I wondered which of the two would be nominated to fetch the slipper from Miss Roberts’s classroom cupboard, as Cathy was for our punishment.
Both girls likely knew where it was,
but the honour was bestowed on me for some reason,
possibly because I was perhaps more aware than anyone,
the intricacies of releasing the lock and the plimsoll within,
as I had had to wait for my three stokes that day as Miss Roberts struggled with it at length.
No problem, the oil can on the window ledge was a testament to Miss Roberts’s determination that the lock would work when required next time.
Slightly relieved, I carried the implement back to the detention room,
swishing it in the air with a sort of abandonment that came with knowing that on this occasion at least my bottom was safe,
well it would be so long as I kept my head down and got to the end of the detention without incurring Miss Roberts’s displeasure.