## An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by KP Presents » Wed Oct 07, 2015 4:22 am

“Oh now come on – full Victorian costume?”
“I kid you not, Mary Holmes – each of us was given the full works – a dress and two sets of the correct undergarments, as well as a corset made to measure for each of us.”
“It sounds amazing,” Cathy said as we sat round the large table in the local Harvester. It was Thursday morning, and Alicia and I had met up with Mary and Cathy, as well as Heidi, Cindy and Natalie, to have lunch and talk about the coming year. The girls were going to fly home on Monday, and after the weekend at Holderness Manor they had spent the last few days seeing some sights and just chilling out.
Unlike that time, we were all slightly more casually dressed. Natalie was Natalie – a loose fitting white sweater, in deference to the slightly cooler day, a long floral print skirt and (mainly because we were out in the town) a pair of flip flop sandals, the rope bracelets visible around her ankles.
Cathy was dressed in a similar way, except for the fact she was wearing her black felt boots and had a large tartan scarf wrapped round her neck, while Mary was wearing a brown sweater and jeans, with a pair of lurid pink wellies on her feet. In her defence, she had just come from the Cottrell farm that morning, where she had been helping Mark with their horse Trojan.
As for Cindy and Heidi, they were wearing grey hoodies and leggings, Cindy wearing black leather boots and Heidi brown ones. Alicia was wearing a blue checked blouse over a white jumper, grey pants and ankle boots, while I was wearing a blue track suit over a polo top and trainers.
“Yeah – pity you weren’t there,” Alicia said as she sipped her drink. Our plan for that afternoon was to have a bite to eat, and then go and catch the new comedy at the cinema. Seemed a good way to spend the last Thursday before we had to go back to school – especially this year.
“Have you talked to Alice while you’ve been over here,” Cathy said as she looked at Natalie.
“Yeah, I spoke to her last night – apparently her dad’s been talking to Brian, and there’s something cooking at home, but she said she can’t tell me about it until we get back. Fi’s grandparents have returned to San Antonio as well.”
“How’s she doing,” Alicia said as she looked over. She’d told me about what happened when she and her sister Angela had visited the girls a few weeks ago, and I could understand why she’d spent a few days with her family after that.
As for me – it was funny how this vacation had been bookended by trips to olden times. Visiting Markson Manor, and spending the weekend in the company of Jay Edwards and Mrs McPhee once again, had happened at the start, and it had ended with Gerri at Holderness Manor, gifting us the dresses. Somehow, that was not how I had expected to spend my summer holidays, but I had to admit the dresses had been, and were beautiful.
Also, it was a very different feeling been bound and gagged with a corset on – something I had not expected, especially the way it felt when the only ropes we could feel in any manner was the band on our upper chests. That had been – very different. Colin and I had talked about it afterwards, and I was already toying with the idea of wearing my corset one night to see how he liked it...
The other main thing we had done for the holidays was to actually give Mum and Dad a complete break – so while the twins went to stay with Granny, Cassie and I were dispatched to spend a week with Great Uncle Jethro down on the farm. It was an experience – we slept in a large four poster bed, and had the most enormous breakfasts before he would take us out to the local markets and shows.
He may not really manage the farm these days, but he’s still very well known in the local community, and we went to one show where he was actually one of the judges in the cattle show. He’d looked so handsome in his white coat while we had walked round the show in smart cloths and wellington boots...
We’d also spent a day, as he put it, as secured guests at the farm house. That meant after breakfast, he had tied me and Cassie up in dungarees and wellies, our legs and bodies held tightly to wooden chairs, and rolled up scarves tied into our mouths, listening to old comedy programs while he went into town on business. When he came back, we were then tied fully, and a full gag applied, while we sat with him and watched an old black and white film called The Belles of St Trinian’s.
It was very funny, including the scene where the school girls tied up their PE teacher – Miss Gossage – and gagged her with a towel while they went out onto the sports field. I tried to imagine someone trying to do that to Aunt Jo at our school – and dismissed the idea almost instantly. Only one person gets it tie and gag Aunt Jo – and it’s not one of us.
We’d even spent the night tied up and gagged so that we could not move or speak, Cassie and me facing each other on the bed as he drew the heavy curtains over the windows, and left us in total darkness. A quite unique feeling...
“Hey Jen – got any plans for the weekend?”
