Marta's New Look Revealed, And A Young Enquiring Mind Ponders A Mystery

Getting ready for bed Anna went to the bathroom to brush her teeth, her sister was on the throne having a pee, the sound reflected, echoing as sounds do in a tiled room, before she had a mouthful of brush and toothpaste, Anna turned to ask Marta a question.

The question was momentarily forgotten as she let out a squeal, "Marta you've shaved off your pussy hair!"

"No I haven't." She said with a grin; finished, she wiped and stood up, giving a clearer view of the now denuded area.

"OK, if your going to play games, I doubt if it fell out by itself, and if you didn't shave it off, did you get Karl to pull it out with his teeth?"

"I talked to Valya about it and got myself waxed, it hurt like hell but it's supposed to be easier the second or third time, and it's supposed to last for weeks, you should see the T-shirt I got from Galina, it's over in the laundry basket."

Anna was amused by the shirt, and pressed Marta for all the details, with thoughts of teeth on hold, wanting to know about the full procedure. At the end of the tale, Anna slipped off her panties and bent double to inspect her own pubic area that didn't exhibit the level of maturity of her older sister, the lips being thinner and less prominent. If she looked really carefully a few of her very fine body hairs were just a shade darker, and a tad thicker, but it probably wouldn't take long to count them as they were so few in number.

This lead on to a discussion about many of the older models on the site, as none of the younger girls were encouraged to depilate, it was the general opinion that members liked to see the slow emergence of the signs of each girl's advancing adolescence. On the other hand as the girls grew into their womanly charms, some of them then tried to slow down the appearance that showed their advancing maturity.

The sisters were in agreement that pictures of girls who had shaved or trimmed badly were not very attractive, all scratchy looking, like when their dad threatened to smooch them, and he had what he called a six o'clock shadow. It was not so common among the models on their own site, but they had seen many examples elsewhere, when girls sported a rash or little bumps from the inexpert attentions of a razor. Memories of those images were one of the factors that prompted Marta's final choice to go for a professional waxing.

Being a short week, Marta wouldn't have any gym classes, so any locker-room revelations would be a surprise for next term, but Anna was as keen as Marta to find out how Karl would react to this new smooth look. Her mum came up trumps with the announcement she would be taking the boys shopping straight after school on Tuesday, and Anna had said she would go round to Eve's house as they were going to team up working on some script ideas Eve had talked about. Marta thanked her sister, as she knew how much Anna would have liked to stay and watch, but she would get a full and detailed report.

Karl had a call from Marta on Monday, asking if he could leave work early the next day, which of course would be no problem, with working hours at the studio being very flexible, providing you got your work done. He was beginning to look forward to Tuesdays as it was rapidly becoming his favourite day of the week, though he enjoyed any time spent with Marta, even last Thursday when she had been under the weather due to the time of the month. The net had been useful giving tips on how heat or massage would be helpful.

It had been an awkward topic to start with, you didn't just strike up a conversation with a girl asking if she was 'on the rag' as his cruder classmates would have said, Dmitri had been right when he said girls were mercurial by nature, and he tried to be sensitive to her varying moods. She had been patient with him, explaining about mood swings, zit break outs, and cramps, and he felt he had more than enough information to be glad he was not a girl, but from what she had said, she had it easier than most, so she was unlikely to go all mental on him.

He still hadn't had the opportunity to invite her round to see his bedroom, and as he had the all clear, it was a tempting idea as his parents worked office hours, with no siblings to turn up unexpectedly. He was still unsure how long Anna had been in the house, then there was the fact Marta kept no secrets from her younger sister, so he didn't know how he would face her next time they met. Would she be imagining him and Marta having anal sex, it was best not to dwell on that thought, there lies madness, and embarrassment.

His instructions were to be there by 4:15 so they would have the best part of two hours, as she didn't expect anyone back before 6:30 but wanted a margin of safety so they were washed, dressed and behaving themselves by the time anyone showed up.

He had the timing down pat arriving just a few minutes early after a brisk walk from the station, keen to see her as they hadn't had any converging free time at the weekend. Marta attacked him the moment he was through the door, playing tongue hockey with her hands under his coat wrapped around his waist. A greeting like that made him grateful that this gorgeous little brunette was his girlfriend, he couldn't imagine what he had done to get so lucky.

