This story can be read on its own or be seen as the link between Jane's adventures with Marion and Susie.
Three Act Tragedy, which is the sequel has been in draft for a while. Life's got in the way, so there has been a delay. Recently I got a couple of messages from readers asking what happened next to Jane and Marion.
So on a recent holiday I let my mind wander for a while, and this is the result. There are three parts. It has some quite strong fetish content in it, so if that isn't your thing please do not continue, All characters are over 18.
***
That autumn, with Dawn discredited and dismissed from Atlas, I was probably the most content I'd ever been.
I went to work, did my shopping, stayed in the flat belonging to Marion Palmer, who owned "The Firs", and hung out with Fay. I saw nothing of Marion or Solange, her sadistic assistant. I was happy in a relationship with Fay. We were fond of each other to the point where things were beyond "friends with benefits", but not so intense that we smothered each other.
We would meet on Saturday, when Fay finished work, and spend time eating, drinking or taking in a movie. We'd usually end up in bed making love. We were considerate to each others needs and desires, spicing things up with a toy or a good spanking. There was always a frisson of excitement when one of us took control over the other, and no real limits as to what we were prepared to try. Changing the bedding and cleaning the bathroom at the end of each weekend the only inevitable chore.
In early January, Fay went to London to a residential training course, and so for a month, I was on my own. As we parted on the Sunday at the end of the Christmas holiday, she joked with me that I should go and see Marion if I got horny. I was quick to dismiss that idea, but little did I know then what was about to happen.
I was between research projects at work. My new boss, Naomi, suggested I used up the week of vacation I was still owed from the previous year, and so the day after Fay left for London, I was on my own, and soon bored.
I was regularly going to the gym, attending a couple of Pilates classes in the evening and feeling pretty healthy. My hair was starting to grow back too, the severe crop was now softer and longer, but needed regular sessions with a colourist.
With time on my hands, I rang Valerie at the Salon and booked in to get my roots done. She recommended a new member of staff, and so booked me in with this Angie, for the Tuesday afternoon. At least one day of the week now had something in the diary...
***
Angie was a bubbly character who clearly saw that part of her job was to engage her clients in non stop conversation. She was mid 20's, with a pretty face, hazel eyes and long dark brown hair with a fringe. When she smiled, her full lips revealed large white teeth.
She was quite tall probably 5 7 and had big boobs. She wore the company white blouse and black pants rather than the smock that Fay preferred, and that made the most of her assets.
Initially, I was happy to have the distraction of her conversation. She washed and dried my locks to her satisfaction and gave me a copy of Cosmo to read, whilst she went and mixed the colours and prepare the foils. I idly flicked through the magazine, before settling on reading a fashion review on Winter coats. My faithful Bomber jacket was really not warm enough for mid winter. There were many suggestions as to what was in vogue.
I was studying a model wearing a particularly flattering full length medium grey coat with plunging wide lapels when Angie reappeared. She wheeled a small trolley alongside my seat ready to start and glanced at the page I was looking at.
"My younger sister Claire's a redhead," she said. "That model's got lovely hair too hasn't she? It's a bit darker than my sister, but a similar length. Claire's has a natural wave in it rather than her drain pipe straight. Do you fancy going red or auburn one day then?"
"I was looking at the coat Angie," I replied, and then realising I'd probably been a bit curt added, "I do like idea of having auburn hair one day though, but not till it's a lot longer again."
"Claire's is natural, lucky thing. Never had a highlight in her life. All she does is get it trimmed every now and then. She's got the looks too. Blue eyes, a few freckles...never short of willing suitors. It must drive blokes crazy that they never get anywhere with her. Only likes girls does our Claire, you're that way too aren't you?"
"Well I..." I tried to interject, stunned that my sexual orientation seemed to be common knowledge, but Angie was quick to realise she'd gone too far.
"Sorry that was indiscreet of me, you barely know me. Working here with Fay, people have said things you know."
"It's OK, I do understand, I just don't want to talk about it."
"Broad minded me Jane. Have to be in this job. See all sorts in here every day of the week," and realising she'd overstepped the mark again smiled at me through the mirror and said "Right let's get started then shall we?" She picked up her comb to start sectioning off my hair.
