The Disaapearance Of Julian Ross free porn video

The disappearance of Julian Ross by Elaine © 2019 Chapter 1 - Out of work Julian ran across the road splashing through the puddles towards the front door of his lodgings. He was soaking wet after trudging through the streets of London all morning looking for work. He was an out of work actor who specialised in drag acts but it seemed that there was no demand or fashion for men acting as women on the stage. That being so he'd decided to try and get a normal job. He'd do just about anything to pay off his rent arrears but he'd drawn a complete blank again when they'd found out about his recent ill health and if they found out about his previous occupation on the stage. It was a long time to wait on the panto season again when men in dresses would be required. As he walked inside the front door, Beth was busy on her knees scrubbing the hall floor as usual. "Here you, wipe your feet, will you? And oblige me that has to clean up after you. Lodgers as can't pay their rent, coming and going all day popping in and out of the house like flies," she complained kneeling up briefly. "Sorry I really didn't mean to make a mess," Julian replied taking off his wet coat that was dripping water onto her previously clean floor. "And don't put your umbrella where it'll make a puddle either," she whined again. "I didn't take my umbrella with me this morning," he replied. "Because it looked such a lovely day ahead." "It shows you still don't know our London weather then," she said stopping her scrubbing of the floor. "No, down in Brighton where I'm from it only rains every other day," he replied laughing despite the water running down his neck. "There's a letter for you here on the table," she said pointing to it. He smiled and carefully walked over her still wet floor to pick it up. "That's strange nobody ever writes to me," he declared looking at the envelope. "It looks like it's an advert." "No your letter looks more like a wedding invitation to me," Beth said getting up onto her feet to look at it. "Yes, you're right that's what it looks like," he replied starting to open the envelope. "Who's it from? Is it Dennis Bruce?" she asked. "Yes, it's from Mr Bruce," Julian replied saddened to learn that Dennis was going to get married to a woman called Angela Harte. Julian had known him a long time when they had played in university shows and they had played together in a performance of Charley's Aunt with Julian playing the aunt because he was considerably smaller. Then he had become ill. "When's it going to be?" she asked trying to look at the invite over Julian's shoulder. "Oh it was held yesterday," Julian replied sullenly. "You could have knocked Mrs Mackie and me down with a feather when he told us last week that he was leaving here to get married," declared Beth. "He told me two months ago when I first met him that he had no interest in girls." "He told me he was only going out with a girl from Edinburgh," Julian replied remembering fondly the fun they'd had together in what was at that time regarded as an illicit relationship. "Oh, well, I expect Mrs Mackie thought that he'd forgotten all about her," Beth volunteered about my bossy landlady. "That's ridiculous," Julian replied annoyed. "I didn't even know he was engaged and now he's gone and got married." "If you knew him better maybe you wouldn't be looking for work now, now would you?" she asked scornfully. "Or bother about the three weeks' rent you owe Mrs Mackie now. She's beginning to get worried." "I know Beth and I've applied to all the employment agencies I know," he said showing his worry over his predicament. However he confidently stated, "I'm sure I'll get a job soon." "Of course, if you ain't aiming too high. I know plenty of places where you could get a job like mine," she laughed. He shook his head vigorously no. "I suppose a fine man like you was trained for something better than cleaning floors," she continued mocking him. "My doctor said I've got to be careful for a few months," Julian said by way of a valid medical excuse after his recent emergency operation to have his appendix removed. "Oh my sister had her appendix out too," Beth replied sharply. "She was scrubbing and cleaning floors the very next week." "Doesn't her surgery bother her now?" he enquired. "Nothing bothers her now as unfortunately she's dead," she said solemnly. "But it wasn't good honest work that killed her." "Beth here's a new agency I haven't been to before," Julian said seeing an advert posted for secretaries in the newspaper that one of the other lodgers had left on the table for others to read. 'Secretaries wanted. Excellent positions available,' Julian read to myself. 'Apply at the Allison Employment Agency. Telephone Strand 2334.' "Secretaries! Sitting at a typewriter writing all day. Call that work?" Beth said seeing what had caught his attention. "Besides you're a man and secretaries are usually women. Everybody knows that." "If I go there smartly in the next hour or so perhaps that keenness will get me a job." he replied thinking that he could try going dressed as his alter ego Julia instead of Julian. "I've just got to get it." So on opening his flat door, he rushed to the wardrobe that held his small collection female clothing. He selected a business suit that comprised a tailored jacket and a matching below knee length skirt. A fresh pair of sheer stockings out of their packet and the black 3" stilettos that had just become fashionable would complete his look. Julian quickly and expertly got dressed up. He donned my brunette shoulder length wig and then applied his usual feminine makeup that he would use on stage but toned down with the exception of the bright red lipstick that women at that time regularly wore. He even savagely tweezed his eyebrows again to restore the typical feminine looking high arch. Before putting on the stockings, he ran his new electric shaver over his legs. His last task was to shape his fingernails and apply a couple of coats of red nail polish. They were dry as he picked up his ladies wool coat and peered out of the door looking for Beth. He was relieved to find that Beth had picked up her pail of water and left. He reached for his black umbrella beside the door but saw that it had stopped raining. He adjusted a fancy hat complete with a net veil over his wig and pinned it in place before quickly heading for the front door with a handbag under his arm. As he stepped outside anxiously thinking he might be uncovered, he felt the chill spring air on his thinly covered legs. He quickly descended the steps as fast as he could in the heels and walked briskly towards the tube station at the end of the street on the wet pavement. Julian found that the tight skirt checked his manly stride but he remembered to roll his hips as he walked. As usual, there were no seats available when he boarded the tube train but a kind man quickly offered him his seat that he gratefully accepted. Julian gave him a warm smile as he sat down on the seat and then felt the warmth easing into his bottom through the thin skirt material. Julian only had to go a couple of stops along the line towards the city and then he was out in the cool sunshine heading towards the agency marvelling that no one on the street apparently twigged what or who he was. A true test of Julian's acting ability was about to begin. "Why did you come to London, Miss Ross?" asked the woman in the agency office as Julian sat with his legs crossed demurely at the knee in front of her desk. "A London doctor was recommended to me," he replied speaking softly. "He was known to be an expert on appendicitis." "And you've quite recovered from your operation now? She asked. "Oh yes thankfully," Julian replied. "I was quite ill for a time and lost my job as a result. I feel I'm strong as an ox now." "I must say you don't look it," she retorted. "You look quite dainty rather than look like an ox. Do you live with your family?" "Sadly I no longer have a family." Julian replied ignoring the fact his mother was alive but miles away in Sussex. "There's no husband either then I presume because you are not wearing a wedding ring," she continued. "Do you have a boyfriend?" "No I thought I did but he's just married a girl from Scotland." Said Julian referring to Dennis. "You're sure?" she asked. "Of course I'm very sure. I got a wedding invite today from him in the post but it was a day late," he replied which meant she clearly thought he was a young woman and not a boy in skirts. "Why do you ask?" "I have to ask these personal questions because I have one particularly lucrative position that needs to be filled immediately," she replied. "It's only open to a young woman with no family responsibilities, or any romantic attachments." "I see," he answered wishing he could remove his stiff bra and panties. "Can you tell me more about this position?" "Certainly the position is with a Mrs Hughes, at 190 Henrique Square. She's already had three secretaries from this office this year." "Why three?" he asked. "Just as they were getting accustomed to the role, the girls would leave because of a sick mother or she got pregnant and then had a baby to care for or she fell in love with a young man. This time, Mrs Hughes wants a young woman who could definitely promise to stay for at least a year." "I'm sure I could do that," Julian replied confidently outwardly but inwardly wondering how he'd cope wearing female clothes all that time. "Currently I've no ties and there's now no young man. I'm absolutely alone." "Your references seem to be in order," she said studying my fictional reference letters. "So I think you just might suit Mrs Hughes." "Well, there's no harm in trying is there?" he volunteered. "Well I hope you're not lying in order to get this job," she queried. "Lying? No but I really need a new job as I am in arrears at my lodgings," Julian said ignoring the fact that he was now pretending to be a woman called Julia Ross instead of a young man called Julian Ross. "Both my parents died when the ship they were on sank while my closest relative is an aunt in Florida in the USA." With that, she eagerly picked up the phone and dialled her client's number. "Mrs Hughes?" she asked. "I think I've found an excellent young woman for you to interview. May I send her along for an interview?" "Oh? You'll be driving past here anyway?" "Certainly I shall." "Yes I'll ask Miss Ross to remain here so you can interview her in say half an hour," the woman replied. "Thank you," Julian said as the call concluded. Sure enough, he didn't have to wait long until a short stocky old woman started to interview him. She asked much the same questions as the agency owner and he seemed to gain her approval easily enough. "I think we shall suit each other very well indeed. Don't you, Miss Ross?" "I'll certainly try very hard to please, Mrs Hughes," Julian replied. "I'm sure you shall, my dear," she said and then to the agency owner she added, "Yes Miss Ross seems to answer all our requirements." "Doesn't she Ralph?" she asked her middle-aged son sitting beside her. "That's for you to decide, Mother," he replied appearing to be disinterested. "Well, I think we'll consider the matter settled then," the old woman stated. "That is, if the salary I'm offering is satisfactory?" She passed Julian a piece of paper with the salary per month written in pencil. "Oh, indeed, it's a more than generous salary," he replied which made him very pleased that I could settle all his debts in the first week alone. "Then we'll expect you to move in tonight," she replied rising up to shake his hand. Her wide fat hand dwarfed his small slim hand. "Tonight? So soon?" Julian asked slightly shocked. "Well I see no sense in dilly-dallying, once we've made up our mind. Do you?" Julian nodded his agreement yes. He wasn't really in a position to say no. "I always take the view that the sooner my staff get settled in the better," she explained to him about the move in that very night. "Well, I just wasn't aware that it was a live in position," Julian replied. "Oh don't worry Miss Ross, Mrs Hughes always makes her secretaries very comfortable with several private rooms exclusively available for you to use," Miss Allison interrupted and then to Mrs Hughes she added, "They've all told me what a lovely house you have, madam." "I'm sure we'll do our very best to make you are happy with us Miss Ross," continued Mrs Hughes. "Now then you run along, pack your things and we'll expect you later this evening in time for dinner." "I was wondering if I might have a little advance on my salary?" Julian asked tentatively. "It's just that I owe three weeks rent to my landlady and she won't take too kindly to me just leaving still owing her some money." "Very well," smiled Mrs Hughes. "My son Ralph here will give you ten pounds in advance. That will also help bind the bargain between us." "That's too much Mrs Hughes five would be more than enough," Julian protested trying to give five pounds back to him. "Nonsense, my child," soothed Mrs Hughes. "You take it and go shopping this afternoon for some nice new London fashions." "You're very kind, Mrs Hughes," Julian replied. "I shall do that on the way to see my landlady." "Thank you, Miss Allison," said Mrs Hughes to the agency owner and slowly stood up to shake her hand. Her son opened the office door and Mrs Hughes followed. Then she waved with a cheerful smile on her face. "Good day, Mr Hughes," Julian said putting the ten pounds into his purse. He realised it would pay off his debts and get him more much needed feminine clothing. "Goodbye, Miss Ross. We'll see you this evening at around 