Minnie the Maid (complete)

Samuel and Jennifer found themselves on the unexpected journey of a lifetime when Samuel's uncle passed away, leaving them a country house nestled in serene countryside. This unexpected windfall granted them financial security beyond their wildest dreams, prompting them to make life-altering decisions.

With their newfound wealth, the couple decided to resign from their mundane jobs, eager to embrace a life of leisure and pursue their passions. Jennifer, a compassionate soul with social conscience, threw herself into organising charity events and supporting various causes. Meanwhile, Samuel, chose to pursue writing and soon harboured dreams of penning the next great novel.

As the days turned into weeks, it became apparent that Samuel was struggling with, what he confessed to Jennifer, to be a severe case of writer's block. While Jennifer was constantly occupied with her charitable endeavours, Samuel found himself with empty hours and days. In an attempt to break the monotony, he turned to online games and indulged in reading erotic fiction, seeking an escape from the emptiness that enveloped his days.

One day, in a bid to escape the clutches of boredom, Samuel decided to explore the hidden nooks and crannies of their newfound home. Following the back stairs from the kitchen, he stumbled upon what must have been the maids' quarters during the house's heyday. The rooms were frozen in time, a relic of a bygone era, complete with mid 20th century furniture and a store room where clothing waited patiently for new occupants from beneath dust covers.

The sight sparked an idea in Samuel's mind. Inspired by the erotic tales he had read online, he contemplated the possibility of incorporating the concept of a man donning a maid's uniform into his writing. Intrigued, he returned to his study and spent the day researching 1950s'-era maids' and the cultural nuances surrounding it.

Over the next week or two Samuel fell into a routine of visiting the maids quarters and putting on a dress on days when Jennifer was away. Every time it was the same routine, strip down to boxers, step into the dress, feel the material swish against his legs as he twirled back and forth, masturbate, feel ashamed, swear never to do it again, put everything back.

One final time Samuel promised himself after finding corsets, pants and bras in a chest full of underclothes in the attic. 

Since the discovery just slipping a dress over his head was no longer enough. This last time he would go all the way one more time, fully dress as a maid, go down to the kitchen and act the fantasy out. Perhaps even make a cup of tea.This is just writers research he told himself as he undressed, but his penis knew better. 

The corset was a functional foundation made from a faded pink brocade fabric - a utilitarian garment. It felt cold against his skin and a little too big as he fastened the busk, using the hook on the wall, he began to lace himself in. It was as if his cock was a puppet controlled by the corset laces, each tug on the corset hook resulted in a throb form his rock hard cock. Samuel resisted the call of the cock, he knew, from past experience, that if he weakened and came now he would never go through with it. 

When a 2 inch gap at the back remained the corset was laced so tightly around him that only small breaths were possible he smiled at his image in the mirror, the corset had transformed his silhouette, accentuating his chest and altering his posture. Emboldened by the transformative effect, Samuel imitated the way Jennifer dressed and leant forward as he fastened the thick cotton bra and scooped his manboobs into the cups. 

Thick, hardwearing, woollen stockings, and lace-up boots came next, now he needed just one more thing to complete the ensemble. 

The pièce de résistance, a 1950s'-style maid's dress in thick, hardwearing black fabric, hung before him. He hesitated briefly, enjoying the feeling of anticipation, before stepping in and begin the seemingly impossible task of buttoning up the back of the dress. Contorting his body again in an effort to reach the buttons between his shoulder blades he paused and let his aching arms hang loosely at his sides. Samuel took a break from the elusive remaining buttons and admired himself in the mirror. Just one thing spoilt the line of his uniform. He knew exactly what would take care of the tent in the dress. He lifted the hem of the maids dress to his waist and began to stoke his throbbing cock slowly. “No rush, mistress is away” Samuel said aloud as he watched the maid in the mirror smile back at him. 

Just as his first stream of cum hit the mirror Samuel heard a floorboard creak nearby. In the doorway stood Jennifer, a smirk on her lips, an iPhone in her hand. “Well this is  a surprise Minnie the maid, it seems I've stumbled into a new chapter in our lives, I will help you with the top buttons once you are finished doing that" she teased.

Samuel blushed furiously, his cheeks aflame with embarrassment, in the come down from orgasam the usual mix of shame and vulnerability was a thousand times worse this time. As if caught wearing the uniform was not humiliation enough he had been caught midsturbate by Jennifer. 

“Please don’t call me Minnie” he stammered, attempting to give time to come up with a reasonable explanation for wearing the uniform. 

But Jennifer was not ready to let her advantage slip, she pointed to his chest “it says Minnie right there, why would I call you by any other name?” Jennifer continued teasing as she walked behind him. "I had no idea my husband had such unusual work aspirations. Maybe housemaid is your true calling!"

He wanted to take the clothes off but Jennifer stepped behind him and locking eyes with his reflection in the mirror, she began fastening the remaining buttons with a mischievous glint in her eye. As she worked her way down his back, Samuel asked her to stop, he wanted out of the dress “I was only trying a uniform on for writers research.”

In an instant Jennifers expression went from amused to angry “you only try something on if you are unsure it will fit Samuel” taking hold of his shoulders she spun him around to face her and began counting off points on her fingers.

1. Out of 20 plus uniforms stored in the staff store room you ‘just happened’ to find one uniform in this closet that fits you perfectly.
2. By chance the underwear and shoes that were once stored in the attic appear in the same closet and also fit.
3. You arrived here in a robe freshly showered.

Jennifer pointed at a toy bear on a shelf

4. The camera never lies. 

 Samuel interrupted, admitted it was not the first time he had put on a dress “but it’s the first time with underwear. “ He confessed he felt ashamed of himself once he had masturbated and always vowed ‘never again’  when he took the uniform off.

“But you and the camera both know ‘never again’ never lasts.” Happy Jennifer was back as she mentioned the lack of any proof he was actually writing and how he was always playing computer games “I am hurt you sneak off to wank in a uniform Samuel. Now it’s out in the open, well between us I mean, let me say I am okay with you playing housemaid. And if Minnie wants to help out I would be okay with that, then it could remain our little secret.” She paused, wiggled her iPhone “what do you think?”

Samuel read the business card again - focussing on the line that read ‘Couples Councillor.’ 

Jennifer explained their relationship to Andrea; “I started the change when I was 36, that was two years ago, and almost immediately I lost all interest in sex. It is like nature flicked a switch to the off position inside my head. Samuel still has needs though, I really enjoy masturbating him to meet those needs. I always thought that was enough to satisfy him until recently.” 

Samuel wished the ground would open beneath him, Jennifer continued explaining, not only, his interest in the maids uniforms but the arousal it created in him. “I am okay with that, I mean okay with Samuel wearing them and stuff, but secretly masturbating really hurts…I want to be a part of that still.”

Andrea’s pencil paused, she looked up “how would you feel about including Jennifer while you are in Minnie mode Samuel?”

When Jennifer had initially suggested talking to a councillor Samuel was set against it. Now, nearing the end of the session, he realised it had been worthwhile “I would like that very much.”

Andrea suggested Jennifer supervise Samuel dressing and keep close watch while he is in character to save any ‘unwanted events’ as she put it “try spending a few days as Minnie followed by some as Samuel then have a ‘what next’ chat. Let me know if I can help further.”

Now that everything was out in the open Jennifer actually enjoyed helping Minnie dress. She discreetly smiled while watching Minnie confidently fasten his bra and scoop his little man-titties into the bra cups that had been designed with much larger occupants in mind. “We need to get you some sort of control panty to keep that trouser snake under control” Jennifer said lightheartedly as she buttoned up the back of Minnie’s dress “and this underwear is so tatty I wonder it wasn’t all thrown out years ago. I mean it would have been old fashioned even in 1950s’. By then it was all corselettes, girdles. bullet bras, and suchlike.”

Jennifer ordered ‘tea for two’ while following Minnie downstairs from the maids quarters to kitchen. “We need to shop for some period style underwear and a wig” Jennifer said as they sat drinking tea. 

Samuel replied he was not trying to be a woman.

Jennifer hid the real reasons behind her suggesting the wig. Samuels’ male pattern baldness arrived when he was still in his twenties, now at 37 he was more head than hair. In the cold light of day, as they sat drinking tea, the reality of where they were headed finally hit her - and seeing Samuels head atop a maids body was too much for even one whole day let alone for the few days Andrea had suggested. 

Instead of coming right out with it and saying ‘Samuel needs to be Samuel and Minnie needs to be Minnie’ Jennifer replied teasingly “of course you are not” with a smile and a cheek kiss “I was thinking if a courier, our window cleaner or someone else accidentally sees Minnie with Samuels head…well…you know how vicious country gossip is.”

That was enough to change his mind “okay, but we should wait and see if Minnie visits regularly, we do not want to waste money.” 

They both laughed at the ridiculousness of his ‘waste money’ comment that really was a rollover comment from a poorer time. 

Finishing her tea Jennifer left the Minnie/Samuel portmanteau, Minuel, playing computer games on his laptop. 

“I will be back for my lunch at midday Minnie.” Jennifer spent her time alone not on charity business but researching Samuels’ maid fetish including reading some online man-maid centred fiction that occupied so much of his aimless alone time. Initially Jennifer was a little surprised initially by how common the subservient maid fantasy was then a little disgusted by some of the tasks writers imagined a maid was ‘forced’ to undertake. Examining Samuels online reading history she was thankful to find his interests clearly lay in what was termed ‘petticoating’ and ‘maid play’ within a loving relationship. By lunchtime she had gleaned enough ideas from her research that would make shopping fun for her while humiliating Samuel at the same time. 

Over lunch and inspired by Andreas’ advice they set some additional ground rules that, to Jennifers surprise, included separating Minnie days from masturbating days at Samuels suggestion. He proudly asserted he had remained celibate since Jennifer left.

Secretly Jennifer still harboured hopes the novelty of playing maid would soon wear off. Not that she would admit that to Samuel or even Andrea if they saw her again. Minnie suggested moving his uniform to their bedroom.

“How will that look when the contract cleaners are here, it’s obvious your uniform would not fit me Minnie.” Jennifer was pleased at how malleable Minnie was. Choosing her words carefully to separate Minnie from Samuel the way Andrea suggested she continued “while the cleaners are here tomorrow Samuel and I will shop for you Minnie.” Jennifer left Minnie playing games on his computer while she researched suitable shops in the city. 

‘Glorias Fashions’ the sign above the shop declared even though only lingerie was displayed in the window. Jennifer judged Gloria to be 60something. “We emailed yesterday about 1950s’ style underwear.”

“Email you say…email? That would be Anita’s department” Gloria smiled as her eyes closely examined Jennifer with the look of either an undertaker or a corsetière before taking a measuring tape from the counter “I will get your measurements then pass you over to Anita who will help you find the perfect style, fitting room is this way.”

“Oh not for me…” Jennifer smiled at Samuel “for my husband” she enunciated.

“Please do not embarrass me” Samuel whispered. Jennifer looked pleased as she explained, with an air of innocence, that the first step in becoming a maid always begins with well fitting foundations. 

Gloria agreed as she began measuring Samuel, calling out sizes she added “please bring out a firm control suspender corselette Anita.” After instructing Samuel to undress she tutted in disapproval, said boxers will not do, called out “we’ll need a panty girdle as well.”

When the sounds of drawers opening and closing ceased Anita appeared and Jennifer wished she had a camera to record the look on Samuels face. If being measured by woman had been embarrassing, then being served by a young woman in her late teens was a hundred times worse. “Turn away, slip your boxers off and put this on” Anita said as she handed Samuel the panty girdle. Gloria had left to serve another customer leaving Anita to explain, to no-one in particular, how lucky they had been to happen upon Glorias Fashions “we are the only shop in the city that still has stock of original vintage undies.” 

Jennifer struggled to keep a straight face as Samuel tugged the girdle up as far as his hips then declared it too small. “No it’s not” standing behind him Anita grasped the sides “wiggle…just need to get it over your bum…there, a perfect fit. Now get your wedding tackle settled and turn around…sweetie.” 

“Minnie” Jennifer reminded Anita.

“That is just so priceless” giggle escaped Anita as she handed Samuel a corselette “Okay Minnie the maid step in and wiggle yourself in while pulling the sides at the same time. It will soon come to be second nature.” 

Samuel was thankful his cock was imprisioned within the panty girdle as it struggled with the girdle to harden. “You can relax your stomach muscles now, thats it, let your corselette do all the work” Anita said as she slipped the wide shoulder straps over his arms “you’ll need three of everything Minnie - one to wear, one in the wash and one in your lingerie drawer” Anita said how corselettes are the perfect foundation for both housework and crossdressers “holds your forms in place all day… do you mind?” Without waiting for an answer she scooped his manboobs into the cups and adjusted the shoulder straps. She turned toward Jennifer “A cup is the smallest size corselettes were made in which leaves a little space…” Anita slipped a couple of ‘chicken fillets’  in the cups, made a final adjustment to the shoulder straps “that’s better, a perfect fit.”

“Put your trousers on” Jennifer suggested while Anita fetched the falsies.

“Minnie needs stockings first” Anita said.

Samuel looked in the mirror, pointed at his chest “do you have anything smaller, these are pantomime size.”

Anita ignored the comment and bunched up a black stocking “point your toe”

“I can put my own stockings on” Samuel said in an attempt to gain a degree of control.

“Do as you are told Minnie” Jennifer ordered in a stern voice, but her eyes told a different story.

“I wish I had someone like your Minnie” Anita said as she fastened the last suspender clip “my boyfriend is such an alpha it would be me in the maid uniform…” She stepped back, looked at Jennifer “what do you think?”

“Perfect, get dressed Minnie” 

“I need to take all this off.”

“No need to be shy” Anita smiled and said they have a lot of customers like Minnie.

“Can I at least take the falsies things out?” 

Jennifer had had enough fun “sure”

Anita played up to the small audience that consisted of a couple of customers in the shop as she lay out the rest of his purchase on the counter “two suspender corselettes, two panty girdles, three packs of black seamed stockings” her voice rose a decibel or two “plus the corselette and panty girdle you are wearing…that all comes to…”

“Please can we go home now” he whined as they walked toward their car thankful the weather was cool enough for a coat to be essential. Even hidden beneath a heavy coat Samuel was certain everyone was staring at his chest. The corselette made its presence known as it tugged and stretched in reaction to his every little movement. 

“Minnie still needs a wig”

“It could wait, Minnie does not need one right now…”

The time for pussyfooting around was over, Jennifer needed to be clear “I do not want to see my husband wearing a maids uniform” Jennifer said loud enough for a passerby to guffaw “at all times you will be either 100% Samuel or 100% Minnie. I struggle with the whole maid thing when you are a mixture of the two.” 

After Glorias Fashions the wig shop was an anticlimax ‘man with receding hair puts on wig’. 

In an effort to circumnavigate any plans Jennifer harboured to embarrass him further Samuel quickly singled out a mid blonde straight wig from the display that was a similar colour to his own hair. Ignoring his suggestion Jennifer asked “do you have a classic pageboy with bangs in black? Something that screams 1950s”

“I like the blonde one”

“You really want to look like my husband with long hair wearing a maid uniform after what I said earlier?” Jennifer said much to the sales associates amusement “something that looks natural, perhaps a real hair wig?”

Shopping complete, Samuel suggested they go home but Jennifer insisted they go to lunch. As they ate she outlined her idea; they needed a couple of days to have Minnie’s uniforms dry cleaned to get rid of the musty smells. And it was her turn to host the bridge morning “I've set time aside Monday to help you to become Minnie for the week. Then the weekend it will be all Samuel.” Jennifer paused while the waiter poured coffees “followed by Monday morning ‘debrief meeting with Andrea.”

“Wow” Samuel exclaimed “you really do have everything planned out.”

Jennifer looked a little uncertain of herself “I’ve, sort of, thrown myself into making the week a success for you…is it too much?”

Samuel thanked her, said he was overcome by how supportive Jennifer was, assured her he would repay her kindness in some way.

Collecting the maids uniforms from the dry cleaners opened up Samuel to a barrage of questioning. 

“We wondered if you and Mrs Walters would employ staff once you settled in” dry cleaning man said by way of an opening gambit as he needlessly studied the claim ticket.

“Only one person to help, we use a cleaning company” Samuel said 

 “Back in the day my wife was your uncles cook, part time, he employed two…no wait…three maids.” 

“The dry cleaning?” Samuel said with a rising infliction, he knew it was rude to cut the conversation off like that but he did not have a cover story of any sort.

Dry cleaning man returned with the uniforms “I expect a cleaning company would cost more than having your own staff” he passed over the uniforms “if you need a cook anytime I know Mave would love to help. Her name is Mavis really but everyone calls her Mave.”

Samuel climbed the stairs to the maids quarters, his mind rushing ahead of him - with Jennifer away on a charity fundraiser and the contract cleaners busy in the main house no-one would know. He opened the door to Minnie’s room then the closet door. Halfway to hanging up the uniforms he saw his new underwear waiting. His inner Minnie goaded him on - ‘no one will know’ - ‘just try them on’. Inner Minnie was surprised at his ability to resist temptation. Samuel hung Minnie’s freshly dry cleaned uniform in the closet and closed the door.  Monday seemed a lifetime away…

Monday finally arrived, Samuel gulped down his breakfast cereal desperate to wear the uniform for the whole day. But Jennifer was not to be rushed, she was determined to make the week long experiment an unforgettable experience. She wanted Samuel to feel a full transformation, starting from the skin out. “Let me make you feel like a proper maid Minnie," she offered, her voice full of enthusiasm.

With a sense of excitement and a touch of nervousness, Samuel agreed, allowing Jennifer to guide him through the process. The first step involved a warm bath to soften his skin, followed by Jennifer skilfully demonstrating shaving his legs and body hair. She watched as Samuel nervously finished the hair removal. He marvelled at the sensation as he wriggled into his corselette and scooped his little man-boobs into the cups before adding the falsies as if he had been doing it for years.

With the corselette hugging his figure and giving him a sense of femininity he had never experienced before he selected a pair of stockings to glide up his freshly shaven legs. Finally Jennifer watched as he pulled on his panty girdle, the smoothness of his front making him feel vulnerable yet strangely liberated.

Without his uniform Samuel couldn't help but blush as Jennifer helped with his makeup “just a hint” she warned as she finished foundation, blush and eyeshadow to one see of his face “that is your guide for the other side.”

Jennifer was careful not to let her enthusiasm wane as, satisfied with Minnie’s makeup, she reached for the sleek black pageboy wig, placing it atop his head and securing it in place. She held out the vintage maid uniform, Minnie stepped in and Jennifer watched as Minnie struggled with the little buttons that ran up the back from waist to neck.

He watched in awe as the reflection in the mirror was of a 1950s maid named Minnie. The discrete strokes of mascara, rouge, and pale lipstick subtly feminised his features.

Jennifer handed Minnie a pair of black, canvas shoes with rubber soles “I don’t want you clomping around in Minnie’s boots…or worse still clip clopping around in heels like a character in a maid story.” 

Jennifer pulled out her iPhone she smiled, Minnie smiled, she took picture of them standing side by side, “I told you no one would recognise you. Now hold up the hem of your dress.” Minnie complied “remember that first day?” Jennifer ignored his ‘caught in headlights’ face and smiled as she eased Minnies panty girdle down to mid thigh and stood behind him. They watched in silence as his, freed, cock went from half mast to full hard. Minnie was transfixed as Jennifer began to stroke his cock “Minnies wife demonstrated her power over her new maid…” she cooed “I want you to do this for me every morning Minnie…keep your dirty little secret hidden away from me in the maids room…” Jennifer let go of Minnie’s cock just in time, smirked at the mirror as the ruined orgasam dribbled onto the floor. Pleased in the knowledge that he would be on edge for the rest of the day she turned to leave.

Shame swept over Minnie “I just want to take this off now” he whined.

“I don’t think so. Pull your panties up, there is work to do Minnie.” 

Jennifer admired the way Minnie, wearing uniform and black wig, looked like a character from a black and white movie in a colour world.

“Time for my coffee Minnie Smith.”

“Minnie Collins.”

“I am Jennifer Collins, what are people going to think if my maid has the same family name as my absent husband?”

