An Education : New Term

By KP

The summer is over, and for Cassie and Jenny Craig, Alicia Bowden and Suzie Holderness that means one thing - back to school. As they return, however, it is only the beginning of a term that will bring new friends into their fold, lead them to places they have never seen before, and to face both their past and their future.

An Education: New Term follows on from the events of the first book, with additional tales that throw new light on the events of the first book, and offer another glimpse into the future. The stories take us from Holderness Manor to New England, as the girls discover that growing up is the greatest adventure of all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 1, 2013
• ISBN: 9781291339963

Book preview

An Education : New Term

An Education : New Term

By KP

Copyright (C) 2013 KP

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-291-33996-3

This work is licensed under the Creative Communities Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.  To view a copy of this license, visit

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.5/

or send a letter to

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http://www.kppresents.com

By Way of Introduction

I am not a professional writer, but those I know tell me that more often than not, it’s the characters that you least expect to be popular who are.  How true that is I cannot say for certain, but when it comes to Jenny and Cassie Craig, and their friends, I have to admit that is very much the case- which is a roundabout of saying welcome to this new collection of their stories.

The book essentially splits into three sections.  The first three tales provide a bit more background and a reminder of some of the events of An Education.  I want to particularly thank Bind-Her, for allowing the reproduction of Jennifer’s Story in this book, which gives a different angle on the events of one of the stories in the first book.

The following stories, as with the first book, first appeared in serialised form on an on-line forum, and once again I thank Tom Ford, William F Somebody, Imp Caeser Augustus and John Kennon Smith for their input in these tales.  They cover the period immediately following the first book to the end of that year.

Finally, two tales that have not appeared anywhere before, providing an end ot this book and a peek into the future.

So please, enjoy the continuing adventures of the Craig and Holderness families, their friends and relations - and remember, this is just a story...

All at Sea

The smell of salt and brine was heavy in the air as Catherine Holderness stepped out of the carriage and looked to the tall wooden structure that was before her, the masts rising majestically into the blue skies at Portsmouth harbour.

She is a beauty, isn't she, her husband said as he stepped out from the carriage, One of the finest ships in the fleet, or so I'm told.

She is certainly a most beautiful craft, Angus, Catherine said as she looked up at the high sides, but is she a fit place for a lady to travel on?  I have heard so many stories of these ships...

Captain Pickering has assured me that it is perfectly safe, Sir Angus Holderness said as she took his wife by the arm, And at any rate, you are not travelling alone.  Miss Everdene is part of the company as well.

Catherine smiled when she heard this.  Hannah Everdene was the daughter of the Governor of Barbados, and was returning to her father after completing a Tour in the company of her governess - a stern, dark haired woman by the name of Miss Carr.

A second carriage drew up, and Hannah stepped out, placing her white gloved hand in that of the servant as she stopped out.  Lady Holderness, she said as she took Catherine's hands, I am so glad we will be travelling together.  I was afraid I would be left with Carr for the entire journey.  Her tightly curled blonde hair was hanging in ringlets down the side of her head as her dress flowed from the tightly cinched waist.

Come, the dark clothed Miss Carr said as she walked up behind her, We must board.  Sir Angus, Lady Catherine.

As they boarded the ship they were saluted on board and met by the tall, grey haired Captain Jonas Pickering.  Sir and Lady Holderness, he said as he stood in his uniform, Welcome aboard.  Smee here will show you to your quarters - I hope to provide a peaceful voyage to the West Indies.

And so he did - the voyage itself passed uneventfully, with Catherine and Hannah spending most of the journey walking on the decks, while Lord Holderness played cards with the officers and Miss Carr simply watched.

It was the night they dropped anchor off the coast of Barbados that our tale really starts.

I regret, Captain Pickering announced as the party looked over the side of the deck at the island, the port visible, that it will not be possible to take you to shore tonight.  Will you do me the honour of joining me for dinner tonight instead?

Of course we will, Captain, Angus said, and we will go ashore tomorrow.  Are you in agreement, Miss Everdene?

I would be delighted, Hannah said quietly, although I had hoped to be with papa tonight.

Such is the way of the sea, Miss Everdene.  Miss Carr, will you join us?