7:30," Ralph said finally speaking. "We live very quietly so I expect everyone to be inside by nine o'clock," added Mrs Hughes. "I shall try to be there at 7:30 or even before that, Mrs Hughes," Julian said shaking her hand again. "Very well, and do have a nice time shopping this afternoon," she smiled. "Thank you, indeed I will," he replied. "She's absolutely perfect," said Mrs Hughes to Ralph as they exited towards the elevator. "Yes there's even a slight resemblance to Marion," Ralph enthused as the elevator door opened. "You've done very well, Miss Ross," said Miss Allison as Julian stood unsteadily on his unfamiliar heels again. "Thank you, Miss Allison for putting me forward," Julian replied gratefully. He quickly made for the elevator and the street. Chapter 2 - Leaving his lodgings "Peters?" Mrs Hughes quizzed her driver. "Yes, Mrs Hughes?" Peters asked back expecting an instruction to drive her somewhere. "Do you think Miss Ross saw you just now?" she asked him. He was an old man who had been her faithful servant for many years. "No, Ma'am. I know she didn't, Mrs Hughes," he replied sitting behind the steering wheel of the big Rolls Royce. "See that you keep it that way, especially when we are staying at the house in Cornwall," she commanded. "Well, we'd better hurry and close up the agency now," said Ralph. "We shan't need it any longer." "Yes now Miss Ross has left, go and see what's holding Miss Allison up," Mrs Hughes commanded Ralph. ****** After a long afternoon shopping for clothes and a new pair of high heels that he hoped would be more comfortable to wear, he finally got back to his lodging house at just before five. "Hello Dennis," Julian said as he walked in the front door just as Dennis was going out. "Is that you Julian?" he asked seemingly happy to see Julian in female clothes. "My you do look good dressed as a girl." "Yes who else could it be?" Julian replied hugging him, as he was happy to see his best friend again. "What are you doing back here?" "Well, I just finished hanging up my second-best suit in my old apartment," he explained. "Why? So where's your new wife? Didn't you get married?" Julian asked wondering why he wasn't in Edinburgh with Angela. "Well, its yes and no," he replied but Julian was none the wiser so he asked Dennis to explain. "We took out the marriage licence all right and I sent out all the announcements and invitations. We even paid calls on our friends and relatives. Some friends of Angela gave her a linen shower and I had a wonderful bachelor dinner. By the time of the wedding, we realized we were too tired of each other to get married," he explained glumly. "Oh my lord so you didn't get married?" Julian asked seeking positive confirmation. "Yes the final straw was when I stupidly called her Julia quite often by mistake and I even cried out your name in my sleep," he said. "How stupid was that?" "Very stupid Dennis," Julian replied. "Why did you do that?" "It must have been force of habit or something," he said trying to look happy. "No woman would like when you call her by another name," Julian said sensing correctly that he'd deliberately used Julian's stage name for a reason. "Does she know who I am?" "No so she didn't but she wanted to know who Julia was," he said. "I told her we'd appeared in a few Soho reviews together with you playing Julia and that she wouldn't believe how convincing you were at playing a woman. I told her that she'd be crazy about you if she ever met you. I don't know why she should get so upset about this. Do you?" "Well, yes, I do, and no, I don't," Julian replied hesitating. "What a fool you've been though." "I know Julia, come out to dinner with me tonight and help me try to figure out why I'm not more upset than I am," he pleaded. "And why I'd rather be with you." "I'd really love to, Dennis. Oh, but I can't tonight. Any other night but not tonight. I have a new job you see and I've just about time to pack up and get there. I'll be living in the place, you see," Julian said honestly saddened that they couldn't go out together. "What kind of a job is it?" he asked. "Did you find a new drag review in Soho?" "No nothing like that, I've actually found a job as the private secretary to a Mrs Hughes and her son," Julian replied starting to pack his small leather suitcase with newly purchased clothing. "Would you be able to look after my male clothes and my other stuff while I'm away?" "Certainly Julia. How long will you be away working?" "Oh it could be up to a year but the salary is wonderful," Julian replied. "I have to pay Mrs Mackie her arrears and I was able to buy some more female clothes this afternoon with the advance they gave me." "So I see. Is the son a young boy?" he queried. "No Ralph's really very handsome with blond hair and pale blue eyes, and he's in his thirties. He has a scar on his right cheek which suggests a mishap of some kind." Julian eagerly completed packing the suitcase with the stockings, underwear, two or three skirts, his old high heels and the make-up he'd bought. He then went over to the mirror to touch up his red lipstick and Dennis watched me intently. "You do that so well," Dennis said as he went to lift the case. "Well the least I can do is give you lift over there. Where is it you're going?" "It's at 190 Henrique Square but I don't think you'd better take me there," Julian replied. "Why?" "Because I told them I didn't have any family and currently I had no young man in my life and that seems to have helped me land this job," he explained. "Well, I'm not your young man. Or am I?" he asked gripping the case tightly. "I don't know. Do you want to be?" Julian asked. "You know what kind of person I am. So it's really you who must decide if you want us to be more than just friends." "Let me think about that," he said. "Write to me often." "I'll keep in touch but please look after all my stuff Dennis. I'll see you soon," Julian said giving him a close hug and then putting on his coat. Dennis left to go up to his apartment with Julian's other case full of belongings. "Mrs Mackie?" Julian called at his landlady's door on the way out. "Mrs Mackie." "Mrs M's gone to the cinema, leaving me to do the dirty dishes as usual," said Beth from behind the closed door. "I've just had a hot bath so I can't open the door." "Well can you give her this letter please as I'm leaving here tonight, Beth?" Julian asked slipping it under the door. "The letter will explain to Mrs Mackie why I've left. I got a good job with that new agency and I'm paying off the arrears with the advance they gave me. Ask her to send a receipt for the rent money to the address in the letter. Now I have to rush. Goodbye and good luck, Beth." "Thanks for nothing," said Beth to herself picking up the envelope, ripping it open to get the money inside. That done she ripped the unread letter in half and put it on the fire to watch it burn. Meanwhile Julian in full Julia mode was walking quickly down the cold wet street, with his heels clicking hurriedly towards the tube station and relishing the feel of nylons rubbing inside his tight fitted skirt. "Ah, good evening, Miss Ross," said Ralph when Julian finally knocked on the door at nearly 8pm. "Good evening Mister Hughes," Julian replied as Ralph helpfully took the suitcase on entering. "Oh please call me Ralph, tonight as you can see I'm the doorman and butler as my Mother's retired off to bed," he said charmingly. "Then she's given the staff the night off and they've all gone to the cinema. So I hope you don't mind me showing you up to your room." "No of course not," Julian smiled. "Not at all." "Please follow me Miss Ross," he said politely heading towards the stairs. "Thank you," Julian politely replied and dutifully followed him to the first floor. "I'll bring you some roast chicken salad and a pot of tea presently," he said getting ready to leave. Julian gratefully kicked off his new stilettos and sat on the large four-poster bed. Within a few minutes, Ralph was back with a tray that he placed on the bed "I expect you'll be tired and hungry so Mother decided it would be best if you ate supper in here tonight. It also meant she could retire early." Julian gratefully sipped the hot tea and slowly ate his salad. Moreover, that was the last he remembered for quite a while. Chapter 3 - Dennis gets worried "How long will she sleep?" asked Mrs Hughes who looked over Julian's unconscious drugged body. "For all the time we'll need to get her down to Cornwall Mother," Ralph declared. "Are all her things in this suitcase?" she asked. "Yes she never opened it," he declared. "I want all her clothing destroyed, every bit of it," she replied. "Take her case to the basement and throw it on the boiler fire." "What this fine suitcase too?" he asked. "We can't take any chances Ralph so the case goes too. Come back up and I'll have removed everything she's wearing now," she said starting to undo the buttons on my blouse. While Ralph destroyed all Julia's clothes, his mother was shocked to discover Julian's real gender as she removed the last of his underwear. "Ah so you have a little secret Miss Julia Ross," she said as she stared at Julian's naked form. "Still you will do nicely for our plans." By the time Ralph arrived back, Julian was sleeping in bed wearing a chiffon nightdress with the letters MH embroidered on the shoulder. "She looks very lovely Mother. It's a pity she has to die," he said staring at Julian's face. "It seems our Julia has a little extra secret apparently," his mother declared. "Whatever might that be?" "Our Julia Ross is actually a boy. A very pretty looking boy but a boy nonetheless," she declared. "No!" he declared. "I'd never have guessed." Then to demonstrate her claim, she pulled the bedclothes back and lifted the hem of my nightdress to show him. "In god's name you're right," he declared. "I'd never have guessed by looking at her pretty face." "His face," her mother corrected him. "So not Julia but probably Julian?" he laughed. "Probably yes," his mother agreed. "It changes nothing in our plans except he better have some corrective surgery first." ****** Ralph and Mrs Hughes were in the drawing room beside the warm log fire. Ralph was busy whittling one of the branches with a very sharp knife. "Put that knife away," Mrs Hughes ordered. "Do try to remember; if it weren't for your vile temper and that stupid knife, we wouldn't be in this awful trouble today." "I'm sorry," replied Ralph handing her the knife that she put in her handbag. "Very well," she said relieved he'd surrendered the knife so easily. "Now we've all got jobs to do. Let's make sure we do them." ****** Since he hadn't heard from Julian in weeks, Dennis decided to check on the address he'd been given by Julian. He stared up at the town house and was concerned that it was devoid of any lights inside. "Looking for something sir?" Asked a beat policeman who walked towards him. "Yes, I was actually looking for someone," Dennis replied. "My girlfriend Julia Ross went to work at this address." "Well, sorry to say you won't find her in there," he replied. "It's been empty for months." "It does seem deserted," Dennis agreed suddenly alarmed. "The previous owner died a few months ago. Most of the rooms are completely empty so it's unlikely your friend stayed here," he explained. "Thank you constable," Dennis said sullenly. "You are welcome Sir," he replied moving on swinging his truncheon as he walked. "Julia would've left word," Dennis declared. "If there was any funny business." "Is she a relative, sir?" asked the police officer stopping to face him again. "No she was my girl," he stated. "Would you care to come and make a statement at the station, sir? It's just around the corner," asked the constable. "No, it's probably nothing," Dennis declared. "There must be a simple explanation to it all." "Why, of course Sir," the constable replied cheerfully. "Why I don't doubt you'll probably be hearing from her in the morning." "Thank you, Constable. Good night." "Good night, sir," replied the policeman who rattled his truncheon along the metal railings. Dennis still wasn't satisfied and decided to talk to Mrs Mackie when he got back to his lodgings to make sure he had the correct address. ***** "Look, Mrs Mackie, are you sure that Julian didn't leave a forwarding address?" he asked remembering to use his usual male name. "I may have made a mistake in the number of the house he went to stay in." "Mister Ross left nothing with me, and I made a great mistake trusting him for the rent. He's just upped and sneaked out on me when my back was turned," she complained. "I don't believe that," replied Dennis. "He told me he'd been given an advance on his wages so he was going to use some of the advance to pay for his rent arrears." "You'd believe it fast enough if it was you being done out of ?2.10 shillings," she wailed. "Why, the wicked boy only left ?2..," said Beth letting the cat out of the bag that she knew what had happened to the rent arrears. "What did you just say?" demanded Mrs Mackie. "I said he was wicked to leave owing an honest debt," Beth said trying to recover the situation. "You cow! You're the one who has his rent money!" said Mrs Mackie. "Hand it over right now! Go on! It's you that's the wicked one!" "I was only keeping it for you," claimed Beth pulling the two pound notes out of her bra cup. "Yes, well, I'll be calling for the police if you ever do that again," threatened Mrs Mackie. "I'm sorry I won't! Ma'am, I won't," replied Beth. "I'm sorry." "Didn't she, I mean didn't he leave a letter with his new address on it?" asked Dennis to Beth impatiently. "Sorry I tore it up," said Beth pointing to the coal