Mother was there too and talking over the fence to our left-hand neighbor, who I called Auntie Deirdre.
Auntie Deirdre was in her late fifties and had two grown-up children.
Mother was moaning about my lack of discipline when I heard Auntie Deirdre say:
“Geoff needs a much harder spanking.”
As you may be able to imagine I certainly cocked up my ears at that remark.
Mother then said something to the effect that my father did not much like having to discipline me.
Auntie Deirdre went on the reply
“Well if you really want him to be smacked properly, I will happily come round and do it. I can tell you, it certainly kept my two on the straight and narrow.”