Meet Harper, one of my favourite kinkster characters...bright and enthusiastic...earnest to a fault. She always rushes in where angels fear to tread and, well...it doesn't always go well for her
Absolutely brilliant kinkster artist!
Sunday, 27 September 2020
Meet Harper...
Thursday, 24 September 2020
At The Movies : The Delivery
Saw this teaser for The Delivery starring Nikki and Natasha Zar.
https://twitter.com/FancysteelCB/status/1309022406867120128?s=20
Looks amazing. It is released on November 20th by
https://fancysteel.com
What a brilliant way to popularise their chastity devices.
Monday, 14 September 2020
Millstone - Chapter 4
So the next morning Millstone seemed unchanged, the revelations of the previous day where a source of gossip but not the huge sensation you might think. The main topic of conversation relating to it was, as you might expect in that part of the world, the effect on house prices. Various residents had theories on where this secret millionaire resident might be lurking. Houses that had recently undergone extensions or sightings of expensive cars were held up as definitive proof of the location of the celebrity in their midst. So ultimately there was little real impact...on the surface of things.
Martin for example was trying his very best to act normally. Sadly for him however, he was a terrible actor and so it was an act that invariably made everyone around him suspicious. Lisa had long suspected her husband harboured a secret, his failure to get a proper job and his constant shiftiness about his life in general had made her distrustful and was a major part of the reason the two were so detached and estranged these days. The irony is that Martin being secretive, defensive and evasive about writing a best-selling erotic novels had actually first driven Lisa to seek an outlet in the very fantasy world her husband had created.
Lisa was just leaving for work when she saw Martin on the phone out on the patio. Another secret he wasn't sharing she thought. She waved at him and he half-waved back in her direction. Lisa sighed, it never used to be like this, she thought. He was a good guy, dependable, kind...he used to be open and attentive too. She grabbed her bag and left for work. Along the way she thought excitedly about DC Williams. She might be driving past him right now, how she'd love to find him and talk endlessly about Samantha Brantley, the world she inhabited and her journey to self discovery and empowerment.
Martin was still on the phone. He never called the publishers office, his contact was almost invariably with Jo, she handled everything for him and was the buffer between the world of publishing and his own humdrum unremarkable existence. It was inexplicable that all this had been shattered last night. He had to find out what had happened. "Jo, call me back as soon as you get this" he begged onto her voicemail...it was the third such message he'd left and numerous texts accompanied it. Why on earth wasn't she answering
One hundred miles to the south Jo was a mess, she was definitely going to be "Working from home" today she thought as she pulled a pillow down over her head. Those cocktails were a very bad idea on a school night. She wasn't worried though, her bosses had basically told her to paint the town read after their recent success marketing DC Williams work. Her cat had been bothering her for over an hour now but the little menace was making as little progress in getting her attention is Martin was.
Eventually, realising he was making no progress, Martin decided he needed to go for a run and clear his head. Whilst out he tried to go through the scenarios. Jo had talked him into revealing his gender, that had not really been a problem...in fact it had opened up immense interest in his work. Although she and reclusive Martin certainly wasn't averse to the money his success had brought. He just struggled to explain it. So Millstone was a town with 6000 people, even if the general public did know the author's location it didn't mean that his identity would be revealed. Jo had always been so careful. that was why this was so confusing. He needed to speak to her...until he did there was no point behaving like a paranoid basket case.
Martin ran along the river and past St Virgil's church as strains of organ music drifted through the air. The morning service was just coming to an end and Reverend Susan was just about to dismiss her congregation. A bleary eye Casey was up in the choir loft playing hymns during the service. She had used him until well into the early hours as she devoured "Her Flame Darkened" and enjoyed orgasm after orgasm. This morning, however, everything appeared entirely innocent and above board. "Thank you everyone for your part in today's service..." she simpered, then couldn't resist adding "...special thanks as always to our resident curate, Casey, for playing on our organ so exquisitely". Casey nearly burst out laughing at this but covered his outburst with a little flourish on the keyboard and avoided eye-contact with the incorrigable vicar. If the parishioners suspected any impropriety they didn't show it, merely glancing up towards Casey and smiling warmly. Susan processed down to the aisle to the strains of Jerusalem and waited outside to chat to her flock as always. The pews emptied and eventually Casey emerged "You are so bad" he whispered.
Susan pretended to be looking into the distance "They won't suspect...the frumpy old spinster and the high school heart-throb" She turned to him "You look exhausted...Thought you young'ns would have more stamina"
Casey tried to look innocent but was blushing furiously
Susan continued "Anyway that extra large bowl of porridge I gave you was for a reason...I presume you are going for your run this morning. On your way back I want to you pop into "The Lotus Flower" on the high street....you can't miss it, it is the new age bookshop with the Buddhist prayer flags outside and the haze of incense emenating from it....If anyone is going to know who our resident pervert is it will be Andrea the hippy. See if she stocks the books and then strike up a conversation about it"
Casey rolled his eyes "So I am just finding the town's free-love exponent and engaging her in a chat about erotica literature"
Susan scowled "Oh don't be coy...Think of it as continuing your education. Go, jump to it"
Martin was feeling much better for getting some fresh air in his lungs and some blood flowing through his brain. Things would be okay, there had been no satellite news trucks on the high street or helicopters however overhead. It was just a storm in a teacup. Things would be okay. As he run up one of the hills surrounding the town he saw a looming shape in the distance. A horse and rider on the bridleway. He stepped up onto the verge as he always did. Growing up in a large town he was still innately nervous around animals. As the horse approached he recognised the rider as Lucinda, one of Lisa's friends, she beamed at him "Martin!" she shouted. Lucinda was a rubenesque middle-aged lady, a single mother of two she was perpetually tired, in a rush and generally covered in the mess that two young children bring with them. On the rare occasion she let her hair down, put on her heels and selected one of the bodice exposing dresses she kept at the back of the wardrobe it was generally agreed she looked a million dollars.
Today she was dressed in a riding jacket with the white blouse and jodphurs that highlighted the plush womanly thighs. She looked down on Martin "What a lovely surprise...Still training for the marathon"
Martin was still trying to get his breathing under control, this hill was always a torment so he was actually glad for the break but not particularly glad to to see Lucinda. It wasn't that he didn't like her, it was just that at New Years Eve the two of them had over-indulged in some shameless flirting and Martin was worried he had crossed a line that probably didn't need to be crossed. It was a situation, that on reflection could get way out of control. "Yes..." he said as he put his hands on top of his head and tried to not to look too exhausted "...Every other day now, not going too bad though. Eighteen miles today I hope"
Lucinda smiled "All that heavy breathing could make a girl blush. Finding you here all hot and sweaty" and made a show of fanning herself ostentatiously.
Martin smiled self-consciously, the warning lights were going off in his head and yet he found himself saying "Building up my stamina".
Lucinda grinned "Can think of less punishing ways" she said then casually waved her riding crop and added "...amongst others."
Martin raised his eyebrow. This was going too far now and both of them smiled and an unspoken armistice was agreed. This was, after all, his wife's friend.