fire. "And then I burnt it." "But you surely remember the house number, don't you?" pleaded Dennis "What, me read someone else's letters?" said Beth who hadn't looked at or read the letter. "Please try to. No Beth you've got to remember," he said angrily. "Well Julian got the job through the Allison Employment Agency from an ad he saw in the Standard that much I remember. Here it is," she said handing him the newspaper. "Yes they'd know the address wouldn't they? Good girl, Beth. The Allison Agency address is here," exclaimed Dennis. "Well, they won't be open at this time of night!" said Beth. "Yes but I will at least go and see if I can find their office," said Dennis buttoning his coat as he headed for the door. Dennis motored over to the address but found the place locked up and the lights off as expected. Just as he was about to leave, a man came out of another door down the corridor and approached him. "Hello, can I help you chum?" "I hope so," said Dennis optimistically. "When is this agency open?" "You do know, you're wasting your time with them," said the man buttoning up his coat and straightening his hat while looking in the mirror. "I've got to speak to them tonight," cried Dennis. "Tonight? Them? You'll be lucky they've flown the coop, they have," he said dashing Dennis's hopes. "They comes and goes here faster than the favourite at Aintree." "Perhaps I could get their new address from the landlord," asked Dennis hopefully. "Sonny Jim I am the landlord," he said. "When these people fly the coop, I'm the first that knows about it. That's one thing about this here building. There ain't no questions asked. What a body doesn't know don't hurt them, I always say." "I don't know where else to look or ask," said Dennis dejectedly. "Look sonny let it go until the morning. Night-time is no time for looking for a job. Nights are for play," advised the man leading Dennis out of the building before locking the front door. ****** Julian slowly came to his senses inside a strange bedroom. He was wearing an expensive cream silk nightgown with the initials MH embroidered on his padded left breast. "Mrs Hughes, Ralph!" he shouted. There was no reply so he shouted again. "Mrs Hughes, Ralph!" Julian felt as weak as a kitten and realised that whoever had changed him into the nightdress he was wearing also knew his big gender secret. Julian also quickly realised that he must have been drugged and he was no longer in London as there was the sounds of waves crashing outside the bedroom window. He must have dozed off again as the next thing he realised he was woken up by a young woman entering the room. "Good morning, Ma'am, I hope you are feeling much better today?" asked the woman dressed as a nurse who woke him up from yet another drugged sleep. "Who are you?" Julian asked remembering to use my shrill Julia voice but it came naturally for some reason "What's your name?" "My name's Alice, Ma'am," she replied. "I'm your nurse while you're ill. Now, here's your lovely breakfast." "No, I don't want any breakfast, thank you," Julian ordered. "Take the tray off the bed. Why does the calendar over there says it's April when it's February? It must be February." He wondered how he could have lost so many days from his life. "No, Ma'am, it's April all right," Alice started to explain. "You see you've been sleeping for a long time and again all day yesterday. I expect you was very tired after your tumour surgery, medical treatment and the long journey down from London." "But how in heavens did I get here? Where is this place?" Julian asked starting to panic. "Why, Ma'am, you're right here in your old home that's been ready and waiting for you for such a long time," Alice said moving the breakfast tray to the dressing table. "I've been expecting you here every day for weeks I was, after getting the message to say your husband Mr Hughes and his mother had bought the House and wanted it scrubbed and clean." "My husband?" Julian asked. "I'm not married! I can't be married!" "Yes you are married to your husband Mister Ralph. I expect he had to wait until you were well enough to travel," she continued. "But Cornwall's a good, healthy place to live and the sea air coming in your window every day will soon get you well again." "Cornwall? My God but that's miles from London," Julian cried. "In our little village a mile away there's just as good and better than London," said Alice cheerfully. "You'll like it there Mrs. Hughes when you are able to visit. Now, please have a sip of tea." "No, I must get back to London," Julian cried trying to get out of bed. "No, you mustn't get up, Mrs Hughes," she ordered and quickly put the bedcovers over him again. "Mrs Hughes?" Julian asked. "You just called me Mrs Hughes?" "Yes Ma'am. Please stay in bed, Mrs Hughes, or you'll make yourself ill or worse," said Alice alarmed that her charge wanted to get up out of bed so soon. "Oh, I'd better get your husband. He's been very worried about you." "My husband? Mrs Hughes?" Julian asked incredulously spotting a wedding ring and engagement ring on his left hand. "But I'm not married." Just then, Ralph and his mother walked in. Straight away, he rushed over to Julian, eagerly took his hand, and squeezed it tightly but affectionately. "Marion, my darling. How do you feel? Why, you look a lot better this morning, much better. Doesn't she, Mother?" "Indeed she does," the old woman replied taking a piece of toast from Julian's uneaten breakfast tray. "But my name isn't Marion and I'm not married to you or anyone," Julian replied annoyed at the charade they were playing. "You engaged me as your private secretary. Why did we leave London to come here?" "Oh darling you haven't forgotten everything again, have you, Marion?" Ralph asked as Alice the nurse stood shaking her head at the denials. Clearly, she believed her patient was Ralph's wife and thus was Mrs Hughes. "Ralph my name's not Marion Hughes and you know it," Julian replied continuing to stick to the same story. "All right, dear, let's not argue again. But here is your passport that shows who you are," he replied taking it from his jacket pocket. "You see you are clearly my wife and the passport photo proves it." Julian was struck dumb. He was another man's wife! He wasn't Julian or Julia Ross but Marion Hughes married to Ralph Hughes who carried a scar on his cheek. "Let's just have a nice cup of tea and perhaps you can have another nap," suggested Alice. "You'll feel so much better. Julian reluctantly nodded his agreement as his mind raced as to what their possible motive might be for this charade. "I'm afraid the tea has gone cold Ma'am," said Alice. "Then please fetch a fresh pot Alice," ordered Mrs Hughes. "Yes, Ma'am, right away Ma'am," she replied scurrying out the door and down the stairs. "I don't know what this is all about, but I promise you some serious trouble unless you stop this charade you're playing immediately," Julian threatened. "You know perfectly well that I'm Julia Ross." "Yes anything you say dear but we both know differently don't we?" said Mrs Hughes. "It's you who was playing the charade on us. Now that's no longer the case." "What do you mean by that Mrs Hughes?" Julian asked. "Well it would be difficult not to notice certain anatomical incongruences you had so those have all been taken care off while you slept in a coma for a few weeks," said Mrs Hughes. Julian gingerly put his hand onto his left breast and squeezed. Instead of rubber padding, that he expected to feel, he found that he had a real moving breast. They had given him quite large breasts as his hands found out. "Oh my god, what have you done to me?" Julian asked shrilly realising his manly voice had gone too. "Oh everything that needed doing Marion. Now you're truly my son's wife Marion," she replied. "There can be no mistake about it. Can there?" Then Julian gingerly put his slim hand down between his legs and felt no bulge on the outside of his silk panties. When he put his fingers inside the elastic band of the panties, he was shocked to find he now had a slit just as any other woman would. He just screamed in horror at what had been done. "Marion, my dear, please don't excite yourself so much," Mrs Hughes said trying to comfort him. "You'll just bring on another unnecessary anxiety attack." "Attack? An attack of what exactly?" Julian asked shocked as he pulled the covers back to examine his body. The bruising was fading but he really now had a vagina. It was a man-made one but a vagina nevertheless. He felt sick to his stomach and leant back on the pillows staring at the ceiling incredulous that they could do such a thing. "Your nerves, my dear, just your nerves," Mrs Hughes replied. "We do so want you to know that you're with your loving family and we are with you until you get better." "Oh, that's nonsense," Julian cried and pointed to his new pussy. "Why go to all this trouble?" "Marion, darling, control yourself," said Ralph entering with Alice who rushed to pull the covers up over again. "Please let me go," Julian pleaded. "Marion we're doing everything in our power to make you completely well again," said Ralph holding Julian down tightly by the arms. "Ralph let me go! If you don't stop this I'll have you all arrested! Why are you doing this to me? It's so stupid and silly," Julian said feeling tears welling up in his eyes. "Wait that's the woman from the employment agency," Julian said spotting her outside the bedroom door. "What's she doing here?" "Alice, pour a cup of tea for my wife," Ralph ordered. "Yes, sir," she replied. They held Julian down while he was forced to drink the tea. Julian felt that he wanted to die but fortunately, the tea contained a strong sleeping draught. He was out cold within a few minutes. Around 6 hours later and the late afternoon sunshine streaming into the bedroom woke Julian. "Did you have a good sleep Ma'am?" asked Alice sitting beside the bed as she put her knitting down. "Where am I? Oh God this wasn't a dream after all," Julian replied. "You're here in your lovely bedroom overlooking the sea as before," she said taking a damp cloth and placing it on Julian's forehead. "Thank you Alice," Julian replied feeling better but trying to get his wits together. "Do you live in the village?" "Yes Ma'am, I live near the harbour with my husband," she replied. "Then please, please help me Alice," Julian pleaded. "I'm not Ralph's wife! I don't know what's happening or why they are doing this to me. But please, call the police, call someone. Please help me!" At that point, Mrs Hughes sitting on the other side of the bed exclaimed, "Well, of course Alice will help you. That's her job isn't it?" "Yes Ma'am," replied Alice taking Julian's temperature and pulse. "We'll all help you," added Mrs Hughes. "Have another nice cup of tea my dear." "I really must go to the toilet," Julian said. "I haven't been in such a long time." "There's no need to visit the toilet Ma'am, you have a catheter fitted and your wee drains into this bag here," explained Alice pointing to it. "Now just have your tea," suggested Mrs Hughes. "Alice, do you have some errands to do in the village?" "Yes, Ma'am, I do," Alice replied. "I have to cook my husband's supper and then I'll come back." "I won't have any more tea," Julian said angrily. "It's probably got sleeping powder in it like the last one did. I'll have a glass of water instead." he poured himself a glass. Alice walked out and bumped into Miss Allison who was sitting outside on the landing knitting. "Who did she say you were?" asked Alice. "She thinks I'm some woman from some job agency," replied Miss Allison. "Last time I saw her she said I was the queen!" "Oh you are coming down in the world, aren't you?" laughed Alice. "If you didn't know she was delusional already, you'd swear she was telling the truth." "Yes it's a heavy burden on Mr Ralph and his mother. They've spent a fortune on doctors. She had surgery to remove a growth from around her groin area a few weeks ago," explained Miss Allison. "Ah I wondered about that, so will she always be barmy?" asked Alice as they reached the front hallway. "We just say she's ill not mad," said Miss Allison. "When you go to the village, please don't go gossiping about the family." "Oh I won't Ma'am, I'm a closed mouth when it comes to my patients," Alice replied. "However we don't want to appear standoffish, so feel free to answer any questions about Mrs Hughes," said Miss Allison generously. "Seriously I won't breathe a word about Mrs Hughes being barmy," she replied putting on her coat over her nurse's uniform. ***** "Who is it? Who's there in my room?" Julian screamed as he came to again. Instantly he realised that the glass of water he'd drunk must have contained a sedative too. "Don't come near me!" Julian shouted and then again, "Don't come near me!" Julian threw the glass at what he thought was someone looking at him. The glass hit the dressing table and shattered the mirror. "Marion darling! Marion, what's the matter?" asked Ralph entering the room quickly and holding Julian in his arms. Julian felt strangely comforted by his huge frame holding him. He felt weak and small in comparison. "What's happened to that?" asked Mrs Hughes who came in wearing a housecoat over her nightdress. "I threw something at the man." "At whom, dear? There's no one else here," she replied as Ralph calmed Julian down with a tender kiss onto his lips. "I thought it was you Ralph," Julian replied. "I'm sorry." "It wasn't me darling I've been fast asleep. It seems you've had another nightmare," he replied. "Like your silly dreams that you used to be a man when we were in London." "Did I dream that? It seems so