The Disciplined Women of Chapel Island

by Susan Thomas

  "What?"

  "The Guardians spy on people. I'm dead sure they spied on you and I'm sure, really sure without any proof, that the Island Council aren't really in charge. I listen in and I think the Guardians take orders from someone else. I don't know how to find out either but my mother is nagging at me to get to the heart of it. She thinks I'm going to follow in her footsteps. I'm not but I do want to find this out. You will think me silly really but I didn't think about the effect of the piece about Chapel Island. I only thought about those strange marks on my ceiling and the sudden interest in ID cards."

  "I know how to find out. I work at Dad's place. My job is background checks so even if I can't do it I can ask someone who is an expert and there are lots. Either they will think it is my job or they will think Dad asked me to do it so won't query it."

  I got to work on it at once and started looking at the Chapel Island Partnership which was barely mentioned on the island but was in fact the owner of the place, all houses being leasehold, and I discovered, short leases at that. I got nowhere. The partnership seemed to be owned by someone else which seemed to be owned elsewhere and I got lost. I consulted one of our experts and he got to work. When he came back to me it was to tell me it was all very strange.

  "There is a network of shell companies, all of them quite anonymous and untraceable, and I cannot find where it all goes. There is a lawyer in Gibraltar and a front man in a US state would you believe, or maybe they are just dummies, it really is hard to tell. It is most skilfully done."

  Claire and I talked about this a great deal. We wondered if it was some sort of government secret operation but couldn't work out what they'd get from it. In the end we made our fateful decision. She told her mother. Her mother was delighted. She wanted all my reports plus any other material Claire had over and above what she had sent already. She also wanted the originals of the reports I had, not scanned copies, and we like fools agreed. Claire arranged to meet her at the Harbour Café on the mainland the following day and I decided to go with her.

  ---oOo---

  Marigold Candthorpe sat in a corner of the Harbour Café nursing what she considered a vile cup of coffee. She despised places like this filled as it was with pensioners. She was awaiting her daughter Claire with increasing impatience. The girl had at last proved useful and she wanted the pack of information. It was better to have the originals than scanned copies. Marigold was impatient to get on with it but there was no sign of Claire, the blasted girl was late. Typical! Marigold supposed she would go all martyr-ish about the canings she had, as if a mere caning was important with a good juicy story like this. The silly girl didn't realise it was part of the story

  Two men approached the café, one carrying a small briefcase. Marigold sized them up. Both were straight-backed with short hair and wore their clothes as if they were normally in uniform. Armed forces or police on leave she deduced, and by their age and air of authority, senior officers. The two men entered and looking around spotted her and walked towards her. She was puzzled as she didn't know them.

  The Head of Guardians and his Chief of Security looked around the café and saw Marigold Candthorpe. She was extremely well groomed with carefully arranged hair, exquisite make-up, expensive clothes and a pair of high heels that looked positively dangerous to walk on. She was they knew, fifty years of age but the excellent grooming made her look younger though very hard faced.

  Without invitation they went and sat at the table. Before she could protest the Chief of Security began, "Ms Candthorpe, your daughter Claire has been delayed and won't be joining you for a while yet. You are expecting a package which you won't be getting at all."

  Marigold tried to butt in but the Head of Guardians overrode that. "Furthermore Ms Candthorpe, the information you have already is worthless to you if you value your freedom. My colleague here is going to hand you a folder of information we have about you. The originals are on Chapel Island. Should you publish one word about us, that information will be sent to the police and prosecutors. I think you will agree that isn't a question of whether you would go to trial or even whether you would be found guilty, but more how long you would serve in prison. The best barrister in the world will not prevent that."

  Marigold looked carefully through the folder of copied documents without expression. Finally she said, "My goodness, you have been busy and thorough. I take it we agree to mutual silence and the secure storage of all our information?"

  There was a nod in reply and Marigold stood up and walked out without a backward glance.

  Chapter 17

  We met up the following morning outside the staff residential quarters where Claire had her room and set off for the ferry. The two Guardians appeared from nowhere.

  "Excuse me Miss March, I'm afraid you must come along with us. We have orders to take you in."

  "I'm Miss Kate Freckleton and a member. I insist on coming with her."

  "Of course Miss, both get in the vehicle please."

  It was an actual police-type car. I knew there was one along with a fire engine and ambulance but I had never actually seen them. We were taken to the upstairs of the House of Guardians where I had never been before. In a small but very clean room Claire and I had to sit on one side of a table and two senior Guardians sat on the other.

  "You can't do anything to her, I won't let you. You're not real police as on the mainland."

  He smiled at me. "Good heavens what on earth do you think we are? This is not a police state nor are we some criminal gang. We are just charged with protecting the island, its inhabitants and the way of life they have chosen. Now Miss Candthorpe here..." His use of Claire's real name made us start. "...had become a real threat to the well-being of the island community. You were off to meet with your mother at the Harbour Café." Again we were shocked he knew. "Well your mother has already been given a choice by the Chief of Guardians and the Chief of Security. If she attempts to publish anything you have sent her, she will end up in prison. We have a thick file on her and your mother has, let us say, bent the law in her thirst for good stories. It is not a question of whether she would be found guilty at trial but how long her sentence would be. She has already capitulated and left in her car."

