Jay’s Thanksgiving

Monday

“Thanks for coming over for the break,” Brian Holderness-Carter said as he sat on one side of the coffee table, his wife Sarah beside him wearing a dusky pink tracksuit with a white t-shirt underneath. “I take it there was no problem with Lisa and Charlie staying with friends for the week?”

Yvonne Williamson shook her head as she said “they jumped at the chance to stay at the farm for a few days, for some unknown reason.”

“I cannot imagine why,” Sarah said with a smile as she looked at Yvonne and her husband Mark. Yvonne was wearing a red jumper and black leggings with short black boots, while Mark like Brian was wearing a jumper and jeans.

Mark laughed and shook his head as he said “well, it actually gives us a chance to spend a week on our own on holiday – a rare treat these days. Although I have to admit, it was a surprise to hear from you – the type of surprise that makes me wonder if there was another motive for inviting us.”

“What my darling husband is trying unsuccessfully to say subtly,” Yvonne said as she shook her head, “is do you have an assignment for us to help with.”

“They know you too well,” Sarah said, shaking her head as Brian nodded. “There is actually – and it’s one of those occasions when Ophelia will have a part to play in certain events as well.”

“Okay – that in itself tells me something,” Mark said as he leaned forward, “so what are we looking at.”

“Something that, for reasons I can explain later, needs to take place this Thursday,” Brian said as he stood up, and made his way to a bureau at the side of the room, “and we need to make use of another associate of ours – you’ve met her, but we need her expertise without finding out who you are…”

Saturday

As Brian looked up, he smiled at the teenager who was walking towards him at the table outside the café.

“Hey Tammy – thanks for coming to see me,” he said with a smile as the brunette sat down, the watch on her wrist glowing as the waitress came over.

“Iced latte,” Tammy said as she looked at the tall Australian, and said “okay – the fact you called me tells me there is an assignment coming up – Project Pink Widow?”

“Not as such,” Brian said with a smile, “I need to tell you a secret – one you can’t even tell your family.”

“But it’s related to you and Sarah?”

As Brian nodded, he said “sometimes, Sarah and I need to get access to systems or people for a variety of reasons – usually so Sarah can do some counselling, and I can do some work, but the circumstances we get access by are – well, illegal.”

“You – complain about doing something illegal? What on earth do you do – go in under cover of a home invasion,” Tammy said with a smile – and then she saw Brian slowly nod.

“Tell me – ever heard of Jay Edwards?”

“I’ve seen his name in the papers a few times – oh no, don’t tell me you know who he is?”

“I do – and no, I’m not going to tell you. Not even Anne Duncombe knows. But later this week, Jay Edwards and his associates are going to do a home invasion – and under cover of that Sarah and I are going to go in and do our thing. The thing is, we need an extra pair of hands – one with special skills…”

“Ooookay – you know this means I’m committing a crime?”

“For the greater good yes – can you help us?”

Tammy slowly nodded as she said “so what do I need to know?”

Monday

“Tammy? Well, so long as she never finds out who we are,” Mark said quietly, “so who else?”

“You get to pick the other three,” Barry said as he put a photograph down on the table. “This is Chuck Newman, the financial director of a blue chip company – one we know has dealings with foreign powers, but we have never been able to prove. He lives in a mansion near Martha’s Harbour, with his wife Simone, his mother Jessie, and two daughters Lola and Caitlyn. The rest of the people are friends of the family, but the other woman on the left is Astrid, a live in au pair.

“Okay,” Mark said, “so he is the target?”

“Yes – but there’s more. Which is why it has to be Thursday.”

“I was going to say – Thanksgiving?” Yvonne looked at the photos and said “hence Mrs McPhee – but why Ophelia and this other girl – Tammy?”

“The Newmans invite two families of their neighbours to come for the meal – one of them had a recent traumatic experience, which Ophelia wishes to help with. As for Tammy – the security system at their home is very sophisticated, and she can help with that.”

Mark nodded as he said “okay – so we take over the house, and give them a Thanksgiving they will never forget?”

“That is the intention – the twins are spending the holiday with Amy and the family, so we have this window Thursday and Friday morning. So, can you make the call?”

Thursday

7.30 am

Martha’s Harbour

The three men got out of the cars, looking at each other and nodding as they walked to the grey panel van. One of them knocked on the side as they pulled the hats down over their heads, smiling as the doors opened and they got into the back.

“Jay – good to see you again,” one of them said as he looked at the five other people, like them wearing balaclava masks, “and I see Mrs McPhee and Ophelia are here as well. This is?”

“Tessie is a special operative, working with me,” Jay said in his Geordie accent, the younger woman nodding as she looked round. “You remember Blair of course.”

“Yup – so where are we going?”

“To spend Thanksgiving as unexpected guests – we have three families and all ages to deal with, and we want them to celebrate the holiday despite the fact we have business to conduct.”

“So I hope ye hae yer holday faces,” one of the women said in a broad Scots accent, “it’s gonna be a braw day…”

9.30 am

The Newman Mansion

“I’m off to the golf course,” Chuck Newman said as he came into the kitchen, wearing a grey jacket over a polo shirt and grey pants. “I promise I will be back for the meal.”

“Why do you have to do business today,” Simone Newman said as she sat at the table. She was wearing a grey long sleeved top, blue jeans and brown knee length boots, a mug of coffee in her hands as she looked at her husband.

“It’s just one of those things,” Check said with a smile as he kissed Simone, and then left as she shook her head.

“Where are the girls Astrid,” she said as she looked at the au pair. The young woman replied “they are in their room, Mrs Newman,” in a strong Swedish accent. Her long light brown hair fell over the shoulders of her long sleeve green top, while like her employer she was wearing a pair of brown boots with the legs of her jeans tucked into them.

“Not causing trouble, are they?”

“No, Miss Jessie,” Astrid said as Jessie Newman came into the kitchen, and poured herself a mug of coffee. She had a white jumper on, as well as a pair of black pants and flat shoes.

“Well, I’ll go and see what they are up to,” she said with a smile as she walked out of the kitchen, Astrid nodding as she turned to a large bucket and took the turkey out, placing it on the roasting tin.

As the car drove out of the gates, Brian and Tammy watched from behind a hedge as the gates swung close.

“So this is where we’re going to spend the day,” Tammy whispered as she looked up and down the road.

“Indeed – but first we need to get in without raising the alarm inside. And that, Tammy, is your first task of the day.”

“That’s the control box on the wall,” she said with a smile. As Brian nodded, she stood up and walked out and up to the box, placing her hand on the box and then smiling as the gates swung open.

“Good work Tammy,” Brian said as the grey panel van drove through the gates, “now put your mask on and come with me…”

“Well, that’s the first thing done,” Simone said as she watched Astrid put the turkey into the oven, “Chuck’s mom and I will help prepare the rest of the meal in due course – what the…”

“Good morning – I must ask you to remain where you are, and put your hands on your head,” the man said in an English sing-song accent as he walked into the kitchen. He was wearing a blue boiler suit, with a black balaclava covering his head so that only his eyes and mouth were showing, and he had leather gloves on his hands.

Simone and Astrid could only watch as he was followed in by four men and three women, all dressed and masked in the same way, the men carrying guns and bags while the women looked round, two of them walking to Astrid and the third to Simone.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” the man said as he smiled at Simone, “my name is Jay Edwards.”

“Jay… Jay Edwards? Oh no, my babies – and today of all days!”

“Mrs Newman? What is happening?”

“Stay calm, lassie,” one of the women said in a Scottish accent. “We’re gonna hae a very special Fanksgiving fer all of ye.”

“Now,” Jay said as two of the men put their bags down, taking lengths of rope from their bags and walking behind the women as their arms were taken behind their backs, “we need to cover some business with your husband tonight, Mrs Newman, so we are going to be in charge for the day. Do as we say, and all will be fine.”

“We’re going to be your hostages,” Simone said quietly as Jay nodded.

“Indeed – but trust me, it will be an interesting day. Now, let me ask the obvious question – where are the rest of the family?”

“Upstairs…”

“Very well then – Mrs McPhee, Ophelia, Blair, will you kindly go and invite them to join us. Astrid – it is Astrid? Come and sit down with Mrs Newman, and we will explain what is going to happen…”

“So when will the others get here Gran,” Lola asked as she and her sister Caitlyn sat at the table. The twelve year old had a white woollen top on, her long light brown hair falling freely over her shoulders, blue jeans and a pair of flat soled tan suede boots in a Native American style, the fringes just under the top.