real to me. Like the man in my room. I saw his bright eyes right there, glaring at me," Julian replied. "Oh that's what you saw darling," he said as Mrs Hughes picked up the black cat to show us. "Why, of course, it was the cat. You probably saw his yellow eyes in the mirror and thought it was a stranger in the room." "But I saw a man's hand right here on the bed," Julian replied. "It was a hairy man's hand." "But no one could have got into your room as I'd locked the door," said Ralph showing the door key. "Why do you lock my door?" Julian asked. "I did it in case you sleepwalked again like before and you hurt yourself," he exclaimed. "Then that man must still be in here somewhere," Julian questioned. "Well let me switch on the room lights darling so you can have a better look," said Ralph helpfully. "If no one could get into my room, where did the cat come from?" Julian asked totally confused. "Perhaps it came in the window?" suggested Mrs Hughes. "Not even a cat could climb up those walls," Julian said in reply. "Ralph, stop that!" ordered Mrs Hughes as he broke a couple of pieces of the glass mirror. "You see? There's no one here and Ralph you'd better take the cat away. We will get the glass cleared up in the morning." As Ralph walked out, Mrs Hughes turned towards Julian, "If you're nervous, Marion, would you like me to stay the night with you?" Instead of replying quietly Julian just shouted, "Why did you bring me here? What are planning to do with me? Are you trying to drive me crazy? Is that it? Tell me what you're planning to do with me!" "Nothing, Marion my dear. Nothing at all but try to make you well again. That's all," she replied. "Why don't you leave the bedside light on if you're frightened of the dark?" "Good night darling," said Ralph as he closed the door. ****** "Oh, Mrs Mackie, is there a letter for me?" asked Dennis as he looked in vain on the hall table. "There's nothing for you, I'm afraid," she replied but handed him a letter. "One for your friend Julian though." "Are you sure?" he asked taking the letter addressed to Julian. "I don't understand why he hasn't been in touch yet." "Oh it's only been a few weeks since he left so he's probably very busy," she said trying to make Dennis less anxious. "You'll make yourself late for work for nothing." "Yes I know I better rush," he agreed. "Sad that he hasn't stayed in touch." "Men are like that though," she said unconcerned. "Men don't value friendships like women. You watch though I bet it'll come in the afternoon post." "Here," said Dennis giving her 5 shillings. "Oh thank you," she replied eagerly pocketing the coins into her apron. "If the letter does come, this afternoon or at any time, please call this number and I'll give you another five shillings," Dennis said. "Oh, thank you," she replied. "Thank you very much, Mr Bruce." ***** The following morning Julian was served breakfast in bed again but this time he ate it, as he was now quite hungry. "May I take the breakfast tray away, Mrs Hughes?" Alice asked seeing her charge had finished eating. "Oh, yes Alice, I didn't hear you," Julian replied. "Can you remove my catheter now? I'd like to get up and get some exercise." "Yes of course Ma'am, I'll do that now for you," she replied as Julian lay back in the bed. "You've healed well from your surgery. There is very little scarring now and the bruising has almost gone. I'm sure it must have been very painful." "You know about the surgery between my legs?" Julian asked. "Oh yes Ma'am," she replied pulling on the tube that was going inside his bladder. "There now it's all done. Now you can get up whenever you feel like it." Julian eagerly swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat there in the chiffon nightdress looking at his feet. "Anything wrong Ma'am?" she asked. "Yes it's my feet," Julian replied. "You have such pretty little feet Ma'am. That's a lovely pink polish on your toenails Ma'am," she replied. "No it's not that," Julian said. "My feet have a much higher arch than I remember." "Well you do have lots of high heel shoes Ma'am. That would cause your arches to be higher," she said going over to the wardrobe to retrieve a pair. "These have a 3" heel Ma'am so they'll be easier to adjust to since you've been in bed so long." Julian slipped them on and realised they were a perfect fit. Looking over at the wardrobe, he could see that all the shoes were very high stiletto heels. "You'll have to help me get dressed today Alice as I'm still feeling a little light headed." "Of course Ma'am," she replied, "I'm happy to help." "Thanks lingerie first then," he said. "Yes Ma'am. There is a corselet on top in your lingerie drawer with suspenders for your silk stockings." Julian put a foot into the leg opening and then the other. He pulled the stiff material up and cupped both his unfamiliar breasts in the cups before putting the straps over his narrow shoulders and adjusting them. The crotch felt incredibly tight but it did give him a very nice hourglass figure as Alice zipped it up behind. He bunched up the first stocking and pulled it up his hairless leg before fastening the three suspenders to ensure the stocking was taut and the seam was straight. "Now this one Ma'am," said Alice who had helpfully bunched up the other stocking. "They do feel wonderfully sheer Ma'am." "Yes they do don't they?" Julian replied. With the suspender hooks all done up he put his feet back into the shoes and stood up for what must have been the first time in over a month. Julian felt very unsteady and he started to feel nauseous so he sat down again. "Is there a pair of trousers or slacks in the wardrobe?" he asked. "No Ma'am there are only skirts and dresses that I can see," she replied taking a navy blue below the knee skirt off its hanger. "This will go with your shoes Ma'am. I'll just get your silk blouse with your monogram." Julian reluctantly put on the blouse first and found it strange buttoning it up as any man would. That done he stepped into the skirt, pulled it up over his hips and zipped it up. It had a thin belt at the waist so he did that up too. "Try a few paces towards me now Ma'am," she ordered. Julian did and was surprised at how restrictive it was to walk in this tight skirt and heels. The skirt really shortened his stride and the heels meant he was on tip toes. "Now for your lovely make-up and your wonderful red hair Ma'am," she said leading Julian over to the dressing table that had somehow had already been fitted with a new mirror. Julian stared at his reflection hardly recognising his reddish long hair as Alice brushed it out repeatedly. When Alice was done, Julian wondered how his luxurious hair could be such a different colour and so long. "You have wonderful hair Ma'am. It's so thick and long," she cooed putting the brush down. "Now let's do your make-up and I suggest an English rose look with some of your lovely red expensive lipstick, lashings of mascara and this cream matte foundation." "All right that sounds wonderful," Julian agreed so Alice set to doing his make-up. "You are very good to me." "Thank you Ma'am I used to work in the hairdressers in the market town," she replied. Julian watched her coat each eyelash in turn thicker and longer than ever before. She had already applied eyeliner and his eyes were already looking so much better. "You have thinner lips than most girls Ma'am so I'll use a lip pencil to outline your lips better," she said. That done she filled in Julian's lips with a dark crimson shade of lipstick. "There now how do you look?" she asked. "Transformed. You're a marvel Alice," Julian replied staggered at the transformation and there was nothing to suggest he was a boy called Julian. He'd been transformed. "One more thing you need is your jewellery Ma'am," she said bringing the box over. He could see it contained many expensive items with some still in famous Bond Street jeweller's boxes. "Pearls I think," Julian suggested taking out a three-string necklace that she clasped around his neck. He handed her a pair of pearl drop earrings with clips. "Oh you have pierced ears Ma'am so it's probably better we use those," she said pointing to a large pair of pearl balls for pierced ears. He was astonished to find that he'd had two holes pierced in each earlobe. Since she was keen to use them, he let her push them through the holes and secure them with the little clasps. Lastly, he tried to put on a small ladies wristwatch which had a white wrist band in small pearls while on his right wrist he wore a pearl bracelet. "Your nails could do with a good manicure Ma'am," she said as she looked at his long but untidy fingernails. "Yes perhaps later," he replied. "Just cut them for now." "Oh no Ma'am a lady such as you should have proper long nails to show she doesn't do any hard work," she explained as she pulled out an emery board to file and shape the nails on his right and then on his left hand. That done she used a bottle of red nail polish to coat the nails. Then she gave them a second coat to make sure the colour was perfectly even. "There now give them 5 to 10 minutes to fully dry and we can go out for some fresh air," she said putting everything back in its place. "Thank you Alice. Are there any cigarettes around?" Julian asked craving one suddenly. "Yes Ma'am but I only have one left," she said showing the packet of Woodbine she had in her pocket. "May I have it?" he asked. "Yes of course Ma'am," she smiled and even lit it for him. "Oh that feels better," Julian said after taking one long drag from her cigarette. After a second drag, he gave it back to her to finish. "Thank you Ma'am," she said blowing the smoke out of the open windows. "Your Mother in law better not catch me smoking on duty." "When can we go out?" Julian asked. He really wanted to escape from the confines of the room even if he couldn't leave the house. "In a little while Ma'am. Try walking around the room here first to make sure you are steady on your feet," she suggested. As he walked to the side of the room, he started to look at the wooden panelling on the walls. Walking in stilettos was not new to him but this really tight skirt made it difficult until he'd walked a few times up and down. "Are you looking for something?" she asked as he stared at the wood panel each time. "Yes do you think there could be another secret entrance to this room?" Julian asked innocently. "Another entrance Ma'am?" she queried. "What makes you think that?" The poor woman obviously thought Mrs Hughes was still mad. "It's just that they lock my bedroom door at night," he replied. "I can't get out." "Oh that's to protect you against yourself Ma'am," she countered. "Yes but somehow someone gets in here at night," Julian said still looking at the wood panels. "If they want to kill me, why haven't they already done it?" "Do you have another headache Ma'am?" she asked thinking Mrs Hughes's mind had slipped again. "No I don't have a headache but why do you think they are trying to make me completely mad? They give me these powerful sedatives to keep me down and then prowlers come around at night to keep me alarmed and wide awake." Julian said hoping that she would see he was right. "Alice, will you help me please? Will you do something very important for me?" "Of course if I can, Ma'am," she replied but obviously she wanted to know what it was Mrs Hughes wanted. "If you could go to the police for me on your next day off, I'd promise to send you some money back from London as a reward," Julian pleaded hoping that would do the trick. "Ma'am I'm sorry but you're only making yourself ill with that kind of talk," she replied shaking her head. "It's just not right to ask me to help you with this. Begging your pardon, Ma'am." "So you won't help me then?" Julian pleaded again hopefully. "Sorry I can't help you with that Ma'am. You have a beautiful large home here with wonderful relations, a marvellous wardrobe of top fashions and expensive jewellery, a loving and patient husband and a very kind mother in law. You have everything a woman would ever want," she stated. "Oh, that's nonsense," Julian replied and then suddenly blurted out. "I'm not even a real woman." "Oh what silly talk you make, of course you are a woman, Ma'am. Just look around and you'll see I'm right. You're letting yourself be took up by strange dangerous illusions. You let them gnaw at you and gnaw at you. It's all in your mind and you can think yourself into a very bad situation that way. Why don't you think you're not a real woman, Ma'am?" "Because I tell you, I'm not Alice. Those wonderful relations you describe are evil as they've changed my appearance to resemble Mrs Marion Hughes. I was born Julian Ross Alice, if you do as I ask I'll reward you," Julian pleaded yet again. Alice firmly shook her head no. "Alice I really shouldn't be here. When I am back in London, I only appear in lovely costumes on the stage. I want to get back to that life again," Julian said hoping she'd believe him. However at that moment they were interrupted by Mrs Hughes. "You may go home, Alice," she ordered. "Come back later this evening." "Yes, Ma'am," replied Alice who then curtsied and left. "Well, Marion, it's good to see that you're up and about at last. And looking so lovely with your long hair and all your pretty make-up on just as my son's wife should. Why even your nails are manicured." "I'll go stark raving mad if you don't let me out of here," Julian replied ignoring the comment on how he looked so lovely. "I'm forced to drink that drugged tea and my arms are all bruised by your son." "Bruised?" she asked. "Let me see them." Julian rolled up the blouse sleeve and showed her the bruises