Ebb Tide

Synopsis

Trudy steals asmall boat to try her hand at sailing but the consequences of damage she causesare very painful.

#

# Warning

The text in this story contains eroticmaterial and is expressly written for adults only.

MF NC punish. rape

If you are underage or offended by suchmaterial -or- if viewing this file is illegal in your locality, then leave,close or delete this file-story now.

This is a work of fiction, any resemblance topersons living, dead or otherwise is purely coincidental, etc.

Copyright 2001

Ebb Tide

by obohobo

Chapter 1. A day at the seaside

Trudy Ahern sat uncomfortably on piles ofropes cursing loudly and wondering how she had managed to get herself into thissituation. ÒYou fucking bastard! Let me out! You canÕt fucking keep me here!ÓAnd so it went on but no one heard. The thick oak planking and pine deck aboveher head, deadened the sound. It reverberated only in the small, almosttriangular room, if you could call it that. Trudy sat and swore insemi-darkens, her 'prison' lit only by two thick glass deck lights a few incheswide and a foot long. Long ago the room was painted dark brown but for manyyears it had only been used as a storeroom. It took Trudy eyes a while todiscern where she could sit in safety if not in comfort. Had she known at thetime, she was in the foÕcÕsÕle of an old Thames sailing barge now converted toa houseboat and motor power. Her nose though, sensed the strong smell of tarand pitch intermingled with the odour given off by natural fibre rope. In thedim light she could barely see the steps leading to the hatchway through whichshe had been forced to enter. A hatchway now locked from the outsideimprisoning her on this old barge. Held there by a man she didnÕt know and whowas extremely angry with her.

Seventeen-year-old Trudy was no stranger totrouble. She probably knew more about the interview rooms and the holding cellsat her local police station than she did her own home. Even her appearanceexuded the impression of trouble. With her green and pink spiky, punk stylehair, the stud in her nose and the ring in her belly button, her cut off jeansand summer blouse even though it was still cool in April, she tried to show toeveryone she was a tough nut. At only 5 ft 2 inches but stockily built, shefelt the need to send out a Ôstay clear of meÕ message.

Trudy left school with no qualifications.That wasnÕt surprising. She played truant frequently and when in school causedso much disruption she was excluded for two weeks or a month at a time. Hermind rebelled against authority. If told, or even asked in a way that might beconstrued as an order, she immediately did exactly the opposite. Margaret, hermother, didnÕt believe in smacking or any form of corporal punishment and triedbeing kind and reasoning with her when she was young but Trudy soon realised itwas a sign of weakness and ignored it. Later, when Margaret saw kindness wasnÕtworking, Trudy was too strong for her to punish physically.

At thirteen, Trudy started hanging aroundwith older punk groups and eagerly learned how to steal from shops to get thethings she thought she wanted and to give her the street cred she needed tohold her place in the group. She also gave her body to them and publicly losther virginity to an eighteen-year-old youth. Four other boys and two girlswatched the event. Two of the boys had their turn afterwards. Thereafter sexwas never any big deal but was frequently used as a tool to obtain what shewanted or to ÔbuyÕ her way out of trouble.

On a number of occasions she was caughtshoplifting, but more often she got away with it and through her friends andcontacts she made, was able to sell the goods on. Five times she was taken tocourt and got away with a caution but the last time the female judge was lesslenient and gave her a hefty fine with the promise that she would send her toprison if Trudy came before her again. Trudy, still being technically a minor,the payment of the fine fell to her mother who tried to find extra work to keepup the payments. In many ways she wished they had sent her daughter to prison.Maybe then, she would learn to behave but she also knew that if sent to prisonher girl would probably come out worse, not better. Only last week whenMargaret had complained of the mess Trudy and her friends had made in thekitchen, her daughter had lashed out and struck her across the face. She lovedher daughter but knew she couldnÕt take much more of her beatings andmisbehaviour.

ÒIf only her father were here,Ó Margaretthought, but he just up and left ten years ago and hadnÕt been heard of since.They only had benefit payments and the little Margaret earned to support them.

Trudy was determined not to cry. This mightnot be like a police station where she could demand a brief or sit relativelycomfortably in a cell and demand tea. Here banging on the hatch boards seemedto have no effect other than make her fists sore. They brought no response fromthe man who brought her here. Worse though, was the sound of the water runningoutside. It made her want to pee and to pee badly. What had started out thatmorning as a trip to the seaside for a fun day at the arcades had turned into anightmare.

********

Crawling out of bed at 10 a.m. Trudy decidedto go off on her own and do something different. It was the Friday afterEaster, the day was sunny but with a cold wind blowing. ÒIt wonÕt affect me,Óshe said to herself, ÒI wonÕt need a coat. IÕm tough enough to withstand alittle coldness." After making sure her hair spikes were well sprayed andstiff, she donned her cut-offs and a sleeveless shirt. No need to worry aboutknickers or bra though she would need that other status symbol, her big DocMartens boots. Stuffing a few notes and coins in her pocket Trudy set off fromher home in Billericay to hitchhike to Southend on Sea. ÒThe pier and itsamusements should be good for a laugh,Ó she said to herself.

A car stopped almost as soon as she startedthumbing. ÒWhere to?Ó asked the driver.

ÒSouthend.Ó

ÒI can only take you a little way. IÕm goingto Burnham.Ó

ÒWhatÕs there?Ó

ÒLots of boats, sailing and things.Ó

Trudy thought that if there were boats itmust be a sort of seaside place so decided to check it out. Less than an hourlater the driver pulled into a little used private parking space behind theclock tower. Quickly slipping out of his seat belt he put his left arm aroundTrudyÕs shoulder and slid his right hand up the leg of her shorts. ÒThis is onehot little bitch,Ó he thought, ÒWe all the flesh she is showing I should begood for a quick one at least,Ó ÒHow about a little payment for your fare?Ó heasked in a voice that left no doubt in TrudyÕs mind he wanted sex as payment.Two swift blows to his face with her hard fists, left the man in no doubt as toher answer. Hardly had he raised his hands to protect himself than Trudy wasout of the car and slamming the door. She enquired the way of a young boy anddirected to the quay.

What a disappointment. High tide. Plenty ofboats, many bobbing at moorings and a few sailing gracefully along. But TrudywasnÕt there for the scenic beauty. She wanted life. Action. Amusement.ÒPerhaps the arcades are further along,Ó she thought. She walked along thepromenade, past boat sheds until she came to a marina that seemed to be the endof the town. ÒBugger,Ó she said almost out loud, ÒAll this way for nothing!ÓShe sat and watched the boats zipping along. ÒMight be nice to try that. Lookseasy enough. ThereÕs one at the end of that little jetty thing that nobodyseems to be looking after.Ó

Walking nonchalantly along the walkway to thesailing dinghy. ÒSallyÓ was neatly painted on the transom. ÒWell, Sally,Ó Trudysaid, ÒLetÕs see what this boating lark is all about.Ó Untying the painter(although she didnÕt then know that was the name for the rope), she pushed theboat away from the jetty and sat down on a thwart. Picking a pair of oars, shedecided she would have to try rowing but having only been out on a quietreservoir before, soon found it was not the easiest thing to do especially withall the sailing gear in her way.

By now it was about an hour after high waterand the ebb tide was running strongly, taking her down river and amongst themoored boats at high speed. The Sally hit one or two without any damage beingdone before Trudy was able to splash the oars in some semblance of rowing toget the boat out of their line. This however, took her to the next line oflarger boats and the chainplate on Sally scored a line down the paint work ofthe larger boatÕs side before Trudy manage to push it free. The wind andTrudyÕs efforts at rowing took Sally farther out and soon she was in the lineof the really large and horrendously expensive motorboats and yachts. Suddenlylooking to one side, Trudy saw the bowsprit of a beautiful white yacht loomabove her head. The tide carried the Sally broadside on to the sharp bow ofthis lovely craft. There was a loud bang and crunching sounds as the Sallycareened over and then started sliding along the yachtÕs side.

Chapter 2. Caught

Peter Brinkley walked sedately up the rampfrom the field side of the marina until he saw his friend Don Bowman, wavingfrantically for him to hurry. ÒWhatÕs up Don?Ó

ÒCÕmon. SomeoneÕs taken your boat and isgetting into trouble with it,Ó Don urged his friend on. Cresting the top of theseawall, he could see the Sally nearly in midstream with someone aboard who soobviously knew nothing about rowing or seamanship. They raced down the causewayand jumped into DonÕs motor tender and set off for the Sally. Don gunned themotor but it was not a speedboat and it would take long minutes before theyreached PeterÕs sailing dinghy. In the distance they saw it had just cleareditself from one small sailing boat and was now being blown out towards the mainshipping channel.

ÒSheÕs not going to clear Ayala.Ó DonÕs voicewas grim. ÒWeÕll have to string that stupid bastard up by his toes when we gethim and then make him pay for the damage.Ó From less than thirty yards they sawthe strike. AyalaÕs bowsprit slid between the forestay and mast on the Sally.AyalaÕs stem bit into SallyÕs gunwale. Sally swung round in the fast tide rip,keeled over at nearly 45 degrees and began taking in water. They saw theoccupant thrown on the floorboards and not re-appear. Sally righted herself alittle when the mast caught in AyalaÕs rigging.

For Trudy it seemed like things werehappening in slow motion. The boat tilted. She was thrown into the bottom.Water poured in. Voices were heard. She was lifted and dumped unceremoniouslyin another boat and then concerned conversations about the state of the boats.No concern over her!

