Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 �>�Mary by obohobo

   Chapter 1.  The Old School  -�I wonder what she -(TM)s up to? -� Ray
mused as he noticed the young girl walk slowly passed the wall at the road
end of his front garden for the fourth time.  He called it a front garden
but at the moment it was a waist high wilderness of grass and weeds; a
wilderness he was trying to reduce to a manageable length using an old
fashioned scythe hired locally.   -�When it -(TM)s short enough, I -(TM)ll
use the ride-on rotary mower to keep it under control and eventually
restore it to some semblance of a lawn, -� he told himself.   -�Why does
she keep looking this way and then turns her head whenever I look at her?
The other children have all gone by to catch the school bus.  Is she
playing truant? -� The church clock, less than a hundred metres away in the
compact little village, chimed nine. Only three days previously he -(TM)d
moved into the old, mid-nineteenth century, school building, and with
sorting out the interior to make it reasonably habitable, this was the
first morning he -(TM)d been able to work outside.  The grounds hadn -(TM)t
been touched since the previous autumn and now in mid-May, everything had
put on its springtime spurt of lush green growth.  Grass, nettles, brambles
and a host of sturdy weeds all competed for the available space.  The
previous owner, Jack Barham, had grandiose designs for the place but only
completed the living quarters before ill health and death overcame him. 
Since then the windows had been boarded up to prevent vandalism that
occasionally occurred even in this sleepy village, and for the last few
days Ray opened all the available doors and windows to rid the place of a
musty smell.  On Jack -(TM)s death he bequeathed the building to his two
brothers and sister but the squabble between them over what to do with the
place took months to settle before agreement was finally made to sell and,
had the building not been a grade one listed property, developers would
have snapped it up, however, access to the old school field behind the
building which formed part of the property, was limited to the narrow
driveway alongside.  With the timber frame cottages on either side also
listed, together with the church, they formed the historic core of the
village.  Because of the access problems and with restrictions from English
Heritage as to what alterations could be made, he was able to purchase the
property at a reasonable price.  Money was not a problem.  Royalties from
his three best-sellers and selling the film rights to one of them, ensured
Ray was financially well off for a thirty-one year old man. However, his
reason for wanting it was twofold; he needed a quiet place to write and he
envisaged setting up a small gym where he could keep fit and overcome some
of the unwanted side effects of long hours spent at his computer without
having to go into town.  It was something of a necessity as well as a hobby
that helped him to relax and sometimes to overcome  -~writers block -(TM).
The picturesque building, with its knapped flint walls and tall, many
paned, windows, had two front entrances with arched stone lintels and
ornate strapped ironwork hinges fastened to green painted doors.  Into the
lintels were incised,  -�Boys -(TM) over the left hand one and  -~Girls
-(TM) over the right but nowadays the Boys entrance led to a cloakroom and
the main hall and the Girls to the living accommodation.  Between the road
and the building lay about 30 metres of what was grass and, similarly, at
the back, were another fifty metres of grass, which originally served as a
playing field but his predecessor had converted some of it to a vegetable
garden.  All now looked wild and overgrown.  It was the front  -~lawn -(TM)
that he now attacked with the scythe and having started nearer the school
than the road, he could watch the girl -(TM)s movements from behind almost
a hedge of weeds.  Hesitating several times as though making up her mind
what to do, she moved off only to return ten minutes later and, after
peeking at him several more times, finally plucked up enough courage to
enter the squeaky wrought-iron gate.  Pausing for a few moments on the
driveway, she gave a little startled cry when the gate sprung shut with a
loud bang, and, on recovering, with uncertain steps continued slowly
towards the man.  Ray stopped working, leaned on the scythe handle and
waited for her to approach.  -�Good -- morning -- Sir, -� she stuttered in
a whisper,  -�Mother told me -- to come -- and see if you wanted some help
-- if you could -- could give me a job. -� Now he could see her clearly,
Ray recognised the girl as having been with her mother in front of him in
the supermarket check-out queue the previous day.  Probably he wouldn
-(TM)t have paid them much attention had not the mother continually berated
the girl for her slowness in bagging the items and generally treating her
like a five-year-old child.  The mother, a large woman with an overbearing
manner, never lifted a finger to help and he -(TM)d taken an instant
dislike to her when, without a word of apology, she pushed his trolley back
against his legs to give her a few inches more room at the PIN machine.  At
the time Ray felt a little sorry for the girl but never expected to meet
her again.  Now seeing her close-to, he realised that she was more of a
young woman than a girl and being very short, about five feet, and thin,
she could easily pass for a child.  Again he felt sorry for her standing,
almost cowering in fear a good three metres away from him.  Clearly she was
being forced to come and ask for work. Indeed that was the case.  Myra, the
mother, stopped in the supermarket car park to speak with her friends Ethel
and Rita,  -�That -(TM)s the man who bought the old school, -� Ethel
indicated Ray who was now loading his car,  -�He must have pots of money to
afford to buy a place like that. -�  -�And it will need a fortune spent on
it after it -(TM)s been neglected for so long.  No one seems to know much
about him yet.  Doesn -(TM)t have a wife as far as we know. -�  -�Perhaps
his manhood is as small as he is. -� Amid giggles the women gossiped and
speculated on the new resident in the village.  Meanwhile, the girl stood
silently and waited but Myra -(TM)s thoughts turned to the possibility of
getting her hands on some of the man -(TM)s wealth.  -�Come closer girl so
I can hear what you are saying and introduce yourself.  Head up so I can
see your face. -� Ray spoke in his usual calm, confident way.  Reluctantly
she took a few steps closer.  Standing, she was not much shorter than his
five feet three but her stooping posture made her appear much shorter.  He
noticed her rather drab, but workable clothes, her neck length straight
hair and lack of make-up, all of which added to her very plain and ordinary
appearance.  -�I -(TM)m Mary Sir -- Mary Stevens. -�  -�Well good morning
Mary Stevens, I -(TM)m Ray Shipton.  What sort of work can you do? -�  -�I
don -(TM)t know Sir.  Mother said -- -�  -�What jobs have you had? -� he
interrupted.  Tears started to spill from her eyes and he noticed a slight
shaking in her body.   -�She seems terrified to come and speak to me and to
ask for work.  I guess that her bully of a mother is forcing her to get a
job, -� he thought as he waited for a reply.  -�I -(TM)ve had a few office
jobs -- and done some waitressing -- worked in a records office -- nothing
lasted long.  Mother said to -- -� Intending to shock her and perhaps break
her reserve a little, impishly he asked,  -�What would your mother say if I
offered you a job warming my bed at night? -� It had some of the desired
effect but now she seemed ready to take flight.  Indeed she nearly did. 