The spell was broken now and Lucinda turned away. "Anyway..." she said she jabbed her heels into the flanks for the poor obvious horse and it begin to trot on "Seriously though..." she called over her shoulder "...Do knock if you are ever passing and need some water or anything".
Martin was surprised now and so nodded "Oh yes...will do...." then called "Bye!" as Lucinda disappeared down the hill.
"What was that?" he thought to himself. This was turning into a very weird 24 hours.
Martin restarted his watch wondering if there would have been a spike in pulse rate during their flirtatious exchange. He had been going for another couple of minutes when he became aware of footsteps and breathing behind him. He turned and found Casey charging up the hill behind him.
Within a minute of so the American had caught him up "Hey!" he announced brightly "It's Martin isn't it?". The hill seemed to be posing no challenge at all to Casey and he was barely breaking sweat while Martin toiled.
When faced with a fellow runner clearly fitter and younger than yourself Martin did what all middle aged men do and that was to suppress any visible traces of fatigue and try to keep pace with the other guy. A few friendly exchanges followed in which Martin explained he was training for the London Marathon and Casey casually let slip he had completed both New York and Chicago and hoped to do Boston one day before Martin admitted defeat and waved Casey to go ahead...Casey did this....fast and soon the younger man was disappearing off into the distance leaving Martin thoroughly demoralised.
By this time poor Jo was sat in front of her laptop enduring a very angry Zoom meeting with her bosses. The identity of their star author was supposed to be a closely guarded secret and yet last night a well known columnist and media star had all but revealed it to the nation. This was potentially a disaster and the only place the leak could have come from was Jo or a senior partner. After she had finally checked her phone and saw the messages she had to sober up very quickly. She was already on her second cup of coffee although she had had no breakfast. She sat there wearing a smart blouse but still had her pyjama bottoms and slippers on
"So does Martin know yet" came a question from one quarter. Aaron one of the senior management.
Jo nodded "Yes, he's left me messages...I haven't replied yet"
"And you still don't know how Allston found out?" asked another manager Vicky, someone who had never really been very friendly to Jo.
"No..." this was a lie, Jo had realised what had happened almost immediately. How could she have been so stupid? "...I have been in contact with him, he's a great resource, remember the column he did when we revealed DC Williams is male? He'd been very good to us. I am not sure how he would have gleaned the information though. Maybe something in the emails or Word docs we've sent"
Aaron continued "Well I will call Martin and smooth things over...you get onto Allston and find out what he knows and what we have to do ensure no more leaks before the next launch"
Jo nodded enthusiastically despite her growling hangover. Vicky "This is absolutely unacceptable Jo, you do realised this. You drop off this call and we'll decided what we are going to do"
Jo fought back the tears and closed the connection. She was in a lot of trouble. She had to contact Martin first let him know he could still trust her. She dialled him as soon as she was away from the computer. He was, at this point, descended the hill and making his way back to Millstone. He stopped immediately. His phone was in a holster on his arm and so he very almost missed it whilst fumbling with it. He saw it was Jo at last. He was still gasping for air as answer punctuating each word with a breathy gasp, "What the fuck has happened?" he asked before Jo had even had a chance to say hello, fair enough she thought.
She took a deep breath "It's all my fault Martin, I am so sorry....I accidentally forward a message meant for you to Richard Allston...I didn't realise. The bastard didn't even let me know."
Martin was still livid "Well you know the deal, that was the only reason I went with you guys...anonymity! NO PUBLICITY! And then you go and fuck it all up!"
The was no reply for a second and then the noise of snotty, girlish sobbing. Martin closed his eyes. He needed to get his temper under control "....Okay Jo......Jo, work out what we need to do. How much does this guy know?".
Jo wiped her eyes and blew her nose "I am going to phone him next but as far as I know he doesn't know your name...just the location....I am so sorry Martin. They are probably going to can me....they are so angry with me. One of the partners hates me anyway...bitch. They'll probably move me to editing those ridiculous childrens books or self-help books" then more sobs.
Martin grimaced. He had worked with Jo for years. She had always been good to him, gone the extra mile to work with him while keeping his identity secret, worked hard to publicise the books with no actually author to profile or promote. His breathing was more normal and his temper had ebbed "More they'll put you on Email for Dummies?"
Jo chuckled although the sound was somewhere between laughter and a croak "Sounds about right...Leave this with me, it will be okay I promise. I will sort this out with Allston even if I have to bump the bugger off...Aaron Wallace is going to call you, please don't tell him I've rung."
Martin nodded to no-one and then said "Okay....I'll speak to you later. Please sort this out"
Jo closed her eyes, she had no idea if she could be would have to try.
Martin for example was trying his very best to act normally. Sadly for him however, he was a terrible actor and so it was an act that invariably made everyone around him suspicious. Lisa had long suspected her husband harboured a secret, his failure to get a proper job and his constant shiftiness about his life in general had made her distrustful and was a major part of the reason the two were so detached and estranged these days. The irony is that Martin being secretive, defensive and evasive about writing a best-selling erotic novels had actually first driven Lisa to seek an outlet in the very fantasy world her husband had created.
Lisa was just leaving for work when she saw Martin on the phone out on the patio. Another secret he wasn't sharing she thought. She waved at him and he half-waved back in her direction. Lisa sighed, it never used to be like this, she thought. He was a good guy, dependable, kind...he used to be open and attentive too. She grabbed her bag and left for work. Along the way she thought excitedly about DC Williams. She might be driving past him right now, how she'd love to find him and talk endlessly about Samantha Brantley, the world she inhabited and her journey to self discovery and empowerment.
Martin was still on the phone. He never called the publishers office, his contact was almost invariably with Jo, she handled everything for him and was the buffer between the world of publishing and his own humdrum unremarkable existence. It was inexplicable that all this had been shattered last night. He had to find out what had happened. "Jo, call me back as soon as you get this" he begged onto her voicemail...it was the third such message he'd left and numerous texts accompanied it. Why on earth wasn't she answering
One hundred miles to the south Jo was a mess, she was definitely going to be "Working from home" today she thought as she pulled a pillow down over her head. Those cocktails were a very bad idea on a school night. She wasn't worried though, her bosses had basically told her to paint the town read after their recent success marketing DC Williams work. Her cat had been bothering her for over an hour now but the little menace was making as little progress in getting her attention is Martin was.
Eventually, realising he was making no progress, Martin decided he needed to go for a run and clear his head. Whilst out he tried to go through the scenarios. Jo had talked him into revealing his gender, that had not really been a problem...in fact it had opened up immense interest in his work. Although she and reclusive Martin certainly wasn't averse to the money his success had brought. He just struggled to explain it. So Millstone was a town with 6000 people, even if the general public did know the author's location it didn't mean that his identity would be revealed. Jo had always been so careful. that was why this was so confusing. He needed to speak to her...until he did there was no point behaving like a paranoid basket case.
