A very
short story inspired by a picture by Vancy.
It's a bit grim! :(
It's a bit grim! :(
~o0o~
A mother and her son
are moving across the country, From Catterick to Cornwall. Their
estate car is packed to the brim with boxes and cases, the roof rack
too. As the mother is strapping the last few things to the roof rack,
the new tenants of their home arrive and they chat. Mum introduces
herself as Maggie and amongst the small talk, tells them that she lost the boy's father in
Helmand six months ago, hence the move.
The boy appears at the
open front door, holding a vacuum cleaner. “Maggie!” he hollers.
“I've finished the hoovering, does this need to go in the car?”
he asked.
“No that belongs to
the house Peter.” his mother replied.
“He uses your first
name... how modern.” the woman says.
“I'm his
step-mother.” Maggie replied. “Peter's mother left when he was
five and I met his father when he was six.”
“Oh I see.” the
woman says. “And how old is he now?”
“Eleven.”
“So for all intents
and purposes, you are his mother.”
“I like to think so.”
Maggie smiled. “He doesn't remember his real mum and I'm all he has
now.”
“Oh bless him... it
can be easy losing his father at his age.”
“No but he's tough.
Like his Dad, a real trouper.” Maggie smiled.
“Here he comes.”
the woman said as Peter exited the house.
Maggie's phone rings. “I've got to take this... excuse me.” Maggie says, wondering down the drive, out of earshot and answering the phone.
“You must be Peter?”
the woman smiles when the boy exits the house and approaches the car.
They chat whilst his step-mum is clearly having a heated
conversation. “So you're moving to Cornwall I understand.”
“Yes.” Peter
replied. “Maggie's going to teach me to surf... it's gonna be
really cool.”
“So it's Bude you're
moving to?”
“Just outside...
Stratton.” Peter replied.
“Ah... I don't know
it, but I do know that Bude is excellent for surfing... you'll have a
lot of fun there.”
“Yeah.” Peter
replied, glancing it Maggie who seems frustrated on the phone.
“It's a long drive
from Catterick.”
“I know... we're
stopping at my aunt's in Chedworth for the night then continuing to
Cornwall tomorrow.”
“Chedworth rings a
bell... where's that?”
“In the Cotswolds.”
“Lovely!”
“Yeah... but my
aunt's really bossy... I don't like her much.” Peter replied. “But
she's my dad's only sister and I know she wants to see me.”
“Yes... I'm sure she
does.” the new tenant replied. “Your mum told me about your
father... I'm sorry.”
“That's OK.” Peter
replied. “She's my step-mum.” Peter stated. “That's why I call
her Maggie and not Mum... but she is my Mum really.”
“Yes, she said.”
the new tenant replied as Maggie returned, having hung up. “Is
everything OK?”
“Ohhh I hope so.”
Maggie replied. Peter asked who she was talking to. “Your Aunt.”
she sighed.
Maggie shows the new
tenants around the house, checking that everything is clean and that
they haven't forgotten anything. She tells them about the local area,
the town, the school and the neighbours and wishes them all the best.
“They seem nice.” she said to Peter as they drove away from their
old life, embarking on their new one.
“What was Aunt Sarah
saying?”
“All sort of things.”
Maggie sighed. “But nothing to worry about.” she assured. “I
just need to pop into Catterick before we head off.” she told him.
He waited in the car
whilst Maggie was in the solicitors... for almost half an hour he
waited. “You were ages.” he moaned.
“Yes I'm sorry.”
“Some thing's wrong?”
“Nothing that can't
be fixed.” she smiled, clutching his hand.
His step mother was
clearly very stressed as they drove from Yorkshire, down through the
Midlands, past Nottingham, Leicester and Coventry and through miles
and miles of open rolling countryside and into the picturesque
Cotswold hills.
They arrive at their
destination; a large detached house. Aunt Sarah is on the doorstep as
the car slowly crunches over the gravel driveway. “Hello Aunt
Sarah.” Peter says, giving her a hesitant hug. His aunt sends him
inside where the housekeeper has sandwiches prepared for their
arrival.
Maggie and Sarah have a
stern exchange outside, before both enter the house. Both pretend
that everything is normal for a while, but Peter knows that something
is wrong. After they've eaten and drank some tea, Maggie says that
she and Peter should have a stroll around the garden. “What were
you and her arguing about?” Peter asked when they were outside and
out of earshot.
Maggie doesn't reply
until they're sat. “You know that your father and I weren't
married.” she states.