Her face showed an expression of horror.   -�I couldn -(TM)t do -- that --
Sir. -�  -�I didn -(TM)t offer you the job, I asked what your mother would
say if I did. -� For a second there was a hint of a smile.   -�I expect she
would ask about the pay Sir. -� Ray grinned at that; it indicated that
there was some life behind the oppressed mind.   -�I -(TM)m more interested
in what you say and what you can do.  Could you cut this grass? -� His hand
swept a wide arc indicating the forest of weeds.  Startled again, her eyes
opened wide but before she could say no, he took hold of her hands and
placed them on the scythe.   -�You hold it like this and swing it from the
waist. -� Gently he moved her arms and body to get her into the swing.  
-�Now you carry on. -� Flustered by the feel of his hands on her body as
much as by the feel of the heavy tool, she didn -(TM)t make a very good job
of it but neither did he at first.  At least she attempted it.  -�I think I
-(TM)d better carry on before someone loses their legs, -� Ray laughed, 
-�You can rake the rubbish into heaps to dry. -� It was with a sigh of
relief, she asked,  -�Are you really giving me a job Sir? -�  -�Only if you
stop calling me Sir and I find other things that you can do.  Raking weeds
or even grass won -(TM)t keep you employed for long. -� After half an hour
Ray undid his shirt and pulled the tails from his trousers.  Normally at
this time of year he would wear shorts but with the rampant growth of
nettles and brambles he decided on discretion to save his bare legs.  Mary
sweated profusely too.   -�You ought to take that woolly jumper off Mary,
-� he suggested.  Hesitantly she complied and in doing so lifted her blouse
a little.  What he saw shocked him.  The small amount of flesh he glimpsed
was badly bruised.   -�Surely these days, no one beats a girl like that.  I
bet it was that bitch mother. -� He didn -(TM)t voice his thoughts to her
but carried on working while his mind debated what to do.  From what he
-(TM)d seen at the supermarket, her mother was the prime suspect but maybe
it was her father although she hadn -(TM)t mentioned him yet.  As was his
style, he decided to confront her.   -�Time for a cuppa Mary.  Let -(TM)s
go into the kitchen. -� While they sat drinking he tried to get her to talk
about the jobs she -(TM)d done and her life at home but she was very
reticent.  Eventually she openly admitted that her shyness prevented her
taking jobs where she had to interact with customers and didn -(TM)t help
her mix with other members of staff.  From her remarks and from her
submissive nature, Ray surmised he would get the best results by giving her
clear direct orders.  Definite, unequivocal orders like she received from
her mother but he would deliver them in a quieter, kindly way. -�  -�Stand
up Mary please. -� Questioningly she did so.  He walked behind her and
suddenly pulled her blouse from her trousers.  The bruising on her back was
extensive and covered much of her back.   -�NO! -� she protested and
started to struggle when he reached around and undid the top button, opened
the trouser zip and pulled them down.  Although her bottom remained covered
by plain white cotton knickers, he saw the bruising extended well over her
buttocks and down her thighs.  She -(TM)d been spanked and spanked hard by
what, he guessed, was a strap of some sort.  -�Did your mother do this? -�
She nodded.   -�What did you do to deserve it? -� For a long while she
refused to answer but with a little gentle prodding, finally she answered,
-�I said that I wouldn -(TM)t come here and ask for a job. -�  -�But that
wasn -(TM)t the only time, was it?  Some of the bruises are older. -� He
tried questioning her further but she clammed up and only relaxed when he
said,  -�Well if I -(TM)m paying you, we -(TM)d better get back to work. -�

   Chapter 2.  The offer Working steadily, by midday they -(TM)d managed to
get the front area cut and the weeds carted to a site at the back where he
thought they could safely have a bonfire when the material dried a little
more.  By then it was obvious Mary was physically tired and both of them
were soaked with sweat.  Sweat soaked her blouse until it was almost
transparent and the outline of the bra covering her small breasts, showed
clearly.   -�She really could pass for a child, but I know from the little
she -(TM)s told me, that she is at least 22 years old, -� Ray mused.  He
was pleased with the way she stubbornly kept working even though it taxed
her reserves of strength and he could see the fatigue in her body movements
and guessed the physical movements of her body aggravated the bruising of
her strapping.  Most of the time they worked in near silence and he liked
that too.  Unlike a couple of his ex-girlfriends whose chatter irritated
him and no doubt led to the break up of the relationships, Mary worked
quietly and only spoke when she needed instructions or was asked a
question.  -�Lunchtime, -� Ray announced when he locked the tools into an
outhouse that had once served as the girls lavatory,  -�You -(TM)ve done
well today Mary.  Thanks. -� Giving her a hug produced a startled cry and
for a second she tried to pull away.  Obviously she wasn -(TM)t used to
receiving praise or any sign of affection.   -�We -(TM)ll have a shower and
then make some sandwiches. -� Again the look of conflict and apprehension,
but trying to forestall any objections, he went on,  -�You can wear one of
my karate robes while we wash what you -(TM)re wearing.  They -(TM)ll dry
in no time in this heat.  I guess you didn -(TM)t expect to start work
immediately and I wasn -(TM)t anticipating getting any help. -� Jack
Barham, was a large man and grossly overweight, hence the shower cubicle he
installed was large too.   -�Put your dirty clothes in the basket and I
-(TM)ll set the machine going while we shower. -� Ray already liked the
girl well enough to want to see if her sexuality was as repressed as her
shyness suggested and decided to put it to the test.   -�No -- no -- You
don -(TM)t mean -- I can -(TM)t do that, not with you -- I -(TM)d better go
-- -� The thought of showering with a man, being naked with a man in the
confines of a shower cubicle, filled her with fear.  Ray pressed the issue.
