“Lie over my knee, Sally.” I didn’t plead any more, because I knew my brother would love hearing that – but I didn’t move either. Eventually, Mum said sternly: “Lie across my knee now, or I will call Daddy downstairs and he will put you across his knee.”

A grin spread over my brother’s face at those words. I had no choice, and this time lay obediently over Mum’s waiting lap.

Then Mum began to smack. Although it stung a great deal, I didn’t make a sound. I just lay there, listening to the sound of slapping filling the room. The smirk on my brother’s face told me how much he was enjoying seeing Mummy’s hand bouncing off his little sister’s bottom as she gave me my first proper spanking.

Having thoroughly tanned me, Mum set me on my feet. “Now,” she ordered, “put the naughty stool in the middle of the room and sit on it.” I did so, my newly-smacked seat simmering inside my pants.

Once I was in place, Mum turned to me again and told me: “Tomorrow, you will give the teddy bear back to your teacher, apologise and tell her you had your bottom smacked and had to sit on the naughty stool until bedtime.

“If I find out you haven’t told her, then I will have to show her myself that you don’t get away with stealing. I will sit on the bench in the cloakroom in front of your teacher and your class and smack your bottom in front of everyone – Do you understand?”