Martin ran along the river and past St Virgil's church as strains of organ music drifted through the air. The morning service was just coming to an end and Reverend Susan was just about to dismiss her congregation. A bleary eye Casey was up in the choir loft playing hymns during the service. She had used him until well into the early hours as she devoured "Her Flame Darkened" and enjoyed orgasm after orgasm. This morning, however, everything appeared entirely innocent and above board. "Thank you everyone for your part in today's service..." she simpered, then couldn't resist adding "...special thanks as always to our resident curate, Casey, for playing on our organ so exquisitely". Casey nearly burst out laughing at this but covered his outburst with a little flourish on the keyboard and avoided eye-contact with the incorrigable vicar. If the parishioners suspected any impropriety they didn't show it, merely glancing up towards Casey and smiling warmly. Susan processed down to the aisle to the strains of Jerusalem and waited outside to chat to her flock as always. The pews emptied and eventually Casey emerged "You are so bad" he whispered.
Susan pretended to be looking into the distance "They won't suspect...the frumpy old spinster and the high school heart-throb" She turned to him "You look exhausted...Thought you young'ns would have more stamina"
Casey tried to look innocent but was blushing furiously
Susan continued "Anyway that extra large bowl of porridge I gave you was for a reason...I presume you are going for your run this morning. On your way back I want to you pop into "The Lotus Flower" on the high street....you can't miss it, it is the new age bookshop with the Buddhist prayer flags outside and the haze of incense emenating from it....If anyone is going to know who our resident pervert is it will be Andrea the hippy. See if she stocks the books and then strike up a conversation about it"
Casey rolled his eyes "So I am just finding the town's free-love exponent and engaging her in a chat about erotica literature"
Susan scowled "Oh don't be coy...Think of it as continuing your education. Go, jump to it"
Martin was feeling much better for getting some fresh air in his lungs and some blood flowing through his brain. Things would be okay, there had been no satellite news trucks on the high street or helicopters however overhead. It was just a storm in a teacup. Things would be okay. As he run up one of the hills surrounding the town he saw a looming shape in the distance. A horse and rider on the bridleway. He stepped up onto the verge as he always did. Growing up in a large town he was still innately nervous around animals. As the horse approached he recognised the rider as Lucinda, one of Lisa's friends, she beamed at him "Martin!" she shouted. Lucinda was a rubenesque middle-aged lady, a single mother of two she was perpetually tired, in a rush and generally covered in the mess that two young children bring with them. On the rare occasion she let her hair down, put on her heels and selected one of the bodice exposing dresses she kept at the back of the wardrobe it was generally agreed she looked a million dollars.
Today she was dressed in a riding jacket with the white blouse and jodphurs that highlighted the plush womanly thighs. She looked down on Martin "What a lovely surprise...Still training for the marathon"
Martin was still trying to get his breathing under control, this hill was always a torment so he was actually glad for the break but not particularly glad to to see Lucinda. It wasn't that he didn't like her, it was just that at New Years Eve the two of them had over-indulged in some shameless flirting and Martin was worried he had crossed a line that probably didn't need to be crossed. It was a situation, that on reflection could get way out of control. "Yes..." he said as he put his hands on top of his head and tried to not to look too exhausted "...Every other day now, not going too bad though. Eighteen miles today I hope"
Lucinda smiled "All that heavy breathing could make a girl blush. Finding you here all hot and sweaty" and made a show of fanning herself ostentatiously.
Martin smiled self-consciously, the warning lights were going off in his head and yet he found himself saying "Building up my stamina".
Lucinda grinned "Can think of less punishing ways" she said then casually waved her riding crop and added "...amongst others."
Martin raised his eyebrow. This was going too far now and both of them smiled and an unspoken armistice was agreed. This was, after all, his wife's friend.
The spell was broken now and Lucinda turned away. "Anyway..." she said she jabbed her heels into the flanks for the poor obvious horse and it begin to trot on "Seriously though..." she called over her shoulder "...Do knock if you are ever passing and need some water or anything".
Martin was surprised now and so nodded "Oh yes...will do...." then called "Bye!" as Lucinda disappeared down the hill.
"What was that?" he thought to himself. This was turning into a very weird 24 hours.
Martin restarted his watch wondering if there would have been a spike in pulse rate during their flirtatious exchange. He had been going for another couple of minutes when he became aware of footsteps and breathing behind him. He turned and found Casey charging up the hill behind him.
Within a minute of so the American had caught him up "Hey!" he announced brightly "It's Martin isn't it?". The hill seemed to be posing no challenge at all to Casey and he was barely breaking sweat while Martin toiled.
When faced with a fellow runner clearly fitter and younger than yourself Martin did what all middle aged men do and that was to suppress any visible traces of fatigue and try to keep pace with the other guy. A few friendly exchanges followed in which Martin explained he was training for the London Marathon and Casey casually let slip he had completed both New York and Chicago and hoped to do Boston one day before Martin admitted defeat and waved Casey to go ahead...Casey did this....fast and soon the younger man was disappearing off into the distance leaving Martin thoroughly demoralised.
By this time poor Jo was sat in front of her laptop enduring a very angry Zoom meeting with her bosses. The identity of their star author was supposed to be a closely guarded secret and yet last night a well known columnist and media star had all but revealed it to the nation. This was potentially a disaster and the only place the leak could have come from was Jo or a senior partner. After she had finally checked her phone and saw the messages she had to sober up very quickly. She was already on her second cup of coffee although she had had no breakfast. She sat there wearing a smart blouse but still had her pyjama bottoms and slippers on
"So does Martin know yet" came a question from one quarter. Aaron one of the senior management.
Jo nodded "Yes, he's left me messages...I haven't replied yet"
"And you still don't know how Allston found out?" asked another manager Vicky, someone who had never really been very friendly to Jo.
"No..." this was a lie, Jo had realised what had happened almost immediately. How could she have been so stupid? "...I have been in contact with him, he's a great resource, remember the column he did when we revealed DC Williams is male? He'd been very good to us. I am not sure how he would have gleaned the information though. Maybe something in the emails or Word docs we've sent"
Aaron continued "Well I will call Martin and smooth things over...you get onto Allston and find out what he knows and what we have to do ensure no more leaks before the next launch"
Jo nodded enthusiastically despite her growling hangover. Vicky "This is absolutely unacceptable Jo, you do realised this. You drop off this call and we'll decided what we are going to do"
Jo fought back the tears and closed the connection. She was in a lot of trouble. She had to contact Martin first let him know he could still trust her. She dialled him as soon as she was away from the computer. He was, at this point, descended the hill and making his way back to Millstone. He stopped immediately. His phone was in a holster on his arm and so he very almost missed it whilst fumbling with it. He saw it was Jo at last. He was still gasping for air as answer punctuating each word with a breathy gasp, "What the fuck has happened?" he asked before Jo had even had a chance to say hello, fair enough she thought.
She took a deep breath "It's all my fault Martin, I am so sorry....I accidentally forward a message meant for you to Richard Allston...I didn't realise. The bastard didn't even let me know."
Martin was still livid "Well you know the deal, that was the only reason I went with you guys...anonymity! NO PUBLICITY! And then you go and fuck it all up!"
The was no reply for a second and then the noise of snotty, girlish sobbing. Martin closed his eyes. He needed to get his temper under control "....Okay Jo......Jo, work out what we need to do. How much does this guy know?".