“They’ll join us after lunch,” Jessie said as she sat at the table with them, “we’ll have the meal together, and then we can have some fun together before we watch the firework display from the garden.”

“I wish Pops had not gone to play golf today,” eleven year old Caitlyn said as she scribbled on the paper. She had light blonde hair, with a light blue headband holding the fringe back, and was wearing a long white jumper, a long scarf in the same colour as her headband tied loosely round her neck and hanging down in front of her. The legs of her grey pant were tucked into a pair of dark grey boots, a lighter detailed trim at the top and around the ankle.

“I know – I wish he was here as well,” Jessie said quietly, “but his business has a habit of getting into the way of family…” Her sentence was cut short as the room door opened, and she saw a tall man and two women walk in, wearing blue boiler suits, black leather gloves – and black balaclava masks. Caitlyn took one look at the man and screamed, as the smaller of the two women said “now now lassie – there’s nae need tae scream, we’re no here tae hurt ye.”

“You’re Scottish,” Jessie said quietly as she looked at the masked woman, and then her face paled as she said “oh my god – are you… Are you Mrs McPhee?”

“I see our reputation precedes us,” the woman said with a light laugh. “Ae, Ah’m Mrs McPhee – and these are my friends, Ophelia and Blair. Now, none of ye move, and we’ll tell ye wha’s gonna happen.”

“Grandma, what’s going on,” Lola asked as she looked at her grandmother. Jessie swallowed, and said “girls, I thank we’re going to have a different day. This lady works with a man called Jay Edwards - he’s a criminal, who steals from large businesses, by holding families hostage.”

“Hostage? You mean they’re kidnappers,” Caitlyn said quietly as she fiddled with her scarf.

“Not in that way,” Ophelia said in a West Coast accent. “But we are going to be spending Thanksgiving with you, and you are going to spend a lot of the day doing very different things. But I promise you, you are to going to be hurt, and we’ll make it as much fun as possible.”

As she spoke, the masked man put a bag down on the table, and smiled as he said “but we do need to make sure you cannot get in the way of us.”

“You speak funny,” Lola said as she looked at him.

“I do,” he said with a smile as he took a length of white rope out, “but before we take you down to see your Mom, we need to make sure our arms and wrists are secure. Let me sure you on your grandmother – please, stand up and put your hands behind your back.”

“Are you going to tie us up,” Caitlyn said quietly.

“Aye – but when we dae, we’re gonna has a lot o fun,” Mrs McPhee said as the girls watched Blair take their grandmother’s hands behind her back and tie her wrists together. “Ophelia and I will take care o both o ye, so stand up and put yer hands behind yer back.”

“It’s all right, Caitlyn – I don’t know why, but you can trust them,” Jessie said quietly, watching as the two masked women took the hands of the granddaughters behind their backs. Lola felt the rope round her wrists as they were held firmly together, and wriggled her fingers as she looked at Caitlyn.

“Let’s make this a big game, all right,” she said, her younger sister nodding as her wrists were tied together, and then rope was taken round their waists to make sure their wrists stayed against their backs. As Mrs McPhee and Ophelia did this, Blair took a longer length of rope and bound Jessie’s arms tightly to her sides, but she wasn’t afraid.

“Now, we need tae make sure ye both stay quiet,” Mrs McPhee said as she took a roll of white tape from the bag, tore a strip off and put it on the back of Caitlyn’s hand. “Does that hurt?”

“No,” Caitlyn said with a smile as Mrs McPhee took a long strip off the roll.

“Guid – noo put yer lips togefer.” As Caitlyn did so, the masked woman gently pressed the tape over her mouth, and then pressed a second strip over Lola’s mouth while Jessie watched.

“Shall we,” Blair said as he opened the door, Jessie waking with him while the girls came with Mrs McPhee and Ophelia.

“Oh my god – are you all right girls?”

“Whrrfhnnmmm,” Lola said as they walked into the kitchen, Caitlyn looking at the other masked man and a third masked woman as one of the men smiled.

“Hello Lola, Caitlyn, Jessie – my name is Jay Edwards, and I lead this group. I take it Mrs McPhee explained what is happening?”

“I’ve heard of you – I told them what was going to happen,” Jessie said as she looked at him. “Should we be honoured or terrified?”

“A little of both, but do as we say, and everyone has a very special day to talk about,” Jay said with a smile as Jessie looked at Simone and Astrid. They were sat down, their hands behind their backs, and Astrid had a strip of tape over her mouth as well. “Now, Simone – I hope you don’t mind first names – my friends will take care of your daughters and mother in law while you and your au pair continue the preparations for the meal tonight. We know you are expecting guests – they will join in the event when they arrive, as will your husband.”

Simone nodded as she said “just do what they say girls.”

“I understand there is a rec room in the basement,” Jay said with a smile, “take them down there so that they can watch some television until the next guests arrive.”

“Aye – show the way,” Mrs McPhee said as she looked at Jessie, the grey haired woman nodding as they walked along the corridor, hearing Jay say “so, do nothing stupid, and we will help…”

“That door,” Jessie said quietly, Blair opening the door and looking in before he motioned for the others to follow. They walked down a staircase to a large cellar, Ophelia smiling as she saw the large television set and comfortable couches.

“Guid – sit yerselfs doon,” Mrs McPhee said, Jessie sitting in the centre of one couch while the girls sat either side of her. They watched Mrs McPhee, Ophelia and Blair as they each took a new length of rope from the bag Blair had been carrying, knelt in front of them, and then bound their ankles tightly together, taking the cords around and between their legs.

“Hllwhbhhrhlldh,” Lola said as she felt the rope pressing her ankles together, the fabric of her boots seeming to lighten as the ropes were tied tightly.

“Och nae – ye’ll be jumpin roond and haeing fun when the offers get here,” Mrs McPhee said with a smile as all three took more rope, and tied their legs together below their knees, Caitlyn giggling at the squeaking sound her boots made as she rubbed her legs together.

“Jumping round? While they are tied up and gagged?”

“You’ll see,” Ophelia said with a smile as she stood up, and looked at a rack of blu-rays. “DO you girls like to sing along to Disney movies?”

As both Lola and Caitlyn nodded, Ophelia turned on the television while Blair pressed a longer strip of the white tape over Jessie’s mouth, “Well, then, all three of you can try to sing along to this,” she said as she started Moana, the girls looking at each other as they started to sing along to the first song while he walked out of the basement.

Jessie looked at her granddaughters, amazed at how relaxed they were given their situation – and she had to admit, as they started to sing along, she was getting more relaxed as well, and even beginning to enjoy the film. As Ophelia and Mrs McPhee watched, she even began to sing along as the villagers were working…

Muhnnhh, mhkwh, mhk wh
Muhnnhh htshtmmuhknh
Thfhllhjfmhthnehsshluhnhd
Thdnsrssrepruhctshn
Thdhnsthhnhnshntntshn

Hnhhddhnhshn?

Thsshldhnshlwnhd

As the girls watched, Jessie sang on her own

Thsthhdshnnsshrmsshn
Hndmuhnnhh thrssmshthd
Mhkwh!

Cdhnttrhphnththrht
Thtshluhnhd
Whshrrfryfnwhmhk, ehmhk
Whjhkhndwwhfhrbshkhts, h!
Thfhsshrrmhnchmbhkfhrmthsss

The three of them continued to sing along, the tape moving over their lips, until the girls nudged Jessie as Gramma Tala started to sing, Jessie nodding as she began…

Hlhkthdnsswfthewhtr
Thhndrthhndthwfs
Theshtrssmschhffss, H!
Hlhkhwhtmsshbhfs

Thfillshmhfhnkhmchrsss
Hrsshhhdhffthfr
Bhthnssuknhhwhtulhk
Whhl, thruhrr

She looked at Lola and Caitlyn before she continued

Uhhruhrfhrrsdhtr
Sthhbrnssshndprhd
Mhnddwhthsssbhtrhmbhr

Umhhhrhfssshnshd
Hndfthvssthrrtsthshwpr
Thfhllthfrhtsstshr
Munhnnhh, thtfssshuhhr

Leaning over, she pressed her gagged lips on their cheeks as they continued to sing, but as the song finished they all heard the door to the rec room open, all of them looking over as the third masked woman walked down with some others.

“And hae dae we hae here, Tessie,” Mrs McPhee asked as she smiled. Lola smiled under the tape, and said “hllhhjhdhndbhbbee – chmhndjhnsss…”

“How can you do this – hold my family hostage and then watch us as we prepare the food,” Simone said as she and Astrid worked at the sink. Their ankles were tied together with ropes, a short length between them allowing them to move slowly, and two of the masked men were watching as they prepared the vegetables. The smell of the turkey cooking was rising from the oven, as Jay sat at the table.

