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Elliot’s Adventure                                                                              By Les Lea

It had been a hectic time in the Lawrence household. Dad James was needed to supervise a building project his company had won the contract for in India and was looking to be away for about a month.

At the same time all this was happening his wife Annie was about to embark on a world tour promoting the latest album as lead singer of Groove Divas International, a four-piece female vocal group who, in a recent pop survey, were the Number One selling act of the year. With their fourth album in the can and, thanks to pre-orders, had already hit the top spot in America as well as the European and Asian markets, the tour was sold out and would make millions in sales, appearances and merchandise. It was the biggest tour the girls had undertaken so far but would also be the most financially rewarding, mainly because they’d written all the songs on the new album themselves. It was an exciting time for the Divas.

It was taking too much time and they were late. James’s driver sitting with engine running was waiting impatiently outside their impressive townhouse (right in the middle of the trendy part of the capital) ready to whisk him to the airport, whilst another limo was also waiting impatiently for its occupants to be transported north to the Yorkshire Dales.

“C’mon kids,” yelled James looking at his watch in a panic, “I should be at the airport by now”.  

Meanwhile, Jenny (Genevieve) and Elliot, the Lawrence’s two children, fourteen and eight respectively, were not happy that, with the school summer break upon them, they were being shipped off to their aunt’s place in the country.

There was no denying that Aunt Catherine’s was a wonderful farm-style place to visit, but neither kid wanted to spend more than a few days there as there was absolutely nothing to do except ‘enjoy’ the countryside, go for walks and feed the animals. ‘Two days tops’ was their opinion of such a visit, the idea of a six-weeks stay, their entire summer break was ridiculous. However, with their parents otherwise engaged, it was settled they couldn’t be left on their own and Catherine and her daughters, Dionne and Dusty (named after Catherine’s two favourite singers) were looking forward to having visitors. Dionne was sixteen, whilst Dusty was the same age as Jenny.

Catherine was James’s older sister and the only relation who lived near enough, and able, to take in the two workaholic’s offspring. Annie’s success had provided the family with a very high living standard; a huge house, famous friends, the kids had their own room and every conceivable gadget any child could desire. Of course, the family could have hired a live-in nanny or companion but it was thought the countryside would be for the best.

Alas, things were going to be a bit more basic out in the country because Catherine had banned too much reliance on mobile phones and electronic gizmos. The phones were for work purposes and not entertainment. She saw how obsession on the various social platforms had damaged so many children and was determined that wasn’t going to happen to her girls. That was definite; she even got rid of Wi-Fi in the house. TV, radio, CDs and restricted use of old electronic games was allowed but she encouraged her daughters to read, think and develop their own artistic interests. Jenny and Elliot were going to be in for quite a culture shock for the foreseeable future... or until their father was able to return home. If in fact he could get away – the Indian government were insistent that he didn’t leave the country until the multi-trillion Rupee development his company was building was well underway.

Meanwhile, Annie’s tour was so successful that extra dates were being added even as the tour started. The two-month tour may well be extended such was the demand and with dollar signs flashing in everyone’s head... the more gigs the better.

Off course they’d miss their children but both Annie and her husband agreed, that with Catherine’s help, and she was keen to help out in any way she could, then all eventualities could be catered for. They were convinced that time spent in the countryside, in the fresh air and nature surrounding them, with their aunt and cousins would be the best solution to their over-privileged kids (even if it was they who over-privileged them).

Catherine was immensely proud of her architect brother and equally proud of the woman he married who’d found success slightly later than is normal for a girl (women) band. She’d had limited success as a solo singer but once they put the ‘Divas’ together their popularity just soared.  

#

The Divas, as their full band title was often reduced to, had been put together for a TV talent show. The surprising vocal range and dynamics of all four women meant that they won and their first single catapulted straight in at Number One on the UK chart. Over the following couple of years this was followed by more hits and ‘Diva’ albums sold well. However, the only fly in the ointment for the girls (women) was the lack of autonomy. That had been sorted with a management clear-out and now Groove Divas International was a force to be reckoned with. Anyone in the right mind wouldn’t dream of taking on all four women once they’d decided on what direction they intended to take. Once it was ‘girl-power’ now it was ‘women-power’.

Their ex-manager (a wannabe Svengali) had tried to control them but hadn’t reckoned that these were not a bunch of desperate-for-fame kids who’d do anything to get to the top. These were older and more mature, and in Annie’s case at least, a mother and wife, who was just as likely to punch someone’s lights out as she was to give them a kiss. Her years on the road before she found fame had hardening her but knew when and where to lay on the feminine charm... as did the rest of the Divas.

They were sexy and with ages ranging from Denny at twenty-one through to Annie at thirty-four the group appealed to a huge age spectrum. Even teenaged boys wrote fan letters to Annie who had become (in another poll in a men’s online magazine) the top MILF. She took this as a compliment and oozed desirability in interviews, having someone as old as Annie in the band had been no drawback to the Divas appeal. The others in the band were Sally aged twenty-four and Marci who at twenty-eight was also married but had recently filed for divorce.

Meanwhile, Catherine was absolutely besotted with her sister-in-law. She’d said on numerous occasions that, if she had another daughter she’d name her Annie. She jumped at the chance of hosting her nephew and niece for the summer break (or as long as necessary) and looked forward to her daughters having new playmates over the long school summer holiday.

Her rural home was just that - homely. Her husband had died a few years earlier but instead of falling apart had decided that she and her daughters would become as self-sufficient as possible. With the insurance money she bought a small holding, grew her own veggies, had a couple of animals and chickens and absolutely adored the life she had as her children grew up. Her daughters, although at first struggled with the lack of technology, had come around to the way their mother thought and embraced it as much as she had. They didn’t miss not being on any of the social platforms despite their mates telling them of the latest “fantastic fun challenge” they were missing. They felt glad to be missing it.

#

Just before Jenny and Elliot were packed into the car both were moaning to their father about having to spend all their time at their auntie’s. Elliot especially got into a temper tantrum, shouting and calling everyone names and generally annoying his sister who was slightly more disposed to seeing her cousins again. Still, Elliot moaned, he’d be the only boy and strutted around generally being an annoying little so-and-so who wanted everyone to know he was only going under duress.

Their father urged them to get a move on so when he saw both his kids slam the limo doors shut... a final testament that they weren’t happy, he locked up relieved that they and he could finally be on their way. “Bye” dad muttered but they weren’t in the mood for pleasantries so he simply waved and climbed into his waiting car. It was funny to see which vehicle could get underway the fastest. The kid’s limo won.

After nearly a four hour journey the driver of the limo that delivered them to their aunts door thought they were an obnoxious pair of up-themselves kids and couldn’t wait to dump them and get back to doing what he enjoyed most – the company had a stretch limo so taking hen parties around to various clubs was always a delight. The tips and offers of free sex he always received made the job just about the best a guy like him could wish for.  

As soon as they arrived Aunt Catherine rushed out to greet them and herded the two visitors inside to say hello to their cousins. Meanwhile, the driver, desperate to return, got the case out of the boot and left it in the middle of the drive, he wasn’t their damn lackey, and drove off leaving a dusty trail behind him.

Jenny, thinking that he’d have brought her case inside wandered out and saw the only case out on the driveway was hers, she wondered where Elliot’s was. He’d taken so long to pack, making sure he had all the things he thought a sophisticated and entitled eight-year-old should need but, he was in such a bad mood, she couldn’t actually remember seeing him bring out his bulging case or put it in the boot of the limo.

‘Oh well’, she thought, ‘at least I have my stuff’.

#

Of course Elliot had a fit when told his case wasn’t there. He made his aunt call the driver who informed them there had only ever been one case and he’d deposited it and the kids where they were supposed to be. Elliot demanded that he return to the house and pick up his case but it was all locked up and there’d be no one there now until either their father or mother returned home.

This set him off crying and generally being a pain but his aunt soothed him with reassuring words that everything would be alright and that he shouldn’t worry about a thing, they had plenty of stuff for him to ‘play out’ in.

“Play out” that was the last thing Elliot wanted to do. He wanted his PlayStation, his electronic gizmos, access to the internet... if he was going to be stuck in the wilderness he at least wanted to be entertained. He had no idea that even if he’d brought such stuff, most of it wouldn’t have worked. Anyway, he was in a sulk and a definite tantrum was bubbling away, so when it did break free...

Unfortunately, his temper and crying had had a terrible effect, he’d wet himself, which occasionally happened if he got too emotional. Catherine noticed this little problem, and not wanting the poor boy to be embarrassed, was quick to make him go take a shower and then she’d wash his soaked clothes.

He wasn’t happy but knew he couldn’t sit around in wet pants so reluctantly did as his aunt suggested. As he showered himself she gathered up all his wet clothes and took them away. Once he’d finished she was there with a thick towel and led him to his room. Dionne, the eldest had her own room, whilst Jenny would be sharing with Dusty, there was a box room that they used for guests but was quite small and just large enough for a bed and a set of drawers. Elliot recoiled at just how small it was. He was convinced that the animals his ‘surrogate’ family surrounded themselves with had more room than him. Back home his bedroom was ten times the size of this and held all his gadgets and TV and stuff... this was a prison cell or so he thought. Meanwhile, because they’d put some posters of dinosaurs up on the wall (the last time he visited he’d been dinosaur mad) Catherine thought they’d made the room quite welcoming.

Alas no.

Elliot got all angry and emotional and without warning peed into the towel just as his aunt had finished drying him. She thought for a moment, but didn’t say anything, the boy was already in a state and she didn’t want to make matters worse. However, as it was getting towards evening she decided to get him ready for bed there and then. There was a problem that first needed dealing with. She intended to make sure he wouldn’t wet the bed and after him twice already letting a stream of pee go, she was taking no chances. She dug out a set of nappies, from when her own girls had been in the need for them (luckily they were already packed in a case in the small box room), which she thought should be ideal for their young guest.

Elliot had been snuffling into a dry bit of the towel and wasn’t really taking too much notice of what his aunt was up to so it came as a shock when she began to fold a large square of fabric into a nappy shape.

The eight-year-old went ballistic and started screaming and shouting that he wasn’t a baby. His aunt tried her best to calm him down, telling him it was just a temporary measure seeing as he was in an unfamiliar place and might not get his bearing’s right if he needed the toilet during the night.

His tantrum hit a peak but she wouldn’t relent. She did something she’d never done to either of her daughters and slapped his naked bum and told him to calm down. The shock temporarily silenced him but moments later he was back to his screaming ways; this time her hand landed with much more ferocity and not only the once. She smacked his little rump until he was crying because he hurt not because he was having a paddy.

This was not her usual first resort but the poor boy had got himself into such a state he needed to get a grip on reality. Words were having no impact so a swift sharp shock she hoped would focus his head.

“Elliot, you have to know that in this house we have rules and, as things stand, I think you’re in need of a little protection... for your own good as well as my furniture.” He stopped his blubbing but was not happy. “Now, you’ll wear a nappy tonight and then we’ll check in the morning and see where we go from there... OK?”

He was used to getting his own way and this was definitely something that did shock him and brought him to a different situation. Realising he wasn’t going to win with this approach he gave up. With a renewed vigour and whilst he was still relatively compliant Catherine pinned him into a nappy, pulled up a pair of crinkly plastic pants and found something she hoped he’d like, a onesie with images of various dinosaurs printed all over it.

It had been meant as a present. Last time he visited that was all he talked about or played with, his collection of dinosaurs. Catherine had a special onesie made as a surprise gift for his birthday. It was meant for his seventh birthday but circumstances changed and agreed meetups never happened, so he never received it. However, now seemed a great time to get him into something she knew he’d appreciate and hopefully calm him down.

She fed his legs in and then his arms and zipped him up. He didn’t like it but he’d never been smacked before and wasn’t keen on it happening again so was quite subdued as his aunt cooed and said how nice he looked. Unfortunately, the bulky padding could not be hidden and Elliot appeared unsettled when returned to the living room where his sister and cousins wondered what the rumpus had been about.

Seeing him dressed as he was taking them by surprise but all the girls expressed delight in the onesie.

“Having an early night?” Dionne cheerfully asked. “You look very comfy in that onesie... dinosaurs... classy and fun... I bet...” she was being upbeat and trying her best to make him feel at home but he was having none of it.

“Who the fu..” he paused, “Who likes dinosaurs?” Elliot demanded as he sat grumpily on the sofa in his padding and feeling decidedly very much the little kid. This was not the way he saw himself or hoped others saw him. At school he was a leader (and a bit of a bully) and thought himself so much better than everybody else. His mum was famous so that made him special and he expected everyone to realise that and behave according to his rightful superior status.

“Well, don’t you?” His aunt queried.

“When I was a little kid maybe but I’m grown up now so... NO,” he shouted the word for emphasis and then added dismissively, “Pwfff, dinosaurs are for little kids.” The other’s tried to hide their smiles at his attempt at being grown-up but he looked so cute and juvenile it was impossible to take his petulance seriously.

He pulled at the fabric as if in disgust but the material was quite stretchy and had a lovely soft fleecy feel to it and, with the zip up the back, he wasn’t coming out of it anytime soon.

#

Jenny noticed his thick padding and whispering, whilst he was otherwise distracted by the argument with his aunt, pointed it out to her cousins.

“Yes,” said Dionne knowingly, “mum said he’d wet his pants, they’re in the wash now but I didn’t think she’d put him in a nappy, how embarrassing for him.”

Dusty’s eyes seemed to sparkle mischievously and huddled in close to her sister and cousin.

“Why don’t we make sure he’s kept wearing a nappy all the time he’s here?”

“Why would we do that?” Dionne, as the eldest needed a reason.

“Is there anything better to do?” Dusty said curtly.

“It’ll make more work for mum.”

“Well we could offer to pitch in and change him when necessary.”

“Urrrrgg!” Dionne ventured her opinion on that idea.

“He’s not gonna go Number Two’s in his nappy is he?” Dusty showing her age a little there, “but, even if he did we can make it part of a game of dress-up, erm, or something?” She didn’t sound as confident in her idea now.

However, the suggestion had got Jenny’s interest. She was already a bit fed up with her brother behaving like a spoiled brat and, as far as she was concerned, this might be a fun way of making the time at the farm go by.

“Sounds a fun idea to me,” she giggled to her cousins, “and besides, he pees the bed at home so he should be wearing a nappy all the time by rights.”

This was a little lie. He’d had a few accidents over the last year or so but no way was he a constant bed-wetter. However, knowing this piece of added information made the girls agree to give the proposal a try. Operation Elliot’s Nappies might just be the fun needed to keep them occupied over the summer break. Well, for as long as it lasted anyway.

All this was whispered as Elliot was glued to his favourite TV show. ‘At least they had television’ the youngster thought.

Since he’d been put in a nappy and pyjamas (and whilst the memory of his smacked bottom was still very much on his mind), Elliot had settled down to being a contrite and unfussy eight-year-old. He had no idea the girls were planning anything, or that he would be at the heart those plans.

Catherine announced that food was on the table so everyone trooped into the kitchen to enjoy a late home-cooked meal of chicken and mushroom pie, green beans, mashed potatoes and thick gravy. Elliot started to say how much he hated mushrooms but Catherine gave him a look that immediately silenced him. He wasn’t going to be getting his own way with her anytime soon.

“I’ll remember that for future so just pick the bits out that aren’t for you. However, just so you know and for your future reference.” His aunt looked intently at her eight-year-old guest, “We leave only clean plates in this house so you’ll eat whatever is put in front of you. Any tantrums Elliot and you will be dealt with severely.” She brightened up, “However, I’m sure that isn’t going to be a problem and that you and your sister will have a fantastic time whilst staying with us.”

His cousin’s smiled and agreed with their mother, whilst Jenny smiled and gently patted her brother’s arm. Their aunt had set some pretty reasonable house rules so they’d better get used to them otherwise they were going to have an awful time. She looked up to Aunt Catherine, “I’m sure we’re going to have a fabulous time aunty and thanks for letting us stay.”

Elliot was surprised at these positive words from his sister because it wasn’t something he thought either of them wanted. However, he just looked fed up with the pie still steaming in front of him, shuffled slightly in his chair and sighed. The nappy was definitely taking some getting used to but hoped he’d be returned to his own clothes come the morning.

#

“Aunty,” It was after the meal and Jenny had volunteered to help with the washing up (no dishwasher in this household but nonetheless eager to get in her aunt’s good books) “can I have a quick word?”

“Of course love what is it?”

Jenny checked that her cousins were keeping her brother occupied by discussing what to watch on TV.

“Well, erm, I see you’ve got Elliot in nappies...ermmm...” She paused as if trying to find the right words.

“Yes he wet himself a second time whilst having a tantrum so I thought it was for the best.” Catherine tried to move the conversation on.

“Yes, well, um, that’s what I wanted to talk about.”

“I’m sorry love... I know you’re only trying to protect your brother but I think he needs them until I can be sure he’s calmed down a bit.” Catherine thought it was nice of her niece to be so concerned about her sibling but she was laying down the law from the word go and...

“Actually aunty I think you’re right,” she interrupted, “I mean, I don’t want to make things difficult for him but this isn’t the first time.” She moved in closer so as to make what she said next just between the two of them. “He’ll deny it of course but he’s wet his pants a few times now. Dad more or less said he should be in nappies but mum wouldn’t hear of it so it never happened... but I think you’ve done yourself and dad a favour.”

Catherine appraised what had been said “So your dad wanted to put him back into nappies did he?

“Well, he didn’t like to upset mum so it wasn’t a continual argument,” Jenny was whispering so low now no one in the other room could have heard. “But yes, he thought it might be a good idea. Although Elliot plays at being a loud and raucous big boy I think he’s still just a little kid... I think dad has his doubts as well.”

“Well in that case...” She looked across at her nephew who was sitting on the sofa and arguing with Dionne and Dusty about some programme or other, “perhaps for the immediate future I should keep him in them.”

“I think it might be a good way of protecting the bedding or at the very least I’d put a plastic sheet on it if nothing else.” Jenny added conspiratorially.

“Thank you love I’ll keep what you’ve said secret, just between you and me, OK?”

“Thanks aunty, you’re the best.” She kissed her aunt’s cheek and scampered off to join the others.

#

It was true that Elliot had occasionally wet himself when getting worked up over something or having a tantrum (which he seemed to have a great deal of for an eight-year-old). It wasn’t a regular thing but one his parents had been aware of but had been very understanding - passing it off as just ‘one of those things a kid does’ and nothing to worry about. Annie was convinced that all eight-year-old boys go through such things, although where she got this fascinating fact from she couldn’t recall.

Parenting had changed for both Annie and  since Genevieve had been born. Both had become incredibly busy and now that their youngest could more or less look after himself (or so they thought) they could dedicate more time to their business pursuits. As a result Elliot missed out on a lot of the affection and family-time his sister had enjoyed. In many ways, the couple’s success had made them see things only from their own career-biased point of view. They had no idea that such an attitude would be so damning to their young son. His acting out, his temper tantrums, his bullishness at school - all should have been indicators but were lost on them. Elliot thought his possessions proved how much his mummy and daddy loved him but in fact they were a salve to their own ambitions.

So, the fact that his Aunt Catherine had not only noticed but actually done something about his slight wetting had stunned the poor boy. Sitting on the sofa in padding and pyjamas whilst his sister and cousins were still dressed like they had been all day had made him feel small. He hoped that no one else knew about his wet pants so when he sat down in the living room he didn’t explain why he was wearing a onesie and hoped his aunt wouldn’t say anything either.

Thankfully, and to make him feel better and stop any speculation, Catherine had told everyone that the onesie was a gift and was so excited to see him wear it he offered to put it on straight away. It didn’t deflect what the girls already knew but she hoped that by saying that out as an explanation, Elliot wouldn’t be too self-conscious. It seemed to work.

Fortunately the girls made a fuss about the dinosaur onesie and pretended to be envious of such an item. Jenny saying she wasn’t surprised he wanted to wear it as it looked great and so comfortable. Even the dogs came up and sniffed him before retiring to their own blanket in the corner of the room. No one mentioned the thick nappy underneath and perhaps naively Elliot thought perhaps he was safe from any embarrassing name calling.

Both visitors had mobile phones that they looked at but found to their horror that there was no Wi-Fi connection so their apps and other such games weren’t working as well as they did. They could receive texts and calls with no problem but otherwise, it was not what they were used to. This frustrated Elliot in particular but he’d already exhausted his grumpiness to0 get his own way and it hadn’t worked. When it was explained to him that his cousins found they didn’t need it he looked at them as if they must be backward... or everyone in the Yorkshire Dales was. Still, no matter how annoying, that was the way it was and he’d simply have to get used to it... like the rest of his present circumstances.

However, at nine o’clock his aunt told him it was time for bed. Again he had a tantrum telling her he never went to bed that early at home school night or not and certainly not during the holidays.

“Well young man,” Catherine was trying to be understanding but thought an eight-year-old needed as much sleep as possible, “the girls aren’t going to be long behind you but let’s have no arguments... bed now.”

“But can’t I stay up and watch...?” He pleaded but in an angry manner that didn’t go down well with Catherine.

“Bed now and I’ll be up to tuck you in...”

“But I’m not tired I’ll not sleep I’m....” Elliot interrupted.

“Whether you sleep or not, I don’t mind, but a boy your age needs his rest so, for the final time... bed now please.”

Remembering his still sore bottom from being swatted earlier he thought better than causing a scene but needed to let her know that an early bedtime wasn’t for him as his mother let him stay up until he was ready. He didn’t want to argue in front of his sister and cousins as it put him in bad light but he’d explain all that when she came up to tuck him in but for the moment he resentfully aimed for his box room.

#

He still couldn’t get over just how cramped the room was. His bed was surrounded by boxes and cases of stuff and whilst they’d tried to make it a bit nicer with the posters, it really was a dump. In fact, it was where Catherine kept her kid’s old clothes which were neatly folded away and stored.  It was one of these open cases that Elliot noticed as he entered ‘his’ room. It was the one where his aunt had pulled the nappy he was now wearing from and he could see there was more childish stuff: more nappies, plastic pants, bottles, tins, packages, bibs, clothing all of which he quickly scanned through before his aunt arrived.

A shiver ran down his back as he climbed in to bed but the loud crinkle gave away the fact that there was a plastic mattress cover under the bottom sheet. He wondered if that was always there or had been put on for his benefit. He also knew that wetting his pants when he had a tantrum (“overly excited” as his mother called it) was a lot worse than he led people to believe. On several occasions he’d had to change quickly before anyone else saw the tell-tale stain and had become a dab-hand at hiding his shame by being generally disagreeable with everyone. The tantrum was just part of his repertoire of reactions to his guilt, which oddly enough often caused him to wet more. Being eight he just didn’t learn from this simple fact.

However, as he snuggled (and crinkled) down Christine came up to tuck him in.

“There,” she smiled in encouragement, “isn’t that better to be all warm and snuggly than being sat in front of the TV screen?”

“But at home I never go to bed before ten or eleven... mummy says...”

“Well love, your mother has her ways and I have mine so, while you’re staying here... we’ll go by my rules and neither Dionne or Dusty ever stayed up past nine o’clock, weekday, school-day or weekend until they were teenagers... so sweetheart, for you, it’s bed at nine and no later.... understand.”

“But, but...”

“No argument Elliot. Now, are you wet; do you need changing before you go to sleep?”

Elliot could feel a tantrum coming on but at that moment he was sure he was dry and told his aunt so.

“OK then, I’ll take your word but don’t worry if you are... I don’t want you getting a rash so don’t stay in a wet nappy for too long because it will do you no good, OK?”

Inwardly Elliot was fuming at the idea she thought he’d wet. His onesie was for a child, the posters were for a child and he hated being treated as one but, for the moment, he could do nothing about it.

Catherine could see he wasn’t happy so soothed his brow with slow gentle strokes, it was something both her daughters had enjoyed before falling off to sleep, she hoped it would have the same effect on her nephew. He wasn’t happy but the day seemed to have caught up with him and his aunt’s soft caress had the desired result as he drifted off. Catherine looked at her watch, it was 9:15pm she was right he did need his sleep. She saw that there was an old teddy bear just peeping out from one of the freshly opened boxes and gently lay it in his arms. She was a little surprised to see him wriggle and hug it close as he slipped into dreamland.

#

By ten o’clock the girls were all getting themselves ready for bed, even Dionne, who was allowed to go to bed when she felt like it, decided she would have an early night. Meanwhile, in the bathroom Dusty and Jenny were getting into their pyjamas and excitedly discussing Operation Elliot’s Nappies. Just how were they going to make sure their pet project was going to be made to wear a nappy all the time?

“We could just pour a glass of water over him as he sleeps.” Jenny offered. Although, for some reason she didn’t want to admit to already sowing the seeds of doubt in her aunt’s mind.

“Wouldn’t that wake him up and he’d tell mum?” Dusty replied.

“Mmmmm, maybe,” Jenny confessed, “but what about, erm, oh, umm, no I suppose not...”

This was proving harder than they imagined. Eventually Dionne walked in on them and asked what they were discussing. They told her about the glass of water but wasn’t sure that would work.

“Didn’t we see that he wet when in a tantrum? So all we really need to do is upset him and he’ll do it himself.”

The girls were impressed by the cleverness of the oldest of them.

“However, for tonight, and to make sure he wakes up wet... I think a glass of water might be acceptable. Mum will be half expecting it anyway so...” The girls all giggled conspiratorially and the two fourteen-year-olds went off to their bedrooms leaving Dionne to use the bathroom and then...

#

When Catherine came to bed just before midnight she checked in on her daughters and was gratified to see Jenny and Dusty happily asleep. She then popped her head around the door to Dionne who was still up reading.

“Night love... and thanks for all your help today.”

“No problem mum. It’s nice to have visitors and I’m sure Elliot will settle down... it must be such a big change from what he’s used to... no wonder he needed a change.”

“You noticed?” Catherine shrugged.

“We all noticed mum but decided we didn’t want to embarrass the poor boy.”

“Well thank you for that as well... I suppose I’d better check on him before I turn in. Well, goodnight love.”

“Night mum.” She put her book down and turned off the light.

Catherine slipped into the dark box room and found her nephew dead to the world. Surprisingly Smokey the cat was asleep at the bottom of his bed. She wasn’t keen on it being there so lifted it up and put it out. The cat stretched and mewed and silently walked off to find a more convivial spot. Meanwhile, Catherine pulled down the duvet and patted the front of Elliot’s onesie and it was wet so must have leaked. She couldn’t leave him to sleep like that so woke him up, which made him very grumpy as he was led from the warmth of his bed to the bathroom. She removed the onesie and pulled off his plastic pants. She knew they were a little on the old side but had hoped they’d keep everything dry. She didn’t inspect them too closely because the boy’s nappy was also soaked so was desperate, at this late hour, to get him into something drier.