ÒLooks as if youÕll have quite a bit to do onSally before you can take her out again, Pete. Top of the stemÕs shattered anda bit of the gunwale smashed out.Ó Don was appraising the damage as theycleared the entanglement of wire and wood between Sally and Ayala.

ÒYeah, and AlisonÕs going to be real upsetwhen she hears of the damage to her beloved boat. Just look at all that scoringto the paintwork and the broken bowsprit. ItÕll cost a pretty penny to put thatright and she wonÕt do it herself. Browns always do her work and they ainÕtcheap.Ó Pete surveyed the damage to Ayala.

By now the two boats were free of each otherand Don towed Sally back upstream, punching the strong current. Pete turned hisattention to the girl while Don steered. ÒI hope youÕve plenty of money Miss.YouÕve done a lot of very expensive damage.Ó Trudy sat shivering on thefloorboards. She had been drenched when the water came over the side and beingApril, the seawater was still very cold. The chill wind penetrated the thin wetshirt causing her nipples to erect. Goosebumps raised themselves on her barelegs and arms. Trudy shivered. These men though were more interested in theirboats and the damage caused. They were very angry with Trudy although theyhardly spoke to her directly.

ÒYou want me to take you to the marina?Ó Donasked.

ÒNo. Drop us at the Emma May first pleaseDon,Ó Pete replied, ÒThen I can find out who this stupid bitch is and what shethought she was up to. I can phone the river police from there.Ó

Trudy noticed ÒEmma MayÓ carved in anelaborate scroll on the back of a big black boat as they came up to it. Donslowed the engine; Pete leaped aboard with a rope in his hand and made themotor tender fast alongside. They manoeuvred Sally under a pair of davits,lifted her from the water and swung her on to the bargeÕs deck. Both surveyedthe damaged in more detail. ÒYouÕll have to scarf a new top to the stem and acouple of bits in the gunwale and get a new stemhead fitting. That oneÕsknackered.Ó Don gave his view.

Pete agreed, ÒAnd even if the weather holdsso I can do the work, it will take a couple of days at least. What a bind andtoday is such good sailing weather. That bitch has a lot to answer for.Ó

ÒWhat are you gonna do about her?Ó

ÒGuess IÕll have to bring her aboard and findout who she is.Ó They both looked down at the visibly shivering Trudy. ÒGuessIÕll find a blanket or something for her too. She not dressed for the water andI donÕt want the bitch to die on me. Looks like the sea has affected her hairtoo!Ó Don and Pete laughed. TrudyÕs spiky hair was now a bedraggled mess ofgreen and pink colour.

ÒCÕmon up Punk,Ó Pete yelled.

ÒNoooo. Take me to the shore.Ó

ÒNot likely. You canÕt run away from here.CÕmon. Up you get.Ó Don had jumped down into his motorboat and was helping thestruggling Trudy to her feet. Her resistance was futile. A small shiveringgirl, even one as tough as Trudy thought she was, was no match for two strongmen. In no time she was lifted on to the bargeÕs deck.

ÒYou need any help, just give me a tinkle,ÓDon said as he started the engine again, ÒBetter go now, the missus will havedinner on the table and she gets annoyed if IÕm late. Yeah, and watch what youget up to with her! DonÕt do anything I wouldnÕt do!Ó

Pete turned to Trudy, ÒTake them boots offand then weÕll see if we can find something warm for you. No one wears bootslike that on a boat, even on an old barge like the Emma May.Ó

Trudy resented being told to remove her bootsand wanted to rebel against the order. They were an integral part of her butthey were full of cold seawater so she sat on the cabin top and reluctantlytook them off. Pete put his arm around her shoulders, ÒCome with me,Ó was allhe said but it was enough of an order to aggravate Trudy. She leaped up andtook a mighty kick at his crotch with her bare feet. Luckily for Pete hisreactions were still fast. He had given up amateur wrestling four years ago butin microseconds it was as though he was still in the ring. Catching her foot inmid swing, Trudy quickly found herself wrapped around his shoulders, her armstrapped by his left hand and her legs with his right.

ÒOkay, Punk, if thatÕs they way you want it.LetÕs see what a spell in the foÕcÕsÕle will do for you.Ó Pete carried her tothe forward end of the barge, opened a hatch and lowered Trudy down. He closedthe curved hatch and clipped the padlock into the hasp. No need to lock it.There was no way of opening the hatch from inside. At first Trudy yelled andscreamed and vented her fury on the hatchway until her fists were sore, then innear darkness she fumbled around until she found a place to sit and for thefirst time for many years she began to cry as well as swear.

She had no idea of the time. The cheap watchshe had stolen from a market stall didnÕt survive immersion in water. Therewere no other noises she could really identify other than the rippling of wateras it rushed by the boat. As her eyes became accustomed to the dim light shebegan to make out the general overall shape of the room and could tell it wasnothing more than a storeroom. Rope, canvas, paint, all seemingly in disarray.The rope she was sitting on began to cut into her thighs. Cold bit into herbody and she shivered almost uncontrollably. Was he going to let her die inhere? He sure was angry over his stupid little boat.

After what seemed like hours but was in factless than an hour, the hatch opened a few inches. ÒIf I let you out of her andtake you to the after cabin are you going to behave yourself Punk?Ó Pete asked.

ÒWhat are you going to do with me?Ó

ÒI donÕt like bitches who answer a questionwith a question. Now are you going to behave yourself if I take you to thecabin?

Trudy quietly said, ÒI guess so.Ó

ÒIs that a straight yes or no! IÕm notplaying games with you. Not after the trouble you have caused.Ó

ÒGet stuffed Fucker!Ó

Pete shut the hatch again.

He left Trudy for nearly another hour beforereturning and asking the question again. This time the answer was a quiet,ÒYes.Ó

Trudy climbed the companionway and wasimmediately hit by a cold blast of air as she came on the deck. She shivered soviolently that she had difficulty in walking. ÒIÕm going to pick you up andcarry you Punk so keep your feet to yourself.Ó Pete carried Trudy to the galleywhere the smell of freshly cooked food assailed her nostrils. She felt hungryand sick. ÒGet those wet things off,Ó Pete ordered, ÒAnd put them in thatbucket of fresh water to soak the salt out."

Trudy hesitated but then thought what thehell, "I'm not a virgin by any stretch of the imagination and I might onceagain have to use sex to buy my way out of trouble." Pete watched.ÒSurprise, surprise,Ó he remarked, ÒYour cunt hair doesnÕt match your head.Ó Helaughed and went on, ÒHere put this dressing gown on, sit over there and get acup of tea down you while I dish up some grub.Ó

ÒI need to piss.Ó Pete showed her how to workthe toilet and was surprised when Trudy just opened the gown and sat on theseat and unashamedly pissed while he stood in front of her.

Pete was over 6 feet tall and well built soTrudy was almost lost in the dressing gown but it felt warm and what with thetea, the food and cabin warmth she began to feel drowsy. She was relaxed so itbecame a surprise when Pete abruptly started to question her.

Slowly he elicited who she was, some of herpast history and her motherÕs phone number. He dialled it.

Ò417612?Ó

ÒMargaret Ahern? You wonÕt know me but IÕmPeter Brinkley and I have your daughter....Ó

ÒOh, what has the girl stolen now? I canÕtpay any more fines for her. YouÕll just have to prosecute....Ó

ÒItÕs not as simple as that Mrs. Ahern. Yourdaughter stole a boat and has done thousands of pounds worth of damage.Ó

ÒBoats? Damage? Where is she? SheÕs neverbeen in a boat in her life. She doesnÕt know the first thing about them....Ó

ÒYou are right there Mrs. Ahern. ThatÕs whatcaused the damage. We are at Burnham on Crouch. Can you come down here and wecan discus what to do with her?Ó

ÒWell I have to be at the bar from eight tilleleven so as long as I can get back before then. IÕll have to see what timesthe trains are. Where are you? At the police station?Ó

ÒNo. On a barge but IÕll pick you up at thestation. You can call me on my mobile when you know when you will arrive.Ó Petegave her the number.

ÒTrude, Punk, your motherÕs coming down bytrain. She doesnÕt sound very happy.Ó

ÒShe always acts that way when the police orstore managers phones. She probably guesses they will put me away this time andIÕll be off her hands for a bit.Ó

ÒDo you really want to be locked up?Ó

ÒNo. Of course I donÕt. IÕm not that much ofa stupid cunt, but I guess the bastards will do it one day. So it might as wellbe now as later.Ó Trudy shrugged.

ÒYou donÕt sound as if you would mind beinglocked up. I know I would hate it. CanÕt stand being inside buildings for longat a time. I want to be out in the open. In the fresh air. To feel the wind onmy face. I want to smell the sea and feel the boat gently rocking under myfeet. It must be really claustrophobic to be locked in a cell for hours at atime, for days or weeks on end. Being forced to do the same things at certaintimes each day. You would have to learn to take orders there.Ó

They sat discussing or sparring with words oneach otherÕs lifestyles over another mug of tea. Pete was somewhat surprised bythe intelligence of her answers even if her attitude to people and theirproperty was somewhat belligerent. ÒWhy do you make so much bloody fuss overboats? TheyÕre only lumps of wood,Ó she asked.

ÒTo us they are like family members. Livingthings. To us they are like another home. One which gives us a great deal ofpleasure and for those of us who have wooden boats, they are like having grandold ladies to look after. It grieves us greatly when they are damaged or marredespecially when the damage was caused by an uncaring brat who shouldnÕt havebeen near anyway.Ó

The phone rang.

