Chapter 10   It stopped snowing. The owner used his small snowplough to get us to the main road. From there on, the roads were clear. We arrived at Mave’s around nine. Cath was already there in her black catsuit – no tail. She looked stunning and I assumed would monitor events inside Oscillations, mouth shut, nearly invisible. At ten we set out for the club. Mave gave me the plan in the taxi.‘Meet me under the picture of the naked lady standing in an oyster shell. I may have to use the back entrance. I’ll find you, find Greg and introduce you. Keep your eyes down to hide your face. It’s handy it is part of the demure crap these guys want from a slave.’‘A what?’Why hadn’t I considered the milieu I was entering? This was no ordinary girl-meets-boy date. I remembered the alcoves with the selection of whips, canes and pad

Chapter 12   I had thought I would have to look up where Abe, as a name, has its origins. The hotel clerk in Las Vegas saved me the trouble. He led us to sign the certificate, or whatever it was, on an oak table in front of the marriage centre, (which was little more than a set of broom cupboards). To get us to the honeymoon suite (it came as a package, like everything else in Las Vegas), he called the lift operator and announced loudly, ‘Honeymoon Suite for Mr and Mrs Abraham Bentwhistle.’ I died a little on my wedding day.Abe comes from Abraham, father of the nations. Bentwhistle comes from the same place as Grimshaw and should have stayed there. My childhood dream of one day ridding myself of Grimshaw is over. I pray I will wake one morning and discover Bentwhistle is one of his many aliases.‘No one uses Bentwhistle as an alias,’ he assured me. ‘Aliases m

Chapter 14       I met Tannhäuser the following Saturday, in the Tate. So John, ‘Did you see Greg?’ I asked. ‘No. I took your advice and put him off.’ ‘Was he difficult about it?’ ‘Not at all. He muttered something about a new job he had to concentrate on, but I should contact him as soon as I am in town.’ ‘What next?’ ‘I want to meet him, with you, and we try to talk some sense into him.’ ‘Ridiculous notion!’ I couldn’t believe the man’s naivety. ‘What is your idea?’ he asked. ‘I don’t need one. He is leaving me alone – at the moment.’ I didn’t tell Tannhäuser that I would be working as Greg’s boss within a few days, that he couldn’t return to the USA at the moment without facing retribution from his father-in-law, that we had enough on him to ruin his already shaky reputation. I didn’t tell him, because despite all the car

Chapter 16   Monday came. No Greg. His first late mark. At least he has one human quality.I had meetings all morning. When I returned to the office, Dianne reminded me Greg was still missing.‘Is it time to try his mobile?’ she asked.‘Definitely.’I waited while she dialled. No reply.‘Perhaps he has quit our fair and lovely isle,’ Dianne offered.‘I’m not sure that would be so good. Before Greg goes we need resolved issues. Greg’s power over me, will resurface and come back to haunt me. He may as well be in the office. He will be in touch.’ On the way home, I received a text from Greg. ‘Sorry! Had to throw a sicky, as you people say. See you tomorrow.’With nothing resolved on that front, and as Abe was out until late on a case, I stopped off at my

Chapter 18. Contains sexual content.     Abe and I were lost in first love. But all things slow down and it occurred to me that we hadn’t resolved his bigamy. I slid off and lay beside him. ‘Is your divorce through yet?’ ‘Ah,’ he said. I waited. Surely there was more. There wasn’t and despite all efforts, I slipped into a deep sleep enjoyed only by those with a clear conscience. I forgot to ask again and Abe had a business trip to New York. ‘Be careful. Greg might still have his heavies out, looking for us.’ Abe made reassuring noises, I was reassured, but looking back, he said nothing of importance. My day was busy and it kept me from dwelling on my man being away. Nevertheless, Dianne spotted my absent mindedness. ‘Anything troubling you?’ ‘Abe is away – gone to New York.’ ‘I see,’ she interrupted. ‘Was that wise?’ ‘It’s probably OK, but I’d rather he