I spent Sunday in my bedroom, bored, alternating between homework and reading books, and hoping with all my heart that Mum would spare me another hiding.

However, that night, when I came back from brushing my teeth, I found her already seated on my bed.

Her right sleeve was rolled up and the slipper was in her right hand.

I was left in no doubt about what I was supposed to do.

Without being told – and with tears beginning to well up in my eyes again – I obediently bent over her knee.

Mum grabbed my right wrist to prevent me from covering my bottom, then gave me my second sound spanking of the weekend.

After that, I never once failed to tell Mum about my school punishments, even if it invariably cost me a well-slippered bottom at home.

The risk of a ‘second helping’ was always enough to prevent me from ‘forgetting’ to mention my misadventures again.