She cleaned him up and led him naked back to his room but not before putting his nappy and plastic pants in the laundry basket.

Dionne appeared at her bedroom door. “Is everything alright mum?”

“Yes love, go back to bed, just a little accident,” a barely awake Elliot was being manoeuvred naked back into the little room.

“Do you need any help?” Dionne offered.

“No love... thanks... its fine. I had hoped the plastic pants would hold it but suspect they’re a bit old and torn and I missed it.”

“Oh OK... I’ll just get myself a glass of water if you’re sure you don’t want me to...”

“No love, thanks but...” and she closed the box room door for some privacy.

Dionne hadn’t thought about the plastic pants, she’d just poured some water over him thinking he was just wearing a nappy. She quickly disappeared into the bathroom, filled a glass of water but checked in the laundry bin and was happy to see the wet nappy and plastic pants. She grabbed a pair of scissors from the cabinet and nipped at the leg holes where it looked like the plastic had come away from the elastic.

That was close but judging by how wet his nappy was it looked like he must have wet himself anyway. She considered this fact as she carried the drink back to her bedroom.

Meanwhile, Elliot’s initial wriggle of defiance faded quickly as sleepiness finally won over his determination he didn’t want to be put into another nappy. Catherine had, despite a bit of a battle, re-nappied her angry and defiant nephew by finding a more substantial pair of thick blue plastic pants in the box which she pulled up and over the generous terry nappy.

Looking down on her little visitor she was angry with herself for resorting to smacking him. Lying there, at that moment, looking for all the world like an innocent little four-year-old in his well-fitted padding reminded her that he was going to take quite a bit of ‘understanding’ as he was used to a completely different way of life. He might have to learn fast but so will she.

His onesie was also wet so she dug in one of the boxes for an alternative. One of her daughters old t-shirts was then tugged into position but by then Elliot was too tired to argue and simply curled up into a ball and returned to sleep. Catherine nudged the teddy back into his arms and smiled as he gently pulled it into a hug.

Dionne lay in her bed, her sister and cousin totally unaware of the drama that had just taken place, and listened as her mum closed the door of the box room.

Mum was really quite tired. It had been a busy day with some events that had taken her by surprise. Her nephew had wet three times that she knew of (which wasn’t in the instructions when she agreed to host her brother’s kids) but had quickly found a solution. However, because of his constant moods and tantrums and with what Jenny declared - Elliot really needed to be wearing protection all the time. Certainly finding him wet just now had made sure that he’d be wearing a nappy at night and that was for certain.

Meanwhile, her eldest daughter lay in her own room hoping she hadn’t made a mess of the project by not thinking ahead. She’d have to be much cleverer than that in future.

# tbc #

Part 2

A tired Catherine hadn’t noticed that it was mainly water that had drenched Elliot’s onesie because his nappy had been soaked as well. She assumed it was all part of the same problem and when she’d checked the plastic pants in the laundry basket the following morning realised she must have missed the tear at the elastic binding. Maybe she hadn’t missed it, maybe he wriggled around so much it tore or maybe he destroyed the pants himself. Whatever the reason, Elliot was going to be wearing a nappy for the rest of the day as she didn’t trust him to not have further accidents.

She was surprised to find him still fast asleep when she went in to wake him just after eight. She slipped her hand under the covers and down his plastic pants and found him to be relatively dry. The plastic pants she’d put on him during the change the night before were a thick dark blue and seemed to contain everything very well so decided she’d let him stay in them for the rest of the day. He’d be changed if he wet.

Not long after Elliot woke up, looked around his small room and immediately remembered how depressingly tiny it was but could see no sign of his clothes. Of course, he’d left them at home so only had those he arrived in and that bloody awful onesie. It took him a moment to remember that last night he’d been changed out of it because it had gotten wet. Then he became aware of the thick fabric nappy and plastic pants he was wearing – unfortunately, that bit hadn’t been a dream. He was laying there a little confused as to why he’d wet again in the night, which was something he didn’t ever remember doing - well he had but no one else knew about that. He disliked the whole thing and especially the fabric that was now bound so tightly around him. After all, he only wet a little at home and even that was just occasionally. Well that’s what his mummy and daddy knew.

Aunt Catherine shouted from the kitchen that breakfast was ready and heard the girls leaving their bedrooms to troop downstairs. Dionne popped her head around the corner of the box room and urged him to not miss it because it would get cold. He could smell the fried bacon from where he was but didn’t want to be seen wearing just a nappy.

“Can you ask your mother where my clothes are?”

Dionne looked at him waiting for the “please” to come but it didn’t so she wandered off without any further comment.

He shouted the same phrase after her but again got no response.

“Bloody girls,” he thought but was still sat up in bed when Catherine came up to see if everything was okay.

“Come on love, your breakfast is on the table you don’t want to let it get cold.”

“Where are my clothes?” He demanded looking accusingly at her.

“Still in the wash, as is your onesie and the nappy you soaked last night.” She was having none of his petulance certainly not at that time in the morning.

The fact he was reminded that he’d wet himself last night took some of his argument away but he was adamant that he wanted some clothes.

“Well,” Catherine said, “for the moment we don’t have anything sorted but come and have your breakfast and then we’ll find you something later.”

“NO,” he shouted, “I want my pants NOW I’m not moving until...”

“Elliot, Elliot... I told you last night that I will not put up with your tantrums now get up and come down for breakfast.”

“NO NO NOOOO... I’m not going down like this.”

“Well you can stay like that for the rest of the day if you want... I’m having my breakfast and yours will stay on the table until you eat it. I told you yesterday that we eat everything so, you have the option of coming down and eating it whilst it’s hot, or, when it’s cold... it’s up to you.”

“But everyone will see this.” He pointed to the thick blue plastic cover to his equally thick nappy. What was worse, in the last few minutes, since aunty had been in his room, he’d nervously wet it. “I don’t want others to see it all.”

Tears began to fall. It appeared that just getting a little upset had the effect of him peeing his pants, or nappy in this case.

“Look sweetheart,” Catherine moved in to speak quietly to her troubled nephew, “your plastic pants cover up the nappy and I don’t think the girls will say anything so don’t worry. They’re just a different pair of pants so nothing to get upset about. You look fine,” she encouraged, “so come on let’s get breakfast and then after we can sort you out.”

It didn’t help but she saw he was not feeling as confident about his position, probably because an angry spurt of pee had just flooded his padding, so took the opportunity to ease him out of bed and lead him by the hand downstairs. His little unsteady waddle telling her his nappy was now as wet as the one last night. The boy was going to be wearing a nappy whether he wanted to or not – she didn’t trust him not to pee all over the house. Perhaps even out of spite.

The girls all smiled and nodded as Elliot made it to the table. His plastic pants creaked as he sat down and there was a sort of whoosh as air escaped from the pressure. The girls continued to smile but said nothing.

“Did you sleep well on your first night?” Jenny expressed some interest of her brother.

She knew he’d been wet because Dionne had filled both of them in on what transpired during the night when they were sleeping. They’d made a pact to only comment if he began to get uppity. They’d also decided that it was in their power to encourage him to wet further by getting him mad so he’d have a tantrum. That was their plan anyhow.

“Okay I s’pose... it was a little cramped,” he murmured almost to himself but was of course heard.

Catherine certainly heard him. “Oh sweetheart, I’m sorry, would you like more room?” She invited his response with a smile.

“Er, if there is more room yes.” Elliot replied wondering why this wasn’t sorted first when he arrived.

“That’s no trouble sweetheart, I have a cot in my room you can use that. My room is much larger and it would mean I could keep an eye on you in the night so... well... you know.” She was nodding in the direction of his wet nappy but trying to make him see she was keeping his secret but it was down to him.

“No, no... just saying,” he was blushing bright red and unsure of his aunt’s intentions, “I’m OK where I am... don’t want to put anyone out.”

“No love, you’re correct, a boy like you, with your erm needs,” she let that sink in before continuing, “should have more space but I told your parents that I’d look after you so, my room tonight and you can have the crib or maybe just get in with me. It might be a bit tight but I’m sure we can cope.”

He wasn’t sure if she was joking or not, or even if she had a crib in her room, but definitely didn’t want to share any space with his aunt.

“No, I’ll be alright aunty, no need to change things.”

“Well, if you’re sure. The offer still stands if being in that room on your own with all those big dinosaurs scares you at all...”

That wasn’t what he meant; it was about space not fear he was complaining about. Why had she changed the argument it made him seem like a scared little kid? He was teetering on another tantrum but grudgingly ate his breakfast instead. He noticed that the girl’s plates had mushrooms on them but his didn’t... so that was something he couldn’t get annoyed with and he loved a cooked breakfast and, despite everything, it was going down a treat.

The girls were gossiping about what they were going to do that fine summer’s day and had come up with a few ideas.

“Now girls,” Catherine spoke to all three, “Whatever you do don’t forget Elliot I don’t want him being left out of your fun.”

“No mum, of course not,” Dusty replied.

#

The girls finished breakfast before Elliot and excused themselves, Jenny and Dusty had both come down in pyjamas so wanted to get changed. Dionne stayed at the table as her mother asked the youngest guest if being scared was what caused him to wet during the night. He shuffled uneasily in his seat, which only emphasised he was sitting in another wet nappy.

“No.”

“Well Elliot, I’m not sure that’s the case but if you’re sure then it must just mean you have a wetting problem because,” she could see him looking very uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was going, “if I’m not mistaken you’re wearing a soaked nappy now.”

Elliot said nothing but tears were forming and he wanted to shout his denials but his huge plastic pants and soaked nappy were hard to deny.

“Mum, it must be difficult for Elliot to adapt to new surroundings,” it sounded like Dionne was trying to come to his defence. “He’s used to a different set of guidelines and house layout so, perhaps, he just didn’t know where the toilet was in the dark.”

Catherine looked at her nephew. “Is that the case Elliot, you lost your bearings which resulted in a soaked nappy?”

He didn’t know what to say because tears of anger and confusion filled his eyes. That wasn’t the case, he had no idea why but it seemed an excuse he could live with so miserably nodded that was the case.

“Oh sweetheart,” Dionne hugged her eight-year-old cousin, “Don’t worry mum, me and I’m sure Dusty and Jenny will all be here to help.” She patted Elliot’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. “Mum, would you like me to change Elliot for you?”

This suggestion didn’t help his self-confidence so more or less threw himself onto the floor in hysterics and trying to get the word “NO” out but Dionne was there to cuddle him and despite his strong urge to fight, she held him tightly until he calmed down.

Dionne spoke to her mother “Why don’t you find some clothes for him and I’ll bring him up once he’s a little calmer.”

“Okay love, that sounds like a plan,” and tottered off whilst Dionne gently soothed her cousin.

“Don’t worry Elliot, we’re all here to help... you’re going to have so much fun and once I’ve got you ready we can go and feed the animals.”

She patted his bulky padding, enjoying the pleasant sensation of rubbing her little cousin’s slippery plastic pants over his sodden nappy. There was no doubt that once he was calmer he really was just like a little four-year-old in need of love and understanding.

Meanwhile, she just rocked him in her arms until he seemed quiet. “There, there, there there... sshhhhh.... ssssshhhhh it’s all going to be fine.”

#

Back in the box room Catherine laid out all the stuff Dionne was going to need to change him, another nappy, some white plastic pants, creams and lotions and a huge container of talc. She’d also been rooting through one of the cases of clothes Dusty had worn at his age and found a relatively nice soft cotton t-shirt and a pair of short pale blue dungarees, which she thought he could wear without him feeling he looked like a girl, although they were just a little bit girly.

Once Elliot was relatively settled his older cousin led him to the bathroom and stripped him down. He didn’t want her to see him naked but she’d been so kind he sort of trusted her and besides, it didn’t look like he was going to get much privacy in this household.

He slipped out of the plastic pants and let her unpin his soggy nappy. “Okay Elliot, take a shower and I’ll see to you after.”

“Can you get my clothes?” No hint of a ‘please’ but she let it pass.

“I’ll go and check on them now.” She picked up his soaked nappy and plastic cover and took them to the laundry room where her mother was just about to put a wash on. “I think you need this as well,” her daughter smiled as she held up the soaked material.

“Mmmmm, well, I think we need to keep him in nappies until we can see what’s going on.”

Of course Dionne was of a similar opinion but pretended to be in his corner. “Really mum, I mean, if you’re sure but he’s asking for his clothes.”

“Is he now, well, tell him they’re still wet so the ones I’ve laid out for him will have to do.”

“Okay, but I bet he won’t like it.”

“Once he’s up and out and about he’ll be fine. Just remind Jenny and Dusty to act normally around him... I don’t want either of them passing comments that might set him off on another one of his screaming fits.”

“Sure.” She returned to the bathroom with a towel just as Elliot had turned off the shower. She stood holding it and he was about to take it when she moved forward and engulfed him in it and started to rub him dry.

He didn’t get chance to complain as the towelling was robust and thorough and hardly enabled any form of chat. She was still rubbing away as she led him back to the box room. She was impressed with what her mother had laid out and gently forced her cousin to lie out on the bed as she wiped his privates.

She splashed some lotion onto the palm of her hand and immediately started to spread it around his groin. He tried to pull away and his hands reached down to stop her. “No, no I can do it...” he tried to intercept her quick fingers.

“Look Elliot, mum said you need protection and this will help prevent any nappy rash from occurring.”

“But I don’t need a nappy for...”

“Well that’s not true now is it? Elliot, you have to understand, you’ve only been with us less than twenty-four hours and you’ve wet yourself several times. Now mum thinks a nappy, for the time being,” she said the words so he knew it was only a temporary plan “is the best idea in these new and different surroundings and will keep you from being embarrassed should it happen again. I think mum is being very understanding don’t you?”

“NO,” he shouted, “I’m not wearing another nappy and that’s final.” He pushed her hands away and folded his arms as if to say he meant it. His ferocious childish petulance had made her smile but she fought not to show it.

“Okay then, but mother has a very hard wooden brush she uses to spank any naughtiness. Do you want her to come and sort you out? Because if she does it will be a sore bottom and you’ll still be wearing a nappy. It seems a silly route to go down but if you insist...”

She got up to leave but obviously, remembering the spanking from the day before, and the thought of this time it being administered with a hard wooden brush got him to think again.

“Okkkaayyy,” he said defeated, “you do it.”

“You’re not going to push me away and you’ll just wear what I put you in?” She said it in such a way as to make sure he knew this was now the deal between the two of them.

He reluctantly nodded.

“All right then, now settle down, your nappy was soaked so there’s no getting away from the fact that you need a nappy.”

He made a snort of derision but other than that offered no further defiance.

She grabbed the material and checked her mother had folded it enough. She added an extra soaker pad, much to Elliot’s annoyance but she just gave him a look and he settled down and let her get on with it.

As she gently placed him in position and folded the nappy under his little well-powdered bum, she was happy to see that such an item didn’t seem out-of-place on his small frame – if anything, it seemed that’s how he should be. Well, that’s what she thought anyway.

A few minutes later and Dionne had him thickly nappied, with white plastic pants pulled up to hold all the fabric. This was more ungainly but had the advantage of not needing to be changed as often.

“There,” Dionne said with a flourish as she let the elastic snap around his waist, “same colour so just like a pair of underpants... nothing to get in a tizzy about... no one will know.” Of course this was all to make Elliot feel better about himself but he had no idea what was coming next.

He hadn’t realised that the small pile of clothes on the dresser were for him he still thought he was going to get his own clothes back.

Dionne grabbed the first item and started to pull the t-shirt over his head.

“Where are my clothes?” He grumpily asked.

“Still in the wash I’m afraid but never mind, mum’s found you loads of stuff you can wear whilst you’re here.”

“But, but I can’t...”

“Look Elliot, I hope we’re not going to have this every time one of us tries to help you. Remember, it was you who forgot your case and it’s you who pees his pants.” She gave him a very stern but understanding look that was supposed to show she sympathised but wouldn’t put up with any silliness. “Now everyone is trying their best to make sure you don’t feel bad about it but you’re making it very difficult.” She spoke to him as if talking to a grown up, “Mum has gone out of her way to make sure you don’t embarrass yourself and let you wear a nappy to hide any accident. You may be unhappy about it but in all honesty... what do you expect if you’re going to wet your pants, eh?”

“But this isn’t fair I mean...”

“Am I going to have to get mum up to put you in this?” She held up the short dungarees.

“But...”

“I think you’re being silly Elliot. These are nice, they’ll be comfy, you can run around the garden, into the woods and generally get as mucky as you like and you’re not ruining your own lovely clothes. Not only that... but these’ll fit perfectly so, what’s not to like?” She added with a reassuring smile.

“They’re girls.” He stuck out a pet lip.

“But no one will know... it’s not like they have princesses and unicorns all over them... they’re just lovely and soft... here have a feel don’t you think they’re nice?

Unenthusiastically he ran his fingers over the soft pale blue cotton material; they were very velvety to the touch.

“But I’ll know.”

Dionne saw his determination soften and so flapped them out and fed his legs into the appropriate holes. A couple of tweaks and adjusting the straps for a tighter fit and he was ready. She smoothed the denim around his padding and because the straps had pulled everything up for a tight fit, Elliot could feel the mass of material pressing against his crotch. She couldn’t help but smile, he looked just like Dusty had when she wore them except for the obvious bulge. However, for a boy who’s known for tantrums, he seemed less stressed now he was wearing something.

“Looking good Elliot,” his cousin confirmed as she patted his padded bottom and led him out of his cramped little bed room.

He may not have been happy about it but the deed was done now and he did look adorable. It would be just a matter of keeping him that way from now on.

Dionne had advised him to thank Catherine and apologise for his earlier behaviour as she was sure that it would go well in his favour. Reluctantly he did and his aunt gave him a huge thankful hug in return. She was happily surprised at just how cute he looked. Still, all appeared well, except Elliot, who resented wearing his cousin’s old clothes... and of course the thick nappy.

However, as no one commented he wondered if it wasn’t as bad as it felt.

Still, there was no denying just how young he looked – more like 4-year-old than how he saw himself, a stylish pre-teen... or even... possibly a teenager?

#

Having fed the animals and chickens the small group of kids ventured down the fields, through the woods and down by the river. It was a lovely warm late summer’s morning and the river was running fast and clear. Small fish could be seen darting about which caught Elliot’s attention as barefooted and paddling in the shallows he tried catching them by hand. He’d all but forgotten how he was dressed, although a slight rustling noise as he moved made it clear he was wearing protection. However, the sound of the rushing water cancelled that sound from travelling too far.

As he dabbled in the cool water Jenny’s mobile rang, it was their father.

“Ohh hello daddy,” she said excitedly as she saw he was facetiming her so they could see each other.

“Hello Sweetpea, how are things going at your aunts?”

“Great daddy, we arrived safely and we’re down by the river at the moment. It’s so nice here and Dionne, Dusty and aunty are great.”

They talked for a little while longer then pointed the camera to show him how idyllic the river looked.

“It’s lovely here daddy just wish you and mummy were with us.” She spoke as she did a pan across the expanse that showed Dionne and Dusty who waved at the camera and ended up on Elliot innocuously ‘fishing’ in a shaded pool.

“Is that your brother?” the question was slightly disbelieving.

“Of course daddy, who did you think it was?”

“I don’t know I couldn’t tell... erm... what’s he wearing.”

“Just some playing out clothes that aunty Catherine found for him.”

“Oh... is that, err, is that some padding?” He sounded confused by what his son had on.

“Yes”, she switched the camera back to her as she whispered to her father what had gone on. “You know what he’s like. Well he had a temper tantrum when we left to come here and forgot to load his case so when we arrived he had no clothes of his own.” She could see her daddy nodding as if he knew all about these tantrums... and they were in a rush. “Then, he wet his pants so aunty had to wash all his clothes and put him in a nappy, which was just as well because he wet again... and he did it again this morning so aunty said he had to stay in a nappy to protect the furniture and stop from embarrassing himself if he wet in public.”

“Oh, yes, I see... but he’s eight for heaven’s sake.” He looked a bit concerned “I’ll talk to your aunty later.”

They chatted amiably for a little longer before she called Elliot over to speak to his father.

“Hello daddy,” he hoped he couldn’t see what he was wearing as he moved in close to the camera. He had no idea that his father had already seen him in his sweet pale blue dungarees and thick padding. “Do you know when you’ll be home?”

“Not yet son... the work’s taking longer than I hoped. However, there are national holidays coming up so I’m hopeful of jetting home then... I’ll keep you informed.”

“We’re missing you.”

“Yes buddy I know and I’m missing you two as well but... we have to earn a living and with mummy on tour I’m just grateful you have a really great family there to keep you company and look after you both.”

“Yes daddy,” Elliot shrugged and was almost in tears because after only a day he was missing him so much. Actually, it wasn’t so much his daddy but the freedom his toys and gizmos at home offered.

“That looks a lovely place down by the river... did you catch anything?”

Elliot bucked up a bit as he told him about the little minnows he’d been chasing and almost catching in his hand.

They made further small talk in which Jenny joined in and it left them happy to have spoken to their father but sadly it didn’t look like he was going to be home anytime soon.

Jenny got her two cousins to shout a greeting and then she panned around which showed a close up of Elliot’s padded bottom. She didn’t dwell on it for too long but there was no doubt she wanted her father to see just what he was reduced to wearing.

“Now son, you be good to your auntie and cousins... you’re a big boy,” his father wasn’t sure if this was in anyway helpful but thought Catherine had enough to contend with so the less outbursts the better, “and your auntie knows what’s best for you so... no playing up, OK?”

The call ended with the promise of bringing them something special back from India but he wasn’t going to tell them what. In fact, he had no idea but thought it would make them happy thinking what it might be - an elephant or tiger maybe?

#

An hour or so later and Elliot sidled up to his sister and said that he needed to go back to the house.

“Why, we’re having so much fun here.” It was true they’d found a rope attached to a tree and had been excitedly swinging out over the river and back.

“I need to take a sh... you know... a poo.” He whispered.

“Oh, well, look... we’re out in the countryside and surrounded by trees and bushes and stuff so why not slip behind that and do it there,” she said pointing to a small dark copse. “It looks private enough.”

He looked over and saw what she meant; it did look like it would shade him from any prying eyes but of course he had a nappy to navigate.

“Look,” he whispered confidentially as he was sure no one else knew, “Aunty has made me wear a nappy and plastic pants under this.” He rubbed at the seat of his dungarees, “So it’s all a bit difficult.”

“Oh, I see. Did you want to wear a nappy?” She knew all about it but was playing the innocent as if this was all news to her. “Oh yes, now I see.” She said gently stroking the large bulge.

Elliot wasn’t sure if she was joking or not but the dungarees fitted tightly so perhaps they weren’t as bad as he thought.

“Dionne put me in all this this morning but I’m not sure about getting them off to, you know, take a dump.”

“Well why not ask Dionne... or do you want me to do it for you.” She asked innocently.

“No, definitely not, no, no,” he seemed adamant that his sister shouldn’t really know about it even though it was pretty obvious after sitting at the kitchen table in a soggy nappy.

“Well,” she emphasised the word, “if you don’t want to wear a nappy in future why not just do it as nature intended.”

He looked at her as if she was out of her mind.

“Look,” she continued with her idea, “I’m sure, if you don’t want to wear a nappy then a way to get out of it is perhaps to make it so no one would want to touch it. Who in their right mind would want to change and clean up a messy nappy... certainly not me?”  She shrugged and walked away to join Dusty who was just screaming in delight as she swung out over the water and returned safely.

His sister’s words actually made sense to him and he began to wonder if he could do that. He saw Dionne watching him but was determined not to let her change him again. The idea of his cousin changing his nighttime padding had embarrassed him and was not keen on repeating that spectacle in the near future. However, if he returned to the house then his aunt would probably unpin him and then... he hated to think. No, perhaps Jenny was right and a messy nappy would warn everyone off but could he do it.

The thing was his eight-year-old brain was no competition for an eight-year-old’s bowel so, when he needed to go, he needed to go quickly. He was desperate to go and the longer he waited the worse his stomach felt. He looked over at the wooded copse and decided that he could crouch down behind that and then emerge with the deed done.

Things were getting urgent so he wandered over and squatted down. Unfortunately, that movement alone seemed to give his bowel permission to start evacuation and quickly filled the rear of his nappy with a huge tidal wave of messy sludge. More than he’d bargained for that’s for sure, so when he re-emerged his nappy was in a terrible state and felt revolting next to his skin.

He was just standing with feet apart and feeling that he had made a fool of himself. The girls were deep in their game so no one was looking his way but he definitely needed help. He dare not move for fear all that stuff that now occupied his sodden nappy would somehow burst out and dribble down the back of his legs. Eventually, Dionne saw him and knew precisely what had happened. Unfortunately, both Dusty and Jenny could see as well and it was Dusty who spoke first.

“Oh Elliot have you had an accident?” All three girls gathered around him but a new aroma filled the countryside.

“Look, let’s get you home,” suggested Dionne, “unless you want to stay like that for the rest of the day.” But Elliot said nothing too stunned at the way this had worked out. “Why didn’t you tell me I could have unpinned your nappy and, if you were desperate, could have gone behind a bush or something?”

Dionne wanted to say more but emotion took hold of her young cousin and he burst into humiliated tears.

#

As one, the girls, in spite of the knowing smiles that passed between them, crowded around offering sweet words and soft sympathy for his predicament. Whilst they moved slowly and cautiously back to the house each told him in turn “not to worry” or that “it’s just an accident” and offering soothing platitudes over this distressing time. However, with each step Elliot knew that this ‘accident’ was going to be a problem. What had he been thinking? It would have been so much easier to undo the dungaree’s straps, then pull down his plastic pants and finally unpin his padding. Why then had he chosen the option he did leaving such an awful mess he was going to find hard to explain or justify. His sister’s words telling him to do just what he’d done no longer seemed like a good idea.

When they got back to the house Catherine was still talking on the phone to her brother who, amongst other topics of conversation, was asking whether it was right to put an eight-year-old back into nappies. She was defending what she’d done and James had to admit it was more or less just what he’d already been told by Jenny.

She could see the little tribe coming back up the garden path and also guessed, from the slow gait and the look of sheer humiliation on her nephew’s face, that something awful had happened. It was Dusty who sidled up and whispered to her mother that Elliot had filled his nappy and needed a pretty drastic change. When Dusty retreated to help with her cousin’s disaster Catherine was more confident in her approach to Elliot’s problem.