ÒAfternoon Alison.... Yes, it was theSally..... Yes she was damaged too.... Browns estimate £4,500 to repair thedamage..... That seems a bit high....Yes she is with me now. IÕm waiting forher mother to arrive on the five oÕclock train but I donÕt think she has thatsort of money.... No, I havenÕt called the police yet. Thought I would waituntil I saw the mother, then decide. What about you?... Uh huh. ... Even if weprosecute I doubt weÕll get any money out of them. The motherÕs havingdifficulty in paying previous fines. YouÕll be down in the morning? Well IÕllsee you then.Ó

ÒThat was the owner of Ayala. She wasnÕt veryhappy, mind you she is never very happy. She wanted to know what I was going todo about you,Ó Pete told Trudy.

ÒAnd what are you going to do?Ó

ÒAs yet, I donÕt know. Perhaps I am too angryto make the right decision now. For the moment though you can wash up theseplates and mugs while I see what I can sort out on Sally.Ó Trudy watchedhalf-heartedly and Pete showed her how to work the pump for the hot watersystem. As he climbed the companionway to let her get on with it, she spat athim, ÒYou may have me prisoner here but I am not your servant. They donÕt makeyou wash up in a police station so IÕm not doing it here!Ó Pete turned and sawTrudy standing defiantly with her arms on her hips. He descended the stairwayagain.

ÒWe can do this the easy way or the hard way.I might even get to lose some of my anger if you choose the hard way but its upto you.....Ó

ÒFuck off, shitbag. You canÕt make me doanything!Ó But there she was wrong. Even though she half expected him to attackher, she was unprepared for the speed with which he had her securely in aheadlock and was dragging her down a passageway. She screamed, kicked andpunched, all to no avail. They entered a cabin he used as a workshop. With onehand, Pete cleared a couple of items from a workbench and dumped Trudy on it.The dressing gown had come open in the struggle and Pete could see her smallbut firm tits. Trudy made no effort to cover them but tried to land a punch toPeteÕs face. It didnÕt connect. Pete removed the gown. Now she was naked beforehim. ÒIt seems to me,Ó he growled at her, ÒSomeone should have done this longago.Ó Pete brought his hard, calloused hand smartly down on her arse.

Trudy flinched but only cried out, ÒYoubloody fucking bastard,Ó before continuing to flail her arms and kick her feetin PeteÕs general direction.

ÒOkay, if thatÕs the way you want it.Ó Petegrabbed a short coil of rope hanging from a hook in a deck beam. Quickly andwith a sailorÕs efficiency he tied TrudyÕs wrists and fastened them to a benchleg. ÒNow weÕll see how tough the little punk girl is.Ó

Trudy kept up a stream of invective, callinghim all the shitting fucking bastards and every other name she could think of.It only served to anger Pete further. He picked up a hickory sail batten, aslat of wood an eighth of inch thick, two inches wide and about two feet long.The wood was tough and flexible. ÒYou damaged part of my Sally, so perhaps partof her can damage you.Ó Using considerable force, Pete brought the sail battendown hard on TrudyÕs arse cheeks. THWACK!! Trudy yelled and then continuedswearing at him. A bright red stripe appeared across both of her bum cheeks.

Another THWACK! Another scream. Anotherstripe. Trudy still kicked and swore. Six more and Trudy began to sob. Fourmore and she began to beg him to stop. Another four and she began weepinghysterically. ÒPerhaps that will do for starters but if I have any morenonsense from you there is plenty more where that came from. While you are hereyou will do as you are told.Ó She would find it painful to sit for a while butapart from a lot of redness, the wide batten hadnÕt done any real harm.

Pete untied the sobbing naked girl andcarried her back through to the galley pausing only to grab a blanket from oneof the bunks. He didnÕt stop at the galley but continued up on to the deck.Heedless of passing boats and staring yachtsmen, he carried Trudy to thefoÕcÕsÕle again and lowered her down. Trudy screamed and protested, promisingshe would do the dishes but her appeals went unheeded. Before closing thehatch, Pete yelled down, ÒTwo men used to sleep in here when this was a workingbarge. Under all that rope, you will find a bunk. Sorry the mattress got thrownout years ago but the boards are still there. IÕll leave the lights on until Ihave washed up and then turn them out. You have about 10 minutes to sortyourself out.Ó He threw the blanket down to Trudy, who cried out, ÒNo, please.IÕll do the washing-up.Ó

ÒTen minutes!Ó Pete replied as he closed thehatch.

For the first time, Trudy noticed a pair ofwire encased bulkhead lights that shone a little light into the dark interiorof the forecastle. They cast long irregular shadows that seemed very forebodingin the peculiar shaped room. Trudy first looked for an escape route but foundnone. There was only the one way in and one way out. She could see the piles ofrope, the tins of paint. Somewhere underneath there was supposed to be a bunkbut she had only just begun to move some of the stuff when the lights went out.ÒSod you bastard,Ó she shouted at the hatch but he was eighty feet away at theafter end of the barge and didnÕt hear anything.

Fumbling around in the near darkness withjust the small amount of light let in by the deck lights, Trudy partiallyuncovered the bunk, She tried to sit but found her arse was too sore so shewrapped the blanket around her and lay on her side, curled up on the space shehad clear. Tears filled her eyes. Lying there listening to the sounds aroundher, the water running, intermittent sounds of hammering and footsteps on thedeck, occasional voices, Trudy reflected on the dayÕs events. It wasnÕt the dayat the arcades she had expected. Instead of pilfering money and playing slotmachines and chatting up any boys she fancied, she was trapped in a black holeand kept prisoner by a bear of a man. Time passed slowly. Cold and fear beganto get to her and again she felt the need to pee. Suddenly she became aware ofa bumping alongside and the sound of footsteps, more than one she guessed,walking on the deck. The sounds receded and it all went quiet again.

******

Pete rowed ashore a little before MargaretÕstrain was due and met her in his old Ford Escort. She was a tiny little thingand her face was care worn. He took a liking to her at once and they were ableto chat in the car on the short journey to the marina. Once on Emma May he ledher to the main cabin, made tea and produced home-made cake before outliningTrudyÕs misdeeds.

ÒWhere is she?Ó Margaret asked.

ÒSheÕs in the forward compartment out ofharms way. IÕll let her out when weÕve had a talk.Ó Pete told of the problemsand expense Trudy had caused that day. Margaret explained the difficulties shehad living with her over many years. She kept apologising for her daughterÕsbehaviour as though it was her fault but Pete would have none of it. ÒTrudy formany years now has known what was right and wrong. She deliberately chose wrongand there was no one strong enough to correct her.Ó

ÒBut thatÕs why it is my fault. I should havecorrected her when she was young but I didnÕt then believe in smacking and whenher father left I thought it was all because she missed him and would grow outof it. Then I was ill for some months and after that she seemed to control meand not the other way round. What are you going to do with her?Ó

ÒAs yet I donÕt know. Much will depend onwhat Alison wants when she sees the damage to her boat in the morning. I wouldcertainly like to keep her here overnight so she doesnÕt try and run away. Iguess it would also give you a break from her. After that, well, I donÕt thinktaking it to the police will help much. For me, I would make her work offpayment for the damage she caused to my Sally but the damage to Ayala wouldmean long-term work, which I canÕt see Alison agreeing to. Alison is rathersnooty and upper class and will look down her nose at a punk rocker. Would youagree to my keeping her for a few weeks?Ó

ÒI donÕt think I would have any say in thematter. Trudy would make up her own mind whatever we say.Ó

ÒIÕm not so sure of that, Margaret. She willhave little choice but to stay at least until she can find a way to get offthis boat.Ó

ÒIt certainly would give me a rest Peter,although you would regret the decision IÕm sure. Shall we see what she has tosay?Ó

*****

Trudy was half dozing when the bulkheadlights came on. Moments later the hatch was opened. ÒWakey, wakey! Up youcome,Ó Pete called down. TrudyÕs dirt smudged face appeared in the hatchwayfollowed by a similarly dirt smudged body. She saw her mother.

ÒYou come to take me home, bitch?Ó Trudy spatthe words with venom. Margaret shook her head. ÒYou had better you bloodyfucker.Ó Pete saw fear in MargaretÕs eyes and stepped between them.

ÒYou have no choice. You are staying.Ó

ÒI bloody well ainÕt. Even if I have to swimto the shore.Ó She turned to her mother. ÒYouÕre tak.....Ó Her sentence wasleft unfinished as she felt herself being lifted off the deck. Without anyhesitation Pete carried her to the side of the boat and threw her in. The coldwater closed around her. She fought for breath as she surfaced and startedyelling and splashing. The tide had now turned and was flowing in but it hadnÕtgained too much momentum. Pete walked to the rear of the barge, jumped in thedinghy and waited until the tide brought the spluttering girl to him. A smallsailing boat passed close and its skipper asked if they required help. Peteknew him and yelled, ÒNo, it's a survival test.Ó

As Trudy, now frozen, reached the dinghy hegrabbed her hair and then under the arms, he lifted her easily from the waterinto the small boat. From there he put her hands on the bargeÕs handrail andwith a shove on her sore arse pushed her on to the deck. Margaret stood aghast.She noticed the obviously red and well-beaten backside but didnÕt protest.Carrying Trudy to the cabin he gave her a towel. ÒHow far do you think youwould swim in that water?Ó Despite not wishing to show fear in front of hermother, Trudy started crying.

