Chapter 9: Recaptured

"Dammit, who's ringing the bell at this time of the morning? I've already had to struggle to the door to pay the paper girl." David was not in a good mood. Once more he hopped to the door on his crutches. "Poll. What do you and your friend want? Are you going to be a Good Samaritan and help me for a bit? I'm still struggling to get up. Are you on your way to Tesco's? If so I could do with some things."

"No, David. Pete and me are going to take you on a raiding party to recapture a runaway slave. Where's your shoes and coat? Pete can drive."

"No Polly. She doesn't want me..."

"Stop that stupid nonsense. Of course she wants you. You just need to take control of her again. She doesn't know your mother's left. She went home before Barbara came back and put the phone down on me this morning." Twenty minutes later they parked at the rear of Stephanie's apartment block. "She's on the first floor David so the difficult part will be getting you up those stairs. They haven't yet put in disabled access but the stairs are wide and shallow. We did a check on the way to yours. Pete's a strong lad and will help you up. Once she opens the door, we follow Pete's plan. Okay?"

"Supposing she calls the police? Supposing she really hates my guts?"

"Supposing she loves you to hell? If you don't try this, you'll never know," Pete countered.

Polly rang Stephanie's doorbell and stood in front of the peephole. The door opened for the length of the security chain. "Leave me Poll, please. I don't wish to talk with anyone at the moment. I just want to be left alone. No one can help."

"Yes you do need to talk Steph and I can help. Open the door, you need someone to take control of you again before you really go to pieces. Let me in please, or do you want me to shout and scream so all your neighbours come running out," Polly threatened. As soon as the door opened Pete forced his way in and grabbed her. Polly followed and David hobbled after.

Stephanie struggled but was no match for Pete. She would have screamed but Pete had a hand across her mouth. Her eyes showed shock at seeing David here in her flat. "Are you going to behave yourself slave Stephanie Jones? Or do we have to tie you up and gag you?" David asked, trying to make his voice sound angry and fierce. Still in shock, Stephanie made no move to reply even when Pete momentarily removed his hand. "Okay Polly see what you can find to tie this slave up."

"Nooo!" Stephanie shook her head free, "I'll do what you want... You can't do this... How?..." Pete dumped her in a chair and stood behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders to keep her from jumping up. "What are you going to do?... How did... ?" Stephanie looked frightened but at the same time she knew Polly wouldn't let them harm her. She must have a plan.

"Slave Stephanie Jones you are guilty of running away from your master and absenting your duties. You will be taken from here to the place where you should reside and there be punished in full consideration of the severity of your actions at this time." David tried to sound like a judge passing a long-term sentence.

"Your mother will never allow it!!