Jo wiped her eyes and blew her nose "I am going to phone him next but as far as I know he doesn't know your name...just the location....I am so sorry Martin. They are probably going to can me....they are so angry with me. One of the partners hates me anyway...bitch. They'll probably move me to editing those ridiculous childrens books or self-help books" then more sobs.
Martin grimaced. He had worked with Jo for years. She had always been good to him, gone the extra mile to work with him while keeping his identity secret, worked hard to publicise the books with no actually author to profile or promote. His breathing was more normal and his temper had ebbed "More they'll put you on Email for Dummies?"
Jo chuckled although the sound was somewhere between laughter and a croak "Sounds about right...Leave this with me, it will be okay I promise. I will sort this out with Allston even if I have to bump the bugger off...Aaron Wallace is going to call you, please don't tell him I've rung."
Martin nodded to no-one and then said "Okay....I'll speak to you later. Please sort this out"
Jo closed her eyes, she had no idea if she could be would have to try.
Martin rang off and began the long run back towards town.
Five minutes later, on the M40, a phone rang in a car. Richard Allston looked to the vehicle's display screen "Jo @ Wallace Turner" on the screen. He grinned but let it ring off. Let her dangle on the hook a little longer her thought. His bombshell last night had certainly aroused a lot of interest. He'd decided to go and take a look around Millstone for himself. Getting an interview with DS Williams would be an extremely good scoop and as far as the London media circles were concerned Richard was the only person with knowledge of where to find the man. Letting Jo get desperate would only help him.
At the same time, on a train speeding between Marylebone and Oxford, Miranda Masterson was reading the Wikipedia page on Millstone...she was going to find DC Williams and grabbed him be the short and curlies...and in the process she was going to get one over on Richard Alston. She tapped her exquisitely manicured French nails on the surface of the table.
Five minutes later, on the M40, a phone rang in a car. Richard Allston looked to the vehicle's display screen "Jo @ Wallace Turner" on the screen. He grinned but let it ring off. Let her dangle on the hook a little longer her thought. His bombshell last night had certainly aroused a lot of interest. He'd decided to go and take a look around Millstone for himself. Getting an interview with DS Williams would be an extremely good scoop and as far as the London media circles were concerned Richard was the only person with knowledge of where to find the man. Letting Jo get desperate would only help him.
At the same time, on a train speeding between Marylebone and Oxford, Miranda Masterson was reading the Wikipedia page on Millstone...she was going to find DC Williams and grabbed him be the short and curlies...and in the process she was going to get one over on Richard Alston. She tapped her exquisitely manicured French nails on the surface of the table.
All roads lead to Millstone.
Friday, 28 August 2020
BDSMtest.org
This was fun. Here are my results
== Results from bdsmtest.org ==
100% Rope bunny
97% Submissive
96% Slave
94% Pet
88% Boy/Girl
77% Primal (Prey)
74% Ageplayer
68% Experimentalist
64% Degradee
62% Non-monogamist
58% Masochist
53% Exhibitionist
45% Voyeur
37% Brat
31% Switch
28% Vanilla
Thursday, 28 May 2020
Millstone - Dramatis Personae
Martin - Secretly successful author, pretends to be a crypto-currency entrepreneur. In training for a marathon
Lisa - Frustrated wife, founder of the village book group. Beginning to become suspicious of Martin
Jo - Martin's ditzy literary agent based in London. Heart of gold
Belinda - Lascivious milf, Lisa's friend and fellow book-group member
John - Successful intimidating stock broker and rugby captain. Belinda's husband. Regular at The Swan
Lisa - Frustrated wife, founder of the village book group. Beginning to become suspicious of Martin
Jo - Martin's ditzy literary agent based in London. Heart of gold
Belinda - Lascivious milf, Lisa's friend and fellow book-group member
John - Successful intimidating stock broker and rugby captain. Belinda's husband. Regular at The Swan
Verity - Lisa's friend gossiping church wife, very house proud. Book group member
Mike - Arrogant, handsome golf pro. Verity's husband
Miranda - Well known feminist. Determined to find the author's identity and expose him as a misogynist.
Richard - Cocky ruthless journalist determined to expose Martin
Mike - Arrogant, handsome golf pro. Verity's husband
Lucinda - Divorced, single mother. Sunday school teacher. Heart of gold but very bored. Desperate for excitement. Another book-group member.
Ian - Supremely arrogant and self-centred charmer
James - A builder and rugby player from Scotland, another regular at the Bull.
Ian - Supremely arrogant and self-centred charmer
James - A builder and rugby player from Scotland, another regular at the Bull.
Mark - Another Bull regular, a wannabe lothario who insists he knows the ways of women intimately
Will - Handsome rich hunk, works in the city but commutes from Millstone
Jenny - Gorgeous blond trophy wife who is secretly obsessed with Martin's books. Acts dim but is secretly a lot more intelligent than she lets on.
Reverend Susan - Trying to keep residents away from lustful temptations despite her own lusts and repressed fetishes.
Andrea - occult obsessed Wiccan witch wannabe. Convinces people of her spells and love potions. They don't work....or do they
Matt - Arrogant, entitled university student.
Katie - Hipster university student. Feminist, admired of Miranda. Secret fan of Martin's work
Casey - Clean cut American Christian student currently working in the parish church and lodging in the vicarage.
Will - Handsome rich hunk, works in the city but commutes from Millstone
Jenny - Gorgeous blond trophy wife who is secretly obsessed with Martin's books. Acts dim but is secretly a lot more intelligent than she lets on.
Reverend Susan - Trying to keep residents away from lustful temptations despite her own lusts and repressed fetishes.
Andrea - occult obsessed Wiccan witch wannabe. Convinces people of her spells and love potions. They don't work....or do they
Matt - Arrogant, entitled university student.
Katie - Hipster university student. Feminist, admired of Miranda. Secret fan of Martin's work
Casey - Clean cut American Christian student currently working in the parish church and lodging in the vicarage.
Miranda - Well known feminist. Determined to find the author's identity and expose him as a misogynist.
Richard - Cocky ruthless journalist determined to expose Martin
Monday, 18 May 2020
Millstone - Chapter 3
After the initial shock the women sat in Verity's lounge were instantly energised.
"Here? In Millstone?" Verity exclaimed "...That's ridiculous!"
Belinda waved her phone to the room "There only seems to be one Millstone...Looks like we are porn Ground Zero" she giggled.
For Lisa this was earth shattering, she was obsessed with Her Flame Darkened. Far more than anyone knew. It represented all her suppressed desires and the book's main protagonist Samantha Brantley was probably her favourite literary character. She spend huge amounts of time on various forums and fansites and had began to indulge in the various types of fan-fiction (although most of it was pretty lame and low quality). To find out D.C. Williams was a man had been extremely confusing, to find out that he was potentially living within a few miles of her was absolutely bizarre.
"This is just, like, too much..." sighed Jenny and Lisa noticed Belinda rolling her eyes. Jenny didn't seem to notice, she muttered to herself "...It's like finding out Virginia Woolf was a man and then finding out he lived next door". Lisa was becoming more and more certain that pretty little Jenny and her vapid exterior was definitely a cover for something much deeper and interesting.