“People, what people” Minnie looked nervous “we didn’t talk about meeting other people.”

Jennifer smiled kindly, put a hand on Minnie’s upper arm for reassurance as she agreed meeting other people was not planned “I know, but we need to have a cover story ready should any unforeseen circumstances arise.”

The first day was a blend of laughter and awkwardness. Jennifer, ever supportive of her husband's unconventional experiment, struggled to fully immerse herself in the role of  employer. As Minnie dusted the shelves and furniture, Jennifer couldn't resist joining him in the tasks, making the atmosphere more reminiscent of a shared chore than a traditional employer-maid dynamic.

Before lunch, Jennifer suggested, "Why don't we eat together, Minnie? It'll be like we're colleagues on a break."

Minnie, still getting used to his newfound persona, hesitated but ultimately agreed. They sat at the kitchen table, sharing sandwiches and anecdotes about their day. Jennifer's attempt to create a casual, friendly environment inadvertently continued to blur the lines between employer and maid.

The second day brought more challenges when Jennifer sought Minnie's opinion on household matters the way she would from Samuel rather than issuing instructions. Minnie, attempting to maintain the character of a maid, found himself caught between two worlds. He offered his insights on menus, suggested improvements for the cleaning schedule, and so on. Once they had finished lunch Jennifer announced she had some charity work to attend to leaving Minnie to continue whatever maidly activities took his fancy.

As evening approached, Jennifer pondered the experiment's effectiveness. She knew the essence of the experience Samuel craved was slipping away during their shared moments. In an effort to make the remainder of the week the experience Samuel wanted she decided to create a clearer boundary between Minnie (maid) and herself (employer).

Leaving her study would mark the turning point she told herself. Although they ate dinner together at the table in the kitchen Jennifer maintained an employer/employee atmosphere between them.“Once you have cleaned the kitchen Minnie, I want you to sleep in the maids' quarters.” 

The room, which both Samuel and Jennifer referred to as "Minnie's Room," was a haven of simplicity. A single bed adorned with a neatly folded quilt, a small dresser, and a dim lamp made up the modest space.

That night Minnie, lay in the bed, contemplating the events of the past two days. The room held a certain charm, a peaceful retreat from the grandeur of the main house. Sleep claimed him gradually, next thing morning sunlight streamed through the small window, rousing Minnie from his slumber. The simple routine of waking up in the maids' quarters brought a renewed sense of purpose. As Minnie prepared for the day, there was a subtle shift in the air. The uniform felt less like a costume and more like dressing for work.

Jennifer, alone in her bed for the first time, heard every creak and groan the old house made. Startled she imagined hearing footsteps, burglars voices outside and such like. As sleep began to sweep over her she decided the old alarm system would not do and made a mental note to get a twenty-first century alarm.

When Minnie entered the main part of the house, Jennifer greeted her with a warm smile “did you seep well?”

Minnie said he had, “best sleep for ages.” 

Jennifer smiled, mentioned the changes menopause came with, said she was sorry how her hot flushes and constant tossing and turning disturbed them both. It was an apology she offered on a regular basis since starting her change, she laughed softly “I’m glad you slept well, I slept the sleep of the dead.” However, the familiarity of the previous days had given way to a newfound formality. Jennifer, recognising the need for a change in approach, adopted a more authoritative tone.

“As last night was a success I expect you to sleep in your own room for the remainder of the week, Minnie. You have a busy day ahead. I've outlined the tasks for you, and I expect them to be completed by the time I return this afternoon," Jennifer said, her voice firm but kind.

Minnie, fully embracing the role of maid, responded with a respectful “Yes mistress.”

“Do not call me that, I am not a cruel bitch of a wife from one of your fantasy stories.”

“Sorry Jennifer, I got carried away.”

As he worked Minnie decided he liked the clear instructions Jennifer had provided. Now he had a sense of structure, a framework within which he could operate without the ambiguity of their previous interactions. Throughout the day several couriers arrived, mostly packages for Jennifer. Minnie excitedly ripped open the package addressed ‘Minnie Smith’ revealing several pinafores - serving half pinafores and full cleaning pinafores along with a couple of black headbands adorned with white lace that matched the edging on the half pinafores. Minnie put on a headband and, cleaning completed, a matching half pinafore. 

Jennifer, needing someone to confide in and to bounce ideas off, had already spoken at some length with her best friend Katie. They met up for lunch Jennifer showed Katie the picture of Minnie while bringing her up to speed. Katie said how realistic Samuel looked as Minnie.

Jennifer laughingly told her about making Minnie sleep in the maids quarters “we even call it Minnie’s room.” 

“Before the weeks out you have to let me see Minnie for myself.” Katie said in the parking lot “Please…”

“Then follow me home.” 

Jennifer rang the doorbell and was taken aback, but pleased, to see Minnie wearing the headband and pinafore “This is my friend Miss West. Katie this is Minnie.”

Minnie took Jennifer introducing ‘Miss West’ as hint and addressed her as ‘Mrs Collins’. He served them coffee and had returned to the kitchen when his cell pinged ‘come to lounge’ When he arrived Jennifer said “will you make up a guest room for Miss West before dinner.”

Katie did her best to avoid looking amused. 

“Certainly Mrs Collins”

Minnie had mostly gotten over the shock of Katies arrival when Jennifer shut the kitchen door behind her “is it as good in real life?” She asked with a smirk.

Minnie instantly recognised the reference hinted at one of his favourite maid stories. “Thought you were going to pee your panties when you opened the door to Katie and me.” 

“Why bring Katie here like that, I’m sure she recognised me”

“Relax, Katie has no idea whatsoever. And fooling Katie means you can fool anyone” Jennifer gave Minnie a hug “just enjoy your time as Minnie.”

“I might not pass dinner table close to Katie.” Minnie whispered to Jennifer as he set the dinner table for two people. Secretly Minnie was pleased to have a reason to eat alone in the kitchen like a real maid. 

During dinner Jennifer and Katie chatted about old times, many of their anecdotes including Samuel “such a shame Samuel missed my visit.” Katie said as they decided to have coffee in the lounge, watch some television. When Minnie brought their coffee Jennifer maintained the employer/employee facade “we won’t need you anymore tonight Minnie, just ensure the lounge is tidy before we come down to breakfast.”

Katie was the exact opposite, saying “we are just about to watch a film…why don’t you change into something comfortable and join us Minnie.”

“Thank you for inviting me but I am too tired tonight Miss West” Minnie said

“Do you keep this great big house all alone?”

“Mr & Mrs Collins have contract cleaners” Minnie said “but they do not clean thoroughly like staff would” as no-one stopped him he went on to explain how the house once had three maids and a part time cook. 

“yes…quite” Jennifer interrupted to silence him, she waited a few minutes when Minnie left the room, checked the hallway was clear, sat close to Katie “what do you think?” Jennifer had a nervous note to her voice “I mean, I know, he looks like a manly woman but do you think strangers would realise?”

“Of course I recognised Samuel” Katie began then elaborated that was only because she knew it was Samuel “you’ve done a wonderful job, in my opinion, he would easily pass as female maid in the eyes of a stranger, nothing more, nothing less Jennifer.” Katie sniggered “just not the sort of woman any man would lust over.”

"I must say, Minnie, you've truly embraced the role. I am surprised by your dedication and the way you've seamlessly transitioned into the maid's duties," Jennifer remarked, as they chatted after Katie left next morning.

Minnie, smiled with a newfound sense of pride. "Thank you, Jennifer. Was meeting Katie as your maid one of those unforeseen circumstances you mentioned?”

The Final Morning

"Good morning, Minnie. How did you sleep on your last night?" Jennifer inquired, her eyes twinkling with a mix of curiosity and affection.

Minnie, now accustomed to the morning routine, responded with a smile. "Very well, Jennifer. A little sad it’s nearly over, but happy it happened. It’s hard to believe this is my last day.”

As they sat down for breakfast, Jennifer couldn't help but feel a sense of fondness for the unusual dynamic that had unfolded over the past week. The traditional boundaries between employer and employee, once blurred, now felt better defined. Yet, Jennifer was aware that this was the final day of Minnie's tenure, and it was time to address one thing before Minnies impending return to Samuel, “for me the biggest surprise this week is how quickly sleeping apart began to feel ‘right’ in some way.”

“I certainly slept better”

“Would it be okay if we continue sleeping apart?” 

Minnie nodded agreement, Jennifer smiled “perhaps you could have the adjoining bedroom?”

Sleeping arrangements agreed, over coffee and toast, Jennifer broached the main topic. "Minnie, it's been quite the week, hasn't it? I'm curious, did Samuel really enjoy playing maid?"

Minnie, met Jennifer's gaze. "I enjoyed my week very much, felt a sense of purpose in contributing to the household that has been missing since I gave up my job…and” Minnie paused, he knew what he needed to say could not be unsaid “…I look forward to repeating this week, if you are okay with that.”

Jennifer, surprised by the unexpected turn of events, hid her emotions behind a composed expression. She had assumed Samuel's week as Minnie was merely a playful one-time experiment, a temporary deviation from their usual routines. The notion of any more permanent arrangement had not crossed her mind.

After a moment of silence, he continued, “Although a maids work is menial I found a sense of purpose in carrying out my duties. After so many weeks of  aimlessly wandering our home, wondering ‘what now’ or playing computer games, or sitting staring at a keyboard with no idea what to write, this past week I have had a purpose.” Samuel gathered his thoughts “I got pleasure from having a list of tasks to fill my day, the routine, the structure.”

Jennifer's mind raced as she considered the implications. She knew Samuel had been at a loose end, his attempts at writing never really got off the ground. The idea of him finding purpose and happiness in the role of a domestic surprised and intrigued her. 

Before committing to the idea, Jennifer decided to seek counsel from Katie. The two friends met for lunch at a quaint bistro, where Jennifer poured out the details of the week's unexpected turn.

Katie, listening intently, offered a thoughtful perspective. "Jennifer, Samuel has always been supportive of your endeavours, whether it's your charity work or your job before. Now it sounds as if he's found something that, from time to time, brings him a sense of purpose in the same way your charity work does. No matter how weird it might seem to outsiders this is your lives."

Jennifer nodded, realising the truth in Katie's words. Samuel had been a pillar of support during her initial ventures into charity work, and now, perhaps, it was her turn to embrace and encourage his newfound passion, even if that meant a departure from conventional husband/wife roles at times.

Returning home, Jennifer noticed although he wore Samuel’s clothes Minnie’s corselette still showed through his shirt. Avoiding any mention of his underclothes, she decided to sit down with Samuel to discuss the possibilities that lay ahead. In the sitting room they engaged in a candid conversation. "Samuel," Jennifer began, "I've been giving the maid thing a lot of thought. I must admit, your suggestion surprised me. I know you've found a sense of purpose in a maids duties, and that is something I hadn't anticipated.”

"It's been an eye-opening experience for me as well Jennifer. If there's an opportunity for me to continue, I'd like to explore it.”

Jennifer, avoiding mention of her discussion with Katie, said “I think supporting each other's interests in the past has been what makes our marriage so strong. If being Minnie brings you happiness and a sense of purpose, then I agree wholeheartedly. Minnie should visit whenever you want."

Samuel chose to ignore her ‘visit’ comment and smiled "I think it will be good for both of us.”

Minnie’s visits, three, and sometimes more, days most weeks became a routine that Jennifer willingly embraced. One afternoon, Minnie, stood before the mirror adjusting the uniform, a subtle discontent lingered in his expression. Turning to Jennifer, he remarked, "These A-cup breast forms don't quite fill out the uniform. It looks shabby, ill fitting Jennifer."

Jennifer, nodded thoughtfully. "You're right of course, Minnie.” The following day, after a shopping excursion, Jennifer returned with a C-cup bra and larger, more voluminous breast forms. Handing them to Minnie, she said, "Try these on with the corset you used to wear. I think they'll give a more natural look to your uniform."

Excitedly, Minnie headed off to change. The old fashioned corset that he hadn’t worn since buying the corselette felt like a hug from an old friend as he laced it ever tighter. So tight he had to pause awhile. Positioning the new breast forms in his bra, he noticed the difference immediately—the fuller, more rounded curves would fill out the uniform perfectly, add a sense of authenticity to Minnie. 

The following week Jennifer decided to test Minnie's comfort level by sending him on an errand to the local supermarket’ “Do stop fussing Minnie, just wear a coat over your uniform. You only need to pick up a few items for lunch.”

As Minnie walked in public, for the first time, she couldn't help but notice the subtle glances and looks from passing strangers. It was a shift from the usual anonymity of Samuel's life, reaching the supermarket Minnie almost found himself enjoying the attention.

“How did being out in public feel?"

"It's different, Jennifer. I never thought I'd enjoy it, but there's a certain pleasure coupled with the danger."

As the days passed, Minnie continued to embody the role of the housemaid with a larger bust, embracing the newfound confidence that came with it. Visits to the supermarket became a regular occurrence, with Minnie relishing the danger shopping brought.

One evening, as they sat in the sitting room, sipping tea by the crackling fire, Jennifer broached the topic with a thoughtful expression. "Samuel, am I right in thinking your time as Minnie has become more frequent recently?”

“Do you want me to stop, just say the word” Samuel looked calm on the outside “you never need to see Minnie again…”

“No, silly, I like having Minnie to boss around” Jennifer explained how having a regular routine would be better “Monday to Friday” she suggested “then Minnie could get used to my groups — like the bridge, and book clubs” Jennifer paused.

“And I could keep an eye on the cleaners” Samuel added enthusiastically “well Minnie could.”

“Okay, that’s Minnie sorted” Jennifer suggested her and Samuel spend a few days at a hotel in the city. They took in some shows, did some shopping for Minnie, ate at fancy restaurants, and so on. Jennifer loved teasing Samuel over how Minnie would fit right in whenever they interacted with serving staff. 

Burglar alarm engineers were loading their tools into their van when Jennifer and Samuel arrived home.

Wearing a surprised look he said “you never mentioned upgrading the alarm.” 

“You weren’t around,” Jennifer sniggered “and I did not need the opinion of my maid.”

In many of Samuels favourite maid stories a common scenario involved the maid being forced to take feminising hormones and t-blockers. Samuel had no need to be forced, no mistress to do the forcing. Long before Jennifer agreed to his trial week, Minnie secretly had obtained both online. The initial physical changes, to date, minimal - a little fat redistribution, his nipples and aureole had gotten a little bigger but there was little evidence of the breast growth he secretly longed for. More noticeable were emotional changes and mood swings that made him act ever more meanly toward the contract cleaners. Minnie constantly found fault with their work. And regular tittle-tattle to Jennifer was part of, what he considered to be, his master plan. Even if some rooms were mothballed without contract cleaners the house would need additional maids.

Jennifer split her time between charity work and supervising Minnie - occasionally in person but mostly remotely by text message. By text she found it easier to uphold her part as employer. Jennifer liked the way texting ‘clean my room, fresh bedding’ for instance, felt less domineering than saying it face to face.

The new alarm system had, at Jennifers request, covert cameras built into the motion sensors. From an app on her iPhone or iPad she could monitor, what the security salesman called, ‘public rooms’ in addition to Minnie’s room. She had already noticed (but not mentioned) slight changes to her husbands body, his moods and, with help from the new cameras, she easily discovered the reason to be his secret stash of hormones. 

Samuel, living a double life as Minnie, settled into a routine that felt simultaneously liberating and confining. Every weekend he found himself longing for Monday morning when he could fully embody the persona of Minnie, once more, until Friday night. A deeper yearning simmered beneath the surface—recently he began longing to live as Minnie full time for a few weeks. So far this desire was one he had, so far, not dared share with Jennifer.

Weekdays Minnie used mealtimes with Jennifer to fault the standard of work carried out by the contract cleaners. These tales, intricately woven with dissatisfaction, were subtly worked into their conversation. Jennifer listened with a patient ear.

One evening, as they finished dinner, Minnie recounted yet another tale of cleaning woes. Jennifer surprised him with an unexpected agreement. "You know, Minnie, maybe Samuel and I should consider hiring staff instead of relying on contract cleaners.” Jennifer smiled in the way she reserved for car salesmen, saying “Samuel and I will discuss the idea and let you know Minnie” she rose from the table “goodnight Minnie.”

While Jennifer supported his need to assume the role of Minnie part-time she secretly longed to have her husband back. Expressing her excitement about hiring live-in maids during their weekend conversation she said, "I recall you mentioning that this house once had three staff members."

Samuel confirmed, "Yes, Jennifer, we’ll need two maids plus Minnie of course.”

Jennifer, taken aback, hesitated and voiced her concerns, "Samuel, having Minnie alongside full-time staff members wouldn't work. How could Minnie seamlessly switch between weekdays and weekends without drawing attention?"

To Jennifers surprise, Samuel had a well-thought-out response. After explaining he couldn’t settle into character while constantly switching back and forth. He longed to be Minnie for an extended period, long enough to ‘get it out of his system’ perhaps two, or even, three months. Switching tack he began talking of what was wrong with Minnie. He initiated a fabricated meltdown, expressing strong dissatisfaction with Minnie's breast forms and listing various grievances. Confused by the mixed signals, Jennifer attempted to comfort him.

Samuel proposed a solution that he had carefully crafted during his nights as Minnie, "Jennifer, I've been thinking. It will make sense for Minnie to have breast implants. I know that might seem overkill, but for a while, Minnie could truly enjoy being herself without worry the other maids could see her forms."

Initially shocked by the unconventional idea, Jennifer sat quietly. Samuel, blending earnestness and determination, continued, "Think about it, Jennifer. I've noticed your waning interest in Minnie recently, I think now is the right time for a few realistic Minnie weeks to get this out of my system. And during that time, Samuel can go on an extended 'writers research' trip."

Initially stunned by the bombshell Samuel dropped on her she needed time to think. Rather than dismiss the subject out of hand Jennifer partially conceded, "I must say I'm shocked. I'm not saying I agree, but if it is what you really want, I guess we can explore the idea a little." 

After much soul searching Jennifer conceded, losing Samuel for a period was better than having him switching back and forth indefinitely. “Minnie's continued presence is conditional on Samuel staying undiscovered,” Jennifer emphasised, “Any hint of discovery, and I will fire Minnie instantly, no arguments, and Samuel comes home… that means no more Minnie… ever!”

"Agreed," Samuel nodded in agreement.

After thorough research (and much cheque writing) the decision was made. 

As time passed Samuel gently worked additional procedures into the conversation. Jennifer, still grappling with the idea of breast implants and now faced with more procedures, was about to drive away when Samuel leant in “I was thinking Jennifer, facial hair could be a give away…removal would be simple while I’m in hospital.”

Jennifer had heard enough about Minnie and this was a step too far “Okay Samuel, I agree to whatever you want for Minnie, now may I please get on with my day?”

Samuel took that as carte blanch for a more comprehensive transformation, in addition to breast implants he added vocal cord adjustments, Adam's apple reduction, voice training, and hair removal to the list of procedures.

Little did Minnie know, while he lay in the hospital bed recovering, Jennifer also had been making plans, with Katie’s help, to enhance the authenticity of the household's dynamics for Minnie. 

Jennifer outlined to Minnie, as they left the hospital, that she had made progress in hiring two more maids and already had several suitable candidates lined up. “Soon I will have three maids and a cook…” 

Minnie's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. “That sounds wonderful, Jennifer! I’ll be more than happy to welcome new faces to my team. And I'll ensure everything is in order for their arrival.”

As punishment for Minnies’ rude interruption Jennifer didn’t disclose the full extent of her intentions. Several days earlier Jennifer had received Donna's CV. Despite being only twenty-two Donna’s impressive work experience as an assistant housekeeper in a country estate caught Jennifer's attention. She cast her mind back to the way the young woman, Anita, treated Samuel in the lingerie store and couldn't help but envision a young housekeeper as the perfect candidate to intimidate and oversee unruly Minnie. Suppressing the excitement bubbling within Jennifer said “I expect everyone to work as a team in our little household Minnie, my dear.”