ÒTrudy,Ó Pete spoke gently to her, ÒYoueither co-operate or you will end up very sore. I have agreed with your motherthat you stay here at least overnight until Alison has her say. If Alisonagrees, you will work for me until you have paid off your debt. It will onlytake two or three weeks. That is surely better than several months in prison.Your stay can be pleasant or painful depending on your attitude. You will haveto become used to taking orders and acting on them without question. However asI said, it all depends on Alison. If she decides to hand you over to thepolice, then that will happen. Personally I believe you would be better workingoff your debt to her too. But £4,000 is a lot of debt to cover.Ó

ÒI wonÕt do it!Ó TrudyÕs voice lacked theconviction it had earlier.

Pete found her some very oversize trousersand sweater to put on and said ÒWeÕll have a bite to eat and then I will takeMargaret back to Billericay in the car so she can get to work on time. While Iam away, Trudy you will be put back in the foÕcÕsÕle because as yet I cannottrust you anywhere else. I will leave the lights on and find a sleeping bag foryou to sit on.Ó

ÒNo, please. Not in there again.Ó

ÒSorry, Trudy, for now it is the only place Ithink you will be safe and it wonÕt be for long.Ó

They ate, and when they were ready to leave,Trudy pleaded with her mother to take her. Margaret wavered in her resolve butPete didnÕt budge. ÒIt doesnÕt matter what your mother says now, you arestaying.Ó

She resisted all the way to the foÕcÕsÕle butshe was no match for Pete and she knew it. When she was fastened in, Margaretbroke down. ÒWill she be alright? You wonÕt hurt her will you?Ó

ÒDonÕt worry Margaret, she will be okay. Yes,I will hurt her if she doesnÕt behave but there will be no permanent damage. Wejust have to hope that in the end she becomes a better person. It may do hersome good. No guarantees though.Ó Pete drove almost in silence. Both he andMargaret were wrapped in their own thoughts. Nearing their destination,Margaret plucked up the courage to ask what had been on her mind for most ofthe journey.

ÒWill you have..... make love .... to Trudy?Ó

ÒMost probably. I canÕt see living alone witha near naked girl and not doing it. SheÕll have a choice but I guess she willprefer my bunk to sleeping in the foÕcÕsÕle. I gather she is no virgin.Ó

Margaret smiled, ÒNot by a long way. But youwonÕt make her pregnant will you? She has pills in her room.Ó

At MargaretÕs home Pete packed a suitcase ofthe clothes he could find in TrudyÕs room that were most suitable for lifeaboard a boat. Sweaters, long trousers, slippers, hats and coats. He wassurprised at the amount of new gear but Margaret said most were undoubtedlystolen. She noticed he didnÕt take any braÕs, knickers or nightshirts but didtake the pack of sanitary towels she offered. ÒYouÕd better take these, I thinkshe is due in a few days and I guess you donÕt have such things on board.Ó

It was well dark by the time he arrived backon the barge and released Trudy. A road accident had delayed his return. Heapologised as he took her to the cabin. She sat sullenly opposite him as ifdaring him to order her to do anything. Setting a mug of hot chocolate in frontof her he said, ÒI guess you think this has been a bad day for you. A fun dayat the seaside that turned into a nightmare. Well it neednÕt be that way. Itcould be the start of a new life if only you let it.Ó Trudy just shrugged hershoulders. She was in no mood for lectures. She drank the chocolate in silence,her eyes half closed. The sea air, her battles with the cold and her unpleasantexperiences and now the warmth of the cabin had made her very sleepy.

ÒI expect normally you go to bed at all hoursof the night or early morning. Here bedtime is at ten. Breakfast is 6.30 a.m.ÓTrudyÕs eyes opened. She rarely saw anything at that hour unless it was on herway home to bed. Then the thought came to her. Would she be sleeping in thatcoal-hole of a prison room? Tears came to her eyes just thinking about sleepinga whole night there.

ÒWhere....? Will I have to sleep in that room?Ó she asked querulously.

ÒNot unless you donÕt wish to share my bed!ÓPete laughed and then moved alongside her. Putting his arms around her andspeaking quietly he said, ÒI know so far we both have thought of each other asenemies but since talking to your mother and they way things have been, I havea little more respect for you even though I heartily disagree with what youhave done. How about we call a truce until Alison comes and see how we get on?Ó

Trudy was non-committal. She didnÕt know whatto think or do. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts but nothing coherent.ÒCome, let's get a shower and wash some of that muck off you. On the boat wehave to conserve fresh water so making one shower do two people makes goodsense. I have already seen all of you. Now you can see all of me. I know youarenÕt shy and have no doubt seen more naked men than I have naked girls.ÓGiving her a squeeze he led her to the bathroom and started the electric showerpump.

Trudy quickly pulled off her baggy sweaterand trousers and waited for the water temperature to rise. As she did so shewatched him undress, fold and place his clothes on a stool. Knowing she waswatching his cock became half-hard. She gave a little gasp when she saw it. Themen and boys she was used to, didnÕt have a weapon that size even in its semierect state.

Pete soaped her back and then gently did herstill very sore arse but she didnÕt complain. Tired and weary, Trudy allowedhim to do it. Nor did she complain when he did between her legs and then workedup her belly and massaged her small breasts. He was at least gentler than someof her friends. Finishing, Pete gave her the soap and turned so his back was toher. She knew what was required without being asked. She washed his back, arseand legs before turning him round and starting on his chest. By now his cockwas fully hard so she massaged it as she soaped it and his balls. ÒShould I goall the way and make him cum?Ó she thought that it might spare her being fuckedbut she was also aroused and decided perhaps she would like it in her. Herthoughts were answered. Pete turned the water off and handed her a towel andtook one himself. They partly dried themselves and partly each other before hecarried her to his bunk.

The bunk was not a full double size one butwas bigger than a single. It was built into a cupboard like arrangement withsliding doors that could be shut from the inside. A small light fixed to thedeck beams only four feet above the head lit the interior. Pete lifted Trudy inand climbed in behind her. There wasnÕt much room but that only meant theirbodies were close together. She felt his hardness against her belly. Pete puthis hand on her cunt and felt moisture. ÒAre you ready?Ó he asked.

ÒPete?Ó Trudy whispered, ÒI donÕt know if Ican take it. IÕve been fucked many times but never with a prick anything likethis big. And my arse is sore.Ó

ÒNo excuses, Trudy. You have the choice ofsleeping here or in the foÕcÕsÕle. I will try and go easy to start with, butnow IÕm this hard, IÕm not going to stop until IÕve cum at least once. You havea debt to pay, remember?Ó Trudy could hear him breathing hard. ÒOpen your legswide and put it in Trude, please. It may be easier if you do it.Ó TrudyÕs firstthoughts were to do the opposite and close her legs but she too was feelinghorny and if she let him have his way she might get away earlier. Opening herthighs she took hold of the rampant prick and placed it at the entrance to hervagina. Pete pushed it in an inch. Trudy groaned. It didnÕt really hurt but itseemed to stretch her well beyond anything she was used to. He pushed inanother inch. Now there was some pain but she wasnÕt going to admit it. Anotherinch but now her juices were flowing and his cock was emitting pre-cum, thecock began to slide in easier. Soon it was fully in and the head hit hercervix. Never had she been filled like this. Pete began stroking it in and outslowly but gradually increased the speed until he was pounding away. Trudycried out as she came for the first time but still Pete carried on. It was someminutes more before he came and by then Trudy had climaxed a second time. Theylay there bathed in each otherÕs sweat.

Pete left his cock inside the girl forsometime until it became soft and more or less slipped out of its own accord.He pulled Trudy up in the bed until her face was level with his. ÒThat wasgreat Trudy. How was it for you?Ó he said as he kissed her.

Trudy didnÕt want to admit to it being thebest fuck ever for her so just said, ÒOkay, I guess.Ó Pete realised why shesaid it and gathered her tightly in his arms. Together, like this they fellasleep.

Chapter 3. Damage assessment

Pete had no alarm clock but woke each morningat six. This morning was the same. Light filtered through the deck light andthe barge moved with a little more motion than the night before. The wind wasgetting up. Sliding back the bed panel with one hand he gently disengagedhimself from Trudy, took a shit and made tea. As usual he didnÕt bother todress until he had a few swigs of tea inside him. The noise from the spoonstirring the mugs woke Trudy and she looked out. She heard the river runningoutside and immediately wanted to pee. She plodded softly to the loo. Petenoted her arse still looked sore and colourful but she didnÕt seem to complainwhen she sat down. He knew though, she was still tender there as she sat downwith a delicacy that wasnÕt natural for her.

Returning to the galley, Trudy noticed PeteÕscock was once again standing to attention. Peeing had made her notice she wasvery tender in that area and she wondered if Pete was going to demand anotherfuck session but all he did was kiss her forehead, offer her the tea and sitbeside her. Their bare arms touched and she felt a thrill of anticipation runthrough her. Putting down her tea she turned to him and gently held his cock.Slowly she began massaging it and then, on impulse, she bent down and sucked itinto her mouth. Pete hadnÕt expected that but the experience was mostenjoyable. Steadily she sucked and masturbated him. Pete rubbed TrudyÕs neckand shoulders while she continued her ministrations. It only took minutesbefore PeteÕs body reacted and with long, pulsing spurts, he came directly inher mouth. Trudy swallowed and continued to lick the cock clean for someminutes.

ÒSorry, Trude, I should have told you I wasgoing to cum. It all happened to quickly. But thanks. It was a great way tostart the day.Ó Pete apologised several times. Trudy said it was no big deal.She had done it many times before. ÒOne time I even had to do it to a sixtyyear old store manager to keep him from prosecuting me and it took ages beforehe came,Ó she remarked her eyes going blank as she remembered the incident oftwo years previously.