“Very easily – and I know this is a special day for all of you,” Jay said as he stood up, “but there are many things that need to take place today, Mrs Newman…”

In the office, Brian smiled as he watched Tammy running her hand over the boxes. “Okay – the disks are wiped,” she said as she looked at the tall Australian. “What was in there?”

“Information that we can use,” Brian said quietly as he looked at the teenager. “So – how are you coping?”

“I’m not quite sure,” Tammy said quietly, “I mean, that guy Jay can take charge, and there’s something calming about the way he and Mrs McPhee work… Did you and Sa…”

“Ophelia,” Brian said quietly as he looked to the door.

“Did you and Ophelia meet them on a Project Pink Widow case?”

“We did – and now they work alongside us from time to time, this been one of those – ah.”

“Ah?”

“Ah,” Brian said as he glanced out of the window, “it is time for the next players in today’s little pageant to arrive. Come with me…”

Jay nodded at Astrid as she pressed the button, looking at the cameras as the jeep drove through the gates.

“Now, not a word,” he said quietly as Simone watched the tall man and the third woman walked in, “just open the door, and then show them into here. We will take it from there.”

As she nodded, Simone wiped her hands, and made her way towards the front door…

“Well, here we again,” Robert Dean said as he climbed out of the jeep. He was in his early thirties, casually dressed in a denim shirt and slacks, and smiled as his wife Harper got out from the front of his car. Harper was the same age, and had long brown hair, a yellow rose hair clip holding it back from her head. Her white top had a thin gold belt round the waist, while a long brown skirt covered her legs to just above her knees, the fabric pleated at the front. Her brown tights were just visible between the hem of the skirt and her knee length burgundy leather boots, with three leather bows on the outside of each one.

“I hope Lola and Caitlyn have something fun to do,” Jade said as she jumped out of the back of the jeep. Her hair was the same red-brown colour as her husband’s, and she was wearing a white cardigan over a short sleeved purple dress, green tights with a white pattern, and red trainers.

“It’s all right for you – Jimmy won’t be here until later,” her younger brother Bobby said as he got down from the other side.

“Don’t worry, Bobby,” Robert said as he rubbed his son’s brown hair. The eight year old had on a short sleeved orange shirt, faded bell bottom denims, and brown shoes. He was younger by a year than Jade, and was afraid of what been among so many girls this early was going to lead to.

“Why not, Dad?”

“Well, there’s the game later – and I know it could be boring at first, but I’m sure it will still be fun eventually,” he said as he saw the front door of the house open and Simone stand in the doorway. “Hey – Happy Thanksgiving!”

“I brought the pies,” Harper said as she handed Robert two boxes, and took two more out of the back of the jeep before Bobby closed the door. “Where can I put them?”

“Bring them through to the kitchen,” Simone said, a smile on her lips as she stood to the side and allowed the Dean family to come in. “We can all have a drink there.”

“It’s quiet Simone,” Harper said with a smile, “got the girls tied up somewhere?”

She saw the look in her friend’s eyes, and then gasped as she saw the masked man close the door, smiling as he said “actually, we have. Welcome – please, all of you, slowly walk through to the kitchen.”

“Simone, what’s going on,” Bobby said as he saw two more masked men appear in the hallway.

“We’re… We’re been held hostage,” Simone said quietly, “and I’m sorry but you’re going to have to be as well…”

“Mom,” Jade said, her eyes wide open as she gripped her father’s legs, “What’s going on?”

“Well, the first thing is not to be afraid,” the man who had closed the door said, Bobby noticing his English accent. “Come on through, and I’ll explain what is going to happen.”

Robert looked at his children, and said “let’s go with the man – don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid Dad,” Bobby said quietly as they walked in, Harper finally noticing the rope between Simone’s ankles as Astrid looked over from the sink, and said “oh god…”

“Please, all of you, sit at the table,” the man said as he smiled, “my name is Jay Edwards, and my friends are staying here today. I know it means a different Thanksgiving from the one you may have been expecting, but trust me, it will be exciting.”

“They’ve got Mom and the girls in the rec room,” Simone said quietly as Jade watched one of the men taking lengths of rope out of a bag.

“The children will join them in a moment,” Jay said with a smile. “Tessie, please, get our young friends a drink.”

“What are your names,” Tamera said with a smile.

“I’m Jade, and he’s Bobby – are you a bad person?”

“Not really – but Jay,” she said as she looked across the table, “needs you all to be kept safely together. So, I’ll get you a drink.” As she stood up, the two kids watched as another of the masked men took the pies from her father, and then used one of the lengths of rope to tie his wrists together behind his back.

“What… What are you going to do with us,” Harper said as she watched the man bind her husband’s arms to his sides.

“Well, your husband is going to spend some time in another room,” Jay said with a smile, “but we’ll find something to amuse him with. As for you, dear lady, I am sure your help here in the kitchen will be appreciated.”

“And Jay? Bobby?”

“They will join the girls and their grandmother downstairs and have some fun with my friend Mrs McPhee,” Jay said as he looked at them.

“Are you going to do that to us as well?”

“Actually, Tessie here is going to do it to you – so if you’ve had enough of your drinks, put the glasses down, then stand up and put your hands behind your back.”

“Do as he says,” Robert said quietly before a strip of white tape was pressed over his mouth, and the tall masked man escorted him out of the room.

Tessie nodded as she took a length of rope, and gently crossed Jade’s wrists behind her back, the young girl nodding as she felt the soft rope forcing her wrists tightly together. Jay nodded as she took the rope between her wrists, and then tied it round her waist to make sure they stayed in place.

She then watched as she did the same to Bobby, Harper nodding as Simone said “don’t ask me why I think this, but I know they will be safe.”

“Who is this Mrs McPhee?”

“Another intruder - she and another woman, Ophelia, are downstairs with Jessie and the girls. I just pray they are not panicking down there.”

“Nicely done,” Blair whispered into Tessie’s ear as she tied the rope off round Bobby’s waist. “Now, we need to make sure you can’t talk easily, and then you can go and join Caitlyn and Lola, all right?”

“You’re both very brave – and Daddy and I love you very much,” Harper said as she looked on.

“We love you too Mom,” Bobby said as Tessie tore a wide strip of white tape from the roll, and then pressed it gently down over his mouth, making sure it formed to the contours of his face as he looked at Jade.

“Does it hurt,” she said quietly as she watched the young masked woman tear another strip off the roll.

“No – now put your lips together,” she said quietly, Jade nodding as she felt the tape tugging slightly on her skin as the gloved hands smoothed it into place.

“Good – would you please take our latest guests down to join the others, Tessie, and ask Ophelia to join us? Mrs McPhee will appreciate your help down there.”

“Of course Jay,” she said as Bobby and Jade looked at each other. “Come with me, children.”

As they walked out of the kitchen, they saw their father in the front room, sitting in an armchair, his ankles and legs bound as he saw them walk past. He nodded as Tessie opened a door, and said “walk down carefully” as they went into the basement.

Lola smiled under the tape, and said “hllhhjhdhndbhbbee – chmhndjhnsss…” as she saw Jade and Bobby walking down the stairs, Jessie nodding as Tessie followed them down.

“This is Jade and Bobby Dean,” she said as she came to the foot of the stairs, “their parents are upstairs, but Jay thinks they will be happier down here.”

“Och aye – welcome bof o ye. Ah’m Mrs McPhee, and ah’m gonna look efter ye today. Why don’t ye tahk a seat on the couch?”

“Ophelia, Jay wants you to go upstairs, I’m to stay down here,” Tessie said, the other masked woman nodding as she walked up the stairs while Jade sat next to Lola, and Bobby to Caitlyn. They watched Mrs McPhee as she took some more rope form a bag, and knelt down, putting Jade’s ankles side by side before she tied them tightly together.

After she had secured the young’s girls legs together below her knees, she nodded to the others as she watched her brother’s ankles and legs been secured together in the same way, while the film carried on.

“Noo then – let’s watch the rest of the film, an then we can hae a wee dance…”

“They want Chuck to rob his own company?”

“That’s what they said,” Simone whispered as she and Harper were peeling potatoes. Astrid was now sat at the table, rope tied round her waist and tape over her mouth as she wrapped streaky bacon round chipolata sausages. “We’ll eat, we watch the fireworks – and then I have this horrible feeling we’re all going to be spending the night tied up and gagged.”

