t be afraid of him. I’ll introduce you to some of the more friendly residents later.”

In fact I meet Freya from apartment Nine an couple of hours later while I’m disposing of our kitchen trash in the communal bins in the service yard at the rear of the building. Mistress Penelope has instructed me to time these trips for late evening once everyone’s curtains are drawn. Although my uniform is more or less decent, she wants to reduce the likelihood of me being seen from overlooking windows, or encountering other residents. I could change into regular clothes for such excursions but I obey Mistress Penelope’s instructions for me to wear my uniform. However, I don’t feel my maid’s outfit is the best clothing to wear for a first meeting with neighbours, and in particular an attractive blond haired woman about my age.

Freya speaks with a strong German accent. She’s friendly towards me, although her eagerness to get to know me may be triggered by my risqué clothing.

“I’m in the apartment directly above yours,” says Freya. “Come up for a visit sometime.”

“Thanks,” I reply. “Do you know my ... um ... flatmate, Miss Penelope?”

“Yes. I know your mistress. She’s not as careful about hiding her occupation as she likes to think.”

“Oh! Um ... I see. Yes, well I’ll ... um ... see you around then,” I say as cut further conversation short. I hurry back to Mistress Penelope’s apartment before I say something I shouldn’t.

When I report my meeting with Freya to Mistress Penelope, she doesn’t seem unduly concerned that Freya knows about her being a dominatrix.

“I’ve known for some time that Freya is observant and inquisitive,” says Mistress Penelope. “I’m only surprised she hasn’t approached me directly.”

“What are we to do, Mistress?” I ask.

“I presume that she is at least curious about my occupation from what little you have told me so far. I suggest you go upstairs now and accept her offer to visit while the invitation is fresh in her mind. I want you to cultivate a friendship with Freya. You are to assess whether she is a potential client for the dungeon.”