As time went on Angie's opinionated conversation started to irritate me. I decided she really wasn't my sort of person. She seemed to like to betray the confidences of her clients or talk about herself. She also rambled on about her boyfriend Trevor, who, if she was to be believed, was hung like a horse and knew how to use it.
Eventually she finished the foils and left me alone for the dye to take. I returned to the magazine. When the buzzer went, she took me to the basins and washed my hair off. She talked incessantly, mainly about her and Trevor. Fortunately the conversation stopped whilst she dried my hair, but as she started styling it with a finishing wax she started again.
"Yes Claire's really finding it difficult to find a job at the moment. She wants to get her own place, but it's not easy until she gets a job. She's got an interview tomorrow on the outskirts of town. Sounds positive. The woman running it wants an assistant. You know - a sort of trainee. Money sounds good and she can live in apparently. There's a flat in the building that's empty at the moment. Big old place, used to be a Doctor's surgery. i think she said it was called "The Firs", do you know it?"
My mouth fell open, but fortunately Angie did not notice. I stammered "Yes I know it Angie. I live next door to it. I wouldn't recommend it though, I'm not sure it's got a good reputation."
"Well that's a bit odd. Toni, who owns this place, spoke very highly of it when we were talking the other day. Can't understand why you would think differently? She says the Matron Marion is very experienced and would train our Claire thoroughly."
Momentarily I mused what sort of training that might be and shuddered. I quickly recovered myself and looked at Angie through the mirror.
"Well I'm sure you and Toni know best..."
"Jobs are so hard to find in Healthcare Jane, especially ones that pay well. Our Claire can look after herself I'm sure. After all she's done 3 years at Uni so she's not that wet behind the ears. That job ticks all the boxes."
She stopped fiddling with my hair.
"Now how does that look?"
I wasn't paying attention when she asked. I studied her efforts in the mirror. My hair was rather dull and disappointing. The colours had lost their depth and vibrancy. It didn't matter, I'd get Fay to fix it on her return. Angie's revelations had rather taken my mind off my hair, there were other things now to think about...
***
After I paid Valerie and tipped Angie, I headed back up the high street.
It was nothing to do with me, but now I knew what I hadn't wanted to, Marion was still running the surgery...
I wasn't sure why I thought things would be different, Everyone needed an income and Marion knew well how to manipulate women out of their money in the pursuit of sexual pleasure.
I wondered whether she'd rid herself of Dawn and Solange or whether they were still pulling all the strings? There was only one sure way to find out. The question in my mind, as I entered the supermarket, was whether I wanted to get involved once more...?
***
I called Fay that evening and told her the tale. She told me that I'd be stupid to get involved with Matron again, but was far more complimentary about Angie than I thought she'd be.
"She's a love really Jane. She's a bit misunderstood and quite nervy with people she doesn't know. She was probably super anxious because of us you know.
I've never met her sister, but I have seen some pictures. She's very beautiful. She has that look of vulnerability about her that draws you to her. Marion won't hesitate to get her claws into her.."
"Oh dear Fay, that not what I wanted to hear. I was rather hoping you hated Angie and that her sister was a bit of a slut. This is all rather difficult.
"Don't get involved Jane. You're just Marion's tenant now. She has no other hold over you. Stay away."
The call ended on that rather unharmonious note. Fay had never exerted her wishes over me so assertively before. I wasn't that sure I liked it...
***
I did manage to stay away on the Wednesday. I decided to go shopping in Oxford. It was an hours train journey, but I was successful in my search and bought a heavily discounted Navy overcoat in Fenwicks sale.
It was dark by the time I got home and I was starving. I cooked some pasta with pesto and devoured it greedily.
Making my way to the bedroom afterwards to change into my pyjamas, I saw an envelope lying on the doormat. I recognised the black ink and bold italic hand writing immediately...I ripped it open.
"Dear Jane
I hope this letter finds you well.
There are matters which I feel we need to discuss. Please come and see me on Thursday 8th January at 1pm. This should be in your lunch hour so convenient.
Don't be late.
Marion Palmer"
I wandered back to the lounge and sat down.
So matters needed to be discussed. Whatever was she on about?
Was it just a coincidence of timing that this was the day after I had questioned the reputation of "The Firs" to Angie or not?
I went to bed somewhat anxious of mind. I did not call Fay.