The Disciplined Women of Chapel Island

by Susan Thomas

  Before I got any further with my hunt for the elusive 'them' and Number 5, David invited me and his parents to see his secret project. He had an announcement he said. It was a bitterly cold March day when we all stood down by his mysterious dock, no longer dry by the way, but whatever it was still under wraps. He poured some champagne and made us toast the Kate Mark 1.It was a small sailing boat but although good looking, of unusual design. It was David's design and apparently easy for a novice but still fun for the more experienced. He told us the construction had some unique patented features and the whole thing was very hard to capsize and hard to sink. The best bit was still to come.

  A boat builder had taken it up and was going to manufacture it and was already making plans to market it throughout the world. They were expecting it to do very well. We discovered that David had spent most of his savings developing his ideas but his was the exclusive right. You will imagine easily just how excited we all were and David was congratulated over and over again. My boyfriend wasn't just a fit looking man he was also a clever designer.

  ---oOo---

  I was troubled for some days about what to do about the telephone number and why, whoever these people were, would they would hide on Chapel Island? I didn't want to involve David (I had a nasty feeling he wouldn't approve of my actions and that might mean another spanking) and I didn't want to involve Claire. However, late one night Claire and I got deep into conversation about our relationship. I had always been bothered that I couldn't feel for her as she did for me.

  "Kate I know that. I already accept that it is never going to be as you and David are. I get it, honestly. Your friendship is great, very important to me. I even know that when you get married..."

  "If I get married."

  She laughed, "When you get married our little romps will have to cease. I understand all that and I'm fine with it. I accept it. I just ask that when you have children I can be Auntie Claire. I'll be a brilliant auntie I promise."

  There were tears then and after that we made love slowly and gently and it was when we were laying wrapped in each other's arms afterwards that I told her of the phone number. We were awake half the night talking about it.

  Why hide was the big question. A secret government experiment to see how women took to being dominated? Perhaps the same thing but a university, except it was an expensive experiment for a university and neither explanation seemed to carry any weight. We ended by feeling that it had to be malicious in some way or why the need to hide and spy? But what to do about the number, that was the question. In the end it was decided that I would get a cheap pay-as-yo-go mobile from a supermarket for cash, give false registration and make an anonymous call to the number from somewhere on the mainland. With that we fell asleep, unsatisfied with our plan but not knowing what else to do.

  Chapter 22

  Number 1 sat listening ruefully to the recorded conversation of the two girls. All their sophisticated efforts to hide themselves brought low by one nineteen-year-old girl and carelessness on their part. It was stupid to have used a land-line, Number 1 could see that now. Number 1 addressed an imaginary audience, "Ladies and gentlemen please put your hands together and let us give a huge round of applause for nineteen-year-old girls. The nation's safe in their hands."

  Number 1 listened as if to tumultuous applause. "Now what do we do? That ladies and gentlemen is a very good question, in fact the question."

  The room remained silent, refusing to answer Number 1's question who could only see two solutions, given further attempts at concealment were a waste of effort. Neither solution was desirable. They could order The Chief of Security to arrange the murder of the two girls. Number 1 laughed out loud at the thought of the man's face when he received the order so different to those he usually got. His eyes would pop out of his head but he would doubtless keep his reaction neutral. Would he do it? Probably, given his former employment. Number 1 had no doubt that many so called accidents and suicides were really murders well-disguised. So not impossible. Number 1 sighed wondering how murder could even come to mind. Really is this how it happened, the desperate need to conceal, overriding all civilised scruples? Well there would be no murders on Chapel Island so concentrate instead on what to do.

  Number 1 sighed again. They would have to reveal themselves. It was far too early but there was no choice. Was it necessary to reveal to both girls? Number 1 thought for some time before deciding no to that. Just Kate would get the full revelation but Claire would need to be sworn to secrecy and that meant buying her off. Number 1 had no doubt that there would be something even if her intense friendship with Kate was not enough, there was always something people wanted.

  Number 1 sent out two messages. The first was to the rest of The Five telling them what was to happen and setting a meeting time for the following day. The second was to the Chief of Security, "Bring Kate Freckleton and Claire Candthorpe tomorrow morning 10:00 to our usual location. Inform Head of Guardians."

  Chapter 23

  We managed to get up early in spite of having been awake half the night. Claire's duty started before any restaurant actually opened, there was always a lot to get ready and she had to get into uniform. She had to be perfectly turned out when Frau Weber held her inspection and if not she would be baring and bending. In order to get to work I had to catch the ferry, and once on the mainland get my car from the secure car park. We hurried along in the cold morning air of March until we reached the place we would part. About to kiss goodbye we were startled by the Guardian police-type car that pulled up alongside us.

  The two Guardians were, as always, extremely courteous. "Miss Freckleton. Miss Candthorpe. The Head of Guardians request you join him for a private meeting. Miss Candthorpe we know you are on duty but Frau Weber has been informed that you are unavoidably detained and that when you arrive it is without penalty."