“Nope,” I said as I smiled and looked at Heidi. “We bought the new school clothes yesterday, so I think it’s going to be one of those busy doing nothing weekends.”
“Sounds good to me as well,” Alicia said – and that was probably the moment when we should have known it was not going to be a quiet weekend. Because that was the moment Alicia’s mobile phone went off, and our plans changed.
“Hey Dad,” she said as she answered the call, “What’s up?”
I saw her look round us, and then say “this weekend? Well, I can ask them, but it’s a bit short notice isn’t it?
“Oh I agree, it’s just – now many years has it been?
“Okay – I’ll tell them, and see if Mary, Cathy and Jenny can get away as well. See you at home Dad.”
As she ended the call, she looked at all six of us.
“Hey – what’s up,” Heidi said as she saw how worried Alicia was.
“I’m not quite sure,” Alicia said as she looked at us. “How would you all feel about a road trip tomorrow – coming back Sunday, so that you three can catch your flight Monday?”
“Road trip – sounds fun,” Natalie said as Cathy and Mary looked at me, and then at each other.
“I’ll need to ask my mums, but I don’t think it will be a problem.”
“Where to,” Mary said as she looked at me.
“Cardiff – well, a few miles outside Cardiff, but essentially Cardiff.”
“Wales? Who do you know who lives there?”
Alicia looked at us all, as she said “Grandma Bowden...”
“Simon’s mother? How long has it been since she moved down there?”
“Ten years, I think,” Dad said as we sat round the dinner table that night.
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard Alicia talk about her – have you met her?”
I looked at Mum, who wiped her chin as she said “I don’t think so, not since their wedding. Simon’s parents divorced before they got married, and although they both attended the wedding, and were civil enough with Lucinda and Desmond, I don’t think they talked to each other once.”
“Did Alicia tell you what was happening?”
“All she said was her dad is going down to see him, and leaving Angela and Andrew at home with their mum. Apparently she wants him to bring Alicia down, and he thinks she may appreciate us going to offer moral support.”
“I can believe that,” Mum said as she gave David and June their puddings to eat, “well, we don’t have any objections, so long as you are not too late back on Sunday.”
“Thanks,” I said as I finished my meal, “I’ll go up and call her now, then pack a bag. Apparently we have to leave early tomorrow morning to get there by the afternoon.”
“Ah, the joys of the Severn crossing,” Dad said with a smile. “On you go then.”
I smiled as I left the dinner table, Cassie talking to Mum about something, and went up to my room, taking a small case out and starting to sort some things out as the telephone rang.
“Hey Ali,” I said as I answered the call, “Dad has said yes.”
“Great – Mary and Cathy are in as well, but I need you to put in a smart dress and shoes. Apparently, Saturday night we’re been taken out to dinner by Granny Bowden.”
“Listen – Mum and Dad told me something about her. When did you last see her?”
“I was five – she used to live in Holderness, but had to move to Wales for some reason. My mum and dad never really talk about what happened – apparently, this came like a bolt out of a blue when Mum answered the phone earlier today.”
“Okay,” I said as I took my blue dress out of the wardrobe and laid it down on the bed. “Is this going to be an awkward sort of time?”
“I have no idea,” Ali said, “which is why I have a challenge for all of us. Heidi, Cindy, Natalie, Mary and Cathy have all said yes – so I hope you’re in as well.”
“Okay – what’s the challenge?”
I listened to Alicia, and rolled my eyes as I said “Well, the service station stops are going to be fun then – but yeah, I’m in. What time will you pick me up?”
“Seven tomorrow morning – see you then.”
Ending the call, I opened my underwear drawer. “Something tells me I need to pack some extra pairs,” I said to myself as I stated to sort things out.
I was sitting at the breakfast table, finishing a mug of coffee when we heard the front door bell.
“I’ll go,” Mum said as she stood up and went out, her dressing gown wrapped round herself as I heard her say “hello Simon – her bag’s here.”
“Call when you get there,” Dad said as I stood up, and put on my black leather jacket over my sweater.
“I will, and thanks,” I said as I hugged him, and then walked to the front door. I had on a knee length print skirt, the same shade of blue as my sweater, and a pair of black ankle boots, with dark hose on my legs.
As I walked out, I smiled and then got into the back of the SUV, seeing the others sitting there.
“I see we all had the same idea of dress,” Alicia said as she watched me sit slowly down. She was wearing leggings and a pair of grey suede boots, but she also had on a jumper and skirt, as did the others – Nats now bare foot.
“I think we all had the same idea in other ways,” I said as I wriggled round, the others nodding in agreement as Mister Bowden got into the car.
“Right – M4 ho!”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Wed Oct 07, 2015 4:43 am

