‘Count me in.’
Justin and Maz applauded my decision and began making plans immediately.
‘OK,’ said Maz. ‘We’ll need tickets – that’s easy, I can get them off Madam Malfeasance on Wednesday night. Transport, accommodation, costumes ’
‘What sort of costumes?’
‘Oh, whatever you like. Preferably something a bit kinky, but up to you. What do you fancy?’
‘I don’t know. I liked you in latex last week.’
‘We’ll have to go shopping! Tell you what, I’ll take you to the fetish outfitters in London before the Gathering, sort you out with a costume that’ll get all the doms circling you like a pack of whip-wielding wolves.’
‘Wow.’ This sounded better by the minute. ‘I’m in.’
‘You’ll love it. I always get a bit overexcited and end up doing something a bit closer to my limits than I intended. I managed to go home with pierced labia last time.’
‘Christ!’
‘But nobody forced me! You just do what you feel, hon, what you’re comfortable with. It’s all about personal taste.’
‘How many people will be there?’
Justin spoke up. ‘Last year there were more than five hundred. It’s held in a stately home just outside London that the promoters have hired for the night. You can book rooms there, if you can afford it.’
‘Oh, let’s do that this year, J! I know we can stay with friends, but I think it’d be nice for Keris.’
‘Well, why not? OK.’
Maz squealed and clapped her hands.
‘They have everything – a torture chamber, a flogging room, tattoo and piercing room, a massive orgy chamber, cages, a giant ballroom … Oh, it’s just heaven.’
A paradise of perversion, with all the accoutrements of the Other Place. I had to see this for myself.
‘And it’s at the end of the month, you say?’
‘Last weekend of November. Saturday night right through till Sunday morning. Last year I went as a nun.’
‘A nun?’
‘A latex nun. Justin was a priest. He looked so hot. I think this year I’d like to be a courtesan. Or a burlesque dancer. Maybe a pony girl.’
Decisions, decisions.
‘Are you busy this weekend?’
Yes, thanks for asking, Headmaster, as a matter of fact I’m very busy. I have latex slutwear to choose and a fetish party to attend, probably followed by an orgy. Yourself?
‘Actually, I’m visiting friends in London.’
‘Oh.’ A pause, pregnant with …something. Maybe disappointment. ‘Well, I hope you have a good one.’
A good one, eh? Better than the one I’d have as your mistress, you mean?
‘Thanks. Are you busy?’
‘Not especially. Well, when I say “not especially” I mean, no more than usual – no such thing as a quiet weekend for a headteacher.’