“Yes but you're still
my Mum.” he replied.
“I know... but in the
eyes of the Law, it's not quite so simple.” Maggie sighed. “I
know I should have told you before now, but ever since your father
died, your Aunt has been trying to apply for custody of you.”
“Why?” Peter
retorted. “She doesn't even like me.”
“She loves you very
much in her own way... and she is your closest blood relative.”
Maggie replied.
“Was it her on the
phone this morning?” he asked. “When you were arguing.”
“Yes.” Maggie told
him. “That's why I had to go the solicitors.” she said. “I'm
sorry Peter but she won...” Maggie hung her head. “You have to
stay here.”
“But why?” he
whined. “I don't want to stay here!”
“She's your legal
guardian now.” Maggie told him. “I'll do everything I can to get
you back but... according to my solicitor, I've done everything I can
do and the decision has been made.”
Maggie doesn't stay the
night as arranged, but she does have all of Peter's things packed up
in the car, which will need to be unloaded. “He has everything he
needs and anything he hasn't got I'll provide.” Aunt Sarah sternly
states. “A fresh start is best for the boy... not his old toys...
and certainly not that mountain bike thing.” she says, glaring at
his bike strapped to the roof rack.
They share a tearful
goodbye. Maggie promises she'll come and visit in a few months. Peter
asks his aunt if he can go to stay with Maggie in Cornwall, in the
summer maybe. “...you can teach me to surf like you promised.” he
enthused.
“Surf?!” Aunt Sarah
exclaimed. “In the sea?!” she sighed. “That's far too
dangerous. The boy's much better off here where he'll be safe and
cared for.” she spat.
“I'm perfectly
capable of caring for him Sarah... I've been his mother for five
years.”
“You've barely been a
step mother.” Aunt Sarah retorted. “...since Robert never
actually married you.” she sniped.
“Why you think he'll
be better off with such a vindictive woman like you I'll never know!”
Maggie growled.
“Because he's my
blood.... you're just some floozy his father picked up.”
“I'd better leave
before I do something you'll regret, Sarah.” Maggie snarled. And
with that, the boy and his step-mother were parted.
~o0o~
Eight months later,
Maggie has finally been allowed to visit...
“What
have you done to him?!” Maggie gasped.
“Surely you've heard
of petticoating?” Sarah replied, before prompting the boy to put
his doll down and say hello. He appeared almost brainwashed as he did
as asked, carefully putting the doll down in a seated position,
before curtseying and saying “Hello Maggie.”
“That's not how we
address grown-ups Peter.” Aunt Sarah sternly told him. “Say hello
properly.”
“Hello Miss Slater.”
Peter said, curtseying once more.
“Why is he dressed
like that?” Maggie exclaimed. Sarah reiterated that he's been
petticoated, and this is how petticoated boy's dress. “But he's not
even wearing a dress!” Maggie gasped.
“Not whilst he's
playing... it would only get creased, so he takes it off first...
don't you Peter?”
“Yes Auntie.” he
gulped.
“Do you need to see
Nanny about your nappy?”
“No auntie.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes Auntie.”
“Well put your dress
back on. Playtime's over for today.”
“Yes Auntie.”
Maggie and Sarah return
downstairs. “Why on earth is he wearing a nappy?”
“Because he
misbehaved yesterday.”
“He's eleven years
old! ...almost twelve!” Maggie remarked. “Making him wear a nappy at his age is
cruel!”
“It's the rule.”
Sarah replied. “Nothing helps a boy reflect on his behaviour more
than stewing in his juices.” she stated, adding “Would you rather
I spanked him?”
“Of course not!”
Maggie exclaimed. “But making him dress like a girl must be
humiliating enough... let alone treating him like a baby.”
“Only when he acts
like one and misbehaves.”
“I'm going to speak
to social services about this.”
“By all means. I'm
acting well within the Law. Hundreds of case studies have been done
which prove that petticoating is both a proactive and harmless form
of discipline for adolescent boys.”
“He acts like you've
brainwashed him.” Maggie retorted.
“He's merely learned
some manners... manners that he didn't have when you brought him to
me.”
“You took him from
me!” Maggie spat. “His father would be beside himself if he was
here.”
“His father isn't
here. The boy is being raised as I, his legal guardian, sees fit.”
“And what about
school?” Maggie asked. “He doesn't dress like that at school does
he?”
“I felt it best to
have him home schooled.” Sarah informed her. “A governess comes
everyday during term time... you needn't worry about his education.”