Seeing how revved up she was he took hold of her firm butt lifting her up and spinning her round, she giggled biting his ear telling him if he wanted to know what the surprise was they needed to go upstairs. Hand in hand they raced to her room, Marta insisting he strip and sit on the bed to await the show, while she stood there wearing a typical schoolgirl outfit of neat grey pleated skirt, and white school blouse complete with tie.

He had felt the fancy lace of her panties as his hands had slipped below her short skirt as he had lifted her up, he doubted she had worn such a garment to school, so she must have changed for his benefit. Marta had put on a CD, and began swaying to the music, her hands moving over her body, then she started to loosen the tie, Karl realised his special surprise was going to be a sexy striptease. Karl junior who had not been sleeping since he got here, sat up even straighter in a show of excitement.

Marta had thought about this, and although she had practised this alone in her room, she felt a little self conscious, at first worried he might think she was being silly, but from his rapt attention she gained assurance that this had been a good idea. After tossing away the blouse she placed one socked foot on his thigh moving it back and forth, until it sunk in he was supposed to take it off, there was less delay tackling the second, but he pulled slowly.

Her white schoolgirl socks were a hit, and it felt so good rubbing up close to his throbbing cock, and with one leg raised up so high he had glimpsed the red panties she was wearing, obviously chosen to cover her more, due to the drop in temperature, and not just for him, though she did look sexy in red. On the next sock he had another look, the panties having shifted he thought he could see a slight damp patch, so took his time, slowly removing the sock and trying to move the angle of her leg to improve the view.

Marta was getting into her role, and the skirt was next to go leaving just the white front fastening bra, and the red tie sided panties, she tried to concentrate on the beat as she moved but was distracted at the sight of the pre-cum that was making Karl junior shine in the room's lighting. Though she was still not crazy about the taste or texture, she was prepared to blow her boyfriend for the effect it had on him, and the sense of power and control it gave her. Of course then he would be able to concentrate on eating her pussy.

As the bra parted her hands moved apart, then at last moment she turned away hiding the view he had anticipated, turning again the bra fell to the floor as she cupped her breasts as if in an offering. He wanted to get up and touch her all over, but he knew there was usually some reason when she gave out specific instructions, and he would wait to see what she had in store for him. She turned again bending over and grinding her great rear that had been the subject of all his fantasies of late as it swayed from side to side.

Marta once again turned towards Karl, he looked a bit flushed as she went on with her dance, toying with the strings giving them little tugs as the loops on each bow got smaller. As the track on the CD reached it's crescendo, she gave one last pull....

Karl sat there bug eyed, looking as if he had been about to offer a round of applause, his hands were set, frozen in place, mouth open as he stared at the sight before him.

"Wow! That's just awesome."

"You like it?"

"Your joking, it's just so neat, you look.. well you know, awesome."

"So do you think it looks awesome?" Marta joked back seeing as Karl had lost the power of rational speech.

"Would you like to feel how smooth it is?" Which turned out to be a dumb question as he was soon down on the floor, so the subject of his interest was at eye level as his fingers explored the newly exposed silky finish.

Marta found herself transported to the bed as he dove in to investigate with both tongue and fingers, as she experienced whole new vistas of sensual pleasure, deciding that she would never again be sporting foliage in her nether regions. After two shattering orgasms he let up, just gently licking at the junction of her thighs as he looked over the newly revealed landscape, as they talked about the changes.

He sympathised on hearing how painful the experience had been, while in the same breath tried to find out if this was to be a permanent change, seeing how much Karl liked the new look she teased him saying how she wasn't sure, and how often he might need to kiss it better if she were to wax again. He didn't need a written invitation, and got back to work, his tongue trying to burrow deep into her pussy, his face glazed with her excitement.

She at last pushed him away too sensitive to take any more, only by telling Karl it was his turn was she able to take a rest from her most overwhelming sexual experience so far, and though she tried to express her feelings toward Karl by extending her most gentle and ardent attentions to his throbbing member, she could not delay the results of his pent up excitement, and surges of cum shot across her tongue.