  I was curious what this was all about and so was Claire. We were cautious but doubted any harm would come to us, so we got in the car and knew the moment we arrived at the House of Guardians that this was very odd. We went to a back entrance controlled by a key pad and were escorted to a lift and taken straight to the top floor. The lift was clearly private, having only two buttons, Up and Down and opening straight into a large office. The Head of Guardians and the Chief of Security were waiting and to my eyes looking very worried

  "Thank you men. You may go now and not one word of this to anyone. Clear?"

  "Yes Sir."

  "Good morning ladies. I have been asked to bring you to a private meeting. We'll wait a few minutes until the two Guardians have left the building and we'll be on our way."

  He took us back down in the lift having first informed his secretary he was in a meeting with the Chief of Security and under no circumstances was to be interrupted. We were taken in a cramped Guardian electric car, and to our surprise, taken to the utility area hidden behind high walls. There is the island's electrical relay station, the telephone exchange, the waste disposal and so on. On the far side of it was a low building marked, Island Archives. Again there was keypad entry and inside was a small very basic reception area where a young woman waited.

  "Gentleman, welcome. Please take the ladies to the usual place."

  We walked down an empty corridor and entered a door. The room had one dark glass wall and there were a few seats facing it just as in the viewing gallery at the Accountability Suite. Neither man explained anything, just looked increasingly awkward. Suddenly the lights dimmed and we could see through the wall to five silhouetted figures. A strange child's voice came through the speakers.

  "Good morning gentlemen, Number 1 speaking. A trying time for both of you I know, and many unusual demands. I hope those are now coming to an end. I would like you to return to your office by the back way and not communicate with anyone until I give you leave. Thank you for your services today."

  The two senior Guardians looked at one another and then at us but left quietly as ordered. Then Number 1 spoke to us.

/>   "Good morning Claire and Kate. What formidable girls you are. You Claire had us fooled as to your real identity for a very long time. Indeed if it had not been for Kate we might not have discovered it. A considerable achievement. We are grateful you decided to stay on the island and you will always be welcome here. We will talk later perhaps but now we would like you to go back to the little reception area where Alice will bring you coffee and biscuits. Kate will be along shortly."

  Claire left not without some reluctance but Alice was waiting outside and that seemed to reassure her. Then Number 1 spoke to me.

  "Well Kate what a character you are to be sure..."

  Where had I heard that phrase before? I knew it. That was what Sir Charnock had said, but why would he want to hide his identity? Number 1 carried on.

  "You've certainly taken this island by storm and that's no bad thing, but the storm has nearly unseated us all. Very well, you have your desire, all will be explained. Please leave this room and turn to your right. You'll see another door just push and it will open to you.

  I was very nervous wondering just what I was getting into and who these people were. I decided on that short walk, that whatever anyone said, I was taking no penalties for anything I had done. They were in the wrong not me. They had spied on me and made David do so too. That was wrong. I found the door and stood summoning up courage.

  Finally I pushed the door open and stood still with shock at what I saw.

  Chapter 24

  Emma Freckleton was off to her early morning boot camp at the gym. Given how strict it was the boot camp was always well attended. Graham theorised that since every woman ran the risk of having to bare herself for correction, not just to her husband or senior man, but Guardians and everyone else, she paid extra careful attention to her figure. The boot camp though was above and beyond what any other gym laid on. At this one, failure to try hard, or failure to carry out the homework exercises, resulted in a wicked leather paddle being applied to a bare bottom in front of the others. There were two trainers, a man and a woman who had been given special licence to do that but only for those who signed up. The sessions were gruelling and always a couple of women got spanked. Emma had only been spanked once but she was sure she'd get it today. She had not done her homework exercises as she had been entertaining a lot for Graham and they were sure to pick it up, they always did. She need not go of course, just plead a cold and catch up ready for next week but that was not the Chapel Island way.

  She was hurrying off in the direction of the centre when she spotted Kate and Claire ahead. She was horrified when she saw the two girls being asked to get into the Guardian car. Last time that had happened the girls had received a serious caning and poor Kate had also had that switching and the martinet. Emma still wasn't comfortable with Kate getting corrected. She got on the phone to Graham.

  "Kate and Claire have just had to get in a Guardian car. Remember what happened last time?"

  Graham groaned. "What the hell have they been up to now? I'll ring Charnock, I've had enough of this."

  Sir Charnock always arrived at the Island Hall in a leisurely way and did nothing until he had a cup of the delicious Island Hall coffee. He was surprised and not especially pleased when he was informed that Sir Graham Freckleton was on the phone.

  "Charnock, my daughter and Claire Candthorpe appear to have been arrested by two Guardian goons. I am not having my daughter thrashed by them until I know what the hell is going on. I expect you to find out and get back to me immediately." With that he put the phone down.

  Sir Charnock Forbes sat looking at the silent phone astonished. The Guardians didn't arrest anyone, they had no power to do so and he had never heard Graham Freckleton talk like that. The man was clearly very worried. He rang the Head of Guardians. He was unavailable. He asked for the Chief of Security. He too was unavailable. Freckleton's fatherly agitation got to him and he snapped, "Well put me through to whoever is in charge."