Lisa tried to picture who it might be while the women chattered about the revelation, Verity was wondering where in the village was expensive and posh enough to have a reclusive, super-rich author living there whilst another of the women had quickly began wondering what it would do house prices. It was like the universe was pranking her. Giving her this secret obsession and then placing the source in her own neighbourhood. She ran through the people of the village, Millstone was a decent sized village but it was fair to say that almost everyone knew almost everyone. That it could be her own husband never even entered her head.
Over at the Swan Martin was stood on the fringes of his usual group as they laughed raucously. As usual the pervading mood was "Stag do" and this for Martin was torture. Individually he liked almost all of the circle but it seemed to be that once together it inevitably descended into laddishness and edginess. "What was wrong with a quiet drink and a chat about sport?" he mused to himself. John The unofficial group leader returned to the circle carrying an impressive amount of drinks. Something a lifetime of being a rugby player had prepared him for perfectly.
Currently James McArdle was holding sway informing the group in his soft Edinburgh accent, that there wasn't a man amongst them who wouldn't, given the chance, have frantic, sweaty, passionate sex with The Swan's new barmaid Katie. That Katie was an attractive university student and the assembled males were all at least 10 years her senior didn't seem to dampen James' assurances that sex between her and the gristled Scottish prop forward would be both inevitable and spectacular.
James was stood next to Martin and both had their backs to the door as it opened. In an instant James' demeanour changed as he detected someone approaching, instantly the bawdy laughter ceased and he was charm personified, Martin hated him for it. He had made the right decision however, glancing over his shoulder he noted Reverend Susan, the local vicar, moving past them towards the bar with a younger guy in tow. The local vicar was a plump, woman, not un-pretty but definitely leaning into middle aged fashion. She was always exquisitely turned out however and the silver hair was cut short and stylish. James, on one of more lurid monologues had noted she had a quite formidable bust hidden below her sweaters and cardigans. Lisa had mused that given a personal stylist and a personal shopper then Susan could be a very attractive woman but she seemed more interested in practical haircuts and even more practical clothing. He didn't recognise the young man which in Millstone was unusual, he was was tall, so much so that he had to tilt his head to avoid the old wooden beams of the pub roof...something even John, a tall, intimidating Number Eight, didn't have to do.
James smiled "Ah Reverend Susan...Temptation & Redemption in one lovely package" flirting with the vicar seemed to be James' hobby and the two always sparred whenever they encountered each other. The Scottish brogue a stark contract to Susan's clipped home counties RP.
Susan turned to fix him in her glare "Ah, yes McArdle" she turned to her companion "...You see, Casey, not everyone in this seemingly idyllic parish is sweet and innocent. We have our reprobates" she had a glint in her eye hinting that she did, in fact, enjoy the attention. Turning back to James "Be careful otherwise I might have to have you excommunicated"
James smiled broadly "Ah, I'm Catholic your grace" he retorted
Susan shrugged expansively "Well, your not my problem then" and instantly the laughter returned. She gestured over to her companion.
"This is Casey, visiting from our sister Parish in Ohio..."
James chimed in "A sort of reverse missionary position" but although John and Martin both sniggered Susan showed no sign of noticing the double entendre "...So before he goes back to college he is getting experience of rural life here."
The tall American leaned down towards the group and shook hands with those nearest "Hi guys, this place is so beautiful...Lot different to Cleveland" he announced in crystal clear American tones
Susan continued her introductions "Some of these blokes are part of our rugby team, Casey here is something of an American Football player"
Casey smiled at this "Quarterback...helps when you are tall" he said straightening up and banging his head on the ancient wooden beam in the process
John smiled "You should come along and train, see what it's like without the body armour"
James joined the attack "...and without the constant breaks in play"
Casey was clearly being mocked but was trying to be on his best behaviour. It was Reverend Susan who stepped in to save him "No, no, no...if he goes back to the US as ugly as you lot there'll be an international incident. He is hear to see how boring and pious life can be and that's the way it's staying" and began shepherding Casey towards the bar. Just as she turned to leave Susan said "Anyway gentlemen, it seems I already preside over a den of iniquity anyway....It's just be revealed that the author of those Her Flame Darkened books lives in the village"
"WHAT?" exclaimed Martin far too loudly
"I know" replied Susan "...we are trending on Twitter and everything. The Bishop will probably have my guts for garters"
John frowned "Those dirty books you mean?"
Susan shrugged "Apparently...it was on TV earlier"
James chuckled "There's a thing, no-one admitted to it in confession then Sue?"
Susan rolled her eyes "Not Catholic sorry James..." then she leaned and continued in a conspiratorial whisper "I'll tell you one thing though gentleman...no rich authors have been sharing their illicit gains via my bloody collection plate I can confirm that much. If we do have a global superstar in our midst he's a fucking stingey one". This got that loudest laugh of the night. Everyone except Martin who was on the verge of panic. How could this have happened? He need to speak to Jo but he had to act normal.
With Susan and Casey gone and the atmosphere of laddish excess punctured conversation returned to more normal topics. That being the rugby team and it's fortunes. Martin was not part of this inner circle and so was able to zone out and try to process what he had just learnt. How could Jo have let this happen. She had always been so supportive and worked tirelessly to hide his identity. The revelation that DC Williams was male had been carefully agreed to create media interest around the final book and hopefully widen the audience. Now this. He tried to work out exactly what the repercussions would be. How would Lisa take the news of his double life? How would their family and friends react? He didn't need any of this, he just wanted to be dull and boring Martin...secretly sitting on a fortune he couldn't tell anyone about. Actually that part of it would be a relief. He was still thinking about this when he became aware of John staring at him "Martin??? Hello...earth to Martin....The marathon, how is the training going?"
Martin snap out of his musing "Oh....sorry.....err....yeah, up to 18 miles....pretty good"
James shook his head "No way I could do that, too boring....three hours of plod plod plod"
Martin smiled "It is good, gives you time to think.....actually, I am just going to the toilet....do we need more drinks?". The assembled drinkers decided that Yes, they did need more drinks and so Martin made a beeline for the Gents. As soon as the door was closed behind him he was messaging Jo demanding. He wanted to phone her but didn't want to be overheard. "Jo, WTF!!! What has happened....they know where I live!!! Text me back ASAP". He stared at the phone for a minute desperate to see notification that she had seen the message but nothing changed "Come on!" he thought
Down in London Jo was middle a busy cocktail bar with her posse of friends and checking her works phone was the furthest thing from her mind. She already had multiple messages from colleagues as well as Martin but for now the booze was flowing, the dance floor was beckoning and no-one was going to get an answer thing side of midnight.
Martin admitted defeat and left the toilets to make his way to the bar, he saw immediately that Lisa and her friends had arrived and so instantly the drinks order nearly doubled because many of Lisa's book group were wives and girlfriends of Martin's circle of friends. Time to act normal. He could check the internet when he got home. Things mightn't be as bad as he suspected. No-one had pointed him out just yet, his phone was eerily quite, if he had been named then surely someone who knew him would have contacted him by now.
