“This is going to be difficult,” exclaimed head girl Jenny Carruthers-Flood to her deputy headmistress, Sonal Khan.
“I’m sure. I don’t like it. It’s all very unfortunate.”
“Any teacher other than Miss Parkes and it wouldn’t have been an issue,” observed the head girl. “What did she actually say to you? Is there any room for manoeuvre?”
“She came storming into my office just an hour ago. Said she was shocked and disgusted and was expecting me to take very strong action against Beth Twinkle. Apparently she was taking a lunchtime stroll in the park and her attention was drawn to a group of lads shouting and cheering and making a noise, so she went to investigate. She saw Beth carrying out her gymnastics routine.”
“And what was wrong with that?” asked Jenny. “The school is very happy to support Beth with her gymnastic endeavours. We are proud of her.”
“Unfortunately, when Miss Parkes challenged her, she couldn’t produce a pass for permission to be away from school premises. But what made it worse in the eyes of Miss Parkes, Beth was wearing very skimpy shorts and a top that showed her bare midriff. Cavorting and lewdly showing off in front of boys, and even posing for a photograph, is what she said.”
“And we all know Miss Parkes disagrees with sport being encouraged at our school. If it’s not Latin, Maths, English, Languages or the Sciences, it doesn’t count,” commented Jenny.
The deputy headmistress and head girl sat quietly, pondering for a moment.
“Can you search out Beth and bring her to my office at 4 o’clock? Make it clear to her we need to discuss her pass infringement and she’s not in trouble for anything else. We’ll discuss her gymnastic attire separately and that’s not a disciplinary issue.”
“Shall I break it to her that she’s going to get the cane? At least she can get herself prepared,” asked Jenny.
“If you would,” said Sonal rather regretfully. “Be kind.”
Jenny was about to leave, when she hesitated. “Couldn’t we issue a pass retrospectively? I’m sure Mrs Henderson would have given Beth a pass.”
“No, Jenny. That would involve you, me, Beth and Mrs Henderson conspiring to tell lies. And Miss Parkes would be disbelieving and would be certain to stir up trouble. However unfortunate, Beth is going to have to take her punishment. Believe you me. I’ve never felt so badly about having to cane a girl.”
Jenny smiled. “That’s just what you said to me before giving me the cane that time. You don’t like doing it do you?”
“The cane is draconian. I prefer to use the paddle,” confirmed Sonal. “But rules are rules. Leaving the school without a pass is a caning offence. I can’t afford to get into any further trouble with the headmistress following that incident with Wendy.”
Jenny was not looking forward to her chat with Beth. She knew her quite well, although they were not close friends. Beth was a year below Jenny. Most students, teaching staff and the school governors were aware of Beth’s gymnastic skills and supported her in every way they could. Mrs Henderson, her home teacher, had even driven her to national under-18 competitions. But not Miss Parkes, whose unreasonable attitude was causing problems for the feisty young gymnast.
“Can I speak to Beth please?” asked Jenny. She had tracked Beth to a Maths lesson. The Maths teacher, Mrs Wright, called out to Beth and asked Jenny if she should collect her books and take them with her, or would she be returning to class. It was twenty minutes to four and Jenny thought there would be no point in returning.
Beth had a good idea she was in trouble, and her well-being was not improved when some of her classmates tut-tutted and someone shouted out, “Who’s a naughty girl, then?”
“I’m in trouble because of Miss Parkes, aren’t I?” Beth asked as she and Jenny walked along the corridor. Jenny had sorted out an empty classroom and guided Beth into it.
“Beth, you are in trouble. You left the premises without a pass, didn’t you?”
Tears began to well up in Beth’s eyes and trickle down her cheeks. She nodded miserably.
“I usually go to the park to practice in the lunch hour, and sometimes Mrs Henderson comes with me or, if she’s not available, she gives me a pass to leave the premises. I couldn’t find her to ask for a pass so I took a chance. It’s usually OK, but today Miss Parkes turned up.”
Beth took a deep breath and sobbed. “She was very angry and shouted at me to get dressed. She said I was a slut, nearly naked, and cavorting in front of the boys, and I was going to get caned.”
Jenny’s attitude hardened, and she was furious. Unfortunately, Beth took this to mean that she was in further trouble, this time with Jenny, who quickly reassured her that she was only in trouble for leaving the school without a pass.
“I’m not going to let her speak to you like that. She must apologise. But Beth, I can’t get you out of the caning for leaving the premises without a pass. The school is very hot on that since Irene Bailey went missing for three days. Four strokes minimum. But you haven’t done anything else wrong and I’m going to sort this out.”
Beth, still miserable at the thought of the caning she was going to get at four o’clock, was pleased at least she had Jenny on her side. Jenny told her to take her workbooks to her dormitory, get herself composed, and meet her at the deputy headmistress’s office.
A distressed Beth entered the deputy headmistress’s office for her four o’clock appointment.
Beth looked at Jenny before mumbling her response to the deputy headmistress. “I think it’s too harsh to cane me, Miss.”
“You must have been aware of the consequences of breaking the rule. I’m really sorry, Beth, but I have no choice,” said Mrs Khan with genuine sympathy.