“Oh my god – Rhoda…”

“I know,” Simone said as she looked at the clock, “I don’t know what she is going to do when they get here…”

“I will talk to them,” Ophelia said quietly. “I know a little about what happened to them – so I will help them.”

“You – you can do that? They’re going to freak when they see what’s going on…”

“Be assured, I am very good at this…”

Rhoda Morgenstern looked out of the window of the SUV as it motored along the tree lined road, a worried look on her face. The forty year old woman had long light brown hair, falling over her red cardigan, that in itself over a grey-brown top. The bottom of her grey leggings were tucked into brown mid-calf leather boots.

“Penny for them?”

She turned and smiled at her husband Geoff, and said “sorry – some memories I just can’t let go of.”

He slowly nodded as he said “I know it still affects you, but it has been two years now Rhoda…”

“I still see them,” she said as she looked in the rear view mirror at her three children. Jimmy was 13, his checked shirt open to show his black t-shirt, the blue jeans over his sneakers. He was beginning to look so much like his father now, as she looked at Geoff in his dark shirt and jeans.

Jenny was eleven, a brown hair clip in her long blonde hair, and a short sleeved mustard coloured woollen jacket over her paisley print dress. She was also wearing jeans, the legs tucked into a pair of brown fur booties.

The youngest, Nikki, had just turned six, and wore a mustard coloured pinafore dress over a long sleeved black top, grey tights and short brown leather boots. She was looking out of the window as well, before she turned and said “are we nearly there, Mom?”

“Another mile or so,” Rhoda said quietly as the sun filtered through the trees above…

Simone looked over as the intercom sounded, Ophelia looking at the screen before she pressed the button to open the gates. She then looked at Harper, the tape covering their mouths as they sat at the table with Astrid, while the masked woman walked with Jay and the tallest of the other masked men to the front door.

“Ready,” Brian whispered to Sarah as they stood there. She watched as the masked woman nodded and looked at her watch, the face glowing green as they heard the car pull up outside.

“Well, here we go,” Geoff said as he and Jimmy carried some Tupperware boxes in their arms, Rhoda nodding as she held the hands of the girls and they walked towards the open front door.

“You can play with the girls,” she said with a smile as they went inside – and then her eyes opened wide, her face paled as she whispered “oh god, oh god, please, not again…”

“What,” Geoff said as he and Jimmy came in – and then he saw the three masked people, one of the men smiling as he said “Welcome, Geoff, Rhoda – do not panic, we have no intentions of harming you, but we are going to have to take steps to ensure you do as we say.”

“No, no, not again,” Rhoda called out as she hugged her girls, Jenny staring as she said “Mommy, they look like…”

“Who are you,” Geoff said quietly as the tall masked man took the boxes from him and his son.

“Good question – my name is Jay Edwards, and these are my friends Blair and Ophelia. Will you all come into the front room with me?”

Geoff nodded as he looked at his wife and children, Jimmy shaking as he said “do you… Do you have any idea what seeing you is doing to my family?”

“Why don’t we all go into the front room,” Ophelia said quietly as she indicated the door, Geoff and Rhoda leading the children in as they sat round a coffee table. Ophelia smiled as she took off her gloves, and sat between Rhoda and Jenny. “Take my hands,” she sad to each of them as Blair watched, “and then all of you hold hands.”

As she did so, Rhoda was surprised to feel some of the fear she had experienced leave her, and she nodded to the others as Jenny said “Why… Why am I less afraid?”

“I’ll tell you later, but now you need to tell me why you are so frightened by us,” Ophelia said as she looked at Rhoda. “I know we are masked, but do we have any guns?”

“No,” Jimmy whispered, “but you do look like those men…”

“Why don’t you tell me about the men, Jimmy?”

The young boy looked at the masked woman, and nodded as he said “I was eleven – I remember it was dark, and I was asleep, when I was woken up by someone in my room.”

“Can you tell me about them?”

Jimmy nodded as he said “it was a man – a big man – he had a mask on, like you, but he didn’t talk quietly, and he had a gun. He pulled my covers off me and told me to stand up, put my hands on my head, and walk out of the room to Mom and Dad’s room.”

Ophelia looked at Rhoda, who nodded as she said “they woke me and Geoff up first – four of them, masked, armed. Two of them went out of the room as we were forced to sit up, and had our wrists tied behind our backs. One of them came back with Jimmy, the other with Jenny and Nikki.”

As the youngest girl nodded, she said “Jenny woke me up – I remember holding my teddy as she held my hand, and we went to be with Mummy.” She looked at Jenny, who said “I was really scared – especially when we saw Mom and Dad, and then the men pulled my hands behind my back and tied my wrists together. Another one did the same to Jimmy, while a third one took Nikki’s bear from her and put it on the bed, then tied her wrists as well.”

“We had to watch them do that,” Geoff said, “and then they forced me and Jimmy to walk out of the room.”

Ophelia nodded as she looked at Rhoda. “Tell me what you were thinking when they left.” The brown haired woman swallowed, a tear forming at the corner of her eye as she said “I… I was terrified that they were going to hurt Geoff or Jimmy – but then the men started to tie ropes around our arms. It was tight and the way my nightdress was stretched the way they looked at me and the girls…”

“What do you mean Mommy,” Nikki asked quietly.

“It’s all right Nikki,” Ophelia said with a smile, “why don’t you tell her Rhoda?”

Rhoda looked over and said “I was scared the men might be tempted to do something bad to us, so ‘I stayed quiet while they tied the ropes around our wrists, and around our arms. Do you remember how it felt Jenny?”

The older girl nodded as she said quietly “I know the man tying me up had a funny smell, a funny look in his eyes. I just wanted him to stop, the ropes felt really funny on me…”

“Anyway,” Rhoda continued, “they then made us all lie face down on the bed, and they started to tie our ankles and our legs.”

“I remember that bit,” Nikki said quietly, “the rope rubbed on my ankles as they were held together, and then he folded the skirt of my nightdress back and tied my legs together below my knees. I didn’t like the way he stroked my legs – that scared me.”

“It felt funny when the man did it to me – and I had pyjamas on,” Jenny said as she started to cry.

“While this was going on, where had they taken you and your son,” Ophelia said as she looked at Geoff.

“They took us to my office,” he said as he gripped Jimmy’s hand, “and tied Jimmy to my office chair with ropes. They then pressed some sticking plaster over his mouth, and held a gun to his head to make me open our safe.”

“You were scared as well, Jimmy?” She smiled as the young boy nodded, and then started crying as he said “I did not want them to hurt my daddy…”

“What are you doing to us,” Geoff said as he looked over, “we’ve never been able to talk about this…”

“It’s a gift – so Rhoda, the men were in the office, you and the girls were face down on the bed. What happened next?”

Rhoda looked at her daughters, before she said “they pushed cloths into our mouths…”

“What sort of cloths?”

Rhoda sighed as she said “three pairs of my panties – then they used two of my long scarves to hold them in Jenny and Nikki’s mouths, tying them between their lips and then pulling their ankles back and tying the ends of the scarves to them.”

“And you?”

Rhoda started to cry as well as she said “they used a pair of my tights – a used pair – and tied the legs round my head, then secured my ankles with them as well. We were helpless, they could have done anything to us – and when they started massaging our bottoms…”

“But they didn’t get very far, did they?”

Rhoda shook her head as she looked at Geoff, and said “I guess the others finished with you?”

“They trussed me up and tape gagged me on the floor once they had emptied the safe and left me with Jimmy,” Geoff said quietly.

“The man was really angry – he shouted at the ones who had tied us up to leave us alone,” Jenny said, “and we rolled onto our sides as he pushed them out of the room. We were tightly tied, we could not move, and I was so scared…”

“So was I, but Mommy was there,” Nikki said as she gripped Rhoda’s hand, and they all started crying, Ophelia watching as they did so.

“I want you all to listen to me,” she said quietly when they had finished, “because I have to tell you that we are holding everyone else captive, and we have tied them up and gagged them as well.”

“So are you going to do the same to us,” Jimmy asked.

“We are – but we are not the people who did that before. Are you afraid of us, even with the masks?”

The family looked at each other, and were surprised to see each other shake their heads as Ophelia smiled.

“When we have done that, the kids will go and join the others, and Geoff here can join Robert until the man of the house comes back. You, Rhoda, can help the other women with the final preparations for the meal – the men folk can all watch the game then, while the ladies have a little fun.”

“Okay,” Geoff said with a little smile, “we’re all going to do what they say, and we won’t be afraid, will we?”