Thank you, Miss Carr said, but I must beg to be allowed to be absent.  I do not feel too well, and wish to be rested for the morning.

Of course - well, we will dine at eight.

As the dinner table conversation subsided, Angus Holderness poured a glass of port and said I understand there are pirates in the waters here, Captain?

Pirates, Hannah said as she looked up, I hope not.

Do not worry, Miss Everdene, Captain Pickering said as he looked up, the militia keep these waters clear of the worst of them.  The one that seems to be the main problem, or so I am informed, is Cutthroat Collins.

I have never heard of him.

No - he is not as well known as Blackbeard or Bowey, but he is ruthless and usually strikes without warning.  The last reports I had of him placed him near the Spanish Main, however, so with luck he will not bother us.

Well, Catherine said as she stood up, the men standing with her, I shall retire for the evening.  Good night Captain.

I will go as well, Hannah said as she rose, I wish to be awake for meeting papa tomorrow.  The two ladies left the room, as Captain Pickering engaged Angus Holderness in small talk.  Catherine walked Hannah to her cabin, wishing her a good night as she watched her friend entering the room.

Retiring to her own cabin, Catherine disrobed and put on a simple white nightdress, lacing the front before sitting at the mirror and starting to brush her long hair.  As she sat there, she wondered about the tales that had reached her of the pirates in the far waters she was now in, and wondered what it would be like to meet one of them.

She sighed and closed her eyes, opening them again to be greeted by the sight of a tall, dark skinned man standing behind her, his white teeth flashing as he smiled.  He was dressed in a white blouson.

Whammmmmmm, Catherine called out a s he stepped forward and clamped a calloused hand over her mouth, covering her lips and nose as she reached up and tried to pull it down.  Her eyes widened as he slowly shook his head, not saying a word as he produced a knotted length of linen and held it in front of her mouth.

You woudlmnnngggg, Catherine started to speak as the hand was removed, only for the large knot to be pushed into her mouth and the band of cloth to be pulled tightly around her cheeks, before it was secured at the base of her neck.  She felt her hands been pulled behind her back and rough rope been used to bind them together, forcing them against her back as she was lifted over the tall Nubian's shoulder and carried out of the room.

As she was been carried down the corridor, Catherine's eyes widened as she saw Hannah been carried out of her room by two more men, her mouth filled with cloth like hers, her hands behind her back and her ankles tied together with rope.  They tried struggling and calling out, but to no avail as the three men carried them to a large window at the far end of the corridor and opened it.

Catherine felt a length of rope been tied round her waist, and as she was lowered feet first out of the window she saw a small rowboat below her, with two more men inside.  She tried to struggle as she was slowly lowered down the rear of the boat, but it was no use - she was grabbed as her feet touched the rough wood and made to sit down, watching as Hannah was lowered down beside her.

Prrtss? Hannah said as she stared at Catherine over her cloth gag.  Catherine could only nod as the three men climbed down the ropes and into the boat, before their crewmates started to quietly use the oars to propel them across the water.  The women looked at the fast receding ship, the lights twinkling in the windows, and wondered what would happen when their kidnapping was discovered.

After what seemed an eternity, Catherine heard a shout of Boat ahoy!  Turning her head, she was startled to see another boat on the water, black against the moonless sky, which their craft approached.  To her horror, a net was lowered over the side as they approached, and the Nubian picked her up like a rag doll before placing her in it.

LTTMGGGG, she screamed as she felt herself been lifted up the side of the boat, and then deposited on the deck.  As she looked up, she saw several rough and bearded faces looking down at her, with what she thought was only one thought in their mind.

Leave the ladies be, a deep voice called our, as Hannah was gently lowered on the deck next to Catherine.  While they are guests on our ship, they will be shown every courtesy.  The two women were made to stand up as the owner of the voice approached them.

He was dressed in a black silk shirt and tight pantaloons, with cuffed boots on his legs.  Unlike his crewmen, he was clean shaven, but his blue eyes shined with steely determination.

Take them below deck and secure them, he said before turning away.  Ay Ay Captain, the men replied as both Catherine and Hannah were forced to walk into the doors at the end of the deck, and down to a cabin with two beds in it.

