I caught up with Lindsey in the corridor leading to Mrs Seaton’s office, which was opposite that of the headmaster. I didn’t say anything to her. I was still very frightened and, in any case, I don’t think I’d ever spoken to anyone in the fourth year – they were a long way senior to us first years.
We walked slowly to the office door and stood outside. There was still some time to go until the assembly was dismissed. Suddenly Lindsey said something to me. I realised that my hands had been subconsciously rubbing the seat of my short trousers. I jerked them away and looked up at Lindsey.
“Pardon?”
Lindsey was a very nice girl. Although she must have been, with good reason, as fearful as I was, but she still tried to ease my nerves a little. She told me not to worry and said that as it was my first time I would probably only get a couple of strokes and that it wouldn’t hurt all that much. She said that the only thing I had to remember was to do exactly what Mrs Seaton said, as soon as she said it!