  The poor senior Guardian deputising had no idea at all about anything. He checked the log and informed Sir Charnock that the girls were not in the House of Guardians.

  "Well they were taken by two Guardians so find out where they are, do it now, and ring back."

  The senior Guardian had never heard the normally urbane Sir Charnock Forbes speak like that and he tried everywhere, finally disobeying orders and entering the Head of Guardian's office. To his surprise he did not get a bollocking from his two senior officers. They merely looked deeply uncomfortable when he told them the problem.

  "Tell him," stammered the Head, "that the girls are quite safe and not in trouble but are in a private meeting elsewhere and will be finished soon."

  It was not a satisfactory reply and Sir Charnock Forbes was not satisfied, neither was Sir Graham. Sir Graham Freckleton spoke darkly down the phone. "I am returning to the island and I want them safe when I get there."

  Lady Freckleton knew nothing of these agitated conversations. Graham had told her to go on to the boot camp and leave it with him, and so confident was she of her husband's abilities, she had. At the precise moment when he told Sir Charnock he was returning to the island she had just slipped her very tight shorts down to her ankles along with the thong she was wearing, and was about to touch her toes.

  Miles Buranek, the male coach was telling Emma off as if she was a child. He had that special licence and had no problem using it. He'd have loved to have such power where he had worked before, some of the women he had taught before were just so lazy.

  "Emma I am surprised at a good student like you. Excuses do you no credit. Fifteen minutes a day Emma, fifteen minutes is all it takes and it reaps rewards. Do you think fifteen swats with this paddle will remind you to do them this coming week?"

  "Yes Miles." Emma was hanging her head.

  His fellow coach, Sally Molesey had the remaining ten students standing to attention in a line to witness the punishment. Sally's contract meant that she too was subject to a similar corporal punishment regime as the waitresses but so far she had avoided the stinging cane. Her own vulnerability did not incline her to be merciful. Boot camp was meant to be hard, hard work and strict discipline. Nine of her students still had their shorts on. The tenth, Jane Spence, had hers around her ankles along with her skimpy thong awaiting her spanking. She had not been trying, due mainly to a hangover, and was dreading her spanking and her husband finding out. He was sure to spank her all over again.

  Miles rather liked Emma's bottom. It was perfectly shaped and for a woman of her age, extremely attractive. He brought the leather paddle down hard with a lovely smacking sound. Emma rocked forward and gasped, a huge red mark appearing. Smack! Emma's gasp was louder and the other women winced, they were all familiar with getting a sore bottom but it never got easier taking a spanking.

  Smack! Smack! Smack! The swats mounted in number turning Emma's bottom hotter and the colour of her skin redder. Her gasps became cries, her cries became yells and soon the tears began to flow. All the time Miles scolded her as if she was much younger. "Just fifteen minutes Emma. Make time in future unless you like me spanking you - do you?"

  "No, Miles. No I don't. I'm sorry."

  Sally approved of the spanking. She knew there wasn't a single woman whose health and fitness she could not improve if she had that power to spank them. Chapel Island was wonderful in her view and the possibility she might get caned was brilliant too because it kept her on her toes. She loved the regime here.

  Emma was finally allowed to stand and scrubbed the tears from her face while wriggling at the stinging of her bottom. She was not allowed to pull her shorts or thong back up until Jane's spanking was done. There was no privacy to all this. The gym complex was open to staff as well as members and even member's guests. She glanced around. Yes as usual a small group of both men and women were watching Jane's spanking and presumably had watched hers.

  Finally the still crying Jane was standing next to Emma and Miles spoke to them. "Am I going to have to spank you two
next week?"

  "No Miles," they chanted in unison.

  "What will your two husbands say? I presume you will be honourable enough to tell them."

  Jane squirmed slightly, thinking how he warned her not to drink so much at the dinner party. "He'll probably spank me again Miles."

  "Good, and yours Emma?"

  Emma considered. "Well Graham will probably spank me too."

  "Excellent, you may both pull your shorts up. Now all of you ladies, no slacking with your homework and no slacking next week. Have we all got that?"

  "Yes Miles."

  "I didn't hear that. Have we all got that?"

  "Yes Miles," they shouted in unison and were allowed to go to the showers.

  Chapter 25

  "Please close the door behind you Kate and do come over and sit with us. Coffee?"

  Lady Adelaide Forbes was her usual gracious but commanding self. I sat down, looking at the others in stunned silence.

  "I'll introduce you to my colleagues as if you didn't know them all. Angela Whaley is my Number 2; Dita Pawlack is Number 3; our good doctor Sandra Fowler is Number 4 and Melanie Riley here is Number 5 and a half." I couldn't help grinning at this reference to Melanie's advanced pregnancy. "Collectively we are The Five and as you have rightly deduced are the power behind the scenes. Do drink your coffee Kate. You look shocked and it will help you."