By the time I got home it was 9.30, I immediately looked in my wardrobe for clothes that would meet Mr Stephen's expectations. I had managed for the last few months to get away with wearing T shirts and jeans to my temping jobs. Which meant I could roll out of bed, have a quick shower and just throw things on. That was the past from now one i would be dressed smartly for work. Just as Mr Stephen's ordered. For the first time in ages I plugged in the iron and smoothed out the wrinkles in my shirts.
Suddenly my brain was filled with images of Mr Stephen's feet. The bare ones that whose scent I had inhaled earlier that evening, and the boots that he was wearing yesterday. Shit I thought my shoes. They were scuffed and dusty. Where's that polish? I knew that if I was to show my respect to Mr Stephens I had to have a pair of well polished shows when walking Boy.
The next morning I was at Mr Stephen's door sharp at 6.30, he opened the door, a towel wrapped around his waist. . Excellent. See you in thirty minutes Boys, he shouted. That was definitely a plural. Boy was excited this morning so was walking at a quick pace, my shoes were starting to pinch. A downside of serving Mr Stephens I said to my self.. Serve , why did I use that word?
7.00 am, I rang Mr Stephens' bell. I was disappointed when he opened it fully dressed. But it was a short lived disappointment. Dressed in shirt tie and suit. Each item fitted him perfectly. That thirty minutes flew by Boy, he said looking at me directly. Another layer of confusion., Who was he addressing. A good start to the working week wouldn't you say. I stood there without saying a word. "Answer me" "I'm trying to have a conversation here, I'm not just throwing words at you." And don't just sayYes, or No for fucks sake. That's not a conversation. I said the First thing I could think of "Yes Mr Stephens" "That's better,, Now fuck off and be back here at 7.30""Yes Mr Stephens"
Work dragged, I was glad that it was the final day that I'd be working on this particular assignment. Usually on such days I would leave early, but I was asked to work an extra hour, just so the project I had been supporting could get one of its sprints finished. I looked at the time shit I was going to cut it fine. I ran from the office to the tube, ran down the escalators, and on to the first tube. As soon as the doors opened I was off the train, and in the open air in minutes. The shoes were killing me as I ran to Mr Stephens' I rang the door bell and was still trying to catch my breath when he opens the door. "Just made it in time" he said as he undid the top button of his shirt the loosened tie hanging down. Without smiling he handed me the lead. Ready Boy? he shouted. "Yes Mr Stephens" I replied. Stone faced he shouted ready Boy, walk time. The dog ran from the kitchen
I was confused , was I reading to much into the word Boy, and Boys. Was Mr Stephens always only talking to the dog. Was I going to make a total tit of myself. When I returned from the walk he waiting, for us. "In both of you" An unambiguous instruction, one that I found easy to obey. For the first time in the last 48 hours I felt at my ease in Mr Stephen's company.
I stood in the doorway of the kitchen, as he placed a bowl of food down for Boy. Stand straight look ahead, he barked. I was taken aback at the abruptness of the common, but complied none the less. I despise men who slouch, he spat. He spoke without looking at me. Sit.
He placed a bowl of child on the table in front of me, and a glass of water, he had a glass of wine. He studied me carefully as I ate. You eat too fast, like a starved dog. Slow down. Yes mr Stephen's I replied, I was taken aback but felt that a response was expected. Tell me about your day, why were you so breathless when you arrived this evening. Were you going to be late?
Yes Mr Stephens. I explained my work situation and how I had run all the way from the tube to make sure I was on time. Almost sounds like an excuse. Have you got a new job lined up tomorrow? I shook my head. I won't say this again. If I ask question you respond. None of this shaking and nodding heads. Even boy here barks when I ask him a question don't you . The dig responded with an enthusiastic bark. I'll try again. Have you got a job lined up tomorrow No Mr Stephens, no yet. Great that means you won't be late tomorrow, but to make sure pass me your phone, unlocked. I dug into my pocket, Mr Stephens spent some time looking at it swiping left and right. He smiled on a number of occasions. Ok. he said setting up some alarms. 5 am alarm to get you out of bed, and hourly reminders in the three hours in the run up to the evening walk. You wont have any excuse to be late again. "Yes Mr Stephens Thank you, I said aiming to have a look at what he had set for me No looking, just understand that when you are expected to do something the phone will tell you .