“Do you hear that brother,” she knew that on the other end of the line he’d heard every word. “Seems like your boy needs another nappy as he’s just shit himself.”

There was an anguished sigh from the other end of the phone.

“Okay, okay, do what you feel you have to do but try not to make him feel like a little kid.”

“You do know that you and Annie have helped create a rod for your own backs letting him get away with anything and everything?”

“Well, we don’t believe in punishments that...”

“Nor do I,” she interrupted, “but Elliot is not very nice manners-wise or...”

“Yes, yes, don’t go on about our failings for Christ’s sake.” He felt he was under attack from his sister, like he had been whilst a little boy.

Catherine took a breath and calmed down a little. “Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to have a go, you’re both very busy people but whilst he and Jenny are under my roof, I hope you don’t mind me treating them as I would my own?”

“No, of course not, Dionne and Dusty are wonderful examples of politeness and understanding.”

“And so is Jenny.” Catherine interrupted, “but Elliot didn’t get off to a good start when he first arrived, demanding this, expecting that and having tantrums if he didn’t get what he wanted... it’s not...”

James interrupted, “I’m sorry Cath but I have to go... and you’re right... they need to be treated as you treat your own so there’s no complaint from me.”

“Thanks Jim, you know they’ll be safe with me... any chance we might be seeing you soon?”

“If I can get away during the public holiday I might be able to swing a few days home but... they’re not keen on me leaving until the job’s finished. And quite honestly, the way the set-up is out here, I don’t blame them.”

“Okay, we’ll see you when we see you, take care. Bye Jim.”

She put down her phone, looked at a hesitant and forlorn Elliot surrounded by the girls and said “Right, let’s get you to the bathroom first to assess the damage and then...”

# tbc #

 

Part 3

Once Catherine had disappeared into the bathroom with Elliot the girls gathered together to discuss what had happened.

There were smiles and looks of giggly disbelief but the one thing they were all certain about was that Elliot had just become ‘Baby Elliot’ as far as they were concerned. Having liked the idea of him having to wear a nappy all the time the thought of changing a wet one wasn’t too awful but none of them wanted to have to change a messy one. Having said that each in turn had patted his full backside as they’d wandered back from the river and shamefully enjoyed the mushy feeling a thick full nappy produced. The way it made him waddle and the obvious distaste and upset of such a pile in his pants was wonderful to watch. With his sorrowful eyes and trembling bottom lip he really did look the part of a toddler who’d unexpectedly shit himself.

They were also excited by the confused and sulky look their newfound baby had adopted; ‘Full of himself Elliot’ was teetering on the brink of a catastrophe. The girls thought he had no way back seeing as he was carrying around a full and messy load. It made them all smirk but also wonder what was next.

“So girls, what’s the plan?” It was Dionne who asked the question.

“He seems to be doing things on his own, he looked so childish standing there with his legs apart not daring to move,” replied an excited Dusty.

“Well, actually, I saw him doing a little potty dance and asked about going back.” His sister had the other two girl’s attention. “I suggested that, if he didn’t want to be kept in nappies then perhaps, as no one in the right mind would want to change a messy one, he should just fill it.”

“What an awful suggestion.” The girls giggled and wondered what further torment they could come up with.

#

Meanwhile, in the bathroom Catherine was cleaning up a very unhappy, messy boy. This was something she hadn’t been expecting, figuring that he’d be potty trained enough to get to the toilet in time. Yet something else her brother hadn’t informed her about. Still, it was another thing she needed to just sort out and get on with.

She was wiping his dirty bum when she asked, “Why didn’t you ask one of the girls for help if you were struggling with the straps.” She’d assumed that’s the only reason that might have prevented him from getting to the toilet.

He didn’t answer because he couldn’t admit to his sister’s suggestion or that by the time he thought about going to a proper toilet, the need to take a dump was too strong and had no alternative. He certainly wasn’t going to admit he’d done it on purpose. However, his aunt didn’t seem to be horrified by cleaning up a messy nappy, which went against what his sister had suggested and wondered what would happen next.

Once sponged down and led back to his bedroom he realised his aunt was merely going to put him back in an even thicker nappy. He saw her adding a couple of extra soaker pads and this time the terry material was larger to accommodate all it had to contain.  

“I’m not wearing another nappy.” He protested and tried to wriggle away from her.

“Yes, and we’ve been through this before, I’m not yet convinced that you don’t need a nappy permanently because so far you’re using them whilst insisting you don’t need them.” She wasn’t going to defer putting him in one simply on his say so when there was more than a chance he needed one. He was after all a boy who thought he was more grown up than he obviously actually was. She knew boys took a little longer to mature than girls but Elliot’s problem might mean he had yet to grow up at all. Then another thought crossed her mind – could he be doing this on purpose? It didn’t seem likely but it was a thought.

Catherine had always thought that Annie was a lax mother. Not in a bad way but didn’t proscribe to discipline, which meant her kids ran riot. Jenny was older and more sensible of the two but Elliot was really still a little boy who thought he was grown up because of all the freedom he was given. She thought it might be better for him if he didn’t have all that stress and to just let him be himself, a kid – messy nappies or not.

She didn’t see it as anything more than a sensible precaution and despite his protestations pinned him in but only after she told him that his father had agreed to this form of protection.

“He wouldn’t agree to seeing me like this.” Elliot complained.

“Well, I was facetiming him when you arrived so no doubt he saw the condition you were in...”

“Oh no, he’s seen me like this.” He was horror-struck at the thought. Tears immediately sprung in to his eyes and lay there defeated as Catherine closed the last pin into the thickest padding yet. She scrabbled around in one of the cases and found a large pair of pink plastic pants that she eased him into.

“No, no, NO.” He protested more.

“Yes, yes, yes, afraid so sweetheart. I need to be sure we have you well protected and these plastic pants are the most robust ones I have.”

“But, but... but...” for the first time in his life he was speechless and not in control. He was used to getting his own way, or more especially, doing what he wanted, when he wanted and simply wasn’t used to someone else taking charge. His mum and dad were always so busy to take much notice so for a peaceful life they let him do as he pleased. Catherine was not that type of parent and had two well-behaved (if occasionally devious) daughters as a result. His awkward wriggling to try and get away from what was happening was pretty useless. His nappy was on and so were his plastic pants... it was done and could do nothing to alter that fact.

He’d threatened to pull them off at the earliest opportunity; she threatened a spanking if he even attempted such an act.

“Look Elliot, this is simply something you need. You may not like it, or think otherwise but, as you’re a guest in my home, and I want to protect both you and my furniture, this is what you’ll be wearing from now on.”

His snivelling grew louder but noticed that tears didn’t have the same effect as it did on his mummy and daddy, she was determined that what she said... happened.

So, despite feeling angry, put upon and totally resentful, knew he couldn’t complain as he’d just been cleaned up from a very messy nappy which he knew he filled on purpose, well, accidently but knew what he was doing. This holiday was not going as he hoped and now had to wear a baby’s nappy, it was all wrong but his aunt seemed unbending.

Catherine rooted around in another case and found a pair of Dusty’s old shorts she thought would fit over such a huge nappy. They were made from a soft loose grey jersey material and had an elastic waist; it would cover but not camouflage what was underneath. However his aunt slipped it up and over and found him a t-shirt to wear – that was dark blue but with a pale light blue silhouette of a cat licking its paw. Elliot didn’t notice that until he caught sight of himself in the mirror in the hallway but by then he had returned to be with the rest of the family in the living room.

He was not happy but had no say in what was occurring, well, except that he had filled his nappy on purpose and his aunt had reacted by making sure he wore a nappy all the time. He wondered what he could do to get out of this situation. Meanwhile, knowing he could explode at any moment Catherine was hopeful none of the girls would say anything to annoy him.

#

Instead, the girls, having already plotted their reaction, made a fuss and offered sympathetic encouragement, asking if he was alright now and looked lovely in his latest outfit. Each had taken notice of not only how cute he looked but how much younger he appeared wearing what Catherine had put him in. It had been something Dusty had worn when she was five so was quite a surprise that her clothes fitted him so well. All of them loved to see the shorts hanging so loose but mainly enjoyed the puffed-out proof of just what he was wearing underneath. As he sat on the sofa there was a rustling noise and as the leg of his shorts rode up it exposed the padded pink plastic pants he’d been so desperate to hide. The thing was, he didn’t realise this had happened so the girls got a good view of what ‘Baby Elliot’ was wearing.

Dionne walked over and sat next to him and put her arm around his shoulder.

“Don’t worry cuz,” she whispered, “it’s been a mad day so far for you but if you have any further problems just ask and I’ll get you sorted.”

She said it in such a loving way Elliot didn’t realise she was actually having a go. She hugged him and asked him if there was anything he wanted to do as it was still such a pleasant day outside.

If he’d had his games or PlayStation with him that would have been his choice but he had nothing. Even the clothes he came in seemed to have disappeared but in truth because he was wearing a nappy his pants wouldn’t have fit. The girls encouraged him to come out and play with them and, with his aunt saying they couldn’t stay in on such a glorious afternoon, reluctantly followed them into the garden.

#

The garden around the house was huge and it stretched down to the fields, which were also owned by Catherine. To one side were the hen and duck houses - the birds were let out during the day to scrabble around for whatever food they could find that had been scattered for them. Further around were a couple of goats, whose eyes terrified Elliot so he rarely fed or had anything to do with them. His cousins did the milking and his aunt made cheese, which she sold to the local shop. Down the other side of the garden were a couple of rabbit hutches and further down still a large stable. A couple of opaque poly-tunnels and a huge greenhouse contained growing vegetables and some soft fruit plants. Catherine and the girls had made their farm as self-sufficient as possible.

However, the horses had been too expensive to keep so the barn/stable was used for storage and somewhere the girls had made into a play area for when the weather took a turn for the worse. It was a big barn - bales of hay and tools, a freezer, the milk churning apparatus, spare petrol generator if the electrics failed and unused stuff like old furniture and of course feed for the animals.

In a darkened corner they grew mushrooms and forced rhubarb, the girls were very fond of their mother’s various fruit crumbles. With the excess she also made jams, chutneys and pies to be sold on to her growing number of local customers. Of course, Catherine wasn’t alone in supplying the local market as her next-door neighbour Gertie had poly-tunnels and also grew her own veg with excess sold on. Whilst across the road, at the McGuigan’s, the farm was just as happy to sell locally when they supplied various meats to the farm shop and selected butchers in the area.

Meanwhile, at Catherine’s, where they could the girls had made the barn quite a little fun area with toys and a little house, a stage (both made from bales of hay) to perform their own karaoke style shows. It also housed a dressing-up box – this contained a load of old stuff both Catherine and the girls had collected over the years. They’d made props and had an old spotlight that they’d found at a charity store in the nearby town. It was going to be a long summer so Dionne suggested that they write a show and when Jenny and Elliot’s parents returned they could put it on for them. This created a great deal of excitement from the girls but less so from Elliot.

#

It was with a great deal of reluctance that Elliot ventured into the garden. Although in the past when they visited it had seemed a wonderful playground, he’d had an unfortunate altercation with one of the goats. As a five-year-old he had turned his back to feed a couple of ducks when one of the weird-eyed creatures tried to mount him. With cloven hooves on his shoulder and too scared to move, the bearded animal tried to mate with the poor boy. That’s why he no longer enjoyed visiting the goats and why they now have only female goats on the premises. So, even though it was three years ago, he was still terrified of getting too close.

Despite him thinking of himself as quite grown up on this particular event he remained terrified of what could happen. Indeed, such was his fear that even though he knew they were tied up he wouldn’t venture outside until he’d had assurances from everyone that they weren’t waiting for him. Still, although he could see them tethered his nappy received a subtle spray from his nervous bladder. This was not the reaction of a self-determined young man but a scared little boy. However, he’d had no control over the wet padding and quickly made his way past the goats and over towards the rabbits where he felt a lot safer. He was also not planning on letting anyone know he’s just had yet another accident under his pink plastic pants.

However, not a lot got passed Dionne and she noticed the slight change to his posture which looked suspiciously like he had when he first wet himself. Still, she didn’t want to make a thing about it at that time so let him play in his wet nappy for as long as he liked. If he didn’t want to draw attention to himself, and possibly suffer from nappy rash, then she figured that was up to him.

For over an hour they found things to do in the stable or going out and playing with the animals. The suggestion of a further trip down towards the river was quickly forgotten as they saw Elliot prickle at the suggestion. They were a couple of comments from the younger girls who asked him outright if he needed a change yet but he categorically denied what was patently obvious to everyone else.

Elliot hated the feel of his wet nappy. The soaked fabric was bunching up but he didn’t want to admit what had happened – he’d wet once again, even if this time accidentally.

Back in the stable he found an outfit for a soldier that he wanted to try on but knew that if he took off his shorts everyone would be able to tell his nappy was full. However, Dionne was stood behind him and patted his padded bum.

“Well Elliot,” she said and looked down at the petrified boy, “it seems your nappy needs to be changed...”

He interrupted. “No, no, I’m OK nothing to...”

“Now Elliot, you haven’t to be shy. We all know you need help and we’re here to do just that.” She looked over at her sister and with a wink asked. “Dusty, could you nip to the house and get a change for your cousin, please.”

“No, no, NO,” he screamed, “I’m fine I don’t need anything from you lot so just leave me alone.”

He tried to angrily wriggle away but Dionne had a firm grip on his arm. Meanwhile, Dusty went off to do as requested whilst his sister looked on.”

“Oh brother, stop making a fool of yourself,” she sidled up close to him. “We’re only trying to make it so you’re comfortable and aunty said you’re not to stay in a wet nappy for too long or you’ll get a rash.”

“Piss off Jenny,” he scowled back at her, “I don’t need a nappy or anything so stop...”

Dionne gripped his arm and pulled him forcefully in to her, “I don’t want to hear you ever swear at your sister who’s only trying to help. You’re behaving like a spoilt little baby and then you wonder why...” She suddenly realised she might be letting him know more than he needed to know about their plans for him. She calmed down. “You know you’ll feel an awful lot better once you’re out of all this saturated fabric.” And she pressed her hand onto his bulging wet crotch. “That can’t be nice to have to wear... be sensible and let’s get you all cleaned up.”

At that moment Dusty arrived back with a bag of stuff they’d need.

“Ah, just in time, now, let’s get those shorts off.”

#

Elliot was desperate not to let was about to happen, happen. He tried to pull away but Dionne had a firm grip and despite his wriggling and attempts to shrug her off, he failed. He was angrily protesting he didn’t need it; it wasn’t going to happen. He was OK and was determined to fight back as much as he could. Whilst she was dealing with his arms, Dusty had grabbed his shorts and yanked them down, leaving him wearing just his sodden nappy and shiny pink plastic pants, which quickly followed his shorts down to his ankles. When he tried to kick out these just wrapped around his feet and tripped him up during his struggle. He continued shouting abuse, calling the girls names and generally being loud and unpleasant. However, he really was no competition against three older girls who soon had him bent over one of the bales where they finally released him from his sopping wet padding.

“Elliot, how could you play around in this wet thing?” Jenny asked.

“Fuck off... you’re supposed to be on my side you bitch.” But his naked bottom showed red where he’d been in the wet fabric for too long.

“You’ve got a rash you idiot, why didn’t you ask to be changed earlier?” Dionne looked angrily at him.

“Leave me alone the lot of you bitches, just fucking leave me alone...”

“ELLIOT!”

Catherine had arrived at the stable wondering what the commotion was all about.

“Tell these fucking bitches to leave me alone...” He was angry and out of control but his aunt was not going to put up with such language. She marched over to him and delivered a couple of hefty swats to his already naked red bum.

“I will not have that type of language in this house,” she slapped him once more to make sure her message had got through.

“Fuck off, you’re not my mum so...” Several more slaps to his bare backside stopped him swearing but did have him crying.

“I’ll not put up with it Elliot,” she said severely, “You better get used to the idea that although you are a guest here that doesn’t entitle you to use such nasty language towards anyone least of all my daughters or your sister. Now apologise.”

But Elliot was angry and although intimidated kept his mouth closed.

“OK, have it your way. Dusty, let me have the bag please.” She groped inside and brought out two large fabric nappies and folded them. Despite him not wanting to be a part of any of this he was forced to raise his hips and the fabric was placed under him. She rubbed anti-rash cream into his bits and bobs and a flourish of powder before finally pinning it all together. She pulled up the rather dirty plastic pants and tucked him in and then, using her phone, took several photographs.

“These will be going to your father if you don’t apologise immediately.” Catherine said and meant it.

Elliot was now let loose by Dionne and he immediately tried to pull the entire thing off.

“If that comes off,” Catherine warned, “you’ll be going over that bale of hay and I’ll paddle your bottom until you can’t sit down.”

Remembering the recent spanking by her he stopped in mid rip but angrily stormed out of the stable and made his way to his little box room. He wanted to be alone but what he didn’t know was that by not being there the girls could tell Catherine anything. So they said that he’d been behaving awfully towards them, screaming abuse and then wandering around in a soaked nappy. Because Catherine had said she didn’t want him wearing a wet nappy for too long, they tried to change him but he was being nasty and obnoxious the entire time.

“We were only trying to help and follow your instructions to make sure he didn’t get a rash but... well... we might have been too late.”

Elliot didn’t know it but from that moment on his aunt decided that this thoughtless little bed and pants wetting boy was probably going to be kept in nappies until his parents came to take him home.

#

The itinerary for the ‘Diva’s’ tour had been a nonstop round of pre-show interviews, photo ops and travel. The ‘girls’ were on top form and were making new friends everywhere they went. Where possible, one night appearances turned into a two or three night run. With the opening night in front of thousands of screaming and excitable Japanese fans, and with their album and single topping both charts, Annie decided to call home.

Thankfully, the nine hour time difference wasn’t too bad as she knew her children would still be up, in the past she’d accidently forgotten where she was and had woken them up in the early hours, still, she liked it when they ‘wished her luck’ and wanted to hear their voices before venturing on stage. Some artists needed time to ‘centre’ themselves before a show, not Annie, she was supremely confident and wanted that social contact as her only boost to produce a good show - not that she really needed it but it sounded good in interviews.

Jenny was excited, the screen on her phone had vibrated and showed that ‘Mummy’ was calling and she could hardly contain herself.

“Hello mummy.” She almost squealed down the phone.

“Hello darling, what are you and Elliot up to?” Although there was building excitement in her own chest, just about to go on stage, she always tried to keep her own enthusiasm in check when talking to her kids.

“We’ve just fed the animals and Aunty Catherine is being lovely. Me, Dusty, Dionne and Elliot have decided we want to put on a show for you and daddy when you come back...” She could hardly hold back the excitement in her voice as she babbled this nugget, which was supposed to be a surprise.

“Well that sounds delightful darling.”

“Yes mummy... it will be fun. Erm, where are you at the moment I can hear a bit of a racket?” Jenny quizzed.

“Oh sweetheart, we’re in Japan and just about to go on stage, I just wanted to hear your voices before...”

“Is it a big crowd mummy?” Her daughter excitedly interrupted.

“Well, yes love, quite a few nice people have turned up,” she enjoyed playing down the Divas’ success trying to make it sound like any other job. “But they are making a lovely welcoming noise... so it should be a good night.”

“Well good luck mummy, wish we could be there with you.”

“So do I sweetie, so do I.” She didn’t mean it because she liked to remain focused on her job when touring and bringing kids to shows was OK when the gig was local but too much of a drain when on a massive worldwide tour like the one they were on. “Is Elliot there sweetheart”

“Oh, erm, mummy he’s,” now she wasn’t sure what to say because he’d just had his nappy changed and had gone off in a huff so wasn’t sure whether to tell her about it or not. She knew her mum was very easy-going when it came to her son’s temper tantrums but wasn’t sure how she’d react to knowing he was back to wearing nappies. “Erm, he’s just toddled off to the toilet mummy... sorry.”

“Oh that’s a shame love, look, I have to go but just let him know I called and tell Aunty Cath that I’ll check in with her later.”

“OK mummy, love you. Have a good one and hope you’ll be back soon we’re both missing you.”

“Missing you both as well... love you and let Elliot know I’m sorry I missed him. OK, they’re calling us to the stage so.... bye love, bye.”

“By mummy and good luck,” but her mummy had already finished the call and was having a final flourish from the make-up artist before she and the rest of the girls took to the stage.

#

Jenny made her way up to the box room to tell Elliot that by going off in a huff he’d missed mummy’s call.

“I don’t care,” he responded petulantly, “she’d hundreds of miles away and I’m stuck wearing a nappy.”

“But mummy wanted to speak to you and...”

“I don’t care, nobody cares, not even daddy... they’ve left us to this mad woman and I have to wear these fucking things.” He pulled at his padding and plastic pants and although he didn’t know it, looked more like a little toddler than at any other time.

“That’s not true both mummy and daddy asked about you but you were always busy getting your nappy changed. If you didn’t mess it so often perhaps you could have...”

“I don’t mess my nappy.” He said even more petulantly. If he’d been standing instead of laid out on his bed Jenny was sure he would have stamped his foot to emphasise the point.

The inadvertent ‘my nappy’ hadn’t gone unnoticed by his sister. In fact, she knew the very word nappy and its associated attributes was what upset him but at that moment decided to play him at his own game.

“Yes you do.” His sister added with gusto. “You’re acting like a little baby and that’s no doubt why aunty is treating you like one. I bet when mummy calls later aunty will have a lot to tell her.”

“Oh no, Aunty Cath will tell mumm... mummy... about...” He burst into tears and at the same time felt his nappy grow warmer as a stream of hot pee filled the front. Why did this happen when he got upset?

He tried to hide what had happened but Jenny heard the soft hiss and knew from his reaction just what he’d done.

“Look, come on down and get changed you know she doesn’t want you wearing wet stuff for long as you’ll get a rash.”

He was still sobbing and his face was streaked with tears. “She’ll smack me because she’s only just changed me.” His sobbing grew louder but Jenny had an idea.

“Look Elliot, I don’t want you to get into trouble so... how about I change you now, quietly and whilst no one else is around and then no one will know?”

For a second she could hear the sobbing stop and he was obviously thinking over the proposition. This would be a new departure for him, trusting his sister, but could see no alternative if he didn’t want what he suspected would be the wrath of his aunt.

“Look,” she interrupted his thoughts, “I’ll go and get the stuff and I’ll change you when I get back, OK?”

He remained silent but, as there was no protest, took this as agreement.

#

A couple of minutes later, having checked in with the other girls, she was back carrying a fresh nappy and various cartons she’d seen her aunty use. He was still curled up on his bed but at least he’d stopped snivelling.

The thick nappy and stretched glossy plastic pants was an incredible sight to Jenny who was pleased that her brother hadn’t realised just how babyish it really made him look.

“Look,” Jenny enthused as she waved the items in the air, “we can get you all nice and tidy without anyone knowing... so come on let’s get that wet nappy off.”

Although reluctant for this to happen he had had time to think about the alternatives and realised that his sister was actually trying to do him a favour. With every part of his body he wanted to resist doing what he was about to do but Jenny was becoming insistent.

“Look, Aunty Cath might be up here any minute so it’s now or never.” She then added impatiently, “I’m not going to wait all day so either get those plastic pants down or I’m off out to play and you can deal with her.”

That got him moving so she set out all the stuff next to him and folded a fresh nappy.

“Can’t I wear a disposable?” His voice was unexpectedly quiet and pleading.

Where this request had come from Jenny wasn’t sure but what she did know was that no one had mentioned, nor had there been any sight of, any disposables.

“No stupid, you’re wearing fabric ones now, if we changed to a disposable aunty would know. AND, in case you’ve forgotten, she doesn’t have disposables because of them not being eco-friendly.” This was said in a mocking way to try and get her brother on her side and more relaxed. He made an expression back which said, “Yer what a loony” and fiddled with the safety pins but was having trouble.

Seeing his inability to do this most basic of jobs she jumped in. “Look, you just lie out and let me deal with them... it’ll be quicker if I do it.” She seemed impatient and rather than get on her bad side Elliot lay back and let her. Compared to him she was quick and efficient and had him all but naked in just a few seconds.

“Right, I’ll wipe the area first with these wet wipes and then a bit of cream and powder so don’t mess about or I’ll just leave you as you are.”

Wearing only a t-shirt, and with his sister applying the first wet wipe, he closed his eyes in the hope that if he couldn’t see what was going on - it wasn’t happening. Strangely the wet wipe was cool and pleasant as she guided it over all the sensitive areas that might still be covered in his pee. What he didn’t know was that his two cousins stood silently in the doorway and watched the proceedings with huge smiles on their faces.

If there were any doubts before there certainly wasn’t any now – eight-year-old Elliot was just a big baby who needed the women of the house to change his nappy.

#

Jenny saw them there and silently nodded for them to come in.  Meanwhile, she kept up a whispered commentary of what she was doing to her ‘unseeing’ brother.

“I’m just about to rub in some cream like aunty did which will stop any itching, OK?”

He murmured something but it might have been just a noise.

She told him to lift so she could remove the wet material. Once that was gone she wiped his bottom and private area. Then asked him to lift again, so she could feed the fresh nappy under him and he complied; all the time his eyes were tightly closed desperate for this to be over soon.

The cream she’d rubbed in was greasy but felt nice, as was the final flourish of powder that gently settled all over his groin. Jenny gently massaged it in and asked if he was feeling OK.

“Yes,” he hissed without a word of thanks and waggled his hips as if to say, “get on with it.”

Jenny didn’t like his attitude so as he settled his bum against the thick fabric he didn’t know she was adding an extra soaker pad.

“Do you need any help with our little boy?” It was Dusty making herself known.

Elliot suddenly went rigid.

“Oh hi girls, he’s wet himself again and just after your mum had changed him so...”

“Well you needn’t have done it on your own we’re here to help,” Dionne added her voice.

They both came and stood watching over him going several shades of red and trying desperately to cover his privates.

“Go away,” he screamed, “this is private.” He tried to sound in-charge but it just came out as a childish whine.

# tbc #

Part 4

“No sweetie it isn’t.” Dionne insisted was the case to emphasise his part in all this. “Mum has made us promise that if we see you’re wet we have to get you into your favourite dry undies as soon as possible.” She was flapping out a pair of plastic pants as if to underscore just what his favourite undies were. “We all know you love your nappies and loooove wearing these.” She teased.

“But, but this isn’t fair I don’t want to...” he scrunched up his face and burst into tears. This wasn’t helping much with his argument but it was all getting too much for the poor boy to cope with.

“Sweetie, just relax you have mum and us three all wanting to help,” Dionne was in her best understanding babysitter mode. “All this is just too strange for you and as a result... you can’t avoid wetting so much... and so often... so a nappy is ideal to take care of it.” Dusty was holding the pins for Jenny to finish fastening him in. “Don’t feel bad... it’s just what a little boy like you needs for the time being.”

