The phone rang again.
I looked at it. It was 6 o'clock in the evening. Every time the phone rang I had hesitated before answering. I wondered, every time, if it would be Paul who had called me 2 days ago.
I knew I couldn't go through life without answering the phone. I picked it up and waited.
"Well", I heard, "what's your answer?"
My heart sank, I was not to be left alone.
I gulped. "I don't know"
"Well you had better make your mind up pretty quickly. I have copies of the film loaded onto my system. I thought a copy to your parents in Brighton might be a start and another to your head teacher at the school. I wonder what they will think of their new part time teaching assistant."
I was stunned. How did he know where my parents lived or where I worked.
As if reading my thoughts, I heard him say, "I know so much about you. Where your parents in law live, your sister in Tonbridge. Do you want me to go on?"
"Why are you doing this?" I asked.
"Because you are a natural," I heard him say, "You fuck like you really want it and you will make my members very happy."
"I will go to the police," I said.
"Oh yes, will you show them the film, cos I will if they come knocking on my door. Do you look like you are being forced? Do you look like you are not enjoying it? They will just enjoy the film, take copies for their mates and tell you to stop wasting their time.
Go ahead, do it! See what they say. They will probably ask you to their Christmas party."
He laughed, then his voice took on a harder edge. "I am not messing about anymore. You have one hour. He gave me his number. "Call me by 7.15 or you will become the new internet porn star. Not one minute later."
I was left holding the dead phone.
I got the kids ready for bed. "What's up mummy?" Jason asked. "Nothing, " I said, "I am just a little tired."
I tucked them up and said goodnight. It was 7.10pm.
Thoughts tumbled through my mind. I couldn't face my parents, my family or my in laws if this become common knowledge. I had no idea what they would do. Would they question my suitability as the mother of their grandchildren. I couldn't bear the thought of it becoming public.
It was 7.13pm - I picked up the phone and dialled the number.
"That was close," he said, "just one minute more and I was going to press the button.
So you have decided to play ball eh?"
I didn't answer.
"Come on I need you to say it. I want you to tell me."
"Yes," I said, "I will do it, just promise me you won't show that film."
"What will you do?" he said "Tell me."
"Work for you." I spat down the phone.
"Doing what? I want to hear it."
"Be your whore," I spluttered.
"Right, now we know where we stand. What times do you work this week?"
"Every morning from 8.30am util 12.30pm. I need to collect the kids at 3.30 from school."
"Do you know the Cafe Nero
"Yes"
"I'll meet you there at 1pm tomorrow. Is that enough time for you to get there?"
"Yes,"
"Good, we won't take too long, you will have plenty of time to get your kids."
His voice sounded softer and less aggressive, almost caring. I relaxed a little and even thought to myself that he sounded as nice as he had been when we first met
***
I approached Cafe Nero rather nervously. My earlier feelings of the night before had gone and I knew I was about to take a big step that I had little control over.
I pushed the door open and saw him sitting on a sofa in the corner. He stood up and smiled as I approached. "Hi, how are you?"
"Fine, but a little apprehensive."
'Relax, I'll get you a coffee."
I ordered an Americano with cold milk which he brought to the table.
"I thought you might want something to eat as you have come straight from work."
He put an interesting looking panini on the table.
"Parma ham and cheese. Is that OK?"
'Thank you," I replied.
This was much more civilised than I had thought it would be.
"Right, let's get down to business.
Business, I thought to myself, selling myself for money, like a common whore.
"This is nowhere near as bad as you think. I know I was a bit intimidating on the phone but let's talk it through.
Did you watch the film?"
I blushed and nodded.
"What were your feelings?"
"I was surprised it was me. I have never done anything like that in my life. My husband thought I was inhibited and unadventurous so I didn't recognise myself.
To be honest, I think I was seduced and tricked but I didn't think that at the time. I was so upset at Richard's behaviour that I guess I was easy prey for you. Richard was my first serious man friend since my husband died and I had high expectations of a life with him so I guess I was very vulnerable just then."
"Well, I didn't know how you would react but you have to recognise that somewhere inside you there is another person trying to escape. As I said before, you have needs which you have refused to acknowledge. You are one of the most sensual women I have ever met. I sensed that the minute we first met and I have to say I never really liked Richard much and I thought he was a prize shit to have tricked you like that."
This was a different man to the person who had threatened to blackmail me by sending the film to my parents and employer.
I was very confused. I instinctively liked this man before me. He seemed understanding and considerate. The threats seemed a long way away.
"Right," he said " let me lay it all out for you clearly. I run a Gentleman's Club as you know and we like to provide our members with a very special service.
We are not a whorehouse or a brothel, we choose our members very carefully and are very selective. Most are really nice guys looking for something special and the vast majority are single, successful and wealthy men with needs that their busy working lives don't allow them to meet in the normal way.
They want the best and are prepared to pay for it.
Similar services could be provided by an Escort Service but we try and offer such services within a 'Club ' atmosphere that also offers some social and business networking and of course bar and food facilities.
There is another thing, most of our members are well endowed. It is not and never would be a condition of membership but the sort of men who join us are successful and sexually confident and much of that confidence stems from being being bigger than your average bear and able to use it."
I recalled that all those that I had met last time had big cocks and knew how to use them, so I was not surprised to hear this.
"Let's get down to basics. You will be paid a minimum of £1200 per night with opportunities to earn bonuses."
"How?" I asked.
"A member might ask for your exclusive services and be willing to offer a sizeable incentive. Sometimes a member might want something out of the ordinary."
"Like what?" I questioned with visions of bondage, sado masochism etc which I was not keen on.
"Well, maybe anal, group sex, sharing you with some mates or even another girl."
I gulped. "I have never done anal and I definitely wouldn't want to and I have never been with another woman."
"Hmmm, well, you might just have to get to learn to like it. And just so you know where you stand,
anything goes as long as you don't get hurt. Most of our members are gentlemen but we do get the occasional arsehole. If they hurt our girls or threaten them we deal with them severely.
You will be expected to take anything that comes your way...forgive the pun, and do it willingly.
Basically, your cunt, your arse and your mouth are my property whilst you are in the Club."
The crude language seemed so out of place given his attitude when we first met.
'But," he said, "there are some real upsides to our deal;. You will be looked after very well, we are considerate employers. However, you should know there are other things we insist on. We do not allow any body hair, you will have a complete waxing, pussy, bum, everywhere.
You must be able to work all night if necessary so you will need to make baby sitting arrangements. You must be able to work two nights a week when possible but we do understand you have two young children and there will be times and emergencies when you can't.
Whilst we will make these demands on you , we are considerate employers in every way as you will find out. You will get all sorts of benefits such as private medical insurance for you and your kids, tax advice and we will even pay your reasonable babysitting costs or we can provide that service for you."
I thought to myself that apart from the hard edge earlier, this is just like a normal job interview. I don't feel at all like I am going to be a whore. He made it sound so normal, like an everyday ordinary job.
"When can you start?" he said. "How about Friday, that is in three days time. Can you get babysitters arranged by then? You will also have to find time to get ready, I can book you in to our special beauty parlour for waxing, manicure etc."