The others shook their heads as Ophelia looked up. “So, why don’t we begin – I want us to let go of each other’s hands now, stand up, and then put them behind your backs while we use some soft rope to secure your wrists together. We’ll also tie some rope round your waists,” she said as she looked at Jimmy, Jenny and Nikki, “while we use more rope for your dad.”

“Where will they be,” Rhoda asked as she felt one of the men wrap the rope round her wrists, and bind them tightly together.

“The others are downstairs, so I’ll take them down,” Ophelia said as she tied Jimmy’s wrists together, and then tied the rope round his waist. He watched as she did the same to Jenny and Nikki, while Jay tied their father’s wrists together behind his back, and then tied ropes around his arms to hold them in place.

“You also all need to be quiet a little while longer,” Ophelia said as she held up a roll of white tape. “This will not hurt, but it will stop you talking. So, lips together…”

“Lhkkhsshrrr,” Jade said as the film ended, and they heard footsteps coming down, Ophelia opening the door to show the three latest arrivals in.

“Whlchmmtthshhjhmmee,” Bobby said as Jimmy walked over and sat next to his friend, watching as another of the masked women tied his ankles together. “Thrrnsshshllee,” Jimmy mumbled, the smile clear under his lips as Mrs McPhee said “Ah guess that’s Jimmy, and this is Jenny and Nikki?”

Caitlyn and Lola nodded as Jessie looked at the new arrivals, and said “dhnnwhrree whrrfhn…”

“Noo then, Ah’m Mrs McPhee, this is Tessie, ahn ye’ve ahlreddee met Ophelia,” the woman said as he tied Nikki’s ankles together, and stood up. “Wh’ll look efter ye today – ye’ve missed the film, buht ye’r jusht in time fer dancing.”

“Dhnsshnn? Hwww?”

Bobby and Jimmy looked at each other as Mrs McPhee said “go on, on yer feet,” the girls wriggling forward and managing to stand as she put a CD into a player, and the music started to play. For a moment, they started to look at each other, and then they started to jump around and across the floor, Jessie shaking her head as she watched.

“Do you not want to join in,” Jessie said as she looked at the boys. They both shook their heads, content to watch…

“RHODA! Are you all right?”

“If I said yes, would you be as surprised as I am,” Rhoda said as she came into the kitchen, joining Astrid, Simone and Harper as they stood in the kitchen. “That woman – Ophelia – she just talked to us, let us express our fears over what happened, and now – well, look at me.”

Simone nodded as she looked at the rope holding her friend’s legs in a loose hobble, and then hugged her, saying “I was so worried about what you and the family would do when you found out we were been held hostage…”

“I almost fainted – but somehow, all the fear went as we talked to her. The kids are tied up – she said they were going to join the others?”

“They’re down in the romper room with Chuck’s mother,” Simone said as Astrid took the turkey out, “we get to finish getting dinner ready.”

“But what do they want,” Rhoda said quietly.

“For Chuck to rob his company – but they also said we would enjoy the Thanksgiving together, so they have promised we will all eat together, even if…”

“Simone – you in the kitchen?”

“Call him in,” Jay said quietly as he stood by the door, “and not a word of warning, understand?”

Simone nodded as the others stood with her, and she said “we’re in the kitchen Chuck – can you come in a minute? I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“I hope it’s a good one,” Chuck said as he came in – and then stopped short as he saw the four women, their ankles secured with a length of rope between them, and the two masked men standing behind them.

“What the…”

“Hello Chuck,” a man with a strange accent said behind him, “my name is Jay Edwards. Perhaps you have heard of me?”

As Simone looked on, Chuck slowly nodded as he said “oh my god – today, of all days?”

“Be at ease – your mother is with the children, and we’ll take some food and drink down to them soon. Now, I want you to put your hands behind your back – we’ll take you to join the other gentlemen, and then bring you through when it is time to eat your meal.”

“The other men?”

“Robert and Geoff – they’re in another room,” Rhoda said as Chuck felt his arms bene pulled behind his back, and rope around his wrists. Jay then tore a strip of tape from the roll and pressed it over Chuck’s mouth, before he led him out of the room as Ophelia came in.

“So – let’s prepare some snacks and drinks for the children, and then one of you can bring it down with me while the others stay here…”

“Hmhghddd,” Chuck said as he saw Robert and Geoff sitting in armchairs in the room, their ankles and legs secured with ropes and tape over their mouths as he was made to sit in a third seat, and then his legs secured as well.

“Keep an eye on them,” Jay said to the man in the room, “in a while we’ll bring the boys up to join them.”

“Whtfhrrr.”

“To watch the afternoon game, of course…”

“Oh my god – are you all all right?”

“Hllhmmhmm,” Caitlyn said as she saw her mother walk in with a large plate of sandwiches in one hand, and a bowl of snacks in the other, Ophelia following with a tray filled with box drinks. As they both set them down on the low tables, Mrs McPhee said “Noo, if ye all promise tae sit nicely, we’ll untie yer hands and take the tape awa so that ye can eat and drink.”

They all nodded as they jumped over and let Tessie and Mrs McPhee untie their hands, and then peel the tape away from their mouths as Simone looked at Jessie. “Are you all right?” she said, Jessie nodding as Mrs McPhee removed the tape from her mouth as well.

“What’s happening upstairs,” Jessie said as she worked her mouth.

“Rhoda and Harper are helping me and Astrid to fix the dinner – the menfolk are been kept quiet in another room,” Simone said quietly as the box drinks were handed round. “How are they coping?”

“Amazingly well,” Jessie said with a smile, “that woman – Mrs McPhee – she has something about her. They’ve watched and sung along to Moana, and even had a dance down here.”

“The boys as well?”

“No,” Jessie laughed, “they just sat and watched.”

“Well, apparently, they’re going to be taken upstairs to watch the game with the fathers,” Jessie said quietly, “but I have no idea what you are all going to be doing down here…”

“Somehow, I think she will think of something,” Jessie said as she shook her head. “How is the meal coming anyway?”

“Everything is ready to go – so I think we’ll eat at about five…”

“Chnnuhghtfhrree?”

Chuck shook his head as he wriggled round, trying to find some give in the ropes holding his wrists and ankles together, but it was far too tight. He looked at Robert and Geoff, before the door opened and Jay came in.

“Well, I have good news and bad news gentlemen,” Jay said as he touched a button on the side of the wall, a screen moving up to reveal a large television. “The good news is you will get to watch at least some of the game.”

“Hwghhnnhruss - hnd the bhdnhsss?”

“No beer,” Jay said with a smile, “but I think the boys want to join you. Show them in, Tessie.”

Geoff and Robert looked to the door as Bobby and Jimmy jumped in, their hands tied again behind their backs and their mouths taped over, and sat themselves on a couch Bobby said “fhnkssdhddeee – lhhtswshhthghmtghfrrrr…”

In the basement, Jessie watched, her mouth taped again like the girls as Mrs McPhee led them in a series of games, the girls giggling and clearly enjoying themselves.

“Thank you,” Astrid said as Tessie took the pie and put it to the side, and then helped Ophelia and Rhoda to finish setting the table for the meal, the starters set out in plates from each of them.

“Now then,” Simone said, “I guess we’re ready for people to come and sit at the table. So how is this going to happen?”

“I think the girls are coming first,” Harper said as she looked to the door of the dining room, to see Jade jump in with Lola and Caitlyn, the girls giggling as they jumped over to one of the chairs and sat themselves on it. Jenny and Nikki then came in, followed by Jessie and Mrs McPhee, the girls jumping while Jessie walked over. When they were sat in their chairs, the three masked women went round and tied their waists to the chairs with lengths of rope, while Jay looked in.

“I’ll get the others in now,” he said with a smile, “why don’t the rest of you ladies take a seat – you too Astrid, we can bring the food in and out for you.”

They all nodded as they sat down, raising their arms as their waists were also tied to the chair backs, and then they watched the boys and men as they jumped in, sitting down as they were tied to the chairs in turn.

The ropes were then taken from the wrists of the others, before Mrs McPhee said “ye may remoof yer tapes noo.” As they did so, Ophelia collected the strips and put them in a bag, as Chuck looked round.

“Well,” he said finally, “this is not how I envisaged Thanksgiving going today, but I cannot deny, you all seem to have enjoyed the day, even if we were a bit – restricted.”

The kids laughed as Simone smiled at her husband, before he said “but this is a special day, and a special meal – so why don’t we all hold hands, close our eyes and give thanks for everything we have, and everything we’ve done.”

Jay and the other masked gang members watched as they all closed their eyes, praying to themselves before Lola said “and thank you for the people who have been with us today, for not hurting us and keeping their promises.”