Finishing their tea, they washed, dressedwith Trudy now in more suitable attire for life at sea. They cooked breakfasttogether but Trudy became very quiet while eating it. She couldnÕt get her mindround the fact she had voluntarily sucked him off. This big man who was holdingher a virtual prisoner for the next few weeks. This man who was at least sevenyears older than her. This man who had beaten her yesterday. This man who hadleft her in darkness in a black hole. The man she had hated until bedtime lastnight. Was it his prick that changed her? That might have been part of it butunconsciously she thought it might also be the way he was in charge of her.They way he had not allowed her to dominate him.

ÒOkay, Trude, work time. Would you do thedishes and clear up in here a bit while I see what I can do to repair Sally. Itwill be cooler outside today as the wind is getting up but it should keep dryand thatÕs the main thing. If you canÕt find anything just let me know. IÕlleither be on deck or in the workshop - and you know where that is!Ó Pete beameda smile at her that was enough to make her grin as well.

ÒWhen is Alison coming?Ó The grin disappearedfrom TrudyÕs face and a worried look took its place.

ÒDunno for sure. About midday I expect.Ó Peteput his arms around her shoulders and gave her a hug, ÒIÕll do what I can foryou but no promises. Alison is a rich bitch and an executive who normally makesup her own mind.Ó

*******

It was after lunch when a motor launch camealongside and Pete helped Alison on board. Alison was an attractive woman about35ish, stylishly dressed in a sailor suit complete with peaked cap. Pete hadpreviously asked Trudy to put the kettle on and to be on her best behaviour.When Pete suggested tea, Alison immediately asked for coffee and when Trudybrought the mugs she was asked for it in a cup. Pete sensed Trudy was likely totell her to take it or leave it and raised his eyebrows enough for Trudy tohold her tongue and change the mug for a cup.

ÒSo this is the brat who wrecked my boat.ÓAlison said, ÒPerhaps you had better introduce us Peter.Ó Pete did so andAlison remarked that it looked most unlikely she would ever be able to pay forthe repairs. She went on to produce a folder with Browns estimate of the damagethat they made out was far more extensive than Pete had thought. AyalaÕs bowspritwas cracked and needed replacing and the strain on the decking this had causedhad started some of the fastenings, which would need replacing before waterseeped and rot established. There were numerous other items including fillingthe scores in the planking and repainting the hull which could only be donewhen the boat was hauled up the slipway. The estimate was for £4,567 notincluding any other problems they might find when work began.

Pete knew Browns had upped the price oneverything because it was a possible insurance job but as Alison pointed out ifshe had it done on insurance she would lose the no-claims bonus, which was aconsiderable amount. Trudy didnÕt have any insurance to cover it and PeteÕswouldnÕt because his boat had been stolen. ÒI shouldnÕt have to lose moneybecause some stupid little bitch who should have known better, damaged my boat.Then there is the inconvenience of not having the use of Ayala while therepairs are done. What you doing about the payment for damage to your Sally?Ó

ÒIÕm going to do the work myself and she isgoing to work off the debt I would have paid to the boatyard.Ó

ÒWork off the debt by sleeping in your bed?Ó

ÒThatÕs a bonus.Ó Pete smiled at the thoughtbut Alison didnÕt find it funny.

ÒLook, Peter, it might be alright for you tohave her work on a old barge but I wouldnÕt dare have her set foot on a fineyacht like Ayala. So what are we going to do about it?Ó

ÒFirst of all,Ó Pete answered, ÒI suggest weinspect the damage to see just how much Browns have exaggerated the problems.You know and I know any boatyard makes the most out of work that is likely tobe an insurance job. I certainly didnÕt see half of the things on this listwhen we freed the Sally.Ó This was agreed and Pete and Alison headed for thelaunch. Trudy hung back but Pete ordered her, much to AlisonÕs disgust, to comewith them. ÒYou had better see at first hand what we are talking about, even ifyou donÕt understand what you see for the moment.Ó

Once again the tide was running hard butAlison, skilled at handling the launch, easily and gently brought it alongsideAyala. Pete had to agree the bowsprit needed replacing but cracks in the deckseams were trivial and really only needed at most a little caulking. Alison wasalso experienced enough to agree but as she pointed out the total bill with there-painting would still be close to the £4,000 mark.

Returning to the Emma May, Pete asked ifAlison had made up her mind what to do about Trudy. ÒWell I am not having herwork on my boat so the only thing I can do to get some satisfaction is toprosecute and have her put out of harmÕs way for a long time and my firmemploys good lawyers who I am sure will see that is done.Ó

Pete saw TrudyÕs face fall and tears well inher eyes. What a change from the defiant girl of yesterday. ÒIf you do thatAlison, it will mean more expense and more trouble for you. I wonÕt get myservice from her, it will cause her mother even more grief and when she comesout Trudy will probably have an even bigger chip on her shoulder against you,me and society in general. Is there no way she can work off the debt over along period of time? Not on the boat of course.Ó

ÒYou know I run an escort agency donÕt you?Are you hinting that I employ her? No way! It's for high-class escorts not punktrash. How do you think she would get on going to a top restaurant, or theopera or a dinner function? She might be all right to share the hotel bedafterwards but thatÕs all.

Trudy burst forward, thumped her fists on thetable and snapped, ÒOh. IÕm not high enough class of whore for you am I? Whosaid I would want to work for a bitch like you anyway! If youÕre rich enough toown a posh boat like that, you can afford to pay for a few repairs.Ó

ÒListen here you little runt, youdeliberately damaged my property and I am going to see you pay for it.Ó Alisonsnorted her reply.

ÒIf I had deliberately set out to damage yourprecious little boat, it would be under the water now, not just sitting therewith a few facial scratches!Ó

ÒLadies, please,Ó Pete tried to calm thesituation, ÒBickering is not going to help anyone.Ó Trudy looked as if she wasgoing to scratch Alison eyes out. ÒGo on deck until youÕve calmed down Trude.Ó

ÒWhat so you can work out a deal with thisfucking bitch to get me out of the way?Ó

ÒNo, there will be no deal without youknowing about it but getting angry and starting a fight will only add to thedifficulty. Now go on deck or do I have to put you in the foÕcÕsÕle?Ó

ÒIÕm bloody well staying. Oooops. Oow!Ó Pete pickedher up by her legs and carried her upside down screaming obscenities to thefoÕcÕsÕle and lowered her head first down. He shut the hatch but put the lightson when he re-entered the cabin.

ÒSorry about that Alison. SheÕs a bit fieryand obviously you two have no love for each other. Your worlds are so totallydifferent. Now letÕs see if we can work anything out. As you can tell I havesome liking for her but that doesnÕt mean I will let her get away withanything. SheÕs already had a sore arse and she hates the foÕcÕsÕle especiallywhen its dark.Ó

ÒPeter, I donÕt think there is anything moreto discuss. She wrecked my boat. She cannot pay. She should be punished. End ofstory. Can my lawyers contact her through you for the time being?Ó

ÒYes. She should be here for the next coupleof weeks unless she does a runner. IÕll let you know if that happens.Ó

As Alison left she remarked, ÒKeep her undercontrol Peter, if you can, and if I come up with anything else IÕll let youknow too.Ó It was not so much what she said but the way she said it that madePete wonder if she already had a plan.

Trudy was still cussing and swearing whenPete opened the hatch. ÒAre you going to calm down or do you want anothersession over the bench with the sail batten?Ó He had to shout to make himselfheard about the noise she was making.

ÒBastard! What have you set me up for now?ÓTrudy came partway up the ladder and put her head out of the hatch. It was juststarting to rain. ÒDamn,Ó Pete thought, ÒI shanÕt be able to get any more doneon Sally today.

ÒYou coming out or shall I shut the hatchagain and get back in the dry?Ó

ÒYou goinÕ to wallop me?Ó

ÒNot if you calm down and behave yourselfalthough I think I ought after the way you acted.Ó They returned to the cabin.ÒTrude, I thought we could have struck some sort of a deal with Alison but youmade her so angry she wouldnÕt listen and is now threatening a civil action fordamages if the police wonÕt do anything. I tried to reason with her but coulddo nothing for you. She determined to get you. You must learn to control thattemper of yours. Do you know one of the rules I learned when wrestling? DonÕtget angry, get even. Okay?Ó

ÒOkay, I guess but I donÕt think I can helpit. She seemed such a stuck-up rich bitch and was making me out to be the scumof the earth.Ó

By now the rain had increased and wassounding on the cabin top like a jazz drummer. They sat in the cabin talkingabout the situation for a while till Trudy asked about the painting on thebulkhead. ÒThatÕs the Emma May in the 1930Õs when she was still a sailingbarge. She didnÕt have an engine then and relied on the wind to get from oneplace to another. Mainly she carried grain between London and Colchester. Allthis space where the cabins and things are, was an open space, the cargo holdand the cabin top above us was lift-off hatches so the grain could be got inand taken out. In the 50Õs she had a Kelvin petrol paraffin engine put in andworked for a while until the late sixties when the main mast and sails were takenoff and she was converted into a barge-yacht. My uncle bought it in the lateeighties and spent a lot of money on her to make her seaworthy. Unfortunatelyhe died suddenly so didnÕt get to use her much. He left her to me with anannuity for her upkeep and enough for me to live comfortably but notextravagantly.Ó

ÒYouÕre rich too then?Ó Trudy asked.