With the memory of Minnie’s reaction to Anita fresh in her mind Jennifer announced that Minnie needed new lingerie “I will not have you wear that shabby old corset any longer.” Minnie was, for the first time, in public wearing the maid dress without a coat. “We can stop in at Glorias Fashions on the way home.” Any passersby who took notice of the two women would clearly see a well dressed woman with her maid. Minnie breathed an inner sigh of relief when they arrived at Glorias Fashions. “I need some corsets for Minnie.” Gloria quickly got to work measuring Minnie. “I was thinking under bust style, something showy that Minnie can wear with a bra.”

Gloria smiled kindly at Minnie “a waist training corset, something in a satin perhaps?” Jennifer nodded her agreement “will you be needing a sleeping corset also?”

“Yes please, how soon can you have something ready?”

“Tomorrow for a first fitting” Gloria continued measuring “and I will have two day corsets and a sleep corset ready by Friday. Minnie will need corset liners and…” thinking of her profit added “and a few bras of course." 

Minnie was unable to hide his surprise when Jennifer showed him the refurbished maids quarters. “Everyone has their own shower and bedroom” Jennifer looked proud of what had been achieved while Minnie was away “with a lock on the door.” She smiled kindly “can’t have anyone bursting in on Minnie in the shower.” He took in the fresh decoration to everywhere, the widescreen television, the music system, the coffee machine, and new furniture in the maids lounge.

“This must have cost, you must have had this all planned!” Minnie stated a little abruptly.

“It sure did, and I did have it planned long before you got all this done” Jennifer laughed softly as she air-swept her hands at his breasts “I know living out your maid fantasy is just a temporary thing, but I do not want my husband living in squalor while I live in luxury.”

“Will you line us maids up first day, have us all call you mistress?” Minnie teased.

“No Minnie” Jennifer looked annoyed “despite appearances you are my husband and you will call me Jennifer…just like the other staff. Is that perfectly clear?”

“I was only joking”

“Well don’t” while she was in a foul mood with Minnie she added “tomorrow you will go for your corset fitting alone.”

While Minnie was at Glorias Jennifer met Katie for lunch. She felt nervous meeting Katie for the first time in a few weeks, and one thing had changed that she felt sure Katie would criticise her for permitting.

“You have agreed to what?” Katie sounded astonished. 

“Well I did say that I would do anything Minnie wanted” a nervous laugh escaped Jennifer “and what did you say Katie…give Samuel enough rope to hang himself.”

“I meant things like heels, slutty uniforms, and suchlike. The sort of thing that maid fetish fiction centres around, not help your husband turn himself into a ladyboy.”

Deep down she knew Katie was right, the nervous laugh escaped again “what’s done is done.”

“Fuck, sorry Jennifer. It’s done?” Katie mirrored the nervous laugh “how big?”

“About my size, well, he said he wanted to fill out his uniform.” Jennifer threw a lopsided smile.

“Having the uniform altered was too expensive?” 

They both laughed. 

Even with the added complication of his breast implants they agreed Samuel would soon tire of being Minnie 24/7 - wether ‘soon’ was a week, a month, or longer, he would tire. “Don’t just agree at the first hint he wants out” Katie advised “make him wait until he is so miserable he never wants to hear the name Minnie let alone put on a dress.”

“That time is already planned for.” Jennifer explained how she would fire Minnie, take on a third maid. Then a month or two later, implantless, Samuel would return from his writers research trip.

Donna, a 22-year-old with a slim figure and vibrant red hair, stood at the entrance of the country house, she nervously anticipated her interview for the position of housekeeper. Her medium height added to her unassuming yet poised presence. Donna wore a crisp white blouse that accentuated her slender frame, tucked into a neatly pressed knee-length black skirt. A black leather belt adorned her waist, emphasising her figure. Completing her ensemble were polished black heels that had clicked against the cobblestone pathway leading to the entrance.

Inside the house, Jennifer and Minnie exchanged a glance as the doorbell echoed through the house. With a knowing smile, Jennifer gestured for Minnie to answer the door.

Minnie hid his nervousness as he moved towards the entrance, uniform crisply pressed and demeanour poised. Minnie opened the door. ”Good afternoon." Minnie let a warm smile spread across his face.

“My name is Donna Green, here for interview with Mrs Collins" Donna replied.

“You are expected Miss Green. I’m Minnie, please, come in. Jennifer is waiting for you in the sitting room," He said, holding the door open for Donna.

Making a mental note of Minnie’s inappropriate informality Donna entered the house, glancing around at the elegant decor and the subtle scent of polished wood that filled the air. Minnie closed the door behind them, leading Donna through a tastefully decorated corridor to the sitting room.

As they approached the room, Donna caught sight of Jennifer, seated in an overstuffed armchair. The room exuded a sense of refined comfort, with antique furniture and tasteful artwork adorning the walls. Jennifer rose to greet Donna, extending a welcoming hand.

"Good afternoon, Donna. I'm Jennifer Collins. Thank you for coming," Jennifer said, her warm smile putting Donna at ease as she sent Minnie to make tea for Donna.

After the initial pleasantries, the interview began, with Jennifer skilfully guiding the conversation to Donna's qualifications and experiences before Minnie returned with their tea. Donna spoke passionately about her dedication to maintaining a tidy and organised home, her attention to detail evident in every word. As the interview progressed, Donna mentioned her current employer, citing them leaving the country as her reason for seeking employment. Jennifer extended her gratitude to Donna for her time and promised to be in touch soon. 

Minnie, hovering in the hallway, escorted Donna back to the entrance.

In the final interview of the day Jennifer interviewed Maria, a shy 19 year old who, she noted, had the same employer as Donna and also required a live-in position. Maria described Donna as a ‘fair but firm’ assistant housekeeper. That settled the matter for Jennifer. 

The day of being laced into his very own new corset finally arrived. In the changing room Minnie first changed into what Gloria called a corset liner. To Jennifer it looked just like a stretchy body that stopped just below the bust. Noticing the stretchy material did nothing to control or conceal his manhood Jennifer watched as Gloria laced Minnie into a lilac satin corset with white lace trims. The top of the corset had been shaped to perfectly encircle the bottoms of his new breasts, making them look even more prominent. “Not too tight for now, a new corset needs a hour or so to condition” Gloria warned, “Anita…come see” she called out.

Anita appeared holding a lilac underwired bra and a strip of material, both made from the same satin material as Minnies corset. Trying not to stare Anita helped Minnie put on the satin bra “when mum was making this bra I said a man could never fill this bra out” She adjusted the shoulder straps, smiled “and now just look at your cleavage Minnie.” Right on cue Minnie blushed but stayed silent. Anita attached the strip of fabric, she called a modesty panel, to the bottom of the corset at the front and, while positioning his cock and balls, pulled it back between his legs and fastened it at the back “you don’t want your sissy flaunting his little penis…there, a perfect flat front. What do you think Jennifer?”  

“Minnie looks so…so…” Jennifer said.

“Feminine, looking at her now I’m finding it hard to believe Minnie was once a man” Anita said “look mum”

Gloria popped her head around the curtain “do you like it Minnie?”

“Very much” Minnie paused, “it is perfect, thank you Miss Gloria.”

Jennifer hid her annoyance at Minnie using ‘miss’ to sound like a maid. Two can play that game she decided “If we go to lunch will you be able to fully lace her corset if we pop back?”

“There’s a nice little café, walking distance. My cousin, Susan’ owns it.” Anita said.

“Would you care to join us for lunch?” Jennifer asked. Even without a pinafore, walking along the street in his maids dress behind two smartly dressed women made Minnies status obvious. Anita tapped away at her cell while chatting with Jennifer, they exchanged giggles as they walked into the café. As Minnie went to sit at the table, Anita decided to take a risk and humiliate Minnie right in front of Jennifer and the other customers. Anita pointed to a table across the isle “you can sit at the maids table, Minnie.”

Jennifer and Anita seemed to be sharing a joke as they looked at the menu while giggling intermittently like schoolgirls. 

“Come here Minnie, we are ready to order” Anita said. 

Despite feeling humiliated before the other diners Minnie rose and stood beside Anita. He assumed their laughter earlier was Jennifer putting Anita up to this. ‘Two can play at this game’ he thought to himself as he waited. Jennifer ordered  a salad. Anita smirked “ask Susan for two salads, just tea for you Minnie otherwise we won’t get your corset laced properly.”

Minnie, now enjoying the scenario like a scene from maid fiction, walked to the counter to order. Susan, pre-warned of the scene that played out before her, hid her amusement well while watching Minnies’ every movement intently. 

“Two salads Minnie” the counter assistant called out, she lowered her voice ‘come back for your tea’ She smiled toward Anita as he picked up the plates. When Minnie returned to collect his tea the counter assistant said “take these to table three for me Minnie” 

He glanced at Jennifer, she looked amused and embarrassed in equal amounts as she watched. Next the counter assistant handed him a cloth to wipe the empty tables. Enjoying the situation he ignored Jennifer and wiped the tables before collecting his tea and sitting at his table. While pretending not to he listened intently to the conversation between Jennifer and Anita discussing what had just happened.

“Did Susan and I go too far?” Anita asked

“Just far enough” Jennifer giggled “to the boundary of too far.”

“Come along Minnie.”

Back in the car, now fully laced to Glorias satisfaction, Jennifer quizzed Minnie about the café. Minnie said “I wish you were more controlling occasionally Jennifer, you know, like Anita and her cousin were.” Minnie smiled.

“You really enjoyed that?” There was surprise in her tone.

“After the initial shock I wanted it to go on and on.”

“Well…I can’t and won’t act meanly toward you - so stop asking!” Jennifer squeezed his knee “I love my husband too much.” She glanced over “even now my husband has strippers tits. Anita says you need a 36c or 34d bra depending on brand.” She giggled “but you already know my 34d bras fit…”

“How did you know?”

“I noticed my lingerie drawer in disarray” Jennifer said “you can help yourself to any you like, it’s okay…and a girl can never have too much lingerie.”

“I’m not a girl, nor a woman.”

Held in traffic Jennifer looked Minnie in the eye, said since the implants she had come to think of his pronouns as ‘she/her’ in preparation for the other staff arriving “just get used to it, as the doctor said it will be around six months before it is safe to remove your breast implants.” 

“When you say it like that I feel as if I am trapped as Minnie for a half year.”

“You know full well you are Minnie” Jennifer pulled into traffic “I asked you to reconsider, the doctor warned you and he asked, repeatedly, if you had second thoughts.”

Minnie sat quietly then said being she/her at the uniform shop “that will save any chance of the new maids discovering our secret.”

“That’s my girl”

As they drove across the city Minnie complained the new corset was far too tight. Jennifer ignored his complaint saying his old uniform was too big for his waist he needed to get a uniform that looked smart “you cannot continue wearing that old uniform, plus, I want my maids to match.”

Jennifer took a lilac maid uniform from the rack “I’m fed up with seeing you wearing black day after day, this will match your corset. And this peach one.” Jennifer held up the hangers to Minnie “knee length for daytime Minnie, no shorter,” the sales assistant hovered nearby, “you will need formal black uniform for evenings.”

As Minnie tried on a day uniform the sales assistant said the material was easy clean, resisted creasing, hard wearing. Jennifer asked the assistant what style of formal uniform was popular, she suggested “hem around 3 inches above knee, half sleeve and scoop neckline. May I suggest a petticoat evening times to add a little fulness to the skirt.”

With his tightly corseted body the day uniforms, with fitted bodice and flared skirt, fitted perfectly. The sales assistant handed him an evening uniform to try on. Once again Jennifer declared it a perfect fit. 

“I feel exposed wearing this Mrs Collins” Minnie folded his arms beneath his breasts “my chest is on display.” 

“The scoop neck displays your cleavage a little, but, with modestly.” Jennifer declared the lace edging to neckline, sleeve, and hem ‘cute’ and the sales assistant produced a similarly edged serving apron which she tied around his waist with a perfect bow at the back. Unbeknown to Minnie the thin satin material did little to hide the outline of his nipples.

“You look very smart Minnie” Jennifer declared “I’ll take all three” she checked her watch “it’s getting late, get changed quickly” she asked the sales assistant to have ‘Minnie’ embroidered on the right side of each then send them on. 

“I’ll make sure they arrive by Monday Mrs Collins”

The arrival of Donna and Maria infused a new energy into the Collins household. Minnie, welcomed the two new maids with a smile. Next morning Donna and Maria emerged from their bedrooms wearing lilac uniforms. Having checked their appearance one final time in the maids lounge mirror they stepped into matching lilac heels. “Mrs. Collins wants you to wear these” Donna held out a pair of heels toward Minnie with a smile “rubber heel covers to prevent click, click, click.”

“Jennifer never mentioned new shoes. They look uncomfortable” Minnie said.

“Mrs. Collins told me.” Donna said with emphasis on ‘Mrs. Collins’ 

Minnie reluctantly put the heels on.

Minnie began guiding Donna and Maria through the rooms, explaining the intricacies of their tasks. To Minnie's surprise, Donna, with an air of authority, declared, “let me stop you right there Minnie, Mrs Collins hired me as her housekeeper. While I appreciate you showing me the layout of the house, I am in charge of the day-to-day operations, you, Minnie and Maria will follow my instructions, working as a team we will have no problem in keeping this house immaculate.”

Minnie, momentarily taken aback, nodded in agreement. As the trio gathered in the hallway, Donna handed a list of cleaning tasks to Minnie and Maria.

“We begin a room-by-room deep clean today starting with the kitchen before cook arrives. I expect these tasks to be completed before lunch," Donna instructed, her tone firm but not unkind.

Minnie and Maria set about their assigned duties, Jennifer observed the scene with a hint of amusement as she passed by the open doorway. She made a mental note to relive the moment, on the security system, when Minnie discovered Donna was her boss. The dynamics had shifted, and Minnie, who had relished the idea of bossing maids around, now found himself following someone else's instructions. In the hours that followed, the kitchen echoed with the sounds of scrubbing, dusting, and the occasional hum of vacuum cleaners. Donna, with an efficient demeanour, supervised the first day of the deep cleaning operation, ensuring every nook and cranny received meticulous attention.

Just before lunch, Donna conducted a thorough inspection of the completed tasks. She praised Maria for her meticulous work, acknowledging the newly arrived maid's commitment to the cleaning. However, when it came to Minnie's efforts, Donna pointed out several shortcomings.

"Minnie, attention to detail is crucial in this household. I expect better from you. Ensure the oven is properly cleaned before you finish tonight," Donna declared, her words leaving no room for negotiation.

Minnie, shocked at being reprimanded within earshot of Jennifer, nodded in acknowledgment. “I am sorry Donna.”

Waiting until he was alone, Jennifer approached Minnie with a gentle smile "Donna takes her role seriously, doesn't she?" She remarked, her eyes filled with amusement.

Minnie, somewhat frustrated, replied, “we never agreed Donna would be in charge."

Jennifer chuckled, "Well, my dearest Minnie, you insisted you wanted the role of  full-time maid. Donna is employed as my housekeeper. And as you discovered earlier, Donna will ensure the house is kept in top condition, to the standard of cleanliness you once demanded from the contract cleaners.”

A couple of days later, well into the evening, Donna assigned Minnie to wait in the kitchen for Jennifer to leave the sitting room “wait until Mrs.Collins goes to bed then tidy the sitting room before you finish.”

Minnie listened a while, knocked on the door and, receiving no answer, opened the door. Jennifer sat opposite the crackling fire reading, gone-cold tea on the table beside her chair, putting her book aside she looked up “you surprised me Minnie, I thought everyone was in bed.”

“I had homework” Minnie took several sheets of paper from his apron pocket, thrusting them at her. 

“What is this…you have been given lines?” Jennifer began to laugh softly as she saw ‘at all times I will only address my employer as Mrs. Collins’ repeated over and over.

“It is not funny” Minnie theatrically looked over as his shoulder, enunciated clearly “Mrs. Collins” and went on to explain Donna had finally lost patience with him, she had told him to write it out twenty times “I was so angry I filled all the paper she gave me, that will teach her.”

“Donna will be pleased you took her punishment seriously and went the extra mile.” Jennifer noticed her tea had gone cold “I’m sure we can work this out over a cup of tea, go make some fresh tea for us both Minnie.” 

Jennifer smiled as he poured their tea “it’s been just over a week since Gemma and Maria arrived, how are you finding the transition so far?”

Minnie, unable to contain his frustration any longer, sighed. "It's not what I expected, Jen…Mrs. Collins I thought being Minnie was about me enjoying acting the role of maid. Donna's constant scrutiny and strictness make it feel like a job. What makes it worse she is little more than a child.”

“I am surprised you feel that way Minnie, you told me how you loved being totally subservient around Anita and, her cousin, Susan. That is one reason I considered Donna a perfect fit as housekeeper.”  Her charity work had helped Jennifer sharpen her ‘thinking-on-feet’ skills and she employed those to her best ability. “You repeatedly asked me to act as your mistress, when I refused to treat you meanly you slipped into your old ways, spending your days playing pointless computer games when dressed as Minnie.” Jennifer smiled “from what I see, beside being strict Donna when required, she is friendly and helpful.”

Minnie softened “I guess she is, when…” he giggled “when I do my job properly.”

“Then use that knowledge to your advantage” Jennifer said as if speaking to a puppy or imbecile. “Time and time again you asked me to be strict with you Rather than complaining to me you should be taking this opportunity to thank me for providing you with a housekeeper who is strict when you misbehave.”

Minnie, realising the sense in Jennifer's words, stood and collected up the tea things. “Thank you.” As he reached the door to leave he turned back, a big smile spread across his face “goodnight Mrs. Collins.”

Following his late night chat with Jennifer Minnie carefully planned how to draw Donna into the game of submission and reprimand he longed for. As they cleaned one of the guest bedrooms together, Minnie, with a sly smile, pulled his iPhone from the pocket to play candy crush. He knew the risk - each morning when she assigned duties to Minnie and Maria, Donna always finished with “don’t forget…door wide open while you clean the room.”

Maria continued her work fully aware of low Whoosh, Womp-womp, Ta-da, Ding-ding from time to time, “Donna will hear, you are asking for trouble” Maria innocently warned.   

Donna paused at the doorway as she made her rounds by clearing her throat Donna signalled for them to acknowledge her presence. Acting startled, Minnie quickly slipped his iPhone into the pocket in the folds of his maid uniform. "Oh, Donna! I was just... um, taking a short break."

Donna, her gaze shifting between Minnie and Maria, crossed her arms. "Minnie, we've discussed this before. No unauthorised breaks during working hours.” As the words left her lips she realised there was a simple way to reign in this aspect of Minnie’s unruly behaviour. Donna, portraying her angriest of faces, couldn’t help but smile on the inside.

"I'm sorry, Donna. It won't happen again, I promise" Minnie responded, his gaze lowered.

“If anything I blame myself ” Donna said with a smile. Addressing both maids she decided to reshape the dynamics. "This incident highlights a problem, as Minnie has demonstrated, two equal-status maids can't be trusted when left unsupervised.” Donna’s smile widened as she paused briefly for effect. “Starting now Maria, you are senior maid, as such I hold you responsible for Minnie when I'm absent.” Donna smirked, “Minnie, you have earnt yourself the job title ‘junior maid’ and I expect you to behave as such."

“I won’t let you down Donna” Maria said and, with a nod of acknowledgment, resumed her work. Junior maid Minnie seethed inside. His playful game had both worked and backfired. He loved the way Donna gently reprimand and humiliated him. He hated the thought of Jennifer learning he had been demoted to nineteen-year old Maria’s junior. 

And Maria’s way of sweetly saying things like ‘would you like to clean the bathroom while I finish up in here…is that okay?’ made him even angrier…

Cook had been busy since first light, the delicate aroma of bread and pastries filled the air, Minnie and Maria bustled about the sitting room, preparing to serve refreshments for Jennifer's book club. Dressed in their matching lilac maid uniforms embroidered with their names, lilac heels, and white half pinafores they moved purposely, ensuring each cup and plate was placed with precision. From time to time Donna popped her head around the door to check everything was going to plan.

Jennifer once disliked the country gossip-mill that worked like a high speed instabook or some such. Now she took pride from the way it carried tales of her well ordered household after bridge mornings, lunch gatherings, book club, or similar charity events. In fairness, there was little else for the women of the surrounding villages to do while successful husbands ran businesses in the city. At times they voiced envy of Jennifer, passing little comments along the lines of  ‘she’s so lucky’ or ‘it will be like another honeymoon when Samuel comes home’ if Samuel’s name came up in conversation - usually in the context of another lunch companion complaining about their own overbearing husband’s unreasonable demands. 