Place them on there, the man said as Catherine and Hannah were pushed down, Catherine watching as her ankles were tied together with rough rope, and both of them had their legs secured together, the rope pulling the skirts of their nightdresses in.  They stared at the crewmen as they left, the Nubian smiling before he closed and locked the door.

They lay there for a few minutes, too scared to move at first,   Eventually Catherine sat herself up and managed to get to her feet, hopping over and motioning to Hannah to get her mouth within reach of her fingers.  After a few minutes, Hannah moved over as Catherine started to ease the cloth out of her friend's mouth with her fingers.

Who is he, Hannah eventually said as Catherine eased the cloth from her mouth.

Iddnnttknnnn. - I don't know, Catherine said as she eventually pushed the cloth out of her mouth.  I presume they are some sort of pirate crew, but which ones...

You are on the good ship Esmeralda, under the command of Captain Josiah Collins - at you service, ladies.  They turned to see the clean shaven captain standing there, a smile on his face.

I demand you release us at once, Catherine shouted back at him, Do you know who we are?

You are Lady Catherine Holderness, and your lovely companion here is Miss Hannah Everdene, daughter of our fair governor.  Is that close enough?

Hannah and Catherine looked at each other, before Hannah said how do you know that?  Did word escape somehow?

Well, yes, but not in the way you intended.  I believe you know my sister?

He stepped to one side to allow a woman to walk in - dressed in a white blouson, tight pants and over the knee leather boots.  Her hair flowed down the back of her neck, but both women recognised her instantly.

Miss Carr?

Miss Esmeralda Collins, if you please - and thank you for arranging my return to my beloved brother here.

But...  But you have been...!

Very very patient, my dear Miss Everdene, Esmeralda said as she looked at the girl she had been escort to.  I was prepared to bide my time until an opportunity arose to be reunited with my brother and crew.  I had been stranded in Britain for far too long - had your father not been posted here, I would have found another way, but this was too god to allow to pass.

So what are you intentions? Catherine said as Hannah sat next to her, her head on Catherine's shoulder.

Purely honourable, I assure you, Captain Collins said with a smile, We have sent word to your husband and your father, and they know our terms,  Let us see what comes of that.

Catherine and Hannah looked at each other, as the two pirates laughed and locked the door behind them as they left...

It is a matter of record that, two days later, Lady Catherine Holderness and Miss Hannah Everdene were found on a secluded beach near the harbour, staked out in the ground with cloths stuffed into their mouths as they lay there.  It is also a matter of record that the ship Esmeralda sailed from the area, and enjoyed a fine career of plundering, with the Collins brother and sister rising in reputation and the price on their head.

In fact, they became so rich that they bought a second boat - one they named the Pearl of Great Price...

Jennifer’s Story

Take them into one of their rooms, the man said. We walked to the door, and as I looked back I saw that Mum was lying face down on the bed, her sock covered hands crossed and tightly bound together at the wrists and up to all the other ropes, as the leader took another length of rope out of the bag.

I stretched and craned my neck as best as I could, trying to take in the sight of my daughters as they left my field of vision. When they were gone, I bit my lip, letting my head fall on the bed as my blonde hair shifted on my face. I tensed as I felt the man gather up my legs by the ankles, the new length of rope stretched out in his hands.

Wait I said, but he didn’t. I know he was fully expecting me to just try and plead to avoid the inevitable. This wasn’t the case, and as embarrassing as it was, I continued.

Look, I need to use the bathroom. Please. I know I am going to be here awhile and I don’t want to……

My words trailed off, but we both knew the meaning.

Somewhat roughly, the man took me by my shoulders and turned me face up, trapping my bound wrists under me, pressing into the small of my back.

Look Mrs Craig, You are all done up, and I have no desire to do it over and….

Please, I almost whispered, staring up at the cold eyes of the criminal looming over me

After a chilling pause, he grunted and pulled my bound body up into a sitting position. He then leaned me forward and started to work on untying the coils of rope around my arms and body.

No tricks, and no hassle when I tie you back up.

No I promise. I know what you will have to do and I won’t cause a fuss.