“Amen.”

Ophelia smiled at Rhoda’s loud reply, before they all opened their eyes and Simone said “Well, dig in. Pass the plates round everyone…”

“So are we still going to see the fireworks,” Jade asked as she passed the potatoes to her side.

“Of course you are,” Jay said as he stood to the side, “of course, you may not be able to say very much, but I see no reason why you cannot do so with your parents before Caitlyn’s father has to leave to take care of some business for us.”

“And what’s going to happen to us when he goes,” Simone said as she looked at Mrs McPhee.

“Well, ye’ll all be nice and snug and quiet – eventually,” she said with a smile, “but we’ll do it in ae guid way – youngest furst and all tha’.”

“So we’ll be tied up together,” Nikki said.

“Aye – ah think the boys in one group, the younger twa girls in another, and the other three together. Then couples together…”

“And finally,” Jay said as he looked at Simone, “you, your au pair and your mother in law in rooms. Don’t worry – we make it a real sleepover for the kids, and at least two of you get to be with your husbands for the evening.”

“Tell you what,” Tessie said as she looked at the younger girls and smiled, “you go up together, we make sure you’re safe together, and one of us stays with you and reads a story or watches a film. Sound good?”

Jade and Nikki both nodded as Caitlyn said “can we watch a film as well?”

“We’ll sort it all out later,” Jay said with a smile. “Now, let us clear the dinner plates and bring out the pies for you…”

As the pudding plates were cleared away, Jay walked forward and said “now, while you let your dinner digest, Blair and I are going to have a word with you two gentlemen, discuss exactly what is going to happen later – be assured, you will be joining them soon.

“Please put your hands behind your backs,” Blair said as he held two plastic zip ties in his hands, Geoff and Robert looking at each other as their wrists were secured, and then they were released from the chairs. As they stood up, Geoff said “we’ll see you in a few minutes” before they were taken out to the front room.

“You will be both be secured with your wives,” Jay said quietly as he looked at them, “the children will be taken to get ready first, and then you will go with your wives one at a time. Be assured, do as we say, everyone will be fine.”

Robert nodded as he said “I need to…”

Jay nodded as he looked at one of his associates. “Take him to do what he needs to do, then re-secure his wrists and bring him back,” he said, the masked man nodding as he took Robert out of the room, Brian closing the door before both masked men looked at Geoff.

He in turn looked back at the, twisting his wrists around before he said “thank you Brian.”

“Well, you did ask – sit down,” Brian said as he looked at Jay. “Okay – one thing I didn’t tell you. Geoff is a contact of mine, and he asked if there was a way I could arrange for Sarah to talk to him and the family. Geoff – Jay works with me from time to time, and this is one of those times. Once I knew you were going to be coming here, we brought the two together.”

“I get it – deniability on my part,” Geoff said, “let me say this, while I get a chance – you, Jay Edwards, and your crew are the most effective and caring group I have ever coming across.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment – so we can trust in you and your family to set an example when the time comes?”

Geoff nodded as he said “yeah – I guess you’ll take care of the kids first, and that’s fine. How do you keep everyone so calm anyway?”

“It’s a gift.”

“The same way Brian and Sarah have gifts?”

“No comment,” Brian said quietly as the doors opened, and Chuck came in with the women, all with their wrists secured behind their backs.

“Mrs McPhee and Tessie are making sure the kids get a chance to go to the toilet before they come in,” another of the men said as Robert joined them, all of them sitting down as Jay said “well, we have a few hours before the fireworks. Normally, we’d get you to play a game with the kids, but may I suggest a slightly different thing today – a family quiz?”

Chuck and Selina looked at each other before he said “we have a PlayStation game that will do that – it’s hooked up to the screen in here anyway.”

“Then we shall get that ready,” he heard Blair say as Bobby and Jimmy came in, their hands secured behind their backs, and sat down with their parents as Tessie went back out.

As the doors to the garden opened out, Jay led the families out, their hands still secured behind their backs, with coats fastened over the children as they stood in front of their parents, looking at the darkening sky.

“And in three… Two… One…”

The sky suddenly lit up in a blaze of colour as fireworks went off in the sky, the kids laughing and cheering as Simone, Harper and Rhoda rested their heads on their husband’s shoulders. Jessie looked at Astrid, and then at Mrs McPhee as she said “I guess it has been a good Thanksgiving after all – the children certainly seem to have enjoyed themselves.”

“Ach, they’re guid kids,” Mrs McPhee said, “they’ll be fine later once we hae them secured.”

“I need to ask a favour – Astrid should stay with the older girls, so that they know they are all right.”

Mrs McPhee nodded as she said “we’ll tak the older gahsl doon tae the cellar, and leave them there. She can join them later, ahl richt?”

Jessie nodded as more fireworks went off, the kids laughing and cheering as Astrid kept her eye on them. Eventually, however, the last firework went off, as Jay said “okay then – we all go back inside, and we start to get ready for tonight. Mrs McPhee, Tessie – will you please take Bobby and Jimmy upstairs? We have taken the liberty of bringing pyjamas they can change into, before we make them secure for the night.”

“We’ll see you both in a few minutes,” Rhoda said, Jimmy nodding as they went up the stairs with the two masked women, while the other family members went into the front room.

“Richt,” Mrs McPhee said as she untied the wrists of the two boys, “go in ahnd get yerselfs cleaned up and changed, then we can begin.”

The two boys nodded as they went into the bathroom, Jimmy rubbing his wrists as he looked at the younger boy.

“How are you doing,” he said as Bobby started to get changed.

“Is it wrong to see I feel excited,” he said as he looked at Jimmy. “I mean, I was so scared when we got here, but then that masked lady spoke to all of us, and all the fear just seemed to melt away – and then we joined you with the Scottish lady.”

“She’s nice – made sure we weren’t scared when Jade and I were taken down to see the other girls,” Jimmy said as he pulled on a pair of red and black tartan pyjama bottoms. “Even when they were dancing around, I felt as if we were all safe and secure.”

“Yeah – those ropes were tight, but they didn’t really hurt, did they?”

Jimmy shook his head as he watched Bobby pull a blue top over his head, and then put on a pair of blue and white striped bottoms. He fastened a matching jacket on, and then said “I think you need to make sure you go to the toilet now.”

“Why?”

“Something tells me we’re going to be even more tightly tied,” Jimmy said quietly, “and it might not be easy to go later.”

Bobby looked at the older boy, his eyes wide as he said “really?”

“Really – ready?”

Bobby nodded as Jimmy opened the door and they went out, Mrs McPhee smiling as she said “cum in here a minute.” They went into one of the bedrooms, where Tessie was waiting, while Mrs McPhee opened a bag and took out two sponge balls.

“Noo then Jimmy – take these, ahnd make fists wi them.” She watched as Jimmy did that, and then took a roll of silver duct tape, using it to cover his hands so that it looked as if he was wearing silver boxing gloves.

“Ye hold these noo Bobby,” she then said as she handed the younger boy two more sponge balls, “ahnd let Tessie here cover yer hands as well.”

He nodded as he made two fists, watching as the younger masked woman covered his hands as well, while Mrs McPhee took a pair of white sports socks and covered Jimmy’s hands, pulling them up over the sleeves of his top before she used white tope to fix the tops to his sleeves. Tessie then did the same to Bobby as Mrs McPhee picked up a length of white rope.

“Noo, we need tae secure yer arms. Jimmy, put yer hands behind yer backs, and cross yer wrists.”

“Told you,” Jimmy said as he winked at Bobby, and then moved his hands, feeling the rope over the socks as his wrists were crossed and tightly secured together behind his back. She then took more rope round his waist to secure them against his back, as Tessie made sure Bobby’s wrists were secured in the same way.

They then looked at each other as the masked women took longer lengths of rope, Tessie watching Mrs McPhee and copying her as it was tied round each of the boys in a double figure of eight, wrapped round their arms and locking them to their sides so that they could not move them apart.

“Well, if this is what our arms are like, what’s next,” Jimmy said as he looked over.

“Tha’s fer later – come on, ye can join the others now.”

“Well, that answers one question,” Chuck said quietly as Mrs McPhee and Tessie brought the two boys into the front room, Rhoda and Harper nodding as they said “we’re the first, aren’t we?”

“You are,” Jay said with a smile, “so have a look at them girls – because you’re next. Jade, Nikki – go with Mrs McPhee and Tessie, please.”

