I slipped on the boots and zipped them up to the top. They almost reached my knees and were quite tight fitting. I'd attemped to choose wisely, as I didn't know how much walking I'd have to do, so the boots had a short two inch kitten heel. These were much less extreme than the 4" heels that were my favourite height, picked because of the way that they showed off my already slender legs.
"Are you ready to leave?", the voice said. I paused for a moment before speaking. "Yes, I think so", I replied to the air. "Then pick up your coat and handbag and head downstairs. Turn left at the bottom and wait in the study. And don't forget to give yourself a spray of perfume." A rather ornate bottle - the kind with a nozzle and a bulb - sat on the dressing table. I picked it up, gave the bulb a few squeezes and a cloud of expensive smelling aroma surrounded me. Passing through into the large room, I picked up the trench coat that I had chosen earlier and put the pink lipstick that I was wearing into my new black leather handbag. I took a deep breath before opening the door and stepping carefully down the stairs, being sure not to trip whilst my balance became adjusted to the shortish heels.
As I reached the ground floor and turned towards the door to the study, I caught my reflection in another tall mirror in the hallway. I certainly looked like I'd put in some effort to look good. My outfit was neither too showy nor too drab, despite being forced to wear a skirt that was somewhat shorter than one I would have picked, given a free choice. Could I actually pull this off and get back to the safety of my own home? I was soon going to find out.
"Help yourself to a drink", the voice said with a slight chuckle. "You might need a little Dutch courage." I poured myself a large scotch and took a gulp. "Now have you thought about where you want to be dropped off? The taxi driver has been instructed not to leave until you give him a destination. He will take you anywhere that you wish to go, but be aware that he hasn't been paid. The driver is aware that you have no money, so you will need to figure some way of reimbursing him before he drops you at your destination." The voice laughed a little more forcefully. "However I don't think that will present an issue to the good-looking girl that you've made yourself into." His laughing subsided and then he added. "By the way, the driver will also have a gift for you. One that you will no doubt find invaluable. Now have you considered the location for your journey's end?"
"Yes", I replied.
"Then go", the voice said. "And good luck with your journey." It felt like a very hollow sentiment, but I downed the remainder of my whisky, pulled on my coat and headed to the front door. On opening the door, a silver mercedes was just pulling up. I walked over to it and got into the back.
After fastening my seatbelt, the driver turned around and loooked me up and down. His eye lingered just long enough to make me feel a little uncomfortable. "Very nice girl", he said in an Eastern European accent. "Very nice girl, I've been told to give you this." He handed me a phone - my phone. It was unlocked and the gallery was open. "Where to?", he asked.
"Grange Road, Brompton", I replied. I figured it was only 2 streets away from home, so close enough to shorten my walk, but far enough for me to get a measure of what, or who, was about before I walked up to my own front door.
The car began to move slowly down the gravel driveway, I looked back at the house where I'd spent the last 2 days. It was large and traditional in looks and was in an enormous walled garden. I had no idea where it was, and I was hoping that I'd never see it again. |