“Fuck off the lot of you...” he screamed suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the females surrounding him. “I’m not a baby.” The fact that he was splayed out, had been doused in anti-nappy rash cream and baby powder and was about to be wearing a thick nappy hadn’t really registered in his head - that was just what he looked like.

“Fancy swearing at us for just trying to help, he’s an ungrateful little brat. Perhaps we should just leave him in a soaked nappy from now on and see if a nasty rash alters his stupid attitude.” Dusty had no sympathy and wanted him to know that it was no skin off their noses if he developed a stinging irritation.

“I’m sure mum will not be pleased at your language,” Dionne added as a person who knew from experience. “As you’ve already found out, she hates swear words and won’t put up with them especially in this house. You might want to think about that the next time you have a tantrum.” As the eldest of the group she was taking her senior status very seriously. “We’ve told you before she has a brush that gets delivered hard,” she slapped her hands together with a crack, “and you can’t sit down for a week... so think on. I’m telling you this for your own good but if you keep acting up, and not letting us help, then your bottom will be feeling a very painful sting I can promise you.”

Elliot had to take notice of such a threat and the fact that his cousin had delivered these details with such conviction he was unsure of what he could do to stop any of it from happening.

With his indecision Jenny finished pinning the fresh thick nappy in place and Dionne was quickly in to slip up a pair of clear plastic pants before he knew what was transpiring.

Dionne had given an unhappy Elliot a lot to think about because despite all his denials he was wetting more than ever before. Although in the past at home he’d often been able to hide a wet stain by simply going and changing. He simply got rid of the evidence or waited to wash and then dry out his underpants on the radiators in his room. It wasn’t difficult to keep a secret where he had space and time to do what was needed.

Things were different here; there was no privacy so any little dribble was going to be seen. He had to reluctantly concede to her conclusion that nappies did at least offer a preventative barrier that his underpants never had. Though you’d find it very hard to get him to admit this out loud.

Conversely, everyone else seemed to think, despite his age, it was sensible and correct for him to be padded. The problem was that he felt it was too babyish and wanted to avoid that label. But how could anyone think otherwise when wearing a thick fabric nappy and a pair of crinkly plastic pants?

So far nappies were all he was being offered as underwear as there was no sign of the underpants he’d arrived in. Whilst the demand for all his own clothes being returned had also fallen on deaf ears.

“Anyway, we came up to tell you that mum wants a word with us all in the living room so come on, let’s get a move on.”

“Is she going to punish me?” A frightened and miserable Elliot nervously asked wondering if he was now going to feel the sting of the wooden hairbrush.

“I don’t know but it’s always best not to keep mum waiting.” Dusty added with finality, although in truth Catherine was normally the most amenable of people.

“He was wearing pink pants,” Jenny noticed.

“Oh, was he?” Dionne looked and saw them next to the wet nappy.

“I don’t want to wear pink,” moaned Elliot.

“Well,” Dusty was looking through the clothes mum had left on his dresser and saw an old playsuit she used to have. “Here, quickly slip this on and then your padding will be hidden.”

Elliot didn’t have time to check as the girls unfolded it for him to step into a sort of shorts and bib and brace combination. It did the job of covering his nappy and plastic pants but in truth, it was very girly and juvenile. The girls thought it was just about perfect and bundled him downstairs before he could take stock.

#

Catherine was surprised to see her nephew wearing something so loose and playful. It had colourful flowers that adorned it but nonetheless nodded and smiled in encouragement as they arrived to hear what she had to say.

“That’s much better,” she straightened the playsuit out a little, whilst surreptitiously making sure he was still padded. Once satisfied by the thickness and the rustle of his pants she continued. “Right girls,” there was a slight chuckle in her voice, “we’ve got deliveries to do in the village and then, why don’t I treat you all to ice cream over at the farm shop, hmm?”

“Yeah,” they all chorused. Elliot hadn’t quite got the reference to ‘girls’.

“Right, let’s load up and then everyone in the car and we’ll get off. The sooner everything is delivered the sooner we can indulge ourselves.”

“Oh mum,” Dusty spoke up, “this is a great idea. Can I take the eggs to Mrs Dawson’s I want to ask her about Julia... she’s been ill you know?”

“Yes of course sweetie and if she’s better and wants to join us, she’s more than welcome.”

Dusty looked excited at the news whereas Elliot was just too stunned to know what to do or say. He wasn’t happy but the situation wasn’t in his hands and was caught up in the frenzy of activity from the rest of the family.

Despite all the rushing around Elliot had felt thirsty and hungry but although food was out of the question he was able to help himself to a long drink of cold water from the fridge. He had to gulp it down quickly because his aunt was wanting to get the deliveries out as soon as possible.

“C’mon Elliot, don’t dawdle.” He joined his cousins and sister as they rushed to help, whilst items were packed into the rear of Catherine’s SUV (a present from her brother and sister-in-law when her old car finally gave up the ghost) with labels attached to everything ready for distribution.

“You’ll love it at Mason’s,” Dionne confided in him, “they have the best selection of flavours... I always want caramel and butterscotch but they do so many...”

But Elliot was not as perky or excited as the others, he just looked down and saw his padding balloon out as he sat in the back seat and hated all the flowers. “I look like a big kid” he thought. In fact he looked like a bit of a Tomboy but it was too late to do anything about it as his aunt drove off heading to the local village.

#

On the way there were several deliveries of cheese, eggs, pies, herbs, fruit, cakes and pasties to locals who ordered produce from Catherine’s little farm. The girls seemed to know who wanted what and were quickly out of the car, checking for the correct labels and delivering to the houses as they passed.

Elliot sat in the back seat fuming impotently but didn’t join in until he was ordered to make a delivery to a little cottage off the main road and down a short track. He tried to get out of it by telling his aunt that he didn’t know the way and would get lost but she wasn’t having it, she wanted him to be part of what was going on.

“Sorry sweetie, but this is a job for some one big and strong.” She hoped that would make him step up and want to take on the task. “It’s a bit heavy but you won’t get lost as there’s only the one house down there. However, Mrs Wainwright needs to pay you the amount written on the tag on the bag.”

She passed him the bag and waited for him to exit. “Don’t dawdle love, we all want some ice cream so the sooner you’re there and back, the sooner we all get a treat.”

The other girls watched as he nervously opened the private gate and slowly wandered down a short path to the cottage. His flowery cotton covered bottom puffed out with the padding and his little nervous waddle looked so cute. They all smiled as they took in the view, even Catherine had to admit it was quite an adorable image.

He knocked and waited a couple of moments before he heard some movement.

“Just a minute...” a thin reedy voice called out, “I’ll be there in a second.”

It took a few more moments before the door opened and a very short slim old lady, carrying a tea-towel appeared.

“Hello ducks,” she smiled, “you’re new aren’t you and such a pretty dress?” She reached for the package. “Ooo so full, I’d forgotten I’d ordered so much... got family coming tomorrow.” She smiled at her own fading memory.

“Erm aunty said I need to collect some money.”

“Yes, yes, off course duck... come in a moment whilst I look for my purse.”

He didn’t want to enter the old lady’s home but she seemed most insistent rather than standing at the door.

The place was very ‘olde worlde’ but looked very comfortable though not somewhere he’d want to spend much time. He couldn’t even see a TV.

The old lady fussed about, then stood in thought and finally decided it must be in the kitchen.

“Can you bring the bag through please duck?”

Elliot still wasn’t sure but followed the shuffling lady into a pleasantly warm kitchen.

“Ah, there it is,” she said spying her purse on the draining board. “Don’t know why I had it there but...” she smiled, “I’d probably forget my head if it was loose. Now then sweetie what’s the damage?”

Elliot looked at the tag and the price was £15.

“Erm, it says £15 please miss.” And offered the package to the old lady to inspect and make sure it was what she’d ordered. “If you want to check,” Elliot suggested but the lady just shook her head.

“No need duck. Catherine and the girls have been bringing me my orders for some time now and it’s never been wrong. But it’s nice to see she has a new helper... here you are duck.” She said as she gave a couple of notes to who she thought was a nice new tomboy standing before her. “Lovely to meet you sweetie, hope Catherine treats you girls well.” She smiled and indicated a cookie lying on the countertop. “Just something to nibble on duck.”

He was still reeling from what she’d just said but the old lady was adamant and thrust the offered chocolate-chip cookie into his hand. “You girls are always so pleasant and helpful so... just a little thank you.”

“I’m a BOY,” Elliot all but exploded in irritation.

“Oh of course you are duck,” and she patted his padded bottom, “and such a sweet, well-padded little boy as well.” She smiled a knowing smile and guided him towards the door. “Bye sweetheart, see you next time.”

She softly closed the door behind him whilst he stood there with a tenner and a fiver in one hand, a chocolate chip cookie in the other and a face like thunder.

“She thought I was a girl,” he angrily reaffirmed to himself and stormed up the path to confront his aunt.

#

“That bloody old woman thought I was a girl,” he screamed at his aunt when he returned.

“Really?” she replied in a brusque way, “Well Mrs Wainwright is eighty-three so I suppose her eyesight might be going slightly. Still, is that the money?” She took the payment from his hand, “She always gives a cookie to whoever brings the order... isn’t that nice of her?”

Whilst he’d been delivering a short discussion had been started by Dusty who thought, especially as he was wearing one of her old playsuits, maybe now he should be called Ellie. They’d all had a chuckle at the idea and it was left to see if he picked up on the name.

Meanwhile, and still fuming, Elliot belligerently stood his ground but Catherine couldn’t get over how sweet he looked in his little flowery playsuit, obvious nappy and holding a large chocolate chip cookie. It was like a scene from an 50s American TV series.

“I think you look great... what do you girls think?” She turned to get the agreement from the other three in the car who were chatting excitedly between themselves.

“Yes, lovely”, “Wonderful”, “Very cool”, they added to her observation.

“And another thing,” Catherine was being serious, “any more bad language of any kind and you’ll be over my knee.”

Elliot was still standing there waiting for something approaching an apology or something that acknowledged he’d been wronged but nothing came but the threat.

“C’mon Ellie,” his aunt jokingly coaxed, “get in the car, one more delivery and then it’s on to Mason’s for ice cream.”

Although his shortened moniker hadn’t registered and was still seething at the slur on his manhood, the prospect of an ice cream treat superseded his anger so climbed in beside his sister. She looked at his cookie and it did look very tasty. “Can I have a bite?”

“NO,” he responded rudely and started shovelling as much in his mouth as would fit. That took care of her cheery, hopeful face... well he was hungry.

“You greedy pig,” she said both jealous and annoyed.

“Don’t worry,” Aunt Catherine looked supportively over at Jenny, “Masons has chocolate chip cookie flavoured ice cream.”

Jenny curled up her lip in disgust at her brother as he spilled crumbs all down his front, his mouth and teeth a mass of goo and melted dark chocolate. He looked disgusting but the idea of being boyishly gross pleased him considerably. 

He emphasised just how vulgar it was by grinning manically at the girls and watching them pull disgusted faces in response.

‘YES’ he thought, ‘I’m a disgusting boy.’

#

Dawson’s was the last delivery and Dusty carried the two full bags and knocked on the door. It was answered by a young girl, about the same age as her who cheerfully invited her in.

“The Dawson’s get a regular supply of eggs from us,” Cath said by way of explanation to Elliot who was still enjoying his moment of being the centre of attention by disgustingly gurning at the others. “But we might be here a while if Dusty and her friend Julia get chatting.”

However, within moments both girls were running towards the car.

“Can Julia join us at Mason’s please mum. She’s well now and her mum said it would be OK?”

“Well of course but it’s going to be a bit of a squeeze. Tell you what, as we don’t have far to go, Jenny, you come and sit up front with me and as Ellie’s the smallest so can sit on your knee Dionne... is that OK with you?”

“Of course,” agreed Dionne with a smile.

Elliot had no say in any of this as he was picked up by his eldest cousin and plonked in her lap. Meanwhile, the two girls crammed into the back alongside her and Dusty introduced Julia to Jenny and Ellie.

Julia was a little nervous of new people but shyly nodded an acknowledgement. However, what she did notice is that with Elliot on Dionne’s knee his padding had puffed out even more and his cousin was playfully patting the front of his billowing playsuit. His nappy crinkled slightly with each gentle tap leaving no doubt as to what ‘Ellie’ was wearing.

“Haven’t I seen photographs of you in an outfit like that?” Julia said to Dusty.

“Yes, that’s my old one but it suits Ellie better... don’t you think?”

“Hmmmm, very pretty.” She murmured unsure.

Elliot had enjoyed the cookie and relished being gross but had no idea why they had suddenly started calling him Ellie... but as usual, he wasn’t involved in the conversation it was just going on around him so had no say.

Julia wasn’t sure what to think and wasn’t even sure if Ellie was a boy or a girl. He looked like a young boy but dressed like a little girl. However, there was one thing she definitely knew – s/he was wearing a thick nappy. She supposed s/he must be either a little slow, or maybe incontinent or perhaps, being what she perceived to be a pre-schooler, just hadn’t come to grips with potty training yet. She’d only been in the village less than a year so had never met these visitors before but had become Dusty’s best friend and confidant.

#

“Mum,” Dionne gently bounced her charge up and down on her knee. “Hmmmm, I think...” she patted the front of his thickening nappy. “Erm... I think we’ll need a change when we get to Mason’s judging by the warmth of this nappy... I think it’s soaked again.”

The glass of water he’d gulped down before they set off had rapidly made its way through his system.

Any pleasure Elliot had from being gross in front of the ‘women’ suddenly disappeared as he now understood that a complete stranger knew he wore a nappy and that it was wet. He blushed in shame and tried to shuffle away from the new girl who was looking at him with benevolent interest.

Catherine responded to this news as if it was really only to be expected. “OK love, thanks for letting me know. I have a change in his nappy bag so I’ll do it when we get there if you can see to the orders please.”

Julia didn’t want to be seen as too curious or rude but on this announcement ‘his nappy bag’ she was conscious of one thing; Ellie was a boy. However, that left her more inquisitive than ever.

“That’s OK mum,” Dionne was back to being the eldest and helpful, “you see to that I’ll change him it shouldn’t take too long.” Elliot wriggled unhappily on her lap but didn’t dare look at the new passenger for fear of bursting into embarrassed tears.

He could feel the dampness and warmth spreading so he’d only just peed himself. Why, hadn’t he been able to control himself? Now he was so humiliated and becoming emotional but there was no stopping the flood. How come, since he’d been at the farm he’d not once made it, or known he needed to go, to the toilet?

A couple of minutes later Catherine pulled into the car park. Dionne picked up the nappy bag and holding Elliot’s hand guided him to the public facilities.

“What ice cream would you like?” Catherine called after him but he was so upset with what was happening, and even more upset that he’d wet his nappy (again) but hadn’t known until Dionne had mentioned it. He was so ashamed he wanted to hide away forever.

“I’ll get you a vanilla and caramel... everyone likes that.” She called seeing as he hadn’t replied. Catherine reasoned that no one could stay angry for long if ice cream is an alternative. She also thought that any child who had to wear a nappy would much prefer a dry one than a wet one and so, when the change was complete, that person would be so much happier.

#

Mason’s Farm Shop was a relatively new addition to the village scene. It was built four years earlier on spare ground next to the only pub in the area. With its huge glass frontage and sparkling modern interior, it attracted shoppers and visitors from miles around and had become the focal point for business in the small agricultural community.

The huge sliding glass doors at the entrance allowed access through a lobby that had an ATM, a large floor plan of the shop and where everyone was, plus a notice board for local events and announcements. Off to the left was the new and quite large conveniences such a modern structure needed. It was here that, as mum and the girls made their way to deliver her latest selection of cheeses to Dianna Tinker’s Gourmet Cheese Counter, Dionne took the right hand turn guiding a reluctant Elliot to the baby changing stall. He knew he needed his nappy changed but pulled back when he saw the word ‘Baby Change’ written on the door. However, Dionne took a firm grip on his hand and all but dragged him inside before locking the door.

“OK, I get it,” she looked at his sullen face, “but you’re wet and we need to get you changed.” The ‘we’ was meant to involve him rather than standing there looking damp and miserable.

“But, but... I don’t want...”

“Yes I know,” she could see he was in turmoil. The anger wasn’t there like it had been but she could tell that he wasn’t comfortable about the entire situation. “Look, I know it’s difficult but, if we leave you in a wet nappy you’ll get an itchy rash and be in an even worse state so... let’s get this done quickly and then we can both settle down to a lovely treat, yes?”

“But why does everyone have to know... can’t we keep it to ourselves?” There was a sob in the plea.

Dionne just shrugged in answer as she’d already started pulling down the straps of his playsuit and getting him to step out of it. Had anyone come in at that moment they would have seen a sad looking little boy in a huge soggy nappy being changed by a very efficient young lady. She had babysat loads of kids in the area so didn’t have a problem in sorting out her young cousin. In fact, she was quite enjoying the experience, seeing him look even more timid and childish as she removed the soaked material and started wiping him down.

Now Dusty’s description of him as ‘Baby Elliot’ had settled into her thoughts, Dionne could only see him as a sweet little toddler in need of help. His droopy nappy indicating that he did indeed need assistance in keeping himself dry and tidy. Now the shouting and screaming had been replaced by shame and apprehension, he looked like a scared and sad little boy who needed a grown up to cheer him up. She approached the change in that mode, hoping to get him to snap out of the doldrums and enjoy the trip to Masons.

Where all this pee was coming from was a mystery except he was getting upset more often than not, which Dionne supposed was the main reason (she hadn’t seen him drink a full glass of water before they’d set off). There was less anger attached to this change and more of a reluctant acceptance of the situation. Despite his distaste at wearing a nappy, he disliked wearing a wet one more and hated to think what his playsuit would have looked like with a wet stain down the front.

Once cleaned up and she’d applied the Vaseline and baby powder she searched in the bag and produced a large terry cotton nappy. She folded it in to shape and added a couple of extra soaker pads. She was surprised that he wasn’t putting up a fight but it looked like he’d finally given in to the inevitable so had simply closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and let her get on with it.

She pinned him in and shuffled up a pair of strong pink plastic pants that had a lacy ruffle across the seat. She was a bit surprised at this piece of babywear being in the bag but, as it was the only plastic pants available, decided mum must be included for a reason. She also figured that now they were on and covering his nappy he wouldn’t know because it wasn’t something anyone would see.

Alas, at the last moment, she noticed that the playsuit had fallen off the counter top and onto the floor by the wash basin and taps. A huge puddle had been spilt there so that piece of clothing was now soaked and unwearable. Thankfully, also in the bag was a long t-shirt, like a light cotton mini dress as it came down and covered most of his nappy. On the front was a princess and she recognised it as a nightie that Dusty used to wear when she was going through her Disney Princess’s stage.

She knew Elliot wasn’t going to like his new outfit but had nothing else to offer.

#

“Right, that’s you all clean and tidied up, let’s go and get that ice cream shall we?”

“What about some pants?” He asked.

“Sorry sweetheart but there aren’t any extra ones in the bag, just more nappies I’m afraid.”

Although telling the truth she offered the bag for him to root around in to check for himself.

“I’m afraid your playsuit is also soaked so this is the best I can do... unless you want to walk about in just your nap... erm... protection?”

“But, but it’s not fair I shouldn’t be...” He dissolved into tears because although he was angry he knew he was also unable to do anything about it. Dionne sounded apologetic but that didn’t help as far as he was concerned he was just wearing a long t-shirt over his padding. What if people saw?

“C’mon love, no one will be able to tell AND you’ll feel better once you have ice cream inside you... everything feels better then.” She tried to put a positive spin on the situation but saw her cousin was reluctant to leave the changing room. Alas, there was a knock on the door asking if they were going to be long so had to leave immediately.

She opened the door to see a young mother looking flustered as she was trying to keep a tight hold on a couple of toddlers. “Sorry I took so long,” Dionne apologised, “took a bit to get him...” She didn’t get chance to fully express her regret any further as the lady rushed her two kids quickly into the vacated room and locked the door.

“OK, looks like she needed the room more than us.” She tried to be upbeat and hoped her positivity would reach Elliot but he was now trembling, holding her hand and standing like a statue in the middle of the lobby where people were rushing in and out.

As the sliding door opened and a slight breeze came in with the latest shopper his loose t-shirt fluttered and anyone looking would have been able to see the thick padding drooping down between his legs. Dionne pretended not to have noticed but the flash of ruffled shiny pink plastic was unavoidable... he did look infantile.

“C’mon Elliot, you look fine no one can tell you’re wearing a nappy.” This was a complete lie because even without a breeze his waist was all puffed out and that lifted the t-shirt up slightly so that the bottom of his pink padded plastic pants could be seen. Still it was better than just wearing a nappy.

“Do you want me to carry you?” She had seen the family over by the large busy café area where they’d found a table. Elliot was still immobile so, because he wasn’t a huge weight, she picked him up and carried him in her arms from the store’s entrance, past all the wonderful displays of local produce and eager customers, whilst affectionately patting his silky plastic bottom and trying to comfort him with soothing words. She set him down next to Jenny who tried not to act surprised by his makeshift dress.

What Elliot wasn’t aware of was that when his cousin picked him up she caught the hem of the t-shirt and pulled it up slightly revealing to everyone his nappy and plastic pants... with the lovely little lace ruffles.

“There.” She said as she settled him on a chair in front of the ice cream that hadn’t been touched yet. “That wasn’t too bad was it?” Of course for Elliot it had been a very traumatic experience but all the others greeted him with a smile.

It looked like everyone had a different favourite ice cream and were enjoying their flavoursome indulgence.

Mason’s was not only the focal point for the community but also many day trippers. It was also a much-loved destination for kids because it had a fine play area and of course the choice of over fifty varieties of ice cream.

#

Later when they’d settled down Dionne whispered to her mother.

“What’s with the pink ruffled plastic pants?”

“What are you talking about?” Catherine sounded confused.

“There was only a spare pair of plastic pants in the bag and they were pink and have ruffles on the seat.” Dionne hoped Elliot couldn’t hear what was being said.

“Well I didn’t put them in there.” She was certain but they both saw Dusty grinning.

“Oh, it was you.”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about... although pink is a lovely colour don’t you think?” She didn’t hide what she’d done very well but immediately continued chatting to Jenny and Julia.

Catherine looked at the sad boy now sitting at the table; he had yet to pick up his spoon and start on his treat. “Well Elliot,” she said dragging him from his gloomy space, “don’t let your ice cream get hot.” The entire table erupted in laughter, well, except for one little boy who wriggled unhappily in a nightie and thick, thick padding.

#

In the corner of the building was a ‘soft play’ area with a jungle gym, slides, ladders, swings and a few large foam-filled blocks for any young kids to have fun. It was restricted to the under tens, although there looked to be more than one or two older than that enjoying the busy apparatus.

Elliot had slowly eaten his treat but still looked fairly glum when a couple of local little girls came along and asked if he wanted to play with them.

“Hello,” they ventured, “You look unhappy... you wanna come play wiv us?” then indicated the play area. 

“What a lovely gesture,” Catherine said as she encouraged him to go off and have fun. “We’ll be right here when you’ve finished so take as long as you like.”

“But I don’t want to...” he answered shyly.

“Don’t be silly sweetheart. These nice girls want you to have fun and it’s not very nice saying no so... off you go and enjoy yourselves.” Catherine was helping him up and pushing him in the direction the girls were going. “And play nice,” she warned.

Thinking he had no option but still aware that all he was wearing was a long t-shirt that covered his nappy he carefully waddled to join his new friends.

“Well that was a stroke of luck and what sweet girls they are for offering.” Catherine was smiling her support for her nervous nephew.

“I think they think he’s a girl.” Dionne confided.

“Really, well, if it gets him out of his gloominess so much the better but he’s not going to be able to hide that nappy and those rather lovely looking plastic pants for long. They are already showing below the t-shirt.”

“Nightie,” Dionne corrected.

“Oh yes, so it is.” They looked over to Dusty who wasn’t listening to their conversation as her little group of fourteen year olds were intrigued with another bunch of girls their age out celebrating a birthday by the looks of things. “She’s a little...”

“Sneak?” Dionne offered.

“I think she loves the idea of him wearing a nappy.” Mum flippantly observed.

“Apparently, he doesn’t wear pink,” Dionne mused, “but she thinks everyone should.”

“It is a lovely colour...”

“I think she’s made that very clear,” Dionne didn’t explain that all the girls had planned this little diversion for Elliot and the sneaky change of name to Ellie. “But he needs a nappy so as a result his clothes don’t fit him AND,” she emphasised, “with him looking more like a little girl he seems to fit in better. I mean, he gave me no problem when I changed him just now. So I think if we keep treating him as one of us... if a younger version... he’ll be OK.”

“Yes, maybe, we’ll see but only whilst he needs to wear a nappy.” Catherine was unsure, “I don’t want the poor boy confused.” She took a sip of her coffee.

“Surely he’d be more embarrassed if he was wetting his pants rather than wearing something that stops that from happening.”

“Well, yes, that’s true. I suppose we can leave thing as they are for the moment but a big thanks to you and the girls for helping out with him.”

“Mum, you do enough for all of us so it’s only fitting we should help where we can.” Dionne was growing up fast and liked to be seen as more mature.

They smiled and chinked their cups of coffee together. “Cheers.”

#

Ten minutes later and Elliot retuned in floods of tears. “They thought, they thought I was a little girl...” he sobbed “and asked if I needed my nappy changed”.

The thing was, as he ran back his little cotton nightie fluttered up, which made his shiny pink plastic pants seem quite thick and obvious.

“Oh dear,” Catherine clutched him to her chest and patted his back in consolation. “They weren’t being nasty love they were just a bit confused.”

“But, but they thought....” It was all too much and a huge howl of frustrated upset poured out as the level of his crying increased.

He was bawling loudly and in obvious destress by the whole thing – where he was, the crowd of people and what he was wearing - it had all got too much for him and his emotions hit hazardous levels.

No amount of patting his back, saying “there, there” and surreptitiously checking he hadn’t in fact wet (which he had) stopped his outpouring of frustrated grief. He sat in Catherine’s lap totally distraught and again his ’nightie’ had got caught up so all anyone could really notice was his ruffled shiny panties. Of course, because of his hysterics it appeared that all eyes were turned towards them so just about everyone in the café area saw this poor sobbing child who obviously had toilet issues.