What fun!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Wed Oct 07, 2015 5:00 am

Great start!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by Tom Ford » Wed Oct 07, 2015 5:03 am

So that’s the reason why they are going to Cardiff. The older girls, who are about 15-16 I’d imagine, will accompany Jenny for “moral support”.
They are visiting Alicia’s paternal grandmother. Unfortunately, it seems that all is not well. For if it’s just a routine visit, why is there need for “moral support”? The divorce of Simon’s parents seemed to be to the root of all this, and it seemed that the separation was very acrimonious. And a lot of that acrimony remains. Is Grandpa Bowden still alive?
Now for a lighter topic. All the girls are wearing skirts that are at least knee length. Which probably means their knees are bound!
Still, I look forward to being tied up in Wales. Is her Grandma’s place a rural place? A small town?
In other topics, I’m glad Jenny and Cassie had so much fun at the Smethurst farm! Too bad that we can’t get a story out of that, but there’ always next year!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:27 am

So we go to Wales!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:34 am

Great chapter!!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by Imp Caesar Augustus » Wed Oct 07, 2015 7:45 am

And so starts a new story that would happen in Wales. I wonder what's up with Alicia's grandmother?

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Thu Oct 08, 2015 6:32 am

Great update!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by William F Somebody » Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:05 am

So we a get new story. They will visit their grandmother, though in contrast to the visit to Uncle Jethro, everything won't be sunshine when they get to Wales.
Seems to me that Alicia, for one reason or another, is really going to need that moral support.
However, I look forward to any tie up games they might play. I wonder if they could actually bring their corset with them, and try to wear them under their normal clothes? OF course, the way their chest would look a bit different, but nobody would guess why.

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:17 am

Please please update rally really soon!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Thu Oct 08, 2015 10:17 am

Hope you update soon!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by KP Presents » Mon Oct 12, 2015 2:00 am