It takes almost ten minutes to undo the ropes, and by finally I am able to painfully move my hands in front, rubbing the red marks with my soft cotton gloves.

Ummmm, I hold up the hands, still covered in the socks.

Sorry, he grunts, pulling me to my feet and guiding me to the bathroom attached to our master bedroom. I don’t have the tape here to put those back. Make do.

Afraid to push it farther, I nod and go in, starting to close the door.

Uh huh, her captor says, It stays cracked.

I feel my face warm to a blush, but I nod and, as best I can, complete the task. As expected, he is waiting, rope in hand, at the door. Meekly I let him guide me back to the bed, and I turn my back to him, crossing my wrists behind my back and waiting. It doesn’t take long to feel the rough rope around them again. He is at work immediately, first retying my wrists, then my arms again and upper body. This time however he takes extra care in winding the chest ropes, pulling them tight above and below my breasts.

I feel the red returning to my cheeks as he tightens the ropes binding my chest, forcing my thin pink top to bunch up and stretch taut over my breasts. He pulls the ropes tight and knots the loops in the small of my back. I wince and my heart sinks as I realize that the ropes are even tighter than they were before. In less than a quarter hour, things are back to square one and I am seated on the edge of the bed, as the man gathers up that forgotten piece of rope from earlier. He pauses a minute then, then bends down and crosses my ankles. I know what’s coming but I can’t hold back a wince as he finishes with a cruel cinch. As I look down, he loops more rope on my legs, below the knees, pulling tight against the purple silk bottoms covering my lower body. The words are in my throat and finally I push them out.

My girls, I say, Please tell me they are alright.

The man doesn’t look up, continuing to bind me, now above my knees. I am sure they are fine. We aren’t here to hurt anyone, unless….."

His words are cut off by the sudden appearance of another of the men. I recognize him at once as one of the ones who took Cassie, Jenny & April off elsewhere.

You haven’t got that bird tied up yet?, he says as he walks through stepping into the bathroom.

He comes out with one of my white, terry cloth hand towels. He tears the towel length-wise, making two strips, maybe two feet in length, then ties a knot in the center of each. I know exactly what those are for.

Please there is no need to gag the girls – they won’t cry out. They are just kids and….Mffffffffffff.

The man who had been tying me reached up and clamped a rough hand on my mouth. The other one ignored anything that I had said, and simply said, Better get her gagged, in a matter of fact tone. As he got to the door, my captor nodded. Bring me over a roll of that tape when you can, k? His friend nodded and walked out.

The man glanced back at me, his hand digging into my cheeks. I knew what he wanted to see and gave a meek nod. He pulled his hand off and went back to tying my legs.

I lay there, my mind racing. I was sick at the thought of my family caught up in this. My husband having to comply to keep us safe, closer at hand, April and the girls with their mouths cruelly taped up and their limbs bound just a few feet away from where I was getting similar treatment.  I had to keep remembering there was nothing I could do and I tried to shake the images out of my head.

The last knot was cinched and he stood back, looking over his handiwork as me, his handiwork, looked back at him. His face was scrunched as if he was trying to see what other ways he needed to secure his prisoner. As he stood there, he reached in his pocket and pulled out a crumbled foil pack, from there plucked out a cigarette, and brought it to his lips.  A small lighter appeared and in a few seconds, smoke began to rise over his head.

This somehow inspired him as he pulled out more rope, then looped it around my bound ankles. He pulled it taut and I winced, louder than I should have. My captor ran the end over the bed frame at the bottom, tying it off. It took just a second for me to realize that while I could turn from side to side, I could not even come close to getting off the bed. In a way, it wasn’t so bad and I certainly knew it could be a lot worse.

Apparently satisfied, the man moved around the room, opening drawers and such, mostly out of my line of sight. What I finally did see was one of my long, silk scarves tossed on the bed near my left shoulder. There was no doubt what that was a part of. I heard him in the bathroom and when he came into view again, he was carrying a thick washcloth, balling it in his hand for a purpose that I fully understood. Instinctively, I licked my lips while I still could.