 -�What?  Go home and get another hiding for losing the job you -(TM)ve
only had for a couple of hours?  Showering with me will not hurt you and
you will not be raped, that I promise you.  You might even find it a
pleasant experience.  Now remove those sweaty clothes. -� His voice gave
the command quietly and forcibly and in a tone indicating he expected her
to obey.  Still she hesitated.   -�Do it! -� he barked.  This time she
followed his order and, blushing profusely, took off her blouse.  With a
strange admixture of anticipation and dread, Mary watched as Ray removed
his shirt and tossed it into the basket but she turned away, embarrassed,
when he lowered his trousers and underwear.   -�Now the bra and knickers,
you don -(TM)t normally shower with them on do you? -� Blushing furiously
and trembling at the thought of him seeing her naked, her fingers fumbled
ineffectually with the clasp, Ray quickly came to her aid and unsnapped the
hooks and threw her bra in the basket.  Still blushing and facing away from
him, her knickers followed and for a few moments she tried ineffectually to
hide her breasts and sex with her arms and hands.  The full extent of the
bruising her body now revealed appalled Ray, but for the moment he didn
-(TM)t remark on it.   -�Good girl, -� he praised her and gave her another
hug and felt her shiver when their naked bodies touched.  He couldn -(TM)t
tell if it was excitement or fear. Mary -(TM)s mind though was in turmoil.
For the first time in her life she saw an adult man -(TM)s prick and
wondered what it would feel like inside her.  Set against that was the fear
he would have intercourse with her and perhaps make her pregnant.  He said
she would not be raped but could she believe someone she -(TM)d known for
only a few hours?   -�How did I get into a situation where I am naked with
a man I met such a short time ago? -� she asked herself but she knew well
enough that it was the fear of another beating from her mother that stopped
her running away.  So far at least, with him she hadn -(TM)t been hurt.  
-�Use the loo if you need to.  I -(TM)ll take these down and start the
machine going and then we can wash the filth off our bodies. -� She was
still on the loo when he returned but pretending not to notice, Ray set the
shower going.  Fortunately the shower room was large enough not to need
doors so when she stood up he motioned her inside, and, knowing she was
fearful as to what might happen to her in the next few minutes especially
as his prick was beginning to rise, in an effort to reassure her, he spoke
quietly.   -�Mary, I know this nudity is all very new to you and especially
as we -(TM)re strangers alone together in the shower but nothing will
happen to you except that we will wash each other and afterwards I will put
witch hazel on those welts.  I will play with you a little but I won -(TM)t
do anything that will hurt.  Just try and relax and enjoy being with a man
for the first time. -� His words did little to ease her worries and she had
no idea what he meant about playing with her.  To emphasise this was to be
considered a fairly normal situation, Ray took a flannel from the hook,
added shower gel and proceeded to carefully wash her back and in doing so,
noticed areas where her clothing had chafed the welted skin.   -�I -(TM)ll
put some salve on the places that have been rubbed raw and witch hazel on
the bruises.  That should ease the soreness a little and make it a bit more
comfortable for you, -� he told her. Some of her confidence slowly appeared
to return but she still tried to resist when he started on her front.  The
nipples on her very small breasts, half tennis balls at best and certainly
not needing a bra for support, hardened when Ray washed them a little more
than necessary and tweaked them between his thumb and forefinger.   -�Is
this what he means by playing with me? -� she wondered.  Ray too, wondered
what she was thinking, but she just stood still and only opened her legs a
few inches when he washed her mound and tried to rub her clit.  Ignoring
her lack of cooperation, he handed her the flannel to wash his back.  
-�Pretend you -(TM)re a nurse giving a patient a bed bath, -� he told her
and when finally she did his front and got to his prick, it pleased him
that she actually lightly took hold of the shaft and washed it.  -�Before
you put my robe on, I -(TM)m going to photograph those marks on your back,
-� Ray said when they -(TM)d dried each other.  -�No!  Please no.  I
-(TM)ll get worse if she finds out.  I daren -(TM)t go to the police or
anyone. -�  -�Mary, we -(TM)ll talk about that over lunch but I am getting
my camera and I am taking some pictures so that we have a record of what
has been done to you.  It will record the date and time so if necessary we
can use them as evidence. -� Eventually she allowed him to take several but
for the moment he was at a loss as to how to use them to safeguard her from
future punishments.  -�Why daren -(TM)t you go to the authorities? -� They
sat in the kitchen eating.  -�I -(TM)d get thrown out and I -(TM)ve no
money -- and no friends -- and -- no where to go and -- -� She broke down
into tears.  -�Come with me Mary. -� Ray put his arm around her shoulders
and led her upstairs.   -�There are four bedrooms in this place, one is
mine, another is to be my workroom and office as soon as I get an Internet
connection run into it from downstairs, so that leaves two for guests.  If
ever there is a problem at home, one of them can be yours and you can pay
for it by working here. -�  -�I won -(TM)t have to sleep with you? -� 
-�Not unless you want to but at some point, I hope you will.  As you can
see, neither room is set out yet, as I didn -(TM)t expect any guests for
the time being.  This is probably the best one and the only one with a bed
in at the moment but we can soon swap it around. -� The double bed had a
mattress but no bedclothes, a wardrobe stood askew in one corner and a
nightstand in another.  Cardboard boxes littered the floor.   -�Sorry, I
-(TM)ve not started on sorting out the guestrooms but if you need a place
to stay, we -(TM)ll put it to rights, or at least make it liveable, in no
time.  There -(TM)s bedding in one of the boxes. -�  -�Thank you Ray.  It
is most kind of you to offer and the room is far bigger than mine but, if
you don -(TM)t mind, I -(TM)ll stay where I am for the time being. -�
Despite his assurances to the contrary, she remained very concerned as to
whether warming his bed would be part of the rent.  -�That -(TM)s okay. 
Just as long as you know the room is available.  You couldn -(TM)t stay
with your father? -�  -�He lives over a hundred miles away and remarried
and now has two other girls so they don -(TM)t really have room for me. 
The girls have to double up in one bed when I visit so I only get to see
daddy at most, twice a year. -� For the rest of the afternoon, they sorted
more of his stuff inside the house and began arranging furniture in the
lounge.   -�What are you like at decorating? -� Ray asked at one point. 