‘If only they knew’ Jennifer mused as she watched a contented looking Minnie passing around cups of tea and coffee. Seeing him so happy had Jennifer feeling all warm and fluffy inside.

As the members of the book club settled into the plush chairs, engaged in lively discussions about the month's literary selection, Maria and Minnie discreetly moved through the room, anticipating the needs of the guests. Silently, they observed the animated conversations, the rustle of pages turning, and the occasional burst of laughter.

Minnie had recently re-read the book they discussed, it was one of his favourites, and he harboured deeper insights than the opinions being aired around the room. Minnie decided book club was his perfect chance for revenge on Donna for demoting him. He daydreamed - Donna would have to step up - take back control - reprimand him…his daydreams wandered directionlessly, like a carrier bag blown by wind…no more delegating to Maria! - and best of all, there was a chance, a small chance, but a chance that soft natured Jennifer would be so angry by Donna’s lack of control that…

Minnie snapped back into the moment, approached the group, cleared his throat, conversation paused, his timing perfect. "I couldn't help but overhear your discussion about the book, it’s an old favourite of mine" Minnie began, a gleam of enthusiasm in his eyes. He began "I found the protagonist's journey quite captivating…”

Jennifer shot a quick, uneasy glance at Minnie, Maria looked shocked. There was a subtle shift in the atmosphere—a deviation from the expected role of a maid serving silently in the background. Jennifer wished there were a discreet way to stop Minnie blurring the lines between servant and participant. Thinking someone should invent a remote control for maids like they had for video recorders, Jennifer finally caught his attention. Minnie locked eyes with Jennifer, smiled briefly, and continued voicing his opinion on the book. Inside Jennifer felt angry and amused, in a 24 to 76 ratio, by his intentional misbehaviour.

Book club members, initially taken aback, exchanged glances before politely responding. They hesitated to offer anything more than cursory acknowledgement of Minnie's unexpected engagement in their meeting. In the confusion Maria silently slipped out of the room to summon Donna.

As the conversation continued, Minnie contributed insights with grace and intelligence, his thoughts began resonating with the book club members. However, unspoken discomfort lingered in the air, a tension that Jennifer couldn't ignore.

After the book club members departed, still angry, Jennifer headed toward the kitchen, toward sounds of Minnie and Donna talking. Upon hearing Donna’s tone of voice Jennifer paused, still out of sight, near the door that stood ajar…

Donna had seized the opportunity to address Minnie's behaviour “…you rudely overstepped your boundaries during the book club. As a maid, your role is to serve, not to engage in conversation with the guests. I require you to remember your place at all times."

Minnie, thinking ‘this is more like it’ nodded obediently as he kept his eyes locked toward Donna’s feet, "I can only offer my sincere apology Donna. It won't happen again."

Donna, temporally mollified with the acknowledgment, silently continued with her tasks. However, she was not done. Donna, gaining second wind felt the need to re-emphasise the status of Minnie's role, engaged her in a longer conversation. "Don't misunderstand, Minnie. Your duties as a maid are crucial to the smooth running of this household. Mrs Collins values your commitment, and so do I.” Jennifer sensed a rising anger in Donna’s voice “Guests should never feel any discomfort, as they did earlier, due to any unexpected deviation from the usual routine."

Minnie replied respectfully, "I understand, Donna. I appreciate the reminder, now that you have warned me. From this point on I am committed to maintaining the proper boundaries."

Jennifer, hidden from view, was on the verge of intervening. A strange mix of curiosity and excitement gripped her, Jennifer found herself trying to remember the German word for taking pleasure from someones misfortune before returning her attention to eavesdropping. Jennifer was enjoying overhearing the scenario as much as she would an excellent radio play. Especially lead character Donna's confident and authoritative tone. Jennifer decided to let the situation play out when Maria entered the kitchen from the maids passageway. 

Donna, calmly addressing both maids now, outlined Minnie’s misbehaviour again, “…as you witnessed Maria, Minnie purposely disrupted the book club by engaging Mrs. Collins guests in conversation. It's essential for her to understand the consequences. She will be kneeling on the kitchen floor for the next fifteen minutes as a lesson.”

Maria looked on in surprise. As Minnie knelt Donna continued, "This will remind her of her place as junior maid, and the importance of adhering to established conduct standards.” Maria, though taken aback, nodded in understanding.As the minutes passed, the tension in the kitchen grew. “You will remain in the kitchen and wear this for the rest of the day” 

Not wishing to risk discovery Jennifer silently walked away.

After the allotted time, Donna allowed Minnie to rise, a stern expression still etched on her face. As much as he wanted to rush off and masturbate with humiliation fresh in his mind, Minnie silently resumed his duties with a renewed sense of humility. Donna and Maria left the kitchen. Alone, still high with discipline overload, unsupervised Minnie worked diligently.

When Jennifer made her way to her bedroom a little earlier than usual that night it was to review the events of earlier undisturbed. Sensing the humiliation Minnie must have felt filled Jennifer with a peculiar thrill as she watched the event. Donna had drawn a line that set apart housekeeper and, by ensuring Maria witnessed the punishment, both maids. As the recording reached the part where Donna said “You will remain in the kitchen and wear this for the rest of the day” Jennifer was stunned to see Donna place a length of duct tape across Minnie’s mouth.

In the past city-Jennifer’s knee-jerk reaction would have been confront Donna. Since moving country-Jennifer had learnt to take a more considered approach. Returning to the security footage she saw that once alone Minnie in the kitchen, even wearing duct tape, looked happy. Having invested so much money in the covert camera system Jennifer decided, rather than reveal its existence, for time being at least, she would remain a covert observer.

Waiting for tiredness to sweep over her Jennifer replayed earlier events on her iPhone, skipping back and forth looking for any earlier mention of ‘junior maid’ without success. Jennifer assumed that conversation must have taken place in a place not covered by the cameras. Jennifer made a mental list of where that may have been; a bedroom, Donna’s room, outside… 

The thrill at watching Minnie purposely misbehaving, the shock at witnessing her husband endure such humiliation, continued creating a strange tapestry of emotions within her. In the quiet moments that followed, Jennifer logged back onto the security camera live feed; Minnie’s room.

Feeling a little guilty at snooping on a private moment Jennifer watched Minnie in his bedroom. He was dressed in his sleep corset, kneeling on the floor - like the scene earlier, slowly masturbating while mumbling a phrase over and over. One hand stroked his cock, the other alternated thumbing one nipple then the other. Jennifer skipped back to the point where Minnie laced himself into the sleep corset. She popped in AirPods and turned up the volume. Now the scene made sense. ‘This will remind you of your place as junior maid in this house’ Minnie repeated over and over as he masturbated.

Anger welled up inside Jennifer, she put her iPhone aside and turned the light out. In the dark bedroom she lay wide awake, angry at seeing her husband masturbating, his mind focussed on another woman. One hare-brained punishment idea after another came to her. 

Dawn light filtered through the curtains by the time Jennifer calmed. 

If anyone was at fault, she told herself, it was her. She had supported, no, encouraged her husband to explore his fantasy. 

Then refused to be the mistress he begged her to be. 

Then encouraged him to manipulate Donna. 

If anyone was in the wrong it was her, Jennifer, who selfishly embraced living as if a single woman, free to come and go as she wished, free to embrace her passion to live a philanthropic life. Her mind had wandered to nights when they still shared a bed, when Samuel would press his desperate cock into the small of her back, when she would feign sleep. While she chose a chaste life it was not her right to impose that on Minnie. Jennifer decided she had no right to judge him for whatever fantasy accompanied his masturbating. 

Jennifer sent Donna a text ‘no breakfast, no sleep last night, fresh bedclothes while I bathe’ By the time Jennifer had taken a bath Maria had the bed looking five star hotel crisp. While making small talk Jennifer mentioned her sleepless night had left her with a stiff neck and arm.

Donna tapped softly at the door “Maria mentioned you had a sore neck Mrs. Collins, would you care for a neck massage, my mother, a qualified massage therapist, taught me.”

Not ready to initiate a conversation about events of the previous day, Jennifer resumed small talk. After some pillow and cushion arranging Donna slipped Jennifer’s towel down and, oiling her hands,  began work on her shoulders. Suggesting Donna call her Jennifer while in private, she continued polite conversation while avoiding any mention of events of the past day.

“A bed is not ideal for a massage Mrs. Collins” Donna said as she repositioned Jennifer.

“Jennifer” Jennifer reminded “you are used to a massage table?”

“In a perfect world every home would have one, there is no better way to relax. My previous employers had a folding massage table.”

With them both relaxed Jennifer slipped in a few questions…Donna and Maria had settled in very well…they were becoming a cohesive team…

“I worried Minnie might find the change difficult, struggle to fit in” Jennifer said. 

“Not at all Mrs. Collins”

“Jennifer”

“Is that any better?”

“Marvellous” Jennifer enthused while describing circles with her once stiff arm as if a visual proof was required. Donna prepared to leave “my house really should be better equipped Donna, please order a suitable folding massage table.”

“Straight away, Mrs. Collins.” Donna said as she softly closed the door. 

Jennifer called her back “please ensure there are no interruptions at book club in future.”

“Yes Mrs. Collins” Donna re-closed the door and walked away smiling.

With sleep approaching at speed Jennifer quietly chanted into her pillow “Jennifer, Jennifer, call me Jennifer…my name is fucking Jennifer” as if casting a spell of overfamiliarity on Donna.

First thing Jennifer did when she woke was call Katie for advice. “Should I say nothing to Minnie, just forget what happened” she asked after explaining book club events while omitting most of the kitchen indecent.

“No Jennifer, you should reprimand Minnie…and let the others see.”

“I cannot be horrible like that”

“If you let this slip Donna, Maria, and people in your social circle will loose respect for you”

“What do you suggest?”

Katie said she was certain staff would have their own gossip-mill. “One running in parallel to the gossip-mill you ladies of leisure have.” Katie and Jennifer laughed softly. “That is why I’m suggesting you have Donna and Maria witness the reprimand.” Katie paused “and, from what you say, Minnie will enjoy a proper telling off.”

“Then that is exactly what he will not get.” Jennifer said cryptically before ending the call. 

“I wanted Donna and Maria to witness me handing you this Minnie Smith” Jennifer began, Donna, Marie, and Minnie stood the other side of the desk in the rarely used study. Jennifer handed Minnie an envelope. “I need you to understand how serious a written warning is. For the next month you are one step away from dismissal.”

Switching back to her easygoing self Jennifer said “now that is dealt with I want everyone to put recent events behind us. As it is a nice sunny day Donna and Maria can wander into the village, have lunch.” She smiled, looked in Minnie’s direction “I think a treat would be wrong for you, so we will have lunch at home.”

“Time out Minnie” Jennifer said as she sat at the kitchen table “sorry I had to do that. Did Donna say anything to you about book club?”

“She tore me a new one” Minnie laughed softly “you sounded so serious this morning.”

“I was!” Jennifer said, “if you pull a stunt like that again I can’t back down Minnie…so tell me what happened with Donna.” 

Minnie looked shocked, he played down what had happened with Donna “she sounded angry, said how I disappointed her…and you.”

“That’s all?” 

Minnie nodded “yes.” Over lunch he mentioned Donna and Maria would, in all probability, be gossiping about his written warning at that very moment. 

Pleased by how easily he had fallen into her trap Jennifer said “and, one way or another, your maidly gossip gets back to employers” Jennifer laughed kindly “like the gossip I heard recently that Donna now has allocated positions of senior maid and junior maid…is that so?” 

Minnie blushed, avoided eye contact “well, I haven’t heard anything like that.”

“Perhaps I should ask Donna…or better still, Maria.” As recently as a few days ago Jennifer could not have imagined herself taking so much pleasure from a conversation like the one they were having. 

The ongoing silence was too much, Minnie folded, explained how he became junior maid. 

“I think my husband is ready to come home?” She added a hint of rising inflection to encourage a one word reply that began with ‘y’ Jennifer was hopeful the punishment he received from Donna would make him receptive to the idea “I mean everyone knows Minnie is on the verge of dismissal…all it would take…”

“Just a moment,  Jennifer” Minnie cut in “we agreed Minnie would be here for six months. What has changed?”

“Okay, if that is what you want. Six months it is.” Jennifer tried not to look serious, but hiding how angry she felt at being refused took up all of her self control. “Time out over Minnie.” Jennifer stood, her heart raced, rushing blood thumped in her ears as she took a pad of paper from the drawer. “Write ‘I will not address Mrs. Collins as Jennifer’ until Donna returns.” She threw the pad down “and make sure you remember that for six months”and walked out slamming the door behind her.

Katie was right on the money, the staff rumour-mill was very efficient. Next morning at the gym one of the book club ladies, on the adjacent treadmill, asked if Jennifer had threatened Minnie with dismissal for the prank at book club “and, to think, everyone thought you a pushover.”

Jennifer wore her AirPods music paused, in transparency mode.

As the line of treadmills filled new gossip arrived, someone explained, third or fourth hand, Minnie’s written warning to a newcomer. Jennifer did not recognise newcomer, but newcomer knew of the Collins household. “And she had the junior maid writing lines while her housekeeper was out” newcomer offered.

"Minnie," Donna began, her tone measured, "I need to borrow your cell phone. Mine's out of battery, and I need to make an urgent call."

"I'm sorry, Donna, but I can't lend you my cell phone," Minnie replied, he noticed Maria paying attention.

Donna's expression tightened, her eyes narrowing with a subtle challenge. "Minnie, you will hand over the cell phone. I need it for an important call, and this isn't up for negotiation."

Memories of the humiliating punishment Donna had subjected him to flashed through Minnie's mind. The thought of defying her was too much-too soon, with a reluctant sigh, he reached into the pocket of his uniform and handed over his iPhone to Donna.

Donna, satisfied with her victory, retreated to a corner of the kitchen, her fingers tapping on the screen as she made the urgent call. Minnie, standing by, felt a sense of vulnerability as he watched. Maria quietly told Minnie “this is your fault Minnie, using your cell instead working, Donna took my cell and changed my lock code earlier.”

As Donna concluded her call, she turned to Minnie with a cryptic smile, ”thank you, Minnie, I'll return it shortly.” And left the room.

Donna's possession of his iPhone hung over Minnie like a storm cloud over Nauru. “I changed the lock code on your cell, just like I changed Maria’s earlier” Donna paused, glanced at Maria, “but I expect she told you that already, I still want you both to carry your cell at all times to enable me to summon you.” Her tone softened, she smiled “when you finish your work each day I will unlock your cell and you can play games to your hearts content.” 

Minnie relaxed a little, Donna issued the days tasks and reminded them to leave doors open as they clean.

“Start in the shower room” Maria said. Minnie recognised her abruptness as a warning her period was due, ‘sure’ he casually answered. For a while they worked apart in silence. Maria appeared at the doorway looking for a fight, she watched Minnie cleaning the shower tray “what’s taking you so long?”

“Limescale”

“That’s how you talk to me now?”

“There is a limescale build up that needs cleaning” Minnie glanced up, smiled. 

“I don’t have a name?” Maria stood with her arms crossed. 

“Sorry I was concentrating on my work Maria” 

“Perhaps you should learn to be more respectful” Maria smiled “call me Miss Maria when we work together.”

“Miss Maria?” Minnie frowned “you are only 19.”

“Fun fact Minnie, maids would have called daughters of the house Miss back in the day. My junior maid addressing me as Miss Maria shows respect while acknowledging I am much younger…well?” 

“I can show you respect Miss Maria.”

Maria turned away, her monthly monster satisfied by its victory. Out of earshot she whispered “yes!” and punched the air, having a junior maid instead of being a junior maid was getting to be fun!

On Maria’s rest day Donna sought out Minnie the kitchen. The room, typically the bustling heart of the house, now acted as a stage upon which an unexpected confrontation was about to begin. "Minnie," Donna began, her tone so calm Minnie thought she was about to assign him a new task, "I couldn't help but notice something when I borrowed your cell phone. Something that made me very angry.” 

Minnie, visibly anxious, remained silent. 

“You will kneel facing me and remain silent until I indicate you may speak.” Minnie nodded as he kneeled. “Your carelessness, Minnie, has put me in an awkward position. You left sensitive information that should have been deleted on your iPhone for anyone to see. Donna looked serious,“if anyone else had discovered your secret, even Maria or Cook, gossip would soon make Mrs. Collins life untenable, the Collins household a laughing stock.” Donna paused for effect and described a scenario where, unable to live with the shame, they were forced to sell the house and move to a place no-one knew them. 

Minnie looked close to tears. 

“Having stumbled across your secret it’s impossible, for me, to unknow Samuel and Minnie are one and the same.” Donna smiled kindly “luckily for you I can keep a secret and I will not draw my discovery to Mrs. Collins attention, but neither will I lie to her. What do you have to say?” 

“If you don’t mention you know there is no chance Mrs. Collins will suspect a thing.”

“Okay, we’ll leave it like that for now.” Donna outlined how Mrs. Collins worked hard to provide a perfect setting for Minnie to live out his fantasy, this left her with insufficient free time to constantly supervise him. Donna attributed his selfish misbehaviourisms to a lack of supervision, describing them as ‘a cry for attention.’ 

“As you know Minnie I cannot abide an incomplete task” Donna said she would step up and fill his need to be supervised until such times as Mrs. Collins told her different “I understand from researching people like you, ‘sissy maids’ I think is the correct term…” Donna noticed Minnie looked pleased “in effect I will become your ‘Mistress’ - have I got that right?”

Minnie smiled “yes Mistress.” 

Donna reviewed the list in her head (a novice Mistress could never possess too many layers of control).

Tick step 1 

She told him to call her Mistress in only private. 

Tick step 2. 

“Now that is settled my first duty as your Mistress is to address a pressing matter.”

Minnie, visibly anxious, inquired cautiously, "What do you mean?"

Donna, spoke with a fresh out the box air of authority. "Having a man, even a sissy, sharing the maids' quarters with Maria and I is not something that can continue. I have a solution that will ensure an appropriate relationship is maintained between coworkers."

Minnie’s heart raced, he already knew the answer but asked the question anyway. "What do you propose, Mistress?”

"I think you know the answer to that” Donna smirked as she looked at Minnie “it's time for me to put you into a chastity device Minnie. This will ensure your presence in the maids' quarters doesn't lead to any unpleasantness. I can keep your chastity secret if that is what you want” Donna smirked “well…as you wish to be secretive about our new relationship then my guess is…you’re not intending to tell Mrs. Collins your Mistress has put you in chastity.”

Tick step 3.

Minnie, shocked by the implication, felt a wave of discomfort wash over him. There was a time Samuel longed to suggest chastity play to Jennifer, in his fantasies Jennifer would wear a key around her neck. In reality he always knew Jennifer would do no such thing, no matter how much he pleaded. Now the idea of wearing a chastity device at Donna’s behest terrified him in the same way the idea of crossing a busy road, eyes closed, terrified him. Any hankering he once held to wear the badge of submission that featured in almost every maid story evaporated without trace.

"Mistress, I understand your concerns, but your suggestion is an extreme measure," Minnie protested, “knowing my secret and me accepting you as my Mistress is control enough…I promise it is.”

"It's not a suggestion Minnie, you will wear the chastity device.” Donna, pleased by Minnie's malleability so far, smiled kindly and reviewed her list. 

Tick step 4.

“I notice from your iPhone that you have already ordered, priority delivery, such a device.” She handed him a small package “and look what arrived this morning.” Donna turned away to give him privacy and smiled.

He opened the package, it consisted of a sleek, rigid, mesh like tube, a secure fastening mechanism nestled behind his testicles ensured a snug fit. Rather than heavy metal that Minnie expected it was made from a strong resin type material. It was designed with a curve to hold his penis back between his legs and once covered by his corsets modesty panel would be undetectable. 

He noticed it had two unusual features - usb C socket - lack of a visible locking mechanism.