He stops for a second, bending down to turn my face toward him. Unable to avoid the wisps of smoke from the fag gripped in his teeth, I took in the scent, and slowly exhaled. During my college days, I was somewhat of a smoker but marriage and motherhood had put that habit to rest. Occasionally with enough wine, influence from my sister-in-law Cassie, or in times of stress the urge returned – and this was one of the latter. Half out of desire and half out of a way to delay my upcoming silencing, I spoke.

Do you mind – may I have a bit of a smoke please. I know I’m going to be here, gagged and helpless for hours, it seems the least you could do for me?

The man looked down and arched an eye brow, then shrugged. He dug out the pack and pulled one out, then held it to my lips. I took it and lifted my head up off the bed as best as I could to accept the flame from the lighter he held. I drew on the warm butt and quickly fought back a cough. The man’s brand of choice was harsher than what I had been used to, but I soon managed to regain my composure.

I stared up at him and drew on the cigarette again, the smoke circling my blonde hair. The man had used the time to wind more rope around my upper body, then after pulling me in to a sitting position, cigarette & all, attached this to my bound wrists. Somehow this made my wrists push tighter toward my bottom, and as impossible as it seemed, I was more helpless.  Reaching to my mouth, the man gripped the butt, muttering One more and I drew one final time.

Pulling the cigarette from my mouth, he crushed it in my expensive ivory candy dish, perched on top of my dresser, causing me to wince a bit.

Ok, Mrs Craig, he said, balling up the washcloth, Open wide.

I was still sitting up, causing the man to reach behind my head to both support me and prevent my turning away from the mass of dry cloth targeted at my mouth.

I looked up at him and mouthed a Please, mostly out of instinct. The cloth went in, partially anyway. His thick fingers prodded it past my teeth, poking it evenly into each cheek. Twice in the process, I had started to slightly retch, causing him to stop and wait until I recovered.

Finally it was in place, my jaws stretched nearly to the max. While I tried to adjust to my packed mouth, he picked up the scarf. Like his friend had done before him, he tied three loops that formed a good sized knot in the center.  He brought the thing over my face, positioning the knot in the center of my forcibly parted lips. Cruelly he pulled it and I retched again, the washcloth slipping in farther. Roughly, he pushed my blonde hair to one side, and tied the ends of the silk at the bare nape of my neck. It took two tight knots to complete the job.

Again, I was inspected, with him tipping my chin up and examining the gag’s structure. I made a moaning noise that I hoped would assure him of any inability to raise alarm.

At that point, the second man returned and tossed a roil of silver duct tape to his partner.

The kids are all fixed up. So is the babysitter, but she isn’t taking it well. I’m staying in there with Jimmy and keep an eye on them for awhile.

My captor grunted and nodded as the man left. He turned back to me, peeling off the end of the roll. I had actually forgotten about the tape and shook my head trying to prove just how well gagged I was.

The man placed the edge of the tape on my left cheek and said Be still. Actually in hindsight, I probably would’ve complied, but it was what happened next that sent me into a panic.

The man’s other hand pressed on my jaw, hard, forcing me to bite down on the massive wad and then close my lips around the knotted silk as best I could. At first I was afraid I couldn’t breathe, and tried to pull away. That’s when the tape came into play.

One quick wind of the roll around my head, hard against the mouth, made sure my lips stayed put for the moment. The man quickly continued winding, hurrying as fast as he could, thinking I’d try and pull away. Unfortunately, this meant my hair remained in place and soon was trapped against the back of my head by the tight grey bands. Wind after wind, seven in all, he tore the end off and pressed it hard under my right ear.

He stood back and watched me for a moment making sure I could handle the muzzle. I regulated my breathing and other than an occasional toss of my head due to my trapped hair, made no further effort to get free.

Roughly he pushed me onto my back and made one more check on the knots, then left the room.

Alone, I took air in my nose and tried to use my tongue to block the washcloth from slipping into my throat. With effort, I eventually found my least uncomfortable position and then went about straining my ears, hoping to hear something from elsewhere in the house. There was no sound. My stomach twisted at the thought of Cassie and Jenny being gagged cruelly into silence.

Time passed and I had to wonder if the men had gone. Then in the door came the one who was supposedly guarding the girls – and he was pushing along a frightened looking April.