The evening proceeded normally although it was noted that both Martin and Lisa were pre-occupied.
Later on back at home the two went about their evening routines, and like most couples these days, sat in bed reading on their various devices...only they weren't reading. Lisa was working her way through the news feeds and the HFD.net forum for information on the evening's revelation, Lisa was a regular on the forum but no-one actually new her location. She decided to keep that information a secret. Uniquely that evening Martin was on the same site as he frantically tried to ascertain what people actually knew about DC Williams. The bedroom light was on much later than usual.
Across town another light was on top floor of the vicarage, Reverend Susan was in the master bedroom on the 2nd floor of the old stone building. She was illuminated only be a bedside lamp as she read from her kindle.
Across the building on the ground floor in the new wing of the building another light was on in another bedroom and the twinklng ever-changing light pattern of a TV set could be seen reflecting on the curtains. This was the guest room on the side of the vicarage where Casey was staying. It would, Susan knew, stay on for another hour or so. The space bathroom light would come on for a brief time then extinguish and then shortly after that the entire guest-wing would go dark.
Reverend Susan had downloaded the Her Flame Darkened books after the revelations that the author was one of her parishioners. She had been aware of them, of course, but didn't think it was the sort of thing that should be on a vicar's Amazon history. Now she had the perfect excuse and so was indulging...so far, she had to admit, it was a very impressive and very arousing read. Her enjoyment was helped immensely by the eager attentions of Casey currently clamped between her thighs and licking and kissing her pussy. He was getting extremely talented at his "Evening Worship" and the timer plugs she'd insisted Casey set up in the guestroom helped maintain some semblance and propriety and keep the tongues from wagging. She smiled to herself as savoured the pun.
She presumed Casey had been sent to her in a clerical error due to his androgynous name but she wasn't complaining. She had been taken with the tall, muscular, clean-cut youth and so had set about seducing him almost immediately. That he was young enough to be her son had no bearing, as she reached middle age she had always preferred younger me and had a surprisingly high success rate in discreetly reeling in men that the majority of people would consider out of her league. A check on the Vicarage wi-fi history had shown her guest had keen interest in voluptuous older women and his attraction to her had been confirmed by furtive glances at her chest and thighs on the occasions when she had wore shorter skirts and low cut tops that her parishioners seldom saw. In the end she had simply confronted him about his illicit web-surfing and as he begged Susan not to tell anyone she had hugged him and then pressed his head down to her chest.
The rest was history and innocence lost was most certainly her gain. She groaned and writhed grinding her groin into Casey's face as she gripped his hair tightly. He would still be down there long after the timer plugs in his actual bedroom and turned off.
"Here? In Millstone?" Verity exclaimed "...That's ridiculous!"
Belinda waved her phone to the room "There only seems to be one Millstone...Looks like we are porn Ground Zero" she giggled.
For Lisa this was earth shattering, she was obsessed with Her Flame Darkened. Far more than anyone knew. It represented all her suppressed desires and the book's main protagonist Samantha Brantley was probably her favourite literary character. She spend huge amounts of time on various forums and fansites and had began to indulge in the various types of fan-fiction (although most of it was pretty lame and low quality). To find out D.C. Williams was a man had been extremely confusing, to find out that he was potentially living within a few miles of her was absolutely bizarre.
"This is just, like, too much..." sighed Jenny and Lisa noticed Belinda rolling her eyes. Jenny didn't seem to notice, she muttered to herself "...It's like finding out Virginia Woolf was a man and then finding out he lived next door". Lisa was becoming more and more certain that pretty little Jenny and her vapid exterior was definitely a cover for something much deeper and interesting.
Lisa tried to picture who it might be while the women chattered about the revelation, Verity was wondering where in the village was expensive and posh enough to have a reclusive, super-rich author living there whilst another of the women had quickly began wondering what it would do house prices. It was like the universe was pranking her. Giving her this secret obsession and then placing the source in her own neighbourhood. She ran through the people of the village, Millstone was a decent sized village but it was fair to say that almost everyone knew almost everyone. That it could be her own husband never even entered her head.
Over at the Swan Martin was stood on the fringes of his usual group as they laughed raucously. As usual the pervading mood was "Stag do" and this for Martin was torture. Individually he liked almost all of the circle but it seemed to be that once together it inevitably descended into laddishness and edginess. "What was wrong with a quiet drink and a chat about sport?" he mused to himself. John The unofficial group leader returned to the circle carrying an impressive amount of drinks. Something a lifetime of being a rugby player had prepared him for perfectly.
Currently James McArdle was holding sway informing the group in his soft Edinburgh accent, that there wasn't a man amongst them who wouldn't, given the chance, have frantic, sweaty, passionate sex with The Swan's new barmaid Katie. That Katie was an attractive university student and the assembled males were all at least 10 years her senior didn't seem to dampen James' assurances that sex between her and the gristled Scottish prop forward would be both inevitable and spectacular.
James was stood next to Martin and both had their backs to the door as it opened. In an instant James' demeanour changed as he detected someone approaching, instantly the bawdy laughter ceased and he was charm personified, Martin hated him for it. He had made the right decision however, glancing over his shoulder he noted Reverend Susan, the local vicar, moving past them towards the bar with a younger guy in tow. The local vicar was a plump, woman, not un-pretty but definitely leaning into middle aged fashion. She was always exquisitely turned out however and the silver hair was cut short and stylish. James, on one of more lurid monologues had noted she had a quite formidable bust hidden below her sweaters and cardigans. Lisa had mused that given a personal stylist and a personal shopper then Susan could be a very attractive woman but she seemed more interested in practical haircuts and even more practical clothing. He didn't recognise the young man which in Millstone was unusual, he was was tall, so much so that he had to tilt his head to avoid the old wooden beams of the pub roof...something even John, a tall, intimidating Number Eight, didn't have to do.
James smiled "Ah Reverend Susan...Temptation & Redemption in one lovely package" flirting with the vicar seemed to be James' hobby and the two always sparred whenever they encountered each other. The Scottish brogue a stark contract to Susan's clipped home counties RP.
Susan turned to fix him in her glare "Ah, yes McArdle" she turned to her companion "...You see, Casey, not everyone in this seemingly idyllic parish is sweet and innocent. We have our reprobates" she had a glint in her eye hinting that she did, in fact, enjoy the attention. Turning back to James "Be careful otherwise I might have to have you excommunicated"
James smiled broadly "Ah, I'm Catholic your grace" he retorted
Susan shrugged expansively "Well, your not my problem then" and instantly the laughter returned. She gestured over to her companion.
"This is Casey, visiting from our sister Parish in Ohio..."
James chimed in "A sort of reverse missionary position" but although John and Martin both sniggered Susan showed no sign of noticing the double entendre "...So before he goes back to college he is getting experience of rural life here."