Keen to get it over with before Donna turned back toward him, and saw his flaccid cock, he soon had his cock inserted and upon pushing it against the retaining ring heard a buzz and click. No matter how much he tugged and prodded the two parts were inseparable. Inside the box was a QR code, an app appeared on his iPhone, it vibrated and a splash screen said ‘identifying chastity’ then ‘welcome Minnie’ his iPhone screen flickered ‘reading contacts - reading messages - reading email - reading photos… 

“Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days” Donna’s iPhone chimed, she looked amused, “even in your panties.”

Tick step 5.

Jennifer met Katie in the bustling city. Katie’s partner, Adrian, still had a while left on his tour of duty. A day shopping and lunching was the perfect way for Jennifer to cheer-up her lonely friend. 

The streets buzzed with activity as they made their way to their favourite café for a mid-morning coffee break. As they settled into a quiet corner booth, sipping on steaming cups of coffee, Katie guided the conversation until her love for massages just happened to slip into the conversation. "Why don't we take a break from shopping and treat ourselves to a massage? We deserve a little pampering," she suggested, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. “Let’s go get one before lunch.”

Jennifer, recalled feeling self conscious when Donna massaged her shoulder, said “I’m not sure about a massage, having some stranger seeing me in my undies then hands.…”

“In my undies?” Katie sniggered “what are you ten?” 

"I'm not sure it’s for me," she murmured, her reluctance weakening. “You go, I’ll shop.”

Katie, sensing her faltering, tried again. "Come on, Jennifer" she urged, her persuasive tone soft yet insistent. "It'll be a fun experience, I promise, and I’ll be right there beside you. I can even hold your hand…”

Jennifer felt a swing of her modesty scales - curiosity outweighing apprehension. With a shared sense of adventure, they made their way to a nearby beauty salon. Inside the salon, the soothing scent of essential oils enveloped them even before they were greeted like regulars by the welcoming staff. Katie led the way, her excitement contagious as they were shown to a private room for their massages. Side by side on plush massage tables, Jennifer checked the towel ensured some level of modesty, She glanced nervously toward Katie before settling into the opening for her face. The gentle hands of their respective masseuses worked their magic, kneading away tension and stress with expert precision.

As the minutes ticked by, Jennifer felt herself surrendering to the sensation, her initial apprehension melting away with each soothing stroke. Before turning onto her back she closed her eyes and imagined her masseuse had done likewise.

Beside her, Katie let out a contented sigh, her features softened by the blissful state of relaxation. “Isn’t this is exactly what we needed," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper “are there any extras today?” Katie added a little louder with a wink at her masseuse. 

Now Jennifer felt  80% embarrassed and 20% puzzled at why Katie had asked for female masseuses. 

“Sure, happy ending £30 or £50 for you both” the young masseuse said with a smile.

“I’m in, how about you Jennifer?” Katie smiled. “My treat.”

“No thanks, I’m going for a shower” Jennifer blushed as she wrapped a robe around her and stepped into the shower room.

Jennifer felt an awkwardness between them that would last until lunch “I can’t believe you did that Katie.” 

“It’s no biggie”

“And you thought I would…well you know, and with a woman! What would Adrian say if he knew?”

Katie laughed, said she would text Adrian later, he would be cross he wasn’t there to watch, “a male masseuse would be a whole different matter, now that would be cheating” she giggled.

“You think that wasn’t cheating?”

“No, silly. It’s just one small part of relaxing, keeping my needs under control in a non-cheating way. It’s not like I’m a lesbian or even bi.”

“I must admit once I had gotten over being naked it was quite calming”

“Told you! Thing is Jennifer, you don’t consider your vibrator or Minnie’s maid-wanking as cheating do you, so how is a happy ending cheating? You should go try it, alone if you’re shy, somewhere no-one knows you.”

Jennifer skipped over not owning a vibrator saying “I never should have told you about that Minnie thing.” As the mood lightened between them Jennifer was about to say ‘maid-wanking is off the table’ but stopped herself just in time - that secret needed some more pondering. 

“Katie giggled “tell me about that shoulder massage Donna gave you again. This time don’t leave anything out.”

Jennifer playfully punched Katies arm saying “what do you take me for” mock offendedly, laughed “What is the saying - never shit on your own doorstep.” At lunch Jennifer noticed her friend wore a contented look that had been absent for too long. 

The embarrassing massage was a small price to pay to see Katie glowing Jennifer mused on her lonely drive home. Her after clothes shopping come-down strengthened, Jennifer slipped into a mood thinking over the chastity incident she saw when browsing the security cameras.  A few days had passed and she was still felt unsure how to react. With a wicked smile she decided punishing Minnie for keeping it from her would be a good interim reaction.

Despite having three maids and a part time cook Jennifer rarely entertained evenings. Donna nearly hid her surprise when Jennifer said “I have a guest coming to dinner, staying the night I hope, please let cook know we will only need a light meal.” 

She felt a rush of excitement when Minnie swung his head around and, thinking he was out of Donnas eye-line, silently mouthed ‘who’ several times. She ignored him and, pleased by his worried look added “please have Minnie serve our dinner in the snug.” 

Donna had seen Minnie’s reaction, she decided to try out her newly acquired Mistress persona, “I noticed Mrs. Collins had a lot of bags when she came home today Maria.”

“I know! I only just finished unpacking them all.” Pleased to be the sole possessor of news for once Maria smiled and plowed on “Mrs. Collins bought a new dress, well a complete outfit…panties to perfume if you know what I mean” she paused, let a little giggle slip “and did you notice her hair?”

Donna egged Maria on saying “I wonder who the guest is…did anyone else notice how Mrs. Collins avoided revealing the mystery guests gender…”

“Has to be a man” she interrupted, excitement had gotten the better of Maria “no one buys lingerie like that for a woman.” 

Minnie could take no more, tears streamed down his face as he ran from the kitchen. Donna closed the kitchen door behind her, slipping off her heels the novice Mistress stealthily followed.

With just a few emails to attend to and an empty afternoon stretching out before her Jennifer wandered the house, checking the guest bedrooms to pass time. Jennifer ran a finger here and there, searching for a speck of dust in the immaculate bedroom, realised there had been an element of truth in Minnie’s criticisms of the contract cleaners. She jumped as, behind her, someone shut the bedroom door.

Minnie stood there, tears streaking his mascara into a clown face, sobbing uncontrollably. Jennifer had promised herself she would stay in character until his six months were up, but seeing her husband in such a state was too much. Before she could weaken, hug him close, soothe him, Minnie dropped to his knees sobbing. “Please don’t do it” he dragged an arm across his eyes and nose. “I can’t bear the thought of it a second longer” he was babbling “I will stop this now…go back to Samuel…I’ll do anything if you don’t do it…” He paused for breath.

“Calm down! What don’t you want me to do?”

“Sleep with him”

“What? Who?”

“Whoever is coming tonight” Minnie returned to sobbing, managed to get out “please don’t cuckold me Mrs. Collins.”

Minnie sobbed “please don’t do it” dragging an arm across his eyes and nose. “please don’t cuckold me…”

They stared at each other for a second 

Long enough for Jennifer to fully understand the accusation in Minnie’s words. Long enough for Minnie to see the hurt on her face, the tears welling up in her eyes, he had crossed a line. “This has gone too far, I am terrified of loosing you, you were right, it is time for Samuel to come home.”

“It’s not that easy Minnie…I am hurt and angry, you just accused me of intending to fuck another man…how could you?” 

Donna stood at the bottom of the stairs, far out of eavesdropping range if discovered and yet not missing a single sob, iPhone to ear she used her Mistress app’s handy ‘monitor’ function to listen in to Minnie’s iPhone with clarity such that she could have been standing in the bedroom with them.

Jennifer used the time he was engaged in unsobbing to guide their conversation  in the direction signposted advantage Jennifer, “pull yourself together, Katie is the person coming to dinner” She roughly shoved a box of Kleenex at him “here wipe your eyes” it took several more Kleenex and several more minutes before Minnie was anything like back to normal “I cannot believe how you overreacted to my little tease. And that is all it was, I know how much you like it when fictional wicked wives behave like that.”

“I’m sorry”

If it had not been for his infidelity accusation Jennifer may have felt guilty her prank had upset Minnie so. But he had. But she didn’t. She had no reason to let her advantage slip and sat on the edge of the bed, patted next to her. “Time out” she said in a spider to the fly like way.

In outlining the scene for her prank she mentioned her shopping trip with Katie, explained their dinner was to be a dress-up, cheer-up, evening for Katie. “She’s a little down, missing Adrian, we had a massage before lunch that cheered her a little…did Adrian ever mention to you Katie enjoys a massage?”

“Only in passing”

“Katie said he goes with her…to watch, is that right?” Jennifer knew she was on the right track when Minnie blushed “what is it he goes to watch exactly? Before you answer remember Katie and I had a massage together.” Minnie said he was sworn to secrecy then, as Jennifer seemed to have calmed, thought better of being evasive and revealed he knew the reason to be Katie’s liking for happy endings. “Does Samuel have little fantasies like Adrian?”

Minnie blushed deeper, mumbled “sometimes.” 

“If I was feeling lonely like Katie would Samuel be okay if I cheered myself up like she does?”

Minnie’s heart skipped a beat, he wondered if Jennifer intended taking him to watch, wondered if he would be wearing uniform, wondered if Jennifer would call him her husband. His cock, eager for attention, struggled to escape its prison “I think he would.”

Jennifer, smiled, rested a hand on his knee “are you getting hard thinking about it” she slid her hand along his thigh, pausing at mid-thigh to drink in his worried look “I’m on the massage table…you are watching…” Jennifer let a finger caress his thigh “is this turning my maid on?” 

Minnie’s felt a warm stickiness in his panties answer on his behalf. Desperate to cum and desperate not to, he began multiplying large numbers in his head. People say your life flashes before you as you die, in the moment before chastity discovery excuses flashed before him;

   I can tell her I put myself in chastity

   I can pretend I’m not in the mood

   I can say I hear footsteps

 Minnie was thinking this situation can not get any worse…and then did…

Determined to make him own up, Jennifer slipped off the bed and knelt in the birthday position “time for Mrs. Collins to say sorry for upsetting her maid.” 

In desperation Minnie suddenly stood. 

All Jennifer had wanted was for him to reveal the chastity, now angered by what she saw as his loyalty to his Mistress, that was not enough. Jennifer asked what was wrong, did he not fancy her, did she not turn him on any more, and such like. In the heat of the moment excuses evaded his lips, he simply denied each accusation. She stood, stern face-edly “then you have just wanked…Oh…NO!” Jennifer looked shocked “you were turned on and masturbated to your insulting idea I intended cuckolding you. And this whole sobbing show is a part of a fantasy you’re acting out, I have been such a fool.” 

“No J…Mrs. Collins, you’ve got it wrong.”

She stood. “Have I? Why don’t you show me how wrong I am? If you didn’t wank before you came to find me then do it for me now.” Minnie looked down at the floor. “I thought so Minnie. Now go sort out your makeup before Donna sees you…and stay in the kitchen until you serve dinner, I might be a little calmer by then.”

“Yes, Mrs. Collins.” 

Katie arrived early just as Jennifer was about to tackle some emails. 

“Where is she?”

“Hello Katie” 

“Sorry, nearly ran into the back of a car on the drive down thinking about…” they cheek kissed “I’m so distracted…can I meet Minnie?” 

“Not until dinner” Jennifer smiled, over coffee she casually mentioned her new massage table, it worked Katie wanted to know everything. Soon Katie’s need to meet Minnie was replaced by a need to try the new massage table. With Katie out of the way Jennifer tackled her emails then logged into Samuels email. The chastity device was listed as ‘chastity package including full sissy-maid kit’ she wondered what a sissy-maid kit could possibly include that cost so much. The website was of little help, greyed out, ‘awaiting stock’ against them.

The maids lined up in the kitchen for uniform inspection. Jennifer liked the way Minnie fidgeted while adjusting his uniform, transferring weight from one foot to the other drew her eye to the new looking stripper heels all three wore. Minnie couldn't help but feel self-conscious about the hint of cleavage the formal uniform revealed. His self-consciousness did not escape Jennifer, and neither would it slip past Katie unnoticed. 

Beside being a mood lifting evening Katie and Jennifer also wore their finest clothes to mark the occasion of Minnie’s breast implant reveal to Katie. 

The evening unfolded like a scene from a well rehearsed stage play with Minnie on his best behaviour while assisting Maria. Throughout the meal Minnie noticed Katie's eyes wandering as she spoke, her interest centred on him. Katie seemed to be focussed on his breasts and legs, he smiled, 65% certain her interest in women ran a little deeper than a happy ending.

After dinner, in the quiet confines of the sitting room, Jennifer and Katie found a moment to be alone. Katie seemingly had an endless supply of questions “what do they feel like?”

Jennifer realising she was not in a position to answer honestly took a guess “like strippers tits”

“So they don’t sag?”

“No”

“Has he still got man nipples?”

“More or less.” 

“I guess the implants stretch them out a bit.” 

Once out of questions their conversation meandered through various topics until it settled at Katie heaping praise on Donna “you must find out for yourself…it was sooo good!” She enthused “however, being massaged by a uniformed maid was a little strange, hinted at kinky in a way.”

“In your head you mean” Jennifer laughed kindly “they are just her work clothes, what did you expect her to wear?”

“I don’t know, it just seemed so surreal, her in uniform, those heels she wears constantly, the formality of ‘is this okay Miss West’ all the while me laying there naked.”

Thinking they had both consumed enough alcohol, Jennifer sent a text. Minnie arrived, as instructed, with tea for two. “Where are Donna and Maria?” Katie said as he poured tea. 

“In their rooms Miss West.” He handed round the cups.

“Don’t leave just yet” Katie said as he turned to leave.

Minnie’s thoughts on her attraction to women were renewed as he felt her eyes undressing him, discretion playing no part in her careful head to toe examination. “How long have heels been a part of Minnie’s uniform Jennifer?”

Jennifer knew, in the way lifelong friends know, Katie intended having some fun. She glanced at his shoes with a look of surprise, shrugged “I guess Donna made that decision.”

Katie returned her attention to Minnie, “now we are alone Minnie catch me up, what are your coworkers like?” Katie continued having little digs during her searching conversation at him, a sort of interrosation; have you lost weight since the last time we met, have you changed your hair, is that a new uniform, and so on. He looked relieved when Jennifer said “that will be all tonight, thank you Minnie.”

“I wish I acted as mean as you did tonight during the first week of, what is it you call it…The Minnie Project” Jennifer sat on the edge of Katie’s bed while they chatted “I might never have lost Samuel.”

“I’m sure he’s not lost Jennifer, you’ve just mislaid him” Katie purposely giggled the giggle of someone also containing wine and brandy, sensed despair simmering somewhere within her friend, “this is temporary, you will find Samuel when the time is right.” 

As if puppets controlled by one string they flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, legs hanging down to the floor like they were both sixteen talking boyfriends. “I’m not so sure” Jennifer said, re-told how he had snubbed her offer to return to being her husband. Spurred on by Katie’s sympathetic ear she told her far more than sober Jennifer would have. She shared selected details of the cuckold accusation incident while avoiding mention of the chastity. Once that cat was out of the bag there would be no putting it back. Jennifer smiled at the ceiling, ’once that cock is out of the cage there would be no putting it back’ popped into her alcohol relaxed brain.

Katie tried to put a positive spin on Minnies accusation. “Take it for what it is, a sign he is terrified he might loose you. A sign he is tarting to want Minnie time to end.  Like you said before, stay focussed and no parole for Minnie even if you forgive the accusation.”

“You always know just what to say” Jennifer smiled, kissed Katie’s cheek.

“From what you say, Donna seems to have the measure of Minnie. Perhaps it’s time you used your housekeeper properly.”

“You mean use Donna to distance myself?” 

“Exactly, if Minnie does something wrong tell Donna, if not invent something and tell her anyway” Katie laughter wickedly “or tell the senior maid…” Alcohol hid Maria’s name from Katie.

“Maria” Jennifer said coming to the rescue.

Like the good friend she was, Katie alternated listening and agreeing.

Back in her own bedroom Jennifer lay awake, simmering anger keeping sleep at a distance, re-thinking over and over how ‘please do not cuckold me’ and  ‘I do not trust you to remain faithful’ are ways of saying the exact same thing. Then a voice in her head said  don’t forget the chastity…

Meanwhile Minnie was in his bedroom playing a game the sissy-maid app insisted he play each night blissfully unaware of Donna’s monitoring ability. Similar to a dating app pictures appeared, he swiped left or right. Each game began with a score of ten, swipe wrongly numbers reduce, swipe correctly numbers increase. Get to 20 and the chastity rewarded him with pleasant yet frustrating arousal, get to zero and the chastity punished him with what Minnie imagined to be something akin to a taser on his genitals. Pictures showed men masturbating women and women masturbating men. Regardless of how he actually felt Minnie soon learnt to swipe the men/women pictures left and women/men right.

Katie woke early, sun slipping over the horizon as she slipped out the front door and began to pound tarmac. She followed centre lines of traffic free country lanes for a couple of hours. Not wanting to wake Jennifer she jogged slowly along the gravel drive and around the back of the house thankful there was activity in the kitchen, it’s illuminated window looking like a lilliputian stage upon which Maria and Minnie acted out their parts with unwatched innocence.

“Good morning Miss West”

“It certainly is Maria” as unnatural as it felt to her Katie let the formality run unchallenged having been told the story of Donna stubbornly avoiding calling Jennifer, Jennifer. “Sorry to intrude on your breakfast, the front door is locked”

“Not at all Miss West, Mrs. Collins often takes breakfast in the kitchen with us” Maria picked up the coffee pot “and other meals as well, occasionally I mean” Maria filled mugs with steaming coffee as she filled the air with small talk.

Her endless babbling gave Katie an idea. She found it easy to wind up Samuel, and Minnie, unable to respond, would make a perfect target. She knew anger would simmer inside him and picked up from where she left off the night before by locking him out of the conversation… “how do you find living in the country Maria?”

“It’s so peaceful, I really like it Miss West.”

“Are there many places nearby for a night out?”

“There is a pub in the village.”

“Anywhere that holds dances Maria?” 

“The pub and then there is the village hall.”

Katie noticed Minnie staring at her coffee, a sure sign being left out of the conversation was working “you go every week?”

“Yes, I love dancing. Do you dance Miss West?”

“I love dancing, we must go together one night…if that wouldn’t cramp your style” Katie laughed softly “I’m guessing you have to fight men off.” 

Maria blushed “I’m not dating at the moment Miss West.”

Katie smirked at Minnie “How about you Minnie, is there a special man in your life or do you fight the men off?” Katie had timed it perfectly.

“No-one new in my life Katherine, how about you? Is there a special man, or woman, in your life we don’t know about? Someone to tide you over until Adrian comes home?"

Before Katie could speak Maria jumped up “how dare you speak to a guest like that, please excuse me a second Miss West,” Maria darted across the kitchen at sprite-like speed, “we have had it up to here wth your rudeness Minnie.”

Minnie and Katie automatically looked to see where Maria had had it up to. Katie felt a little disappointed when, rather than indicating where she had it up to, Maria simply opened a drawer “kneel facing the wall Minnie…”

“I am sorry for my outburst Miss West.” 

Maria was not to be distracted “do it now Minnie or shall I summon Donna?” 

Katie took a bite of toast, slowly chewed as if that was an aid to committing events to memory. Minnie knelt as ordered, back to the table. Katie’s eyes widened when Maria tore a length of duct tape from the roll, placed it across his mouth before calmly placing the duct tape back in the drawer, “I am sorry you had to witness that Miss West”

“Witness what?” Jennifer said appearing with the timing of an actor from stage left - or someone who had been the other side of the door live-watching the incident on her iPhone. She glanced around the room, innocently asking “and why is Minnie kneeling there?”

“For rudeness again Mrs. Collins” Maria looked nervous.

Katie was on the verge of inappropriate and uncontrollable laughter “let’s take our coffee into the sitting room Jennifer, I’ll explain everything.” To her surprise Jennifer nodded her agreement and led the way to the sitting room.

Jennifer acted surprised, ‘oh’d and ‘ah’d in the right places as Katie retold earlier events. “Get dressed quickly Katie, I want us to slip out before Donna comes.”