The girl was still bound from the waist up. The expected gag had been added since I had last seen her. Her mouth was covered in winds of tape, but under it was a pale blue band of silk that I knew came from Jenny’s dressing gown. April looked down at me, trussed and silenced and her eyes went wide. The man holding her acted as if I wasn’t lying there.

Ok he said, turn around, and he began to work on the ropes around the girl’s arms & chest. My captor then appeared, crossed in front of April & took her gagged face in his hand.

So you get a bathroom break here, but no funny stuff. When you are done you get tied up again, got it?

April nodded as best she could. The man loosening her ropes asked his associate, What about the gag?

Take it off, we need a better one anyway, and April made a soft moan, but I wasn’t sure if it was from gratitude or anticipation of her next muzzling.

In a minute her hands were free, including the sock gloves which lay at her feet. Her trembling hands were hanging meekly at her sides while the tape and silk was pulled from her mouth. It was a cruel gag, especially one for someone who hadn’t experienced such before. The tape revealed a small bulge at April’s lips and I have to say I was a bit shocked to see the man fish out a wadded hanky, damp and balled up. Apparently it had been stuffed in over and against the band of silk, before the girl’s face was bound in tape.

Once ungagged, April worked her jaw a bit, turned to me and softly said Are you ok?

Before I could make a gesture reassuring the girl, she was pushed into the bathroom. Again the door was cracked open and a somewhat embarrassed April soon emerged. Without a word, she was spun around and her hands gathered behind her and the two men addressed the job before them.

When her arms & wrists were bound, one of them picked up the roll of duct tape and encased her fingers, replacing the job that the socks had done.

Gag, the second man said and his partner quickly fetched another washcloth from the bath. April looked at it with wide eyes, and started to say something, but the sound never got past her shaking lips. Again working in tandem, the men silenced their prisoner.

One gripped her head firmly, hands tight just above her ears while the other stuffed her mouth full. After the mass was in place, he picked up the tape, but his friend said Wait.

He picked up the belt from Jenny’s gown, tossed on the floor. A knot was added and soon it was wedged deep into April’s parted lips. They didn’t make April close her mouth, and I doubt if she could have, but with the number of winds of tape that soon covered her from nose to chin, I had to wonder if it would really make a difference.

Take her to one of the other rooms, and hog tie her, the man who had tied me said.  I think the kids will stay settled more if she isn’t in sight to agitate them.

April was trundled out as I raised my head and gave the best reassuring  grunt I could muster.

The remaining man stopped and looked down at me, picking up the tape roll. He started to peel off an edge and I just collapsed, letting my head fall back to the bed in defeat. Satisfied, he left for what would be the last time.

Saying time dragged on is an understatement. My mind raced from thoughts of the girls, John, April and what might become of all of us. Sheer exhaustion took me finally, and I drifted in and out until….

I heard a sound at the door. John? The men? I craned my neck and grunted, trying to see when my sweet Cassie bounded into view. The little darling was trussed from head to toe and hopping to the bed, her eyes wide and twinkling over a cruel tape gag. As she got closer, she bounded onto me and we both almost laughed. I could see her face had been taped as I feared, and it was obvious further gagging was behind the grey winds. Hopefully nowhere near like what had been done to me or April.

Mfggg Cassie said and I replied with what I hoped was a reassuring ‘Bbfff". The sweet child somehow managed to get to the far side of me and scooted up very close to me, her head resting on my chest as she looked into my eyes.  We soon both drifted off into a deep sleep, waiting for rescue.

Letters and Replies

The events that happened in the first volume of An Education led to a series of short notes to a number of characters.  Here we reproduce those notes, along with the replies.

To Mr Small,

Have you encountered any other captive like Cassie Craig and her friends up at Holderness Manor? Especially one who is as little as her and who encouraged you, dared you to tie her and her friends up? And if you happen to run into her and her group of friends, knowing what you know now, would you have any hesitation of tying them up again?