The problem with that approach is, to get to the M4 from Holderness, you need to go round the M25 first – an experience Heidi aptly described as “like been stuck in a tin can as it’s pulled along on a piece of string.”
We endured that part however, and soon were heading west, past Maidenhead, Reading and Newbury, before we stopped at Leigh Delamere services for lunch. Getting out of the car, we all stretched our arms up and waited until Natalie finally admitted she would need to put her sandals on, before we went into the main building.
“All right then,” Cindy said as we looked round, “what is worth eating here?”
“It’s a British Motorway service station, Cindy,” Alicia said as she looked at the various franchises, “the definition of worth eating is a dangerous thing to bandy around here.”
“Tell you what – let’s grab some pasties from the shop,” Mr Bowden said, “and I’ll go into the store to get some drinks.”
“That’s a plan – come on,” I said as we all walked towards the Cornish Pasty shop.
“How are you feeling,” Heidi said as she walked beside me.
“Not bad – the rope’s holding up anyway. You?”
She nodded as we bought a selection of different pasties, and then found a table while Mister Bowden brought the drinks over.
“Well,” Mary said as she bit into a minced lamb pasty, “at least this is more edible than a Burger King meal.”
“Hey – what’s wrong with a Burger King meal,” Natalie said.
“It’s a different beast over here Nats – trust me,” Alicia said as she bit into her meal. “So where are we going to be staying Dad?”
“Well, I think it’s a little unfair to expose your grandmother to all seven of you the whole time,” he said quietly, “so I’ve booked us all into a hotel in Cardiff. We’ll get there mid-afternoon, and I’ll drive down to see her tonight – prepare the way for all of you visiting tomorrow.”
“So your grandmother doesn’t live in Cardiff itself, Ali?”
“Nope – she lives in a little village outside Cardiff. At least, I think she does – is that right Dad?”
“Oh yes, she still lives there – so do you think you girls could find a way to amuse yourselves tonight?”
“Oh we might be able to find a way – once we get something to eat,” Alicia said as she looked at us. “So how much longer are we going to be?”
“That very much depends,” Mr Bowden said as he took a drink from his mug of coffee, “on how bad the traffic is once we get over the Severn Bridge.”
“I’ve never been to Wales,” Cathy said, “I wonder what it’s like?”
“Generally, cold and wet in my experience,” he said, “but this may prove to be the exception to the rule.”
Well, it took another two hours to get to the hotel, and when we got there we found six of us would have to share rooms. So we drew straws, and Nats, naturally, got the single room. I agreed to share with Alicia, Mary with Cathy, and Heidi with Cindy.
Once we had got into the room, I sat down and folded my skirt up, untying the ropes that had held my legs together above my knees and finally shaking them out.
“Well, you were right – nobody noticed,” I said as Alicia emerged from the toilet, the rope in her hand.
“Well, I think Dad noticed, but he won’t say anything. So where do you fancy eating tonight?”
“I saw a Tex Mex place near here – do you think we can get a proper opinion on whether or not it is any good?”
“From three girls who live in New England?”
“Who went to Texas earlier in the year and lived on a ranch, correct?”
Alicia nodded and said “well, there is that. Go on then.”
There was a knock on the door, and as Alicia talked to her dad I quickly went to the other rooms and passed on the plan. Given the restaurant was only five minute’s walk away, and we all felt a bit drained, we agreed to meet in the lobby at seven and go on from there.
“It was about as authentic as what you call pizza,” Heidi said as we walked back to the hotel, “but it was good food nonetheless.”
“So what are we going to do for the rest of the night,” Cathy said as she looked round.
“Well now,” Cindy said, “that depends on what Alicia may have been able to bring from home.”
“Oh I may have a few supplies,” she said with a smile, “as well as the ropes we all wore today. So whose room shall we go to?”
“Let’s use ours,” Alicia said as she looked at me, “everyone take the time to change, and we’ll meet up in there.”
So when we got back to the hotel, I changed into a pair of light blue pyjamas, while Alicia out on a blue nightdress that came down to her knees. A few minutes later, Mary and Cathy came in, Mary in a pink velvet top and sorts, Cathy in a pair of white silk pyjamas.
Finally, our three American friends came in – all wearing pink onesies.
“Sorry,” Natalie said, “it’s another silly bet we had. Be assured, as soon as we’re done here, this is off...”
“Oh I don’t know,” Alicia said as she took a picture on her mobile phone, “I’m sure Alice would love to see you in that...”