“I'm worried about
everything!” Maggie replied. “What you're doing is inhumane!”
she stated. “Now I understand why you wouldn’t let me visit!”
she said as the sound of footsteps drew her attention. Click. Clack.
Click. Clack. Click. Clack. The slow, regular sound of a solid heel
on a hardwood floor seemed to go on for an age before the boy
appeared in the doorway.
His bright yellow dress is trimmed with white lace and looked humiliatingly short. Peter looked mortified to be wearing such
an infantile outfit. In his hair is a big bright yellow bow and his
lips are painted in a bright pinky red. Maggie gulps as her eyes drop
to his feet; black patent Mary Jane shoes and a pair of lace trimmed
ankle socks. He stands absolutely to attention, with his hands behind
his back and Maggie can tell that he's not in the least bit happy
here.
“Well don't just
stand there Peter... say hello then you may sit.” Sarah instructed.
The boy gulped and
dropped a curtsey, lifting his dress a little to reveal a glimpse of
his frilly over-knickers. “Hello Miss Slater, Auntie.” he meekly
said, before perching himself not on a chair, but a small stool.
“I'll leave you to
chat.” Sarah said. “If you need anything. Just call.” Sarah
said.
“Oh Peter.” Maggie
said, sounding on the verge of tears. “What's she doing to you?”
“Auntie says it's for
the best.” Peter timidly replied. “I'm OK really.”
“Wouldn't you rather
be with me in Cornwall?”
“Of course I would
Maggie... but I can't.”
Maggie glanced to the
open door. “Come on... I can take you away from this right now. We
can jump in the car and we'll drive off... she won't have time to
stop us.” Maggie said, holding out her hand. “I'll get you some
new clothes.... boys clothes... and won't have to dress like that
ever again.”
“No Maggie... I
can't.”
“You can. We can!”
“This is what she
wants.” Peter replied. “You to come and take me away.”
“I don't think so.”
“She does... that's
why I'm in trouble... for eavesdropping.” he told her. “She wants
you to abduct me, then she'll call the police and we'll get caught
and I'll be brought back here and you'll be arrested.” he claimed.
“That's the only reason she let you visit me.”
“But you can't stay
here... not like this.” Maggie said, knowing in her heart that his
every word is true.
“I don't have a
choice.” Peter replied. “When I'm sixteen I'll be able to
leave... then I'll come... then you can teach me to surf.” he said.
“But that's five
years Peter... five years of living like a....” she paused, unable
to find a suitable word.
“Little girl.”
Peter said.
“Worse than that if
she's making you wear nappies!”
“Only when I'm
naughty.” he replied. “I've learned to behave myself now.” he
gulped.
“It's like she's
broken you Peter... if there's anything I can do?” Maggie said.
Peter shook his head
and stared at his hairless knees. Then he looked into her loving
eyes. “I'll come one day.. when the Law's on my side.” he told
her. “Will you wait?”
“I'll always be
waiting for you Peter.”
“I know.” he
smiled. Peter stood and brushed his hands down his frock. “I think
about you every day Maggie.”
“And me you too!”
Maggie gushed, taking the boy in her arms and hugging the air out of
him, before coughing on his perfume, which he appeared to be doused
in.
“How are you two
getting on?” the boy's aunt asked as she interrupted their embrace.
Maggie glared at her. “Maybe Peter can show you around the garden?”
she suggested.
“That's OK auntie...
Miss Slater was about to leave anyway.” he said. “Weren't you?”
“Erm.... yes.... it's
a long drive back to Cornwall.”
“Well you need some
fresh air young man... and make sure you play where we can see you.”
“Yes Auntie.” Peter
replied, before turning to Maggie, dropping a curtsey and bidding
farewell to 'Miss Slater'. His heels clicked and clacked on the
flooring, all the way down the corridor.
“So I trust you're
contented with what you've seen?” Sarah asked. “That he's happy
and healthy and well looked after.”
“He may be healthy
but he's certainly not happy.” Maggie scowled. “The poor boy.
You're robbing him of his formative years... making him live like
this. You're doing nothing but humiliating him.”
“Humiliation makes
for a humble soul.” Sarah replied. “He's come on leaps and bounds
from that boisterous brat you brought to me.” she said. “Now...
unless there's anything else?”
Sarah gestured toward
the door. Maggie clutched her handbag and made her way through it,
down the long corridor towards the front of the house. The sound of
gravel crunching in quick repetition filled her ears as she exited,
and there on the drive is Peter, playing with a skipping rope. The
bow on his head bounces like a butterfly and his short yellow frock
reveals his bulbous frilly over knickers with each and every skip.