As they walked off, Jay looked at Chuck and said “once the children are prepared, you will leave with one of my associates, and he will tell you what to do. He will also check in regularly with me – so if you do anything he tells you not to do…”

“I understand,” Chuck said as he looked at the masked men and woman, before they heard the giggling from upstairs.

“Good – Ophelia, would you kindly take Astrid to get ready? I believe she will be staying with the older girls, so it makes sense that she is prepared at the moment as well.”

The young Swede nodded as her legs were untied, and she went with the masked woman, smiling as she said “you look secure.”

“We are,” Jade said as she came in with her friend. She had changed into a white onesie with grey stripes, and a koala bear on one side, while Nikki was wearing a pair of blue pyjamas with a black and white bear on them. Both girls, however, had their arms behind their backs, and as they turned round Simone and Jessie could see the white socks, covering their hands and taped to their sleeves.

“Look at us Mummy,” Jade said as she sat on Simone’s lap, while Nikki sat next to her mother.

“Lola, Caitlyn and Jenny – come with me please,” Tessie said, watching as the three older girls stood up and walked out with her. As they walked up the stairs, Tessie said “when you are ready and downstairs, your father is going to go with our friend.”

“Jay said that – and we are going to have a slumber party?”

“Something like that,” she said as they got to the top of the stairs, and Mrs McPhee cut their wrists free. “For now, go in, wash, change, and come back out.”

As Jenny closed the door, Caitlyn sat on the dirty laundry basket, and said “oh my god – what a day…”

“I know,” Lola said, “and I get the feeling we’ve got an equally quiet night ahead of us. But – well, is it wrong to say I’m not scared about that?”

“Neither am I,” Jenny said quietly, “But – the way the boys and our sisters have been tied. How is that going to feel?”

“Hopefully, not too bad – come on, the sooner we get changed, the sooner all of this begins…”

Mrs McPhee smiled as they walked out, and said “Aye, yer’re ready fer yer special nicht.” Lola was wearing a long sleeved pink top, and yellow bottoms with white polka dots. Caitlyn had on a white vest top with red hearts, and bold striped pants. Finally, Jenny had on a white and grey striped onesie with coloured stars. She looked at them, and said “noo, all o ye, hands oot and make fists wif these sponges.”

As the three girls did that, Tessie took the roll of silver tape and wrapped it round their fists, before Mrs McPhee pulled long white socks over their fists and arms, and Tessie used the white tape to fix them to their sleeves – or in the case of Caitlyn, her bare arms.

“Does it hurt,” Lola asked as she looked over. Caitlyn shook her head, and said “it tugs a little, but it doesn’t hurt,” as her arms were taken behind her back, and Tessie started to bind her wrists together.

Soon, all three had their wrists bound behind their backs, and their arms tied tightly to their sides as they looked at Mrs McPhee.

“noo, yer’e gonna gae straight doon tae the cellar, and spend the nicht there,” she said quietly, “so we need tae make sure ye’r gonna be quiet noo. So, say anything ye need tae say.”

The three girls looked at each other, before Caitlyn said “can I see that Daddy is all right before we go down?”

“Aye – noo, all of ye, Ae need ye tae open yer moofs nice and wide.”

“Ready girls,” Caitlyn said, the other two nodding as they opened their mouths, and Mrs McPhee put a folded cloth in behind their teeth. Tessie then gently pushed the knot in a strip of towelling between their teeth, and tied that tightly round their heads to stop them pushing the cloth back out.

“Shhfhrrshghddd,” Lola said, and then she heard the soft ripping sound as Mrs McPhee tore the end free from the roll of white tape, gently pressed it to her cheek, and then wound the tape round her head, trapping her hair at the back of her neck and then sealing her mouth. As she walked along, Tessie then wound the silver tape round their heads as well, taking care to make sure it sat on top of the wide white band.

“Nhwhhchnthlkkk,” Jenny said as the three girls looked at each other, before Mrs McPhee folded a white headscarf and tied it round Caitlyn’s head to cover the tape and cloths, doing the same for the other two girls as they looked at each other.

“Dinnae worry – the other kids will ahl get the same, as while yer parents. Noo, let’s go and say goodbye tae yer daddy,” Mrs McPhee said quietly, the girls nodding as they walked down the stairs.

As they did so, they heard Chuck say to Simone “just do as they say, and we’ll be… Well, I see you girls are ready.”

“Are you… Are you all right,” Simone said as she looked at her older daughter, Caitlyn nodding as the other two did so as well.

“Ah good – ready to sing along with another film I say. Astrid is already waiting downstairs Mrs McPhee, so if you would make them comfortable there?”

“Aye, come on gahls,” the masked women said as they walked off, Jay turning to his partner and handing him a USB stick.

“You know what to do – contact me at the intervals as planned, and make sure he behaves.” The masked man nodded as Chuck kissed his wife and then the girls on the head.

“You have all made this a very special day,” he said before he walked off, Jay saying “so, shall we head up and you can get ready,” while Mrs McPhee and Tessie took the girls down into the cellar.

“Hllhghrls, hmhjhnnuh,” was the sound they heard as they came down, and they saw Astrid sitting on a bean bag. She was wearing a long grey t-shirt and grey cycling shorts, but her upper body was just as tightly bound as theirs, and the gey scarf round her head covered her mouth – and whatever else might be sitting in there.

“Sit yerselfs doon,” Mrs McPhee said as the girls sat themselves down on the long seat, Caitlyn looking at Astrid’s legs as they stretched out. Her ankles had been crossed and bound tightly together, the rope going around and between her legs to hold them together, and a second bad had been tied round her legs below her knees.

The au pair watched as the two masked women took more ropes, Ophelia standing in the background as they crossed and secured the ankles of each of the legs together, and then secured their legs below their knees, the girls giggling as the gloved hands tickled the back of their legs.

“I’ll start the film in a minute,” Tessie said as Ophelia beckoned to her and Mrs McPhee. As they walked over, she whispered “how are you coping so far, Tessie?”

“An experience – will they be all right like that?”

“They should – but just in case, stay with them. We’ll check with you regularly.”

As she nodded, she went and turned the large screen on, and then the girls began to sing along as Hairspray started. Mrs McPhee and Ophelia looked at each other, and then slowly walked up the stairs.

As they walked into the main room, Harper and Rhoda looked over, and said “the girls?”

“They’ll be fine,” Ophelia said as she picked up some ropes, “but now we need to secure the legs of your four, so cross your ankles, and sit very still.”

“All right,” Jade said as they looked at each other, then watched as the to masked women tied their ankles together, and then secured their legs below their knees, so that they could only wriggle them round. As Jade looked up, she then said “you’re ready as well Mom?”

“It looks that way,” Simone said as she came in. She had changed into a pair of pink pyjamas, but they could see the white socks that came up to her elbows, and the bands of rope holding her arms tightly to her sides. She walked over and sat down, watching as Blair knelt in front of her and secured her ankles tightly together with rope, and then her legs below her knees.

“I think it’s time the younger girls were taken to a bedroom,” Ophelia said, “but we need to make sure they are quiet first – and the boys as well. So, each of you, say goodnight to your parents, and then open your mouths.”

“We’ll all talk in the morning,” Rhoda said as the adults watched the cloths going into their mouths, then the knotted strips of towelling, the layers of tape, and the folded scarf, before Jay and one of his assistants lifted Jade and Nikki up in their arms, and carried them out of the room, Mrs McPhee following them.

“Are you boys all right,” Robert asked, Jimmy and Bobby nodding as they looked on over the white bands covering their mouths…

“Lay them on the bed,” Mrs McPhee said as Jay and his assistant put the two girls down, and then tied rope round the band holding their ankles together, and secured them to the foot of the bed. “Noo then, ye boff gonna be all richt?”

As they nodded, she picked up a book from Jade’s shelves, and sat down, saying “let me read ye ae story,” Jay motioning to the masked man as they left them alone. They then looked in the other bedrooms, as Jay took out his cell phone.

“This is Jay Edwards.

“Good – continue as planned.” Ending the call, he smiled as they walked down the stairs.

“Where have the other women gone,” Harper asked as Jay came back in.

“Tessie is making sure the older girls and Astrid are fine,” he said, “and Mrs McPhee is reading a story to the younger girls.” He then looked around the room, and said “Blair, Ophelia, would you please take Geoff and Rhoda to the second bedroom on the left upstairs, allow them to change, then secure them.”

“Whllbhlrrhthtdhd,” Jimmy said as he watched his mum and dad stand up and walk out of the room with the masked man and woman, Jessie watching before she said “so we get taken one or two by one now?”

“Indeed,” Jay said with a smile…

“Please, change,” Blair said as they walked into the room, Geoff looking at Rhoda as he said “are you scared?”