caused by Ralph's thumbs and fingers when he'd held Julian down. "Now I'm dressed I'm going downstairs," Julian replied. "You can't stop me nor your son." "Why of course you can dear. No one will stop you and the change might do you good," she said taking Julian's hand as he still walked a little unsteadily down the staircase. "Marion come and see what arrived for you," shouted Ralph from the sitting room as he saw Julian at the door. Julian gingerly entered and Ralph eagerly held up a dress box with a white net gown lying inside. Julian looked at the label and realised it must have cost a fortune. "It's in my size too I see," Julian said smiling at him but wondering if he'd ever get to wear it. "Why naturally," said Mrs Hughes. "It was especially measured and made for you, dear Marion." "Look you needn't call me Marion now because I know you only do it to impress Alice and if there was a real Mrs Marion Hughes, where is she now?" Julian asked. "My dear you've always been Marion Hughes for as long as we've been married," replied Ralph. "Must I keep repeating myself?" "I'm going outside for a walk to clear my head," Julian said confused. "I don't want to listen to this nonsense about me being Marion Hughes anymore." "The front door is locked but let me unlock it for you Marion," said Mrs Hughes. "Thank you," Julian replied patiently as she took the large key and operated the large door lock. Julian was able to walk outside leaving them to it and they went at each other as soon as he'd closed the front door. "Ralph, you must try to be more cautious and not let your temper sway you," scolded his Mother. "All right, Mother," he replied as he watched his wife walk up the driveway towards the main gate. "It's very lucky I saw those bruises on her arms before someone else did," she cried at him angrily. "But I had to force her to drink the tea," he complained. "She wouldn't drink it." "Very well but you don't need to be so rough that you leave evidence of mistreatment." "Stop it, stop it mother!" he said, "I better go and keep a close eye on her." "Yes you had better," she said sitting down tiredly. "Evans will stop her but bring her away from the gate." "Oh Lord, Marion's going toward the road," he exclaimed still looking through the window at his swaying rear. "Be careful," said his Mother. "Just bring her back without any fuss." Julian had slowly walked to the main gate. He was struggling in the tight long skirt and heels to walk quickly. However he found that he could walk better without any pain if he swung his hips a little and he could only walk a little faster. When he finally reached the wrought iron gate that opened onto the road outside there was an old man sitting beside it doing the crossword in an old newspaper. "Good morning," Julian said and forced himself to smile sweetly at him. "Morning," he responded without looking up. "I'm Mrs Hughes and I want to go for a walk outside. Please open up the gate," Julian asked nicely hoping he would comply with such a simple request. "I'm sorry, Ma'am, but I've got my orders," he replied standing up and putting the paper on his seat. "Listen whatever they told you about me it's all wrong," Julian said. "I'm not crazy. I mean I don't look crazy, do I? I'm told I look rather pretty." "Well nobody ever said that to me, Mrs Hughes," he replied. "It's just that you, well you need a little bit of looking after, like. I'll just go and phone the house as they'll be fretting about where you are." "Oh, please don't do that," Julian pleaded. "Just open the gate for me. I won't be any bother." Ignoring Julian he went into the gatehouse to phone the house so Julian picked up his newspaper and quickly scribbled a note on the reverse side saying that he was being held a prisoner against his will. Julian tore off the paper and wrapped it around a stone he found. Then he threw the paper wrapped stone outside the gate into the road as far as he could hoping someone would find it. "Marion!" Julian turned to see Ralph rapidly approaching up the driveway. "What are you doing way out here darling?" he asked. "Oh nothing," Julian replied wondering if he'd seen the stone being thrown. "I just wanted to go for a walk." At that moment the gateman emerged and said, "I just called the house, Mr Hughes about your good lady wife." "Thank you Evans. It's all right now I'm here," said Ralph forcefully taking Julian's hand and leading away back from the gate. Julian didn't want to go but Ralph was much stronger than and he reluctantly could sense the hopelessness of the situation. Any argument would just make the gateman think he was mad. "I'd enjoy a walk too, darling. Why don't we have a look at the garden grounds together instead?" he asked. "Ralph?" Julian asked unhappily, as they walked. "Yes, darling," he replied holding onto Julian's hand tightly. "I've been wondering that maybe you and your mother aren't right about me," Julian said hoping the comment might ease his concerns. "Have you, darling?" he asked. "Yes. I've been thinking that as I walked that perhaps I really have been quite ill. What with me thinking I wasn't your wife and that I even used to be a man. That's quite silly isn't it when you think about it. So I've been trying to look back and remember things." "Yes my dear I think your memory isn't what it used to be," he replied. "I do hope you'll get it back soon." "Well perhaps I can ask a few questions and you can give me answers?" Julian asked. "Certainly my dear," he replied. "Fire away." "What was my maiden name before we were married?" Julian asked. "Was it Ross?" "Oh you don't recall even that? No it wasn't Ross darling it was Campbell of course. You were Marion Campbell," he explained. "Now you're my wife Marion Hughes." "And what about my own family? My parents where are they?" "Sadly both your parents are now dead, Marion," he said looking into Julian's wide eyes. Julian blinked fluttering both his long eyelashes seductively. "They died in a bad train crash near Paris a few years ago. Your sister died too unfortunately." "So I haven't any family at all? There's no one left to visit me here?" Julian asked still playing his game. "Sadly Not!" "No one to write too either I suppose?" Julian asked him looking sad. "It's beautiful here isn't it?" Ralph asked ignoring the question. Julian nodded yes. "Would you like to listen to the sea and hear what it says?" Ralph asked as they sat on a garden bench. "It doesn't say anything, though does it? That's what I like about the sea," Julian replied. "Yes it never tells its secrets," he revealed. He then took Julian in his arms and before he could resist him, he kissed him hard pushing his tongue deep into Julian's mouth so his eyes opened wide in surprise and shock. "And it has many, very many secrets." "Ralph I'd like to see another doctor," Julian said suddenly regaining his composure from Ralph's amorous advance. "Alice says there's a good one in the village." "That maybe so but you've already been to the best specialists and surgeons in London," he stated. "I'm sure that if they can't help you, a doctor in the sticks won't help you either." "I guess you're right. It can't have been easy to deal with my medical problems and all," Julian agreed trying to make him feel more at ease. "Please don't think that way, I feel I'm a very lucky man to have found such a beautiful and attractive wife," he replied taking Julian in his arms again. He gently rubbed Julian's large breasts as they kissed passionately on the lips. "There do you have any doubts now about how I feel about you? How much I truly love you?" "No not now," Julian replied automatically taking out his compact mirror from his bag to repair the smeared lipstick. "You do that so well and naturally just as any woman would," Ralph said watching Julian reapply his lipstick carefully. "So I should," Julian replied. "I've always loved putting on make-up but some things I've forgotten like where we first met? Where did you find me Ralph?" "It was in Switzerland darling," he declared kissing Julian's slim hands. "I love your long nails. With that red polish you really do look like my lady with them that long." "Thank Alice for that Ralph as she gave me a wonderful manicure this morning," Julian replied. "And what were we doing in Switzerland my love?" "I was visiting some friends and you were in a convent school," he answered. "What school was it Ralph?" Julian asked innocently. "Why don't you try to remember much more pleasant things?" he asked instead of answering the question. "Like our honeymoon?" "There are some people from the village here to see us," announced Mrs Hughes suddenly who had come out to announce their arrival. "Tell Evans not to let them in," said Ralph angrily. "No, no, that would look odd and suggest we've something to hide," she cautioned. "We'd better keep Marion in her room while they're here. Ralph handed Julian over to his mother as he went back up to the main gate. Mrs Hughes was a short stocky woman but quite powerful compared to him. So when she pulled, he had no alternative but to go with her. "Please don't walk so fast Mrs Hughes," Julian whined as he struggled in the shoes and skirt to maintain her pace. "You need to learn how to walk faster in those high heels you'll be wearing from now on Marion dear," said Mrs Hughes who led him quickly back upstairs to the bedroom. "Stay here and wash up for luncheon." Meanwhile Ralph was instructing Evans that the visitors should be allowed in through the gate. However, Julian was in no mood to stay in the room and on discovering that Mrs Hughes hadn't locked the door, he carefully and quietly moved downstairs just as the vistor's big car drew up outside the front door. Mrs. Hughes looked at Julian scornfully and indicated that he should go back upstairs just as the guests entered. Instead Julian suddenly blurted out, "I'm the one you're looking for! I'm so glad you found my note outside the gate." There was a look of complete ignorance on their faces. That they had no idea what he was talking about. "Oh so you're not a policeman then?" Julian asked realising he'd made a mistake and was obviously looking disappointedly at the first man. "No, I'm afraid not," he replied. "I'm the vicar, Johnathan Lewis." "Marion, my dear you're not well, please go back to your room," Mrs Hughes interrupted. "Oh, how do you do Reverend Lewis? I'm Mrs Hughes and this is my ill daughter-in-law Marion." "I'm pleased to meet you both," he responded shaking hands. "This is my sister, Mrs Evelyn Robinson, and her husband Derek." "How do you do?" asked Mrs. Hughes. "Please do come into the parlour." "Perhaps we've come at a bad time?" "No not at all," Mrs Hughes replied. "We wanted you to feel that the village welcomes you and that you have friendly neighbours. It's so important in these troubled times," the Vicar replied. "Quite so Vicar," Mrs Hughes replied. "Please take a seat." "Thank you," he said sitting on the sofa as the others sat beside him. "This is my son, Ralph," said Mrs Hughes introducing him. "Ralph this is our Vicar. The Reverend Lewis." "How do you do?" Ralph said shaking his hand. "This is the Vicar's sister Mrs Robinson and her husband," Mrs Hughes continued with the introductions. "Please do listen to me," Julian interrupted the pleasantries again. "They're holding me here against my will and I don't know why. Will you please call the police?" "I'm terribly sorry, but my daughter-in-law is clearly upset again today," said Mrs Hughes grabbing Julian's left hand and giving it to Ralph. "Ralph take her back up to her room for now please." Mrs Hughes turned back to her guests as he pulled Julian towards the door. "It's so nice of you, Vicar, to come and call so promptly and with Mr and Mrs Robinson too. Indeed, we've found that the whole village is so friendly and charming, why, we're now quite in love with it." "No, it's not true!" Julian struggling in vain against Ralph cried from the doorway. "Why doesn't somebody listen to me for once instead of believing her?" "I'm so sorry I missed going into church yesterday," said Mrs. Hughes ignoring my outburst again. "Both my son and I wanted to go, but poor Marion was quite exhausted with the long journey and her ongoing medical problems. We just couldn't leave the poor dear here alone." Ralph had finally pulled Julian out of the room and half carried him struggling upstairs. "Now stay here Marion until these people leave. You're only making things worse for yourself," he said pushing Julian onto the bed. "Do you suppose they've heard all about me in the village?" Julian asked rubbing now sore wrists. "I suppose so," he declared. "After all gossip travels very quickly doesn't it? So they probably know what a difficult and eccentric person you have become." "There's one thing you don't know," Julian replied. "The police will be here soon so you'd better see to it that I'm all right." "You mean because of this silly note you wrote?" he asked. Julian's jaw dropped as he pulled the note out of his pocket. "This one that Evans the gatekeeper found?" "Oh God no," Julian cried weeping openly in despair. He'd never cried before and wondered why he was so emotional and desperately upset. "Wipe your false tears," said Ralph unsympathetically handing Julian one of Marion's perfumed handkerchiefs. "In case you're wondering why you're crying you've been taking medication that give you the emotions of a woman." "What kind of medication?" "You have had many injections of female hormones; the side effects can be increased sudden emotional outbursts, softened skin, redistribution of the fat in your body and thus increased breast size and wider hips and lastly your