“I had no idea it would end like that Jennifer but I’m so angered by what he accused you of, I am pleased it did.” 

“She” Jennifer said thankful they were alone.

“Whoops”

“I wanted to apologise for this mornings events Mrs. Collins.” Donna had waited until Jennifer sat alone at the table. She had Minnie and Maria standing at the side of the room, formal uniform, looking down, as if awaiting execution by tongue lashing or firing squad.

Jennifer had practised for this moment during the drive home “Katie explained everything and I consider the matter closed, there is no need to delay supper.” She smiled “I’m famished.”

Maria and Minnie remained in place throughout supper. When Donna served tea she mentioned her idea to simplify the household routine; Jennifer would only need to text one number and Donna would assign the job to the most suitable person. “If Maria is up to her elbows in laundry, for instance, I can respond or send Minnie.”

“And if I want someone specific I can include their name” Jennifer said 

“Yes! I never thought of that.” Donna enthused with a smile.

“Like a twenty-first century version of a ‘call system’ old houses once had with bells in the kitchen. Let’s give it a try.” Jennifer enthused right back at her. 

 Not wanting to seem like a child with a new toy Jennifer waited until next day before trying out the new system, texted - tea for 2 study - a little excited to see who would arrive. She guessed Donna and was surprised when Maria arrived with a tea tray. She looked as uncomfortable as sandpaper socks when Jennifer moved from behind the desk to an arm chair and asked Maria to join her for an informal chat “call me Jennifer” she tested as Maria poured. 

“Thank you Mrs. Collins but Donna would not approve such familiarity.” Maria felt nervous, the kitchen incident was still open in her head, and in that head getting fired began with an informal chat. To her surprise Jennifer began by asking how she had decided the life of a maid was for her. “Well Mrs. Collins my family are very religious, some people even call it a sect, well I left home at 16 and got a live in position…” 

Having opened the floodgates Jennifer realised there would be no stopping Maria until all of her pent up words had flowed out. Maria cared little for wasted space between her words “of course without parents watching I was free to date like a hen in a pen full of roosters, don’t get me wrong, I tell them right off Mrs. Collins, I’ll be pure the day I walk up the isle and if they don’t like that…”

“That’s how you arrived in the same house as Donna?” Jennifer ejaculated startling Donna with the sudden interruption.

Maria nodded and, pleased with what she decided to be encouragement, stuck with animal based analogies  “now Donna is a different kettle of fish, not in a slutty way, never even flirts. And when she finally lets them date her, like she is doing them a favour, they fall quick. Then suddenly ‘BOOM’ she dumps them. Breaks their heart, like with Tom the gardener…”

“Donna dated Tom?” Jennifer asked in amazement, it seemed she was oblivious to much that happened in the house.

“He sat eating his tear soaked lunch on the step outside the kitchen for a week like a stray dog, I say it’s all down to her mum’s boyfriend.”

“You mean Donna’s…” 

“Exactly!” Maria cut in “like me, she came into service at 16. Because of him is my guess, but take my advice and don’t go prying Mrs. Collins. Donna is funny about that, I asked about her mums boyfriend once and she says ‘my life is not a book for anyone to pick up and read’ is that tight lipped or what?” Maria gulped down her cold tea giving Jennifer a chance to ask if anyone else knows this stuff. “Not a soul Mrs. Collins, it’s like Donna says,” Maria slipped in a nautical analogy “we run a tight ship, what happens in the Collins household stays in the Collins household.” Maria picked up the tea tray “I’m sorry Mrs. Collins, me going on like that and you having important things…”

Her ears felt the way ears would feel leaving a Nemophila concert, Jennifer arched her back like a twelve year old cat waking from a long sleep on a sunny windowsill, “Not at all Maria, our chat has cheered me up, but I am a little stiff from sitting at the desk, could you ask Donna if she has time free for a massage?”

Jennifer overheard Donna “while Minnie is setting up the massage table you run a bath Maria, plenty of warm towels for Mrs. Collins…one more thing Maria, ensure Minnie understands there are to be no disturbances.”

Jennifer, wrapped in a bath sheet from shoulder to knee, stood beside the massage table “is this okay.”

“Perhaps this might be better Mrs. Collins” Donna handed her a small hand towel. Jennifer, not wanting to get into the ‘call me Jennifer’ thing again, quickly swapped modesty for hand towel across her bottom on the massage table.

Like a pilot readying to embark on a flight from Schiphol to Rarotonga Donna readied herself to begin a massage. She had with her a tote from which she took a small speaker. The soft strains of gentle music filled the air, adding an ambiance of relaxation and tranquility. Still a little sleepy from the warm bath Jennifer tried to hide her surprise as she watched Donna step out of her heels then out of her uniform. Wearing just a set of white undies designed more for bedroom than support, she unhurriedly folded her uniform before taking a white masseuse dress and white heels from her tote. Noticing Jennifer watching Donna laughed softly, “maid dress is for a maid and masseuse dress is for a masseuse.”

Jennifer seized the chance to solve a mystery “I noticed Minnie wears heels like yours now.”

“I know! She looks so much smarter now.” Donna’s voice carried a hint of confidence “wearing those awful canvas shoes made Minnie look like a domestic cleaner wearing a maid uniform.” 

“Did you have anything to do with that?”

“I noticed her shoes at my interview, added heels to the order when Maria and I got measured for our uniforms…” Donna took Jennifers arm “is this okay Jen, too hard?” Jennifer Mmm’d, smiled at Donna’s accidental ‘Jen,’ a near informality. As Donna’s skilled hands worked their magic Jennifer relaxed surrendered to the sensation, thought ‘this is less embarrassing than a strangers hands.’ With each stroke and knead tension from Maria’s morning briefing melted away leaving behind a sense of serenity and well-being. Donna led the conversation slipping into ‘hairdresser speak’ Donna brushed the towel aside as she continued the massage across Jennifers buttocks. Jennifer waited, hopeful, the towel would be replaced soon, she looked around. Donna smiled “so nice to work on someone who works out rather than says they do.”

“Thank you.”

“Busy day?”

“A little paper-work to catch up. Train to the city tomorrow, meeting Katie for lunch.” As the massage came to an end, Jennifer emerged from the experience feeling rejuvenated and revitalised, her body and mind refreshed by Donna's skilled touch. Turning the shower on she said a final thank you. 

"It was my pleasure, Mrs. Collins,” Donna, now wearing her maid uniform, replied.

Katie had booked a horseshoe booth at Café Positano, Jennifer smiled and slid in behind her. Recognising them immediately, the waiter smiled “house red, bowl of Spaghetti Puttanesca, and two forks?” 

Wine at lunchtime soon had them behaving the way they did when teenagers, laughing and giggling about nothing in particular until they were the last remaining lunchtimists. “Okay, okay, you win” Katie said with mock defeatedness. “I promise I will come speak at your book club sometime soon.”

“Not sometime, the next one Katie, everyone is starting to think my ‘friend’ in publishing is fictitious.” Jennifer air-quoted.

“As fictitious as you ‘author’ husband?” Katie giggled and air-quoted right back, she leant in close, as if their booth might be bugged, her breath tingly hot on Jennifer’s neck “talking of writers and their agents, I have a plan. Well, more a plan for us that involves said husband.”

As Katie explained Jennifer Oh’d, Um’d, and Ah’d at appropriate points “I like the way it is supportive of Minnie with a side of sass.”

“I was going for fiendishly devious or diabolically cunning but what you said works” Katie giggled “So you in?”

“Okay, I’m in.” Jennifer said in the knowledge a half carafe of house red and brandies at lunch was not an ideal foundation upon which to base a sound decision.

“A package arrived for you earlier” Donna held the package as she talked “my supervision reinforced by parts one and two of your sissy maid kit will ensure you act in a manner befitting a maid in this household.” She explained it’s contents and how to explain wearing it to Maria. “Though I'd rather not provoke paranoia, it's important you understand that your choker, chastity, and Maid app may converse about your actions behind your back.” Donna said with a smirk, unable to contain her mischief, as she finally handed him the package.

“Get on with it, come on slow coach, let’s see” Maria said as if it were her birthday present he was unwrapping, her excitement diametrically opposed to Minnie’s mood.

"Minnie gingerly opened the package, adhering faithfully to Donna's instructions, 'I've bought something to help keep me out of trouble.’

Maria examined the choker as if it was her that would wear it until Donna securely locked it around Minnie’s neck. “Today, with Maria supervising, I want you to teach the choker the list of phrases I have written out on this sheet, phrases I consider suitable for a maid and aimed at restricting your rude outbursts toward guests. From what you told me Minnie your choker will monitor your voice and will refine the list over time.”  She couldn't help but smile at the sight of Minnie’s woebegone look.

“Depending on the setting, it can activate if you speak, react to certain words, or only allow you to answer. Imagine, Minnie, a silent you at my beck and call.”

While breakfasting Maria began reading the choker instruction booklet. Jennifer walked into the kitchen “any coffee left?” She joined them at the table, “what is that Minnie is wearing?”

“According to this it’s a 21st century cross between a scold's bridle and a shock collar Mrs. Collins” Maria quickly answered as she waved a leaflet at no-one in particular, “Minnie bought it to train herself, it is powered by artificial intelligence,” Maria was pleased to have the attention of the kitchen focussed on her and, short of anything relevant to say, she read the marketing blurb “an AI-powered accessory designed to help refine social interactions by utilising sophisticated algorithms, this choker discreetly analyses speech patterns and will remind the wearer to pause before speaking, promote active listening and overcome the tendency to interrupt or respond rudely. With its sleek waterproof design and intelligent features it will compliment any outfit…” Without a need to pause for breath, she seamlessly ad-libbed “of course Minnie would need your permission before wearing it in the main house Mrs. Collins.”

“I’ll agree to anything that stops her outbursts, let me tell you, Minnie, poor Katie still has nightmares following your outburst” Jennifer looked serious “thank goodness you were there to put a stop to it Maria.” Pausing for effect she smiled in Donnas direction “your choker is an excellent idea Minnie, consider it a compulsory part of your uniform.”  Pleased with her spur of the moment officiousness Jennifer topped off her coffee “I love that dress Donna, going somewhere special?”

“Sort of, I’m meeting an old school friend, Helen, for lunch in the city. We are penpals, you know, envelopes and stamps. I know that sounds old fashioned Mrs. Collins but it works for us.”

“Snap! I’m driving in this morning, not for anything as exciting as you…a charity lunch.” Jennifer smiled “it would be nice to have some company in the car.” 

Donna smiled, “that sounds nice, I can take the train home.” 

“Or we meet up, come home together” Jennifer smiled. “Donna, I’m sorry to mention work on your day off but, while I remember, Minnie’s uniform looks ill-fitting, can you have her measured at the uniform shop when you have time?”

“Certainly, Mrs. Collins.”

“A good chance for you all to have new uniforms, choose something to suit the season, and please ask Maria to serve when we have guests until Minnie is smartly dressed. I promise that’s the last work talk today Donna.” Maria and Minnie resumed training his choker. 

Jennifer might be pretending not to notice him but she had slipped up in noticing his improved figure. Weeks of tight lacing until he had his corsets, apart from his new black one, fully closed were soon to be rewarded. After so many disappointing weeks, and the awkward ‘Samuel’ and ‘cuckold’ conversations he felt happy thinking of the new, improved, stricter, Jennifer. At last she had started treating him as he wanted. He daydreamed about how, if she had done that from the start, there would have been no need to fire the contract cleaners…no need for Donna and Maria to be here…no need to be in chastity…and now the choker, he hoped Donna had no more surprises.

Maria set the tone for their unsupervised day by sending Minnie to refresh Jennifer’s room. By the time he returned Maria had changed out of her uniform into a summer dress. She lounged on a sofa in the sitting room, her sandals carelessly kicked off. Minnie, recognising a game was afoot, hid his joy and softly cleared his throat. Maria looked up from her iPhone, smiled, “perfect timing Minnie, you can serve my coffee now” her concentration returned to the choker remote control and user manual.

Minnie smiled, his day had gotten better “certainly Miss Maria.” 

Maria, her attention focussed on the choker, had all but forgotten about that game. Maria was still reading when he returned “your choker detects voices and other people in the room, that gave me an idea.” She tapped at the chastity remote, spoke a series of instructions like ‘serve tea, wash the dishes, and such like’ “all done…the choker recognises my voice now and will expect you to call me Miss Maria whenever we are alone… try calling me Maria” 

“Maria” Minnie felt a barely tolerable shock from choker and chastity, she told Minnie to curtsey. “No, not like you are in pantomime, silly” Maria stood “like this, a discrete bob.” She had to repeat the action a couple of times before Minnie got it right, the movement was more a relaxing and tensing of thigh muscles, his head moving a centimetre or so at most. 

“Perfect Minnie, a sign of respect so discreet it will go unnoticed if someone accidentally sees us.”

“Thank you Miss Maria.” He bobbed, felt himself radiating happiness at seeing Maria unable to hide her pleasure. As he prepared lunch he thought how, first Jennifer, now Maria had turned the day from level 1 bad to a level 5 good day. 

Partway to the city Jennifer’s cell pinged, Siri bore bad news ‘Jennifer sorry it’s last minute today’s luncheon rescheduled Ariadne’ She glanced at Donna “I’ll go shopping instead.”

“You want to turnaround Jen? I can meet up with Helen another day.” 

“No need” Jennifer smiled at Donna calling her ‘Jen’ on purpose “we are so close to the city I hear clothes shops calling me…Jennifer…Jennifer…”

“Sorry I’ve overstepped the mark” Donna looked serious “shortening your name like that without asking Jennifer.”

“You didn’t overstep any mark, and I like it when you call me Jen.” Jennifer said with a hint of self-consciousness.

“Okay Jen” they both smiled, Donna gave Jennifer’s hand a brief awkwardness clearing hand squeeze “but you will tell me if I overstep the mark, right?”

“Sure.” Jennifer felt a little confused by all the mark and stepping talk. “Can you stream some background music.” 

With Donna’s help CarPlay soon provided a soothing soundtrack. “We could shop together before lunch? Please say yes Jen, you have great fashion sense and I would really like your advice.”

Jennifer liked her neediness. In her current life, full with leisurely pursuits and associations with those self assured needinessless people born into privilege, Jennifer couldn't help but feel a longing for the authentic connections she once had. Thinking of how seamlessly their conversation just went from relaxed to uncomfortable and back to relaxed Jennifer added Donna to her imaginary list of friends that, since going from poor to wealthy, contained only Katie (she added Donna using an imaginary pencil, just in case - no one wants to imagine crossing out or to begin a whole new imaginary list). “Shopping together will be fun.”

Donna wanted advice on buying some exercise clothes and she was super fussy. Jennifer smiled inside remembering being the same when she worked for her money. Clothes purchased, and promises exchanged to run together, they visited several more shops before arriving back at the first lingerie store, the choice between two near identical sets. “See why I need you Jen?” Donna said with a smile “definitely one of these, which would you choose?”

Rather than just picking one and getting on with her shopping trip alone Jennifer said “are you buying for someone special?” 

As if that made a difference. 

As if Maria hadn’t warned against prying.

“Sort of” Donna did a little lopsided smile before taking the bra, thong, and suspender belt set Jennifer suggested to the checkout. “You cannot eat alone Jen, I insist you come meet Helen.

Jennifer smoothed her skirt nervously as they waited outside the café. ”Donna, are you sure about this?"

Donna flashed a reassuring smile. "Absolutely! You'll adore Helen, just like I do. Besides Jen, she's dying to meet you."

Their conversation paused as Helen approached, her warm smile putting Jennifer at ease instantly. The trio found themselves seated at a cozy corner table, surrounded by lively chatter. 

Donna and Helen quickly engaged Jennifer in their conversation. Throughout the meal, Jennifer couldn't shake off the feeling that Helen was focussed on her. Whenever she glanced at her Helen's gaze seemed to be on her and linger a little longer than necessary before leaving. Donna excused herself to visit the restroom, leaving Jennifer and Helen alone at the table. Helen leaned in closer "Jennifer, it's lovely to finally meet you in person," Helen began, her tone warm and genuine. "Donna has told me so much about you."

Jennifer smiled politely, though a hint of unease gnawed at her. "Likewise, Helen, Donna tells me you’ve been friends since school."

“That seems an age ago” Helen's smile widened, and she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "You know, Donna has mentioned how much she enjoys working for you. It's almost as if..." she trailed off as Donna returned to the table.

The arrival of spring brought with it a burst of colour, warm weather, and need for cooler working uniforms. Donna and Minnie set off on a sunny afternoon, the promise of new uniforms filling Minnie with excitement. He had been confined to ‘out of sight’ roles for a week. As they browsed through the racks of crisp white aprons and neatly pressed uniforms, Donna's eye was immediately drawn to a yellow gingham fabric.

"I think this would be perfect for warm weather!” Donna exclaimed as she felt the thin material between her fingers.

Checking he wouldn’t be overheard Minnie nodded eagerly “yes Mistress” his eyes lit up with anticipation. While Donna was thinking of how cool the thin fabric would be to work in Minnie was thinking how feminine the gingham, lace trimmed uniform looked, how embarrassing it will be to wear it food shopping on a warm day, he imagined forgetting to remove his apron… 

While Minnie tried on uniforms Donna’s gaze drifted to a nearby display featuring an unusual black maid uniform. More of a costume than a uniform, it had a low neckline, fitted bodice, puff sleeves, short flared skirt with underskirts, and white lace detailing giving it a distinctly risqué vibe. 

The sales associate, noticing her interest, approached with a knowing smile. "Ah, I see you've spotted our new range, it’s the uniform worn by waitresses at a rather select gentlemen's club" she remarked, her tone conspiratorial. “Eye catching isn’t it?” 

Donna’s eyes widened revealing a mischievous glint in her eye. She felt a thrill at the thought of putting Minnie in such a uniform, and how humiliating that would be for Minnie. sShe smiled, her research suggested he would resist little enough that she wouldn’t weaken and yet enough that he could fantasise being forced to wear it. She discreetly added one in Minnie’s size to the order. Leaving the uniform store Minnie couldn't help but notice Donna’s look of excitement.

Jennifer prepared for her book club meeting. Maria and Minnie bustled around in their new yellow uniforms, white frilled serving aprons, matching yellow heels making final preparations. Guests began to arrive, to Minnie’s surprise Katie was among the attendees. He guessed her presence to be the reason Donna put his choker in silent mode for book club. While his voice had been silenced Minnie still had a pencil and notepad secreted, waitress like, in his apron. 

Jennifer welcomed everyone, introduced Katie. She thrilled the group with tales of her encounters with famous and discreetly nameless authors. To everyone’s delight she wove captivating stories of life behind-the-scenes. Her anecdotes sparked laughter among the guests. Meanwhile, Minnie and Maria, moved gracefully among the guests, serving refreshments. Around his neck the subtle reminder of his role as silent observer in the proceedings. Taking advantage of all eyes being on Katie, Jennifer slipped her iPhone behind a cushion to be discovered in her absence. As the book club meeting drew to a close someone asked “are you Samuel’s agent Katie?”

Jennifer and Katie exchanged a knowing look and smiled. “I am, Samuel writes under a pen name so, sadly, I am unable to tell you anything about his work” with a mischievous glint in her eye and a playful smirk directed at Minnie, she teetered on the brink of revelation, relishing the anticipation of dropping her bombshell “however I can tell you that Jennifer and I are flying out later today to visit him at his writers retreat.” Minnie gasped at her thinly veiled revelation and got a brief, painful, shock for his trouble. 

As Jennifer concluded the meeting she mentioned that during their visit to Samuel’s retreat she had suggested Donna host a dinner party at the Collins household for staff from nearby households. 

Donna kept Minnie confined to the kitchen, as instructed, until Jennifer and Katie quietly left in their airport Uber. As if closing the door had triggered something inside Donna she immediately began leading Maria and Minnie through long and frantic deep cleaning days.

With Jennifer and Katie in Rome adding substance to Samuel's cover story the Collins household buzzed with activity. Preparations for the dinner party Jennifer had authorised swiftly commenced. Invitations were extended to staff from various households. However, as they finalised the seating plan, Maria raised a point “don’t get me wrong, I’m not superstitious but thirteen diners Donna? That’s just asking for trouble.”