ÒNot really. Not like Alison. If I died andthe barge and all my assets were sold off, they would raise a lot of money. Butthe barge is my home and most of the money is in bonds or shares which provideme with an income, a sort of wage that I donÕt have to work for if you like. Ialso do a bit of magazine writing that brings in a little money.Ó

ÒWhatÕs in the locked room down the passage?Ó

ÒThatÕs my lab and research room. You cancome and look but some of the stuff is delicate so donÕt touch.Ó

The sight that greeted Trudy amazed andintrigued her. There were microscopes and computer equipment. Glass tanks withgoodness know what in them but air was bubbling through the water. ÒWhat onearth are you studying?Ó

ÒIt wonÕt mean anything to you, but my mainproject is the life cycle of a parasite of the common shore crab.Ó

ÒYeah, thatÕs what I thought,Ó Trudy grinned.ÒI could have told you all about that!Ó Pete hooked up a horizontal microscopeto a video camera and put a small amount of water in a trough on the stage.When the screen flickered into life and the focus was adjusted, Trudy saw theweirdest creature jerkily making its way through the water. In her wildestdreams she couldnÕt have invented a creature like it. It had a huge eye andlong spikes and feathery feet and looked as if it was made of glass. Trudy wasabsolutely fascinated. She asked question after question and the afternoonpassed so quickly Pete had to pull her away and set her to making dinner.

ÒYou are supposed to be working you know,Ó hesaid, Òif youÕre not going to put the hours in, it will take a long while toclear your debt. Are you any good at cooking?Ó Fortunately Trudy had learned todo basic cooking although much of what she did was from tins or packets. Peteon the other hand was a fresh meat and vegetables man but between them theyquickly rustled up a meal.

Later when sitting with mugs of tea in themain cabin, Trudy asked why he didnÕt have a TV. ÒNot enough time. Mostevenings I would be in the lab or on the computer so a TV would be a wasteexcept for viewing the stuff I get from the sea.Ó

ÒWhy are you not in there now?Ó

ÒBecause I have a guest and I feel likegiving her a hug and a cuddle.Ó

ÒOh, I thought I was just the maid. GuestÕsdonÕt do housework do they?Ó She was laughing as he tickled her and it wasnÕtlong before they ended up in the bunk making love fast and furiously.

ÒTrude?Ó Pete asked somewhat hesitantly, ÒYouobviously have had sex with a lot of men. Do you enjoy it or are you justputting on a show?Ó

ÒYeah, IÕve been fucked by many men and boys,in many places, in many ways and in every hole. Most times it was just for showor status. Only a few times was it for real enjoyment but I can honestly say,that I enjoyed it the last two days with you. Most times though it was as partof a gang. Bikers or punks, it didnÕt really matter. To be one of the gang, thegirls had to fuck almost any boy at anytime, usually several at the samesession. I just got used to it. Been doing it since I was thirteen.Ó

ÒThat young?Ó

ÒWell I knew about it before then and hadsucked a few boys off. My girlfriend at the time had an older sister whoallowed us to watch while her boyfriend screwed her. After watching one sessionthe boyfriend gave me his cock to suck and it went on from there. I was alwaysa tomboy and trying to appear tough so I tried to get in with a gang of punks.CouldnÕt afford the leathers they wore so they helped me steal then. In return,the leader said I would have to let all of them fuck me. I was taken to an oldstore place and laid down. They stripped me completely and each took a turn. Ihad five of them for my first time. It hurt. It hurt like hell but I had toappear tough so the pain was nothing. After that I let them do it whenever theywanted. If I was bleeding, they often wanted me to suck them instead althoughsome just wanted a messy shag. Others shoved their pricks up my arse. Again ithurt but I had to appear tough.Ó

ÒWas there no one you actually loved or had adecent relationship with?Ó

ÒThere was Robert. He was nice to me but hewas a wimp. I liked him but he couldnÕt stand up for himself against boys inthe gang so he gave me up. I did sleep with him a couple of times. Actuallywent to bed with him. Not just quick fucks in some corner.Ó

ÒIf you werenÕt here, would you still begetting screwed in some corner?Ó

ÒI guess so.Ó

ÒDonÕt you think yourself worth more thanthat?Ó

ÒDidnÕt try to think about it.Ó

ÒWell youÕve a couple of weeks to think aboutit now,Ó Pete averred, ÒI like you and I do think you deserve better. It maynot be with me but I think you should look and take stock of yourself. To me,as an outsider to gang ways, it seems you are outwardly trying to appearindependent and self reliant, but in reality your whole life is dictated by theothers in the gang. End of sermon!Ó

Chapter 4. Courtroom punishment

Pete, with some help from Trudy finished therepairs to Sally on the Sunday and, as they day had turned out fine and warm,had several coats of varnish on the new wood. Monday they rowed ashore andbought fresh supplies of food. Deliberately he gave Trudy a chance to escapeand run but she stayed with him. An hour before the 2 p.m. high-water time whenthe tide wasnÕt running hard, Pete started the engines and cast Emma May fromher moorings to begin the tricky task of manoeuvring her through the lines ofmoored boats to the quayside to fill both the water and diesel tanks. Now, bothtanks full, Pete headed his large barge back through the moorings into thefairway and down river. Soon they were clear of the town and with the ebb tidenow under them, made fast progress to the Crouch estuary and then headed northeastwards around the Dengie flats until they came to the mouth of theBlackwater where they anchored off Bradwell.

The weather was bright and fairly calm soTrudy had an enjoyable first sea voyage even if they didnÕt lose sight of thecoast or the seawalls at any time. Pete made her try and row them ashore andshowed her how to tie the dinghy up properly. They walked to the village andthen across the fields to the old church of St. Peters where St. Columba wassupposed to have set up his first church. By the time they returned, Trudy wasvery tired. Certainly she wasnÕt used to walking or rowing.

Early next morning as the tide was flooding,Pete let out a plankton net in tide flow. Trudy laughed as she thought he wastrying to fish, which in a way he was, but his catch was microscopic or nearlyso. After breakfast, they lowered Sally into the water and wearing lifejackets, he began to teach Trudy the elements of sailing. In the light breeze,Sally seemed to skim the water. It was a fun time for both of them and Trudybegan to get a little idea of the skills involved in handling a small boat. Thefollowing day, they headed back to Burnham. The changeable weather had becomeovercast and drizzly with more wind making the sea choppy. Trudy tried her handat steering the barge and found it very different to Sally but she enjoyed thesense of power she had in controlling such a large vessel. She liked the wayshe could spin the spokes of the brass ringed wooden wheel and watch as thebarge slowly changed course. They were just working their way up through thetiers of moorings at Burnham when the mobile phone rang. It was Alison.

ÒAfternoon Alison. Would you mind if I callyou back, were under way and I need to get the mooring in a short while.Ó

ÒPut the punk slut on then.Ó

ÒNow Alison, thatÕs no way to talk about mygirlfriend. But I canÕt do that either. SheÕs up in the bow guiding me throughthe boats or at least I am pretending IÕm taking notice of her signals. Look Iwill call you back shortly. Sorry.Ó

Trudy was in fact standing next to him in thewheelhouse. ÒIÕm supposed to be up the front there am I? Signalling? And youÕrepretending to take notice?Ó She burst out laughing. ÒDid she say what shewanted? And why didnÕt you let me talk to her?Ó

ÒFor a start I objected to her calling you a punkslut and secondly I do need to watch what I am doing in this channel andthirdly I will need you in the bow to guide me when we get to the mooring. Ican do it on my own but two makes it much easier. I will take notice of yoursignals too!Ó

When they were moored and had a mug of tea intheir hands, Pete cautioned Trudy to remember ÔdonÕt get angry, get evenÕ. Hefixed up the speaker connection to the phone and dialled AlisonÕs number.Alison answered almost immediately. ÒIs your girlfriend there?Ó The wordgirlfriend was said with extreme sarcasm.

ÒYes she is and she can hear you.Ó

ÒLook, Peter, there is a possible way out ofthe situation for all of us. There is someone who has used our escort servicein the past. Normally I donÕt have anything to do with him because what herequires is definitely a sex service but it is also a special service. One ofmy girls went on one occasion and came back with her bottom well striped.Apparently they had set up an act in an old house where she was a maid in about1700 that had broken a valuable vase so the master had to punish her. She saidshe was very well paid but she couldnÕt sit down for a week or so and couldnÕttake out my clients for longer than that. Even with the loss of earnings fromme she reckoned she was still in pocket but wouldnÕt want to go through with itagain. Today he happened to phone wanting someone for a schoolgirl scene. Ithought the bitch might do it to pay off part of her debt. She should be usedto getting punished if she is as tough as she makes out.Ó

ÒI donÕt know, Alison. What safeguards arethere? When? Where? How much? What if she refuses?Ó

Trudy snatched the phone from PeteÕs hand.Pete expected her to yell into it but instead she quietly said, ÒI can take a schoolgirlcaning if that is going to be the end of it. No part payment crap. Once andonce only. No more being threatened with lawyers and law suits.Ó

Alison seemed taken aback for a moment. ÒWhatI would get out of it would be far less than the cost of the repairs so it canonly be a part payment.Ó

ÒCrap. You know, I know, Pete knows, thatestimate was far too high. If you are any good as a negotiator then you shouldbe able to get it reduced by half especially if you try one of the other firmsthat are along the quayside. If I do it, then it is a once only thing. That wayyou should get something even if you donÕt haggle over the bill. If I refuse,you just get extra legal bills that I will never be able to pay. You may getthe satisfaction of knowing that I am sitting in jail doing nothing but is thatsatisfaction worth it? Will you not get more out of knowing I was given acaning?Ó

Pete took the phone again. ÒAlison, I thinkTrudy and I ought to discus this between ourselves. I have severe reservationsespecially as we are not being told exactly what punishment is going to beinflicted or what, if any, safeguards there are. Can you get back to yourclient and find out? I will talk with Trudy and see if she is really up to it.Ó

Pete and Trudy had a heated argument over it.Pete was certain there was no go-between man it. Alison was behind it all. Shehad the contacts with her escort service. Trudy just shrugged, what did itmatter as long as she was free of the stranglehold. He praised Trudy for theway she handled Alison though.

