I never actually got to see what was in the letter since it was destroyed.

However,  I was told in no uncertain terms that I was to make it clear to Richard that he was not to write or contact me again.

Indeed, my parents were so concerned that I later learned they went as far as trying to get the school to move me to another class.

The next day I spoke to Richard, explained the position, and obtained his assurance that he wouldn’t embarrass me again.

Unfortunately, though, he told one of his friends.

This friend of Richards clearly thought that it would be highly amusing to write himself.

The net result was that a few days later, a second letter arrived.

I arrived home from school to be greeted by a clearly highly irate mother.

I was made to stand there for what seemed an age.

This was, whilst my mother ranted and raved about how disobedient I had been, how I had clearly encouraged the boy, and so forth.

To make matters worse, one of Mother’s friends had called around and sat there grim-faced.

My Mothers friend added the occasional comment which only served to stoke the parental fire still further.

My attempts to protest my innocence were virtually shouted down.

It took Mother sometime before she calmed down a little.