“I promise to wear more suitable clothing next time. I didn’t try to upset Miss Parkes,” countered Beth, now showing desperation and hoping this might work in her favour.
“Beth, this is nothing to do with your gym training attire. I think you know that. Come into the centre of the room and grab your ankles. You’re going to be given four strokes to remind you not to leave the premises unless you are accompanied by Mrs Henderson or you have a pass.”
“Please, please Miss. I don’t deserve this.”
Beth took faltering steps towards where Mrs Khan was pointing the cane to the place on the carpet where she wanted Beth to stand.
Jenny looked on, seething with Miss Parkes’s handling of the situation and particularly angry because of the language she had used to Beth, calling her a slut. That was awful. She just hoped Beth could take her caning without drama.
Beth fearfully took up her required position, accompanied with sobbing, trembling and pleading. She needed to remain still before Mrs Khan could flip up her skirt and deliver the first stroke, but she was anything but still.
“Stand up, Beth,” commanded the deputy headmistress, and Beth readily obliged, hoping she might be reprieved.
Sonal spoke calmly. “Get hold of yourself. You are strong, fit and you have shown with your gymnastics you can come back from hard knocks. Taking four taps on the bottom is well within your capability without the histrionics. Now then. Deep breaths. Compose yourself and let’s get this done.”
Once again, Beth assumed the position, but even as the swish of the cane could be heard scything through the air she stumbled forward and the cane only made a partial connection.
“Beth, I’m very patient. If it takes until tea time, I will deliver four good strokes of the cane to your bottom. Now bend over, grab your ankles and stay still. Four to come.”
Once again, Sonal’s cane swished through the air, and this time made a good, crisp connection to Beth’s slim, tight bottom. The stroke was firm, but not unduly harsh, reflecting Sonal’s displeasure at having been railroaded into administering this punishment. Beth took the stroke and the next one without too much difficulty, suddenly realising the anticipation of her punishment was probably worse than the actual event. She might have changed her mind with the third stroke. Sonal thought that, perhaps, she should apply at least one stroke to act as a deterrent. Beth howled, let go of her ankles and reached behind to rub away some of the vicious smarting.
“Last one coming up, Beth, if you would move your hands, please.”
Beth reluctantly obliged and the final stroke landed, once again sweetly connecting, but not overdone. The punished girl eased herself to a standing position, realising she had made more of this than it warranted. The expectation had indeed turned out to be worse than the actual caning.
“That’s it, Beth. All over. Let that be a lesson to you. You can go.”
Sonal, in her usual matter of fact manner, busied herself with the paperwork. To her, caning a girl was just one of many mundane jobs undertaken by a busy deputy headmistress.
“Come on, Beth. I’ll walk with you to your dorm,” said Jenny.”
As they left the office and entered the corridor, Jenny spoke. “That wasn’t too bad was it?”
“Bad enough,” exclaimed Beth through her tears as she, with some exaggeration, rubbed her burning bottom.
“I’m giving up my gymnastics. Miss Parkes has spoiled everything,” sighed the troubled girl.
“You will do no such thing!” retorted the head girl, very firmly. “I’m off to see Miss Parkes and give her the benefit of my mind. I will tell her she owes you an apology.”
“That’ll be the day,” smiled Beth, quietly pleased she was receiving support and attention from no less than the much respected head girl.
“How dare you!” rampaged Veronica Strong, the very angry headmistress. “How dare you storm into Miss Parke’s office and confront her with a torrent of abuse and rudeness. She was badly shaken and very upset with your unforgivable outburst. The poor woman was in tears. You might be head girl, for now, but you have gone way above your station. You are going to be severely punished for your unbelievable behaviour. After thrashing you, I have a mind to suspend you until the end of term. And I don’t see how you can continue as head girl. Your name will be posted on the weekly punishment list and there will be an announcement in assembly. Now get out and come back here at 8.00 for a twelve-stroke caning,” roared the usually quiet headmistress.
Jenny knew she had gone too far. Her verbal attack on Miss Parkes was way out of order, but such was the condemnation she felt for the elderly teacher she had been unable to hold herself in check. Almost in a daze following Veronica Strong’s castigation, she made her way to Sonal Khan’s office to seek solace and explain the circumstances to her mentor and friend.
Sonal listened with some concern, and smiled when Jenny told her she would be receiving a twelve stroke caning later that evening. The smiling stopped when Jenny told her she was going to be stripped of her position of head girl and suspended.
“And you deserve it,” remarked Sonal. “But I’m going to speak to Veronica and make sure she’s fully aware of all the circumstances. I don’t suppose Deborah Parkes will have told her the whole story. I’ll see you in Veronica’s office at 8.00. Try not to worry too much, but you must expect a sound caning.”
“Thank you, Sonal. I really appreciate anything you can do for me.”
Pleased with the excellent relationship she had built up with Sonal over six years, that might now come to her rescue.
“I apologise for my bad temper earlier, Jenny. Sonal has given me the full story. You were definitely out of order with your confrontational approach to Miss Parkes, but now I have a better understanding. You are going to be caned for your inexcusable behaviour, but then we will draw a line under this unfortunate episode,” explained Veronica Strong.
