The Au Pair
Set in a dystopian near future, an au pair comes to London hoping to lift her life from a...

001 :: A Record of Facts
Her first words in London were to a border guard. A nondescript looking man. ...

002 :: Terms and Conditions
The border guard held up his hand miming lifting a suitcase. Luggage....

003 :: Airport
The young woman was seated with her head resting on her hands when a young man came into...

004 :: The Train
The young woman stared out the train window. She watched her new country...

005 :: The Shops
The street was bright. Warm. It was busy. Nice shops. The young...

006 :: Delivery

The young woman and Simon had been standing at the door for nearly five minutes. Simon opened his Skroll. He flicked through a few screens. Looked at the door. Looked at his Skroll. Tapped it. Simon sighed. Frustrated. The door opened.

Hi. I assume this is Naomi. (Peter)

Naomi quietly smiled at the man at the door. The agency had told her nothing about her employer. They never do. The au pairs are expected to get on with it. There are millions of people where she came from who want to be au pairs.

The man at the door looked friendly. He was not white. There are rich Asians in London but it is unusual for one to have an au pair. He was young. He was short. Not much taller than her. He was slight in build. He wore a kimono. He smiled at Simon.

Yes. Sorry for being a little bit late. Unavoidable really. You know how it can get at the borders. The bloydits keep trying it. Anyway. As we are late can I ask you to sign for her without the usual formalities. I am in a bit of a rush. (ATS Agency B13)

You mean no tour. No questionnaire. (Peter)

Yes. Yes. Nothing ever goes wrong anyway. Not at this point. (ATS Agency B13)

I do not mind. If anything does go wrong they will look back. (Peter)

I know. It will only reflect on me. (ATS Agency B13)

Naomi was smiling at Peter as he spoke. His voice was kind. More polite than Simon. He took out his Skroll. It was not as smart as Simons. It was a dull black. It was thicker. Smaller when opened. Peter held out his hand to her.

Hi. I am Peter. (Peter)

Naomi looked at Simon. He looked bored. She looked at Peter. He was still holding out his hand to her. She lifted her hand to his. They touched. The first human contact since saying goodbye to her sister. She melted a little with the touch. Her shoulders relaxed. Her smile was more genuine.

Say gin lease. (Unregistered Migrant)

He spoke slowly.

Peter. (Peter)

Peter. (Unregistered Migrant)

Yes. How good is your English. (Peter)

Say gin lease (Unregistered Migrant)

Peter smiled at her. She responded with a smile.

Welcome Naomi. (Peter)

Nay who me. (Unregistered Migrant)

Naomi. (Peter)

Peter held out a hand to indicate her.

Naomi. (Unregistered Migrant)

Naomi pointed her finger at her chest.

Yes. Your name is Naomi. You need to sign. (Peter)

Peter made a biometrics sign. He held up the thumb of his right hand. Naomi nodded. She understood. This was her new name. This was her new job. Her new employer. She had to please him. Do the tasks he gave her. Keep him happy.

Peter pointed at Simon. He was holding out his Skroll. Naomi took out her iPass. She tapped Simon's Skroll. She was recorded. She was delivered. She was now an au pair.

Thank you. I hope you are happy here. You can contact us should you have any difficulties. You have our details. (ATS Agency B13)

She smiled at him. Simon turned back to Peter.

Thank you. Let the masters know they can contact us should there be any problems at all. (ATS Agency B13)

Will do. (Peter)

Bye now. (ATS Agency B13)

Bye. (Peter)

007 :: An Entrance Hall
Peter gestured for Naomi to step into the house. Her first step into her new...

008 :: Welcome
Peter knelt next to the small table. He gestured for Naomi to sit. On the...

009 :: How to undress
You can get undressed now. (Peter) Naomi nodded. She was expecting this. ...

010 :: Pubic hair
It is alright to shave your pubic hair. (Peter) Naomi read what he had said. Yes....

011 :: Shower
Would you like to shower now. (Peter) Naomi examined where Peter had shaved her. ...

012 :: Pic
Would you like to take your pic now. (Peter) Naomi looked at him. You must have a...

013 :: Sex talk
Naomi and Peter were sitting on the bed. Neither looked comfortable. You can...

014 :: Watchers
Today I am going to show you the house. Then I will teach you what to do. The...

015 :: The House
Peter followed Naomi up the stairs. She led them to a very large room. The...

016 :: What we do
Cinema. Peter. Select. (Peter) The screen lit up. It had a...

017 :: Making Sushi
Time to cook. (Peter) Naomi stood watching Peter wiping down the kitchen...

018 :: A Table
Peter placed a stool at the end of the coffee table in the sitting area. He laid a...

019 :: Phoebe and George
Hi Peter (Phoebe) Evening Phoebe. Can I take that for you. Diane is in the...

020 :: Letter
Dearest Sister Day two. I woke up to my first full day in London feeling so...

