The Kick

OH lord Bobby, you re going to kick my spine out of kilter if you keep doing that!

Una Calder smiled as she held her back and stopped in the hallway for a moment. She was in her 36^th week, and the kicks had been getting stronger for a few weeks now. She had her long brown hair pulled back, hanging down her back with a scrunchie at her head, and looked at herself in the hall mirror. Her pearl and silver drop earrings glistened in the sunlight as she turned her head from side to side.

But it was Tuesday morning, and Tuesday morning was when she and her friends met for tea and chat. It was her turn to host this morning, so she started to walk back towards the kitchen. Una was a senior fashion designer for a well-known upmarket brand of clothing, and the purple maternity dress she was wearing reflected that style. It had sleeves that came to just below her elbow, the material stretching and hugging her large bump as it came down to her knees, while her feet were in a pair of purple suede kitten heel shoes.

She put her hand on the bump and smiled before she picked up the water jug, filling the kettle and then turning it on before she went back to arranging petit fours and biscuits on two plates, before she carried them through to the main room and placed them on the low coffee table. Although she groaned and held her back as she straightened up, she was still smiling, as she made her way back to the kitchen, where she could hear the kettle switching off.

As she walked back into the kitchen, however, she stopped and tried to process what she was seeing. The kettle had indeed turned off, but a man was warming the teapot, before he poured the water away and added the fragrant tea leaves to the pot, then filled it and stirred before he put the lid on. He was small Una was five foot ten, but he was a few inches smaller, and was dressed in a black leather jacket, pants and shoes and some sort of hat covering his head.

Excuse me, she said quietly, but what are you doing?

Well, I am preparing your tea, he said as he turned round, and placed the teapot on a tray with the cups and saucers and Una gasped as she saw the black balaclava that covered his head, and the leather gloves on his hands.

Whoever you are, she said quietly, I want you out of my house now.

Ah I did wonder if that would be your reaction, he said as he turned and smiled. With regret, my dear lady, we will not be able to depart before we have completed the purpose of our visit here today.

And what is the purpose of that visit, she asked, afraid of the answer.

To make you comfortable, and relieve you of your valuables, Una.

The second voice took her by surprise, as she said Of course - you said we and turned to see an identically dressed man standing behind her and over her a full foot taller than his companion.

Allow me to make the introductions I am Mister Tall, and my friend is..

Mister Small you re the Gentlemen Robbers?

Our reputation precedes us once again, Mister Tall said as he looked behind Una. We entered your lovely home, and saw preparations in progress for a tea break so, naturally, we wished to assist.

But But You surely are not going to

Rest assured, Mister Tall said with a smile, we are aware of your current condition and we wish you truly all the best for when the happy time comes but yes, we will need to ensure the alarm cannot be raised for a while. I promise you, however, we will take all due care with you and your unborn child. So be at peace and all will be well.

But

The ring on the doorbell made Mister ~Tall turn for a moment, before he smiled and said ah we did wonder if his was when you met with your friends. Please, allow them to enter and we will talk with them as well.

Mister Small picked up a large canvas bag from the floor as Mister Tall carried the tea and cups to the main room, placing it next to the plates as the doorbell rang again. He then stood by the door and nodded as Una slowly opened it.

Hey what kept you?

I wanted to put the tea down first all three of you, come in, and we can talk.

She stood to one side as Pippa Cole came in. She was a model, and had done many shoots for Una s employers. Which was when they had met. Her long blonde hair fell down her back, while the shoulders of her black dress were pulled down. The dress also covered her quite noticeable bump, the skirt nearly coming to the floor as she walked in on her black heels.

She was followed by a dark haired woman, her hair like falling naturally down her back and the green smock top she was wearing as she put her hands on her bump. A pair of black leggings, and heeled sandals completed her outfit. Rhona Deeks was Una s PA at her firm, and had fallen pregnant at the same time.

The last woman in was Carly Jepson, an old school friend of Una s who worked as an interior designer. Her hair was pulled back like Una s. and she was wearing a grey jersey dress that came down to her knees.

I hope you have the tea brewed, she said as he groaned and held her back, I need to Oh.