Maggie gulps and gets in the car. She looks at her step-son one last time
before reversing onto the street. She stops and sobs until all
her tears are dry.
You are right PJ it is a grim story. To take a childhood away from a boy that way is absolutely not human
ReplyDeleteGrim story but very well written so as not to be unenjoyable. They’re very nice dresses and the rest he’s wearing. Sarah is a very tough cruel mistress. But he has got lovely manners now. He’s lucky to have sweet Maggie to go to in 5 years as a well mannered boy in boys clothes, he will be a delight to have around and teach to surf.
ReplyDeleteToo grim? I beg to differ! I know many of your devoted fans want the petticoating to be consentual and agreeable. However there is room,imho,for strict dominant ladies in some of your tales, dear PJ. Obedience and discipline are important to Aunt Sarah and being firm but fair she will no doubt give him the choice in any further bouts of misbehaviour. A nappy or a spanking. Thank you for another excellent story. Stay safe. Regards Geraldine x
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with others that this is a grim tale for PJ. It's not about the aunt being strict, it's about a good boy ripped away from the only mother he has ever known. I'm sure it happens in real life and it's a sad situation. Otherwise, the story is quite enjoyable and the protagonist seems like he's got the mental fortitude to ride out the storm.
DeleteSiete dei psicopatici,i bambini allevati con questi metodi,da grandi saranno degli adulti con grosse problematiche comportamentali,cosa dimostrata da vari team di psicologi !!
DeleteTo my anonymous Italian friend. This is fiction. It is not advice, it's not real... it's just a made up story, albeit a very grim one. :)
DeleteAnother excellent story PJ. Slightly darker but no less enjoyable. I don't think it's fair he was taken from his 'mother' (and to him she is his mother), but a strict auntie can sometimes work wonders. I wonder if, after five years of living like this, when he returns to Maggie, whether he'll want to ditch the girls clothes, or whether he'll have grown to like them, and will he have progressed to big girls knickers or be dependent on his nappies?
ReplyDeleteSuper story we need more chapters please!!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this. Life isn't always fair; however, sometimes good may come from it. Perhaps Aunt Sarah will eventually "break" him and he will come to embrace his femininity. Peter may become "Patricia" and never want to go back. Girls surf, too. Maggie may learn something when she meets Peter's 16-year old self. Thanks for your wonderful stories! :)
ReplyDeleteFirst off, it's lovely to see someone use some of Vancy's excellent work. Those are classic pieces of petticoat punishment art, a staple of the genre and underappreciated to say the least. While they do pop up from time to time it is rare to see them put into the context of such a wonderful a story. You've captured the mood quite well, dark and confining and a bit cruel. Such it is with much of the literature of petticoat punishment, just as it is with life.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Sarah is a villain to be sure, just as in the old fairy tales and even the modern classics. And, of course, a good deal of the petticoat discipline and pinafore punishment literature. Peter is the archetype princess in distress, a prisoner in disguise--and a diaper!--sorely in need of rescuing. Maggie is his Prince Charming and perhaps one day she will come riding in on her white horse--or perhaps a white Jaguar--and take him away.
In the meantime, however, our young hero will remain trapped in his ivory castle mansion, a plaything to amuse his stern auntie, to be dressed up as a life-sized dolly, to be ordered about, told what to say, how to say it ... even what and how how to play. Skipping rope, dressing up his dolls, singing silly children's songs, dancing ballet and perhaps even reading about other boys trapped in plights such as his own ... such is his life until he is of age. As time goes on he'll dream of Maggie and their adventures together and the freedom to do as he wishes; but until that glorious time comes, however, he will learn that pleasing his auntie is his greatest joy, his purpose in life.
As with all great villains, Auntie Sarah is as smart as she is harsh. She will manipulate Peter's will, she'll play games with his mind and lead him down a path of uselessness, weakness and frivolity. Five years is an eternity for a young boy. Thanks to his Auntie Sarah's training he will never run off with Maggie or partake in any masculine adventures. He'll remain his auntie's pretty nephew, her companion and her work of art. Wherever they go he will be introduced as such, prim and proper in his frilly tea dresses and childish frocks, whether it be a luncheon with the lady's club, an afternoon at the museum or an evening at the opera. And oddly enough, he'll be happy in his own way ... whether he likes it or not.