Jenny briefly looked over to Sonal and mouthed a thank you before addressing Veronica.
“I very much regret how things turned out, Miss, and accept my behaviour was wrong. I will readily accept any punishment you think necessary.”
“Well spoken, Jenny. The kind of response I would expect from my head girl.”
Turning to Sonal, Veronica said, “We agreed Jenny should receive the full twelve strokes, but in light of her acceptance of her wrongdoing I think eight would be sufficient. What do you think?”
Jenny was utterly astounded when her friend, or so she thought, replied, “I would suggest you give her the full experience, Veronica. You are allowing her to retain her position of head girl, and you have removed the threat of suspension.”
The head girl stared disbelievingly at the deputy headmistress. Perhaps fortuitously, before she could comment, Veronica Strong took control.
Picking up her three foot senior cane and ominously pointing at a cleared space on her desk, she said, “Twelve it is. Skirt off, bend over my desk and reach for the other side. I’ve cleared a space just for you.”
Jenny complied. She wriggled out of her tight, knee-length, uniform maroon skirt to reveal long, athletic legs and the skimpiest, definitely not regulation, satin blue knickers. Lowering herself over the desk, her firm, creamy white buttocks contrasted with her slim, bronzed upper thighs, providing a tempting target for Veronica Strong’s cane. Veronica and Sonal admired the sight before them, and thought it a shame to have to disfigure, albeit temporarily, such a delightfully, well-rounded, perky bottom. The headmistress made an observation.
“Jenny, twelve strokes, and there’s not going to be much room to apply all twelve to your bottom without overlapping, so brace yourself. Right, let’s get on. It’s not going to be pleasant, Jenny, but I think you deserve this,” commented the headmistress as she stood alongside the nervous but stoic head girl.
The first swish connected sweetly and accurately with Jenny’s bottom.
“Oooh!” she exclaimed, rather taken by surprise with the ferocity of the first stroke.
Her facial expression, contorted with pain, was clear evidence that Mrs Strong was not holding back. Second stroke, delivered with equal fervour, had poor Jenny gasping but maintaining her position. Third stroke quickly followed before she had time to draw breath and then a few seconds delay before the fourth stroke.
Waiting for the fourth stroke, Jenny ventured to look at Sonal, who seemed to offer a smile of support and sympathy. But Jenny was angry with the deputy headmistress and turned away as the fourth stroke landed fair and square at the centre of her firm bottom.
“Oucheee!” gasped the beleaguered girl. “This is not fun!”
Veronica waited for the few seconds for Jenny to stop writhing. “Number five Jenny. I think my message might be getting through to you.”
Jenny was already in no doubt this was a serious punishment. Eight strokes would have been so much more acceptable than the twelve that her so-called friend had influenced Veronica into unleashing. The caning continued up to the eighth stroke, with Jenny handling her discomfort with predictable quiet dignity.
“Right, Jenny. That’s it. You may get up in your own time,” instructed the headmistress.
Taken by surprise at the apparent four stroke reduction, Jenny thankfully eased herself into a standing position. Sonal, smiling sympathetically, put a reassuring hand on the girl’s shoulder.
“I guess I should apologise to Miss Parkes for my rudeness,” mumbled Jenny as she painfully squeezed into her tight-fitting skirt.
“That won’t be possible, Jenny,” answered Miss Strong. “We had a chat and she explained she was not enjoying school life and expressed a wish to take early retirement at the end of term. I suggested it might be a good idea if she took gardening leave and depart with immediate effect, and she readily accepted. For the best all round, I think.”
Jenny, in some discomfort, and Sonal walked slowly towards Sonal’s apartment. “I can’t believe you encouraged Miss Strong to give me twelve strokes,” muttered Jenny. “I’m pleased she showed more compassion than you. I thought you were there to support me.”
Sonal smiled. “You were only ever going to get eight strokes, but I thought you needed to be brought down a notch or two. As much as I hold you in high esteem, you do sometimes get above yourself. The idea that you could barge into Miss Parkes’s study and launch a verbal attack on a much respected teacher was way out of order. I’m hoping the threat of twelve strokes caused you to understand the seriousness of your behaviour.”
The two of them continued along the corridors until they reached Sonal’s apartment.
“Lecture and punishment over. Let’s enjoy a glass of wine.”
They spent the rest of the evening discussing events of the day and much else.
Jenny called Beth into the sixth form lounge.
“No more of this nonsense about giving up on your gymnastics.”
Beth luxuriated in the attention bestowed upon her by no less than the head girl and thought she would milk the situation.
“I want to give up. Being shouted at by Miss Parkes, and embarrassed in front of all those boys. Not to mention the whacking from Mrs Khan.”
“I’m not accepting that, Beth. I took an eight stroke caning on your behalf because I challenged Miss Parkes.”
Beth gasped with surprise. Did the head girl really take a caning standing up for her? This story was going to get some attention from her friends and further uplift her street cred!
And so it was. Everyone involved was able to claim they had got something out of the situation to their advantage.
The End
© Robert Roberts 2022