  It was obvious this was no bluff and Claire had no contact from her mother. "What, without Claire?"

  He looked very sad. "Yes regrettably so. I am sorry Miss but she didn't even ask about you."

  Claire sounded very bitter. "She's used me hasn't she?"

  "I'm afraid so Claire."

  Claire didn't sound at all surprised and I squeezed her hand as she asked, "What about me?"

  "You have been a nuisance I have to say, and you too Miss Freckleton. However, the High Secretary has said Chapel Island will take no action against you whatsoever but we do require that package to be handed over. No one here is doing anything wrong but publicity is not what we want. You are given a choice and I am confident I know which one you will take. You may freely leave the island today with all the pay you are due and a month's wages in lieu of notice. In the unlikely event you wish to stay you must take a punishment here in the House of Guardians of nine strokes with the cane. The High Secretary doesn't think you can stay here with no consequences. As Miss Freckleton will tell you, that is no light punishment."

  "What about Kate? What are you going to do to her?"

  "Miss Freckleton of course is a member and has broken several rules and endangered the well-being of the community. The High Secretary has decreed she be given three penalty points. You are just foolish young women. Nothing nasty is going to happen to you, other than the correction to Miss Freckleton for the three penalties. I have to report to the Chief of Guardians that I have you and the package so I'll have some coffee sent in and you can have a chat, but I am sure Claire, you will wish to leave. We'll give you time to pack of course but we will want you off the island by tonight."

  We gave them the package and the two senior Guardians left, leaving us stunned. They knew so m
uch. We had been fools to think we could investigate them. Clearly Claire was right, they had been monitoring us, but then I had told several people about my suspicions. When I thought about it, the island would be subject to so much prurient interest if it all got out, there was bound to be tight security though it still left the question of who was behind it all.

  "Three penalties Kate. You'll be so sore. I am sorry I got you into this."

  "Don't be silly, I got myself in. Anyway I'll help you pack, but I will miss you."

  "I'm not going. I'll take that nine."

  I was stunned and tried very hard to dissuade her. Nine from a Guardian armed with a cane and hitting your bare bum is no joke. She was adamant so I asked her why she wanted to stay.

  "Because I like you Kate, you're a good friend and I don't want to be parted at present. Anyway if I go it's back to my mother's house and we don't just get on. She is a bitch to be blunt. She has used me and now just left me to it. But is it possible we can go in together, because I'm scared? I've seen your bum after the caning and it was far worse than the canings Frau Weber hands out. They hurt but the marks are gone in a day or so. Yours were terrible."

  When the two senior Guardians came back Claire announced that she would stay and take the nine. He had to be told twice to believe it.

  "I've got three penalties," I said, "that is also nine strokes of the cane for the first round. Claire has never done this before and isn't a member. Would it be possible we both go into the correction part together?"

  He wasn't sure, but since his two bosses were off the island he was in charge and after a while he agreed but insisted that neither of us stop the other's caning. We had to agree to be co-operative. We wanted to get it over with so I sent mum a text asking if she could meet us afterwards. Then we sat nervously in the small room waiting to be escorted to the Accountability Suite. It seemed ages before the genial reception Guardian turned up. He stood smiling at us in the doorway.

  "I became a grandfather last night to a baby girl. Emily is her name."

  We congratulated him and wished his whole family well.

  "So as a new grandfather I hope you'll forgive a grandfatherly-type comment. You two girls have been really silly."

  We agreed and Claire said, "I've been a fool to think my mother would be anything but trouble for me and I've dragged Kate into it."

  He was very sympathetic and did his best to help us feel less nervous, but nine in the House of Guardians is really very painful and he was unsuccessful. We had to wait in the lobby for a few minutes with Claire unable to do anything but pace. I get nervous of course because correction hurts, but I like the ritual, I enjoy the submission to the Guardians and I like it afterwards when my whole being feels energised and full of well-being. Even the soreness and marks do something for me. Besides which I find it arouses me enormously, an arousal David was enjoying too. Claire though does not get the kick I do, her motives were purely practical so she was scared silly. Finally the door opened and we were summoned inside, Claire making the oddest little whimpering sound.

  There are usually three Guardians in the correction part of the suite, one to do the caning and two in case the lady faints, needs help or becomes ill. It's a sort of health and safety thing. Because there were two of us the room looked full of men, five of them - the caner and two each for us. They seemed unsure of themselves too as this was not normal routine.

  "Ladies this is a new situation for us but we think it best if you both prepare for correction together. Miss Freckleton perhaps you could explain to Claire?"