-�I -(TM)ve never done any. -�  -�Well, you -(TM)ll soon learn. -�  -�Done
any computer work? -�  -�Yes.  I took computer studies at school and daddy
gave me a redundant laptop from his work a year or so ago but mother won
-(TM)t allow me access to the web.  She has a computer she uses to email
her friends and for online shopping but she doesn -(TM)t really understand
them and only has a dial-up service.  I -(TM)ve often had to sort out
problems on it for her.  One of the jobs I worked on for the longest time,
involved transferring paper records to digital, but the money for that
project ran out and I was made redundant.  That was a job that suited me. I
had a tiny office and worked largely on my own. -� It pleased Ray that she
-(TM)d actually started talking to him with more than a few stuttered
words.

   Chapter 3.  Mary moves in  -�Did you really mean it yesterday when you
said I could have a room here? -� Ray found her standing by the back door
of the school, tears running down her face, when he returned from a short
shopping trip.  He -(TM)d arranged for her to start at ten o -(TM)clock and
he -(TM)d arrived a few minutes late but she -(TM)d been there since nine.
Alongside lay a shopping bag with a few items including her laptop.  -�Of
course, I did.  More trouble at home? -� Mary just nodded and followed him
inside.   -�Another beating? -� Again a nod.   -�What for this time? -� 
-�When I got home, I was very tired.  I guess I -(TM)m not used to hard
physical work, and instead of doing the housework I was supposed to while
she was round her friend -(TM)s house, I fell asleep in the chair and only
woke when she shook me to the floor.  She called me a lazy slut and other
things and dragged me over the arm of the chair and used the strap on me
again. -�  -�The bitch, the bloody bitch.  She sends you out to work and
then expects you to work at home.  She -(TM)s nothing but a bully and I
hate bullies.  Like you, I was small for my age and as a child I was picked
on.  Fortunately my father noticed and forced me to enrol in self-defence
classes and soon I gained enough confidence to throw my bigger tormentors.
The bullying more or less stopped after that and I learned to stand up for
myself and you must too.  Now lets see what damage she -(TM)s done this
time and I -(TM)m going to record it again. -�  -�The only work you -(TM)re
going to do here today is to sort your bedroom out, -� Ray declared when he
saw the strapping had been concentrated on the lower buttocks and the back
of the thighs making it painful to walk. -� Fear again showed in her eyes
when Ray laid her face down on his bed but quickly that turned to little
moans of pleasures as he applied a salve to her welts and allowed his
fingers to stray to her slit.  Nothing was said but Ray knew she -(TM)d
enjoyed what he -(TM)d done.   -�I suppose this is his idea of playing with
me again and if I -(TM)m going to her here with him, I suppose I ought to
let him.  Feels nice anyway and different to when I do it. -� Mary thought
and, glimpsing him move his prick into a more comfortable position in his
shorts, she knew her body was having an effect on him too.  Almost
imperceptibly she moved her legs apart, giving him better access to her
clit.  Soon her juices were flowing freely and she wondered what it would
be like if she let him make love to her.   -�Will he consider me a slut? 
Will he want me to stay afterwards?  Or does he want to take my virginity
and then throw me out so he can get a more attractive girl to take my
place? Still it does feel nice. -� These and other thoughts ran through her
mind as slowly she succumbed to the delightful sensations he produced in
her body.  Eventually an orgasm overwhelmed her and with a little cry she
lay still and only then did a feeling of embarrassment sweep over her.  She
blushed and stuttered an apology for her behaviour, hoping and praying that
Ray would not think ill of her but he smiled, gave her a hug and a kiss and
suggested she just wear a robe for the time being. The kiss, although only
a brief touching of the lips, again brought sensations to Mary she hadn
-(TM)t experienced before and left her mind in a whirl.   -�Does he love
me? Or is it that he just wants to fuck me?  We only met yesterday so how
can it be love? -� For most of the morning, they cleared the second spare
bedroom and set up a bed in there.   -�We -(TM)ll decorate your bedroom
while it is still fairly empty and put a carpet down, and then you can move
in properly.  It will give you a chance to try out your painting skills. 
What colour would you like for the walls? -� Being given choices was not
something Mary was used to and she shook her head.   -�Okay, we can choose
when we get to the store.  What about your stuff at home?  Can we fetch it
in the car?  Will your mother be there? -�  -�Not this afternoon.  She
leaves about two and goes to a bridge club meeting.  We could go then.  I
have a key because I am supposed to cook dinner for when she gets in about
five-thirty. -�  -�Does she know you -(TM)ve run away? -�  -�I don -(TM)t
think so.  I said I had to go to work when I left this morning and I wasn
-(TM)t sure if you -(TM)d really let me stay.  I told her the laptop was to
catalogue items until you -(TM)d set up your computer and she seemed to
believe me. -� Tears flowed down her face.   -�This has been so
overwhelming and I -(TM)m not certain how long I can stay or what you
-(TM)ll want in return.  Nothing is free and everything eventually has a
price. -�  -�At least she -(TM)s speaking her real thoughts now.  That
-(TM)s a good sign, -� Ray thought.  Aloud he said,  -�The room is yours
for as long as you want it.  That -(TM)s a promise.  The job is yours too
but I guess it will be better if we work out a weekly wage instead of an
hourly rate.  As to the price?  Mary, you know that I -(TM)m attracted to
you, more attracted in the short time since we met than any other girl I
-(TM)ve known, and I -(TM)m hoping that some day, some time, you will
decide to sleep with me but that isn -(TM)t part of the rent.  That is
something that will only happen if you want it to.  Of course, I will try
and seduce you, but I won -(TM)t force you. -� Somewhat reassured, she
helped him as much as she could, perhaps more that she ought to have done
because of the pain in her bottom and legs.  By lunch time things were more
or less sorted and he -(TM)d started to set up his computer in the 
-~office -(TM).  One of the things he -(TM)d bought earlier was a wireless
router and Mary proved she had more knowledge of computers than he supposed
when she helped him set it up and then set her laptop to access it too.