An hour later Alison rang again. ÒSorryPeter, I canÕt get any real guarantees but the people who go to these doÕs areapparently in positions of prominence and any scandal could ruin them so theyhave to take precautions and that includes the safety of the girl. It would bearranged for next Saturday but they will not tell me where or any otherdetails. Is she willing to go with it?Ó

ÒIÕve said no, but she says yes so you cansee how much notice she takes of me but IÕll hand the phone over to her.Ó Trudyasked Alison to confirm is was a once only payment and when she did, gave herconsent.

ÒWhen I have further details, I pass them onto you but I gather they pick the girls up by car and return them afterwards.Depending on where the location is, collection would be sometime Saturdayevening with the return sometime in the early hours of the morning. I wonÕt betold until Saturday afternoon.Ó

An apprehensive semi-depression fell over thepair for the next few days. Trudy wondered just how bad her punishment wouldbe. Pete expected the worst although he did his best not to alarm Trudy. Doninvited them to his home for a meal, which lightened the atmosphere for a shorttime. Otherwise the days passed fairly quietly. They took Sally out for a sailone morning and noted Ayala was on the slipway. They would dearly have loved tohave known what the actual price of the repairs would be as Pete was beginningto believe the whole invoice thing as a fake. TrudyÕs interest in the tiny seacreatures grew and they started another aquarium for her with some of the morecolourful local anemones and shrimps.

Saturday morning they stayed by the phone.There was no response from Alison works phone number or her mobile. It was notuntil mid afternoon the call came. Trudy answered it. ÒA car will pick you upat the marina at 7 p.m. tonight. You will get a call a few minutes before thecar will arrive. Wear the same stuff as you wore when you came to Burnham.Shirt, cut-off shorts and boots. Do your hair up in the green and red spikestoo. Expect to arrive back about 3 or 4 a.m. Peter, you will get a call whenshe is brought back to the marina. Sorry I am told not to give any more detailsthan that.Ó

Pete took her ashore when the call came andfound a limo type car with dark windows waiting. The driver was in full uniformand wore dark glasses. He didnÕt get out of the car but just waited until Trudygot herself in. Pete kissed her and wished her well.

Sitting back in the luxurious car in thewarmth, Trudy, despite her fears at what might happen to her, began to doze.She knew from what little she could see outside, they were headed for Londonbut she had no idea where. After travelling for two hours, the car pulled offthe main road and stopped. The chauffeur opened the rear door. ÒSorry miss butmy orders are to put these on you.Ó He held a pair of handcuffs and what lookedlike a strip of cloth. ÒYou are not to see where I am taking you. I should haveput them on earlier but you seemed to be sleeping.Ó Trudy allowed the man tofasten her hands behind her back and to cover her eyes.

ÒHow much further?Ó she asked.

ÒAbout an hour if the traffic isnÕt too badand it shouldnÕt be at this time of night.Ó

It was just an hour later when the car pulledup. Trudy heard a door open and the car drove on for a short way. Her dooropened and the chauffeur helped her out and guided her for a short way.

ÒAny problems with her?Ó She heard a manÕsvoice.

ÒNo Sir. Quiet as a lamb.Ó

ÒOkay, Wait in the car and be ready in acouple of hours to take her back.Ó

Trudy was led, still blindfolded, alongpassageways and up and down several flights of stairs. Eventually they haltedand she heard the voice ask if everyone was ready. After murmurs of assent theblindfold was removed. She found herself in a courtroom. A real courtroom shecould tell, sheÕd seen them enough times. There was the coat of arms above thejudgeÕs chair; she was in the dock looking over to where the briefs in theirfunny wigs and officials sat. The only thing that made it unreal was thateveryone in the room wore a grotesque latex mask.

ÒCourt will rise!Ó

All stood and waited for the ÔjudgeÕ to takehis seat before seating themselves again.

ÒTrudy Ahern you are charged that on FridayApril 14th in the year of our Lord 2001 you did steal a craft fromthe marina at Burnham on Crouch and then did wilfully and deliberately causeconsiderable damage to a boat belonging to a Miss Alison Frouget. How do youplead?Ó

Although she knew it was irrelevant to savetime and to get it over with Trudy pleaded, ÒGuilty.Ó

ÒTrudy Ahern, you have pleaded guilty to thisvery serious charge. Have you anything to say in your defence before I passsentence?Ó

ÒI didnÕt mean to do any harm. MÕlord. Itjust happened.Ó

ÒBut you did steal the boat and in factdamaged it in addition to Miss FrougetÕs?Ó

ÒYes MÕlord.Ó

ÒTrudy Ahern, you have pleaded guilty to aserious crime. You have a record of criminal activity going back many years, Itherefore have no hesitation of sentencing to two dozen strokes of the birch.Sentence to be carried out immediately in this courtroom.Ó

Although it couldnÕt be seen on their faces,gasps of horror at the severity of the punishment came from several members inthe courtroom. Never had a girl been given more than eight with the cane atthese meetings. They knew the judge was a friend of AlisonÕs and they knew heliked to see girls given a good sadistic thrashing but they didnÕt expect it tobe this severe. They knew too, something of the reality behind the accusationsand AlisonÕs anger. Normally the girls she supplied were volunteers who justgot paid to take the cane. This one was blackmailed.

Trudy was stunned. The birch was onlysomething she had heard about but she knew it was like a bundle of canes. Itwas going to be much more than she had expected. It was not the schoolgirlcaning Alison had mentioned. She started to protest but was immediatelysilenced.

An official led her from the dock to the bodyof the room where a space had been cleared. Four others were bringing in acurved stand that she later learned was an old birching bench. It had been inthe storage vaults since Victorian times. She also noticed the tall pot withtwo bound bundles protruding from the top. It was only sheer will power and theknowledge she was expected to be a toughie, that stopped her fainting. It wasall very archaic.

ÒStrip the girl and fasten her to thebirching horse please, Mr. Bailiff.Ó

Hands quickly removed TrudyÕs shorts andthrust her to the semi-upright structure. Her ankles were fastened to twostraps at the base. Her handcuffs were undone, her shirt removed and then herwrists fastened to straps near the top of the structure. Apart from the boots,she was now naked before the court and fastened with her buttocks and backdisplayed prominently ready for the birch.

ÒGet the doctor to check her to see if she isfit enough to take the punishment, Mr. Bailiff.Ó

A man wearing a white coat with a stethoscopearound his neck stepped forward. With bare hands he felt TrudyÕs flesh. ÒFleshwith just a little fat,Ó he called out. His hands went round TrudyÕs body andsqueezed her tits. ÒTits firm.Ó Pinching the nipples for a few moments hedeclared, ÒNipples hard.Ó

Trudy shouted back at him, ÒYouÕre no doctor,youÕre just another pervert!Ó

ÒSilence her, if you please Mr. Bailiff.Ó Astrip of cloth was tied around TrudyÕs mouth effectively reducing her outburstsalthough she could still emit guttural sounds.

ÒContinue with the examination Doctor.Ó

The make-believe doctor applied thestethoscope to her back and declared the heart to be beating quite fast whichwas normal in these cases. Then, much to the amusement of the onlookers, heapplied it to her bum cheeks. ÒBowels empty of gas. Buttocks full and ready fortreatment.Ó He slid his hand between her legs and even though Trudy was notaroused, the doctor declared she was very wet and therefore eagerly waiting forher punishment. He nipped her clitoris painfully between his thumb andforefinger and declared that it being hard confirmed her readiness to receivesatisfaction by the birch. Without further ado he declared, ÒThis young lady isfit and well enough to receive her allotted punishment.Ó

ÒLet us get on with it then,Ó voiced thejudge, ÒBailiff pass me the birch.Ó It was a vicious looking instrument. Therods were long and thin, five or six being bundled together. The judge showedit to the helpless girl and then whispered in her ear, ÒYour trial may havebeen a fake but your punishment wonÕt be. Bitches like you need a goodthrashing.Ó He swished the birch through the air, shaking brine from it andthen brought it down hard on TrudyÕs back. She screamed, or tried to, but thesounds were muffled by the gag. A series of vivid lines appeared with spots ofblood at the ends. He waited for some seconds for the terrible pain to sink inand for the gasps from some of the onlookers to quieten. Trudy had been infights and had beatings before but never anything like this.

ÒThis is the type of birching that would havebeen common for criminals to receive in the 18th century,Ó the Judgeannounced, ÒUnfortunately, it has been banned as a punishment we can give todaywith the result we have much more delinquency. Ladies and Gentlemen of thisprivileged group, you are about to see just how effective the old system was.ÓWith that he brought the birch down for the second time. Then a third and afourth. Each one lower but overlapping the previous stroke. Trudy, unable toscream or plead, just writhed and struggled with her bonds. All to no avail.She couldnÕt see how she could possibly take two dozen of these terrible bites.