Once more his essence flooded her mouth and rather than swallow she held it, trying to fathom the blend of sensations it made . Was it starting to taste better, or was it because it had come from Karl? She was undecided, but in her analytical way she suspected that she now associated the odd flavour with the joy and excitement of their sexual exploits.

Snuggled together Karl wondered at his mixture of feelings relaxed and mellow on the one hand while also in a sense energised, wanting to explore again, but wallowing in the lassitude of satisfaction in Marta's warm embrace. It would be great to do this every day, but they had to make the most of the private times they could arrange, he got to thinking if newly married couples spent all their time in bed, but no, the realities of life would soon put pay to that. His daydreams were interrupted by someone gently playing with Karl junior who was reviving from his recent oral adventures.

By the time they hit the shower Karl had experienced three orgasms, and Marta was too wasted to figure it out, but she did know for sure Valya had been right, and she would never again be sporting a pubic bush, Karl loved her 'smooth playground' which he proved several times to her immense satisfaction.

As they stood under the streaming water, Karl marvelled at the experience, he had thought showering or bathing with Marta was brilliant before, and exploring her contours with wet soapy hands had been delicious, but now with one small change it was even better. As she came one more time she felt her whole body stiffen then she turned into a limp noodle from head to feet, to the point where she had to sit down while Karl towelled her dry.

When Ella got back with the boys, she sent them upstairs to get washed and changed, then looking into the lounge she saw Karl sitting on the sofa reading, while Marta was sound asleep with her head in his lap, he just shrugged as they quietly greeted one another. Ella asked if he was staying for supper, already having detected the appetising aroma of the casserole in the kitchen Karl readily agreed.

Turning towards the kitchen Ella smiled to herself, having noted the ends of her daughter's hair being wet, in too much of a hurry with her shower cap no doubt. First she phoned Igor to check he was not going to be late, then she called her friend Magda, talking for a while then asking her to send Anna home if she and Eve had finished whatever it was they had been working on. She got the boys to set the table, and checking the clock put some crusty bread in the low oven to warm.

Ella was pleased that the new level of openness remained between them, and hearing of Marta's exploits had got her own motor revving on occasion, prompting Igor to ask what had got into her, not that he was complaining, she just said she was feeling particularly affectionate and that was good enough for him.

The anal sex had been a surprise, it had been for Karl as well, from Marta's telling of the tale, and then her recent decision to wax had been another shock, Ella couldn't ever imagine doing that herself, besides she felt to old to make that sort of change, and didn't want Igor to have a heart attack. If they had been using the empty house to their advantage as she suspected then Karl would be aware of this change, and from her daughter's blissfully zonked-out appearance it would seem he showed his appreciation of her sacrifice.

The last few days at school were fairly laid back, with everyone excited about the coming holiday, the only class that hadn't lost focus was English lessons. Right from day one it was made clear there was no room for slackers, and the few pupils that gave up were soon replaced by eager students willing to learn. With class numbers distorted by all of the models who got preferential placement, a little over sixty percent of each class was girls, with the remaining boys being from the highest academic achievers on the school roll.

There was an ethos among the models to do well at school, so they could be prepared for another career after they left modelling, and with the thought they could afford to continue with their higher education, they had a more empathic view towards their nerdy male classmates. This was a great ego boost for the guys who found that the most desirable girls in the school could see that brains could trump good looks or brawn.

It was via the simple fact of teenage hormones, and observations of the dynamics at play, that the standards across the board in both schools was slowly rising in an academic arms race. Suddenly it was cool to be a nerd, to have aspirations of further education, and to have hope for a better future.

Schools around the country had hardly closed their gates when the mass exodus began, as girls boarded trains heading off to the hubs where branches of the studio network were based, some of those girls on their way to Kiev, keen for a little seasonal shopping to fit between their studio bookings. In Kiev as in the other locations there would be a little boost to the local economy from this sudden influx of girls with their chaperones, who would need hotel rooms, meals, and the opportunity to buy their friends and family some gifts.

The boys made a valiant try to bring Christmas forwards in line with the west due to their increasing interest in all things foreign, suggesting they could celebrate on the 25th, then again as per local tradition as they had in the past, with of course the usual New Years gifts that were normally given out in the Ukraine. A swift reminder of the more modest gifts of former years, and of the hardship all around them was all it took to make them more aware of their fortunate position, and think of the difference between want and need.

