23
‘It fits perfectly,’ Madame Dubois stood back, admiring Nancy’s new look. ‘I thought we were a similar size.’
Nancy looked at her reflection in the mirror in Madame Dubois’s dungeon. No one would recognise her with the heavy make-up, the leather skirt, thigh-high patent leather boots and the tight bodice that made her look like she’d got decent-sized boobs. She hoped no one who knew her recognised her, anyway. It had seemed like a good idea when she’d accepted Madame Dubois’s offer last week, but now it was becoming a reality she felt uncharacteristically nervous.
‘But you do need to get the hang of walking in those heels,’ Madame Dubois frowned as Nancy walked across the room for the third time. ‘You’re supposed to intimidate clients, not remind them of a foal trying to stand for the first time.’
‘This tight skirt isn’t making it easy.’ Nancy said, pulling it up slightly to see if that helped. ‘And I’m worried my boobs will fall out.’
‘Take the outfit home tonight and practise until you look like you’re on the catwalk.’
‘But what about now?’
‘Don’t move around much. You’ll be fine. Henri knows this is a practice run.’
There was a gentle tap on the door. ‘Can I come in?’ a man’s voice called out.
‘Whenever you’re ready,’ Nancy replied.
‘No, no, no,’ Madame Dubois grabbed Nancy’s shoulders and looked her straight into her eye. ‘Forget about being polite. In this room, you are in charge. Henri is paying to be shouted at. Try again.’
‘Get in here now!’ Nancy yelled aggressively.
‘Much better,’ Madame Dubois smiled.
Philip was reorganising the bestsellers section when Nancy walked back into the shop, dressed in her regular clothes. He raised his eyebrows when he saw her.
‘What?’ she asked.
‘I’m not used to seeing you with heavy black eyeliner. It’s very Brigitte Bardot. It suits you,’ he grinned. ‘How did you get on? Did Madame Dubois show you the ropes?’
‘Ha ha! Very funny.’
‘Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Come on, dish the dirt.’
‘It was surprisingly empowering. I just remembered all those arseholes who I used to work with and imagined I was dominating them.’ Which had worked quite well until Henri had shouted his safe word when she’d been imagining whipping Mr Jefferson. ‘Not quite so hard next time,’ he had said as he’d hobbled out of the room to get dressed.
‘So, will you be getting some regular customers?’ Philip asked.
‘I expect so. Madame Dubois says she’ll take all the new ones, and once she’s made sure they’re not after something more, she’ll book them in with me if they’re happy.’
‘Are you offering any particular specialities?’
‘Why? Do you want to book a session?’ She looked at him seductively.
‘No offence, Nancy, but you know you’re not my type either as you or your alter ego. This might come in useful, though,’ he grinned, handing her a hardback book about the Marquis de Sade that he’d obviously deliberately tucked away under the table.
‘Sod off, Mason,’ she laughed, whacking him on the backside with it.
‘Ow! I predict you’ll get on very well in your new role.’
Nancy put her hands on her hips. ‘Make the tea!’ she growled.
‘Yes, mistress,’ Philip laughed as he headed towards the kitchen, rubbing his right buttock.