    -�Are you doing a runner Mary? -�  -�Yes Mrs.  Thompson, I -(TM)m
leaving. -�  -�I don -(TM)t blame you.  Fred and me we heard you crying out
last night and the night afore and we wondered why you stuck it for so
long. I -(TM)ll give Fred a call and we -(TM)ll help you carry things to
the car. -� Mary -(TM)s elderly neighbours were a kindly couple but didn
-(TM)t want to get involved with the things going on next door, especially
with that bitchy Mrs.  Stevens.  With four of them helping, Mary -(TM)s
room was quickly stripped of her few belongings and in no time they were
bagged and boxed and stacked in the car.  Less than an hour later they were
on the way back to her new home and a life she knew would be very different
to anything she had known previously.  -�Ray would you mind if I email
daddy and let him know where I am?  I could only contact him from the
library in town before. -�  -�This is your home now Mary, you don -(TM)t
have to ask my permission to do things like that.  Feel free to use the
phone, write letters and send emails.  I don -(TM)t need to know and I
-(TM)m certain I can trust you not to abuse them. -� After having almost
everything she did supervised or even censored by her mother, the concept
of being free to do things when and how she liked was a strange one for
her, one that would take time to get used to. Ray busied himself getting
the meat ready for the oven and was surprised when she returned five
minutes later with tears streaming down her face.   -�What -(TM)s the
matter? -(TM) he asked.  -�Nothing really, -� she wept as she grasped him
in a tight hug,  -�I don -(TM)t know whether to be happy to be here and
away from mother or fearful of what lies ahead with you. -� Picking her up,
he carried her to a couch in the lounge.  -�If you -(TM)re worried that I
will beat you, forget it.  There -(TM)s no way I would hit you.  If you
-(TM)re concerned that I will rape you, again forget it.  However, I will
say this.  You -(TM)re an attractive young woman, not too much younger than
me, not a glamour puss but, as I -(TM)ve said before, one that I would love
to take to my bed and make love to.  I shan -(TM)t force you but from your
response when I put the salve on this morning, it might not be too long
before you want that as well.  I guess that you -(TM)re not on any form of
birth control and at this stage you -(TM)ll not want to become pregnant but
in my bedside table I have a box of condoms with nine left and I can easily
buy more although it might be better if you considered going on the pill,
not because you feel you have to give yourself to me, but more because
making love is often a spontaneous thing and we don -(TM)t want to be
caught out.  The decision is yours.  Let me know if want me to take you to
the clinic in town or you can get the bus and go on your own. -� Mary again
was half afraid to make a decision and in many ways would have preferred to
be given a direct instruction. That evening she mulled the idea over in her
mind while clearing her bedroom ready for painting.  Ray was in the office
answering emails that had been neglected for several days, when the
doorbell rang.   -�It -(TM)s mother, her car -(TM)s outside, -� Mary cried
out.  -�Stay where you are.  I -(TM)ll deal with her. -� Deliberately he
opened the Boys entrance when he knew she -(TM)d rung the bell at the Girls
door.   -�Can I help you ma -(TM)am? -� he asked, his voice deliberately
polite.  -�Where -(TM)s my slut of a daughter that you -(TM)ve abducted
away from her mother? -�  -�She -(TM)s out of harm -(TM)s way and won
-(TM)t be returning for a further beating.  I can pass on a message if you
wish. -�  -�No, I will see her personally to make sure a little creep like
you hasn -(TM)t harmed her. -�  -�Perhaps you -(TM)d like to come in or the
whole village will know of your problem? -� He led her into the almost bare
main hall and invited her to sit on one of the two wooden chairs.   -�Where
-(TM)s my daughter then?  I daresay you -(TM)ve got her locked up somewhere
so you can rape her at your leisure. -�  -�No, she -(TM)s free to come and
go as she pleases and to visit a doctor to get her bruises assessed if she
wishes.  She -(TM)s been offered a refuge here and will not be returning to
your home. -� Myra Stevens knew before she left that he might threaten her
with the authorities and that she could be in real trouble if things went
that far and was prepared with a plan B.  In reality it was more the
thought of the money she might squeeze out of him rather than any thought
for her daughter -(TM)s welfare.   -�If she -(TM)s now your mistress and is
working for you, you -(TM)d better take this.  It -(TM)s for the money she
owes for her board and lodging since her last job. -� Ray studied the paper
pseudo-invoice.   -~Rent for room 4 weeks at £200 per week --.  £800 Food
and clothing at £100 per week -- -- --..  £400 Total  -- -- -- -- -- --
-- -- -- -- -- -- --.. -- -- --.  £1,200 -(TM) Ray frowned when he saw it
but kept calm and remarked,  -�I -(TM)ll just confirm the facts are
correct. Please wait here Mrs.  Stevens and I will get back to you shortly.
-� After showing the invoice to Mary he opened an invoice file of his own
and typed.  -~Reparation for damage caused to the body of Mary Stevens and
to suffering she -(TM)s endured over many years -- -- -- -- -- -- --
--.£1,200 -(TM) Both he and Mary signed it. Myra definitely wasn -(TM)t
pleased when he presented the document.   -�Why you little runt of a man!
Don -(TM)t think that you are going to make me accept that.  I demand to
see my daughter, in fact I will see her now. -� Standing she towered above
Ray and started toward the kitchen door.  Ray blocked her path.   -�I
suggest you leave Mrs.  Stevens.  You will not get past me. -�  -�You
believe a puny little thing like you will stop me?  Huh! -� Immediately she
pushed Ray out of her way but much to her surprise and disbelief, she ended
up on her back on the floor.  -�I suggest you leave now Mrs.  Stevens, -�
Ray repeated.  -�Go home mother.  I -(TM)m not coming back, -� Mary called
from the doorway.  -�I -(TM)ll get the police to arrest you, -� Myra spat
as she turned for the door.

   Chapter 4.  Parted  -�Wow, how did you do that? -� Mary exclaimed, 
-�She -(TM)s a big woman and you -(TM)re small compared to her.  You didn
-(TM)t hurt her did you? -�  -�Only her pride.  You could have done the
same thing with a few hours of training.  I did have surprise on my side
too. -� Ray smiled and was inwardly pleased.  For the first time in many
years, in fact not since his school days, had he -(TM)d used his training
in  -~anger -(TM).  -�Daddy got back to me and wants to meet you.  He wants
to come tomorrow.  Is that okay with you? -�  -�As long as he doesn -(TM)t
mind you being up to your eyeballs in paint. -� For the second time she
hugged him and this time she didn -(TM)t get away without receiving a long,
hard kiss.   -�Answer your father -(TM)s email, better still phone him if
you have the number, and then come down into the lounge.  You -(TM)ve
worked enough for one day and I expect your bum could do with another
covering of salve. -�  -�Can I really phone him? -�  -�Of course you can.
