Mummy looked into the mirror, at this distance it was like a well framed photo, her on the bed, her shapely daughter with her upturned rump fine and round, catching the light. She looked at herself, doing what a good loving Mummy should do…her duty.

I also attended a convent school in Ireland in the 1950s run by nuns, but never once witnessed corporal punishment as described by your correspondent. 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.Taking pains to ensure they were able to schedule a private appointment, she had informed Thomas of her decision just a few days ago, instructing him to arrive half an hour after final lessons on the final day of the term. The House admin corridor would be empty and she felt certain none of the other boys would still be lingering in the common rooms.

I behaved impeccably and really agreed with him without hypocrisy but he laboured the point, trying hard to make his very young secretary understand how important it was to keep these governors buttered up. It was then he said something that had my blood racing. The spit in her mouth had gone, her knees went weak as she saw Mummy swell before her taking a deep breath. Her eyebrow lifted and vanished beneath her fringe. She sat down, and opened the envelope. This is my first blog, and indeed blog entry, on the subject of the punishments I receive for being a less than obedient and well behaved wife! This blog was given to me, by my husband, as part of any punishments I receive. I was beginning to think that Lindsey's punishment was over - although five seemed an odd number of strokes - when I heard again the awful sound of that cane, but even louder than before.Karen took the note, her hand shaking slightly. She could feel the cheeks on her face flush. “No Mummy I do not have any homework tonight.” Well of course I did accept and in the end I appointed an unambitious but very conscientious middle-aged woman as my assistant. She was quietly efficient albeit a bit limited but together we made a good team. I made sure I treated her as Miss Wheelton had treated me and as I would want to be treated by any boss. In fact she didn't want to work full time but I was able to make some changes to our procedures and routines that meant she could take three afternoons off each week. This of course reduced the cost of running the office and the Chairman of Governors called me ‘frighteningly efficient’. All weekend I was worried about what was going to happen and on Monday morning I was more careful than usual to make sure that I was wearing the correct school uniform. I know of at least one secretary who was fired because, effectively, her boss had asked her to sleep with him on three separate occasions and she had repeatedly said no,’ Ros recalls. ‘Next thing he told her she had to go and she was distraught.’

She used the money she earned working for a large advertising agency, a law firm, a consultancy and estate agency to pay her way through university. Jaquee, now in her 50s, remembers that it was certainly a struggle to be taken seriously as a woman in the workplace Of course," she had continued contemplatively, "I won't deny it's rare that a boy in his final year would find himself subject to the threat of corporal punishment, but I assure you there's nothing in the rulebook that says I cannot discipline a member of my tutor group in whatever manner I deem to be the most appropriate." In fact, while Jacquee did take maternity leave to have children — Natalie, now 32, and 30-year-old Christopher — she returned to work shortly afterwards, continuing until she was made redundant in the late Nineties. 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.She had friends there, she had respect, she even had a few who envied her. Also, quite possibly, a few ladies, especially the young mothers, were in awe of her, even, more than a little scared of her.