Observing her from afar, her beauty and understated power, the calm authority that Miss Sternwood exuded so effortlessly, had frequently given him butterflies in his tummy. But here and now, in such close proximity, the scent of her hair, a delicate hint of her perfume as she moved, and an inexplicable intimacy of seeing her casual handling of the terrible cane, suddenly provoked a discernable twitch below his waistline. He shifted awkwardly, self-consciously adjusting his blazer and opening his mouth to speak, but found himself at a loss for words. I suggest," Miss Sternwood announced in the same controlled tone, "that you remember every last detail of this punishment," the light tap-tap of her cane punctuating the rhythm of her words, "especially if you ever begin to feel your mind wander from your studies... now for number three."

Are you decent?" she asked a couple of minutes later, already knowing from her reflected view that he was busy with his tie. She turned her chair as soon as he replied and watched until he had pulled on his blazer and straightened the collar. I’ve been playing with Katie, all be it irregularly, for well over two years now. There’s an intensity to our sessions, a wonderful sense of challenge. Given that I am always (well, almost always) holding the cane you might assume that I am the one challenging her: “Can you take this? How about harder? How about four strokes together?” Sophie had not consciously planned to push his embarrassment any further than this. It had never been her prime objective for the lesson, but observing the shame and discomfort this was obviously causing for him, and still feeling irritated by his moment of defiance, however fleeting it might have been, she was determined to make things even more uncomfortable for him.

The Ultimatum

Her posture, leaning into what those familiar with fencing or other swordsmanship might have described as a slight forward lunge, kept the cane dead horizontal across the lower curve of his cheeks. In their slightly offset positions he mostly felt its pressure on his left side, but the whippy flex of the cane in full, high-speed motion would not spare his right cheek when the six strokes fell evenly across the width of his firm behind. For goodness sake Attwood," she had exclaimed, as much in exasperation as annoyance. "You're a month past your eighteenth birthday, you'll be starting University in less than a year, probably living away from home. If you haven't developed a sense of motivation and self discipline by now, something is seriously wrong! Maybe you could at least try to show a little maturity? I don't suggest for one minute that academic success should be your only objective in life, but your exam results in a few months time will be a critical step for you. How much more motivation can you possibly need?" Of course, she was not naive to the fact that many of the senior boys and prefects were harbouring a lustful crush. In the hormonal maelstrom of the Grey House senior common room, it was pretty much inevitable that a young, beautiful housemistress would provoke exactly this reaction. I gave it mainly to the older children – mostly boys, of course! Very few girls. I can’t remember anyone younger than eight having it. And it had to be pretty serious – hitting another children, danger to life and limb, insolence to their class teacher, that sort of thing.

over the Easter break you will record your exam revision work in this notebook. I trust that you are a young man of honour and integrity, and after the holiday I will ask you to look me in the eye and give me a honest appraisal of your efforts. If I am not fully satisfied, be warned that I will take a very dim view. We're setting a precedent this afternoon and I will not hesitate to administer further discipline if I believe efforts in your studies have slipped. Sorry to drop another cliché on you, but- this is for your own good."

Look, I know it's not always an easy transition from the rules and hand-holding of the junior years. All I want is to see you really focus on your grades for a few months. I've tried encouragement, I've tried cajoling, I've discussed your work with your parents, and I seem to remember we even resorted to a couple of Saturday morning homework detentions. Quite frankly there are very few options remaining." The old furniture was far heavier than it looked and she patiently waited as he half lifted and half slid them up to the wall. His fingers trembled against his blazer buttons before he folded it neatly across the chair seats and turned to face Miss Sternwood. Maintain the position Attwood. It won't be getting any easier," Sophie warned, the whippy cane lightly moving and tapping as she spoke, a familiar dread ritual to ensure her next stroke would land precisely on target. "This will be two." Almost as though it were a favourite pet, Miss Sternwood lightly and affectionately patted her cane, but for the time being left it lying on the desktop.

Yes Miss," Thomas replied, and now she was really beginning to detect the nervousness in his voice. Yet in spite of the intense smarting pain that tormented his burning bottom, and he guiltily wondered if it might be precisely because of it, he was finding her even more achingly desirable. Not once did her eyes leave him and she seemed intent on prolonging his vulnerability and exposure for as long as possible.

Whatever the true explanation, the old adage of "cross me and you won't sit down for a week" had never felt closer to the truth. It's going to be six for you Thomas, this time. Make no mistake, even for a senior, six strokes of the cane will be a very salutary lesson and, you can take it from me, it's going to be a lesson that you will not forget in a hurry."

Genuinely sorry to have disappointed her, Thomas had seemed eager to reassure, but before he could reply, Miss Sternwood had risen from her seat and retrieved something long and slender from a hand-sized gap that was conveniently, but quite discreetly, left open between two of her bookcases. As suddenly as it arrived, the immediate burning slice across his cheeks seemed to subside for a fraction of a second before erupting into a deep, smarting sting that swelled and throbbed, not just at the point of impact, but it felt to him as though it filled his entire bottom.If, as you seem to be claiming, the leeway granted to senior boys is really to blame, I'm going to make a suggestion. Perhaps it's a little unconventional. Some might argue that it bends the rules of our usual approaches to school discipline. But, if you believe an ultimatum with tangible and specific consequences is what you require, perhaps there is a way for me to oblige. In fact, I'm suddenly feeling quite optimistic that we can come to an arrangement." The cane, a single, inescapably dominant theme of this formal ensemble, lay relaxed but ready against her side, following the line of her thigh down towards the right toe of her patent leather kitten heels. Come in," she called, pitching her voice to carry through the old oak door of her office and eying Thomas curiously as he entered. She sensed nerves, which was to be expected, but there was no hesitancy. When the door opened she was also relieved to hear complete silence from the corridor and the common rooms beyond. At 4:30pm on the last day of term, this was exactly as she had expected. Indeed? And so you should look apprehensive," she responded, in her innocence misreading the causes of his fidgeting. "But, as unconventional as this approach might seem, something tells me this could be exactly what's needed to provide the focus and motivation you need. I can't say I entirely approve, of course. Senior boys in the upper sixth ought to be able to motivate themselves without threats of disciplinary measures, but if this is what it takes..."