“Oh you are so dead, Alicia Bowden,” Natalie said as she jumped at her, only to fall laughing on the bed as Mary held her wrists together behind her back.
“So I’m thinking a little escape challenge,” she said as she looked at us, “Natalie against two of us.
“Well, we haven’t got sponges and socks with us...”
“We’ll have to settle for taping her fingers together then.”
“Nope – I have a better idea,” Alicia said as she passed Mary a length of rope, “do her hands so they are back to back please.”
“Like this,” Mary said as she moved Natalie’s arms so that her hands were beside each other, and then secured them together, taking the rope around and between her wrists as always.
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Nats said as she looked over her shoulder, and then saw Alicia pass Mary one of her shoe laces. “Hey, not fair – tying the thumbs together?”
“Old school, definitely old school,” Cindy said as Mary took some more rope, and crossed Natalie’s ankles, lashing them tightly together before she bound her legs together below her knees.
“Now then,” she said as she helped Nats to sit up, and then started to bind her arms to her sides, “you get to pick the second of the three players.”
“I choose Cathy,” Nats said as the ropes at snugly above and below her chest.
“Why not – I’ve been practicing,” Cathy said as she took her glasses off, folded the legs and put them to one side, and then put her hands behind her back, Heidi doing the honours as she put her hands back to back and started to tie her wrists together.
“How did you manage to sneak so much stuff out of the house,” I said as I looked at the bag.
“I just told Dad we may want to have some fun while we’re here,” Alicia said as Cathy grunted a little, Heidi securing her wrists tightly and then binding her thumbs together with another shoestring before wrapping the rope around her chest.
“Has Sam got any better with the ropes?”
“Better than you may think,” Cathy said with a smile as she looked at us.
“Oh no,” Mary said as she took a cloth and the white tape from the bag, “don’t tell me he’s...”
“Oh yes – a couple of times now,” Cathy said. “Turns out I’m a bit of a squealer when that’s done as well.”
“Well, we’ll have to make sure we keep you real quiet,” Mary said as she pushed the cloth into Natalie’s mouth, and then wrapped the white tape around her head, before helping her to lie on the bed and hogtying her.
“You too young lady,” Heidi said as she finished binding Cathy’s legs together, and then gagged her before making sure she was secure next to our American friend. “So, who’s the third contestant?”
Alicia and I looked at each other, and then at Cindy, as Heidi said “oh – stupid question really, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it was,” Cindy said as she pulled her sister’s hands behind her back, and we all got to work.
And so it was, fifteen minutes later, that we had three willing and ready victims on the bed, facing the television as I turned it on, and found a really cheesy film to watch.
“Hmgdgdnwstpppgn!”
“Oh – I thought you liked dance films Nats,” Cindy said as she began to tickle her sides, making her laugh into the gag as she wriggled round.
“It’s just such a pity you don’t have ticklish feet Cathy,” I said as I looked at her, “unlike Heidi here.”
“hnnddntuuHMGGDDDD” she called out as I started to tickle the soles of her feet, Cathy been bumped on both sides by them as they wriggled about.
“Oh dear, feeling left out,” Alicia said as she looked at Cathy. “Is this the right moment to tell them about your sides?”
“Uwldnhhtddr...”
“Watch me,” she said quietly as she stood in front of the foot of the bed, and reached over, tickling Cathy’s sides as she wriggled as much as the others.
“She is a bit of a screamer, isn’t she,” I said as Cathy laughed into the gag, making these peculiar high pitched voices. And so we continued for a while, making sure they had their fair share of treatment, before we left them alone to try and free each other.
In the end, and to my surprise at least, it was Cathy who managed to get free first, finding the knot that held her ankles to her chest and untying that with her fingers, and then wriggling round so that she loosened the ropes on her wrists enough to slip them off.
“That’s better,” she said as she sat up and removed her gag, “so anyone want a drink before we head off to bed.”
“Alicia?”
As I sat in the bed, waiting for her to come back from the toilet, there was something on my mind.”
“Yeah?”
“Just how bad are relationships between you and your grandmother?”
“I honestly don’t know,” she said as she came in, “but it must be serious to get Dad out here. I’ll worry about it in the morning...”
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Mon Oct 12, 2015 4:47 am