Elliot was just too distressed to be aware of the scene he had created but was thankful of the cuddle and kindness he was receiving from his aunt. Although his mummy always hugged and stroked him when he was upset she was always busy and it wasn’t always easy to get her attention. As a result, Elliot had become less demonstrative and didn’t push for much affection as he was a big (and important) boy. This time his aunt’s hugs were just what he needed, as she offered loads of comforting caresses and soothing words, which did relax and settle him down a little.

A lady who was passing the table looked on sympathetically. She had one baby in a pushchair and a young boy about five years old holding onto it. Both had dummies in their mouths and were sucking on them with enthusiasm.

She stopped and looked at the scrunched up face of the poor lad who just wouldn’t stop crying and delved into her handbag and brought out a spare dummy.

“I don’t know if this will help but it keeps this one,” she nodded in the direction of the five year-old, “from blubbing when he gets over tired. Maybe it will work for your little one?”

Although reluctant to take up the offer she realised that his crying was causing a bit of a scene and people were looking (and no doubt judging) so something had to be done. She couldn’t pack up and leave just yet because she’d only just sent the girls off to have a look around the store so they weren’t in sight.

“Well thank you.” Catherine took the offered soother.

“It’s clean. It’s not been used,” The lady wanted to clarify the dummy was not something she’d just picked up off the floor. “This one,” she indicated her boy standing obediently by the pushchair “doesn’t go anywhere these days without his binkie. I think it’s been a bonus that he seems happy when nursing on it. Stopped many a tantrum and upset...” She indicated the crying child still sobbing wildly into Catherine’s shoulder.

“OK, well we can but try,” and pushed the plastic dummy into Elliot’s mouth. At first he wouldn’t take it but after the third and then a fourth time of pushing it in and holding it there, he eventually started sucking and the crying faded away.

Catherine nodded her appreciation and acknowledged a job well done. “Thanks again.”

The lady patted the boy’s head. “It’s what all boys want in the end... a connection to their mummy.” She nodded to Catherine and made for the exit.

#

“Well I never,” Catherine thought as Elliot calmed down and seemed to settle in her warm embrace. She’d seen how upset he was and the lady had come along with a solution used on her own kids and now, it appeared to be working on the one person she thought would have made a fuss. Instead he was nursing quietly, with eyes closed as if ready to drop off for a little well-earned nap... like a toddler. Maybe Dionne had been correct; maybe what this little argumentative tyke needed all along was a strict routine, loads of hugs and a return to being properly looked after.

She patted his padding as he relaxed and settled into her cuddling arms. There was no doubt that this wasn’t the reaction to his situation she expected but nonetheless was really quite nice... although it had to be said, he’d never looked more like a baby.

She thought about how James and Annie brought up their kids, they may well both be ultra-successful, but did they have time for them? Of course Jenny had come along earlier, before too much success had gotten in the way, so she was OK. But poor little Elliot, well he had to compete with all that was going on around him from birth. Maybe, just maybe, he missed out on that part of his life to such an extent; a return would do him good.

It was only a theory but, looking down on her sleepy little bundle, quite a compelling one as far as Catherine was concerned.

There was no doubt that her brother and sister-in-law loved their kids but they were often left to their own devices to entertain and amuse themselves. To help keep them ‘happy’ they were allowed privileges that normally only late teens and young adults are allowed. They were given most things they asked for and would get grumpy when they didn’t get it.

So, anything for an easy life?

Well, whatever the reason, here he was in her arms, nursing on a dummy and completely peaceful. Catherine never had this close a bond with him before, nor had he sought it but now, being snuggled, he looked contentedly docile. She took the opportunity to remove him from the noisy environment and settle him quietly in the car. It was still a fairly gloriously hot day and because he looked sweaty and a little overheated, slipped off his t-shirt and laid him out on the back seat so he could doze uninterrupted by the comings and goings at Mason’s.

She thought he’d be safe once a window had been cracked open and besides, didn’t plan on leaving him alone for long. As it was she’d hardly returned to her table when the rest of the girls found their way back. After a quick discussion and a few purchases the group made their way back to the car.

Before they all clambered in they were treated to the sight of a slumbering Elliot laid out on his side wearing only his bulging nappy and sweet lustrous pink ruffled plastic pants. The sun was coming in through the sun roof, which kept him warm and snug. However, he looked so cute, which had them all agreeing that their eight-year-old cousin seemed content as he dozed with a lovely big dummy covering most of his mouth.

If anyone was in any doubt before, Dusty was certain that everyone now agreed he was really just a big baby and in need of a nappy. It was she who had replaced his nappy bag with what she thought more appropriate (pink being her favourite colour) and now an added bonus - a binkie?

It was strange that she’d not thought of such a thing before and now fate had brought one to her scheming ways. If anyone had asked she would have radiated innocence and said she was only doing what her mum suggested, and that was looking after their little guest. But, although he’d visited many times, and in the past they’d got along, she resented something about him this time around. Of course he hadn’t helped himself with his petulant and privileged attitude from the start so that was permission enough to drag him down a peg or two. She was looking forward to making sure he was never without his dummy, his nappy and his glossy but childish plastic pants. After all, they did go together rather well and he looked so much like a cosseted little baby as he lay in the back seat of the car it would be a shame to alter things.

# tbc #

Part 5

Before they woke him for the drive home Catherine and the girls discussed what needed to be done. They were all looking in through the side windows and each was clearly satisfied with what they saw. The thick nappy with stuffers had made the padding quite large and the pink plastic cover had stretched nicely to cover the entire thing. In the warm sunny conditions the glossy material was smooth and shiny making his protection look quite appealing and more importantly, just what their little boy required. Even the sweet ruffles added to the image of baby perfection. Julia hadn’t been sure what her friend’s cousin was but now she knew he was more of a baby than his real age (Dusty had spitefully told her that although he was eight – in reality he was just a toddler), so that ‘fact’ was what the three fourteen year-olds had been spending their time talking about.

Whilst enjoying their time at Mason’s, Jenny, Dusty and Julia had formed a very close bond when chatting about Elliot. Jenny had said he was just a little bit incontinent and therefore needed to wear a nappy. Whereas Dusty made it sound like he’d been peeing and shitting all over the place since he’d arrived. Although feeling guilty about it, Jenny backed up her cousin’s appraisal and decided to involve Julia in their planned game.

There wasn’t a lot to do out in the countryside that was a challenge like this, but keeping an eight-year-old in nappies and plastic pants seemed a project too entertaining to ignore. As it was, as they all stared down at his little slumbering body, it looked like he’d come to the same conclusion himself.

“Does he prefer to wear lacy pink panties?” Julia innocently asked. “He does look... cute.”

“It was just what was in the nappy bag, which I believe Dusty packed,” Dionne accused with a knowing smirk.

“Just stuff that was lying around and seemed worth using to keep our little baby, erm, little visitor all nice and tidy.” Dusty smiled at her own clever answer. “He doesn’t appear to have been bothered by it... perhaps he’d really prefer to be a girl like all of us?”

That got everyone thinking but it was time to go so Catherine pressed her key fob and the ‘beep’ woke Elliot up.

The girls piled in and Dionne once again lifted him onto her knee and put the seatbelt around them both. She snuggled his still sleepy, all but naked body against hers and knew that his tight-fitting plastic pants were keeping another very soggy nappy from leaking. However, the little ruffle along the plastic pants was a lovely reminder for the rest of the journey home just what an adorable little tot he was turning into. He’d yawned but woozily kept the baby’s soother in his mouth as he settled back down in the comfort of his cousin’s gentle embrace.

“Right everyone, let’s go home. Julia we can drop you off on the way if that’s OK?” Catherine checked all were safely belted in.

“Yes thank you... and thanks for a lovely trip out. I’ll have loads to tell mum.”

#

All the way home Dusty’s comment had got her mother wondering; maybe Elliot is in need of a change. Not a dramatic change but perhaps options that he’d never had or thought about before. Despite being a bullish, angry and selfish little boy on arrival at the farm, in just a few days he seemed to have settled down slightly and let the girls take the lead. Maybe without the distractions of video games and even his ‘big boy’ clothes, there was a completely different little boy underneath. The other thing that had happened was he didn’t object or fight as much now when fitted into a nappy. Had he accepted that it was there for his benefit and they weren’t trying to baby him (although Catherine was still unaware of the girl’s plan).

Catherine was also still a little surprised that at Mason’s when he got upset with the other kid’s comments, instead of throwing a paddy, he’d sought her out to be comforted. It was something he required so ran into her arms and settled into her motherly embrace.

Because of those early tetchy encounters with the boy’s attitude anyone would have thought such an action not in his character. Could it simply have just been he felt vulnerable or because wearing a nappy gives certain privileges – like running to ‘mummy’ when worried, scared or simply in need of a hug?

However, according to Jenny he occasionally wet at home but now, well he seemed to wet and not know he was doing so. Where that action had come from made Catherine wonder even more that possibly there was more to Elliot’s behaviour than first appeared. She also wondered if, when the opportunity arose to give him his underpants back, would he mess them as well?

All these considerations took her back to the theory she had and began to think of ways to make Elliot a lot happier in his own skin. Firstly though, he’d been in that wet nappy for quite some time so it was time to change the lad. Despite not knowing about his little ‘wet’ incidents before he and his sister came to visit, she was witnessing them in real time. She could see that his tantrums were all part of his childish anxiety, perhaps that’s what she should try and deal with first?

#

The thing Catherine couldn’t get over was that there had been no mention of Elliot’s leaking problem before. Apparently Jenny and her father knew about it but had done nothing to prevent it happening. Maybe it had simply gotten worse since he’d been at the farm where the disruption and anxiety of the visit may have exacerbated the problem. However, if it was more serious and he needed to see a doctor why hadn’t his parent’s already had him checked over?

What she didn’t know was just how furtive Elliot had been about his wetting problem. As far as his family knew, it wasn’t as bad as it was because he’d hidden his embarrassing damp undies pretty well and had done so for quite some time. On the few occasions these ‘leaks’ had been noticed, he was able to explain them with a temper tantrum, which made sure his parents were weary of any follow through action. At school the toilet was next door to the classroom so he had it within easy reach, though even then there were many close calls.

Unfortunately, since he’d been at the farm everything had been noticed and where his temper and tantrums had not only caused the problem but made his ability to hide the results impossible. What was a surprise and scary for Elliot was that now his aunt insisted on him wearing a nappy, he filled it without necessarily knowing it was happening... but had no idea why.

#

All the way home and sitting on Dionne’s knee Elliot hadn’t said a word just drowsily sucked on his dummy. She in return had enjoyed his slippery cushion and hugged him all the more. However, once they arrived and he was released from his seatbelt his attitude changed. Suddenly, as if a totally different person had sprung out of the car, he spat out the dummy and looked angrily at the rest of the family as if unexpectedly realising what he’d become.

“Stop treating me like a fucking baby,” his face curled into a snarl at Dusty in particular.

His language took everyone by surprise as he’d looked so content. However, a semi-naked little lad, wearing a droopy nappy held up by a rather fetching pair of ruffled pink plastic panties didn’t suit such an outburst. It needed addressing.

“You can stop that kind of language straight away young man. As I’ve told you already I’ll have none of that around here,” Catherine rebuked whilst picking up the dummy and giving it a cursory wipe. However she wasn’t quite ready for what happened next.

Dusty strode up and gave him a hard slap across the face. “Don’t you ever swear at me again or I’ll...”

She didn’t get chance to finish her threat.

“DUSTY,” her mother shouted, “we don’t hit people... now apologise to your cousin.”

“No, not before he apologises first. I’m fed up with this little runt thinking he can say what he likes...”

But Elliot was crying his eyes out. He’d never been hit like that by anyone before and the shock was just too much, even more than getting his bottom smacked by Catherine.

Concerned with her daughter’s outburst but knowing a crying and wet little boy needed to be calmed first, Catherine grabbed Elliot’s hand before anything else could be said and all but dragged him inside.

His tears were still rolling as she gently tried to soothe him; however, he was hysterical so heard very little of what his aunt said. Nevertheless, she got him to the bathroom, pulled down his plastic pants and released the soggy material. It was very warm and very wet... and messy.

“Oh look love,” she tried to be understanding now the initial spat had passed and assumed the shock of Dusty’s attack had made him let loose, “you’re soaked and, erm, messy and beginning to get a rash. I should’ve changed you at Mason’s but thought you’d be better off having a little nap. Sorry sweetheart but you’ll need some cream on that after I’ve sorted you out”

Elliot was shaking, stunned by Dusty’s action and glared off into the distance with wet, glassy eyes. Catherine was unsure what to say to return things to normal but first it was all about getting him cleaned up.

#

In the bathroom having released him from his bulging and mucky nappy, his tear-streaked face made him look miserable, ashamed and vacant, as if he had no idea what was going on. Now naked she set about sponging him down and wiping him clean because she didn’t quite trust him in the shower on his own.

She took her time and made sure every bit of his skin was left spotless but was wondering why this was the second time he’d filled his nappy in this way. She hoped this wasn’t going to be a permanent occurrence but he was in no position to try and explain this reaction. Although, in reality, she doubted very much if an eight-year-old would know.

“Sweetheart, we’ll need to get you into a routine for visiting the toilet... probably first thing in a morning... after we’ve changed your night time nappy.”

She was trying to be matter of fact and also desperately trying not to make it sound like it was a problem (even if it was) and that he shouldn’t worry because they could sort this dilemma out, because she didn’t want to be changing messy nappies every day.

All the way through his aunt’s reassuring chat he never spoke, just appeared gloomy with tears in the corner of his eyes. He also had a red mark on his cheek, which more or less showed how hard Dusty’s slap had been. Catherine was well aware that this had been a traumatic day, certainly not helped by her daughter’s vicious reaction but hoped, once he was back in something dry, things would be better.

She wasn’t sure how but assumed that a fresh clean nappy would make things a lot better.

She steered him back to his bedroom.

#

“I I I h-h-hate it here,” he stammered and threw himself down on the bed.

“Oh sweetheart,” she was trying to pick the right words as she gently chastised him, “Dusty shouldn’t have slapped you but you shouldn’t have said such nasty things either... but two wrongs don’t make a right.” She paused to think. “I’m sorry love but we want you here, we like having you stay and I’m sorry that things aren’t quite going as perhaps you expected.”

She looked down at the sad little bundle of naked despondency and tried to make things better.

“Look, let’s get you into something drier and then we’ll have a talk and see if we can’t make things a little bit nicer for you.”

He didn’t react as she continued to dry his damp body with a soft towel, he just lay there immobile, looking miserable.

Once she’d spread Sudocrem all over the reddened area and sprinkled on loads of talc, she reached for a nappy and saw him recoil slightly. However, nothing that had happened so far had convinced Catherine that he should be wearing anything but padding so just folded it, added extra padding and pinned him in. He seemed to accept it, well, he didn’t create, so that was something.

“I know you don’t like them Elliot but so far nappies have saved you from a load of embarrassment.” Of course she could also argue that his nappy and pink plastic pants had done otherwise but she was trying to be positive. “I think you need them and...

She carried on trying to convince him that it was all for the best and although he was listening he was also very apprehensive all the way through the procedure. He looked scared and unsure, well, perhaps not scared of his aunt but about everything that had taken place.

He’d already felt his bare bottom being spanked, he was permanently wearing a nappy, there was the threat of a wooden hairbrush being used to discipline him if he acted up and now his cousin had slapped him - he was having to think about how he reacted to things because what he normally did, wasn’t working.

Meanwhile, his aunt, although keen to get on with the job, was herself deep in troubled thought. In that moment of anger the theory of him settling down she’d just been picturing had been blown apart. As she observed his frail little eight-year-old body, his red cheek and weepy eyes, he did actually look more like a toddler than ever before. He wasn’t the biggest of boys for his age; very slim with hardly any weight at all and when asleep looked for all the world like a sweet little pre-schooler. It was as if, in his angry flare-ups, he was trying to be someone he wasn’t and needed to prove himself in some way. However, studying him now, all snuggled in thick material, she was certain that surrounded by such thick padding was for the best.

The substantial fabric pinned tightly on to his slim hips looked huge but she paused a moment and just rubbed the bulging front to try and settle him even more. The boy definitely needed protection – as much from himself as anybody.

“Elliot,” his aunt started, “you have to remember you’re not at home now and can’t just scream, shout and swear because no one here will put up with it.” Although she’d said all this before she wanted to repeat the house rules. “Now, I know you’re not happy about wearing a nappy but you have continually needed one since you arrived and I think you need the security it offers.” She patted his naked belly. “I’m not trying to belittle you but as we’ve seen these things work,” once again she patted the smooth bulge to emphasise exactly what she was on about, “and stops any embarrassment from staining your clothes in public.”

She suddenly wondered if his tantrums and temper were because he peed so much and were a shield to hide his awkwardness. It was something to think about but at that moment it seemed a well-fitted nappy was doing a sterling job.

“For now I think it’s for the best and gives you the freedom of not having to worry about if and when you need the toilet. Using your nappy makes it easier for us all and hopefully, less stress for you. You may just have noticed everyone is keen to help whenever you need it. I would have thought having all this female attention would have suited you.”

Her eyes lit up as if that was something very positive and he gave a glimmer of a smile at such a suggestion.

She paused a moment to see if he wanted to comment but he stayed silent staring up at her and if truth be known looking a bit lost.

“Now, because of your own, erm, silliness,” she smiled as she said the word so as not to make it more serious and it was, after all, just a trivial act of temper, “you didn’t bring any clothes... but what we do have is plenty of clothes that will fit. So, I don’t want any tears or grumpiness if that’s what we put you in. We’ll try and keep it as appropriate as possible but I’m afraid it won’t always be possible.” She smiled, “However, so far,” she encouraged, “you wear everything so well, (a lie but reassuring nonetheless) you’ve looked excellent in whatever we’ve put you in and you’ll have the full range of stuff to choose from. You can either think of them as old clothes OR see them as simply new clothes you have yet to try on. It will be just like a giant dressing-up box for you to have fun with.”

She continued to comfort him by stroking his delicate looking body. “We don’t know how long you’re going to be here but the girls and I want you to enjoy it.” She was trying to raise another smile from him but he wasn’t responding as hoped.

The slap from his cousin had hit him in another way. He realised that what his aunt said was very true, he couldn’t just throw a tantrum or swear without there being dire consequences. He wasn’t actually hating it on the farm but it was taking some getting used to. Though he detested having to wear a nappy, it had proved to be needed as he’d spurted into it on several occasions quite unaware of it happening until after the event. Yes, they were definitely a plus. However, now he’d crapped in his nappy twice, and this was something he’d never done before, it scared him that it might be a start of things to come.

Meanwhile, Catherine was still trying to sell the positive side of being in the countryside. The fresh air, the lovely animals, the river that ran through the woods. “We want you here and, if you give it a chance I think you’ll appreciate it as well. I know you’re without your electrical thingamabobs but that should be a bonus. Just, well, just try and enjoy yourself... there is plenty to like here.”

She hoped her little speech was absorbed but couldn’t be sure. However, she wanted to say one last thing.

“So, no more paddies, be nice to everyone and just go with the flow. I know you feel you have something to prove but you don’t. In fact, I think we’d all prefer it if you just relaxed. It’s why your parents wanted you to come here, to get away from all the pressures that you’re used to. It’s easier if you just all get along and the girls are keen to make you as comfortable as possible. We’re all here to help, OK?”

There was an audible sigh from him and he seemed to ‘let go’. Catherine hoped this was a sign that she’d got through but, it was up to him.

“Now I’m sure your mummy and daddy will want only the best for you so,” she pointed to his large nappy, “So that stays until I’m sure you no longer need it but, don’t worry, it’s a nappy and if you use it... that’s OK as well, no one is going to think any less of you as that’s what it’s there for. OK?”

She tenderly stroked his chin. “OK hun?” Her eyes twinkling with loving sincerity that was hard to ignore.

In a soft, almost whisper he asked, “What about the... erm... uh... poo?”

Catherine nodded and raised her eyebrows surprised that he’d actually brought it up. “Well, yes, that is something we need to sort out. For the moment though sweetheart, don’t worry but perhaps, each morning, if we need to change your nappy, we’ll visit the toilet first and see if that helps, OK. But, as I say, for the moment, don’t worry about it.”

“Sowwy.” Obviously he meant to say sorry but it came out as a childishly worried apology.

He lay there for a few moments, thumb all but between his lips as he wriggled his legs. They were spread out because the bulky padding was keeping them well apart.

He looked forlorn; his lean body engulfed by the size of the nappy only adding to his pitiful state. However, there was no getting away from it, what he was wearing didn’t look out of place on the boy. She tugged up a clean pair of shiny white pvc pants and tucked his nappy behind the thick elastic waist and leg openings.

Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, he sprang up and hugged his aunt tightly seemingly thankful for her understanding. He murmured “Sorry” as she returned his affectionate embrace. He held on for a few quite a few moments as she stroked his back and offered words of support.

“OK Elliot, apology accepted but you need to also apologise to your sister and cousins, that type of language is never acceptable.” Catherine checked again that everything was all tidy for him.  “Come on, let’s get this over with and then I can get on with our evening meal.”

Elliot nodded. He was completely unsure of his ground. In many ways this was all too much, he was used to doing what he, being top dog and getting his own way but now it looked like he was at the bottom of the pecking order and he’d have to do as instructed. He knew, after his outburst (and of course the messy nappy), he was destined to spend the rest of the day wearing just padding so made no scene about his need for pants to cover his shiny protection.

His nappy, although embarrassing, was also quite comfortable and when the shiny cover had been added he’d convinced himself they just looked like a pair of shiny white nylon shorts he had at home. In fact, the baby panties held everything together quite well and as far as Catherine was concerned being pvc they would protect his nappy from dirt as he played as well as keep any dampness in if he peed again.

When toddlers she’d often had both Dionne and Dusty run around in just their plastic protection and it seemed to work fine, so it should be the same for Elliot. After that hug Catherine was hopeful that everything would be settled from now on. Elliot appeared to understand the rules. What she didn’t know was the plan the girls had to babyfy him and try and humiliate him in the process. So far their actions had proved successful as Elliot reacted with an outburst, wet pants and returned to wearing a nappy.

#

There was no doubt about it - Elliot wearing nothing but a huge nappy made him appear like a toddler. The girls were delighted with his childish look and, although Dusty was about to ridicule him, Dionne was in first to say she hoped he was now all nice and dry, as a show that everything was now back to normal.

“Yes, erm, thank you,” He paused a moment. “I’m sow, erm, ummmm, errrr, sorry for swearing.”

“AND?” Catherine encouraged; he wasn’t going to get away with just saying a one word apology.

“I’m sorry and it won’t happen again.” He then went over to Dusty and pleaded with her not to hit him again. That gesture took her by surprise and her fury with him was unexpectedly deflated.

“OK,” she nodded though holding back any comment about his thick, thick nappy.

Jenny stood up and walked over to her brother and gave him a huge hug. “You’ll always be my baby brother,” she patted the soft material, “but you need to keep a rein of your temper... girls don’t like to be shouted at or called names.”

“Yes,” he whispered feeling very sorry indeed, “I’ll be good.”

“Good, all of us here only want to help, I hope you understand that.” Her sincerity was a little over the top but Elliot didn’t seem to notice.

#

He’d managed to get away without another spanking or visit from the threatened wooden hairbrush but realised he was lucky. It had taken a while but now Elliot recognised that what had been happening was all down to him. He’d left his clothes because of being in a mood, he started arguments, he wanted his own way, he was bad tempered, swore, sulked, peed his pants – as a result, he wore a nappy because of it all. Things had changed. His Aunt Catherine was not a push over; his cousins were independent but close. Whereas he and his sister were always bickering and so, with mummy and daddy away quite a bit of the time, there was no consistency in the family. His anxiety about everything, including where he fit into the scheme of things, had got him to where he was... complete with an uncontrollable bladder.

What he couldn’t deny was that when he’d been upset and rushed to his aunt for comfort she was their instantly to cuddle and make him feel better. The warmth of her hug and gentle soothing words were real and heartfelt. It made him feel ‘special’. Despite his resistance, the girls had gone out of their way (he didn’t know about their little conspiracy) to make sure he wasn’t left wet for any length of time and put into a fresh nappy. Although it felt embarrassing, was not that bad and certainly better than any embarrassing pee dribbling down his leg.

He’d arrived at the house determined not to enjoy himself, to make sure everyone else knew he was not happy and generally make a nuisance of himself until they went home. His plan was not working out well because he’d actually never felt so ‘loved’? He was the centre of attention but not for the reason’s he’d expected but for something far nicer. His aunt cared.

The atmosphere in the front room seemed to have levelled off so they all sat in front of the TV to watch their programmes. Dusty had already got the CD collection out, and inserted the first short Disney movie, something everyone could enjoy. Yes, there was still a big kid in her even if she wouldn’t admit it.

Elliot plonked himself on the floor, his padded nappy making a lovely cushion to sit on and before long was deep in concentration watching the colourful characters careering around the screen helping solve whatever problems occurred in their animated world.

#

After the evening meal and the pots and pans had been washed and put away a new movie was suggested to round off the day. Everyone had an idea of what they wanted to watch but Catherine thought it would be nice to let Elliot choose. All the girls were offering their choice as possibilities but Elliot, unsure and under pressure to make a decision, surreptitiously wet himself.

The poor boy was greatly embarrassed because this was something he couldn’t remember doing even when much younger. However, it appeared that by wearing a nappy his body had decided it didn’t need permission to go to the toilet, it would just do it when it felt like it. To a rebellious Elliot this might have sounded like a terrific thing to have discovered. Unfortunately, on this occasion it just proved to the assembled group that their decisions had been correct, he needed nappies more than ever.

Dionne offered her services but both Dusty and Jenny said it should be them as they thought it was their turn. Catherine looked at Elliot to see if he’d agree but he was too self-conscious to say anything (which Catherine took as a good sign) so she nodded to the two fourteen year-olds who held out their hands for him to take. He was a bit unsure but several things were going through his mind. He was wet and didn’t like being that way. His aunt had been so nice to him all day and she wasn’t disapproving of the idea. The girls had changed him before so knew what they were doing. Since his explosion and its consequences the girls had been very encouraging and he really thought he didn’t have much choice. So, nervously took their hands and was led up to the bathroom.

#

For Elliot, although it didn’t seem right his sister and cousin should change him, never mind want to change him, it had become apparent he had no say in any of this - the women of the house were in charge. There was a part of him that wanted to scream “NO” in the angriest of ways, to protest loudly and violently until he scared people away. But in the short time he’d been at the farm, things had changed for him and not just his nappies. His temper tantrums did not have the same effect they had at home. He wasn’t going to get his own way anytime soon.

