My grandpa, ever the mild-mannered gentleman, said:

“Maureen, I really think you should leave this to Millie to deal with.”

My grandmother shot back:

“He needs to learn his lesson now, not in a few days’ time!”

I didn’t wait to hear anymore but scrambled into my bedroom. And waited.

Eventually, I heard footsteps coming slowly up the stairs, and the door of my bedroom opened.

It was Grandma, and in one hand she held an oval, ebony hairbrush.

She must have seen the shock register on my face because she said:

“Yes, you are going to be spanked. And spanked well.

You could have been seriously hurt out there, and you need to learn to obey Grandpa and me. Stand up, young man!”

I did as I was told, as if this was a bad dream.