Nice!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Mon Oct 12, 2015 4:54 am

Glad they had a fun tying up each other!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by Tom Ford » Mon Oct 12, 2015 5:04 am

I do wonder what was the real reason the visit of Simon to his mother, and why do they need to bring the girls? I suppose he felt an obligation to do so. She is his mother after all, and Alicia her grandmother. Perhaps Simon really wants Alicia to get to know all of her family?
Yet Simon knows that all is not peachy. There is some family rift that to this had poisoned relations. Of what, we do not know yet. Hopefully, Alicia’s visit would shed light on this.
At least the girls had some tie up fun! Didn’t know that about Cathy, especially her being that ticklish on the sides. It seems that she also experienced the special rope with Sam.
Looking forward to the next part. I wonder what kind of fun they could have? Not much considering they are staying at a hotel. But perhaps in the village with Grandmother Bowden, they could?
One thing is for sure. Alicia would not dare play her games in front of her grandmother.

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Mon Oct 12, 2015 5:13 am

Great chapter!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Mon Oct 12, 2015 5:22 am

Great update!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by Imp Caesar Augustus » Mon Oct 12, 2015 5:23 am

So the journey continues. At least they had fun before the storm that will come.

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Mon Oct 12, 2015 9:28 am

Please please update really really soon!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Tue Oct 13, 2015 7:42 am

Hope you update soon!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by William F Somebody » Tue Oct 13, 2015 9:21 am

A nice transitional update, KP! So excited to learn what's Alicia's grandmother like, and how Simon would handle things. And it's a good thing they would stay at a hotel. Seven girls might be unbearable for an old woman, and with her past, perhaps it might not be bearable to Alicia and Simon too.
Still, the only reason for the trip that I could think of is because of family obligation. Perhaps it was finally time for Alicia to really get to know her grandmother in her father's side? Judging from all that was said, it would be an ordeal at first.

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by KP Presents » Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:08 am

