Chapter 5 β A Bid for Freedom
The next morning, as Emma ate her breakfast, the phone rang.
"Good morning. Emma Stewart speaking!" she announced brightly, refreshed after a good night's sleep, with no nightmares.
"You are NOT Emma Stewart, Slut!" shouted a familiar voice.
Emma was suddenly flustered. "Oh! Sorry, Madam; I forgot. Leila speaking, Madam! What can I do for you, Madam?"
"That's better! But don't forget in future, or I will need to punish you. I just called to remind you of your appointment at ten o'clock..."
"Oh, yes, Madam, I remember. I'm looking forward to it."
"...and to congratulate you!"
"Congratulate, Madam? For what?"
"We have the results of your tests. You are quite clear, and officially declared 'Clean'. I will discuss with my colleagues this afternoon the appointment of a trainer for you, and we might even be able to start to-morrow."
"So soon?" exclaimed Emma.
"Yes, why not? The sooner we start, the quicker you will be trained. I see no point in delaying."
"Yes, Madam. If you say so, Madam."
"OK. I will see you later."
The phone went dead. Emma felt suddenly dazed. Training might start to-morrow! That meant she had to escape to-day! She mustn't panic; she had several hours to go through her plans, and refine them.
Promptly at 9.55, Boris the palace guard unlocked her door, hooded her as usual, and escorted her to the resident physiotherapist. Exhibiting a thorough professionalism, the physio discussed with Emma means of alleviating aches and pains, and a regime of exercises to increase the suppleness of Emma's body so as to minimise pain and the risk of permanent injury. Emma felt unsettled at the matter-of-fact way in which the physio accepted that Emma would in the following days be beaten, stretched, tortured and tormented. It was as if these degradations were viewed as 'normal'.
It was the same with the palace beautician. She accepted as inevitable that Emma's body would be subject to unusual strains and stresses; her job was simply to advise Emma how best to avoid damage to the perfection of her body, and how to rectify any possible blemishes.
For over two hours, Emma's body was cosseted, massaged, and titillated. Her limbs were subjected to professional attention, following thorough manicure and pedicure. A hot scented bath was followed by a refreshing cold plunge, and further massage. Her hair was washed and carefully set. The range of available beauty products was explained and discussed.
When Emma was returned to her room just before one o'clock, she admired herself in the full length mirror. Her blonde hair bounced on top of her head. A fresh, beautiful face smiled back at her, flashing perfectly-formed bright white teeth. Emma thought she had never looked so good.
Emma ate her lunch hurriedly, not even glancing at the half bottle of wine provided. She added more fruit, water and bread rolls to her secret cache, impatient to act.
After lunch, Emma reviewed her plans. It HAD to be this afternoon; she couldn't afford to delay. It had just passed two o'clock, and she meant to make her escape at about five. That gave her nearly three hours β more than enough to get ready.
Emma laid out the items she planned to take, and divided them between her back-pack and shoulder bag, so that if she lost one, there would still be some clothing, food, water, light and jewellery in the other. She wondered if she would be able to disguise herself by changing clothes with one of the maids, but rejected the idea β both of the oriental girls were considerably smaller than Emma, and in any case, it might be too complicated to get one of them to undress. She finally settled on a loose-fitting long linen dress, with long sleeves, and a pair of comfortable trainers. She would have liked socks, but could find none, and settled on a pair of thick denier hold-up stockings. A floppy sun-hat completed the outfit.
Yasmin watched attentively from behind the secret mirror, and sent for Boris and Clyde.
As the hands of the clock moved through half-past-four, Emma made her final preparations. She used the phone to order tea, as planned, and then managed to cut the phone connection with her steak knife. That would prevent the maid from phoning for help and raising the alarm.
Emma waited behind the door, wearing her back-pack and shoulder bag, holding the knife in her hand.
"She's going to make an escape attempt," announced Yasmin. "You know what to do; go to your places now."
"Yes, Madam," agreed Boris and Clyde in unison, leaving at a trot.
Yasmin continued to watch. The door of Emma's room opened, and one of the maids entered, wheeling a small trolley. She looked surprised not to see Emma immediately, and then started in astonishment as Emma shouted from behind the door, "Don't be afraid; I don't want to hurt you!" She brandished her knife at the terrified maid. "Lie on the bed, face down!"
The maid obeyed. Inexpertly, Emma managed to tie the maid's hands behind her back, using silk stockings, and secure her to the bed-post. A large silk scarf around her mouth served as a rudimentary gag.