The thing was, besides being powerless, when he had a change of nappy the fresh full feel of the fabric surrounding his boyish bits had been, although unwelcome at first, something that surprisingly comforted him. He knew he shouldn’t have felt that way but no matter how much he tried to deny it, the material was nicely bound and held him in a protective soft hug. Not unlike the hugs aunty gave so it was something he was rapidly coming to terms with.

Whilst his thoughts were otherwise engaged, his sister had his nappy unpinned and was wiping him down. Meanwhile, Dusty was organising his next piece of padding, which just happened to be a large fleecy terry square folded thickly and included an extra couple of soaker pads.

Jenny looked down at her prostrate brother and was equally surprised that there was no actual protest, even as she showered him in talc. She could see he was deep in thought but didn’t seem totally aware of what was going on. Dusty was quick to seize the initiative and made him lift up his bottom and feed the fabric under him. She already had pins in her mouth and despite it being a bit of a struggle, pulled all the corners of the material together and fastened him in. She indicated to Jenny the pair of pink ruffled plastic pants she’d lined up so with equal speed had them open and wriggled up his legs in seconds.

Of course for Dusty this was just something further to ridicule her cousin but he hadn’t noticed the ruffles and as he’d worn pink before just assumed that’s the colour of plastic pants and, whether he liked it or not, he’d better get used to it.

To complete the outfit she reached over to a small pile of clothes and sorted a pink t-shirt that she’d loved as a six year old, with a large comical brown monkey on the front and slipped that over his head. It certainly didn’t hide his huge nappy but did look like the outfit was meant to go together. Both girls smiled at their work as they helped their ‘baby’ up and asked if he wanted to go straight to bed or come and watch some TV. He plumped for more TV, even though he yawned as he waddled back downstairs with difficulty.

#

As he entered the living room with a tell-tale rustle Dionne and her mother smiled. The girls had done a great job, even if they had gone a bit over the top with the excess padding. Catherine reached out an arm, “OK baby, come and sit with me and tell me which movie you want to see.” On this occasion her ‘baby’ reference was one of affection rather than how he was dressed.

Elliot missed the ‘baby’ reference and tottered over, climbed up on the sofa and nestled into the crook of her welcoming arm. As he got settled she noticed his huge cloth nappy hidden behind the soft vinyl pants with the little rows of lacy ruffles across the bum. She patted it and smiled and was relieved when he smiled back. He either hadn’t noticed or didn’t mind, which was great news for all concerned.

“Toy Story... please.” He mumbled as he got himself settled.

“Which one sweetie... we’ve got the lot?”

“Four.”

“Well,” Catherine thought, “that’s going to be a hundred minutes of emotion. I hope he’s able to cope.”

With that she slipped it in the player and set it going. Elliot climbed in as close as possible to his aunt’s bosom and settled down to watch. She put her arm around him and pulled him in closer hugging and patting his padding in a loving and supportive way. He felt safe and loved.

What the girls didn’t realise was that Elliot was indeed missing his mummy. Although he’d have argued that he didn’t, when his aunt had cuddled him when he was upset, it set off a whole medley of emotions. It was nice to be loved, feel protected, held even... his aunt always smelled nice and was quick and enthusiastic to cuddle and encourage. Sitting on her lap back at Mason’s had been a revelation to the eight-year-old, he didn’t have to prove himself. He didn’t have to be something he wasn’t and even his occasional wet pants now was sorted so that was one less worry.

The girls may have been having their fun but for Elliot he was simply feeling cherished... and it was nice.

The girls had already set out a few snacks and a jug of homemade lemonade had been poured into glasses for everyone should they get thirsty during the film.

Meanwhile, the girls also knew they were in for an emotional ride as no matter how many times they’d seen it, Toy Story 4 made them all cry. Mum was aware of what was to come so reached over to the tableside drawer and produced a box of tissues. It was just as well because they were needed.

By the end there were sniffles and tears everywhere except from their little ‘baby boy’, who was huddled up fast asleep in his aunt’s embrace and had been for most of the film.

He’d fallen asleep after he’d downed a refreshing glass of lemonade, burped loudly, which had produced laughter rather than reproach, and settled back into the crux of his aunt’s arm. Twenty seven minutes later he was dead to the world.

Once the film had ended, and the girls had all gone up to bed, Catherine gently roused him and guided him up to his bedroom. He slipped uncomplaining under his sheets and just before she kissed him nighty-night she produced the cleaned-up dummy from her pocket and gently offered it to his lips. His mouth opened slightly so she slid it in and, after a moment’s pause he started to contentedly suckle.

#

Back in the girl’s bedroom they were chatting because now he was constantly nappied they could take things further. Now he had a binkie Dusty fancied him being bottle fed so came up with a strategy that during the play they were planning to occupy their time during this long school holiday, Elliot would have a part as a newborn. She hadn’t thought through the plot details but the idea was there. As a group they more or less guessed he wouldn’t want to do it voluntarily so had to come up with a plot to make him feel obligated. However, before all that Dusty wanted to experiment with just exactly what her cousin should be wearing. It had been remarkably easy to get him into pink plastic ruffled panties and a girly t-shirt, she wondered just how far she could push the look. She made another trip to the box of old clothes and sifted through them.

Her eyes lit up when she discovered an old party dress from when a sweet little five-year-old. She remembered pestering her mum to get this very girly, pale-blue satin dress she’d seen one of the princesses on TV wear. She’d become obsessed with the programme and wanted nothing more than to look like the star of the show to a forthcoming friend’s birthday party. Mum finally gave way to her pleading and tears and bought her this lovely dress that had to be said, she looked like a little princess wearing. However, despite the loveliness of the costume, she was the only one at the party who’d come as someone off the telly and felt silly being the only one. She never wore it again and it had sat at the bottom of her old clothes box ever since. Now she hoped it would get another chance to shine... thanks to Elliot... but how?

#

In his small, disorderly but private little bedroom Elliot slept untroubled with what had been going on around him. Although he’d hated having to wear a nappy it had taken away some of the concerns he had when accidentally dribbling into his undies. However, once he woke up was glad he’d worn such protection because his night time padding was absolutely soaked. It was strange that since he’d had to wear a nappy it had been constantly needed as if wearing it had been permission to use it. Of course Elliot wasn’t thinking in those terms but it was true that those thick absorbent folds of material had saved him from embarrassment on quite a few occasions now. It was also a bit of a bind to try and fish out his little willy from behind all that plastic and fabric if he wanted to go to the toilet.

Aunt Catherine could smell the tell-tale signs of a wet nappy even before she entered his bedroom. Of course she knocked first but didn’t wait on a reply before she slipped in and saw her nephew still struggling to wake up.

“C’mon sweetie, the sun’s up, the girls are up, breakfast will soon be on the table and there’s a wonderful day ahead so...” She pulled his covers away to reveal his small vulnerable body wrapped in a soggy nappy and plastic pants.

“C’mon chicken, let’s get you out of that dampness and let’s try the toilet eh. Then we can get you into something a little bit more pleasant to wear.”

She helped him out of bed and still in a sleepy daze pointed towards the bathroom where she removed his soaked night time padding and sponged him down.

She left him to do his business but returned once she heard the flush.

“There, there, all nice and clean now...”

“Auntie... mmm... can I have my clothes back?” Standing naked but with a towel still being dabbed at any remaining damp areas he looked searchingly at his aunt.

“Well Elliot let’s see.” She paused. “Did you wet last night?”

He looked away because he thought this was an unfair question as it was obvious he had but that shouldn’t matter. He was a boy, an eight-year-old boy and shouldn’t be treated as a baby.

“Well, did you?” she was determined to get him to admit to just what had happened.

He reluctantly nodded.

“And have you wet your pants every day since you’ve been here?”

He had nowhere to hide and although she wasn’t being brutal in her questions or interrogation, she wanted him to know why she insisted he was kept in nappies.

“Look Elliot, you’re under my care and we’ve all seen you have a slight problem. Now it’s easily fixed and, if you’d stop making a big song and dance about it you’d see that everyone is on your side and no one is the least bit bothered... so nor should you.”

“But I’m not a little kid.” He whined.

“Elliot, I don’t want to have this same conversation every morning. No matter how old a person is, if they wet, then protection is something they need. For now you’ll wear a nappy and that’s the end of it. Just accept that’s the way things are and then we can move on. You know it’s for your own good.” He looked up sad but not resentful so that was a change in his demeanour. “I’m not making you wear one for fun it’s what you need... so just accept it.”

She could see he was on the verge of tears. It was all so unfair and despite the conversation the night before was still having doubts. His underpants had normally soaked up any dribbles in the past so why did he have to wear a nappy now. It was an old argument he’d been having with himself but this wasn’t quite true. In the past he’d just hidden the evidence of his more sodden undies very well. In fact, his parents never kept track on such stuff or they might have realised how many pairs of briefs he was getting through. For an eight-year-old he’d been quite resourceful.

“Look sweetheart,” she hugged the tearful boy, “Honestly, I’m not being horrible to you...”

“But you are...” he whimpered, “It’s not fair...”

“I’m not being unfair at all,” she tried to appease his worry, “but you have a wetting problem and rather than ignore it the simplest solution is to keep you well wrapped up... for everyone’s sake but especially yours. I don’t think you’d feel the big man you think you are if there was a trail of pee behind you or that your pants had a huge stain.” She hugged him again.

The tears and emotion was getting the better of him “But, but it’s not, not fffair...” He blubbed but his aunt just held him in a soft loving embrace until he’d calmed down.

“Why can’t I wear my jeans... the ones I came in?”

“Well love, they’re too tight to wear with a nappy... that’s why we’ve been finding things from the chest... and I have to say you’ve looked pretty good in everything so far.”

“But you make me wear girl’s baby pants.”

“Well love, that’s because that’s all we have but once you have clothes over them no one can tell... so what difference does it make?”

“But they’re all old girly stuff as well,” he whined like a toddler.

“Not really love. It’s all just clothes, and, as I said last night, they are all new to you, so you can make them into your own style. I mean girls may wear them but so do boys... you just have to stop thinking blue is for boys and pink for girls... colours don’t define you... attitude does.”

“But you tell me off for having an attitude.” Catherine had to smile to herself at that, he had a comeback that was spot on and counter to what she’d just said. “Yes sweetie but that was the wrong attitude...” She wanted to say more, in fact her head was full of reasons and explanations but she remembered he was eight. KISS came to mind - Keep It Simple Stupid. Going too far and too deep would only complicate things

“Well love, for the time being at least I think it best for you to wear a nappy quite simply because you need one.” He tried to argue his point but she wasn’t having it. “But I’ll tell you what, you decide which plastic cover you want to wear and choose the clothes to go over it. We thought we were making it easier making those decisions for you but, if you feel it’ll make a difference, then you choose. OK?”

As they left the bathroom Dionne smiled as she walked past, “Just delivered those items we talked about. They’re in our little hero’s room stacked at the end of his bed.” She ruffled her cousin’s hair and smiled. He smiled back liking being called a ‘hero’.

“Thanks love... was it all dry?”

“Yes and all nicely folded.”

Catherine nodded and led her naked charge into his room to get ready for the day.

#

The first thing Elliot noticed was the two items piled where his cousin had said, a large fluffy stack of nappies and a smaller batch of plastic pants.

“OK, first things first,” she whipped away the towel, “let’s get some cream and powder on that body of yours and then... into one of these beauties, eh?” She flapped out the terry fabric on the top of the pile and began to fold it. Elliot watched but said nothing. He’d come to the conclusion that he’d have no say in this part of the proceedings but after he was pinned snugly into it then the rest was up to him.

Of course he moaned and wriggled his displeasure but didn’t put up too much in the way of resistance. He quite liked the way his aunt was always so gentle when rubbing in the various creams or lotions and the fun way she shook out the talc. The nappies were soft and once in place, although he knew he was wearing something a lot bigger than his usual undies, weren’t that bad. Catherine, as always, was efficient and exact. His nappy was fitted tightly and the soft material hugged his hips and folded around his little genitals in a comforting manner.

“OK sweetheart, the next bit is up to you... these are the plastic pants we have. Before you choose though just remember, no one but you will know because they’ll be under something else so, and I’m only suggesting this as a possibility, the thicker the plastic the safer you’ll feel.”

The thing was, it was the pretty pink plastic ones that were by far the most robust but he wanted to avoid them. Then he noticed that they had a lacy ruffle across the bottom, which he’d been completely unaware of... “Have I been wearing these?” He held them up with disgust.

“Well, they were in the nappy bag but you seemed OK with them and... they did a grand job of keeping you’re damp nappy from leaking.”

“But, but look they’re for girls.” He pointed to the ruffle.

“Maybe sweetie but does it matter... they do what they’re supposed to do but here are the rest,” she pointed to the stack. “Choose an alternative if you want.”

Of course there wasn’t much of a choice because Catherine had two girls so that’s all the old babywear she possessed. It had been a revelation that their toddler plastic pants had fitted Elliot with ease and perhaps weird that Catherine had kept everything for some reason. Still, they were needed now, so that’s what he was wearing and there was a nice selection from clear, shiny white, opaque, pink, blue and a few with lively and colourful figures all over them. Although there might be a case for buying some new clothes for Elliot, for the moment at least, it seemed so much easier to use what was available rather than going to any great expense.

Elliot was having similar thoughts. “Can’t you buy me some new clothes and mummy will give you the money when she gets back.”

“Well love, the thing is... there are plenty of clothes here that will fit and I’m against buying new things when there’s plenty of use left in the old things.” She paused wondering if an eight-year-old would understand her thinking but could see he was disappointed in her reply. “The good thing about wearing old clothes is it doesn’t matter if they get ripped or dirty whilst you’re playing out, so, you don’t have to be forever worrying about keeping things clean.” She beamed hoping that the idea of getting into a mess, and not having to worry would placate his mind.

She could see his juvenile mind thinking about it... but... did getting mucky really appeal to him, she wasn’t so sure.

However, she’d completed her side of things but he was still thinking about which pair of plastic pants to wear. She’d seen him linger, even if it was just for a brief moment, over the solid plastic blue vinyl ones with the little kittens on them. She could see that even though he’d rejected them he did quite like them and decided that in future he would wear them over his night time nappy. In the end he reluctantly chose a clear pair and handed them to Catherine who opened them up for him to step into.

She pulled them up and over the thick fabric making sure it was all tucked in.

“There,” she announced with some pleasure, “ready for the fun day ahead.”

Although he was unenthusiastic about choosing his own clothes from those on offer he settled on a pair of loose dark blue shorts that had pale blue piping up the sides and around the leg, and a pale blue t-shirt with a multi-coloured parrot on the front. It could easily pass for either a boy or a girl but auntie said it was a terrific choice and he looked fantastic, so, that cheered him up.

What could so easily have turned into a stand-off between aunt and nephew had become something that was easy. Catherine’s constant support, praise and encouragement on all levels, even ones Elliot himself was unsure of, had become pleasing. He enjoyed being told he was a good boy for doing as he was told and accepted that she only wanted what was best for him.

#

Suddenly, everything changed. With the school’s summer holidays in full swing, the village and Mason’s Farm Shop in particular was seeing an increase in visitors. So much so that the demand for extra cheese, eggs and baked products that Catherine supplied increased considerably. The Gourmet Cheese Counter had put in an urgent new order for goats cheese and it just so happened that Catherine had a supply she was trying out with a selection of different herbs. Dianna Tinker was very excited about featuring these new products from her local supplier and it appeared, so where her customers. Her stock sold far more rapidly than ever before.

Catherine always hoped she’d be prepared for such an eventuality but the thing was... demand had escalated so swiftly it meant all normal plans had to be abandoned to take care of it. Unexpectedly, the kids were involved even more in helping Catherine meet this increased response and desire for fresh, locally produced products. So, it was ‘all hands to the pumps’ as the saying goes. The play was forgotten as the girls and Elliot rallied round to do their bit.

Of course Catherine and her daughters had experienced these ups and downs in orders before but it seemed that everyone wanted more, so more was what they’d supply. According to those who they delivered to at the Farmer’s Market goat’s cheese had become a firm favourite since it was featured on a TV cookery programme. Those shows always induced frenzy amongst certain people but it was also an opportunity to make some extra cash as a result.

Having taken yet another order for her products Catherine sat the kids down and explained the situation. So, Dionne and she were on baking duties, Dusty and Jenny were on goat-milking and cheese preparation (following Catherine’s original tasty recipe), whilst Elliot was put in charge of the hens and egg collecting. She had been worried that her guests might think it a cheat to be working whilst they were supposed to be on vacation but both seemed incredibly happy with being given such responsibility.

She promised that they’d celebrate with a big party once the fuss had died down and that seemed to encourage them all to be on-board.

Elliot was also tasked with fruit gathering and herb picking, which meant he spent quite a bit of time on his own away from the girls. He loved this freedom and apart from when it was time for deliveries, didn’t have to worry about what clothes he was wearing.

In fact, over the next few hot summer days of hectic activity – when they weren’t producing, they were delivering - everyone took to their given jobs with an enthusiasm Catherine found most gratifying – everyone pulling together.

#

There were no arguments because everyone had their tasks and were working towards a goal. Perhaps surprisingly, the ‘project’ brought them all closer together. By night time everyone was exhausted, though even with the previously reluctant Elliot the enthusiasm for the next day simply grew. In fact, he cared less and less what he wore and was often seen wandering around his patch and the house (depending on the weather) wearing only a jumper or t-shirt and his plastic covered nappy. This was partly due to his morning change out of his wet nappy and into a dry one (he was still wetting nightly but managing to use the toilet first thing for Number 2s). He disliked a lot of what was on offer to wear as too ‘girly’ and, as he had to wear a nappy and plastic pants because his aunt didn’t trust him not to soak everywhere, the need for extra layers became less important.  

Told constantly that he looked “just fine” once the plastic pants had engulfed his fresh padding and that, as his aunt and sister pointed out, if the clothes bothered him that’s how he should stay. For some reason, possibly because he spent all his time just around the farm, he seemed to agree and became less and less worried about appearing dressed so sparsely. What else was true was that when he got dirty his plastic pants could just be wiped clean, so less laundry.

No one commented because everyone found it endearing and even Dusty’s idea of getting him into her party dress faded as she also thought he’d found what suited him best. He did look the part of a little pre-schooler running around the farm and that pleased everyone. The only time Elliot would wear extra clothes was when they went delivering. He’d quickly become a favourite of old Mrs Wainwright who was ordering more because like everyone else’s her family was visiting regularly. She always made a fuss of him with each delivery and he would look forward to his reward of the extra-large cookie.  

When back at the farm they were so busy that often the eight-year-old soaked his nappy and did not realise until one of the girls noticed. Then either he’d be whipped off to be changed inside or, if the nappy bag was nearby one or possibly a couple of the girls would change him where he was.

Elliot not only became a lot less fussy and, because they were all so busy, there was no time for bickering or plotting. So, for almost four solid weeks Catherine’s back-up supplies dwindled as she met the demand. In the meantime, she and the kids produced the next round of local fresh farm produce, which more and more people seemed to desire.  

Perhaps strangely both Jenny and Elliot had never had so much fun and appeared every morning as eager as their cousins and aunt to begin their daily duties. Calls from their mummy and daddy were greeted with excitement about what they were doing and less and less about what the Divas were up to or what India was like.

Annie and James were relieved to hear that their decision to send them to the countryside was working. Catherine had nothing but praise for their hard work and commitment and despite the rocky start (and his continued use of a nappy) Elliot didn’t appear to be missing his PlayStation as much as he thought he would.

The eight-year-old found himself bonding with the hens and had even learned their names so he could ‘talk’ to them personally to encourage egg-laying. He was convinced it worked and no one disagreed that he was doing a fantastic job because the little ‘cluckers’ were reacting favourably to his constant attention. Another huge fact was he was no longer afraid of the goats and often helped his sister and cousin if needed.

In fact, he became very friendly with all the animals, stroking and chatting to them, hugging the soft furry ones and encouraging the feathery ones. He knew which herb was which and took his collecting services seriously. He still wasn’t keen on mushrooms but they were a popular addition to many orders so he was in charge of picking them as well. He didn’t mind groping around in the warm, if slightly damp condition they grew in - it was a dirty job (the compost mixture called a substrate was composed of all manner of farm waste) but someone had to do it. He was becoming more responsible and yet his nappies were always drenched. Catherine wasn’t sure what was really going on with him but was definite that the padding stayed. In fact, she’d actually bought extra nappies and plastic pants as his problem wasn’t abating and what they had was getting pretty well used.

#

After four weeks of near madness the rush at the Farmer’s Market died down, which gave Catherine the opportunity to replenish her reserves of fresh cheeses maturing in the barn. She knew that there’d be locals who’d still want her product, which she was holding back for later in the season. Her chutneys and jams had all but been cleared out so there was still quite a lot to do to replace the stock but that could wait, she had a better idea.

The kids had been brilliant and seeing them work so hard had decided that the following weekend they would have a party to celebrate. Catherine conceded that what had been planned as a little affair for the family had, because of the girl’s gossip when delivering, developed into a much bigger event. However, she realised that this might be a great way to thank everyone for their continued support so invited all their local customers who fancied coming to a Blow-out in the Barn. Besides, her bank account had never looked so positive (thanks not only to the extra sales but to a very nice deposit from the Lawrence finances) so thought every one deserved a bit of a treat.

The farm would be decked out in lights and the barn would play host to the fifty or so people who’d accepted invitations. The kids were all so excited and planned, if they couldn’t do a play, to put on a karaoke show, which they hoped would go down well. Catherine had some old Christmas lights, decorations and festive bunting so, on the morning of the party, once again it would be all hands to the decks to get the place shipshape and ready to PAAAARTAAY.

# tbc #

 

Part 6

Despite everything going so well Catherine had a concern – she wondered why Elliot was now continually wetting himself and appeared unconcerned about doing so. In a quiet moment she called his sister over for a private chat.

“Jenny, I was just wondering if your brother has said anything to you.”

“About what aunty?” As always Jenny was keen to help her aunt whenever she could.

“You know, his constant wetting, erm, is he worrying about anything in particular or having bad dreams or anxiety about...”

Jenny had herself been wondering about how incontinent he’d become and had discussed it with her cousins.

“Well aunty, we’ve been giving it...”

“We?” she interrupted and looked suspiciously at her niece.

“Yes, me, Dionne and Dusty have thought about it and we think...”

“Yessss...” she wondered just what the girls conclusion had been.

“That he’s now enjoying all the extra attention he’s getting.”

“Really,” she paused in thought, “hmmmmm.”

“You know how badly he reacted when his wet pants were first discovered and how badly he took it when he messed? But now, well, he seems more than happy to just let his nappy deal with it. After all, it’s what it’s there for”

‘It’s what it’s there for’ had been the constant refrain by Catherine to Elliot so that he wouldn’t worry about wearing one and using it. She had hoped that it would lessen the impact of him having to cope with such a childish issue but was equally determined that he would wear one until she was sure he was over his incontinence.

“Mmm, yes, well, erm... that actually makes sense... thank you Jenny, you’ve made me think.”

“Glad I could help aunty and let’s not forget the anger he used to have about being changed... not so angry now.” She observed, “In fact, despite his occasional wobble for independence, I’d go as far as to say he loves to be changed now. Well, that’s what me and the girls have noticed, haven’t you?”

With her putting that thought back at her aunt, making her feel that she should have noticed the big change in Elliot’s attitude, she felt a bit guilty that it was being pointed out to her.

“Of course aunty,” Jenny went on, “you’ve been so busy with everything else we’ve done most of the changing so...”

“Yes, well, yes, erm, well thanks again Jenny... erm...” Catherine felt suddenly accountable and wondered was she doing enough or simply let things slide, relying on the girls to do most of the dirty work?

“Aunty, you’ve been brilliant. You’ve let him find his own level of comfort and he rarely kicks off if he’s given some of the Dusty’s old clothes. No, I think you’ve given him a whole new start and I’m sure it’s one he’s very happy with. Just to see him now, I don’t think he’s ever been happier.”

It was true, since they were all pitching in on the farm Elliot had changed from a spoiled brat into a lovely little lad doing his bit; even if he did look infantile as he scampered around the place in just his protection. It was also true that over the hectic few weeks he didn’t seem as bothered as he used to be when her daughter’s old clothes were offered for him to wear. He only baulked a little at the more girly stuff though in general, the outbursts and tears had all but subsided. A shrug or shake of the head was all he offered now.

The point that Jenny was perhaps not so subtly trying to get across was that her brother was now unfussed about wearing what he was given.

“Was he... hmmmm?” Catherine contemplated just how happy the lad actually was.

Jenny wandered off knowing she had her aunt thinking more positive than negative about Elliot’s current state. Well, a little bit at least, and although it wasn’t a complete lie (she’d just thought up what she’d said on the spot and assumed being unfussed applied) was happy for things to stay as they were. The girls were enjoying seeing Elliot just the way he was, it was after all what they hoped to achieve at the beginning of the summer break.

Meanwhile, Catherine thought her niece might have a point and maybe the nappy had given Elliot permission to retreat from his boyish, bullish attitude. Maybe, she considered, this was him asking to be loved or maybe, as his sister inferred, this was now his only way of getting the attention he perhaps craved. Whatever the reason, there was absolutely no denying that the atmosphere at the farm had changed for the better - so that was a good thing.

In fact, she began to congratulate herself that a self-absorbed little boy was now a contributing part of the ‘family’ and if it’d taken a wet nappy and a few girly clothes to produce such a glorious change, maybe it was worth putting up with the slight damp inconvenience. However, as far as she could see, it didn’t appear that much of an inconvenience to anyone... so everyone was happy.

#

The one thing that Jenny hadn’t mentioned (because she didn’t know), was just how much Elliot had become weary of his aunt’s use of the dreaded wooden hairbrush which Dionne had said she’d utilise if he was naughty. This had made a huge impact on the boy and had pulled him up on several occasions when he was about to argue or throw a tantrum.

He had no idea that Dionne had said what she did to get his attention and offer it as a threat although it was something her mother didn’t possess – well she did, but it was used as a hairbrush not an implement of punishment.

Although it hadn’t been mentioned since that day it was something to take into consideration whenever he wanted to protest about the way he was being treated. In many ways, that threat had been the first, no second thing that had ‘settled’ him down (the first had been when his aunt spanked him on that first day), as he’d never had to worry about such action from his parents.

So, although he wasn’t happy about having to wear a nappy and the clothes he was given the prospect of what might happen if he didn’t was also something he worried about and that had a knock-on effect which made him need a nappy.