Oh my

Good afternoon ladies, Mister Tall said as Una close the door, I must ask you to hand your handbags and purses to Una, and she will hand them to me.

What s going on, Pippa said quietly.

Well, Una said as she took her handbag, this is Mister Tall.

The three new arrivals stared at the masked man, before Rhona said My god this is Mister Tall?

So where is?

The three women than saw the smaller black clad man as he came out, and said Welcome ladies we ask you to please remain calm, and accept our personal assurance that we will not cause you or those you bear any harm, so long as you do what we say.

What is this, Pippa said angrily, you get off on robbing defenceless women? What worth can we put on your promises ?

Well, Mister Small said, I think the best way we can assure you is to ask you to come through. The tea should be properly brewed by now.

You He

He did, Una said quietly, and he s right for all of our sakes, we should do what they say. Come on we can at least have our tea.

The other three nodded as Mister Small stood to the side, watching as they walked in and slowly sat down.

How can you remain so calm, Carly said as she accepted the cup of tea, and took a sip.

We really don t have a choice, do we? If we get upset or fight back, who knows what might happen?

Una has a point, Rhona said. I have heard of them and that Is not an affectation. Or at least, I don t think it is

My dear lady, Mister Tall said as he held a plate of the small cakes in front of her, Rhona taking one, we find those we visit remain happy if they remain calm, so we do nothing to add to the unavoidable fear or tension.

So, let us be plain, Mister Small said, while you have your tea and conversation, I will be ensuring that the three of you are going to remain where you are seated. My partner will then take Una around her home and once I have you fully secured, I will be taking care of things on the ground floor.

You can see how pregnant we are, Pippa said, and you still intend to tie us up?

We are professionals, Mister tall said, and we always make sure those we visit are comfortable secure, be they able bodied or not, male or female, we are equally polite and firm with them.

When you say or both?

Mister Tall smiled at Una as he said indeed so be assured, we have your best interests at heart.

And her jewellery.

He looked at Rhona and nodded as she said indeed, after all, we are robbers, are we not?

Pippa then glanced down as he felt the gloved hands on her legs, seeing Mister Small as he crossed her ankles and then started to bind them together with a doubled over length of soft white rope.

Remain where we are seated I see what you mean, she said quietly a sshe felt the rope bands tightening, while the masked man took the rope between her legs and then tied the ends off. He then passed a second length around her legs below her knees, when Carly said so while we drink, and you secure our legs, we are expected to believe you take no pleasure from it?

Only the pleasure of a job well done, Mister Small said as he pulled the rope tighter, and then took the rope between her legs to make the binding tighter.

How How does it feel?

Well, I will tell you one thing he was gentle, Pippa said as they watched Mister Small take two more lengths of rope from his bag, and kneel next to Carly.

You brought enough rope for four you knew we were going to be here, didn t you?

Of course we always ensure we know as much as possible about those we visit, and in your case, we have been watching for some time, Mister Tall said as he put the plate he was holding down, and then retrieved a length of rope from the bag. I am afraid I must ask you to put your cup down now Una, and to cross your wrists behind your back.

Well, I knew this was coming, she said as Mister Small finished securing Carly s legs, and then moved over to Rhona. She moved forward in her seat and moved her hands behind her back, feeling Mister Tall as he crossed her wrists, and then the soft rope on her skin as they were forced together.

So you are going to force her to hand over her valuables, Carly said, what about us?

We will also take those valuables you have with you, Miser Tall said as he wound the rope around and between Una s wrists, making sure they were secured tightly together before he took the rope round her waist under her bump to make sure they stayed there.

He then passed a longer length around her upper arms, making sure they stayed by her sides and then cinching the bands under her arms to make it tight there as well.

So you are going to do the same to us, Pippa said as Mister Tall helped Una to stand up.

Me? No Mister Small ahs that honour. Once you have them comfortable, I think we can trust them not to try to raise the alarm.

I concur, Mister Small said as he looked at the three women. As Una was led out, he took more lengths of rope from the bag and said so, which of you will be first?

I really don t get it manners over force?

When something works for you, only a fool does not continue to work that way where possible, Mister Small said. Please, Carly, shuffle froward and put your hands behind your back.

