Just as her fury was about to be unleashed on Lea’s bottom, I caught her hand from doing so.
“Don’t.” I said with a firm grip to the woman’s wrist. All stared in utter shock and silence as to what I had just done. Lea had stopped crying, and was looking at me with just as much surprise. I gave her a smile of compliance; those that say “It’s Ok” and reverted to concentrating on the woman I was holding back.
“What the he- Oh Mr. Soel!” The woman said, instantly calming down. I let go of her hand so she could explain herself to me face to face.
“Please apologize to Lea before I report you to your headmaster for abusing a child.” I said calmly.