Of course, Catherine had no knowledge of this implied chastisement, Dionne had no idea her threat had such impact, whilst Dusty and Jenny were just enjoying the spectacle of having Elliot wear such babyish outfits. It probably didn’t even occur to him that was part of the reason why he wet so much though perhaps didn’t explain why his overnight padding was always so soggy.

However, what the nappy had offered him was no embarrassing stains on his trousers and no need to hide any wet undies. He’d been given permission to wet and not worry too much about it. So it was inevitable, mentally at least, that option was the one he took, even if he was unaware he was doing so.

#

With the party rapidly approaching, and the clamour for more produce only slightly dipping, work on the ‘party’ barn had to be left until the last minute. Dusty and Jenny had suggested that to make it more fun perhaps it should be fancy dress. Dionne thought the idea of a themed party was quite good but Catherine wondered if putting pressure on guests to ‘dress up’ was really the way to go to get them all to enjoy themselves.

Elliot was in bed asleep; it had been a particularly busy day and he was exhausted. Catherine had kept to his bedtime of no later than 9pm and he’d eventually settled into that nightly routine. He never said a word as Dionne and his sister came up and helped him into his night time nappy and appeared content when his cousin kissed his cheek and wished him a lovely ‘night-night and bless’. They were even more delighted if he took his dummy to nurse on. So, when the party was being discussed without his input everyone was of the opinion he’d go for the fancy dress option if asked.  

In the end ‘fancy dress’ was agreed upon as something extra for the group of invited kids to enjoy, but no restrictions to be placed on anyone who didn’t want to take part. All would be welcome... well, everyone who’d been invited.

Later, when Dusty and Jenny were in bed and still excitedly discussing the party, Dusty mentioned her lovely Satin Princess Party Dress and told her cousin the story. She went to her wardrobe and showed her just what a pretty item of party-wear it was and how much of a shame that it wouldn’t get used again.

Jenny thought it was a bit ‘too much’ all that shiny material, bows and frills but, as a dress fit for a Princess, it certainly fitted the bill.

“Shame it hasn’t really had the wear it deserves,” Dusty shrugged. Jenny wasn’t sure, as she couldn’t see anyone in this day and age wanting to wear something so spectacularly juvenile... unless they were a five year old.

“I’ll tell you what,” Dusty cheekily confided to her attentive cousin, “I bet Elliot would look sensational in it... and it would fit him... no trouble.”

“What?” Jenny said in surprise.

“Yer, I suppose you’re right... we’d never get him to voluntarily wear it... would we?”

When the light was turned off both girls settled down to wonder... maybe?

#

In the morning, as the girls rested a while after their initial burst of enthusiasm for getting the work done, they discussed the songs they wanted to sing at the karaoke they’d planned for the party. Of course Elliot was in one of the poly-tunnels picking his daily herbs and fruit and, because Catherine had got him ready, was wearing the flowery sun suit over his fresh nappy.

“What do you think we should get Ellie to sing?” Dusty enquired but already had a plan.

“Does he have a favourite that you hear him singing back home?” Dionne wondered.

“Not really. I mean, he rarely sings any of mummy’s songs but... ermmm.” She said pausing to let what she said next appear a spontaneous thought. “Well, although he’s not one for singing we watch a lot of movies and he liked stuff like UP and Frozen and the Incredibles... you know... stuff like that.” Jenny answered but she was already in with the plan.

“Oh, oooo, do you think he’d sing Let It Go?” Dionne excitedly added.

“I suppose we could teach him it,” Dusty enthused and burst into a quick chorus. Oddly (?) they knew the words and before long the entire song was being sung with gusto by all three in pretty good voice.

They chuckled as the song came to an end with the big finish.

They’d had the karaoke machine and screen for over five years and it was a great addition to the family entertainment brief – to entertain themselves. Catherine made sure the catalogue of songs was kept up to date and a quick check showed that the song was on the list.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we could get Elliot to sing that, but, how can we go about it?” Dionne wondered.

“Well,” Jenny spoke up, “we can go around singing it and try and entice him into giving it a (Let it) go ha-ha... but it might be best to tell him that the song has been chosen by mummy as one she’d love to hear him sing it.”

“Would that work?” Dionne wasn’t so sure.

“We can but try,” said Jenny, “and besides, if we tell him he’s to be the star performer I’m sure he’ll step up to give it a go. He always loved it when mummy praised him when he sang whatever song they’d learned at nursery or in the infants class. He has a nice voice, or so the teachers thought, but he never seemed keen to use it too much. However, once he received praise there was no stopping him so our job should be to encourage him, help him learn the words and see what happens.”

“That sounds like a great idea,” smiled Dusty but there again, this had been her plan all along. Her main concern though was to get him to wear her Princess party dress to sing it in. It wasn’t quite what Elsa wore but it was perfect for a little nappy-wearing boy she still secretly wanted to humiliate.

Jenny also wondered what her brother would look like in such a pretty dress and was almost as determined as Dusty was to see it happen. Meanwhile, the two younger girls kept their plan secret from Dionne. They had offered to make a surprise ‘special outfit’ for him but it was to be kept secret to the grand unveiling on party night. This had got Elliot very excited and he loved the idea that the party would be fancy dress.

However, they’d noticed that on a few occasions Dionne was taking her ‘babysitting duties’ that is, changing Elliot’s damp nappies, with a degree of sympathy and understanding. They’d decided that she couldn’t be trusted not to say something to him and for him to then refuse.

#

Late Friday afternoon, just as they were returning from a trip to Mason’s the radio confirmed that Groove Divas International had the top three spots in the singles chart and were Number One for the fourth week running in the album chart. A live video link from the Radio 1 DJ who announced the weekly charts to the Divas on tour in Malaysia congratulated the girls and confirmed there chart dominance. In return, all four sounded happy and suitably grateful to be on tour and offered a huge THANK YOU to all the fans who’d made their current output such a huge success.

Unfortunately, that little tit-bit of information, and Annie saying how much she was missing her “precious children”, had been missed by a car full of kids singing ‘Let It Go’ to a little flowery-clad boy who was desperate to remember the words.

He’d been told he was to star in the fancy dress karaoke party and, as discussed, that his mother had chosen the song for him. It hadn’t taken much to convince him to take part once he’d been told he would be the centre of attention. Also, and he wouldn’t admit it out loud (although his sister already suspected), Frozen was his most favourite movie... and he loved that song.

Since being told of that decision and that it would be fancy dress for the party, he’d wondered what to wear but Jenny had inferred that the girls were working on something spectacular for him that would look great under the spotlight. He was very excited at the prospect; would it be Snowman Olaf, or the wonderful Iceman Kristoff... or maybe the Evil Prince Hans? So, because of the way they’d all been getting along, he didn’t suspect a thing.

All through the house they could hear his voice trying to get the right emphasis on certain parts of the song. It was surprising that he had quite a nice pure voice but perhaps lacked the power of Elsa’s delivery and this was what he was practicing.

Later in the evening before the party they set up as much of the barn as they could but mainly it was the karaoke machine and organised the list of available songs but first they all wanted to rehearse their own number. Catherine excused herself from contributing because of her self-proclaimed ‘awful voice’ but of course, since her daughters knew her so well, also knew that she could be enticed (and not too reluctantly) to belt out her favourite - Son of a Preacher Man. Meanwhile, the girls were quite impressed by the way Elliot had taken to the task and made a pretty passable version of his song. There was no doubt about it that his small frame, thick padding and what the girls had planned for him to wear, he was undoubtedly going to be the ‘talk’ of the party.

#

Elliot kept practicing but although he was okay, the girls had hoped he’d master the tune a little better. They were even teaching him where to add emphasis to various parts in the song but much to their upset, he wasn’t very good. Still he was giving it a go and they were sure the rest of the party goers would be happy to see a little lad in a dress trying to sing such an iconic song.

Saturday morning they set off early to make all their deliveries so they had time to get the barn up to scratch. They’d already fished out Christmas fairy-lights and assorted strands of colourful electric bulbs, the bales of hay were set about and a little bar was organised at the end of a long trestle-table that would later be trembling under the weight of snacks that Catherine had already prepared. Of course many of the neighbours had pitched in and the Derby’s from a nearby cattle farm had helped to dig out a pit for a barbeque.  Catherine was unsure of just how many guests would turn up but was catering for more than the fifty originally estimated.

A bunch of bales and a few pallets made for the stage and the karaoke machine was placed ready for people to list the songs they wanted to sing. They’d mounted a spotlight up in the barn’s Mezzanine level which gave the stage a lovely focal point. A string of flashing fairy lights were draped around the edge to give the performance area more definition (Dionne’s idea), whilst more lights were strung outside. Once it had all been completed the entire farm looked very festive and inviting. Everyone had pitched in and by six Catherine and the girls had gone off to get themselves ready for the night.

Elliot was made to wait until they’d all finished using the bathroom and getting their outfits together. Dionne had decided to go as Wonder Woman, whilst Dusty and Jenny had argued over what to wear but in the end had settled on two of Disney’s favourite (but different) princesses – Snow White and Moana. They thought it would help Elliot with their decision for him being dressed as Elsa.

#

Meanwhile, Catherine overheard the two fourteen-year-olds whispering about the prank they planned pulling on Elliot where, at the last minute, they’d force him into Dusty’s party dress for his song. She was a little unsure as to whether this was something Elliot might like because, since he’d been made to wear their old clothes, he’d stopped complaining and simply, like wearing a nappy, got on with it. However, she found her nephew in his room excitedly waiting his turn for the bathroom where the ‘special’ outfit the girls had promised him would be unveiled.

“Are you looking forward to the party Elliot?” She enquired letting herself in to his room with an encouraging smile.

“Yes aunty, it’s going to be fantastic. I have a new get-up to wear and... and...” he was bouncing up and down on his bed in eagerness but at that moment only wearing a fresh nappy and glossy blue plastic pants that Dionne had already changed him into. Catherine guessed the party dress Dusty planned on making him wear would go well with his shiny pants.

Over the past few weeks Elliot had gotten used to his new situation and, as he now woke up to a wet nappy just about every morning, was also used to either his aunt or one of the girls changing him into a fresh one whenever needed. The tears and tantrums hadn’t worked so now he simply put up with whatever the girls thought was for the best. He’d even gotten used to wearing some of the more juvenile clothes and didn’t particularly worry who saw what. This was down to his aunt insisting (and him finally accepting) that as it was all just for playing out in so it really didn’t matter what he wore. Elliot had found his place on the farm and despite his initial negative reaction to everything, his aunt had been understanding but very firm so now he simply complied.

“Do you know what it is yet?” His aunt queried.

“No but I suppose, because of the song, it will be something from Frozen.”

“What would you like it to be?”

“The prince or Kristof maybe even Olaf... they’re the main characters.”

“What about Anna or Elsa who sings your song... don’t you think that would be good.”

He turned to his aunt with a look of doubt. “I don’t want to be seen as a girl.”

So he was still a little worried about that side of things thought Catherine.

“Really sweetheart,” she tried to reassure him, “I thought because of the song you’d chosen, and, as it’s a fancy dress party, that you’d want to look like the main character to deliver it, you know, like your mother would have... all sort of showbizzy.”

The sudden thought that might be exactly what had been planned dawned on Elliot and his enthusiasm could physically be seen draining from him. A tear formed in his eye as he realised just what it might mean.

Seeing him so obviously overcome Catherine rushed in to give the boy a hug. “Oh sweetheart, you’ve been such a brave boy since you’ve been here and achieved so much, don’t cry.”

“But, but why would I want...”

“Do you know what I think Elliot... you are a much more confident boy these days. You have your mummy’s determination to just get on with things and not care about what others think because you have a forceful personality.”

The thing is, he thought of himself as having a forceful personality, though in fact he’d just been made to accept the decisions and opinions of others. However, that wasn’t the way his aunt approached this sensitive moment, she wanted him to feel in charge.

It was true, over the last few weeks, helping out on the farm and being involved in the day to day activities he’d not once mentioned his PlayStation, or indeed any of the other things he’d been so careful to pack when the trip had been organised. Even the way he was dressed didn’t seem important now he had things to do. The eight-year-old had adapted pretty well and seemed to be enjoying his status, even if it was as the baby of the group. He was never called that out loud, although the rest of the family knew that’s just what he was. He might not have been too aware of it but his sister and cousins thought of him as a little kid who needed looking after... even if two of them at least wanted to have their fun whilst doing so.

Anyway, Catherine kept this line of positive reinforcement going for quite some time and by the end he was no longer sniffling or worried because he’d decided that perhaps it would look better (and be a brave move) if he was wearing a dress like Elsa to sing her song. In fact, his aunt had him questioning himself as to whether or not it had been his intention all along to show he was taking after his mother and be equally ‘showbizzy’. Being ‘showbizzy’ certainly appealed to the youngster... and, as his aunt had highlighted, it was a fancy dress party anyway.

With Wonder Woman, Dionne acting as greeter to the early arrivals it was down to Jenny and Dusty to present their fait accompli and sniggered as they pulled their secret weapon from the wardrobe.

Dusty was so excited by their subterfuge and what they were about to force Elliot into, she peed into her own panties. However, that was something she wasn’t going to admit to when she eventually noticed.

Conversely, once Catherine had him on board and had filled her nephew with enthusiasm, it was anti-climactic when the girls came in carrying the pretty dress. His eagerness to put it on took the wind completely out of their sails. They tried to pretend this was what they expected but in truth they were miserable that their plan to humiliate him had failed to materialise. They even had to help him on with it and he insisted on a plastic tiara be added so he’d be a real princess.

As Catherine left and saw the disappointment on the girl’s faces she whispered “That will teach you to be nasty... I’ll deal with you two later.” A sudden ripple of apprehension hit the girls - perhaps their plan had been ill-conceived. Dusty’s soggy knickers making her feel ridiculous at that moment.

#

With the tables groaning under the amount of food, the smell of barbeque in the air, the bar well stocked and the party-goers eager to party... everything was set for a brilliant night of fun, food and eventually... song.

Elliot was nervous about being seen in the dress before his song so, once the majority of guests had arrived, the karaoke machine was set up, the spotlight focused centre-stage and Catherine welcomed everyone to the barn.

“Tonight friends we’ll be having a night of entertainment... which you’ll supply by adding your name to the list that our MC for the evening, Wonder Woman, is taking care of... please add your name and the number you’d like to sing and she’ll announce you as and when.”

Cheers from the rather larger than expected crowd who’d gathered in front of the stage. Dionne had already collected quite a few names who were keen to show off their musical and singing talent and were gearing up for an extraordinary collection of singing styles and musical genres.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and all our lovely friends... to start off the entertainment for this evening... please give a huge welcome to my wonderful nephew, eight-year-old Elliot Lawrence.”

Huge applause and the music started but he didn’t appear. People looked a little worried until he started to sing off stage. Slowly, as the song got going he swept onto the make-do pallets and with the timing of a professional belted out LET IT GO.

It’s safe to say that the volume and tuneful delivery was not what anyone was expecting. The shy rehearsals, the unsure lyrics, the occasion itself, all appeared to be forgotten as he belted out a song that had driven many adults mad with its repetition as kids rewound their favourite bit from the movie. However, several people had their phones out to record the event because the power of Elliot’s vocals belied the fact he was only eight. He was sensational.

People had cheered when they saw he was wearing a dress Elsa would have been proud of and as the song came to an end with an emotional Elliot all but vocally spent... the crowd erupted in well-deserved applause. Hoots and cheers filled the barn and left one or two volunteers who’d already put their names down to sing next, wondering if they could top what the boy had just delivered. He took three bows and the crowd wanted more but he had only practiced the one song and the requests for him to repeat it had been a shock to the lad. However, with the promise that maybe a reprise would come later, Dionne welcomed the next singer to the stage. Elliot was definitely going to be a hard act to follow.

Meanwhile, as he joined the rest of the party-folk, he was clapped on the back, high-fived by just about everyone and praised for not only singing so well but delivering it in a lovely dress. Several guest commented on the fact that he looked fantastic and what a brilliant performance. Elliot was feeling on top of the world and the fact he was in his cousin’s satin party dress was not thought of as girly but as part of the show. Everywhere he went he was showered with acclaim over and over again, even by kids he’d never met before. He was so pleased his aunt had said what a good idea it would be to dress up for the song, it had worked a treat.

However, what his adoring public didn’t know - it was just as well he was wearing a thick nappy with plastic pants as he’d nervously peed into the thick fabric as soon as the music started. Perhaps strangely he was thankful that he now wore them all the time because he never really knew when he’d leak and they prevented anyone knowing how often this happened.  Nevertheless, though he could feel his nappy squish with each step he was enjoying this moment of fame too much to be worried by that soggy fact.

#

Still glowing in the aftermath of his stunning performance Elliot was amazed at how many other local kids who’d been invited to the party wanted to know him. There had been one or two visitors to the farm since he arrived but they mostly just talked to the girls and left him alone. So with many new friends and offers of play dates and outings all came as a bit of a surprise. As did the many photographs he was included in because everyone wanted a shot with the ‘star’. He even overheard someone say that he would probably grow up to be as big a star as his mother. He liked that.

His success had put both Jenny’s and Dusty’s noses out of joint, they’d hoped to humiliate him but instead he’d flourished. Even their friend Julia made a beeline and stayed close by him for the rest of the night bathing in his reflected glory. Meanwhile, the karaoke continued but they all had a pretty hard time matching the opening act. Still it was a fun night but by ten o’clock Elliot was flagging – mainly due to a bubble machine that had nearly everyone chasing and bursting them around the farm. Catherine gently steered him away and up to his room where she helped him out of his ‘costume’ and checked his padding.

“Sweetheart, your nappy’s soaked... you should have said something.” Catherine pulled down his glossy plastic pants and released the pins on the sopping material.

“It’s all been so exciting aunty,” he was still beaming even as she pulled the fabric away and started to wipe him clean. “They liked my song... and I loved, I mean they loved the way I looked.”

Catherine was a bit surprised at this announcement but kept up an even stroke whilst drying her nephew.

“Really love, well that’s good because you really sold the song wearing it. Everyone was impressed and you sung it so well. All that practice really paid off.”

“Yes I’m glad I decided to wear it I think it added to my performance.” He wriggled in happiness as she rubbed in some Sudocrem.

Catherine couldn’t help but smile at the way he was taking credit for all that had happened, but it was nice to see him so positive. “Well yes of course, it was a great idea and one you pulled off to perfection. Now, I know you’re still a little bit excited so once I’ve got you in a nice fresh nappy, why don’t I get you a lovely warm milk to settle you down, mmm?”

“Thanks aunty, you’re the best.” He hugged her and kissed her cheek.

“Well thank you too sweetheart, you’ve been amazing yourself working and helping around the farm so, you deserve the praise from tonight... and of course, a big thank you from me.” She gave him one of those hugs that makes you feel wanted and loved, Elliot was happily overwhelmed.

He grinned as he lay there clean but naked and she searched the pile of clean nappies stacked on his dresser. “Do you think mummy and daddy will get to see it?” He asked hoping it might be possible.

“Well I know there were several people who recorded it on their phones so, why don’t I ask them all to send those to us and we can select the best, mmm?”

“Yeah!” He responded with enthusiasm.

Catherine pulled a thick terry nappy from the pile and wriggled it under his bum. Without argument he lifted up and made no comment or pull free as she shook a load of baby powder over him and then, after a booster pad had been included, pulled the material together to form a tight comforting seal.

Once all happily changed it was like the excitement of the day had suddenly been drained as he lay there content but exhausted.

She thought she’d never get him to rest after all the excitement but he was yawning so that was a good sigh.

Without thinking she grabbed the nearest pair of plastic pants, which just happened to be the same pink ruffled ones Dusty had tricked him into wearing before. Again, without so much as a frown he allowed them to be pulled into place. One of his cousin’s old pink t-shirts followed but Elliot seemed past caring or just too tired to offer up any objections. Soon he was all nicely ready for a good night’s sleep.

“Okay sweetheart,” she patted his slinky, bulky bottom in a loving way. “Get into bed and I’ll get you some warm milk and I’ll be back in a jiffy.” 

Even in the dimmed light of the bedroom she could see how sweet he looked now he was all padded up and crawling under the sheets. The ruffles bringing back memories of when Dionne and Dusty were babies and how it was always such a pleasant event once ‘the kids’ were packed off to bed.

Despite the noise and music of the party continuing in the distance Elliot settled down, the warmth of his fresh thick nappy hugging him tightly and the thick leg cuffs and waistband of his shiny smooth vinyl pants making sure that any accidents would, as usual, remain contained. He pulled over the blanket and surprisingly, with a happy sigh and wiggle, almost immediately fell into a doze, the adrenaline from his success having eventually drained from him, quite likely ending up in his fresh nappy.

#

Thinking it might settle his excitement, Catherine had brought the warm milk up in a baby’s bottle. The idea wasn’t new, she’d thought about it a few times hoping that letting him nurse would help him to relax. It had recently worked with the dummy so she wondered if this might have a similar effect. She remembered when Dionne was younger, probably a bit younger than Elliot, and was finding sleep difficult, a ‘magic’ bottle seemed to work. It was the gentle rhythm of the sucking that seemed to lull her to sleep. Catherine wondered if, after such an exhilarating day, the same might happen for him. She thought it worth a try and see if he took to it.

Testing her sleepy nephew, she gently pushed the rubber teat against his lips and let a few drops of milk glide between them. She was astonished when he opened his mouth and let the teat slip in, and, as if on automatic pilot, began to suck. She held it for him and was amazed when he finished the lot without waking up. The thing was, she knew that at his age he shouldn’t be treated like a toddler, but there was no denying the fact that he wasn’t objecting and he looked so cute it just seemed to fit. That was yet another of Catherine’s problems – these days everything about Elliot screamed he was really just a tot and should be treated as such. However, she knew that come the morning they’d be dealing with one very wet boy. She didn’t mind, getting used to wearing a nappy had helped him come to terms with his wetting problem. The angry and defiant little boy now looked so peaceful and content... like any toddler should be.

In some ways Elliot had developed a little independence as he worked around the farm and yet seemed more than happy to rush to his aunt for cuddles and not make a fuss when put into his regular thick cotton nappy (usually with at least one extra soaker pad) and a pair of tough plastic pants.

Catherine wondered if Elliot dressing up was some kind of turning point. She realised that although he was eight, in many ways he’d become younger, the need for nappies being the main clue but, as she thought, and not for the first time, does the little lad have any feminine leanings?  

Of course this might be reading too much into the situation, after all it had been circumstances that led to him having to wear his cousin’s hand-me-downs. However, he’d fought about wearing such stuff at the beginning though now seemed settled into it. He’d clashed on the colour of plastic pants but now didn’t seem overly concerned. And, after his performance in a rather girly satin party dress, which he said he liked wearing... well, what else did the boy ‘not mind’?

Obviously it could have been a slip of the tongue and Elliot was just caught-up in the moment and the dress meant nothing more than a prop. Alternatively, it might have meant loads but even so, was it anything to think about, never mind worry about, for such a young lad. Shouldn’t he be allowed to just wear whatever, without scrutiny? He had no clothes of his own and this is what they’d given him and, on top of that, hadn’t everyone told him it didn’t matter?

There were other things; like he was more loving, certainly enjoying more cuddles and spending time snuggled up against Catherine and, as it turned out, sitting on Dionne’s lap. When out doing chores on the farm he didn’t mind wearing Dusty’s old pink and blue wellington boots in the muddier areas, or the girls patting his padding checking if he’d wet. In fact, in general, the nappies, the clothes, the whole atmosphere in the house had changed because little Elliot was fitting in and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying life ‘down on the farm’. Certainly something at the beginning of the visit no one expected to see.

He’d proudly present the eggs collected in the mornings, or the herbs he’d been assigned to harvest. Wearing mucky wellies and dirty plastic pants he’d collect a batch of mushrooms, some for his aunt’s pasties and chutney, others for their customers. It was fun crawling about in the dark moist soil choosing the best rhubarb to pick. When out delivering he didn’t baulk at the occasional way little old ladies treated him as one of the girls. He savoured the cookie Mrs Wainwright offered and made a point of making sure her order was correct.

Yes, quite a number of things had changed and despite some doubts, Catherine was reasonably content because the boy seemed to be blooming in ways never envisaged at the start of his stay.

# tbc #

Part 7

Of course the party had been an enormous success; with it slowly running down around midnight, which was just as well as farming life doesn’t stop on a Sunday. Catherine, herself had a slight hangover but the girls had made the most of their late night and had a wonderful time. They even offered some karaoke performances of their own which had gone down well, although it had to be admitted, after Elliot, everyone else just didn’t reach his standard.

All three girls had been spoken to by Catherine about the way they were treating Elliot and were told in no unambiguous way to “STOP”. Dusty had cheekily added that her party dress had suited him more than it ever did her and despite herself Catherine had a faint smile in recognition of that fact.

“No doubt after we’ve changed his sopping wet nappy,” Dusty was pretending it was a chore whereas in fact it had been their plan from the start, although her mother wasn’t aware of that tasty little fact. However, because of her own ‘accident’ the night before she was a little more sympathetic to Elliot’s problem. Her wet knickers having been surreptitiously added to the morning wash. The idea that at fourteen she might end up wearing a nappy like her cousin gave her cause for concern. She’d never live it down, especially after all the grief she’d given Elliot. So, on that particular subject she intended to stay tight-lipped.

Catherine sighed because she relied on the girls to ‘do there bit’ when it came to nappy changes so couldn’t really go ballistic on them if they let loose occasionally. Still she’d warned them now but was grateful because that morning, whilst she was dosing herself with Alka Seltzer, Dionne had seen to a very wet nappy, not helped by the bottle of warm milk (curtesy of Catherine) he’d sucked down last thing. Her eldest said she didn’t mind changing him because these days there was no fuss and he simply lay there and let her get on with it.

In recent days she’d felt a little bit more mature about looking after her cousin. To her, once wearing a nappy, he seemed so much younger than he actually was. She’d babysat quite a number of neighbour’s kids so was quite used to dealing with wet nappies. When he first arrived he was noisy, demanding and argumentative. He’d wet himself on a couple of occasions straight away and so saw this as something he needed help with - also, Dusty’s suggestion of Keep Elliot in Nappies, seemed a hoot. Since then she’d convinced herself that he had to be much happier because he’d settled down and become almost toddler-like in accepting his role as the baby of the family - a position the girls agreed suited him.

“My, my Elliot, you seem to get soggier and soggier,” she’d said in her best sickly-sweet babysitter voice as she pulled away the sopping mass of material. “You must have been incredibly excited about last night.” He didn’t get what she was inferring (the fact that whether excited or anxious, both made him wet all the more) but his little body wriggled, enjoying the attention and had a cheerful smile on his face. “I think we’d better get you well-padded, we don’t want any unnecessary accidents, do we?”

