Okay, I feel shit. Literally and metaphorically. It's been going round and round in my head all day. The challenge is over. I've lost, I've blown it.

But that's not the problem. It's what he said:

"I think I'm relieved of my promise of confidentiality."

What does that mean? What does he mean by that? I'm afraid I know, and it's too horrible to contemplate. I've been logged into the chatroom all day but he hasn't come in. I just need to speak to him, to know what he's planning... I can't take much more of this. It's driving me fucking mad. Off to do something. Anything. Just do something. Take my mind of this fucking mess. Oh Molly, Molly 3; :-(

An hour later

I've just had a brainwave. God, I'm the blondest bimbo I know, I really am. He's got a fucking mobile phone, hasn't he? All this time, it's never crossed my mind to actually phone him on it - I've just used it for texting. Doh!! HOW STUPID AM I??? If I catch him unawares, he might answer it and I'll hear his voice. Then I'll know who it is. Christ, how long has it taken me to work this out? I'm no Miss Marple, am I?

Molly Clouseau, à votre service... Avec une minkey 3;

Fuck, it's an answerphone. I've left a message - come online, I want to talk.

Ten minutes later

He's just texted me.

Silly Molly. As if I'd fall for that

Should of known u be more clever than that

U going online?

I want 2 chat

Nothing to chat about, Molly

Yes, pse. Please

Please

Maybe later

Sunday April 25th, 2004, late

What a bastard. He eventually came on about half ten, just when I was about to go to bed. PMT's kicked in with a vengeance now. I just want to murder something. Preferably something str8guy shaped.

[str8guy has entered]

[str8guy] Good evening, Molly.

[medusa] hi

[str8guy] Fucked any schoolboys today?

[medusa] he's 18 years old. finishes in three weeks. its not like your making it sound

[str8guy] He's Thomas Bradley, Adams Close, Peterbank. Father is Alistair, works for Callendar's. Clients of ours, Molly. In fact, you may have worked on that account.

[str8guy] Mother is Sheila. Works in Clowes Manor school - the school where her son is still a pupil.

[str8guy] The school where you are currently working on a bid, I believe.

[medusa] but he's 18. What's wrong with it? youre twisting this to suit yourself.

[str8guy] Far from it, Molly. I only wish this hadn't happened.

[medusa] You're using this to control me

[str8guy] How could I be, Molly, since the challenge is ended.

[medusa] so its ended then?

[str8guy] Yes

[medusa] And what did you mean last night, when you said you were freed of any promise of confideniality?

[str8guy] Just what I say.

[medusa] ...

[medusa] r u going to broadcast my pictures again. is that it?

[str8guy] I already have, my dear Molly.

[medusa] please, tell me you havent.

[medusa] please, i dont deserve this.

[medusa] i havent done anything wrong

[str8guy] Fucking a schoolchild isn't wrong?

[medusa] not when hes over 18, no. And anyway, this has nothing to do with that.

[medusa] this is our challenge. that's all. just us two.

[str8guy] And you were making a poor job of that, too, Molly. All that dissent and arrogance and ill-humour.

[medusa] i'm sorry. i really am. please don't do this to me.

[str8guy] Do what?

[medusa] u know wot. Pictures.

[str8guy] You're reverting to that dreary texting language again, Molly.

[medusa] sorry.

[str8guy] Are you really?

[medusa] yes ia m

[str8guy] How sorry?

[str8guy] ...

[str8guy] Not very, evidently.

[medusa] yes i am

[str8guy] Well, while you're pondering that, have a look here:

[str8guy] http://www.angelfire.com/vamp/molly_hadley-2/

[str8guy] ...

[str8guy] ...

[medusa] r u still there

[str8guy] Yes. You took a while. Been through the entire site, then?

[medusa] yes. why do you do this?

[medusa] why do you want to hurt me like this?

[medusa] why r u so nasty

[str8guy] What's nasty? There isn't a word of a lie on that site. And no picture on it was taken under duress.

[str8guy] Am I right on both counts?

[str8guy] Am I?

[medusa] yes

[str8guy] Just so.

[str8guy] What do you think that makes you?

[str8guy] Molly?

[medusa] gullible

[str8guy] That's one word.

[str8guy] Slut could be another, I suppose.

[medusa] theres no fucking need for that

[str8guy] Don't fly off the handle again. It doesn't help

[str8guy] You'd think you would have realised that by now, Molly

[medusa] okay, even so thre's no need to call me that

[str8guy] What else would you call someone who sticks a vibrator up her arse in front of 2000 people. Or strips off at my beck and call.

[medusa] u keep twisting things.

[str8guy] You didn't stick a vibrator up your arse?

[str8guy] Are you denying it?

[medusa] no. but it was just fun. a joke. a laugh.

[str8guy] You're not laughing now

[medusa] no im bloody not. is it any wonder

[medusa] whjat are you going to do?

[medusa] are you going to distribute my photos. at work?

[str8guy] Why shouldn't I? Given what's happened.

[medusa] no reason at all. i'm just asking you not to.

[medusa] pleading with you.

[medusa] dont do it.

[str8guy] And if I didn't our challenge would still be on. Is that what you're trying to say.

[medusa] yes i guess so

[str8guy] Why should I do that?

[medusa] Because i'm begging you

[str8guy] And would you make it worth my while?

[str8guy] would you?

[str8guy] Molly?

[medusa] in what way?

[str8guy] It strikes me the stakes are altered. Higher now - for you anyway.

[medusa] yes?

[str8guy] I will recommence the challenge, Molly.

[str8guy] And I won't distribute your pictures.

[str8guy] But I'm telling you now, it's a different challenge.

[str8guy] And different rules.

[str8guy] I won't tolerate any more dissent from you.

[str8guy] Remember, I'm not forcing you to do anything. Nothing at all. You may refuse at any time. But the second you do it's all over. And this time I may not be so circumspect about dealing with those photos. Do you understand?

[medusa] ye

[medusa] s

[str8guy] And the challenge itself, Molly. Different now. Those cosy discussions we had last week about whether you might consider flashing yourself in public.

[str8guy] Old hat, Molly. You will be doing that, I promise you.

[str8guy] And more.

[str8guy] So, do you still want to continue?

[str8guy] ...

[medusa] yes

[str8guy] Excellent. Get naked then, slut.

So finally, the real str8guy begins to emerge. What a bastard. Slimy, squirming piece of shit.