When I came out of the shower, I saw Alicia sitting on the bed, putting on some black tights and pulling them under the bottom of her blue blouse.
“I guess we need to look somewhat formal today,” I said as I went to my bag, and took out a pair of black jeans.
“Yup – I remember Granny Bowden always thought I should look like a proper lady,” Alicia replied as she put on a knee length blue skirt, “but I also think it may help support Dad if we do this.”
“Well, we’re there for you today – all of us,” I said as I pulled a jumper on, and we made our way down to the restaurant. Mr Bowden was already there, talking to Heidi, Cindy and Natalie. All three of them had chosen to wear dresses today, Heidi a short sleeved white dress over a black jumper, Cindy her denim bib dress over a grey jumper, and Natalie a floral print dress with a white top underneath.
“I see you all had the same thought,” he said as we sat down.
“So where does your grandmother live, Ali,” Heidi said as she sipped her coffee.
“It’s a funny place name, Chlenfit...”
“It’s actually Llantwit Major,” Mister Bowden said, “but it’s a welsh name, and in Welsh the double L is pronounced like Ch, and the TW like a F.”
“Why?”
“Ask the Celts if you ever see them,” he said with a smile as Mary and Cathy came in.
“What is this, Laura Ashley day,” Mary said as she sat down. She had put on a brown jersey dress with dark tights and ankle boots, while Cathy was wearing a floral smock top over a red jumper, brown trousers and shoes.
“Well, I guess we can kick back and relax later after the meeting,” Alicia said with a smile. “And besides – when do you ever wear a tie apart from work and formal events dad?”
“Point,” Mister Bowden said as he fiddled with the knot at his neck, “but I’m also here in a semi-official capacity, so here’s the plan. We go to my mother’s house, and I introduce all of you to her while we have some coffee. I may then need you all to go for a walk round the village, while she and I discuss a few things, but if that is the case I’ll suggest somewhere we can meet up for lunch.”
We all looked at each other and nodded – it seemed a sensible plan, complete with a Get Out Of Jail free card. “Sounds good,” Alicia said, “so when do we set off?”
“In about half an hour,” Mister Bowden said as he looked at his watch. “I need to get some things together, so I will see you all in the lobby.”
“You know,” Mary said as she watched him leave, “I get the distinct feeling your dad doesn’t exactly look forward to this either.”
“You think?”
“I need some orange juice,” Cindy said as she walked to the buffet area.
“Look, why don’t we see if there is something we can do as a group tonight – and drag Dad out with us if need be.”
I nodded as I finished my pastry, and said “let me ask at the reception desk, see what can be found...”
“so what’s on,” Alicia said as I came out to the car.
“Well, I’ve asked them to book tickets for a show at the New Theatre, but whether or not your dad will like it...”
“Like what?”
“Surprise for later Dad,” Alicia said as he came out and opened the car. “Let’s get in and do this.”
We all got into the back and strapped ourselves in, Mister Bowden taking a deep breath as he started the car and headed west, out into the country as we headed along the coast.
Eventually, we drove into a small village, the roads lined with trees appearing over the tops of walls, and through a small high street before he turned into a driveway and pulled up outside an old fashioned country house, complete with ivy climbing up and around the outside walls and windows. Alicia looked at the house, as we looked at the door opening and a grey haired woman come out. She was wearing a white blouse, a gold scarf folded and tied round her neck like a cravat as her long hair fell over the shoulders. A long crimson skirt came down over her knees, which looked as if it was made of suede, black tights and a pair of sensible black shoes.
“Well, here we go,” Mister Bowden said as he got out of the car, walked round and kissed the woman on her cheeks while we all got out.
“Hello mother,” we heard him say, “you’re looking well.”
“Thank you Simon,” she said as she looked at us. “Alicia – you certainly have grown since I last saw you. Are these your friends?”
“Hello Grandma,” Alicia said as she walked over and hugged her. “Allow me to introduce my school friends Jennifer Craig, Mary Holmes and Catherine Harmer, as well as my American friends Heidi Strong, Cindy Elsworth and Natalie Jenkins.”
She looked at all of us and nodded – but there was a small frown on her face. “Craig? Would your father be John Craig?”
“That’s right Mrs Bowden,” I said quietly. She nodded and then said “well, you had better all come in. I will make some tea for all of us.”
We all looked at each other before Alicia led us in, through a hallway that was panelled in dark wood and into a large sitting room. We all took seats on the couches as Mister Bowden said “May I give you a hand, mother?”
“I would like that, thank you,” she said as she went out with him, Alicia waiting until they had walked off before she stood up and walked round the room.
“She is certainly different from Lady Holderness,” Heidi said as she looked at her pen pal.
“Tell me about it,” Alicia said. “You remember how I used to be towards you Jenny?”
“I try not to think about that,” I said with a smile.
“Well, I see that look in her eyes. What on earth happened to her?”
“What do you mean?”
She looked at Cathy, before she said “Look, I know you hate having your full name used, but I took one look at her, and the way Dad talked to her, and I realised I was going to have to be formal.”
“So that’s why you did it? I wondered,” Cathy said as she sat back and laughed. “Catherine – not even Mummy and Mum call me that.”
Alicia walked over to look at a photograph hanging on the wall, which showed a young boy standing with his parents.