The tall American leaned down towards the group and shook hands with those nearest "Hi guys, this place is so beautiful...Lot different to Cleveland" he announced in crystal clear American tones
Susan continued her introductions "Some of these blokes are part of our rugby team, Casey here is something of an American Football player"
Casey smiled at this "Quarterback...helps when you are tall" he said straightening up and banging his head on the ancient wooden beam in the process
John smiled "You should come along and train, see what it's like without the body armour"
James joined the attack "...and without the constant breaks in play"
Casey was clearly being mocked but was trying to be on his best behaviour. It was Reverend Susan who stepped in to save him "No, no, no...if he goes back to the US as ugly as you lot there'll be an international incident. He is hear to see how boring and pious life can be and that's the way it's staying" and began shepherding Casey towards the bar. Just as she turned to leave Susan said "Anyway gentlemen, it seems I already preside over a den of iniquity anyway....It's just be revealed that the author of those Her Flame Darkened books lives in the village"
"WHAT?" exclaimed Martin far too loudly
"I know" replied Susan "...we are trending on Twitter and everything. The Bishop will probably have my guts for garters"
John frowned "Those dirty books you mean?"
Susan shrugged "Apparently...it was on TV earlier"
James chuckled "There's a thing, no-one admitted to it in confession then Sue?"
Susan rolled her eyes "Not Catholic sorry James..." then she leaned and continued in a conspiratorial whisper "I'll tell you one thing though gentleman...no rich authors have been sharing their illicit gains via my bloody collection plate I can confirm that much. If we do have a global superstar in our midst he's a fucking stingey one". This got that loudest laugh of the night. Everyone except Martin who was on the verge of panic. How could this have happened? He need to speak to Jo but he had to act normal.
With Susan and Casey gone and the atmosphere of laddish excess punctured conversation returned to more normal topics. That being the rugby team and it's fortunes. Martin was not part of this inner circle and so was able to zone out and try to process what he had just learnt. How could Jo have let this happen. She had always been so supportive and worked tirelessly to hide his identity. The revelation that DC Williams was male had been carefully agreed to create media interest around the final book and hopefully widen the audience. Now this. He tried to work out exactly what the repercussions would be. How would Lisa take the news of his double life? How would their family and friends react? He didn't need any of this, he just wanted to be dull and boring Martin...secretly sitting on a fortune he couldn't tell anyone about. Actually that part of it would be a relief. He was still thinking about this when he became aware of John staring at him "Martin??? Hello...earth to Martin....The marathon, how is the training going?"
Martin snap out of his musing "Oh....sorry.....err....yeah, up to 18 miles....pretty good"
James shook his head "No way I could do that, too boring....three hours of plod plod plod"
Martin smiled "It is good, gives you time to think.....actually, I am just going to the toilet....do we need more drinks?". The assembled drinkers decided that Yes, they did need more drinks and so Martin made a beeline for the Gents. As soon as the door was closed behind him he was messaging Jo demanding. He wanted to phone her but didn't want to be overheard. "Jo, WTF!!! What has happened....they know where I live!!! Text me back ASAP". He stared at the phone for a minute desperate to see notification that she had seen the message but nothing changed "Come on!" he thought
Down in London Jo was middle a busy cocktail bar with her posse of friends and checking her works phone was the furthest thing from her mind. She already had multiple messages from colleagues as well as Martin but for now the booze was flowing, the dance floor was beckoning and no-one was going to get an answer thing side of midnight.
Martin admitted defeat and left the toilets to make his way to the bar, he saw immediately that Lisa and her friends had arrived and so instantly the drinks order nearly doubled because many of Lisa's book group were wives and girlfriends of Martin's circle of friends. Time to act normal. He could check the internet when he got home. Things mightn't be as bad as he suspected. No-one had pointed him out just yet, his phone was eerily quite, if he had been named then surely someone who knew him would have contacted him by now.
The evening proceeded normally although it was noted that both Martin and Lisa were pre-occupied.
Later on back at home the two went about their evening routines, and like most couples these days, sat in bed reading on their various devices...only they weren't reading. Lisa was working her way through the news feeds and the HFD.net forum for information on the evening's revelation, Lisa was a regular on the forum but no-one actually new her location. She decided to keep that information a secret. Uniquely that evening Martin was on the same site as he frantically tried to ascertain what people actually knew about DC Williams. The bedroom light was on much later than usual.
Across town another light was on top floor of the vicarage, Reverend Susan was in the master bedroom on the 2nd floor of the old stone building. She was illuminated only be a bedside lamp as she read from her kindle.
Across the building on the ground floor in the new wing of the building another light was on in another bedroom and the twinklng ever-changing light pattern of a TV set could be seen reflecting on the curtains. This was the guest room on the side of the vicarage where Casey was staying. It would, Susan knew, stay on for another hour or so. The space bathroom light would come on for a brief time then extinguish and then shortly after that the entire guest-wing would go dark.
Reverend Susan had downloaded the Her Flame Darkened books after the revelations that the author was one of her parishioners. She had been aware of them, of course, but didn't think it was the sort of thing that should be on a vicar's Amazon history. Now she had the perfect excuse and so was indulging...so far, she had to admit, it was a very impressive and very arousing read. Her enjoyment was helped immensely by the eager attentions of Casey currently clamped between her thighs and licking and kissing her pussy. He was getting extremely talented at his "Evening Worship" and the timer plugs she'd insisted Casey set up in the guestroom helped maintain some semblance and propriety and keep the tongues from wagging. She smiled to herself as savoured the pun.
She presumed Casey had been sent to her in a clerical error due to his androgynous name but she wasn't complaining. She had been taken with the tall, muscular, clean-cut youth and so had set about seducing him almost immediately. That he was young enough to be her son had no bearing, as she reached middle age she had always preferred younger me and had a surprisingly high success rate in discreetly reeling in men that the majority of people would consider out of her league. A check on the Vicarage wi-fi history had shown her guest had keen interest in voluptuous older women and his attraction to her had been confirmed by furtive glances at her chest and thighs on the occasions when she had wore shorter skirts and low cut tops that her parishioners seldom saw. In the end she had simply confronted him about his illicit web-surfing and as he begged Susan not to tell anyone she had hugged him and then pressed his head down to her chest.
The rest was history and innocence lost was most certainly her gain. She groaned and writhed grinding her groin into Casey's face as she gripped his hair tightly. He would still be down there long after the timer plugs in his actual bedroom and turned off.
Friday, 8 May 2020
Millstone - Chapter 2
Across London Richard Allston was checking his email, he noted the reply from Jo over at Wallace Turner. That was a very quick turnaround he thought and opened it thinking he would get a head-start on the weekend's column on the week's big literary news that D C Williams, author of the amazingly popular "Her Flame Darkened" series, was actually a man. Even better still he would have some titbits of information for the interview he was about to do on the BBC's early evening magazine show where he would be talking about the news. He was due to go up against Miranda Masterson and although he had a lot of time for her facing the iconic feminist author was always a scary prospect.
He read through the email and quickly realised it was an error, the girl at the publishers had replied instead of forwarded the email. In an instant the penny dropped, this was an email to secretive author himself. Richard laughed out load as he read it "Silly, silly girl" he said. His eyes widened as he read the passage "One day I am going to come down to Millstone and hug you". He grabbed his phone and flipped to Google Maps, a quick search for "Millstone" revealed that there was only one location with that name...a small, rural village in the Cotswolds. Things had just got very interesting.