The other two watched as Mister Small crossed the brunette s wrists behind her back and bound them tightly together, before he took some rope round her waist to make sure they stayed in place.

As he tied the rope round her upper arms, she said so once we re all tied up , any chance you can take the teat cups away?

I fully intend to, Mister Small said as he cinched the bands, and then moved on to Pippa, the three women looking at each other.

You really have been watching us? So you could have hit any of us?

True, Mister Tall said as he emptied the tray into a velvet sack, but you were the most promising target in terms of potential yields. I know you pay your PA very well, but she does not make that much?

Pippa? Carly?

Ah yes both were considered, but in the case of Pippa, there is her younger daughter and her nanny to consider, and as for Carly well, there were other considerations in her case.

You know?

I do but as she has not raised it, neither will we, Mister Tall said as he replaced the tray. I see the safe if you would be kind enough to give me the combination?

I really do not have a choice, do I?

I am afraid not, if you desire to keep this room as neat and tidy as it currently is.

Una shook her head a sshe gave the combination, and then she said Out of interest why?

Why?

Why are you a criminal?

Mister Tall opened the safe door and looked around. Would you believe me if I told you I do this because I am skilled, and I enjoy it?

Probably not and your friend?

Mister Small? Well, I served an apprenticeship abroad, while he worked his way up here

An An apprenticeship? You mean there is a school for home invaders?

It is a profession, Mister Tall said as he emptied the safe into the sack, and then closed it again. So, shall we go and see how your guests are?

Una nodded and then groaned as she felt the kick. Mister Tall came over, and put his gloved hand on her bump, smiling as he said a strong kick. I do hope all goes well come the time.

I don t get it you really are considerate, and yet you ve tied me up.

Not completely -not yet anyway. Shall we?

Una shook her head as she stood slowly up, and walked in front of Mister Tall, slowly going down the stairs and entering the front room.

Well how was the conversation?

Not bad, Pippa said as she twisted round. You?

Illuminating and where is our other guest?

You want the honest answer? He s washing the tea things.

Una stared at them, and then she heard the whistling from the kitchen and shook her head.

Please have a seat, Mister Tall said, Una nodding a sshe sat in an armchair next to her PA.

So how do I put this on my timesheet, boss, Rhona whispered.

I ll put it down as team training if you will, Una said as Mister Tall knelt down and crossed her ankles, and she felt the rope tightening around them.

So, Carly said as she squirmed, how exactly are you going to leave us?

Well, I suggest you enjoy a film, Mister Small said as he came back in, although I regret to say we have to ensure you remain silent. In return, you have our assurance that we will inform the authorities of your predicament once we have had sufficient time to make sure we are safely out of reach.

Any thoughts on what we could watch, girls, Una sad as she felt the rope between her legs, and then the second band forcing her legs together below her knees.

She watched as Mister Tall cinched that binding, taking the neds behind her legs before he secured them together, and then stood up.

How about Hairspray?

Allow me, the tall, masked man said as he went to her television, and selected the appropriate streaming service. I highly recommend the humalong version.

Humalong version?

Yes because I regret to say singing is not an option, Mister Small said as he produced from the bag a wide roll of white micropore tape. Normally we would also ensure your mouths are stuffed, but I think on this occasion this will be sufficient for the moment.

I guess we should be grateful for small mercies, Rhona said as mister Tall peeled a length of tape from the roll. She then pursed her lips as the gag was pressed firmly down over her mouth, before she watched him taping over the mouths of the other three women.

Wshhttnhh, Rhona said as the ropes rubbed under her bump.

Wwhshsh, Una said as the film was started, the subtitles coming on as Mister Small and Mister Tall stood by the doorway.

The Gentlemen Robbers bid you all adieu, Mister Tall said as he bowed, may we never meet again.

Una nodded and then joined the others in humming along to Good Morning Baltimore

Uchntnshtthbht

As the film ended, there was the sound of a door opening, Una looking over as two policemen came into the room.

We got four hostages in here, he said as he walked over and peeled the tape from Una s mouth.

Thank you, she gasped, please She then stopped and looked down, before she said is there an ambulance there?

Yes why?

I may need it, he said as she felt the damp patch on her seat

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