I had previously considered Margaret aloof but I came to see this as an innate superiority. She had said she could be moody and unpredictable and in this she did not lie.
The day after the party in Harry's flat I had gone to hers when I had returned from work and showered. She held the door for me once I had indicated that I wanted to pursue a relationship with her. That sounds so complex, but our exchange was simple. She had seen my submission more clearly than I and she had explained her vision of domination and submission more acutely than I could have done. It was a reflection of mine.
Her flat was warm, the lights low and soft. The table was dressed for dinner although she had not invited me.
"You're expecting someone?"
"He's here, I think," and she raised an eyebrow at me in question.
"I didn't realise..."
"Have you eaten?"
"No but..."
"I thought not. It's not much but will be all we need. We have a lot to discuss."
She had prepared a pasta with salad. She poured me a crisp, dry, white wine and sat opposite me and ate. We talked about work and I described the antics of the Theatre Sister from hell who rules my life with a rod of iron. Her mocking eyebrow lifted again and I stammered that it was not like that.
"I know," and she laughed.
She cleared plates away and brought cheese, coffee and a bottle of brandy. We sat at the table and then it seemed she came to a decision.
"Stand up."
I was engaged in lifting a cup to my mouth and stopped, mid lift and looked at her over the cup's rim.
"Stand." This was delivered quietly but with great force. I stood and replaced my cup at the same time. "Take off your shirt."
I unbuttoned and removed my shirt, fumbling over the buttons.