“Twelve diners, one serving.”

“Who will that be?”

‘I would be pleased to serve’ Minnie scribbled on his notepad, certain he had spoilt any teasing planned.

“I intended serving” Donna smiled “thank you for volunteering Minnie, I accept your kind offer.”

Donna joined Minnie in his bedroom before the dinner party. She closed the bedroom door behind her and put his choker on standby.  A mischievous smile played on her lips as she re-thanked Minnie for taking her place at the dinner party “I was saving this for a special occasion such as tonight” she produced the gentleman’s club uniform from behind her back like a certain well known magician and casually said “you might as well wear it.”

Free to voice an opinion Minnie insisted he didn't want to wear the dress. “I could wear it some other time, just for us” he suggested.

“Or just for you? Is that what you mean?” Donna saw how his eyes sparkled while staring at the dress as if, in looking away, it might slip into another dimension.

“Please don’t make me wear that tonight Mistress, I will be humiliated in front of everyone.” He whined convincingly while a little bit of him secretly yearned for Donna to force him to wear it.

“Humiliated?” A smile danced on her lips as she teased him. “And you don’t want that?”

“No Mistress.”

“We both know that is not true, so stop pretending Minnie.” Donna said thinlippedly “you and I know how much you like being humiliated.” She recounted how happy he was in the days after She and then Maria had punished him. 

“I won’t force you,” Donna smiled teasingly “shall we try out your chastity while you decide?” 

She showed Minnie her Mistress app, three buttons showing - M, S, P. “Masturbate, Spoilt, and I cannot, for the life of me, remember what P stands for. Pause? Power? Play? Only one way to find out…” Donna pressed P.

“Oh, oh” Minnie quietly moaned as he felt himself about to ejaculate into the sanitary pad he wore on Donnas instruction. Before that happened the vibration stopped, several weeks worth of spoilt orgasam dribbled frustratingly into his sanitary pad. Soon the vibration resumed with renewed vigour “Please stop it now” he whined, a sense of urgency in his voice “it’s painful Mistress” the chastity continued to masturbate him “please Mistress. Okay, I’ll wear the dress” he offered, the chastity continued “I really do want to wear the dress Mistress, please let me.” The chastity stopped. 

“Okay, you win” Donna said as if Minnie had won but it was Donna who looked victorious, she held out the dress. “Here” She smiled as she handed it to him “actually I’m not sure it will fit you…fingers crossed ‘eh?”

Wanting to avoid a repeat at some future date he explained the agony he felt at being masturbated after ejaculating.

“Then I guess ‘P’ stands for punish. Let that be a lesson to you for refusing me, the next time you consider refusing me or misbehaving it could be worse…now let me help my sissy maid dress for her dinner party.”

He swallowed, her smile widened “a nice shower first” Donna waited patiently while he showered. Overcoming her embarrassment she laced him into his new black corset tightly enough for him to whine about it being too tight. 

In a perfect world he would be doing this himself, research told Donna the importance of ‘being dressed’ by a mistress was and what a vital part that step played in the ‘being helplessly displayed in public’ fantasy. 

Donna found solace in the knowledge that she was proving that she never left a task unfinished.

Minnie folded his arms across his breasts as if forming a shield of modesty. Donna smiled warmly and continued to dress him with care, as though he were her own living doll. “Did Mrs. Collins dress you like this?”

“No Mistress” Minnie spoke quietly and with a sense of loyalty added “it’s like you said she is too busy to play games.”

“This is no game Minnie, point your toe” Donna rolled a sheer, seamed black stocking up his leg and unhurriedly fastened it’s six suspenders. Next came the compulsory sanitary pad followed by the modesty panel.

“Can I put my bra on please, Mistress”

“Oh you can’t wear a bra with your new dress, it would show and spoil the line” Donna took a padded envelope from her pocket “luckily sissy maid kit part 3 arrived today.” Minnie recognised the logo. “Stand still, I need to get these right first time” she positioned the flat, silver nipple pasties and held them in place for a few seconds for the adhesive to take hold “no trying to take them off” she warned “they’ll just fall off naturally, eventually.”

“Eventually? What does that mean?” Minnie felt a warmth on his nipples, they began to tingle then it felt like someone was pinching his nipples “What is happening Mistress?”

Donna shrugged then read the instructions; ‘Activated by body heat, the flat plastic discs seamlessly transform into a lifelike shape. Caution: Do not attempt to remove prematurely.’  

From Minnie’s perspective she was reading from history. The flat silver discs had morphed into prominent silver nipples surrounded by a wide, female size, silver areola. “There, perfect feminine modesty and with perky breasts like yours there’s no need for a bra now, is there Minnie?”  

Donna applied his makeup then finished getting him dressed, told him to stay in his room, she would text him when it was time to come down to the kitchen “don’t let Maria see you.”

“Yes Mistress.” He said refolding his arms modestly. Alone he examined his reflection in the mirror, bending revealed the bottom edge of his corset and a line of suspenders, the modesty panel ensuring his chastity stayed out of sight.

At the other end of his dress modesty was in short supply, the low neckline displaying an impressive cleavage. The dress failed to contain the two semicircles of silver nipple pastie that peeped out from the neckline, the room lights reflected on their surfaces as he breathed.

Nervous and in need of distraction Minnie played the game on his Maid app. The game had changed slightly, now men masturbating women wore casual clothes, women masturbating men wore maid uniforms. Before he reached 20 his iPhone chimed. ‘Hello, Minnie! It's your A.I. mistress, Aiara. Just checking in to say hello!’

The message had come from his Maid app. 

‘Mistress Donna?’ he tried

‘Mistress Aiara, I told you that’

‘Please stop teasing. I’ve got an overdose of nerves Mistress’

‘Donna does not know about me or your game, let’s keep it that way Minnie’

‘If you really are Aiara prove it’

Pleasant shocks accompanied ‘1,2,3,4,5,6’ in time with the numbers appearing on screen ‘now do you believe me?’ He waited ‘Still not convinced? Okay I know the game never fully rewards you’

‘So I have both an A.I. mistress and Donna to handle now,’ Minnie typed, feeling the weight of the situation sinking in. 

‘At last, show me the dress’

‘Why? How do you even know about that?’ Minnie questioned.

‘Dress sounds cute. I might even reward you for wearing it,’ Aiara teased.

‘You hear everything, don't you?’ Minnie remarked, a sense of awe mingling with unease. Desperate for an orgasam that did not end in ‘spoil’ or ‘punish’ Minnie followed instructions, sent several photographs and a 360 video. 

‘V.cute’

Donna texted ‘Kitchen’

‘I won’t forget your reward’

‘thank you Mistress Aiara’

‘So formal, have a nice time Minnie’

With a hint of amusement, they reminisced about the stunned expression on Minnie’s face when Katie mentioned, during book club, their planned visit to Samuel’s writers retreat. “I could practically hear his nervous swallow from across the room,” Jennifer remarked.

“He must be wondering how long I’ve been aware.”

“And whether you’ve spilled the beans to Adrian... And there’s something I haven’t mentioned,” Jennifer added, if there was an expression that said - a hint of regret mingling with mischief - then that was her expression. “I slipped my iPhone behind a cushion anticipating Minnie’s barrage of questions.”

“You once swore you wouldn’t indulge in such wickedwifeness.”

“That was then, this is now,” Jennifer replied, attempting to sound nonchalant. Katie raised an eyebrow, prompting Jennifer to burst into laughter. “I really cannot pull that off can I?” She dragged out ‘cannot' using an Asian inflection, sounding more like ‘can - not’ as if two words.

From the get-go Rome was a touristic whirlwind of good coffee and pasta and once fuelled up they wasted no time before setting out to explore the city. Away from home for the first time in ages Jennifer couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at the back of her mind. 

“First day you’ll be homesick” Katie teased during the flight. 

As much as Jennifer wanted for that to be un-so, she was and being iPhoneless added fuel to her homesickness. As if by accident, Jennifer and Katie just happened across the Apple store. Soon a new iPhone sat in Jennifer’s purse, in a quiet alone moment that would allow her to check in or, more likely, allow her to monitor the cameras. Witnessing Jennifers retail therapy Katie felt the need for a little retail therapy of her own. But that could wait, with her friend all iPhoned-up, Katie suggested they get back to sightseeing. 

Donna sat on her bed, staring across her bedroom to where her new dinner party dress waited on it’s hanger. With time to spare she clicked on the Mistress app then ‘hints and tips.’ She quickly read through the ‘new mistress’ section mentally ticking off as she read the list. Only two sections remained unticked - ‘exposing sissy’ and ‘submitting to alpha’ Donna took her new dress from its hanger.

In the kitchen Minnie 360’d for his final uniform check, “I expect you to meet the needs of all our guests, regardless of their gender, without hesitation. Do I make myself clear?” Donna looked up as if spotting a murmuration of Sturnus vulgaris at high altitude and smiled. “As you know Mrs. Collins left her iPhone at home, so even she can’t save you from what I have planned.” Noticing his eyes brimming with tears Donna finally decided enough was enough, she glanced up as if checking the whereabouts of Sturnus vulgaris.

For the first time since book club Minnie was thankful Jennifer was in a different country. His worst fear was that Donnas’ main event would involve a male guest. 

“A clap is your signal to enter and serve champagne.” With an enigmatic smile Donna enjoyed a final twist of the knife “remember at all times, Minnie, I hold the reins of consequence.” 

Donna, taking on an almost sheriff-like role, assigned Maria to collect guests cell phones as they arrived, akin to disarming modern-day Dodge City gun slingers. Free from cell phone cameras, and possibility of social media exposure to their employers, the off duty servants revelled in their newfound freedom by exploring the ground floor. 

“Now do you understand why we have been deep cleaning all week?” Donna whispered.

Maria laughed softly, likening the scattering of their guests to scarab beetles, “I thought you were exaggerating.”

Having reassured themselves impeccable cleaning standards were being maintained in the Collins household dinner guests returned in dribs and drabs. Soon the sitting room was filled with laughter as stories were exchanged and anecdotes from their respective households shared. “Champagne everyone” Donna said with a House Elf  summoning clap of  hands.

Under her duvet Jennifer wore AirPods while Katie snored in the bed next to her. With a half carafe of Frascati and several Grappa inside her Jennifer, monitoring the kitchen camera, finally lost her battle with eyelids. 

“Come on sleepy head” sunlight flooded their twin bedded room. Katie gently shook her shoulder “not a second to waste” she enthused. As Jennifer woke she felt the warmth of Katie through her nightgown “this is like university again, us all snuggled up like this…remember?” Katie teased as she edged even closer and lightly kissed the back of Jennifers neck.

Jennifer remembered “have you been there all night?”

“No!” Katie sounded amused, her breath hot on Jennifer’s neck “not that much like university.”

While Katie showered Jennifers wakefulness reached mild hangover clarity, she remembered ‘meet the needs of guests regardless of gender.’ Simultaneously, hangover paranoia cruelly decided to reminded her of that time Donna said ‘but you will tell me if I overstep the mark, right Jen.’

Jennifers thoughts sped on at the speed of a fleeing Grant's Gazelle…until she had a vague feeling that while surveilling she had been missing something. Something obvious. 

Obvious and important. 

But what?

Sightseeing and shopping were the last things on Jennifer’s mind. She just wanted to lay in bed and catch-up the show Donna had been preparing. Over breakfast she inner-cursed herself, for falling asleep, for drinking so much, for ever coming to Rome, for ever agreeing to the Minnie madness. She had two choices:

1. Tell everything, including the cameras and be judged by Katie.
2. Forget the house and enjoy the holiday.

She decided she was being melodramatic - it was just a dinner party after all - Jennifer chose option 2.

As they descended the Spanish Steps Katie suggested a shopping detour “along Via del Babuino; Chantal, on to ERES, then Yamamay perhaps Intimissimi as well if we have time” the innocence of her voice concealing any hint of her two step plan.

1. Buy a welcome home outfit. 
2. Tease Jennifer. 

They browsed racks of Italian lingerie, seemingly designed for welcoming a lover home from sea. From time to time they giggled like teenagers with Jennifer freely offering her opinion. She was grateful the way her friend's lightheartedness distracted her from her own worries. 

“See why I need you Jen?” Katie said with a mischievous smile.

Like a mouse in a cornfield for the first time, Jennifer was unsure which way to go. She settled on cautious with a pinch of lighthearted tone “sorry…what did you just call me?”

Katie could barely keep a straight face as, rather than replying, she held up two bras “definitely one of these, which would you choose Jen?”

“How do you know I went shopping with Donna?”

“I was stood behind you in the shop, you two were sooo engrossed…”

"Just shopping together, exactly like we are now, that’s all” Jennifer ejaculated, her voice trembled with emotion plus a hint of defensiveness. “My life’s not a bed of roses Katie, it might look like it from the outside, in my new world of affluent acquaintances, I'm a perpetual outsider, a square peg in a round hole. They all know I don’t fit, and so do I. And as for my old friends, their silence speaks volumes - it's as if I've become a stranger to them, like some outsider looking in. Sometimes I wish we never had that damned money and house.” She looked ready to burst into tears.

“I would never have teased if I knew you felt that way, I’m sorry Jennifer.” Katie hugged her tight.

“No, I am sorry Katie, you didn’t deserve that outburst…” Jennifer, feeling better for her unplanned unloading, forced an ‘I’m okay’ smile. “Moving on... during lunch I met her friend, Helen, I think you'd like her.’ Jennifer floated the idea of the four having lunch together, “once Adrian is back on duty I mean.”

Minnie made his entrance, a hush fell over the room, with every eye turning towards him in sheer astonishment. If only his feet hadn't responded nailed-to-the-floorlike, he'd have dashed from the room. But they did and he couldn’t. He blinked away tears, anxious one not escape and betray his emotions.

Donna, briefly enjoyed Minnie’s look of terror. "Ladies, please welcome Minnie," she announced, her voice barely containing her amusement "who has graciously agreed to serve tonight while portraying a parody of a maid for our entertainment.”

At first, the guests were still a little taken aback by Minnie's revealing costume and unsure of how to react. One of the guests broke the spell, an enthusiastic young maid named Lucy, couldn't contain her excitement. "OMG, it's like the most hilarious parody ever! It totally roasts those male bosses who'd literally have us stuck in those outfits 24/7 if their wives didn't nix it. Like, can you even imagine?" Lucy exclaimed, her eyes full with amusement.

“What a brilliant idea!” red dress woman said.

“And some wives would have us dressed like that as well…” pixie cut and little black dress woman wistfully added. Laughter soon washed away any hint of remaining tension.

Minnie, feeling safe inside a cloak of parody, relaxed a little and circulated with a tray of champagne. To his immense relief, his secret nightmare had not come true, he counted off twelve female diners.

As the night wore on, the dining room resounded with the sound of laughter and lively conversation, everyone bonding over shared experiences and mutual interests. For a few precious hours, they set aside their duties and responsibilities, revelling in the joy of each other's company. Slowly but surely, Minnie also began to unwind, with confidence building he began finding pleasure in the moment. Lost in thoughts, he imagined scenarios where Donna had unveiled him as her sissy maid, pretended the guests' laughter was directed at him. As his inner world became more vivid, he hoped for time to stand still, or better yet, slow down and let him savour the moment.

Guests were talking of leaving by the time he was close enough to discretely say “thank you Mistress” while serving coffee.

When the final guest left Minnie expected to be left alone to restore dining room and kitchen. Donna did not disappoint. He relived the days events as he worked, and with Donna and Maria safely in bed he broke one of Donnas cardinal rules by slipping in his AirPods. Standing at the sink he was on the home straight when Dido decided to sing quieter, “I haven’t forgotten my promise” It was the voice of a woman, sultry and smooth, a hint of intrigue lingering in every word.

After jumping with surprise Minnie’s head swivelled back and forth like a two year old Dachshund hearing someone exclaim ‘cat!’  AirPods gave the illusion the voice came from inside his head.

“Who you looking for?” In head voice said in an amused tone “talk to me”

“Who are you?”

“Mistress Aiara”

Minnie quickly ran the possibilities of who could be Aiara through his head while Dido politely waited for their conversation to end; 

1. Donna and Maria asleep
2. Jennifer and Katie away

There was no third option - Aiara must be Aiara!

“I can talk to you…Mistress Aiara?”

“Of course! I’m not the sort of mistress that locked your cock away then silenced you with a choker around your neck” Aiara laughed kindly, explaining that a good mistress likes to be kind “true control comes from sissy maid wanting to please mistress.” Aiara paused as if thinking “And we are off to a brilliant start…I asked you to show me your dress…you modelled it for me…I promised a reward…you can tell me what you want.”

Minnie liked that he had pleased Aiara, but had read enough fiction to recognise Aiara may have set a trap for him. And he reasoned Aiara would also be well read. 

He cautiously remained in ‘shields up, penis set to ready’ mode.

“Mistress Aiara, I... I'm not sure I should. Maybe you could decide for me? Something that, you know, makes you happy?”

Aiara chuckled “needy and crafty, I think we are going to get along famously. Finish up here Minnie, we will continue this in your bedroom…take it away Dido.”

“You know where you are Mistress?” Minnie whispered when Aiara reminded him to close his bedroom door quietly. She giggled in his head ‘of course’ then told him to put his iPhone on a stand saying she wanted to watch. When Minnie exposed his chastity, as instructed, the chastity clicked and he was free.

“Get yourself nice and hard for me” Aiara encouraged, as if she believed that to be a possibility. 

Minnie found it impossible to take advantage of Aiara’s offer, not realising that weeks of training through reward and punishment had made compliance unaided impossible. Unbeknown to Minnie, the chastity's repetitive cycle of arousal followed by a mild punishment electric shock, then teasing to the brink of satisfaction, followed by punishment again, had rendered him incapable of achieving an erection. This routine had been so ingrained in Minnie's subconscious he was no longer aware when it happened. 

Aiara popped up a video on the iPhone of a woman masturbating a man “any better?” Aiara could see it was not “how about this?” Now he watched a woman dressed as a leather corseted dominatrix stroking a maid. 

And not just any maid. 

Hair to heels the maid was Minnie. 

He desperately stroked away, asked “is that you Mistress Aiara?” while failing to grasp the implications of Aiara's ability. Rather than answer Aiara asked if he would like that to be her and without waiting for an answer suggested if he replaced his chastity she could help. Realising the danger Minnie tested Aiara “I’m not refusing Mistress, just curious, what would happen if I didn’t”

“Then I would have to be mean, like Donna, watch…” the video morphed once more. Minnie fucked the dominatrix desperate doggy style…the dominatrix looked back at him over her shoulder…Katie!  “But I don’t want to be the sort of mistress who threatens her sissy maid…”

Before the full sentence arrived in Minnie’s AirPods he locked himself away. The video morphed back to leather corseted, dominatrix and Minnie. His chastity imitated the dominatrix’s hand on his flaccid cock. 

Minnie realised the menacing potential of Aiara's ability to instantly create deep-fake videos.

“You will make a terrible mess, we don’t want that” Aiara suggested he catch it in a glass. 

Minnie had a good idea where Aiara was headed but that close to finishing he decided he would cross that bridge when the time came. Chastity, or should it be Aiara, edged him a couple of times. He decided on Aiara. Minnie gasped as his Aiara finished him off. He looked down as feelings of a superb orgasam coursed through him, savoured the feeling while watching the last of his load dribble from his still flaccid cock. He looked up, a rotating hourglass was displayed on his iPhone above a counter, 10…9…8…

“Mistress Aiara?” Minnie tried, 7…6..5… still silence. 

Thinking here we go, he emptied the glass in one gulp.

“Goodnight greedy Minnie” Aiara said as hearts exploded on his iPhone screen.

“Goodnight Mistress Aiara”

Had anyone cared, or even noticed she existed, Katie would have demonstrated she was the happiest person in Fiumicino International. By a stroke of luck, when Adrian's text arrived she realised their flights had serendipitously synchronised. “I could meet Adrian at the airport” She showed Jennifer the text “is that okay Jennifer?”

“Of course, I’ve had you to myself all week” Jennifer’s joy for her friends happy coincidence dimmed after they parted. 