Igor was very proud of his sons when they said any extra gifts should go to the people at the Squat as they didn't have any families to celebrate with over the New Year. He had intended to talk with Melenki about what work they currently had lined up for the winter, he had heard Taras and the other lads of the MMC had regular dog walking jobs around the affluent area they had been working, and keeping some local gardens tidied up, so he called his friend to find out what was happening across the city.

The answer was snow clearance, after the first fall they had been out before it had hardly had time to settle, and had agreements with many of the larger properties to keep their paths and driveways clear for the duration. They had even offered to share the work with any of the men who were between jobs, but there had been a steady trickle of small stuff, with some clients talking of bigger projects in the spring. In the coming week though a lot of time would be spent erecting trees for the New Year celebrations.

The biggest news from the Squat was they were now starting to make more use of the building, using one of the lock-ups on the ground floor for storing tools, there were even lockers for any personal tools belonging to the men, and the second lock-up was being used to store building materials and supplies that were left over, or that they had acquired.

There were now five women staying who were helping out by doing the laundry and cooking, even going out on jobs where another pair of hands was needed. It was while they were looking to rearrange accommodations that they finally checked out the old café that had catered to the much diminished industrial estate, and found the kitchen was still in full working order. They were cleaning the place up with the idea it would be better than the ad-hock arrangement they had in the common room at present, and free up space.

With the proper facilities they would find it easier to cook for those who lived there, and as a side issue it might be viable to see if they could get back the trade the café used to have serving the nearby factories and businesses. Igor was pleased to see they were making an effort to be self sustaining, and looking to new revenue streams, laughing at himself for thinking in 'entrepreneur speak', but this now reflected the circles he moved in.

Igor offered to lend whatever help he could, and said he would talk to Yuri about some decorating supplies to brighten the place up, and see if he could get one of the talented guys from the studio to paint signage for the café if they went ahead with the idea.

They talked for a long time, which was unusual as Igor often wondered what his wife and daughters found to talk about on the phone. They kicked around a few more issues that could impact on the fledgeling company that they called IMC builders, sure they could cobble together enough work to keep the men occupied through the winter. If all else failed the men could spend more time working on the building they lived in, as it would benefit them, and add value to Igor's investment.

Melenki spoke fondly of Gramps, and the way he kept his ear to the ground for any work in the area, locals could just have easily been given Melenki's number or Igor's, but having a friendly old codger gave the business a human face, one who was frequently seen about the neighbourhood. It was also a way Igor insured the old man kept his pride, in that he was able to earn his keep and hold his head up. Gramps and Yaroslaw had also struck up a friendship, and they would meet up often either at the cottage to talk about the garden, or at the Squat when he was there about business.

All the girls who could speak English and were signed up for the TTMF filled all the regular time slots. As many of their audience would be on 'vacation' over the last week of the year, and maybe the start of January, a few volunteers took on the 'extra early' morning slot, or joined in from eight onwards in the evening. Some of the models with lesser skills who had not yet signed up, got to sit in with the regular girls as 'guest speakers' which the members enjoyed, meeting these novices whose faces and bodies they were familiar with, and watching them mangle what little of the language they had learned up to that point.

Despite the studio's relative anonymity, with all the payments going through third party systems, a few clever and intrepid members had discovered the correct address, and sent greetings cards. Some were just general good wishes to everyone at the site, others were to specific models care of the studio. Anna decided that her dozen or so cards addressed to Natasha should adorn their office at the studio.

A few of the girls had been sent money orders, and requests for undergarments to be sent to PO box numbers. This was a hot topic on the girls chat zone as they tried to think of the best response, eventually it was decided to play dumb, and those girls when it was their turn on the TTMF thanked their kind anonymous benefactors, saying the money had been spent on new undies and other clothes for children at various orphanages as requested.

From the ribald comments it was clear that many members guessed what the original notes may have asked for, and they applauded the good use to which the money had been put. Their members were much maligned by society, who were unable or unwilling to tell the difference between child lover, and sick pervert. Once it was seen there was a need, a number of the members said they would make donations directly to some of the children's charities that came up in the conversations, as their way of spreading seasonal good will.