021 :: Exploring her Skroll
Naomi woke in an empty bed. She had gone to sleep alone. Sprawled. In...

022 :: Playback
Naomi touched the picture of the master lifting sushi from her nipple. It was the...

023 :: Ear worm speaker
Naomi looked at the door. It opened. Peter came in. Good morning....

024 :: Coffee
Naomi typed on her Skroll. She spoke in English.. Show my....

025 :: Dreams
Tell me your dreams. (Peter) To have a house like this. To have parties that are...

026 :: Miller
Shall I tell you our duties for today. (Peter) Yes. Please. (Naomi) We have to tidy...

027 :: Letter
Dearest Sister, Day Three. This is the best time of the day, the time I can type...

028 :: First Morning Duties
Naomi woke before the alarm. She sat up. Bold red figures appeared on the...

029 :: Reflection and Revelation
Naomi opened her Skroll. She tapped on her image. Scrolled back to her...

030 :: Breakfast
Peter’s Skroll buzzed. He spoke quietly for Naomi to read the translation...

031 :: Letter
Dearest Sister, Day four. Sometimes things are a little silly here. I made...

032 :: Learning to ehhlie
Peter came into the room. Naomi was lying on the bed. You get used to the...

033 :: Shopping
Naomi and Peter walked down the high street. Across the lights. Back forty...

034 :: The Poor
Peter opened his Skroll. He tapped. The screen changed to blue. He...

035 :: The Gym
Shall I show you the gym. (Peter) Naomi nodded. Peter stood. Naomi...

036 :: Free to laugh
Naomi and Peter walked back to M&S to collect their order. This time the door...

037 :: Two animations by Jack
Naomi lay on the bed. Opened her Skroll. She tapped on the picture of...

038 :: Music to play memories to
A pot of water was boiling in the kitchen. Naomi stood next to it. Peter...

039 :: Letter
Dearest Sister Day five and today I report that everything is just right in...

040 :: Second morning duties
Peter woke Naomi. She jolted. She looked frightened as she worked out where...

041 :: Music, magic and sex
Naomi opened the bedroom door. Peter was sleeping. Naomi put one earpiece in her...

042 :: Cooking is not my thing
Peter came up the stairs. Naomi sat at the breakfast bar. Two bowls. ...

043 :: A mother
Naomi and Peter were sitting at the end of the garden. What this. (Naomi) Oh. ...

044 :: As if not spoken aloud
Peter and Naomi sat in silence at the end of the garden. The Thames on the one end...

045 :: Bathing Diane
Naomi lay asleep on the lower terrace. Peter woke her. Diane will be home...

046 :: Watching a film with Peter
Peter looked up when Naomi entered the cinema room. He pointed to the sofa chair...

047 :: Letter
Dearest Sister Day six and I hope you will write to me soon. Everything has...

048 :: The au pair at work
Naomi awoke in the dark. Her movement caused the alarm to light up. Red...

049 :: Practicing anal
Naomi sat watching the door. Waiting for Peter to come in. When he did she...

050 :: John sets Naomi a task
Naomi sat wrapped in her towel. Just out of the shower. Peter lay on his...

051 :: Cooking breakfast with Maelle
Peter stood in front of the open fridge. Naomi sat at the breakfast table looking...

052 :: Street Advertisement
Naomi closed the door quietly. She was wearing her ehhlies. She had her...

053 :: Sparkle protests
Naomi stopped at M&S. Orders and collections. She tapped the...

054 :: Silence like discouragement
They were quiet in the house. Quite like they did not know how to start a...

055 :: Letter
Dearest Sister Day seven and I can see the potential for me here. The streets...

056 :: Flirting one oh one
Naomi put her Skroll on the shelf. She pulled on her pink gloves. She started...

057 :: No one to talk to
The Skroll buzzed. Naomi picked it up. An alert. Diane wanted to be...

058 :: A numbers games
Peter heard a sigh. He started. Turned to the screen. They were nearly...

059 :: A bull horn
Peter. Bring the bull horn to my room when you are done. (Diane) Diane left the...

060 :: Lessons in erotic dance
Naomi woke before her alarm. She looked at the bold red numbers floating above her...

061 :: Watching the Voyeur
Peter watched her come to the bedroom. She smiled at him. Your dance was totally...

062 :: Practice, practice, practice
Peter came up the stairs. Naomi tidied away her breakfast dishes. She went down to...

063 :: Letter
Dearest sister, Day eight and I am dictating this letter right under that very screen...

064 :: A secret message
Naomi leaned against the advert. She smiled as Jack approached. An...

065 :: Life is peaceful
Naomi did not exercise for long. Half an hour at the gym. She skated...

066 :: Double-time clean
Naomi. Naomi. (Peter) Naomi sat up. Looked at Peter calling her in. ...

067 :: Letter
Dearest Sister, It is still day eight and I am writing an additional note. It is...

068 :: iQ explained
You need to shower. (Peter) She looked at him. Peter stood at the door. ...

