My sister decided that as I had both played with the matches and told a fib about doing so, a smacked bottom was in order. She ordered me across her knee. I remember the characteristic sound of elastic snapping against my bare legs as I pulled up my white knee socks and timidly laid myself face down in the classic punishment position for naughty children.
With rising terror, I watched as my sister reached behind the settee cushion and pulled out her own school plimsoll. Then she raised my grey pleated school skirt and lowered my knickers so she had a bare bottom to work with.
Then I was thoroughly smacked, wriggling on my sister’s lap as she slippered me efficiently. It really hurt and for once there were genuine tears.
Afterwards, I was left with a runny nose and a red, sore bum, which I rubbed vigorously to try to get rid of the slipper’s sting