Mr Small replies

Tony - may I call you Tony? I can honestly say that I have never met anyone like that young lady - Cassie Craig I believe you said was her name - in my career. That is not to say that I never meet with younger people when at work - as much as Mister Tall and I try to avoid it, it does happen from time to time - but usually we genuinely do lock them in a room and make sure they are kept out of the way, even to the extent of one of us staying with them.

That particular girl, however, was unique. I don't think any adult has ever challenged me about how I have secured them, let alone a young girl. It was a different experience, and believe me when I say the only reason I acquiesced was because I had seen what she and her sister could do.

If I ever ran into them again, would I have any hesitation in tying them up? Yes, but if it was necessary I would respect them, and give them the same respect I and Mister Tall give every person we meet in our work.

To the Boss of the Pearl of the Great Price,

I'm sorry you got caught during your last job on Capt. Craig and her family. But were you surprised that the kids, particularly two of them, weren't scared at all, and seemed to make you look foolish time and time again? Is it true that they contributed in thwarting your plans?

Not that I think you're foolish. Someone who rose to be a boss of the Pearl of Great Price is surely intelligent, smart and resourceful.

And has the Grandmaster contacted you? I assume he would like to get you free as soon as possible so you won't be able to divulge any secrets of the gang to the police. And does the grandmaster know the exact circumstance of your capture?

And would you like to get revenge for what happened on that day?

From The Boss

I thank you, Tony, for your condolences - but you tell me, how the heck would you have reacted? When great hulking men, armed with guns and bats, go into a house you expect whoever is there to react in fear and quiver in fright, right?

But those five - and especially the two younger ones - they were different. It was almost as if they treated it as a game at our expense. At first I put it down to the idiocy of my men, but by the end of that night I truly felt that something was conspiring against us.

They certainly stopped us getting very far with our interrogation of Captain Craig, and in the end their shenanigans meant we were outwitted and caught - thanks, in no small part, to a little old grey haired lady in smart clothes as well.

Does the Grandmaster know? I pray he does not, or I will have to pay a price for it. He has made no attempt to contact me, so I do not know what he thinks.

But if he does, and if I ever get out of here, I will pay another visit to them - with a better plan...

To Cassie Craig,

You have said that all four times masked men visited your home, you had great fun.

Which of those four did you have the most fun? And which would be the least fun? The first masked men during that afternoon? The men stayed the night, played Sorry with you, and gave you your favourite gag? Mr Small? Or the one connected to the Pearl of Great Price? And why?

And during the last day of summer, you have so many fun activities. Which one of those were your favourites?

From Cassie

Hi Mr Tonifranz - I had the most fun when the nice men stayed and played Sorry with us before staying the night. They made me feel nice and comfy all the time, and stayed with us to make sure we didn't get hurt until I got to go into the other room.

As for the least favourite - I didn't really hate any of them. The first time was probably the scariest, because I knew the others were scared, but Jenny made it a game for me.

As for the special day, definitely the quiz - my favourite gag, my favourite tie, and everyone having fun.

To Heidi,

How surprised were you that your pen friend happened to know people who played tie up games? Did you expect those activities, particularly being held by thugs and tied up, to again happen in England? Or were you expecting a summer break from those kinds of activities?

And how did you enjoy the summer? What's your favorite activity during that magnificent last day?

From Heidi,

Hello Tony.

Surprised - I was amazed, and surprised at the same time. You think of England as a much different country from my home, and that the sort of things I've experienced at home would never ever happen. I was really looking forward to a time doing something different - and then I met Cassie and Jenny, and life was full of colour.

I must say, however, you have a much more polite class of criminal - that Mister Small was real cute. The other guys, when we went to meet the Craigs, not so much.

I enjoyed the summer though - once Alicia had worked out her issues, she was great, and we had a lot of fun. And on that last day, undoubtedly the surprise of finding Nats, Mum and Aunt Veronica had come, and getting to race against them and spend some close time with them as well.

I spoke to Mum, and she told me that they will be coming over to see me soon - really looking forward to that!

To Alicia Bowden,

First of all, I'm glad you have coped with what had happened, and are starting to like playing tie up games with your new friends.

So before summer, how did you view Jenny? You probably didn't expect to spend so much summer with her. Now that summer is over, how much did your opinion of her change?

Speaking of which, I would like to ask a couple of questions on that day with Mr Small.

