When we got to the headmistress’s study, both the head – a frumpy spinster named Miss Howse – and Mrs Roberts were waiting for us. We got a terrible dressing down, then Miss Howse said: “Thank you, Mrs Roberts – I’ll deal with these two now.”
Miss Howse went to a cupboard and took out a big old gym shoe. She told Valerie to face the wall, then ordered me to touch my toes. I got six whacks across my shorts. Despite the protection, it hurt horribly and I was crying by the time she had finished.
Then we had to change places and it was poor Valerie’s turn. It must have been worse for her, because she had only her summer gingham dress for protection. Then we went back to our classroom in tears and rubbing our bottoms. We spent the next lesson squirming miserably on our hard benches, but nothing was heard of the matter again.