‘Where were you?’ I mouthed, when Maria wasn’t looking.
‘Sorry,’ he mouthed back. ‘Got held up by Haydon.’
‘I’m sorry about the double booking,’ he said aloud to Maria. ‘Was it anyone we know from the munch?’
‘No,’ she replied shortly, stopping in front of an unassuming black-painted door. ‘Here we are now.’
She opened up and switched on a light. We followed her down a further staircase into what must have been a cellar, but certainly didn’t look like one.
It was a huge high-ceilinged space, a bit like a dance studio with mirrored walls but the floor, instead of being sprung, was padded black leather. There was even a barre across the longest wall. It was well heated and spotlit and completely bare. Where the hell was all the equipment?
I looked around, seeing endless reflections of the three of us, a little bemused.
‘Not what you were expecting?’ asked Maria with amusement.
‘Well…no. I thought dungeons were kind of…different.’
‘Oh, yes, most people say that,’ said Maria. ‘Until I show them how incredibly versatile this space is. But, before I start all that, how about something to settle your nerves.’ She smiled at me. ‘You, in particular, seem rather jumpy.’
She walked over to the nearest mirrored wall and pushed at one of the panels. It swung open to reveal a little sitting room, all velvets and feathers, with a well-stocked drinks cabinet at one end, along with some bookshelves. On closer inspection, the walls were festooned with erotic art, most of it featuring leather- and rubber-clad figures bent into various poses.
‘Do take a seat,’ said Maria languidly, heading for the cabinet. ‘What can I tempt you with?’
Tom opted for a brandy, and I had a tiny splash of gin with a lot of tonic. Maria, I noticed, stuck with mineral water.
‘So, my dears,’ she said, when we were established with our drinks. ‘You are both newcomers to this wonderful world, and I expect you have a lot of questions. Please feel free to ask me anything you like.’
‘What exactly do you have in mind for tonight?’ I blurted.
She shook her head.
‘I don’t have anything at all in mind, darling. I’ll be guided by you two. Tell me what you want to see, or try, and I’ll accommodate you.’
I smiled shakily and looked at Tom.
‘I’m concerned about safety,’ he said. ‘I, uh, spanked somebody the other day and I was worried I’d gone too far. I’d like you to show me how to do it without…’ He broke off, looking slightly agonised. ‘Well, without hurting them. If that doesn’t sound quite mad.’
‘Without harming them, perhaps?’ suggested Maria.
‘Yes. That.’
‘You’ve come to the right place,’ said Maria. ‘Of course, we might need somebody to demonstrate on.’ She winked at me, then leaned forward and squeezed my fingers. ‘Only if you want it, sweetie.’
I wondered if it was too late to run away. For one thing, Tom’s belt had left a few traces of evidence on my backside – not as obvious as they had been on the Sunday morning, when he’d gasped over them with a mixture of horror and pride – but the yellowing marks were still there. For another – well, you know. Showing a near-total stranger my bare bum might be a little awkward.
‘How long have you been doing this?’ Tom asked politely.
‘Oh, my story isn’t interesting,’ she said dismissively. ‘Long enough.’
‘Not interesting?’ he said with a laugh. ‘Right, because professional Dominatrices are ten a penny. Of course it’s interesting. How did it come about?’
She seemed flattered by Tom’s attention, and she sipped coyly at her water for a moment before replying.
‘No big mystery to it,’ she said. ‘My husband divorced me after he found me in bed with another woman. She was submissive and we’d been exploring our sexualities together. After the divorce, I needed cash, so she suggested I try my hand at professional Domming. I put an advert in the paper, worked from my own little flat at first, until I earned enough to hire this place. The money’s good, and very steady. I turn down more clients than I service now.’
‘Demand outstrips supply,’ said Tom. ‘A true capitalist success story. I suppose you can name your price.’
‘Pretty much.’