After ten she very nearly fainted. Hershoulders and back were one big blister of criss-crossed lines with trickles ofblood seeping out. The Judge turned his attention to the lower part of her bodyand placed the next cut on the back of her thighs just above the knee join.With each stroke he worked higher. After thirteen, TrudyÕs bladder relieveditself of its contents. The urine ran down her legs making the cuts smart evenmore. She passed out after the fifteenth and was revived by have water pouredover her head and smelling salts held under her nose.

A few of the audience were beginning to voicethat the punishment was sufficient but the Judge rebuked them. ÒWe shall neveragain be able to see what a real medieval punishment was like. For once we havea girl that deserves punishing and cannot complain about it afterwards. We mustand will continue.Ó

Still groggy, her mind drifting into halfconsciousness, Trudy took the next four directly on her buttocks. The next helaid directly on top of a previous one split the skin in two places. Trudypassed out and it took several minutes before they were able to bring her round.Again ignoring requests to stop, the Judge now really hyped up, laid the lastfour on with just the same vigour as the earlier ones. Several more splitsopened and TrudyÕs arse and legs were now freely running with blood. He mighthave continued had not two of the other men restrained him.

The ÔdoctorÕ then came forward with towelssoaked in antiseptic and washed some of the blood from TrudyÕs body. Thebleeding didnÕt stop. He took fresh towels and laid them over her wounds andleft them for some minutes as crude bandages but when he tried to remove them,the bleeding started again and he had to put them back. Trudy, wracked withpain no longer moved. She knew she would die. She could only hope death wouldcome.

ÒUsually after these punishment meetings,Óthe Judge addressed his audience again, ÒWe allow all who want feel the stripesand to give the girl a good fucking but the state this bitch is in, we may haveto limit the fucking to one or two and I suggest all of you try and keep yourfingers out of the blood. I wish to be one who, in the term used in past times,rogers her to make sure my friend the victim of her crime gets her moneyÕsworth, any volunteers for the other?Ó He was surprised when no one volunteered.

Opening his trousers, the Judge produced ahardened prick and, after moving the towels to one side just sufficiently toenter her vagina, proceeded to fuck Trudy with great gusto. It hardlyregistered with Trudy. Nor did it really register when they released her.Vaguely she realised she was being wrapped in sheets by two women who spokequite kindly to her. Her gag was taken off but she had lost the ability toscream. Neither was of the right build to be Alison. They took her to awashroom, cleaned her face and gave her water to drink. Trudy could hardlystand but she couldnÕt sit either. The women, aided by two men half carried herfor the walk back down the passageway. Halfway they remembered she wasnÕtsupposed to see where she was and blindfolded her again before taking her tothe waiting limousine.

As they were about to help Trudy in the car,the horrified chauffeur stopped them. ÒMy God, they really hurt this one. Waituntil I get some blankets from the boot so the blood doesnÕt get on the seats.ÓThey lay Trudy face down across the back seat without making any attempt tobuckle her in and the driver headed back to Burnham. He stopped the car oncethey were outside the city and removed her blindfold. ÒIÕll never do thisagain,Ó he said to the only half awake girl, ÒNot even if they do prosecute me.The other girls had sore arses but they werenÕt bleeding or anything. Can I getyou anything?Ó Trudy didnÕt answer.

Chapter 5. Back to Emily May

PC Blackwell patrolled the dinghy park on thelandward side of the marina at Burnham. For several days now, several of thebetter and more expensive racing dinghies had been vandalised. With animportant race meeting only days away, it appeared that some of the betterboats were being nobbled. It always happened in the early hours of the morningso he had been detailed to keep watch. Last night nothing happened, tonightlooked like being the same. He looked at his watch. 3.35 a.m. ÒMight as wellget on my bike and head home,Ó he muttered to himself. ÒBetter wait till four,I suppose.Ó Hardly had he sat down again in his little sheltered hiding placewhen he heard a car. He saw a vehicle coming along the track-way. As it cameabreast he noted its license number and radioed it in for a check and asked forbackup to be ready in case it was needed. Keeping in the shadows, he crepttowards where the car had now stopped. He saw the driver get out but wasexpecting him to have an axe or something similar with which to smash up aboat. He would witness it but keep himself safely out of the way. The patrolcar would pick the miscreant up as he left the town. To his surprise the driverpulled what looked like a body from the car and he heard him speaking to herbut only getting moans in reply. Leaving the ÔbodyÕ by the path, the driverreversed and then drove off. He didnÕt see the policeman.

******

Pete hadnÕt slept. He kept wondering what heshould have done to prevent her going. He knew Alison had a mean streak in herand knew also she had set up this caning. Trudy was strong headed and tough sohe thought she could take it but what if it was more than the usual six of thebest? Supposing they gave her a dozen? She wouldnÕt be able to sit for a week.2 a.m. still no phone call. 3 a.m. no call. What has happened to her? 3.35 a.m.ÒIÕm dropping her off in a few minutes.Ó That was all the message said. Thedriver had immediately shut the phone off. Pete didnÕt have time to ask how shewas. Immediately he rowed ashore and ran along the boardwalk. At the top of theramp he could see two figures on the ground, one in uniform with a torch. Trudyopened her eyes when he spoke. ÒTrudy what did they do to you dear?Ó She neveranswered. He bent to pick her up and she screamed and then passed out. Theblanket fell open to reveal the blood soaked sheets.

ÒIÕll get an ambulance.Ó PC Blackwell radioedto his control room for the ambulance and asked that the driver of the limo bedetained for questioning about a serious assault. The constable knew Peteslightly and questioned him about Trudy until the ambulance arrived. Pete insistedhe go with her to the nearest hospital at Chelmsford some twenty miles away.Only there did he see the full extent of her injuries. A young policewoman cameand took a statement from Pete, photographs were taken of TrudyÕs back andbuttocks but they kept her sedated so no one could question her. She seemed toknow though, when Pete was holding her hand and talking to her. The policeinformed Margaret and brought her to the hospital. Part of her blamed Pete forwhat happened, although she also realised he had tried to help her.

Behind the scenes, the police were active.The chauffeur was questioned at length. He worked for a car hire company whorevealed that the car was hired by Alison FrougetÕs escort service. Underfurther intense questioning the driver told where the court was and the policesent a forensic team in. The courtroom floor had been cleaned but they stillfound tiny scraps of blood and they did find the birching horse, which also hadblood and semen traces.

By midday, Pete was so exhausted with theworry and lack of sleep, the nurses found him a cot and he lay alongside Trudy.That evening off duty PC Blackwell came to see how she was getting on andsuggested Pete went back to Burnham with him and get a good nightÕs sleep. HecouldnÕt do anything at the hospital as the doctorÕs were keeping Trudy wellsedated and on a morphine and fed by an intravenous drip.

Pete slept fitfully on the barge and was upearly. He phoned the hospital and found Trudy was beginning to waken. He phonedMargaret who wasnÕt yet up, and told her the news and asked if she wanted to gowith him to the hospital. She did. On the way they were able to get togetheragain as friends and she knew Pete would do his utmost to see Alison and herfriends got their just deserts even if they did have influence in high places.

By now the press had got hold of the storyand the hospital was more or less cordoned off, Margaret and Pete were allowedthrough and spent the day at the bedside. Trudy could now recognise themalthough she found it difficult to talk. Dressings covered most of the backarea of her body so most of the whipping stripes were covered. They werenÕtallowed to be present when the dressings were changed. Late that evening, Petetook Margaret home. She cancelled work. They sat discussing what to do over amakeshift meal but in reality they knew they couldnÕt do anything. It was allin the hands of others. He spent the night sleeping in TrudyÕs bed.

******

Alison sat in a police cell and cursed thevandals that damaged the boats in the park. Had the policeman not been there,the driver would have returned and there would have been nothing to link herwith the event. Alison cursed Judge Masterton for getting carried away. Sheknew he was a real sadist and had to be restrained before but this time she hadunwisely given him the go-ahead to do what he liked. By now the police wouldhave gone through the files of her escort agency. Hopefully they hadnÕt yetgone through her flat and found the video tape. The judge had sent it to her bycourier immediately afterwards and it was still in the machine. She had playedit through twice and had been delighted by the pain the bitch had received buteven in her wildest dreams she had not believed the Judge could be so brutal.

They came and took her to the interview room.Her lawyer was already there. For some time she feigned ignorance but as thepolice produced more and more evidence, her involvement became clear as did herposition as head of a high-class prostitute organisation. Gradually the net wasspread wider and her working girls were questioned. Some worked just for themoney, others because they were blackmailed into it. AlisonÕs London flat wassearched and the video found. It was all the evidence the police needed to roundup most of the others. It was better and more concrete evidence than TrudyÕssomewhat incoherent memory of what happened.

Trudy was released from hospital a weeklater. She could walk with difficulty and needed strong analgesic pills tocontrol the pain. Sitting even on soft cushions still gave her considerablepain although she tried not to show it. Margaret and Pete gave her the choiceof going home to Billericay or to the Emma May. To MargaretÕs obviousdisappointment she quickly chose the barge. Pete immediately asked Margaret tostay on the barge too until Trudy had more fully recovered but she was worriedabout work and her ability to keep up the payments for TrudyÕs previousoffences. ÒDonÕt worry about that,Ó Pete said, ÒIÕll loan you the money and addit to what Trudy owes me already and she can pay it back by working for me.That way she will have to stay here longer.Ó

ÒBeast! Sodding slave driver!Ó was TrudyÕsanswer but her smile indicated she was far from displeased with the idea.

Finis