Back in Millstone Martin was still blissfully unaware that his identity was one step closer to being revealed. He had just received a text from Lisa "Book group later. Will go straight from work. See you in The Swan afterwards". He sighed, he knew things were distant and cold between them these days and he wanted nothing better than to return to the passion and sponaneity of their early years but there just seemed to be so much baggage and clutter in their lives. Another night with the girls for her and another night in the pub for him.
Lisa's book group had an elephant in the room. The elephant being the "Her Flame Darkened" series. Everyone knew everyone else adored the erotic adventures of Samantha Brantley and the rise of her international business empire via various drama, intrigue and sexual empowerment...no-one, however, wanted to be the first admit to it. Best to purvey the image of a wholesome group of middle class ladies, the backbone of their small village. When, Jenny, one of the their newer members had suggested putting the first book on the reading list Lisa had to bite her lip as the various women feigned ignorance and disinterest. Lisa knew her best friend Belinda already had part one as she had seen it tucked away in her gym bag. "Oh? Is that those naughty books people are talking about?" had asked innocently. Lisa had teased her about it mercilessly later on. Lisa had read all four books on her Kindle and had book five on order already. It say she was obsessed with them was an understatement. She was sure she wasn't the only one.
He read through the email and quickly realised it was an error, the girl at the publishers had replied instead of forwarded the email. In an instant the penny dropped, this was an email to secretive author himself. Richard laughed out load as he read it "Silly, silly girl" he said. His eyes widened as he read the passage "One day I am going to come down to Millstone and hug you". He grabbed his phone and flipped to Google Maps, a quick search for "Millstone" revealed that there was only one location with that name...a small, rural village in the Cotswolds. Things had just got very interesting.
Back in Millstone Martin was still blissfully unaware that his identity was one step closer to being revealed. He had just received a text from Lisa "Book group later. Will go straight from work. See you in The Swan afterwards". He sighed, he knew things were distant and cold between them these days and he wanted nothing better than to return to the passion and sponaneity of their early years but there just seemed to be so much baggage and clutter in their lives. Another night with the girls for her and another night in the pub for him.
Lisa's book group had an elephant in the room. The elephant being the "Her Flame Darkened" series. Everyone knew everyone else adored the erotic adventures of Samantha Brantley and the rise of her international business empire via various drama, intrigue and sexual empowerment...no-one, however, wanted to be the first admit to it. Best to purvey the image of a wholesome group of middle class ladies, the backbone of their small village. When, Jenny, one of the their newer members had suggested putting the first book on the reading list Lisa had to bite her lip as the various women feigned ignorance and disinterest. Lisa knew her best friend Belinda already had part one as she had seen it tucked away in her gym bag. "Oh? Is that those naughty books people are talking about?" had asked innocently. Lisa had teased her about it mercilessly later on. Lisa had read all four books on her Kindle and had book five on order already. It say she was obsessed with them was an understatement. She was sure she wasn't the only one.
This week they had met in Verity's gorgeous detached cottage. She was the epitome of a the middle-England "Ladies who lunch" ethos. Extremely well to do, frightfully conservative and an incorrigable gossip....she was however very generous and had endless time for people. A strange mix and one Lisa was never fully comfortable with. The women had all finished the book, some of the months before the group had even decided to choose it. They sat round and drank wine discussing the revelation that DC Williams was in fact a man. "I just presumed it would be a woman" mused Verity "...I mean it is all so focused on Sam"
Belinda chirped in "He must have had help from a good female writer I think"
Jenny piped up "I was totally shocked, it is like the books are the opposite of macho...It has a totally feminist heart" Lisa looked at Jenny. She was fairly new to the village having moved here six months ago with her unspeakably rich stock-broker husband Mike. Most people wrote her off as a typical trophy wife but Lisa suspected her was something much deeper below the surface. She decided to make it her mission to find out more about her.
Verity reached for the remote "I think they are discussing it on 'Now at 7" today" and instantly Richard Allston appeared on the screen alongside Miranda Masterson. Richard was talking to the presenter but gesturing towards his female panelist "Miranda will now claim to dislike the series purely because it has a male stamp on it and I hope that isn't reflected in the wider public because the books have been hugely popular"
Miranda bristled "I have no problem with them being written by a man"
Richard continued "Miranda has on several occasions been scathing about works such as this, she has given male authors wretched reviews and dismissed them as porn...the one exception being Her Flame Darkened, when she stated it was written by a woman for women"
Miranda wasn't going to be put on the back foot even though secretly she was furious that Samantha Brantley was the product of a man's imagination. She had championed the works for years as a source of female sexual empowerment, now to find out the author was male has left her feeling cheated. She gave the presenter her most patient smile, making it eminently clear she was waiting for the person to stop spouting their silly nonsense before she, herself told the world what was really happening. It was a look that her opponents knew only to well and had come to fear. Richard stopped and Miranda glanced towards him. She was going to rip him apart in only the way she could...then he was going to pay for her cocktails later "Richard knows I love him but he is showing exactly why so many of the books deserve one star reviews...if he is comparing the soft-porn tripe that is languishing all over our bookshop shelves to a work like the Darkened series then you can see why these books have called out to so many women. You see Her Fame Darkened is erotic literature and feminist erotic literature at that..."
Richard interjected "Written. By. A. Bloke"
Miranda was getting into her flow now and wasn't going to let her opponent off the hook "A bloke" she mimicked "It is a work of fiction, written by a man but let's not pretend this will just be some chap's naughty fantasy...This is clearly someone immersed in feminist culture and that is what sets it apart. You can see some of the scenes and characters in the book are lifted almost directly from the BDSM culture of Berlin or New York and if you go there those communities have femininity at their heart...these books couldn't exist without it. Richard enjoys the books because they are titillating, they work on that level but they are some much more than a quick bit of furtive slap and tickle to be enjoyed....by a typical bloke" She patted Richard's hand to be clear she was putting him in that bracket
The presenter was enjoying this and especially admiring Miranda for undermining Richard so cuttingly on national tv.
Richard was in danger of letting his temper get away from him "You see this is typical of the aloof metropolitan attitude, the books have to come from Berlin or Paris or New York..."
Miranda rolled her eyes "Certainly not Paris Richard". Make sure everyone knew she was the knowledgeable one in the room
"...It couldn't possibly be a homegrown male British writer who just happens to be talented enough to be able to tap into sexuality from a female perspective."
Miranda wasn't going to let Richard make wild claims and paint her as a snob at the same time "We'll probably never know, we only have the publisher's word for it that it IS a man. Don't believe the hype my dear boy!" she smiled
Richard smiled back but was secretly furious "Well I know it is a man and a British one at that"
Miranda snorted "No you don't"
Richard continued "...DC Williams is a male British writer living and working in Cotswolds, Millstone to be precise and I know that doesn't fit in with the left wing intelligentsia's prejudices but there you have it....."
Back in Millstone the only noise was a sort of gasped squeak from Jenny. The women of the book group all looked at each other....now THIS was exciting
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