A second day at work for twenty-three-year-old Laura. Today, something completely different. Once again, all actors in this drama; major players, bit part actors or simply extras, are over the age of eighteen.
I was shaken roughly awake the next morning by Annabel. I was still feeling tired and, when I looked, the place where I had been waxed was still red and raw. I scrambled out of bed and found my brown uniform and pulled it over my head.
"Come on," she urged me, "it's never a good idea to be late for work."
We dashed out and joined the rest of the girls as they hurried down the stairs to the kitchen. As we got there, I copied them as we all adopted the humiliating pose before marching in, subdued and in single file, and lined up just inside the door. Chef Phillip walked along the row, inspecting us carefully. Occasionally he would stop in front of one of the girls and grope her breasts or feel under her dress. The poor girl tried to stand still as his hand explored her hidden places while he seemed to take pleasure in his freedom to do as he pleased. Then he stepped back and assigned each girl her place in the kitchen for the day. One by one they left the line and went to their station.
I was surprised when he called Mary's name and put her on the pot wash. The poor girl already looked worn out but walked across to the sink and began to busy herself. Eventually I was the only one left and I wondered what menial task was to be mine.
"You're on training today, new girl. Miss Alice is expecting you. Jake will show you the way."
The young man I had encountered in the toilet yesterday stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear. He spun me around and pushed me towards the door.
"Left," he directed me, and I preceded him along a corridor that was new to me. We came to another set of stairs and he pushed me towards it. I started to climb, very conscious of the man behind me.
"Nice view from down here," he taunted.
I felt his hand reach under my tunic and grope between my legs. I staggered and nearly fell but managed to regain my balance. I had to bring my hands forward to stop my fall, but his hand kept sliding between my legs. With difficulty I stood upright and continued up the stairs. Eventually our way was blocked by a door. I stopped and he came up beside me. He squashed himself against me with a sneer on his face, then smacked me hard on the bottom, before opening the door and pushing me through.
I stumbled into a large room. It was brightly lit from the large windows along one side. The opposite wall was lined with bookshelves and the carpeted floor felt soft even through the thin soles of my worn-out shoes. To the right was a large door and to the left was an ornate desk. We had come in through a hidden door that was part of the bookcase. Behind the desk sat Miss Alice. She stood up as I staggered in still trying to maintain the obligatory pose.
"That will be all, thank you, Jake," she said before turning her attention to me.
She pointed to the centre of the carpet and I quickly moved to stand there. I tried to remember, elbows back and eyes down, as she strolled around me, inspecting me from all angles.
"Today we start your training. I'm sure you're better suited upstairs than down in the kitchen but I'm not sure quite where to place you. We'll start with waiting at table, so strip. Any experience?"
I was shocked but knew better than to disobey. I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak, as I pulled my dress over my head. Then I resumed the pose.
"I see you're still looking a bit red down there," she said, rubbing her hand over my sensitive skin. "It will fade quickly enough. And the shoes!"
I quickly kicked off my shoes as she walked back to the desk. For a second or two I was able to enjoy the soft luxury of the carpet beneath my bare feet, before she turned around and walked back to me. She was carrying a couple of scraps of white cloth. She handed me one of them. It was tiny and only hinted at its inspiration, an apron. On her order I tied it around my waist. It was so small that it left me completely exposed. The other item she carried was a small lace cap that she arranged carefully on top of my head.
She went back to her desk and returned with a pair of black high-heeled shoes. I had a pair of two-inch ones at home and never felt safe on them, but these were at least four inches if not more. They looked intimidating. She dropped them onto the carpet at my feet.
"Have you worn heels before?"
"N ... no, Miss Alice, not as big as those."
"Well, you'll just have to get used to them. Put them on. They're your size."