For over two weeks a relay of girls maintained a presence on the TTMF for up to twenty hours a day so anyone in their audience regardless of their location on the globe had a chance to talk live, if they were a VIP member, or at least look in if they held a Gold-plus membership. The holiday atmosphere and spirit pervaded the topics, and many taking part were inspired to give to regional or international children's charities. As a result of the girls marathon efforts, the TTMF became a much more solid and cohesive community.

It was illustrated what type of people joined the site, when a news story hit the headlines about a young girl who was abducted off the street and later harmed, the perpetrator was caught, and the girl was saved, but the media screamed paedophile. At the first reports everyone was hoping and praying for the girls safe return, then there was anger at the continued misuse of a term that had been corrupted from it's original meaning, and was now a catch-all term for vile abusive deviant psychopaths, or murderers of children. To any sane person it could be seen these were not 'child lovers' in any sense of the term.

The members were the first to condemn the psychotic bastard who had harmed the girl, each having their own views of which circle of hell he belonged in, and how they would like to deal with people of his sort. From then on whenever high profile cases of sexual or physical abuse hit the news, the members vented their hatred and revulsion of the people who had been responsible.

Dismay and anger were also the main response to the rise of political correctness gone mad, when grandmothers were prosecuted for taking pictures of their tiny grandchildren in the bath, and they were labelled as paedophiles or sex offenders, for doing something innocent that parents and grandparents had been doing since the advent of photography.

It took a really puerile mind to look for bad intent where none existed. Another subject of much interest, was when true love stories between couples of widely differing ages made the news, and despite protestations of the younger party, the older person was prosecuted for a crime that their partner would not support, and would rally against pressing criminal proceedings. Inevitably the call would be this is for your own good, and we are protecting you from abuse, so both parties would be devastated by the separation, and the older one would face time in the grey bar hotel.

Apart from the odd rant, and members getting on their soapbox, life carried on, with the turn of the year, a few more lucky girls got signed up introduced via existing models, as all the network affiliates were running full pelt, and could not field auditions at this busy time.

Uliana was an exceptionally bright but quiet ten year old who had jumped a year, she went to the same school as Marta and Anna, Marta knew her through the chess club, and she was also in the school orchestra. She wasn't really shy, it's just that she felt isolated by her intellect, but that didn't hinder her hearing, or her observations. There was a mystery at the school that she couldn't solve, so she kept rearranging the pieces until she could form a hypothesises where they would all fit.

Many pupils were aware of the loose association of girls that bridged across the age barriers that would normally preclude social interaction, but they didn't view it with the same fascination as Uliana. She started to look for common denominators that bound this group together; they all took their education seriously, even if some were more gifted than others, and like her they all took English lessons, but with a fervent zeal. She continued her lists, and noted they tended to be among the better looking girls, and they took above average care of their appearance.

It was that last clue that lead her to the fact they changed their hair styles more frequently than most, had better manicures, and wore nice clothes even if they weren't showy, all these things were starting to come together. It was on overhearing a comment about the job the father of one of the girls had, that started a new line of investigation. When she had more data she saw that the group as a whole lived beyond their apparent means, maybe not in a big way, but the signs were there in the hobbies and pastimes the girls enjoyed.

Mobile phones were another anomaly, not that common among adults in the city, but all of this group had one, and they looked to be nice ones, like those carried by the girls that let you know the were rich, and that often came with an attitude. She also knew at least among the younger girls they were all computer literate, so possibly they had computers at home as well, one more sign of an extra income that was coming from somewhere.

Her imagination ran wild, were they part of an international spy network, or were they all under age call-girls, no that was crazy for she had overheard some of their talk about their personal relationships, and from the progress in that department it didn't seem likely.

Her personal crusade to solve the apparent mystery had slowly turned into an obsession, which after some time came to Marta's attention. This girl who was somewhat a loner and didn't mix much, had not been as subtle as she had thought, always hanging around the periphery of the studio set looking for clues. The watcher was now being observed by another analyst who was trying to determine why her friends were the subject of scrutiny.