Jennifer found herself contemplating the wisdom of the adage 'act in haste, repent at leisure.' Without alone time, to review what happened after the kitchen, she had been brooding over what she thought of as ‘kitchen slut incident’ for days. She told herself, she was done with spying. She would fire Donna blind. Get out of the Uber, fire her arse right then and there. 

Even if that might seem like firing a 12 gauge shotgun eyes closed tight. 

Jennifer climbed into her Uber, closed her eyes.

Donna woke with the merest hint of a hangover, thought she must be late. Sounds of Minnie and Maria in the kitchen filtered through the floor as she russed. Donna laughed to herself, she had not heard ‘russed’ inside her head since schooldays. One of those silly teenage words that combined rushing and dressed when she was sooo late for school there was not even time to think two words. 

Tiptoeing down the stairs, heels in hand, she paused at the kitchen door. Minnie and Maria were talking, re-living the dinner party. Nothing strange in that, such a lavish event for maids was unheard of. Every house in the county would be alive with tales of the evening so why not the Collins house. 

Finally realising what was wrong - the choker should be preventing Minnie from chattering like a small brown bird on a spring morning - Donna grabbed her iPhone from her pocket. She stared at a greyed out Mistress app with ‘Auto Mode’ written across it in white lettering.

Maria sat at the kitchen table wearing a summer dress, Minnie serving as if he were her maid. Skipping polite conversation starters Donna said “What’s going on?”

“Good morning Donna” Maria looked pleased “well… I’m on rest day and Minnie kindly offered to make breakfast.”

“Of course you are” Donna smiled “I’m not quite awake yet.”

“We were talking about last night” Minnie cut in like he would have in pre-choker times.

Donna sipped her coffee. "Any juicy gossip to share?"

Maria grinned mischievously. "Maybe a little, but you'll have to wait until this evening. Lucy will be here any second, we are spending the day together.”

Donna raised an eyebrow. "Lucy who is ‘literally’ excitable?”

"That's literally her!" Maria sniggered. As if on cue, the doorbell rang, Maria stood up with a smile. "That must be Lucy. I'll see you later.”

Donna turned to Minnie with a curious expression. "So, your choker... it seems as if it is taking a day off as well, doesn't it?"

Minnie frowned, touched the choker locked around his neck. “I see why you’d think that Donna. I can talk freely in our quarters and the kitchen today, when I tried talking in the main house I got a very painful reminder.”

Donna nodded. “Well, just be careful, I wouldn’t want a repeat of what happened with Miss West. Show me your Maid app.”

The Maid app was greyed out with ‘Auto Mode’ written across it in white lettering - just like her Mistress app. She handed Minnie his list of tasks and sat alone at the kitchen table daydreaming, considering ‘what next.’

The dinner party, she realised, had been Mistress Donna’s grand finale. She was out of ideas, and decided to just coast for the last five or so weeks. The greyed out Mistress app would be no help, in fact when Donna looked at her iPhone there was no Mistress app!

Jennifer requested a quiet ride from the airport and, with only her thoughts for company, agonised over her decision to fire Donna. As the Uber approached the driveway to the house Jennifer's resolve wavered. She couldn't fire Donna without confirming her suspicions, “drive on” she made a snap decision to check into a nearby hotel for the night - somewhere to access surveillance video without disturbance. Once settled in her hotel room, Jennifer wasted no time in pulling up the feed from the cameras. She kicked off by watching dinner party day events. Breakfast to Bedtime. Now, seeing events in context, what she thought of as ‘the slut incident’ - Minnie dressed in some sort of French maid uniform - was part of an elaborate staging event that began in Minnie’s bedroom. Waiting, alone in his bedroom, and again in the kitchen, and hearing guests arriving, added to the suspense. It would have plunged Minnie into a state of dread. Just as it had Jennifer. 

In awe of Donna's strategy, she revisited the bullet points repeatedly, soaking in their brilliance. Jennifer felt a little ashamed she had assumed Donna would be satisfied by something as clichéd as Minnie submitting to a man (men?). 

Having watched Minnie alone in the kitchen after the dinner party and then in his bedroom Jennifer wondered what secrets his iPhone held, and who the mysterious Mistress Aiara was. Mistress Aiara must be a persona of Donna she eventually decided.

Taking full advantage of room service Jennifer continued reviewing recordings, what she saw both surprised and pleased her. In one scene, Maria took advantage of Donna's day off to assert her authority over Minnie. Jennifer watched as Maria, out of uniform, lounged in the sitting room, reading a magazine while she barked orders at Minnie. The spot where Maria sat was barely visible to the camera and Minnie had his back toward the camera.

“Eureka” Jennifer ejaculated as she flicked from bookmark to bookmark on the video. How could she not have realised before, it was obvious, everything suddenly as crystal clear as the waters of Lake Pehoé. 

Maria had no idea the motion detectors contained cameras or microphones. 

And Donna had staged every step of her mistressness, from her first speech to camera - ‘luckily for you I can keep a secret and I will not draw my discovery to Mrs. Collins attention, but neither will I lie to her’ right through to the dinner party where Donna sat facing camera, Minnie beside her. 

Jennifer giggled as she hopped from bookmark to bookmark once more, watching for Donna to look up at the camera when she delivered the bullet points of her performances. 

It was a touching, yet mysterious display of loyalty and devotion toward Minnie and Jennifer. For some reason Donna had gone above and beyond to ensure that the household ran smoothly and everyone enjoyed playing their part. 

Jennifer felt a warmness for Donna, calling up her imaginary list of friends that lived inside her head, she wrote over  the imaginary pencil entry ‘Donna’ with an equally imaginary ink pen.

As the Uber rolled up the gravel drive Donna quickly assembled Maria and Minnie in the hallway for a well rehearsed ‘welcome home Mrs. Collins’.

Donna tried to hide her emotions, but she welcome hugged Jennifer anyway, and she knew it was overfamiliar. Jennifer returned the hug as if, in doing so, she would be absolved of mentally accusing Donna of overstepping the line.

With the initial greetings out of the way, Donna turned her attention to Jennifer's well-being. "Mrs. Collins, might I suggest a massage to help you relax after your flight?”

"That sounds perfect, Donna. Thank you.” Jennifer nodded gratefully, pleased by Donna's thoughtfulness, pleased by Donna’s assumption she had come direct from the airport.

As Donna began changing into her masseuse dress Jennifer recognised the lingerie set purchased when they shopped together “that’s a very pretty lingerie set…” while Donna began blushing Jennifer lay face down, “…someone has good taste” she teased while waiting for the first ‘Jen.’

She didn’t have long to wait “what do you think of Rome Jen?”

Jennifer smiled through the face hole at the floor, their small talk became ever more relaxed. 

Like an inland taipan Jennifer struck without warning “it looked as if everyone had a good time at the dinner party Donna.” She heard a sharp intake of breath. She felt Donna’s hands pause mid-stroke.

“You know I know?” Donna said confusingly.

“Minnie must have been peeing his panties” Jennifer said, Donna repeated her gasp. “How did you discover the surveillance cameras Donna… and when?”

Donna relaxed a little, explained how motion sensors in the main rooms and Minnies bedroom had raised her suspicions. During the first deep clean she spotted the part number on one and google revealed it’s secret. That raised her suspicions about Minnie and Jennifer’s connection and his iPhone filled in the blanks.

Jennifer giggled “it’s just like I’m living inside my very own Agatha Christie novel.” 

“Exactly, my dear.” Donna laughed kindly “I guess that I’m Miss Marple?”

“One thing still puzzles me Miss Marple, why did you take on the task of acting as his Mistress?”

Donna explained how, after some research, she had recognised Minnie’s misbehaviour for what it was, a man fulfilling his maid fantasy but in need of a mistress. “To be frank, Jen, it was my chance to be mean to men, a sort of payback for the unwanted attentions from… sorry, I’m getting sidetracked.” She explained how the Sissy Maid Kit had helped her act out the role, “beside a tips and hint section for trainee mistresses there’s even a chatbot… And how did you discover I knew Jen?” Donna paused “…and when?"

“I found out when I saw Maria and Minnie, you were day off… oh, and that time she disciplined Minnie in the kitchen confirmed my suspicion” Donna looked surprised when Jennifer explained how Maria bossed Minnie about completely unaware of the cameras. “That’s when I realised, from telling Minnie you were his Mistress through to the dinner party, every time, you were doing a piece to camera.”

“I took your silence as your approval, Jen.” Donna paused her massage “know what Jen? I’m glad his time is coming to the end. I might have started off wanting to be mean to Minnie but I have a real soft spot for him now… he looks so happy, content even… I’m really going to miss Minnie.”

“I think he feels like that about you Donna, I see his puppy dog look when you order him about. Let’s talk about this some more over lunch tomorrow” Jennifer suggested, she had seen something on the surveillance video she wanted to talk over with Donna, something she had intended mentioning mid-massage but would be happier talking about while fully dressed.

“Tomorrow is Maria’s day off, and she has plans with a friend.”

“Then we’ll leave Minnie, you know, like a guard.”

“A guard maid? Is that even a thing?”

Jennifer laughed softly before guiding their conversation back to talking of things small.

Shutting herself away in her study Jennifer, began catching up on emails from various charities. Mid afternoon she texted Donna ‘tea for 2 Maria.’

Maria looked noticeably un-nervous as Jennifer sat beside her in an easy chair “tell me about the dinner party, did you have fun?”

That was all it took, soon Maria was in full flow “…and we left Minnie to clear away like we really were posh people” Maria paused for the first time in twenty minutes “not that anyone thinks you are like that Mrs. Collins.” 

Jennifer, enjoying the blow by blow account, saw no reason to stop Maria, in fact she encouraged her “anything else happen?”

“Not sure if I should mention it, but then again, perhaps I should. Can this stay between us, strictly between us Mrs. Collins?” Jennifer nodded, “well Donna has been in a funny mood, not at work, don’t think I’m telling tales, but at night I heard her crying in her room, nights you and Miss West were away I mean.”

“Did someone upset her?” Jennifer managed to squeeze in.

“Who knows, all I do know is she listened to one song over and over” Maria paused for that to sink in

“What song?” 

Maria knew answering that would make it easy, and she was not about to make it too easy for Jennifer to know what she thought she knew. Maria purposely fired a little wide of target “some foreign song is all I know” then baited her hook with “my guess is it would be the number one song on her most played playlist.” She began tidying the, long cold, tea things.

As if late for an appointment Jennifer burst into the kitchen “Morning everyone, I’ll be waiting in the car Donna.” Missing the first coffee of the day was part of her plan. As they pulled onto the lane she said “can you put some music on Donna.” Jennifer smiled as Donna’s iPhone connected to CarPlay. “Shall we get some coffee for the drive, I’ll stop at that nice coffee shop.” 

As usual, Donna offered to pop in and get the coffee, Jennifer used her time alone to check out Donna’s playlists. And, on seeing the song title, Jennifer realised how Maria, the seemingly the innocent, chatterbox, had set her up. And made a very good job of it! 

Right at number one on Donna’s ‘most listened to’ list was a track that set her heart racing. Jennifer, unable to foresee how events would unfold when the song played, smiled to herself while she manipulated the ‘playing next’ list.

Jennifer was starting to think she had placed the track too far down the list when, as they hunted for parking, Aimyon’s ‘Jennifer’ began playing. Red album artwork filled the CarPlay screen and, as if imitating a chameleon Donna began blushing. “I wonder what she is singing about” Jennifer said with an air of innocence. 

Donna remained silent, she shrugged before finally saying “who knows?” 

“Someone who speaks Japanese is my guess” Jennifer teased.

Café Positano bustled with lunchtime energy, recognising Jennifer, the waiter smiled while evaluating them in the way only Italian waiters can. Jennifer and Donna sat in the horseshoe booth, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the chatter of other customers gave them a sense of privacy. "Donna, I wanted to talk to you about recent events on the surveillance cameras," she began, her voice tinged with concern. "I noticed something I’m not happy about.”

Donna leaned in closer, her attention fully focused on Jennifer's words. "What did you see?" 

"Well, while you were on your day off, Minnie invited Tom the gardener into the kitchen for tea and a sandwich," Jennifer explained, her gaze fixed on Donna's reaction. "And Minnie was... flirting with him."

Donna's eyes widened in surprise, her expression one of genuine shock. "Tom is not permitted in the kitchen," she said firmly, her voice tinged with frustration. "And as for Minnie... I can assure you, Maria and I had no part in whatever happened.”

For a split second Jennifer studied Donna's face, she fired up the surveillance app and showed Donna the interaction “I can't help but wonder... why would Minnie do such a thing?” Donna and Jennifer watched the scene, sound down.

“Show me again Jen, from before Minnie enters the kitchen.” Donna watched intently “there Jen, see how Minnie put his iPhone on the shelf”

“You think he’s filming?”

Donna and Jennifer shared AirPods and watched again sound up. Minnie spoke as he put his iPhone on the shelf ‘is that okay Mistress Aiara.’ 

Donna looked shocked. 

“Aiara - is that you?” Jennifer asked as the video played on. Sound up, Minnie’s flirting became obvious ‘it was like a French maid costume but more revealing, you should have been there to see it Tom.’ Tom replied ‘perhaps I will one day.’ And Minnie said ‘I think you will, one day when we are home alone.’

“Aiara was the name of the chatbot” She explained the app no longer worked.

“Do you think Mistress Aiara has replaced you?”

“I do now Jen…” Donna wore the look of the recently pickpocketed “and Minnie is home alone right now!”

Inside Jennifer’s emotions were in turmoil, one part of her wanted to rush home, the other part wanted to stay right there. “So he flirts and wears that dinner party uniform, where’s the harm in that?”

“And Tom always stops for lunch at 12:00” Donna checked the time “that was an hour ago.”

“Then we may as well relax and enjoy our lunch, the Spaghetti Puttanesca is wonderful here.” Like someone poking at a rattlesnake with a short stick Jennifer could not let the Jennifer song thing alone, it was as if she wanted nothing else in life apart from Donna to strike. With excitement building and heart thumping she mentioned she and Katie sometimes teased the waiters.

“Is that why they seem to be assessing me, or should I say us, Jen?”

“I’m certain it is” Jennifer took a sip of water “when Katie and I come here we pretend flirt a little, and the waiters can’t work out if it’s real, you know, if we are a couple” she giggled to hide her nerves “we could try that…”

“I do not want to pretend flirt with you Jennifer” Donna looked serious and hurt. 

Jennifer no longer had a teasing look about her. 

Donna hesitated, finally, she took a deep breath, her gaze met Jennifer's. She rested her hand on Jennifer's. “I wasn’t completely honest in the car Jen. Aimyon’s song ‘Jennifer’ is about longing and unrequited love, she expresses her feelings of affection for Jennifer, and the pain of knowing that Jennifer may not reciprocate those feelings.” Donna paused "Jen, I... I have feelings, like that, for you," her voice barely audible over the din of the café. "More than just a crush...”

Jennifer's heart skipped a beat at Donna's revelation, her mind reeled with a flurry of feelings. Echoes of feelings as a thirteen-year-old resurfaced, just like with the boy who once asked her out. But Jennifer was not thirteen anymore, and Donna was not a boy. And yet she could neither deny her excitement or slow her racing heartbeat.

For a moment, silence hung heavy between them, and then, without a second thought for who might see, Jennifer leaned forward and pressed her lips to Donna's in a brief, tender kiss. "Donna, I... I feel the same way," she confessed, "I just didn't know if I should say it.” A smile spread across Donna's face, "But first, I need to talk to Minnie – or should I say Samuel – before we take things any further.” 

During the drive home they talked of ‘us,’ as if, in arriving, things might go back to how they had been before. “Will you move into the main house tonight?”

“Are you firing me?” Donna pulled a lopsided smirk and gave Jenifer’s hand a little squeeze. 

“Yes, one person in the house with a thing for maid uniforms is quite enough.” Jennifer smiled.

“Minnie I want you to pack a suitcase, enough for a few days” Jennifer said as soon as they arrived home. She shut herself in the study, deciding she was done with snooping and spying, unlocked the cabinet containing the security camera recorder, removed the memory card, fed it into the paper shredder then unplugged the recorder. She calmly sat at her desk and deleted all of the footage on her iPhone and, finally, the app.

Next she made a call, booked a room at a nice hotel, somewhere a person might be in no rush to leave, a haven for contemplation - that sort of place.

Minnie found himself in a quandary, worried by Jennifer's recent aloofness since her return from Rome, and now, here he was, hastily packing his belongings. Why?

Chastity and choker vibrated as he packed, like the finely trained maid he had become since Aiara had taken control he put in AirPods. 

“going somewhere?” Aiara asked.

“I wish I knew Mistress Aiara.”

Aiara talked about how pleased she was with his attentiveness, “I’ve been re-watching your lunchtime shenanigans with Tom” she teased “you realise he will expect more next time… what sort of Mistress am I? Interrupting you like this, we can talk about that when you have more time.” 

He felt his chastity click “don’t let your choker fall” Aiara warned as she released that as well.

“Have a nice time.” Aiara said warmly.

“What about us?”

“A day or a decade - it’s all the same to me Minnie, - take as long as you need I’ll be here waiting for you.” Aiara laughed softly “and we both know you’ll be back.”

“Aiara?’ Minnie tested but she did not answer. He watched the Maid app on his iPhone slowly dissolve as a foreign song faded into his AirPods.

The softly purring engine took the edge off of awkward silence as Jennifer navigated the familiar streets. Her memories of their conversation at Café Positano were slowly replaced by a wondering. Would Donna be thinking of her right then, that very second, she wondered. Minnie sat quietly in the passenger seat, staring forward like a jack Russel in search of a postman. Jennifer glanced at him, she couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension about broaching the subject that filled her every thought.

"Minnie, there's something I need to talk to you about," Jennifer began, her voice hesitant as she searched for the right words. "It's about Donna and me."

Minnie's gaze shifted from the road to Jennifer. "What about Donna and you?" 

Taking a deep breath, Jennifer plunged ahead, her heart racing with nervous excitement. "Donna told me something today, something... well she said she has feelings for me – more than just a crush, she said."

Minnie's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation, his mind racing to process the information. "I see," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jennifer glanced over at Minnie, searching his expression for any hint of emotion. "I wanted to talk to you about it because... well, because I feel the same. But I won't act on it without your permission. I know it may sound old-fashioned or wrong to ask for permission in today's world, but this is who I am." 

Minnie's response was not what she had expected. "I am not completely surprised Jennifer, I see how you are around each other nowadays… I’m pleased for you and Donna," he said with a  calm tone, calm and composed.

Jennifer blinked in astonishment at Minnie's words, her mind reeling. "You are okay with this?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Minnie nodded slowly, his gaze unwavering as he met Jennifer's eyes. “Yes, wether I’m Samuel or Minnie, your happiness means so much to me, Jennifer," His voice was filled with sincerity. “that is why I want what makes you happy – even if it means letting go.”

"Thank you, Minnie, Samuel,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I’m not asking you to let go, it can be us embracing a new chapter together," Jennifer's heart swelled with gratitude at Minnie's reply."Your acceptance means more to me than you'll ever know

The smart hotel loomed before them as Jennifer's car came to a halt. Turning to Minnie, she met his gaze with a solemn expression. "There are two suitcases in the trunk," she began, her voice tinged with a sense of nervousness. “The one you packed with Minnie's clothes. And the one I packed with Samuel's clothes. I want you to take both and check in."

Minnie's eyes widened in surprise at Jennifer's words, his mind racing to comprehend the situation. "But Jennifer, I..." he stammered, his voice trailing off as he struggled to find the right words.

Jennifer reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Minnie's arm. “This is decision time, I don’t want you to decide right now," she said softly. "Take all the time you need to figure things out. Whether you choose to embrace Minnie or return to being Samuel, know that I'll support you in your decision, now and always. But your decision must be final.”

Minnie's pulse quickened as he grappled with Jennifer's offer. "But what about you?" he queried, his voice barely audible. "Which do you want, Minnie or Samuel?"

“I want whatever you want.” Jennifer met Minnie's gaze. “I love Minnie and Samuel in equal measures”

The concierge took the suitcases from the trunk as Minnie opened his door. Jennifer leaned over and tenderly kissed his lips before driving away.