reactions change," he replied. "I don't remember having had any injections," Julian replied. "You've had them while you slept or were unconscious," he replied. That made Julian think about the hand on the bed. "So you see that's what's causing your mood swings and outbursts. Now stay here!" With that he closed the door and he went back to join the discussion in the parlour. As Ralph left, Julian suddenly realised that the guests and their big car could be a possible way out. So he carefully edged his way out of the door and downstairs as quietly as he could. Thankfully, the parlour door was closed and so he walked towards the front door undetected. Julian pulled it open and walked over to their car. He hoped the keys would be inside but they were not so he slipped into the foot well in the back of the car. He pulled the tartan travel rug on top and waited. He didn't have long to wait and all three of the visitors sat in the front of the big car as the Vicar drove off. As they left the driveway and headed out onto the main road Mrs Robinson finally spoke, "Wasn't that an awful exhibition from that woman? I could hardly look at poor Mrs. Hughes." "Poor Mr Hughes, I was thinking," replied her husband. "The poor man doesn't say very much, but you can see he feels it deeply." "Yes he talks about his wife in such a loving gentle way too," she agreed. "It's really very touching. Perhaps a rest in a quiet place like this will do his wife the world of good. Alice told our cook that the poor woman is getting worse and the family refuse to admit it." "You shouldn't listen to idle gossip my dear," Mr Robinson replied. "In heavens name how could it happen to such a beautiful woman?" "Alice told Marjorie she'd had a mental breakdown a year ago and she's had major surgery to remove a tumour from her pelvis so the poor dear has only just recovered from that. Alice says she's also incapable of having children now and they've been to every specialist in the country to rectify the situation." Julian listened intently in the back at the lies that had been spun about him. Then the Vicar slowed the car dramatically and Julian suddenly felt there was a chance he could jump out of the car. "Oh, Johnathan, do be careful of those girls on those bikes," said the woman. "Johnathan, where are you going now?" Before Julian could sit up ask them to take him to the police he felt the car suddenly turn around and they were heading back the way they'd come. "I forgot to ask Mrs Hughes something," he replied. "It won't take a moment to go back and ask her." On the way, the car started to slow again and then stopped. Julian thought he could hear the engine of another car outside. "I beg your pardon, Sir. Have you seen my wife Marion?" asked Ralph from the driving seat of his sports car. "Yes, my friend she's there," the Vicar replied pointing to the back of his car. "You'll find her in the back of my car under the travel rug." Ralph quickly pulled the struggling Julian up and then out of the car by the wrists. He struggled at first but then realised Ralph was so much stronger and so he reluctantly went quietly. Chapter 4 - Finale "Marion couldn't have made a better impression for us than if we'd planned it ourselves," said Mrs Hughes to her son as Julian was being locked securely into his room again. "Everyone now knows she's not really responsible for anything she may do now." "So why don't we get it all over with right now?" he asked as they walked down the stairs again. "Because there's still one last step and it's the most important that we need make sure about," she declared. "What's that, mother?" he asked. "We need the perfect alibi of her simply taking her own life," his mother declared. "What do you want?" Julian asked angrily as Ralph entered with a bowl of fruit an hour later as he sat in front of the mirror looking at his now beautiful altered and heavily made up face. "I thought you might like to see what our recent guests brought you during their visit," he said putting the fruit on the dressing table. "That's not a very friendly way for my beautiful wife to greet me when all I've done is given you a present." "Your wife?" Julian asked alarmed as Ralph walked towards him and then easily pulling him up onto his feet. "Marion my wife. Now please don't be afraid of me," he said taking Julian in his arms again and holding him close. "I love the smell of your jasmine perfume and for a while today, I really felt that we were back to the way we used to be." "Yes and what else did your lady wife do for you?" Julian sneered. "She often and willingly pleasured me," Ralph said pushing Julian down onto his knees. "No Ralph, not that. I wont!" Julian stated as Ralph quickly unzipped his trousers and pulled out a very large erect cock. "Suck on it Marion just like you used to do," he ordered. "You used to call it your giant lollipop. Before Julian knew what was happening Ralph had his cock buried deep inside Julian's lipstick covered mouth and it was pushing against the back of his throat. In seconds, Ralph had erupted salty cum inside Julian's mouth which then drooled out along with his saliva. "Swallow it all Marion," Ralph ordered as he pulled out. Julian reluctantly swalled as Ralph held his mouth closed. "There now that wasn't so bad swallowing your husband's cum now was it? After all it's not like you have any yourself now." "You are a disgusting pervert Ralph," Julian cried getting onto his feet again with difficulty. He wiped his face with a cloth and drank some water from the pitcher to get rid of the taste. "You'll soon get used to it Marion," Ralph replied happily. "Ralph why don't you stop this awful farce?" Julian asked as he forced his lips back onto Julian's. "But it's not a farce. It's real and I've always loved you, my maid Marion." he replied. "Besides I can't really call you Julian now can I? There's nothing left of him anymore is there?" "Get out of here and leave me alone," Julian replied trying to break the grip of Ralph's strong hands on his wrists. "Stop it!" Julian screamed as Ralph pushed him closer to the open window, "Alice! Help me Alice! Alice! Please come Alice!" "Mr Ralph!" shouted Alice as she entered. "Leave her be!" "I can't Alice, she tried to throw herself out the window." he lied. "Marion, how could you do such a thing?" "Oh Lord," Alice cried helping her charge away from the window and back towards the bed. "Alice I've got her. Now go and get my mother. Hurry!" exclaimed Ralph who held me down. "Yes, sir," she replied dutifully. "Oh and get Miss Allison to organise a blacksmith to put some steel bars on these windows," he called after her. "It isn't safe to leave my wife alone even in here any longer. Quick!" Julian was given a glass of water which he knew would knock him out but he suddenly was past caring. It seemed that no matter what he did or said, it was always turned around and used against him. ***** Julian woke the next morning to a shake from Alice who he instantly recognised. "Good morning, Mrs Hughes," she said sitting on the chair beside the bed. "Good morning," Julian said rubbing his eyes and noticing he was still in a skirt and heels. "My goodness, Ma'am. Didn't you get in to bed at all last night?" "No, and why should I?" Julian asked. "I can't sleep unless they drug me and I'm so scared that I can't eat either." "You won't have a nice banana or even some grapes?" she queried. "No please take it all away. Take it away! It's probably all been poisoned," I exclaimed frightened. "Oh, no, Mrs Hughes. You mustn't excite yourself like this," she soothed. "Why ever should I not get excited? I'm locked up like a caged animal with someone trying to kill me," he replied pointing to the newly installed window bars. "I've also had my sex forcibly changed and had these stupid breasts implanted into my chest." "They've done what?" Alice asked. "Now you are just being delusional Mrs Hughes and irrational. You're a typical adult female so don't say stupid things like that, Ma'am." "You're just like all the rest of them," Julian whined at her. "What's going on here?" Asked Mrs Hughes who entered my room. "She's all upset, Mrs Hughes," Alice replied. "And who wouldn't be? We are all upset by her stupid silly and childish behaviour," exclaimed Mrs Hughes angrily. "If it's bad for you imagine what it's like for me," Julian replied angrily. "Yes how would you like to be in my place? I'm never allowed to do what I like. You keep me caged up in this bedroom. They're afraid to let me go out because they're really afraid of what I'll say about them. They wouldn't dare let me go to the village in case people there find out how they treat me here." "I'm sure they'd love to take you out for a drive in Ralph's car if that's all you want," said Alice looking hopefully at Mrs Hughes. "Yes it'd do her more good than harm of that I'm sure." "Why, of course. I think a drive out is a wonderful idea," replied Mrs Hughes whose positive reaction shocked Julian. "You can drive along the coast road up to Observation Point. It's extraordinary beautiful so I am told." "If we go for a drive I want Alice to go along too," Julian then declared, as he didn't want to be alone with Ralph again. He felt Ralph might feel inclined to push him to his death or force him to have sex again. "I can't go as I have a good deal of work to do in the kitchen, Ma'am," Alice replied. "Please, Alice," Julian pleaded. "Run along with them, Alice. Your work can wait until you get back," Mrs Hughes generously replied. "Go and tell Sparks to bring Ralph's car round to the front door." "Yes, Ma'am," she replied rushing out the door. "I'll be ready in a moment," Julian said looking in the mirror at his now tear smeared make-up. He took a clean tissue applied some face cream and gently removed it all before reluctantly beginning to make up his face again. "There's no great rush, dear. Just make sure you look beautiful as you can for your husband," she smiled as Julian expertly reapplied the cosmetics one by one to his face. "You do that as well as any woman I've ever seen does." "I've had plenty of practice when I was on stage," replied Julian. "Well there is no rush and besides you must give Ralph some time to have his breakfast." ***** "It's definitely another scheme of hers to escape or summon help," said Mrs Hughes as she showed Ralph a letter Julian had written to Dennis asking for help. Julian had written it but had apparently foolishly left it showing under the note pad. "I'm sure it is," Ralph replied after having read the written plea for help. "But now you can let her think she's posting her letter and there will be no harm done," explained Mrs Hughes. "But why let her think that she's succeeded in her plan?" Ralph asked. "Why ever not? Let me explain," said his mother. "It's what the villagers' think that counts now. I want them to see how kind you are to her especially after yesterday when she foolishly tried to escape with the Vicar." Upstairs Julian picked up the small envelope and put on a stamp before addressing it to Dennis. Alice kindly helped him again with selecting an outfit to wear. She chose a cream pinafore dress and a lovely sun hat that she pinned into his hair. "There now Mrs Hughes. You look as pretty as a picture in that outfit," she cooed as she helped him stand up onto the 4" peep toe high heels that had obviously been bought to match the dress. His painted toenails were clearly visible through the front openings of the shoes. He was also wearing a pair of sheer seamed stockings held up by six suspenders to a garter belt. He picked up a pair white gloves, put the envelope into his clutch bag and then headed for the stairs. They met Ralph in the front hall. "Don't you look lovely," he said on seeing Julian dressed so well. "You look absolutely stunning and so adorable." "Thank Alice," Julian replied pointing to her. "She chose my dress and shoes." "Well done Alice," Ralph said as they went out to the car. Ralph opened the door and Alice dutifully climbed into the rear. They set off and Julian had a huge smile as the car drove slowly out of the gate. He decided to stay over beside the door holding onto the handle as Ralph drove quickly around the coastal road bends. As Ralph was busy driving, Julian slowly pulled the blank sheet of paper out of the envelope Mrs Hughes had placed there and put his other duplicate hand written letter in its place. "Don't huddle away over there in the corner darling," Ralph ordered. "Come and sit closer, so that the villagers can see what a handsome couple we make today." "All right Ralph," Julian agreed and reluctantly edged closer toward him on the seat. "Have you been writing to someone?" he asked seeing the letter tightly grasped in Julian's gloved hands. "Yes, it's a letter to my old friend Dennis in London," Julian replied. "I hope you don't mind." "Mind? Why should I mind?" he asked. "You haven't sealed it properly though." Ralph suddenly grabbed it and licked it shut before handing it back to Julian who felt sure that he thought he was sealing in a blank piece of paper and not the duplicate. "What difference does it make now as I know you won't let me send it when we get to a post-box," Julian complained. He laughed, "Marion what a childish imagination you have. Why should I stop you from sending your letter? As soon as we get to the village, you can post it." "Yes dear," Julian replied. "We'll see." All the while Alice was watching and listening behind. When they finally stopped in the high street, they instantly met Mrs Robinson who was out walking her little dog. "Hello, Mrs Robinson," said Ralph. "How nice to see you again. My wife Marion and I are paying a first visit