Go on do it.  Take as long as you want.  It -(TM)s off-peak rate now
anyway. -� Half an hour later she came into the lounge.   -�I hope you won
-(TM)t mind but he -(TM)s bringing Terri, Theresa, his wife if she can swap
shifts at the hospital.  They -(TM)ll arrive about ten-thirty.  Daddy,
Mark, wants to check you out and make sure your not going to harm me so you
may get a grilling from him or, more likely, from Terri.  She -(TM)s a
doctor and more or less runs their family but she -(TM)s not so dominating
as mother. -� Ray reassured her that it was perfectly okay and he would be
pleased to meet her father and his wife. Again Ray spent more time than
necessary applying the salve but Mary didn -(TM)t respond with her earlier
enthusiasm; her mind far away on other matters.   -�What will father say
when he meets Ray?  Will he think ill of me for moving in with a man I
-(TM)ve only known for one day?  Probably he -(TM)ll understand after the
way mother drove him out.  Terri might be more of a problem.  She has a
knack of worming things out of me that I might want to hide.  Still she
always tries to help and will not do anything to spite me. -� Worrying didn
-(TM)t allow her to sleep much that night either.  Worry, combined with the
strangeness of a large bed in a large room seemingly flooded with light
from the street lamps penetrating the thin curtains, kept her tossing and
turning until the small hours so that at times she longed for the closeness
and snug comfort of her small room.  Worry, though, was the biggest factor.
 -�What will life be like living with him?  He -(TM)s nice enough now but
will he change later when the newness or our relationship wears off?  Will
he really keep me and protect me like he said?  Will he just use me like a
whore when I give myself to him?  I -(TM)m sure he wanted me to give myself
to him when he put the cream on earlier.  Will it hurt when he does it?  I
know I -(TM)m technically not a virgin because I can get my fingers right
inside my vagina but I -(TM)ve never put anything as big as his prick in
there.  Will I be discarded when a girl comes along with bigger tits?  It
-(TM)s nice when he puts his arms around me and holds me close like Daddy
used to until mother drove him away.  It would be nice to snuggle up to Ray
now but will he take that as a sign that I will let him have sex with me?
Let him fuck me?  Will, it be enjoyable like in some of the books I -(TM)ve
read? -� Questions and thoughts whirled chaotically through her mind
keeping sleep at bay. When the church clock struck three and sleep still
hadn -(TM)t come, she nervously decided on what was for her, a very bold
move.  With hesitant steps she crept to Ray -(TM)s bedroom and stood
listening at the partially opened door.  Her thumping heart almost drowned
out the steady breathing coming from within the room but very cautiously
she pushed open the door and peered in.  Ray didn -(TM)t move.  His room,
like hers, was almost floodlit by the street lamps, easily revealing his
outline covered by a thin duvet.  It took several more minutes of internal
debate and doubt before she plucked up enough courage to enter the room and
climb into bed alongside him. As she half expected, Ray slept nude and
because of the warm weather she only wore thin pyjamas, clothing which made
their body contact, close and intimate.  Sliding her arms around his waist
she clasped him tightly to her body like a frightened child clings to its
mother.  Momentarily startled, he awoke and, realising her need, cuddled
her in his arms.  Her soft crying at not being rejected, shed tears that
flowed down her face and on to his shoulder but he didn -(TM)t move away,
nor did he say anything until he felt she was ready.  Like most men, his
prick had a mind of its own and soon became engorged and found a
comfortable place to nestle alongside her thigh but fortunately his mind
knew better than to force himself on her at a moment when all she really
needed was comfort, reassurance and protection.  Gradually the flow of
tears ended and, still with his arm around her shoulders, they drifted off
to sleep. Awakening late and deciding there was little time to get extra
food in and the place cleaned for their visitors, made them take a hasty
shower and grab a quick cuppa for breakfast.  While sitting and drinking
their tea Mary asked some of the questions she -(TM)d pondered on during
the night.   -�Ray?  Did you mind my crawling in bed with you?  I couldn
-(TM)t sleep and felt lost -- -�  -�No, of course not, in fact I hoped you
would have come in earlier. -�  -�If I come in when we go to bed will you
-- will you do it to me?  Make love to me.  I know you want to. -�  -�If
you want it too. -�  -�I think I -(TM)m ready for it now.  You -(TM)ll be
gentle won -(TM)t you? -�  -�I -(TM)ll do it as gently or as hard as I
think you want.  I won -(TM)t hurt you and we can have a long play
beforehand until you -(TM)re ready.  Now let -(TM)s get to the supermarket.
-� With a quick kiss he gathered up the cups and cleared the table. It didn
-(TM)t work out that way. Mark, a computer service engineer, and Terri, a
doctor at her local hospital, arrived as expected and after a social chat
and a tour of the house during which Ray determined that it was Theresa who
 -~wore the trousers -(TM) in their household.  She did so in a quiet way
but Mark always deferred to her.   -�Perhaps Mary has inherited her
submissive nature from her father, -� Ray thought,  -�Or perhaps, Myra had
cowed them both. -� In their turn, Mark and Terri sort to find out Ray
-(TM)s suitability as a partner for Mary. While Mary and Terri chatted and
prepared lunch, Mark volunteered to check Ray -(TM)s computer equipment. 
It was only an excuse.   -�On the phone Mary said her mother spanked her
twice in the last few days and you -(TM)d photographed her.  She wouldn
-(TM)t say any more but the fact that you took photos must mean there was
some bruising that showed.  Can I see the pictures? -�  -�They -(TM)re
still in the camera but they -(TM)re digi-pics so we can download them. -�
-�That -(TM)s no spanking, that -(TM)s a bloody hard belting.  Bloody Myra
ought to be locked up.  I knew she spanked her as a child but that was only
hand spankings and I don -(TM)t think it happened too often but this is
brutal, -� Mark exclaimed when the pictures came on to the screen.   -�I
-(TM)ll get Terri to check Mary over and we can discus taking the matter
further but, given my daughter -(TM)s shyness, I think any thoughts of
police action would only cause more trauma for her. -� A tearful Mary
followed Terri down the stairs after her examination.  Straightaway she sat
on Ray -(TM)s lap and folded herself in his arms.  However, it was Terri
that spoke.  -�Ray, you may not like what I am going to say but please hear
me out before commenting.  Wearing my doctor -(TM)s hat, I examined Mary
and as you already know the bruising on her back, buttocks and thighs is
pretty extensive and it will be some time before they fade and she is
without pain.  That -(TM)s the physical part.  I also believe that some of
her shyness stems from these and other beatings in the past but officially,
because she is related to me, as a doctor I cannot take this further.  I do
have a colleague at the hospital, Dr.  Hargreaves, who is very good at this
work and usually she deals with the aftermath of rape and abuse and I know
she would examine both aspects of Mary -(TM)s case and produce a report. 