Mr Stephen's pick his wallet from the table, and took out a tenner, he folder it in half with his high hand, and let it fall on the floor., besides his chair. He indicated with a slight jerk of his head that I was to pick it up.. As i got up he moved his chair back., and placed his left leg over his knee' I bent down and my hand briefly brushed the tip of his well polished right shoe As I looked up I was facing the sole of his left shoe which was gently waving back and for. I looked up towards his face and his tongue was licked his lower lip. I hurriedly got back up and sat. Finished eating Boy, the dog barked, and I found myself saying Yes Mr Stephens at the same time. Excellent Go."
It was almost 10pm by the time I arrived home. I was about to have a look at Scruff and Recon, when an alarm went on my phone 10:15 Bed time. A text came through not long after. Make sure you brush your teeth before sleeping. I could have left it but felt compelled to reply. Yes Mr Stephens,
The arm woke me at 5, as Mr Stephens had promised, 10 minutes later another alarm. "Tale a selfie, and send it to Mr Stephens as proof you are up" I jumped out of bed and complied with the instruction. What other alarms had he put in? I looked at the time 5.20 I could still be asleep, the and not only that have an extra hour at least in bed as I had no for scheduled for the day. Yet I was unquestionably following the instructions of someone who I had first seen four days ago when queueing up to pay for some chocolate. I went and showered and put on my smart clothes. At least I could take these off as soon as I was back from the walk I thought
I was home by 7.30, Mr Stephens had handed Boy over to me wordlessly, and taken him back to. I sat in the kitchen and waited for the kettle to build,. Finally I had time to look at Recon., and Scruff, as ever there were no woofs, cruises or messages. I bit into my toast, the flat mate appeared,"Look at you dressed smart, Must have an important job if you look like that" "I do I responded, very important", and left him to return to my room. I was just about to undo my tie when another text came in.
Send me a photo of you now. I sent it off as instructed, Within seconds another came back.Have you got a job set up. No Mr Stephens. Ok, that's not an excuse for you to be sloppy, you will keep that shirt and toe on all day. Understand? I responded with Yes Mr Stephens. So much for a relaxing day doing nothing. I lay on my bed almost frighten to look at my phone worried what the next instruction would be.
I was woken by the noise from my phone. There were two notifications. I had missed two Facetime call, from him, in the space of 45 minutes.. Shit what was I to do, should I call him back or wait. Before I had the chance to make a decision, another text came through. You have five minutes to send me a photo proving you are ready. I jumped out of bed, and took a shot, and sent.
The phone went off , he was contacting me I answered immediately. So? Sorry Mr Stephens I must have fallen asleep. "Almost a sackable offence" Sorry Mr Stephens, I'll let it pass this time but if you were truly sorry you wouldn't have done it would you ? No Mr Stephens. Anyway enough of such pleasantries. You have an hour to get Oxford Circus,. Text me when you get there ,with a photo of you in our work outfit..
Although the tube journey only took 20 minutes I left the house almost immediately. I was glad I did as there were delays at Pimlico and at Green Park. I had thirty minutes, did I wait and hope that it would be back up and running soon, risking being stuck in a tunnel, or did I make a run for it. Although I new my feet would hate me I went for the latter. Mr Stephens was expecting a text at 11.05
I was out of breath when I arrived at my destination, I had five minutes to spare. I took a photo with Lower Regents street in the background,, Here Mr Stephens. I waited , and waited, it was another ten minutes before a text came through. "Check your email" I opened up my emails Amongst the junk that had failed to be filtered was one from Him
.You are going shopping. You need better shirts. Ones with stiff collars, they'll improve your posture and stop you slouching. You've seen Boy's collar , nice and secure, helps me control him . Go here , the email continues -it was one of the more expensive shirt shops, a single shirt cost more than I would pay for a pack of three. You can afford it by the way, I've seen your bank balance. I expect a photo of all ten shirts freshly ironed on wooden hangers by 3pm.
Shit hangers too I thought. But if it means I'm going to look smart when working for him it will be worth it. I took out my phone and typed in the shops name into the Map app. And headed off.