to the village today and we both agree it's perfectly charming." "Oh. Good morning, Mr Hughes," she replied. "And to you too Mrs Hughes, it's very nice to see you both out. Are you feeling much better today?" "I've never been ill, but thank you for that," Julian replied but he realised he should have just said he was feeling much better and left it at that. "Please give me your letter, my dear. I'll mail it for you as you talk to Mrs Robinson," offered Ralph. "If you don't mind I'd rather mail it myself," Julian said and then said his goodbyes "Good day, Mrs Robinson. I have to make sure my letter makes the next collection." "Good day to you Mrs Hughes. See you soon hopefully and perhaps we can tempt you to join the Village Hall Association?" "I'll think about that," Julian replied. "Just a moment Marion," cautioned Ralph. "Wave to Mr Robinson on the other side of the street." "When will this letter get to London?" Julian asked Alice. "Tomorrow or the day after I think Mrs Hughes," she replied. "Wonderful, thank you Alice." Julian smiled at her as he posted the letter. Soon this ordeal would be over as he realised that he'd finally succeeded in his fight to escape. So then, they slowly walked through the village. As Mrs Hughes, many people greeted Julian with good wishes and on the way back to the car he bought some fresh apples and bananas from the grocer shop. When his feet really started to burn from wearing the high heels, he suggested but reluctantly that they go back home much though he didn't want to go. "Oh that's better," Julian said as he nursed his aching feet in the car on the way home. They drove back alone, as Alice had gone home to cook dinner for her family. "Yes it must be hard on the feet wearing such elegant high heels though," Ralph said placing his hand eagerly on Julian's stockings. "You do walk so elegantly and expertly in them and what's more you do make such a convincing and beautiful wife." "Thank you Ralph. It hasn't been easy adjusting to all this," Julian replied. "Becoming your wife and a woman all at once has been very difficult for everyone. Maybe now I've turned a corner if you'll let me?" "We'll see Marion though I must say I'm very pleased with your manners today in the village. Everyone was happy to finally see you out and about." "Thank you," Julian said and Ralph put his arm through Julian's arm to pull him closer. Julian was just happy knowing that his letter to Dennis was on its way and rescue was closer if he could just survive another few hours. When they finally arrived back at the house, Ralph reached to my side and kissed Julian passionately on the lips. "I'll be up soon to make love to you," Ralph said. "Make love to me Ralph? In what way?" Julian asked as Ralph opened the car door so he could swing his legs out together. "Ah the best way a man can show how he loves his wife," Ralph replied. "Oh no, not that Ralph," Julian cried. "I'm not ready. I'm still healing." "Maybe not but I'm more than ready," Ralph said. "Go upstairs and get ready for me." "No I won't and you can't make me," Julian replied defiantly. "Oh yes I can," Ralph replied pulling out a knife which instantly opened up to reveal a sharp blade. Julian instantly backed up the stairs as Ralph followed with the knife in his hand. On reaching the landing, Julian reluctantly walked into his bedroom and sat on the bed. "Strip off your dress Marion!" Ralph demanded. "Please no," Julian replied in his new high-pitched voice. "But yes Marion," demanded Ralph. "You're about to experience what your wifely duty towards me is now. It will be in the best way a woman can." Ralph stood undoing his tie and taking off his jacket while Julian slowly unzipped his dress and stepped out of it. Ralph's eyes were bulging as he saw me in my sexy lingerie. "You have a gorgeous figure Marion," he said licking his lips. "I was told by the surgeon who did your sex change to use this if we ever made love," he said taking out a tube of what I learned was a lubricant. "Ralph can't we talk this over," Julian pleaded. "I'm not well enough yet." "Oh who said anything about using where you had your operation my dear?" he replied turning Julian around. Ralph cut Julian's lace panties with the knife and pulled them off. With that done, Ralph smeared the lubricant around Julian's ass hole and onto his hard cock. Then he pushed his cock deep into Julian's ass. To say it was a shock was an understatement. Julian felt pain but it was strangely pleasing too at the same time. "Oh God," Julian exclaimed. "Take your cock out! It hurts way too much!" "Too bad," Ralph sneered. He pushed again until he was fully embedded into Julian's tight ass and then he started to move in and out. He pushed Julian so he was against the bed with his hands holding onto the bed covers. Then he kept pushing in and out like a mad dog until he erupted about 5 minutes later deep inside Julian's ass. "That's it Marion, take all of my hot sticky cum inside you again," he said as he stopped and then withdrew. "I've cum inside your mouth and now your ass. That just leaves your new pussy to complete the set." Julian felt like he'd been raped and humiliated. He hated Ralph with every fibre of his being for what he'd just done. "I'll see you dead for that Ralph. You've gone much too far," Julian threatened. "No Marion it's part of your wifely duty to sexually please your husband," he replied putting his cock back into his pants. Julian felt Ralph's cum oozing out of his violated asshole so he grabbed another pair of panties and went into the bathroom to clean up. When he returned to the bedroom, Ralph was gone. "You are a pure bastard Ralph," Julian seethed angrily under his breath. ***** "Marion's death must always look totally convincing," said Mrs Hughes. "But now it'll look like she's committed suicide." "But when?" Asked Ralph eagerly. "Perhaps tonight my dear," Mrs Hughes replied. "Because if her friend from London should come calling here I don't want her to be around." "How could he possibly find his way here though? Her letter was just blank paper," he asked. "The postmark, of course," she explained. "The postmark on her letter she posted? I'd never even thought of that. Why did you take such a risk?" he asked. "It wasn't much of a risk as nobody in the village has ever heard of a Julia or even a Julian Ross," she replied. "They only know her as Marion Hughes the mad delusional and ungrateful wife of a nice guy and his very pleasant caring mother." "That's very true," he said relieved. "Only our own staff know the real situation and they're all right as we know too much about their own shady pasts," she reminded him. "It's all the old Marion's fault," he said suddenly. "She shouldn't have cried out like that when I wanted to have sex with her." "Ralph, you never told me if it was an accident, or did you really mean to kill her after she'd made her last will and testament?" Mrs Hughes asked. "No it was an accident and I really didn't expect her to move onto the knife," he said. "I loved her but when she found out I'd been lying about my low income, she accused me of marrying her just for her money. I said of course that's all I married her for in a jokey manner. Then she cried and she was always crying. Then she slapped me hard across the face. Unfortunately I had my penknife in my hand and I..." "Stop it, stop it!" ordered Mrs Hughes as he started to cut a piece of wood. "Don't do that and put the knife away. Ralph, I... I'm trying to help you." "I still say we should've called in the police and told them a prowler broke in and stabbed Marion in bed," he said moving his fingers to indicate what he would do. "Don't be stupid they'd see the blood on your clothes and fingers and her long nails easily scratched your face," explained Mrs Hughes. "No, we couldn't let anybody see her." Just then, Alice screamed and dropped the tray she was carrying into the bedroom. "Mrs Hughes, call the doctor!" shouted Alice downstairs. "I think Mrs Hughes has taken some poison. Please call for a doctor quickly." "She's what?" Mrs Hughes asked rushing upstairs. "Poison!" she cried. "She's lying on the floor." "Ralph you better call the doctor. Run and tell Miss Allison to bring egg white, milk, mustard and anything else she can think of to make her sick," cried Mrs Hughes. "Why do you want to try to save her?" he asked. "Let her die. It's exactly what we always wanted." "Don't be so stupid, Ralph," she admonished. "Even if she's taken poison, we must still act as though we really cared about her." "I see and if she hasn't taken poison? It's maybe just a stupid trick to get a doctor here," he replied. "We can't really let her see a proper doctor." "No you're right," she replied. "It's easy enough to fool stupid backward villagers into thinking she's crazy, but a doctor easily would know better," he said and she nodded. "So what do we do?" he asked. "If she's really taken something poisonous, she may die quite quickly." "If she hasn't, I'll call her a fake doctor," she replied laughing. ****** "Marion, my dear, here's the doctor," said Mrs Hughes wiping Julian's pretty face with a cool wet cloth. "He's come to help you my dear." "I want to speak to the doctor alone!" Julian cried feeling that his fake poisoning plan had worked. "Now go away!" "Yes, my dear of course," she said closing the door behind her. "Doctor, please listen carefully, I haven't taken any poison and I'm not really Marion Hughes," Julian said sitting up normally. "My real name is Julian Ross and I've been abducted by Ralph Hughes and his Mother to play at being his wife Marion Hughes," Julian claimed. He looked incredulously at Mrs Hughes in total disbelief. "Can you prove all that?" he asked. "Yes I can prove it. Call my friend Dennis Bruce in London and he'll tell you all about me and who I am," Julian eagerly replied. "So then it seems that you really haven't take any poison?" he asked. "No of course not, it was all a ruse to get you here to see me," Julian explained. "You've got to get me away from here because my life is in mortal danger. Perhaps take me to a hospital if you think I'm really crazy, or anywhere else just so that I can get away from here." "I'll see what I can do Mrs Hughes," he said then walking towards the door. "I know I sound crazy, but that's what they want everyone to think, because Ralph killed his wife and she's now lying at the bottom of the sea. They killed her to get their hands on her fortune and now I have to die to make sure as everyone thinks I'm really Marion Hughes," Julian explained. "And what makes you believe all this?" he asked. "I heard them talking," Julian replied. "If you can only get me away from here for a few hours, that's all I ask. Till tomorrow morning at least and if my story doesn't ring true then by all means bring me back. By then my friend Dennis will be here and he'll back up my incredible story. Your responsibility will then be over." "My dear, this is all very puzzling. How do I know this friend of yours will ever get here?" he asked. "I got a secret letter off to him. Mrs Hughes thought I was just posting a blank sheet of paper to him but I had a second duplicate written that I substituted in the envelope. So I've fooled them and I posted it myself to make sure it would get to him." Julian explained foolishly trusting him completely. "And when exactly did you post this letter Mrs Hughes?" he asked. Julian suddenly wondered if he didn't believe him. "It was yesterday afternoon so it ought to be there waiting for him today," Julian replied telling him too much but he really wanted to trust him. "That's enough now, Peters," said Mrs Hughes just walking into the room. "Peters?" Julian asked astonished. "Then you're not really a doctor?" "No Ma'am, I work for Mrs. Hughes as her driver," he explained. "See I told you not to let her post that damned letter," Ralph complained bitterly to his mother behind her. "The letter may not have reached Mister Bruce in London yet so there's no time to lose. Peters, you must hurry up to London and get that letter before it's delivered. Take Ralph's sportscar and drive there as fast as you can," she ordered. "But Mrs Hughes I don't know where he lives," said Peters. "His name is Dennis Bruce and he stays in lodgings at 51 Carrington Street," said Ralph. "Yes sir Dennis Bruce, at 51 Carrington Street," repeated Peters as they all walked out onto the landing. Julian took the opportunity to get up, close the door and prop a chair against the handle to stop anyone from entering. He was scared now that his latest ruse had failed miserably and it may have caused his earlier one to be in jeopardy too. "I brought Dr Powell, Mrs Hughes," said Alice just as Peters left the house. I hope we're not too late?" "No, you're not too late," said Mrs Hughes. "Did you find out what she took?" the doctor asked breathlessly. "Happily she didn't really take anything, Doctor. She's just admitted to me and her husband Ralph that she just meant to frighten us, which of course she's succeeded in doing. So I'm very sorry you've had this wild goose chase but now that you're here, perhaps you'd take a look at her," she explained. "I see," he replied coming up the stairs. "Yes of course." "Perhaps you could give her something to calm her down a little?" she asked. "She's totally delusional. She's been claiming she was born a boy and that we've forced her to have a sex change operation. In another she claims that we murdered an original Mrs Hughes and now she feels the same fate awaits her." "Certainly, I can." he replied heading towards the door to find it closed and he couldn't open it. "Marion, open the door please," the Doctor asked. "Go