‘What’s your name, sir?’
‘No, I mean that, to you, my name is Sir.’
‘Can’t I know your real name?’
‘In due course. But not tonight. Especially since you haven’t told me yours.’
My jaw dropped and a length of linguine slithered off my fork.
‘What?’
‘I called your name earlier, before you noticed me. You must have heard it, but you didn’t react. You thought I meant someone else. So what’s your real name?’
‘Perhaps I’ll let you know in due course,’ I told him sulkily.
‘I see we have a hill to climb,’ sighed His Lordship. ‘But I like a challenge.’
‘Speaking of which,’ I said, ‘what do you have in mind? I’ll level with you – I haven’t told you my real name because my job makes all this a little bit difficult. I need to protect my identity.’
‘I understand. It’s why I haven’t told you mine. It could all get awkward, if some new sub on the block decided to make waves for me. I need to establish a relationship of trust first. I’m glad you appreciate that. I won’t ask what it is that you do, but I will ask how it might impinge on your private life.’
‘Well, in practical terms, my availability is limited. I work full time and can’t even promise to be free every weekend. But I do get good holidays. I was thinking of some kind of arrangement where I could … y’know … organise a few visits a year.’
His Lordship considered this, twisting a forkful of linguine round and round.
‘You work in education,’ he said at length.
‘Yes.’
‘Long summer holiday?’
‘Six weeks.’
‘But it’s December now. That’s a long way away. How are you fixed for Christmas?’
My heart began to thud. Concrete arrangements might be in place by the time I finished off this crab.
‘I’m spending Christmas Day with my mother. But after that, I’m free from Boxing Day until school starts again on 5th January.’
‘That gives us a good week. A new year with a new submissive. What do you think?’
‘You want me to spend the week at your house?’
‘At one of them,’ he said urbanely. ‘My country house. There’ll be other guests too, but you will be the only trainee.’
‘You’re going to train me?’
‘Of course. You aren’t ready for full submission yet, that much is obvious. But you will be, once I’ve put you through my programme.’
‘What’s your programme?’
‘I can’t tell you that. It’s individually tailored. Some trainees want to express their submission differently than others. We will discuss your needs before you arrive and I’ll draw up a plan accordingly.’
‘How many have you trained?’
His Lordship’s eyes rolled up to the ceiling. ‘Honestly? I’ve lost count.’
‘What does your wife think of it?’