Marta wondered if she should consult Sun Tzu's 'Art of War' a well known ancient text, but was this really a threat, or the idle curiosity of a girl who felt out of place, separated from her peer group, and trying to discover what held together a social group that had no right to exist under normal circumstances.

First she spoke to Anna, who then confirmed what Marta had seen, Uliana was often there in the background, such a wallflower that she had in a way become invisible, which was a pity, as she had no objectionable traits, it's just that she never seemed to make the effort to join in, other than playing her flute, or playing chess.

Marta planned her ambush, it wasn't difficult to find out the girl's schedule, and the library was the perfect setting for a hushed conversation.

"Hello, Uliana what are you reading?"

She looked up in surprise, it was an older girl, Marta from the chess club, a challenging opponent who she had yet to beat, her younger sister was one of the girls in 'the group' but she wasn't sure about Marta, if she were one of them, or just linked by association.

"Oh, hello Marta, it's nothing interesting, just reading ahead for my social studies class."

"I don't know, you're quite good at social studies, what have you worked out so far, and I'll think about filling in the gaps."

The deer in the headlights look, and the colour in her cheeks was all the confirmation Marta needed, they were both on the same page.

"I didn't mean any harm, honest, it's just a strange dynamic, and it was fun to play the detective, but there must be parts of the puzzle I can't see. I know your sister is a popular member of the group, in fact she seems to be well liked all round, but I couldn't decide about you, if you were 'in' or just mixing with the others because of Anna."

"That was an astute observation that has more than one answer, so tell me what you do know, then I'll decide what to do."

Uliana went on to list girls in the group, and laid down the facts she had pieced together, and the conclusions she had reached from the clues so far, ending her summation with the comment that the glue binding the group was a secret they held in common, but she hadn't worked out what it could be.

"As I said to someone a little while ago, I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you", Marta said this with a big grin on her face.

"In truth it is a joint secret, and I can see three options at this point, one; Ask you to leave us alone, but I can see it would keep eating at you. Two; Satisfy your curiosity, and swear you to keep the knowledge to yourself, or three; Let you become a full member by participating, and that idea holds some appeal in that it might do you some good."

Uliana looked bug eyed, paying rapt attention to what Marta had to say, curious as to how participating in this secret might be of personal benefit, this was something she should ask Marta about.

"I've got a question, you said if I participated myself it might do me some good, could you sort of expand on that without giving away the big secret?"

"That's a reasonable question that I think I can answer, if you took part in 'whatever it is' I think you would gain in self confidence, it would give you a bunch of 'sisters', and you could improve your finances, but it would depend on how you and your parents view some particular issues."

"Wow, I was sure there was some money involved, but you sure didn't give away any clues so I don't know what to say, and it's just me and mum, she works in the office at the main railway station. I suppose it would be nice having older friends, but it's hard enough when I moved up a year, in that they think I'm too young for them to interact with, and they don't like that I'm still smarter than them."

Marta could see the hurt, unshed tears barely held back, differences got you ostracised from the herd, and this girl held a yearning to belong, for some form of acceptance, to have an ace, other than just her native intelligence, curiosity and thirst for knowledge.

It was fortuitous that this was the last study period, and at that point the bell should ring announcing the end of the school day.

"Come with me, do you have to rush home or have we got time to talk?"

"No, I would just be sitting at home studying, then start dinner and wait for mum."

It was the Wednesday of their first week back at school, she met up at the usual place, to journey home with Anna and Eve, for the moment only saying to the others that Uliana was coming over for a game of chess. Not that she could have spoken of the real nature of what they were going to discuss among the press of kids streaming out as they made their way to the station. From what Marta had said before Anna knew chess was the last thing on the agenda, and guessed it was going to be an interesting afternoon.

Uliana felt excited to be on the edge of some discovery, the station where they emerged was in a very nice area, and soon they were passing a broad park where some boys were having a snowball fight. Eve pealed off to head down a side road and they kept on in the same direction, going past some beautiful big houses each standing on their own plot.

It was a shock to find they turned to walk down the path to the front door of one of those houses, in the cosy warmth of the hallway they took off their boots as Anna called out to tell her mum they had company. Their mum invited her in to sit at the kitchen table for a piece of home made pie, and a hot drink, she also met the girls younger brothers, who were arguing about who got to read which comic first.