Normally this report would be passed to Social Services or the police.  In
this case it would most likely be the police but, because Mary cannot be
forced to testify against her mother, no action will be taken although they
may well pay Myra and you a visit.  The injuries, although severe, weren
-(TM)t bad enough to require medical intervention; no bones were broken and
no cuts needed stitching so unless Mary prefers charges against her mother,
the case would most likely be dropped anyway.  The report though, will be a
good weapon if Myra tries to take revenge on you and her.  Dr.  Hargreaves
can also recommend voluntary counselling and that maybe a good idea too and
that can be at our hospital or locally here. -� Ray wondered where this was
leading because there was nothing so far he disagreed with.  -�Ray, now to
your part in this.  With you, Mary seems to have let her guard down and
treats you like a knight in shining armour and yet we know little about you
except you are an author and have this big place.  For all we know you
could be a sexual pervert.  I -(TM)d never heard of Ray Shipton until I
remembered your picture on the back of a novel I -(TM)d read and presently
your pen name will come back to me. -�  -�I -(TM)m no pervert and I have a
CRB certificate for when I teach at a local school. -�  -�That -(TM)s fine
as far as it goes.  It shows that the Criminal Records Bureau has made a
check and that you have no previous convictions.  Up to now, I admit, you
-(TM)ve behaved in an honourable way to her and, from what we -(TM)ve seen
so far, it looks like it will continue.  You -(TM)re both adults so if you
decide to have a sexual relationship and live together, then there is no
legal comeback provided she is willing but I know she is worried that it
could be a one night or short-term thing.  Quite frankly, I -(TM)m amazed
at the way she has taken to you and the fact that she is curled up in your
lap is proof of that but Mark and I are still concerned about her long term
welfare.  Physically you are obviously compatible and from what she -(TM)s
told us about her life here in the last two days, it seems that you are
trying to instil some confidence in her to make her own decisions,
something she -(TM)s not done for years, and that is a good thing.  What I
am going to suggest is this.  To give her a chance to make her own mind up
concerning staying with you and not being forced to stay because she has no
where else to go, I suggest Mary stays with us until at least the weekend.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, I will take her to Dr.  Hargreaves and we -(TM)ll see
what she has to say and take it from there.  I will also ask you to allow
her time and the peace in which to consider and make up her own mind
whether to stay with you or try one of the alternatives that might arise.
If she stays with us, then she may wish to get a job in our area -- -�  -�I
-(TM)ve got a job now! -� Mary surprisingly interrupted,  -�And a place to
stay, and a room of my own if I want it. -�  -�Yes, but you haven -(TM)t
looked at anything else.  Perhaps a job with better prospects. -� Turning
back to Ray she went on,  -�To give her a little time to think about what
Dr.  Hargreaves says and to explore other possibilities, I will ask that
you do not try and contact Mary at least until Saturday.  I would prefer it
was longer but from what I see in front of me, I don -(TM)t think that
would be fair to either of you.  Will you agree to that? -�  -�I -(TM)ll
agree provided you let me know details of any report as soon as you know
them.  It has all been a bit bewildering for me too.  When I saw what
appeared to be a little girl pacing the road out there, I didn -(TM)t
expect to become emotionally involved with her but now, I know the next few
days will feel empty and lifeless.  I -(TM)ll certainly look forward to her
return. -� Deliberately he kissed Mary in front of her father and Terri.

   Chapter 5.  Myra -(TM)s revenge  -�I wish to see my daughter, -� Myra
demanded.  The previous two days had indeed felt flat and lifeless to Ray.
Trying to keep his mind and body occupied, Ray sorted more of the boxes of
household goods stacked in corners of most rooms and attacked the jungle at
the back of the school.  He was riding the mower when Myra arrived
accompanied by a man.   -�I -(TM)m sorry Mrs.  Stevens, she -(TM)s not
here. -�  -�When will she be back? -�  -�I -(TM)m not certain if she
-(TM)ll be coming back. -�  -�Don -(TM)t lie to us, -� the man interrupted,
 -�My sister and I know she -(TM)s living here. -�  -�Not since they came
and took her away for a medical examination.  I don -(TM)t even know her
exact location and I -(TM)ve been told not to contact her until the matter
has been investigated further.  Depending on what the report says, you may
well be contacted. -�  -�You -(TM)re lying.  Mary would never go to the
police; she -(TM)s hiding in the house somewhere.  I demand you allow us to
check. -� Myra seemed more perturbed than her words indicated.   -�And none
of your Judo tricks will stop us. -�  -�Unfortunately, I thought it best if
her injuries were examined by a doctor I know as she was still in
considerable pain and I wanted her checked to see if there were any
internal injuries.  The doctor decided a second pinion was needed and
possibly psychiatric help and wanted her taken away from any further
possible beating.  I can see you don -(TM)t believe me but if you could
care to follow me, I -(TM)ll show you her room and any other room in the
house. -� Still not really believing that she -(TM)d been taken away, they
followed him into the house.   -�This is her room, -� Ray showed them in, 
-�She -(TM)s left some of her clothes but she -(TM)s taken enough stuff for
a fortnight without needing to wash any.  As you can see all her toiletry
things are gone. -� After a complete tour, Myra and her brother had to
admit she wasn -(TM)t there and for some time they tried to intimidate Ray
into revealing where she was but he was adamant that he didn -(TM)t know
the location.  That was only partially true.  He knew the town where her
father lived but no other address.   -�No doubt, when the examination and
stuff is done, we -(TM)ll both get a visit from the police or the welfare
department.  They may well think I had a hand in her punishment too.  So
much depends on what she tells them. -�

    -�Oh my God, Cyril, did you see that? -� Beryl Chesterman exclaimed to
her husband as they watched through gaps in the shrubbery that partially
concealed the low fence between their property and the Old School.   -�Oh
God, now he -(TM)s kicking the poor little man.  Phone the police quick. 
