It seemed like the start of a perfect day in late summer. It would be many weeks before the leaves began to turn red and gold.
A black car threaded its way slowly along a deserted country road. Its journey had begun in the city centre and now, after an hour, it was in the depths of the countryside. The car entered a narrow lane and stopped outside the only sign of habitation, for miles, a small thatched cottage.
Suzy and her mistress stepped from the car which drove almost silently away and became lost from view amongst the trees.
The two women walked up the path to the door and pulled the rusty handle of an ancient door bell. A wooden sign reading 'Honeysuckle Cottage' hung from the wall beside the door. The paintwork on the door and windows was fresh. The small front garden was neat and tidy.
Before the girl has a chance to see more, the door opened and a small plump woman in her late fifties stepped out and welcomed them warmly.
"Oh how lovely to see you again Pam dear." She said as she kissed the older of the two visitors.
"Do come in ... that's it ..." And she quickly ushered her two guests inside. The door closed with a soft click followed by the sound of the key being turned in the lock.
Once inside the lady turned to the younger of the two arrivals.
"And this must young Suzy." She said with a warm smile.
Suzy took a step forward and shook her hostess's hand. "How do you do Miss Lambourne."
"Oh my, you are a pretty one. I'm very pleased to meet you. Your mistress here has told me so much about you Suzy S! And please, do call me 'Betty' my dear."
"Why don't you both sit down after your long journey?" Miss Lambourne continued. "I was about to make a pot of tea." And with that she disappeared into the kitchen, from where, after a few minutes, came the sound of a singing kettle and a clatter of cups and plates. Miss Lambourne reappeared with a tray of tea things. The two visitors settled themselves on an old but very comfy sofa, tea was served and soon Pam and her hostess were chatting about past event and holiday plans.
Suzy had a look around. Miss Lambourne herself was neatly dressed in a pleated tartan skirt, a cream coloured blouse and grey cardigan. Her white hair was arranged in a neat bun - the perfect image of a genteel Englishwoman, comfortably off but thrifty. Suzy thought It would be easy to imagine that this lady arranged the flowers at the local church and did good works in the village.
During a lull in the conversation, Suzy could hear a clock ticking somewhere far away down a corridor.
Miss Lambourne turned to the girl. "So Suzy, you must tell me where you bought that lovely dress. It suits you so well." Suzy told her and soon she was telling the lady about her own home and her parents and all sorts of things she hadn't planned on discussing in front of her mistress. There was something about this homely little woman that made her easy to confide in.
"Now if you've both had enough tea I'll clear away." She said. "And I suppose we ought to get started didn't we?"
And Miss Lambourne rose and began collecting the tea things and returning them to the tray. Before she returned to her kitchen she turned and looked at Suzy.
"While I tidy these things and Suzy, I'd like you get undressed for me."
Suzy looked at her mistress with a startled expression. But her mistress merely arched an eyebrow so she did as she was told and, standing up in the tiny living room, began to take off her clothes.
By the time the woman returned from the kitchen, the young girl was completely naked. There was something almost surreal about a beautiful nude in the tiny room -- the fussy decorations and chintz and the tall slim girl with the white unblemished skin.
Suzy's mistress had moved to an armchair in the corner of the room and watched as her sub stood nervously in the middle of the room, anxiously shifting from one foot to the other. The sun was streaming in the window and the girl's bare body gleamed beautifully in the clear morning light. Pam knew well that it was one of her subs fondest dreams to be the only one naked in a room with other women but this was different in some way. The dynamics here were very different.
Miss Lambourne returned and stood facing the anxious girl who stood trying to cover herself with her hands.
"So, what have we here?" She said smiling disarmingly.
"Oh, hands by your side dear ... most important, thank you."