Peter did sort it out. On Friday morning, the day that marked the start of Lucinda's 28th year on the planet, a vast bouquet and a letter arrived at the agency at 10:23, 'Lucinda my darling, Happy Birthday. I'm truly sorry I pushed you too hard. I should have been more receptive to your feelings. The last thing I want to do is hurt you in any way. Please accept these flowers as a small token of my apology and, if you can face me again to receive your real present call my mobile and leave a message and I'll pick you up at your flat at 7pm. I love you, P At 10:37, after she had read the letter three times at her desk and had a good cry in the loo as she read it again, she left a message. 'Yes Master'

Lucinda was in a state of turmoil all day. Joan had heard about flowers, most of the agency had, and, as she read the letter, said, 'Well he certainly seems pretty contrite, perhaps you were over sensitive on Monday?' Lucinda agreed, smiling 'Oh yes, I was certainly that, as my bum kept telling me.' 'I wonder what your present is?' 'I'll tell you on Monday!' Sheepishly, Joan produced a small gift-wrapped parcel from behind her back. 'From Sam and me, Happy Birthday Lucinda, I was going to give it to you later.' It was a small teddy wearing a tiny rainbow badge, 'Aw Joan, he's...' laughing, Lucinda corrected herself, '...she's lovely!' Joan grinned and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Lucinda now looked sheepish and opened her desk drawer. She handed Joan a gift-wrapped present. Joan opened it. It was a book on Thai cooking. 'I remember you saying once that Sam likes to cook Thai for you,' Lucinda said. Joan beamed, 'She does! What an amazing memory, I don't even recall mentioning it. Thank you it's lovely.' Joan read the dedication, 'To two lovely ladies from an ever grateful sister, with love and thanks, Lucinda' Joan hugged Lucinda, 'Now I you must come for dinner!' 'Deal babe' Lucinda laughed. 'Deal babe' Joan laughed and they high-fived, then she said, 'You're looking much better.' Lucinda thought a moment and took a deep breath. 'I'm feeling much better too. I think I got too hung up with the pony side of this, time for a birthday treat for the girl in me!' 'Too right! You want me to book the works?' asked Joan. 'That'd be great love, twoish?' 'Consider it done.' Joan left, clutching her book, while Lucinda placed her little furry friend on the top of her monitor. Lucinda munched an apple as she walked to an exclusive women only leisure club just off Regent Street. The agency often recruited models internally to appear as extras in the ads and a fringe benefit was gaining fast access to many of the services models used. One of them was being professionally pampered. She had them wax her raggedy bikini line but she got carried away with her instructions and ended up with a mere triangular tuft and silky smooth lips. The nostalgic look of pleasure she wore as the congealed wax tore off her hair made the therapist give her a knowing glance a few times. After a sauna, swim and massage they did her hair and nails. Next she pampered herself in Bond Street and bought a sexy camisole and matching suspender belt and stockings, she declined the panties with a smile. Finally she bought a simple shift dress in smoky blue to match her eyes and some new shoes and perfume. At 6:30 she was bathed, powdered, groomed, perfumed and ready for her Peter and her present. She was also terrified.

He arrived bang on time, a very good sign of contrition she thought. Timekeeping never seemed to be skill he seemed to apply to their previous arrangements. He presented her with a single red rose and a smouldering, rib crushing, tit squishing, pussy tingling kiss that seemed to go on for as long as they'd been apart. 'Wow!' she gasped when they broke and grinned, 'Good day at the office then dear?' P laughed, 'No, lousy day, or days. I can't believe what an asshole I've been. I'm really sorry hon.' She just smiled and placed her fingers on his lips, 'All behind us now, I promise.' He stepped back to look at her and sniffed, 'You look, and smell, lovely. What is it?' 'Gucci, Rush. I found it today, a little red box about 10cm long, that's four inches to you.' Lucinda always believed in giving guys simple hints, 'You like it?' 'I like it very much, but I love you!' he said and kissed her again. She melted in his arms and looked up at him. 'I love you too, Master, I don't know why I doubted you.' He took her hands and said earnestly, 'Look hon, we can stop the Master thing if you want, I don't want to scare you again.' Lucinda smiled and, taking his hand, slipped it under her dress and placed it on her bald labia. She thrilled at the touch and his reaction. 'I'm not scared any more, can't you tell that?' She felt a finger slip easily into her and moaned gently as he kissed her again. Finally he broke away and savoured the aroma on his finger, 'That's the smell I really love!' he laughed. 'Well, my love, take this birthday girl out and you'll get much, much more where that came from. Where are we going?' 'Cambridge.' 'Cambridge?' 'Well near there, I was recommended this great hotel some weeks ago, it's close enough to the city for us to do the tourist thing as well.' 'As well?' she smirked, delighted that he'd been planning this for weeks. He grinned, 'Well we do have an entire weekend!'