They both laughed again and when their laughter finally subsided, Ruby said, ‘I’ve been thinking about it all the way home. I honestly think it would suit me. And have you any idea what a fuckin’ fortune those girls earn?’
Tiffany was warming to the idea. ‘Go for it then, as long as you’re the one dishing it out.’
‘I’d have to kit the place out,’ said Ruby.
‘Where?’
‘Well, we’ve got two bedrooms and we only ever use one for ourselves. Why don’t we turn the spare room into Ruby’s Dungeon?’ She emphasised the last two words and then giggled. ‘You can also use it for your clients, which means we can’t be booked at the same time but that won’t matter as I’ll be taking a hell of a lot more money as a dominatrix.’
‘I don’t wanna be a dominatrix,’ said Tiffany.
‘No, that’s OK. We’ll put the gear behind a screen so your clients won’t have to see it. The room’s big enough for that although we won’t be able to buy any big equipment. But we’ll keep our bedroom strictly for ourselves.’
Tiffany smiled. ‘Sounds like a good idea.’
‘Great! So, when are we going shopping for the gear?’
11
November 2006
Ruby and Tiffany were standing inside the doors of one of central Manchester’s sex shops. Having done some research beforehand, Ruby had a good idea what she was looking for, and a dominatrix friend had been only too eager to talk her through things.
Tiffany giggled as they stood inside the shop entrance. ‘What do we do now?’ she asked.
‘We have a good look round, that’s what,’ said Ruby, striding across the shop floor till she came to the first display stand, which was full of vibrators in various colours and sizes.
‘We won’t need them,’ she said.
‘What about a strap-on?’ asked Tiffany.
‘Yes, good idea.’ Ruby looked around till her eyes settled on another display stand. ‘Over there.’
They walked over and Ruby began picking up the goods and examining them while Tiffany giggled.
‘This one will do,’ said Ruby, passing a strap-on to Tiffany who giggled again as she held it up high. Ruby looked at her scornfully. ‘You keep hold of the goods while I have a rummage around.
She continued walking through the store with Tiffany trailing behind, passing a set of shelves full of DVDs and another display stand containing sexy lingerie.
‘I’ve got plenty of that,’ she casually remarked. ‘It’s the rubber gear I’m after.’
Tiffany nodded her head towards a rail of black clothing. ‘Over there.’
Ruby headed in the direction Tiffany had indicated, her girlfriend still following behind. Then she picked up a rubber catsuit and examined it. ‘This looks great. I wonder if they’ve got one in my size.’
They searched the rail till they found Ruby’s size. ‘Come on,’ said Ruby. ‘I want to try it on.’
It fit perfectly and Ruby smiled at Tiffany as she showed her the outfit. ‘Good start,’ she said.
Tiffany pretended to whistle and, as Ruby turned towards the cubicle, she patted her on the backside. When they emerged from the changing rooms Tiffany was carrying the catsuit Ruby had handed to her. Ruby spotted the section with the S&M equipment and made her way towards it. Then she began picking up objects and examining them.
‘Excellent. They’ve got a brilliant selection.’
Tiffany watched in amusement as Ruby handled a leather paddle then a wooden one and slapped them against her hand to test them. Then she did the same with a number of leather whips. She noticed that Tiffany was also examining some of the equipment, holding them high and gazing at them with a puzzled expression, confused about their purpose.
Tiffany was on the verge of laughter again as Ruby said, ‘Um, I think I’ll go for one of each.’
Then Tiffany reached up to a shelf and pulled out a latex gimp mask, before pulling it over her head. She giggled. ‘What do you think, Rubes?’
‘Stop fuckin’ about! This is serious,’ snapped Ruby.
Tiffany looked at her with her most endearing expression, but Ruby was having none of it. ‘What’s wrong, Ruby?’ she asked. ‘Why are you so serious?’
‘This isn’t a game, Tiffany. It’s business. So we have to take it seriously, same as we would for any other fuckin’ business.’
‘Oh, OK,’ said Tiffany, looking put out.
But Ruby was riled and for the next half hour she was glad to see that Tiffany was keeping a straight face while she followed her round the shop. Grabbing a shopping trolley, Tiffany then helped her to select the items she would need for her new venture, and they filled the trolley up.
‘What about this?’ Tiffany asked, walking over to a cage.
‘We’ve no room for it,’ said Ruby. ‘We’ll have to settle for smaller items that we can put away when they’re not in use so your clients don’t see them. I think we’ll have enough to be going on with though.’
She looked down at the items in the trolley as Tiffany followed her gaze: whips, chains, a harness, wooden and leather paddles, handcuffs, gimp masks, blindfolds and nipple clamps, amongst other things.
‘Yes, I think you’ll definitely have enough,’ said Tiffany, and Ruby finally rewarded her with a smile as they made their way to the pay desk.
*
Crystal was sitting in Ruby’s living room sipping coffee, although Ruby guessed she would probably have preferred something stronger. She was jittery and it was obvious to Ruby that she was still taking drugs. Across from them sat Tiffany.
Even though Ruby still saw Crystal often, she hadn’t had chance for a good chat with her in the last couple of weeks. She’d been too busy getting things ready for her new dominatrix role. ‘So, how are you feeling?’ she asked.
‘Better. Not as weepy, y’know.’
‘Good,’ said Ruby. ‘I knew you’d get there. And how’s business? Anyone giving you any hassle?’
‘No, it’s fine. That pimp called Trevor tried to muscle in but I told him where to go.’
‘Good for you. If he gives you any aggro,