“Is that your dad,” Heidi said as she came over and looked at it.
“I think so – that certainly looks like Granddad Bowden,” Alicia said as she looked at the smiling man.
“But I thought they had divorced?”
“So did I – so why is this picture still here,” Alicia said quietly as she heard footsteps, and we all returned to our seats.
“Here we go,” Mrs Bowden said as she set a tray with some teacups down, while Mister Bowden put down a second tray with a large tea pot, milk jug, sugar and a plate of biscuits. “Will you pour for me Alicia?”
Alicia looked at her father, who nodded as she knelt down and started to pour the hot brown liquid into the cups, her father passing them round before he offered milk and sugar.
“You are certainly becoming a beautiful young woman,” Mrs Bowden said as she looked at Alicia, raising the cup to her lips and taking a sip before she put it down. “Are you doing well at school?”
“I am Grandma – I have chosen to focus on Music and Graphic Arts for my main subjects of choice next year.”
“Music? An interesting choice, is it a great interest of yours?”
“To my own surprise, it is Grandma, Martin and I sing in a couple of choirs as well as in concerts...”
“Ah – so his name is Martin? I trust he is from a good family, Simon?”
“Indeed – Martin and his parents take part in the concerts at Holderness Manor, and also sang at the wedding of Anne’s American cousin.”
“I did not know Anne had an American cousin?”
I was about to say something when I saw Alicia shake her head slightly, as her father replied “I did write to you and tell you, mother.”
“May I ask what you do for a living, Mrs Bowden,” Natalie said as she looked round.
“I write articles and novels,” Mrs Bowden said as she looked over. “I also have income from other sources, but I manage to live fairly well.” Looking at Heidi, she said “so you are Alicia’s friend?”
“I am – we were penpals for a few years, but we have visited each other on a few occasions over the last year.”
“And your mother and father?”
“I live with my mother – I have not seen my father for some years,” Heidi said quietly. “I also live with Cindy and her mother.”
“As in...”
“I also have two mothers,” Cathy said, “and I see no problem with that.”
Mrs Bowden merely raised an eyebrow, as Alicia’s father said “Lucinda and Desmond have asked me to pass on their best wishes to you mother, as have Angela and Andrew.”
“And how is my grandson – growing bigger?”
“Very much so – he now attends a nursery a couple of days a week. Angela returns to her course next week as well, which is why she was unable to come on this trip.”
“I cannot believe how much your family has grown up,” Mrs Bowden said as she looked at Alicia, “it seems a long time since you and Anne walked down the grass at Holderness Manor.”
“Well, it is our Silver Anniversary next year,” Mister Bowden said, “so I hope you will be able to come back for that.”
“I’m not sure if I will be welcome,” she said quietly.
“Mother, what happened happened. Perhaps it is time to come back and build some bridges...”
I looked at Mrs Bowden, wondering what was going through her mind, before she said “A discussion for another day perhaps. Simon, I trust you are prepared to help me with some things?”
Nodding, Mister Bowden said “Girls, my mother and I need to discuss some family matters. If you would care to go for a walk, I will meet you at the White Lion at – shall we say 1 o’clock?”
“I think we can be finished by then,” Mrs Bowden said. “I wonder if you and the girls will come and join me for the service tomorrow, and then we go out for lunch after that?”
We looked at each other before Alicia said “we would be delighted to, Grandma. We will see you later, Dad.”
Standing up, she waited as we put our cups down and stood up, before we walked out of the house and down the driveway. There were a few cars parked on the road, as we stopped on the outside of the wall.
“Okay,” Cindy said quietly, “can I say something without you taking offence?”
“Let me say it for you,” Alicia said quietly, “Grandma Bowden is a mildly homophobic woman.”
“Well, I would have used different words,” Cathy said as she rubbed her arm, “but yeah. I need something to take the taste of that tea from my mouth – let’s go into the village and find a cafe.”
Last edited by KP Presents on Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:32 am

Nice!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:34 am

What a meeting!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by Tom Ford » Wed Oct 14, 2015 4:42 am

What a tense moment! Alicia’s grandmother’s a little bit… old fashioned and formal. It clearly is not a comfortable moment. And there would be no tie up games in her house that’s for sure.
But what prompted Mr Bowden to visit his mother? Well obviously it’s a filial duty for him to do so. And a duty it is obvious he’s not too eager to fulfill. But why now?
And the mystery of what happened the Bowden’s past continues.
But this is a tie up story, so there what event happen that will lead our heroines to being tied up and gagged?

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:33 am

Great chapter!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by The Wrapster » Wed Oct 14, 2015 11:01 am

This is a really good story KP!! Thanks for writing it!! When did Mary Holmes become Amanda or Mandy??

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by KP Presents » Wed Oct 14, 2015 12:14 pm

> The Wrapster wrote:This is a really good story KP!! Thanks for writing it!! When did Mary Holmes become Amanda or Mandy??

When Alicia got flummoxed?
I'll fix it...
Read stories of ordinary women in distress at http://www.kppresents.com

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:09 am

Great update!!

### Re: An Education- The Cardiff Trip

Post by John Kennon Smith » Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:11 am

Please please update really really soon!!!