Did the fact that it was Jenny who actually tied you up make it much worst, than it would be had it been Mr Small that tied you up?

How did you feel seeing Cassie, and Suzie, laughing, singing, and seeming to have so much fun while you're so afraid, and that Jenny and Heidi seem to treat nonchalantly?

Is it true that you tied up Suzie almost every morning since that day? I imagine you got really good using her as a dummy!

Now that you're friends with them, do you like being tied up? And do you like tying up other people? Would you like to tie up your big sister too? Or do you prefer that she tie you up? How about your Mom? Would you like to play games with her too once you got back home?

And do you find it frustrating that your cousin and her friend couldn't see the danger in what they're doing during that visit to the Craigs that Thursday night?

Thank you.

From Alicia,

Thank you, for the kind words and the greeting.

How did I feel about Jenny? Well, I wish now I could say indifference, but that was not the case. She was a nobody, and in my book then a nobody deserved to be treated as such. So I mocked her, made fun of her, and yes I bullied her. No excuses, I did it. Then we were robbed, and I got all the sympathy, all the attention - until the same people robbed Jenny's house, and she became the centre of attention.

I was jealous - and when the summer came I could not wait to not see her for seven weeks. So who comes into the room on the first week? Jenny and her sister.

Obviously, things are very different now, but that day and all that happened just seemed to crystallise my thinking about her. I didn’t want to join in the game with Cassie and my cousin as it reminded me of that night. But then I went downstairs, and walked in on the two masked men tying up Grandma and her friend.

Was it worse because Jenny tied me up? Yes - for two reasons. Firstly, I was scared witless. Secondly, it was my worst enemy doing it - and she seemed to be enjoying it! I mean, I saw how he tied up Jenny and the others, so I know it would have been bad, but I was humiliated - and it got worse when Suzie and Cassie treated it as a big game, and Heidi and Jenny just took it! Bad enough it turned out my pen friend for five years was a tie-up freak, I thought, but my cousin was becoming one! I know I cried, but it was as much out of anger as fear.

And it was anger that made me tie up Suzie every day - yes, every day, with Heidi teaching me. I did not want to be tied up again, and at the same time I wanted revenge on Jenny, on Cassie - for running my holiday and making me feel small. I have become very, very good at tying, but in all that time I did not want to be tied - and I so regret that now. I can say that because, when I finally got my revenge, I just ranted and raved. I did not know what I was doing - until Grandma stopped me.

So now Jenny and I are friends. The rest of that summer was great fun, as I realised it was not something to be afraid of, been tied up, if you are with others who understand it. Mind you, Jenny and Cassie have a lot to learn - that night when those hoodlums broke in could have ended a lot more quickly if they had stayed in the room with the rest of us! I've tried to tell them that, but only time will tell.

If I am honest, I prefer to do the tying rather than be tied - I think it is better to be in control. Not that I hate been tied up - I've grown quite fond of it - but I prefer to be the one in charge. Mum and Angela are finding that out right now...

To Suzanne Holderness,

First of all, congratulations for having a very enjoyable summer.

Now for the questions!!

Cassie had fun every time masked men came to visit her. Do you also see the masked men as 'nice men' and did you also enjoy the time they were with you like Cassie did?

Did Alicia's attitude and behaviour towards you change from the start because of a)Mr Small's visit, and b) the Craig's sleepover at Holderness Manor, and if so, how?

With regards to Alicia, she said that you were actually tied up every day by her (with probably the times you spend with Cassie at her home). How long each day did you actually stay tied up and gagged? Did Heidi try to restrain your older cousin from overdoing things? I imagine you enjoyed it very much, but do you actually mind being Alicia's test subject/model/dummy for almost the entire summer?

I've asked this of Heidi and Cassie, so I'll ask you too. During that magnificent Last Day of Summer, what was your favourite activity?

Now that you're going back to school, I imagine your tie up time would get reduced and you won't get tied up everyday anymore. Do you have plans on how to get as much time tied up as possible now that Cassie, Alicia, and Jenny aren't around to tie you up anymore? Or would you wait until you meet them again before you can be tied up again really good?

Oh,