“A little bit,” Rhoda said quietly, “but I know we’re not going to be hurt this time.” She sat on the bed and started to remove her boots, Geoff nodding as he unbuttoned his shirt and removed it.

A few minutes later, Geoff watched as Rhoda buttoned up the silk pyjama jacket, admiring the bold red floral print as he stood in his pale blue top and checked knee length shorts. They hugged each other, Geoff kissing her forehead as he said “ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Rhoda said, a little smile on her lips as Blair said “well, let’s start. Hold these sponges in your hands and make fists.”

“Ah – so that’s what was under the socks,” Geoff said as he watched Blair wrap the silver tape round their hands, and then Ophelia pulled the socks up over their arms and taped them in place.

“Do you truly wish to be together completely for the night,” Blair said, Geoff looking at Rhoda as they both nodded. “Good – I want you to kneel on the bed, facing each other, and then wrap your arms round one another.”

“What are you going to do,” Geoff as ked as the two masked people picked up lengths of rope and then he nodded as Blair crossed his covered wrists behind Rhoda’s back and started to bind them tightly together, Ophelia doing the same to Rhoda.

“Well, this is certainly different,” Rhoda said as she looked into her husband’s eyes, feeling the rope on her arms as they were secured together, and then her ankles as Ophelia secured them in the same way. She then looked over Geoff’s shoulder as more rope was passed round her upper arms, pulling them tightly into her sides as Geoff had his upper arms secured in the same way. A shorter length of rope was then carefully tied between their bodies, holding the two bands together, before rope went around their waists to force them even closer together.

“Comfy,” Geoff said as he looked at Rhoda.

“Surprisingly, yes,” Rhoda said quietly as they were both helped to lie on their sides, and then they felt more rope as their legs were secured together below their knees. They then saw the sponges that were compressed in the gloved hands in front of their faces, as Ophelia said “open your mouths as wide as you can – it is a little uncomfortable at first, but you will get used to it.”

“Talk to you later,” Geoff said quietly, Rhoda nodding as the sponges were pushed gently in. they both felt the material expanding inside their mouths as they closed their lips, and then the white tape was pressed firmly over their lips.

“Snhhtshnmmhskhds,” Rhoda said as she looked at Blair.

“No – bet before we go, we’ll make sure you have a scarf tied round your heads as well. We both thought you might lie the chance to – try to talk to each other,” Ophelia said as Rhoda felt her feet been pulled back behind her, and then rope tied between her ankles, before the rope was secured somewhere else. She wasn’t sure where, until she watched Blair do the same to her husband, and then felt the pressure on her wrists.

“We’ll check you every few minutes,” Ophelia said, Geoff nodding as they left the room and turned the light off. The bound and gagged couple looked at each other, before Geoff pressed his tape covered lips on Rhoda’s forehead.

“Mssnsss,” Rhoda said as Geoff saw her lips under the tape try to smile. “Whchllddhhthghn.”

Geoff went to kiss her forehead, but Rhoda moved her head up so that their mouths met, and they gently gag kissed….

Tessie smiled as the girls sang along to the film, Astrid nodding as her eyes slowly closed, and she fell asleep. Ophelia had told her what to do if that happened, the three girl watching as she gently laid Astrid on her side, pulled her ankles back and tied them to her chest ropes, before putting a cushion under her head as she slept.

“Hrrughnndthhtthusss,” Caitlyn said as she looked over, Tessie nodding as she said “we need to be sure you stay down here, girls.”

“Whlddhthnhhh, hnddwhlwshhnffrfhlm,” Jenny mumbled, the other two nodding as Tessie took three lengths of rope and laid them on their stomachs, pulling their ankles back and tying them to their chest ropes as they wriggled round.

“Now,” Tessie said quietly, “how about a really scary movie…”

“Where are Rhoda and Geoff,” Harper said as Blair and Ophelia came back in.

“Enjoying some up close personal time,” Ophelia said as she smiled at the sight of Bobby leaning against his mother, his eyes opening and closing. “Blair, Jay, I think it’s time for the boys to be taken up to the bedroom.”

“So it would appear – Jay, will you give me a hand please?”

“Of course,” Jay said as he gently lifted Bobby up, Blair lifting Jimmy up as Harper whispered “take good care of him please.”

“We always do,” Jay said as the two masked men carried the boys out of the room, Mrs McPhee coming in and saying “the wee lassies are asleep. Noo, who’s gonna be next?”

“I will go,” Jessie said as she slowly stood up, “then you two can go together wherever you are going.” Robert and Harper nodded as the older woman was taken by Ophelia, as Jay took another phone call.

“I suppose I should thank you,” Jessie said as they walked up the stairs, “for making this as unscary a day as possible.”

“It is Jay and Mrs McPhee who take the lead in that,” Ophelia said as they went into her bedroom, “but be assured, with everyone remaining calm, there is minimal risk…”

“I think it’s time for you to be quiet,” Jay said as he looked at Sophia, “so open your mouth please.”

“Before you do that – I’m really sorry you all got caught up in this,” Sophia said as she looked at Robert and Harper. “I know this is not how you imagined today going.”

“Well, it has been different – but it also has been exciting,” Harper said as she blushed, Robert nodding in agreement as Jay pushed the folded handkerchief into Sophia’s mouth, and then eased a knotted strip of towelling between her lips as he tied the strip round her head. She nodded as the white tape was wrapped tightly round her mouth, and then the silver tape, before a folded pink scarf was tied over the tape and cloth.

“Whllthtsthtt,” she mumbled as she twisted round, Robert and Harper looking at each other as Jay said “it’s time for both of you – come with me and Mrs McPhee.”

As Blair walked along the hallway, he saw the door to the cellar open, and Tessie come out.

“They’re all asleep – how are the others?”

“Come and have a look with me – I’m on patrol anyway,” he said as they walked up the stairs, Tessie looking in the first room as she saw Jade and Nikki lying on their sides, sound asleep. The next room had Bobby and Jimmy, also asleep.

As Blair looked in the next room, he said “ah – don’t go in there,” as they walked past, and then they saw Jay and Mrs McPhee with Robert and Harper, securing the ropes around their arms and upper bodies. Robert was wearing a white t-shirt and purple and pink striped shorts, while Harper had changed into dusky pink cotton pyjamas with a grey fern pattern.

“Ahl the gahls asleep,” Mrs McPhee said as she looked over, tying the ropes off as Harper looked round, Tessie seeing the pink scarf tied round her head, and the white one round Robert’s.

“All asleep – we’ll check them every so often, as ordered,” Tessie said, Jay nodding as the couple were allowed to lie facing each other on the bed, while their ankles and legs were secured, and then their feet pulled back, their ankles tied to their chest ropes.

“Come on,” Blair said as they went to the next room, where Ophelia was finishing a hogtie on Jessie. The grandmother was wearing a white nightdress, a white scarf wrapped round her mouth, as she looked up and said “hsshffreehnhrhtt?”

“They’re fine – relax, do not struggle, and all will go well,” Ophelia said as they left, turning the light off as they joined Jay and Mrs McPhee. As they walked down, they saw Sophia asleep on the long couch, Jay walking over and binding her ankles and legs, before he rolled her onto her stomach and hogtied her.

“She can remain there for now – let’s start the clean up, get ready for when we get the call…”

Friday

It was the sound of the door opening that woke Sophia up, as she looked round the dimly lit room. She trued to move, and then remembered the previous day and night, as she called out “hhssthrrrr?”

“Is there anyone in there,” she heard a male voice say – one she did not recognise, as she called out “HNNNNHHHHRRRRR!”

The door to the main room was thrown open, a police officer looking in as he said “we’ve got someone in here – spread out, search the house top to bottom.” He walked quickly over, pulling the scarf down her head to her neck, and then whistling before he took a small penknife from his pocket and cut through the layers of tape and the strip of towelling, then eased the cloth from her mouth.

Sophia coughed, and said “please – there’s people all over the house, including the basement. My husband?”

“Safe – let’s get you untied, and then you can tell us exactly what happened here…”

“So it was a successful evening?”

“It was,” Brian said as Sarah came in and handed Tammy a cold drink, “but a long one. You were incredible – thank you.”

“It’s strange – but if it met a good need, then it was worth it. Will the children be all right?”

“That’s a guarantee,” Sarah said, “especially George’s family.”

“Do they have a gift as well – Jay Edwards and Mrs McPhee?”

“Very much so – but their identity remains a secret for now. Let’s just say, we owe them a great deal – and so do our masters now…”

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