away," Julian called back as he looked at the screws holding the iron bars onto the window frame. "My name's not Marion Hughes but Julian ross and I don't want to see anybody." "But, Marion, my dear, please don't be afraid. The doctor won't hurt you," pleaded Mrs Hughes. "He's only here to help you." "No he won't hurt me, maybe he'll just kill me instead. That's probably what you want him to do. You all want me dead," Julian cried back finding that he could loosen the screws with the dinner knife he'd hidden away in the lingerie drawer. "It's hopeless, completely hopeless. It seems she'll never recover. Oh, Doctor, what are we to do?" she asked. "She thinks we're all her enemies and that she's previously tried to kill herself." "There's probably no use trying to see her now as she's much too upset about something," the Doctor declared. "Leave her be for a while to calm down a bit. I'd suggest taking her to the local hospital and keeping her under close observation for a while when I come back later." "Oh, but...my son Ralph refuses to have her taken away," Mrs Hughes replied. "Yes, but he has to realise it's for her own good," Doctor Powell said. "In the hospital she will get the protection and the best care she needs. "Then I must try to persuade my son as he's so devoted to her," Mrs Hughes added. "But if we say it's just for observation only, then I'll make all the necessary arrangements and I will try to come back for her tonight," suggested the doctor. "Oh I think it would be much better if you perhaps waited until the morning." "Very well. In the morning she'll be calmer no doubt and I hope we can help her then," he said going back downstairs. "I do hope so too, Doctor," said Mrs Hughes. "Thank you for coming and goodbye." "Goodbye, Mrs Hughes," he said as he closed the front door behind him. "Ralph, the doctor will come for her tomorrow morning," said Mrs Hughes as her son came upstairs. "She'll definitely be ready then," he said confidently. ***** "Oh, hold your horses, hold your horses, I'm coming," Mrs Mackie shouted as she approached the door and picked up the letters on the floor. "Yes what do you want?" "I see you have a room for rent?" Asked Peters as he stood in the doorway. "Yes I do it's on the third floor at the back. The rent is 20 shillings a week, it's pay in advance and there's no cooking in the room to be done," Mrs Mackie explained checking through the post letters she'd picked up from the floor. "I'll take a look at it if I may," Peters asked. "I'll send the girl up with you then as the doctor says I've got to spare myself as much as I can," explained Mrs Mackie putting all the letters on the hall table. "Beth!" she shouted twice and then when there was no reply went to check on her. While Mrs Mackie went to fetch Beth, Peters found the letter that Julian had posted for Dennis and quickly pocketed it. "That girl's never around when she's wanted. Anyway, it's a very tidy room and as quiet as a tombstone," said Mrs Mackie on her return. "That's fine, I'll take it then. I don't have to see it," he replied. "The children and I will move in tonight." "What children?" she asked alarmed suddenly. "My two little girls. You'll like them and they're so full of life," he replied. "Sorry, but as the notice says I never take in children. Anyway, the room's taken!" she claimed trying to close the door on him. "But I've got to have a room, we've been turned out," said Peters. "Then try down the street at Miss Ellingworth's. She takes in kids, she does," she replied turning him out. "I'll rush down there at once," nodded Peters. "Thank you very much." "Children and dogs she takes. Whoever heard of such a thing?" asked Mrs Mackie turning her attention to the possibility of five shillings from Mr. Bruce for the letter. "Mr Bruce... That's funny! That's weird that letter was here a second ago. Why, there was only that man and me talking." It was then that she realised the letter had been stolen and with it went her reward so she determinedly went outside as Peters ran off down the street towards his car. "Here, wait a minute you," she cried. "Hey stop that man! Stop him! Stop that man! Police!" ****** Julian went to bed in a subdued mood that night but woke up around two when there was a soft knock on the bedroom door. "Julian Ross are you in there?" A voice called out which sounded just like Dennis. "Julian?" Asked the voice again. "Is that you Dennis?" Julian asked sitting up in bed. "Hurry come with me," the voice said. "Dennis are you there?" Julian asked again rubbing the sleep from his tired eyes. "Yes it's me and I'll wait for you downstairs to make sure the coast is clear, so hurry get some clothes and shoes on," the voice called. "Oh, yes, I'll hurry," Julian cried excitedly back moving the chair and opening the door. He quickly put on a skirt and blouse and slipped on a pair heels, as he had nothing else to wear. Julian edged out cautiously onto the landing and peered out down over the bannister. "Where are you, Dennis?" "I'm down here. Julian, hurry." The voice called out again in the dark. As he leant on the bannister, it suddenly collapsed down on the floor below. Realising he'd been fooled by the voice and he'd nearly fallen, he backed away to the bedroom door. "You're not my Dennis so who are you? Why are you calling me? Why don't you answer?" Julian asked in a loud voice. There was no reply and shaking as he'd narrowly escaped a serious fall, Julian went back into the room. After that incident, I quickly used my metal nail file to remove the two loose screws holding the bars onto the window frame. They were quite loose from my earlier attempts on them with a dinner knife. It only took a few minutes to remove the screws and let the bars fall out. Then I quickly stuffed two of my pillows into another nightdress and tied my dressing gown over the top. Julian threw the simple dummy he'd made, out of the window so that it fell onto the rocks below. He'd already found the secret door in the wall and quietly pushed it open. It was covered in spider's cobwebs but he decided that there was no alternative but to use it. He put on Marion's other monogramed dressing gown and kept her high heeled shoes on as he had no other footwear. Downstairs Ralph and his mother were talking about the situation. "I told you she'd recognise my voice," said Ralph to his mother. "I thought she'd be much too excited," she explained. "Thinking it was Dennis." "What do we do about her now?" he asked. Before she could answer, they both heard a loud scream and they rushed up to the bedroom. Julian meanwhile had already moved quickly into the secret passageway and he found it went downwards. It seemed to go on forever downwards in total darkness and he quickly realised it was leading him to the foot of the cliffs. "Well, it looks she's actually saved us a lot of trouble," said Ralph looking out of the window at what he thought was Marion's dead body lying on the rocks. "Now that it's actually happened, I'm quite frightened," Mrs Hughes said taking a look out too. "We have nothing to fear now mother," he replied. "We'll be telling the truth when we say it's suicide." "Yes," she agreed. "Come on let's go down there." They made their way outside and immediately they ran into the doctor who had just arrived without being called. "Mrs Hughes, I will be away all day tomorrow," he said explaining his sudden appearance with the nurse in his car. "I'm so very glad you're here Doctor," Mrs Hughes ran up to him. "Poor Marion must have heard us talk about taking her away to a hospital. She's threatened to kill herself before she'd be locked up in a mental hospital." "But she hasn't, has she?" "Yes it seems so, and I totally blame myself," Mrs Hughes said. "Well, should we all stand here talking and doing nothing?" Asked Ralph. "My wife's jumped from her bedroom window to kill herself." "Oh dear Lord," exclaimed the Doctor. "Nurse, I'll go on down to the beach with them. Could you use the house telephone to call for an ambulance?" "Yes, certainly Doctor," she replied and she ran into the house. "Ralph, please hurry and get down there before the doctor does," said his mother. "She'll surely be dead, but just in case she isn't. You better make sure." So Ralph eagerly ran down the narrow steps down the side of the cliffs and then over the slippery rocks towards the dummy now being washed by the surf. "Come along, Mrs Hughes," said the Doctor taking her hand to lead her down gradually. "Yes. Thank you," she said. "I'm so glad you're here Doctor." Meanwhile after Ralph had reached the dummy to check if Julian was alive and immediately he threw a large rock at it. Then suddenly he discovered that he was surrounded on three sides by policemen. The only open side was out to sea. "We thought you'd do that, to make sure she was dead," said the policeman. "You were absolutely right, sir," said the policeman closest to Ralph. "We wanted to see what you'd do when you found her lying on the rocks." "But I don't understand," stuttered Ralph. "She jumped from her bedroom window!" "No, I only threw my bedclothes stuffed with pillows to make you think I'd jumped," Julian said standing out of the shadow of the cliffs. "Then I got out through the secret door I'd found in my room." "It's lucky we met her on the road," said the policeman. "Marion. Marion, darling, I don't know what to say," said Ralph still trying to make out he was still the devoted loving husband. Then just as the Doctor arrived with Mrs Hughes the Inspector spoke, "You're both under arrest for attempted murder, murder and kidnapping. We've already caught and arrested Peters in London. Take them both away!" "Peters?" Asked Ralph. "Yes Peters, the man you sent to intercept Julia's letter," the policeman replied. At that Ralph realising he was likely to hang for his crimes ran headlong towards the raging sea. "Stop or I'll fire," said the inspector drawing his pistol. "No! No! Don't shoot him," cried Mrs Hughes. There was a single gunshot and Ralph fell with his face lifeless under the water. He was clearly dead. Mrs Hughes was inconsolable over the loss of her son. "I'll get even with you Marion. So help me I will," she said as she was led away by the policeman as the doctor checked on her son. He was quite dead and the doctor shook his head. "I think you've had a very lucky escape Miss Ross," said the Inspector. "Yes thanks to Dennis and you Inspector," Julian replied thanking them profusely. We walked back up the side of the cliffs and the police instructed the ambulance men to retrieve Ralph's body from the rocks. "You don't how glad I am to see you Dennis," Julian said as they went inside the house to collect some of Marion's expensive clothes from the bedroom. "It sounds like you've been through a really bad time. What was the worst?" "Finding out that I'd been given a full sex change," Julian replied. "I only ever wanted to wear women's clothes not to become a woman." "Well it looks like you're one now," he replied. "When we get back to London we'll get you checked over." Julian quickly got dressed into the outfit I'd worn to the village because the one he'd worn to escape was torn and dirty from the escape tunnel. "What about all of Marion's other clothes and jewellery?" Julian asked. "Some of it is really valuable." "Well I don't see that it will hurt anyone to take a suitcase or two with us back to London," Dennis smiled. "It looks like she had expensive tastes but just a poor taste in men." "Yes the poor woman was murdered by Ralph using a knife. It might have been an accident but only he knows the truth and he's dead now too." Julian took one last look around the room that had been a prison cell and they made their way downstairs. Julian took Dennis's hand as they walked towards his car. "I'm moving out of the lodging house and leaving that horrible Mrs Mackie," Dennis said starting up the car. "Where are you going to live now?" "I've bought a nice terraced house in West Hampstead," he replied cheerily. "It has plenty of space for a married couple." "A couple?" Julian queried. "Do you want me to live with you?" "That's the general idea. That's what married couples do don't they?" "Yes they do," Julian smiled as they drove out of the gates. "You know I've made a resolution. The next time I apply for a job, I'll be the one who asks for the references." "Oh I know a good job," Dennis said. "A secretary? You can keep that kind of job," Julian replied. "No it's a combination of secretary, nurse, companion, and housekeeper," he replied. "That sounds like a good wife," Julian replied. "Well, how about it?" Dennis asked. "I'll have to have some time to think it over," Julian replied. "How long?" Dennis asked. Oh, about five seconds and the answers yes I'll take it. When can I start?" "Right away Miss Julia Ross," Dennis replied. "Look," Julian said, "You don't even need to buy me a wedding ring." Julian showed him the rings that were still on his ring finger. "Yes it might be an idea to swap them for others though. Those are not going to give you good memories." "You are so right," Julian replied. "If we're going to be man and wife, you'll have to be called Julia from now on," Dennis realised. "Yes I am slowly getting used to the idea I am no longer a man any more. I've gained two massive breasts and lost my cock," replied Julia. "Oh well that's not a bad swap then," laughed Dennis. "So you won't mind that I used to be Julian?" Julia asked. "Mind? No I think it's perfect, bloody perfect," Dennis replied. "That's all right then," Julia replied and settled down into the car seat and the long journey home. Julian Ross had completely disappeared without trace. The End.