It -(TM)s that Kevin Sutcliffe and Myra Stevens, she -(TM)s the mother of
that girl he had staying with him for a couple of days. -� Ray had shown
Myra and her brother the outbuildings so they could be perfectly certain
Mary wasn -(TM)t hidden in one of them but then made the mistake of walking
down the path slightly ahead of the couple.  Throughout the visit, Kevin
-(TM)s temper had risen steadily but so far he -(TM)d heeded his sister
-(TM)s warning about Ray -(TM)s  -~Judo -(TM) expertise.  Now, with Ray
-(TM)s back to him there was little chance of reprisal.  Like his sister,
Kevin was tall and broad shouldered and although sporting a considerable
paunch, he was still pretty fit and muscular.  With a tightly clenched fist
he swung his arm in a wide arc.  Ray, sensing the movement, turned his head
slightly so the blow caught him hard and high on his right cheek and the
force knocked him to the ground.  Before he could recover, Kevin kicked him
several times in the stomach and ribs causing him to vomit and groan in
agony.  Fortunately Myra had the sense to pull her brother away before they
faced a murder charge.  -�That was stupid Kevin.  Now they -(TM)re sure to
check on us.  He -(TM)s going to need hospital treatment for sure and then
it will all come out.  We -(TM)re in deep shit now.  We -(TM)d better get
out of here. -� Almost automatically she looked around and saw the
neighbours witnessing the incident and the Cyril speaking into his mobile
phone.  In a gesture of defiance, she raised her fist and started to drag
Kevin away.  Five minutes later the police and then the ambulance arrived
to take Ray to hospital.  Half an hour later, Myra and Kevin were arrested.

   Saturday, Mary waited and waited at the telephone.  Gradually as the day
turned into evening, and still no call from Ray and she -(TM)d only got the
answerphone message when she -(TM)d tried to phone him.   -�Why doesn
-(TM)t he answer Daddy?  Has he gone?  Am I not the girl he really wanted?
Just a bundle of trouble? -� Miserably she went to bed and eventually she
cried herself to sleep.  None of the words of comfort her father and Terri
offered had any effect.  Morosely she sat around on Sunday morning waiting
for the phone to ring and going over in her mind all that had occurred in
the last few days.  Her meeting Ray, the interview with Dr.  Hargreaves and
then the welfare people and statements to the police.  They were quite keen
for her to press charges against her mother but despite what happened, she
was still her mother and loyalty prevented that.  When the doorbell rang
and she saw a police car outside, she wasn -(TM)t too surprised but
inwardly groaned at the thought of more statements.  In many ways she
already regretted letting Terri talk her into seeing her injuries.  Terri
showed the two policewomen into the room a few minutes later and came to
sit alongside her. With as much diplomacy as she could, one of the
policewomen explained what happened and that Ray was still in hospital but
should be released later that day or tomorrow.  Terri tried to ascertain
what his injuries were but the police only had the little information
supplied by the force in his home town.  -�I -(TM)ll drive you back, -� her
father said immediately he returned with the children from doing the
shopping.  -�Can we come too? -� asked twelve years old Sharon, the older
of the two girls.  -�Yes, we all want to see Mary -(TM)s boyfriend, -�
Wilma, generally known as Willie, piped up. Mark looked at his wife who
replied,  -�Girls from what I was told, Ray will not be a pretty sight.  He
-(TM)ll have a swollen face and a black eye and his ribs will be painful so
he -(TM)ll probably walk bent over so you won -(TM)t see him at his best
and maybe he won -(TM)t want to meet you while he -(TM)s in that state but
if you still want to come, knowing that, we -(TM)ll take you otherwise you
can stay with granny. -� When they still wanted to go, she said,  -�Well go
and help Mary pack so we can get away as soon as possible. -� Ray hadn
-(TM)t left the hospital when they arrived and indeed his face did look a
mess.  Mary rushed to him and without thinking, clasped him to her but his
involuntary cry of pain soon made her remember his chest injuries and she
cried out her apology for her thoughtlessness.  After introductions to the
girls, Terri introduced herself to the doctor who spoke to her in quiet
tones concerning Ray -(TM)s injuries.   -�Soft foods and no karate or
painting high ceilings for a while, -� she smiled at Ray when he grimaced
at the news,  -�And we -(TM)ll need to arrange for a loyal nurse to look
after you but it seems that only a trainee is available, however, she is
available day and night every day of the week. -� Even the girls knew whom
she referred to.   -�Remember Mary, you -(TM)re not fully fit yet either so
you take it easy too. -�

   A week later, Ray was able to talk properly and generally eat normal
foods but the yellowness from the bruise still showed.  By then the police
had called several times and Kevin and Myra were on police bail with an
injunction to keep away from Ray and Mary and the Old School.  They had
been charged with committing grievous bodily harm and were due to appear in
court later in the month.  For a few days the story made headlines in the
local papers and even when it died down, the vicar and several villagers
called with offers of help.  Having to be in charge of Ray and do the
shopping and cooking increased Mary -(TM)s confidence too and several times
she -(TM)d taken up their offer of transport to the supermarket and to take
Ray to the hospital for treatment.  They still hadn -(TM)t made love
although both wanted to, but the pain in Ray -(TM)s damaged chest prevented
it.  Now that was easing or under the control of painkillers, he wanted try
to.  One of the side effects of Mary -(TM)s visit to Terri, was getting Dr.
Hargreaves to prescribe birth control pills, but the doctor suggested to be
safe, they use condoms until her next cycle.  Each night since her return,
they -(TM)d slept together and after the first night, had played with each
other even to the extent that Mary caused him to ejaculate.  Perforce, Ray
-(TM)s strokes were slow but nevertheless both enjoyed their first fuck
together and kissed and cuddled afterwards. Lying quietly side-by-side with
her arm around his neck, Mary reminisced on just how much her life had
changed in such a short space of time.
   Finis