These days she noticed that he was always pleased to be put in a fresh dry nappy and she was equally keen he should enjoy what he wore. Whether he was aware of it or not, she was fairly sure that once in clean padding and encased in plastic pants he was content because he gave the impression he liked the sound of the soft rustle they made. As if to underline that belief he’d do a little testing squirm before finally getting dressed. He may not have known he was doing it but he’d run his hands over the glossy cushion stroking it with what anyone observing would assume was appreciation.

Having said that, Dionne was quite surprised that her mother had put him in those frilly pink plastic pants, although there was absolutely no doubt he looked damn cute in them. As that now seemed permissible, she added the extra padding to his nappy and pulled over a childish cartoon plastic cover. She thought they were an item that Dusty had found in her old box of toddler clothing and had gladly added to her cousin’s ever-growing pile of protection. She didn’t know it but they were part of a recent purchase by her mum. It couldn’t have mattered less because he simply looked adorable in them.

“I don’t suppose you want to wear that again do you?” Dionne smiled as she tucked in the material behind his new smooth panties and nodded in the direction of the hung-up satin dress.

Oddly, she thought, he smiled at the idea but shook his head ‘No’.

She then grabbed a pair of loose green elasticated cotton shorts which fitted snugly over his bulky protection. After running her hands over the soft but substantial bulge to get out the slight creases she topped the outfit off with a cream coloured t-shirt that had the figure of a brown bear on the front. He looked (and walked) like a toddler but made no complaints as he waddled down for breakfast as best he could... though not before running his hand over the party dress as he passed by.

#

Catherine had been sent many messages of thanks and a couple had added a video file of Elliot singing. Although the quality wasn’t brilliant, with people moving in front of camera at times, there was no doubt that his performance had been quite special. After breakfast, and after a few more clips arrived, they all watched on Catherine’s phone and picked which they thought was the best to send on to James and Annie. Elliot was glowing at the praise people were still sending along with their general appreciation of the party. Meanwhile, his sister and Dusty were a little annoyed that their plan had misfired so spectacularly and that even him wearing a dress had made his performance stand out even more. Still, they’d succeeded in getting him into it, so that was something at least.

Early on, so she knew what she could foist on Elliot, Dusty had made sure she knew exactly what her mum had saved from their baby and childhood days. As things had transpired, he didn’t seem to mind too much what he wore as long as his nappy was nice and dry and pinned up tightly. So she concentrated on cheery plastic pants and juvenile t-shirts, all of which he wore with hardly a murmur of complaint. Even if they weren’t allowed to humiliate the boy any more, she still liked the idea of getting him into something resembling that of a small child.

Even though, to all intents and purposes he now resembled a pre-schooler and despite what her mum had said, she still wanted her little game to continue. Oddly, for a girl as clever as she was, it took a little longer for it to sink in, Elliot had beaten her to it.

Soon breakfast was over and everyone set about doing their morning tasks, Elliot was invigorated and humming ‘Let It Go’ to the chickens. They’d didn’t take much notice but he was convinced he was giving them just what they wanted and would no doubt produce more eggs as a result.

The farm quickly settled back into its normal rhythm, with the added chore of tidying up the barn. Leftover food was scraped into buckets and fed to the goats. Broken items were carefully picked up and deposited in various bins to be taken to the bottle bank along with all the empties, whilst paper plates and cups were collected and put in a box for recycling.

As all this was going on James and Annie Lawrence received a text and accompanying video of the party and their son’s performance. To say both were shocked at seeing their son in a blue satin dress and singing his heart out, would be an understatement. Nevertheless they realised the boy had a voice and the spontaneous cheering from the partygoers was a wonderful surprise.

Annie was the first to reply and it was around lunchtime that she called her daughter’s phone to chat. Both Jenny and Elliot were excited to hear from mummy and although she’d been busy with the (very successful) tour she was “Missing her little darlings just too much”. She commented on Elliot’s brilliant performance and wished she’d been there to see it but whose idea was it to dress up for the part.

Jenny was a bit worried in case her brother dropped her in it but he was quick to say that it was a fancy-dress party and he thought the song would be better if he looked the part.

“Well darling you looked and sounded brilliant,” she enthused to her already pleased with himself son, “we should have you as our opening act.”

Jenny didn’t like the spotlight being completely taken away from her but realised that her aunt hadn’t sent any video of her singing so just complained about missing her mummy and asked when she’d thought to be home?

“Sorry love, but the tour has been extended,” there were huge sighs from both her children, “but hopefully daddy will be able to get home soon. Meanwhile, I’m sure your aunt is looking after you okay.”

They nodded “But we miss you mummy.”

“Well I miss you too but... sorry sweethearts but I’m being called... have to go but tell Aunt Catherine I’ll call again later... OK? Bye sweethearts... Bye” and she was gone.

As always after a call from mummy her children felt a bit down because they knew they wouldn’t be seeing her for a while. Of course Elliot was pleased she’d enjoyed his performance but they hadn’t had time to chat as they would have liked. With mummy it was always just a brief link before she was whisked off to do something. Sometimes they both hated fans for taking her away from them. However, their aunt and cousins had been a cleverer diversion than they had expected and both felt a lot better knowing that if they couldn’t have their own... they had such a nice family to be with.

Yes, that’s how much things had changed.

#

James, who had regularly called his sister for updates and was able to occasionally spend more than a moment speaking to his children, called to ask Catherine about the party. He’d received the video of his son’s performance and wanted to know more.

“Evening Catherine,” he started.

“Well it’s afternoon here... you’ve been away too long,” she gently admonished her brother.

“You’re telling me... and I’m not sure when I can get home. This project is going very slowly and they don’t want me to leave until it’s done.”

“Have you no idea how long that’s going to be?” Catherine sounded quite concerned because she knew he was missing his kids.

“No, and that’s the trouble, what with me here and Annie’s tour being extended... sorry... but we seem to have landed you with our brood for a bit longer.”

“Do you think you’ll be back in time for the new school year?”

“Erm, not sure but we can’t leave them with you forever, we’ll have to find an alternative... perhaps something we should have done before... a live-in nanny or something.” On Catherine’s small phone screen he looked a little lost.

“Well that would be one solution but... maybe... they could stay here... they aren’t being any trouble. In fact, I’d go as far as to say they’re both blooming with the country air.” She said proudly.

“Yes, but the new school term will be starting soon and we need to get them sorted well before then.”

“Well okay then, have a think and decide what you and Annie want to do but, I might be able to get them into the local schools here... temporarily at least.”

“Could you?” James wondered if this was a possibility and would solve their immediate problem.

“Well, I tell you what. I’ll make some enquiries, whilst you and Annie make a decision. In the meantime, I’ll try and keep them amused.

“Oh yes, that’s what I called about... the video?” He said it like it was something serious they needed to discuss.

“Yes, shame you weren’t here but it went well. The kids dressed up and little Elliot amazed everyone with his special karaoke performance... no one was expecting that.”

“No, no, indeed,” mumbled her obviously embarrassed brother, “but why the dress?”

“Well why not?” Countered Catherine, “it was fancy dress, he was playing a part and delivered on that pretty well...”

“Yes but, ummm,” he was lost for what he really wanted to say.

“But what?” She wasn’t going to put up with him trying to shame the boy for wearing a dress. “His mother’s a performer... and he performed. Did you think that because he’s a boy he shouldn’t play a part?”

“Erm, no but I ummm...” her embarrassed brother shrugged his shoulders.

“Brother dear, your boy’s back in nappies because he still has problems with knowing when he needs to pee. Quite surprisingly, he’s also settled into farm life loads better than either of us imagined and found something he’s good at... at his young age. He’s happy and thriving... why on earth would you want to question that?”

She knew exactly what James had been getting at and wasn’t going to put up with any pseudo macho bullshit.

A quick thought stuck in her mind – was this attitude what Elliot was struggling against?

“And besides, you forget, we grew up together so I know that you had a phase of trying on my clothes.”

“I bloody well did not.” James acted outraged at such a suggestion.

“Really, so it was just an accident that mum found you wearing my knickers one morning, umm?”

“I, er, um, you know I errrrr...”

“You can um and err as much as you like but you weren’t fooling anyone with your feeble excuse... you thought ‘in the dark that they were your own underpants’ you little liar.” She was teasing but remembered the incident well (and on other occasions she had in store if he got too argumentative).

On screen she saw him visibly flinch and could have sworn he turned a deep shade of pink. Just as well because she remembered her little brother enjoying the chance to play dress-up with her friends, even if he’d conveniently ‘forgotten’ all about those times.

“So, leave your boy alone and be happy for him and... oh, here they are now. Hey kids, your daddy’s on the phone...” she beckoned them over and then left so they could chat privately.

#

Later a lively Elliot was telling everyone how mummy and daddy loved his singing. The dress wasn’t mentioned but when Catherine changed his soaked nappy later he said he was sorry he hadn’t mentioned it but the day had been so exciting he’d neglected to let her know. It was amazing how unbothered he was when it came to a change. Whoever did it he simply cooperated but now said ‘Thanks’ afterwards. Again she couldn’t get over just how transformed, and carefree, her nephew had become in such a short time. Something else that had become normal was the fact that when put to bed he was quite happy to take the dummy, which, as his aunt thought, seemed to settle him down quite quickly. It wasn’t forced but if offered he readily accepted it.

Perhaps, to some, an eight-year-old sucking on a dummy would be thought of as abuse or at least weird but you only had to see Elliot lying there, happily nursing and looking for all the world like a contented infant, to know the boy was not doing something he didn’t want to.

Whether he was enjoying being the ‘baby’ of the family, or merely craved affection was unclear but the ‘loner’ boy was now very popular and he, as well as his new found friends, appeared to have no trouble with an eight-year-old who happened to wear a nappy. It was incredible to see him interacting with his new friends and being a happy, carefree boy acting his age. In fact, many of his cousin’s friends were eager to be his playmate and wonderfully, the dressing-up box became the centre for quite a lot of games.

At first the girls were perplexed and a little jealous of his popularity. However, they soon found that he welcomed the chance to wear all manner of outfits so they pitched in and had themed days where they’d dress as pirates, cowboys, aliens or whatever their imaginations could produce. None of this stopped Elliot from peeing in his nappy but curiously no one was worried by that fact either... least of all, the boy himself.

It was astonishing that despite being the ‘big boy’ and carrying out his chores efficiently, as he trooped around the farm wearing his nappy and plastic pants and looking for all the world like a little kid, when he finished and looked to his aunt for cuddles, he instantly became a loving but needy little boy. It wasn’t only aunty who provided such warmth because all the girls, having changed him and settled him in night time nappies, saw to it that he was hugged and patted if he sought such affection. Even Dusty, who had hoped to humiliate him by treating him as a baby, realised that now he was dressed like one, she really had to play her part and was equally at home offering pats and snuggles when called to do so.

#

Annie’s career with the Divas was attracting momentum; there was even talk of a movie based on their rise to fame. In fact, so many offers were cropping up on an almost daily basis it was hard to keep up with the ‘fanciful’ or actual proposals. Now they were looking after their own business interests they realised that perhaps they’d bitten off more than they could chew... the pressure was getting to them.

It didn’t help when James called his wife with the news that he couldn’t get away from his job in India to see to their children’s education. In truth, Annie just wanted one less thing to worry about but was feeling the strain of constantly having to make decisions about both the great and small details that concerned Groove Divas International as a business.

Discussions within the band had led to them agreeing they needed management and of course they weren’t without offers from some of the great conglomerates to take them on. In fact, some of the biggest bands in the business were signed to Augustus-Feldman-Management (AFM) which was eagerly chasing the chance to represent the Divas. However, the girls thought that they wanted something smaller and someone who only dealt with their concerns.

Meanwhile, James was getting more and more resentful of the time this new job was taking. Although he was part of the management, being a director of the company as well as the principal architect, he thought someone else should have relieved him by now as the project was over-running and he needed to get back to his kids.

He was frustrated not only by the incompetence of the Indian contractors but also the failure of his own company directors at getting a grip on the situation. However, part of the agreement insisted that someone from the company had to remain on site. His frustrations were evident to Annie when the two spoke but she had an idea - would he be prepared to ditch what he was doing and become the manager of the Divas?

“What do the rest of the band think of that idea?” He reasoned.

“Well, I haven’t thought to ask yet but I wanted to check in with you first.” Annie obviously thought this was a terrific solution to their growing misery and was something once the tour was concluded that could be settled fairly quickly if they were all in agreement.

“Do you think it’s something I could do? I have no background in the entertainment field so...”

“That’s true but in our early days, before the band, you helped with all my bookings and travel arrangements... and you were still holding down your own job full time. I think you’d walk it and more importantly, the girls like and trust you... so... what do you think?” She seemed to have it all planned out. “We can keep the PR company we’re using now because they are pretty good and...”

“Just a minute... look, check in with the rest of the group first... and I’ve had a thought... how do you feel about us moving from London and relocating ourselves near Catherine up in the Dales?

Annie wasn’t sure. Of course the reason they lived in London was because everything happened in the capital so it was easy to attend meetings and go to functions but, and the rest of the Divas were coming round to thinking the same, perhaps having a place of solitude to disappear to wasn’t such a bad idea. Now things were happening, and on such a huge scale, the Divas were all desperate to find their own little piece of privacy and a special place to call home.

“I’ll have a chat to the girls and think about the move... but as things stand... I’m not against the idea,” she smiled and James knew from that look on screen that moving up to the Dales might just be something she would appreciate.

“Okay then. In the meantime, and until we are certain and have everything organised, I shall ask Catherine if she’ll do her best and look after our kids for a bit longer.”

“She’ll think we’re hopeless parents, fobbing off our offspring on her.” For the first time since the tour started Annie actually felt a frisson of guilt. In her head she could hear herself admit that the Lawrence’s were in fact terrible parents.  

“Don’t worry love, Catherine is coping pretty well and she doesn’t resent us both having the jobs we do but, and I think we might have to think about this, we might need to buy her a bigger farm at the end of all this as a thank you.” He sort of half grinned but he was sure they owed his sister more than a pat on the back and a sweet thank you when they eventually gathered up their kids.

#

As the start of another school year was fast approaching Catherine made enquiries about the temporary education for her two young guests. When the facts were explained to the Head Teachers of both schools, Jenny would be able to attend the same as Dusty but Elliot would be in a much younger group at a different school in the village, they liked the idea of having a celebrity’s children in their class. She was very surprised at just how accommodating (and eager) they were even down to the fact that eight-year-old Elliot still wore a nappy.

Catherine explained to the Head of the junior school that he had a medical condition that had left him incontinent and re-potty training was taking some time (she lied). However, she expected that with the thick nappies and plastic pants he now wore that there should be relatively little disruption to the way any class he was in worked.

However the Head was keen to have Elliot as one of her pupils and wavered many of the worries they might have because she also acted as school nurse; such were the advantages of having a small local school that made allowances for kids with apparently all manner of ‘struggles’. She was positive they would be able to cope should the need arise. The main question was – would she get to meet Annie Lawrence, to which Catherine all but guaranteed. The teacher was more than excited at the prospect, even though it might be months down the line Groove Divas International were her favourite act and Annie her favourite member... this, the Headmistress thought, was a chance in a lifetime to meet someone famous.

Of course Catherine had been happily surprised at how quickly the kid’s education was sorted and let her brother and sister-in-law know so they had one less thing to worry about. They were immensely grateful. It meant that they could take slightly more time to organise those future developments that would bring the two families closer together.

Catherine was not one to think too much about intuition although she recognised she often had hunches about things. The fact that she’d already invested in extra nappies and plastic pants for her nephew meant that she must have had suspicions that her guests would be staying with her for longer than planned. She was pleased that she’d thought ahead but also wondered if she was enjoying having a would-be toddler to look after. The thing was, as she kept reminding herself, everything was going so well, and, as she’d said to her brother ‘why change things’?

As it transpired, Elliot now appeared completely dependent on wearing a nappy, whether he soaked it or occasionally messed in it (sometimes he didn’t go first thing in the morning), he had little control, which, although more than a bit disconcerting for his aunt, at least he was much more relaxed and at ease with the situation. His decent into needing and using nappies had only taken a few short weeks but so much had changed about the boy in that time it was difficult to pinpoint when or why or even how this had happened.

She had of course wondered if it was because she and the girls had manoeuvred him to a point where he had little choice. Although given the opportunity to pick his own clothes from the boxes of stuff in his bedroom he still left it to others to make any decisions. A thick nappy was an integral part of his bedtime and also daytime clothing, which had been the case since he’d arrived. Maybe he’d simply utilised the convenience it offered.

Of course, all this theory had Catherine wondering, if he was like this at the farm, why had Elliot never had this trouble when at home. Jenny had hinted at the fact that he did have occasional wet pants yet when she agreed to take them for the summer his parents had made no mention of this ‘hitch’. Were Annie and James so relaxed or inattentive to notice... or care... that it had just became something normal? Or was it something that had been brewing for a while and had just become what it had under a set of different circumstances. More attention, more love, more freedom, less pressure to just be someone he wants to be.

Jenny had said that her father thought he should be back in nappies but although he’d seen Elliot wearing them he hadn’t actually agreed that option and had appeared alarmed. Had Jenny lied to her for some reason? However, the fact that she put him in them because he had wet on that first day and continued to do so meant, whether anyone else thought it prudent to continue she intended doing exactly that.  

Of course there was something else that suddenly dawned - she herself had not tried to re-potty train Elliot. When she thought about it the nappy had been an immediate ‘go to’ to prevent damp sheets. They’d been instantly available but she hadn’t spent any time at all in trying to break that wetting cycle. There may have been a simple answer to that, Elliot was a lot nicer and calmer when wearing padding. Perhaps, because they were busy, it was just easier to keep the boy protected than disrupt something that appeared to be working.

Catherine didn’t know and speculating probably wasn’t going to help. However, the call from her brother to say after the Divas tour they were thinking of moving up to the Dales where she lived was quite a boost. She said she’d help look for properties that might offer the kind of lifestyle that might appeal. She knew that there were two big developments going on around the village; an old vicarage was being done up and a large barn conversion, both would be very expensive. It was also rumoured that several local farms wanted out of the farming life so that was a possible extra thing to look into. However, the state of some of these farms meant a great deal of work and improvement would be needed to bring it up to the standard for what Catherine thought someone like Annie would put up with. Still she sent the info off to both James and Annie to see if there was any interest.

#

Since the kids had arrived at the farm their friendship and relationships had, after a faulty start, bloomed. Although there was still a lot of kidding there was no longer the need to needle or belittle each other. As a result everyone was more content with the situation and although Elliot and Jenny missed their parents, Catherine and the girls had more than made up for it and that was in no small way down to the way their aunt treated and included everyone. They were involved in the running of the business and had a part to play in its success. This made everyone enthusiastic to do their little bit and do it well.

However, the main change had been with Elliot. All the things that made him Elliot Lawrence, son of a famous person (and therefore entitled) had disappeared with all he’d gone through at the farm. Although he’d fought hard (well he thought so) not to be made to wear protection, he realised that it had saved him a great deal of embarrassment more than what it caused. The way things were done on the farm were so different from when he was with mummy and daddy at home. His aunt was very much a hands-on type of person and nothing escaped her eye and was quick to fix a problem. He found the constant encouragement and enthusiasm for what he did something he hadn’t actually received at home. Her constant cuddles, although mummy provided them, were more abundant and done with love where he was the total focus of that energy. Sometimes his mummy was distracted at such moments and although only eight, knew that something, somewhere was more important than him. Not so with his aunt.

He’d gotten used to wearing his cousin’s clothes because really, although they were a little bit girly, they fit and were fun to play out in so never had to worry about getting dirty. And, as he woke up wet most mornings, nappies were needed and, because the girls and his aunt were all keen to help, he was never in a soaked one for too long. The times at home where he’d hidden his wet underpants or simply thrown them away, well, it was more often than he’d like to admit (or his parents knew).

The occasional times it was noticed he had reasonable excuses that his parents seemed to understand (a tantrum) so there was no real interrogation of what had happened. As it was, his mummy’s career had just taken off ‘big time’ when he was barely out of nappies, so he didn’t have her around as much as his sister had. Here, although at first it was something to hide or deny, since his aunt had simply taken no notice of his protests and told him that a nappy is what he’d be wearing from that moment on, he’d eventually come to terms with it. And (this was quite a surprise to him) now enjoyed being the ‘fussed over’ baby of the bunch and being so well looked after. Now there just wasn’t the need (or desire) to prove himself, to be his own man, to prove worthy of having a famous mummy and, in that scramble of people wanting to know his mummy, make sure he was noticed. Here he was getting more attention than at any other time in his life and in his head a nappy was at the centre of that change.

#

It had also been a shock to realise that throughout the time they’d been at the farm, other than the initial few days, he hadn’t missed any of the gadgets and gizmos he’d intended on bringing to make the time go by. When he thought about it, in truth, he’d hardly packed any clothes it was mostly his games console and other entertainment so he wouldn’t have had much choice of what to wear anyway. Another thing was, he loved delivering boxes of produce to ‘his’ customers, Old Mrs Wainwright being his favourite – she still called him ‘Duck’, gave him homemade biscuits and still thought he was a very boyish little girl. He didn’t care he’d got into country life and was enjoying it.

Regardless of the initial run in and upset on his first trip to Mason’s, he eagerly awaited any new venture to the large farm shop and ice cream parlour as he’d got a liking for the Strawberry and Cherry Swirl they’d recently introduced. He even met up with the little girls he played with on that first visit but now they knew he was a boy - a boy who wore a nappy. They didn’t care they just liked the Jungle Jim and other facilities the place had to offer any energetic eight-year-olds. He didn’t know it yet, but maybe he and those girls would be sharing a classroom come the start of the new school year.

It was a pleasure to see that on each visit it seemed that more and more kids wanted to join in with Elliot’s little group. It was all so natural he didn’t have to push himself or prove anything. The kids he played with here were not like those back home. Here there was a different way of being a young lad that revolved around play more than what latest gadget you had. Now he’d met quite few of his neighbours, and they’d seen him at the party (and word had got around) no one seemed to care that his mummy was in Groove Divas International, they wanted to play with him, for himself. Not that he was the leader, not like he had been at his old school (or so he thought), because things were not as ‘difficult’ as they had been there, here he was just one of a noisy, fun-loving crowd.

#

Catherine was overjoyed at the way things had gone and how Elliot seemed to be blending in and making so many friends. He’d even managed to take trips away from the farm to visit other kids and was welcomed despite his need for a nappy, which no one seemed overly concerned about. Often he’d return completely soaked but happy and still want to check in on his animals before being changed.

His aunt had made some little changes herself and had gone out of her way to make sure everyone was kept comfy and happy. For instance – at the market as a treat (and after a lot of begging from Dusty and Jenny) she’d bought some flavoured powders to add to the kid’s drinks – banana, strawberry, vanilla and chocolate, which were mixed in with their intake of milk. Not surprisingly everyone loved this addition (as it was something Catherine wouldn’t normally approve of, being very heavy on the sugar content), but had quickly become an occasional favourite extravagance.  

So popular was it that Elliot even asked her if it would be alright to have it warm last thing at night to help him sleep. She wasn’t sure about so much liquid at that time of day but he pleaded with her and as Catherine knew it made him happy, could see no reason to deny him that occasional pleasure. However, on the suggestion of Dusty, and under the guise of preventing possible spillage, it was delivered in a baby’s bottle. Surprisingly, there were no complaints.

Despite that, although things were OK now, she wondered what would happen when Elliot’s parents returned? Not for the first time she questioned if she was making things worse but, as he appeared so cheery, the argument just didn’t seem to stand up. Catherine had dealt with it as she would if he had been her own child and hoped that was good enough.

Well, that was the thing, would she have dealt with him the same way? She was convinced, seeing as he appeared contented, did it really matter in one so young? The argument continued every time she changed Elliot but then his joyful grin and complete lack of objection made her feel more positive. She also remembered what Jenny had said a little while back – “He likes being changed now, he loves the attention” or something along those lines. So, perhaps being treated as a toddler was in fact doing more good than harm. Whatever the reason the eight-year-old was thriving on it.

#

Nevertheless, although things were operating well there were a few other changes that needed to be made. After an absence of several years she decided on the return of Wi-Fi to the farm. The links between Catherine and her brother and Annie would be a lot easier once that was re-established. Although she was adamant that not too many electronic gizmos would be allowed. Conversely, with the new school year approaching schoolwork was becoming quite dependent on it. Dionne had also made the case for the business – arguing that there were so many new helpful apps that would enable the farm to be more efficient. Not that it wasn’t operating functionally as it was but Dionne had an eye to the future and was sure things could be improved. She was getting quite grown-up and realised she had a part to play in any forthcoming prosperity in what they had going.

Elliot and Jenny had been sounded out by their mummy at the possibility of a relocation from London up to Yorkshire near his aunt and cousins on a permanent basis and asked for their thoughts.

“Mummy, it’s lovely here,” had been the heartfelt, if unexpected, response from them both.

It seemed that the summer break had been enough time to change them from city-dwellers to rural residents, which surprised Annie especially as to how vocal they were in their lack of support for such a move when they’d been so anti the trip North in the first place.

As he lay in his little bedroom at night, looking up at the dinosaur posters, which incidentally he did like and on some nights was back happily wearing his dino onesie, Elliot knew there were going to be some exciting times ahead. The outlook seemed bright because as far as he was concerned he couldn’t think how things might change once mummy and daddy returned. He was enjoying his time more than he ever thought possible - he simply expected that everything would stay the same.

In fact, cuddled up with his teddy bear and wearing his thick and fleecy nappy with the newer, robust, shiny and cartoony plastic pants holding him safe and tight, and which he’d found he actually loved to wear, Elliot didn’t have a care because with all his new friends he was looking forward to whatever was going to happen next.

In the early days of the visit he’d tried unsuccessfully to hide his wet undies, and try as he might, he couldn’t get his aunt to release him from having to wear a nappy. The threat of being spanked with a hairbrush had also made sure he thought twice about ‘acting up’, so he didn’t. Perhaps it was a subconscious thing but slowly, because he was wetting more, wearing a sodden nappy had made him loved and he wanted that affection more than anything else, so was in no rush to dispense with any of it.

Sucking on his now almost permanent bedtime dummy he drifted off to a dreamland where hens, goats and other farm animals played games together with animated versions of themselves. Laughing, screaming in delight and having fun, Elliot was in the middle of it all rushing about in his nappy. By morning his lovely thick padding would be absolutely soaked and it was like being in the best place ever. He loved it all and in return he was loved... he never wanted it to end.

# end #

 

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