Anna took on the roll of mediator, while Uliana noted that the boys were reading expensive foreign magazines just like their sisters, and the other girls who were in 'the group', so now she saw how importantly this family viewed a good education. The pie was delicious, and she wished her mum could cook like that, but she didn't really have the time to practice.

When they had all finished Marta cleared the table, placing all the crockery and cutlery into a dishwasher, something Uliana had not seen before in real life. Where wood floors with the odd rug was the norm for most people, this house had wall to wall carpets all over, and when they got upstairs Uliana counted the number of doors, and it looked as if they all had their own bedrooms.

They ended up going to Anna's room, and they showed her the shared bathroom that lead to Marta's bedroom, either of which was larger than the entire apartment where she lived with her mum. Anna's large bed was dominated by Mr Bear who was maybe taller than herself, but he was moved to the floor so they could all sit there and talk.

The room was beautifully furnished, and she saw there were two laptop computers on the desk, above which there was a notice board covered in sticky notes and reminders, on the other walls were some prints and drawings of horses, and propped in the corner near a music stand was an acoustic guitar. She then noticed both sisters had been watching her take in her surroundings. She was careful to make only general compliments rather than single out any one item, as from politeness Anna might feel obligated to make a present of it, and Uliana thought it very rude of people who sort out gifts in that way.

Marta told her sister the extent of their talk earlier in the library, and the fact she thought it would be safe to reveal what the secret was about, Anna smiled then began telling the story of a girl last May standing in a queue waiting for an audition. Anna thought it fun to tell the story in the third person, as if talking of some faceless stranger.

Uliana listened in awe as the nature of the modelling became clear, but she was riveted by the tale, wanting to know the outcome, hanging on every word, rooting for the heroine as disaster struck with the girl's mother injured, and unable to act as chaperone, then as an older sister is introduced for the first time into the story as the saviour of the hour, her face showed the dawning light of understanding, her eyes flicking between the two sisters.

At this point Anna paused, but Uliana begged her to go on with the story, which she did, but left out any reference to how Irisha came on the scene, or without giving details of any of the other girls involved, just talking about sharing a set now and then with other models.

"I swear I won't ever tell anyone, that was like some nineteenth century romantic novel, where the poor heroine triumphs over all the perils of her journey, to become the wife of the handsome lord of the manor."

"Well I wouldn't go that far, but our lives have changed a lot over the past nine months, but I guess you could say Marta has her prince charming." Anna expected the jab from her sister and tried to dodge out of the way, falling off the bed and landing on top of Mr Bear.

When the laughter died down, Marta asked what Uliana thought about the modelling, the young girl didn't answer straight away, mulling it over, trying to view it dispassionately, and looked logically at the pros and cons. It had been unspoken, but she assumed all of the other girls in 'the group' were naked models, and none seemed harmed by the experience, in fact they were among the happiest and most friendly people she had seen at the school.

Marta's comment about a gain in self confidence came to mind, yes they all had it, so that was a good thing, and finally there was the financial reward. She hadn't a clue what sort of payments were involved for the modelling, but it must be life changing.

Uliana considered what her mum would make of it, she wasn't prudish, she spoke openly of the women who hung around the station in a sad way, but she never put them down for the choices they had been forced to make. "You have to use what you got kiddo." That had been her mothers comment, and the reason she encouraged her to study hard, pleased Uliana had been offered a place at her current prestigious school, and that she had skipped a grade to move up. Anna had talked of a nest egg, a safety net that would enable all four siblings to continue with higher education at university without hardship.

That last thought was tempting. Uliana wondered if she could take her clothes off and pose in front of a camera, or more to the point, would anyone want to see her skinny naked body which was straight up and down, in silhouette no different than a boy of her own age. She realised she wasn't 'body conscious' in the way slightly older girls often were, as if in some way constantly worried about the changes taking place. If she could be one of them, would she get the same air of confidence, then as she grew up would she feel more at home in her own body, revelling in the changes rather than fearing them, there were so many questions, but she realised there was only one answer...

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To be continued in Chapter 49.

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