  Poor Claire could barely concentrate on what I was saying. Her eyes kept flitting from the huge mirrored wall, behind which might be many watchers, and then on to the cane in the Guardian's hand finally to the 'horse' over which we had to bend. I had to instruct her step by step.

  "Take off your shoes and put them on the rack on the clothes stand."

  She did it in a dream her eyes constantly roving and her face white.

  "Take off your skirt and hang it up."

  It isn't compulsory for lady members or female staff when off-duty to wear skirts or dresses but it is odd how we all end up doing so. In the summer lady members might wear shorts but trousers are rare without anyone actually insisting on it. We now stood in our tights and knickers. I decided it was going to be easier just to take them off. It makes very little difference, if any, to modesty and allows a bit more freedom of movement.

  "Come on Claire if you want to do this you have to take off your tights and knickers. Put them here on the stand."

  We stood half naked ready for our nine but hadn't decided who was going first. We did rock, paper, scissors and Claire won so she got to choose. Wisely she chose to go first, with an apologetic face. Better getting it over with. I took her to the horse and showed her how to bend over and where to hold on. Her hands were trembling, her face white and her eyes wide with fear but she was determined to go on with it.

  "Miss Candthorpe, this is your last chance to avoid the caning. If you wish you may simply leave the island. Do you wish to proceed?"

  It was a faint and scared young voice but it was clear enough. "Yes, just do it."

  The caning Guardian took up his odd stance and then there was such a fast movement it was hard to believe and the cane was hurtling towards her bottom. It made a sort of whoosh sound as it travelled and then there was the nasty fleshy crack as the cane hit her bottom. It was so odd I could see in the mirror as it buried itself deep into her and then sprang away causing a tidal wave of ripples. Claire screeched, a piercing cry, and letting go of the legs pulled herself upright, her hands flying round to her bottom.

  "It hurts, it hurts!" she babbled.

  I walked over to her and a Guardian went to stop me but suddenly saw I was going to help her to continue.

  "Claire, come on. If you want this you have to remain down. Come on now, ease down and I'll help you. Don't worry, it is soon over."

  She already had tears in her eyes but she moved slowly back down over the horse and placed her hands on the legs.

  "Now grip tightly," I whispered, "and don't let go. I'm going to stay here with you."

  I knelt down beside her and held her head gently stroking her hair with one hand and whispering encouragement to her. I didn't even see or hear the second stroke but her sudden violent movement and loud screech told me of it. She went to rear up again but I gently held her and hushed her. She babbled to me how much it hurt and I said those stupid things mums say to small children who have fallen over. "There, there. I know, I know."

  The third produced the same violent attempt to buck upwards but my holding her kept her in place, not that I was restraining her, just reassuring. The Guardian paused there and walked around a bit. I realise now that apart from giving the watchers a good look it does also help the lady to deal with the pain and be ready for the next batch.

  He must have been very experienced because as Claire's breathing returned more to normal and she stopped moving so much, he looked at me clearly asking if he could go on. I nodded. The whoosh of the cane so close up is chilling, it cries out that it will hurt and then comes that nasty crack as it hits those bare cheeks. Claire writhed across the horse and shrieked loudly but she held on this time just with me stroking her hair. Suddenly she asked, "How many more?"

  "Two and then a break. It'll be done quicker if you stay down."

  Crack! Claire again shrieked and writhed almost obscenely across the horse. Suddenly she shouted out, "I hate my mother. I should never have done this thing for her. Punish me!" Immediately she got her wish for the sixth cracked down across her bottom and again she writhed across the horse shrieking loudly, then she began to pant as she writhed on the horse.

  The Guardian walked around a bit and I knew the watchers would be staring hard at Claire's bottom and the welts that would already have risen up. I didn't think Claire deserved it but I did. I had been very stupid. Of course publicity could destroy Chapel Island for us all even thoug
h we were doing nothing wrong. You know what the tabloids are like.

  Claire was now concentrating on her breathing and I was praying those last three would be parallel and not land on top of earlier welts as that is really hard to bear. The Guardian looked at me and I nodded. Crack! Claire handled the seventh better than earlier ones, focussing on her breathing and panting but she still shrieked as we all do when the cane strikes us. I think the Guardian was very aware of not crossing earlier ones. I could see him working out where to place the eighth and then skilfully he managed it and the cane again cracked down. I held her head and stroked her hair gently while she panted her way through the pain.

  "Only one more Claire, be brave, soon done. You're doing well."

  Crack! Claire's shriek was less fierce, more exhausted this time, but she writhed just as much while panting hard through the pain. After a time to allow the hidden watchers a good look at a well caned bottom the Guardian who seemed to be in charge said that Claire could stand up. I helped her, very aware of how those welts hurt as your muscles move. I had kept wiping her tears away so she was just very wet faced when she stood. Nine is a lot for your first caning. Another Guardian came over as I walked her slowly around to the middle of the room. He had some tissues and helped me clean her up a bit. Then he took her arm in his and stood by her supportively, a clear signal it was my turn.