069 :: The Man
069 :: The Man A visitor was sitting on the chair. Facing the fire. Diane...

070 :: Letter
Dearest Sister There is so much potential here. Wow, that is quite a sentence to...

071 :: MdMa
Naomi woke in an empty bed. Peter was upstairs taking coffee to Diane's...

072 :: Talking about fucking
Naomi lay on the bed with the speakers in her ears. She was doing an exercise on...

073 :: Liking a minidoc
Peter liked Naomi’s minidoc. Your minidoc is really wow. Were you being a...

074 :: An unexpected request
Peter showed Naomi to the level 1 English classroom. A small room on the...

075 :: The au pair cafe
Peter waited for Naomi in the corridor. He made the sign of drinking from a small...

076 :: Saturdays
You can keep your clothes on today. (Peter) Naomi opened her Skroll. She looked...

077 :: Pegging
Peter entered the room carrying a little black bag. We have to practise this....

078 :: Riding in the dark
At eight Naomi checked her Skroll. Jack was in his house. She dressed. ...

079 :: The invisible man
The door opened. A man led Jack and Naomi down a corridor. They entered a...

080 :: LonMet report
Naomi closed the front door. She leant her back on the door for three...

081 :: Official warnings
Naomi woke. She looked at the time on the wall. She reached for her...

082 :: Personal warning
Peter woke Naomi. Diane wants you upstairs. (Peter) Naomi sat up. ...

083 :: letter
Dearest Sister I guess when you see this you will say you told me, and you were...

084 :: Pretending everything is fine
Are you in trouble. (Peter) Naomi nodded. She held up her Skroll. Peter...

085 :: Detailed notes
Peter woke in the night. What are you doing. (Peter) Nothing. Just writing...

086 :: Peter steps in
Peter woke alone. He lay for a while staring at the ceiling. Maybe thinking...

087 :: An empty bench
Peter checked his Skroll. Naomi had not moved. Still at the river near the...

088 :: Never the right thing
Peter stood in the street in front of Jack’s House. He opened his...

089 :: Do better
Peter stood looking out the kitchen window. Hi. (Diane) Peter spun...

090 :: Reset
Peter did not reset Naomi’s Skroll. It would reset automatically when she...

091 :: London lottery dream
Outside London the dream of being a John is at its most potent. Especially in the...

092 :: The second referendum
London is only for the rich. The clever thing was creating the border cities. ...

093 :: Hank and Rita
At the time of the referendum Hank lived in Bristol. He had voted yes. He was...

094 :: The au pair plan
Hank worked in Gatwick Airport Processing deportations. Processing failed au...

095 :: A new walled city
Hank worked as a security officer in Gatwick Airport when he first came to the service...

096 :: Tinsley House
Hank worked in Tinsley House. Documenting illegals. Processing immigrants. ...

096 :: Watching the sex tape again
Hank was watching from the second floor window when she arrived at Tinsley House. ...

097 :: The process
Hank was watching from the second floor window when she arrived at Tinsley House. ...

098 :: Remember me
Hank left her in the cell for half an hour while he processed the others. He left...

99 :: Being watched
Hank was being watched. Hank knew he was being watched. Or he thought he was...

100 :: The interview
The au pair looked up when Hank entered the room. Hank smiled at her. He...

101 :: Hank makes a plan
Mariam watched Hank lead Naomi out of the room. She tapped her screen. The camera...

102 :: Life outside London
Hank was right. Outside London they did not care about au pairs. Outside...

103 :: Women in limbo
Mariam opened a camera of the common room. The one Hank had said. The escape...

104 :: Biometric checkpoint
Mariam disconnected her car. The charging bay was the privilege of her senior...

105 :: Finding Naomi
Marram drove slowly through the industrial estate. Passed prefab corrugated...

106 :: The argument
Mariam and Naomi sat in the car. Mariam opened her Skrolll. She sheared for...

107 :: Driving on small roads
Mariam drove her small car down small roads. Smaller roads have fewer...

108 :: Welcome to the collective
Mariam led Naomi into the house. It was an old fashion house. Not 360...

109 :: Settling in
The group sat at the table quietly sipping their drinks like they were waiting for...

110 :: Morgan's garden
Madison was sitting at the table when Naomi came down the next morning. Drinking...

111 :: Patrick's flirt is wasted
Patrick walked to the vegetable page where Morgan and Naomi were gardening. ...

112 :: Lunch time conversation
A feast was spread on the table. A large lasagne. Salad. Breads. ...

113 :: Finding Naomi Dance
The silence at the table was broken by Naomi, I like make minidoc....

114 :: Risk assessment
Mariam dampened the enthusiastic mood at the dinner table. Is this a good idea. ...

115 :: Goodbye Mariam
Patrick walked Mariam to her car. Is something wrong. (Patrick) No. I just...

116 :: Technojargon
Kaianne turned on a camera. Then another. Kaianne, Madison and Naomi were...