by Susan Thomas
I was angry and blurted out, "Never mind coffee, you all spied on me. Why?"
"We certainly made some very bad mistakes in your case, that is true, and we all apologise for it. We are not omniscient but no harm was ever meant, quite the reverse in fact. Let me explain from the beginning if you will."
I agreed and while I sipped my coffee she launched into her explanation which was, to say the least, breathtaking.
"I am the last of the original five. Many years ago before we even bought Chapel Island back in 1990 we, the original five, were dissatisfied with our marriages as they were. We wanted something more, wanted to explore our sexuality in ways not generally approved of . We wanted to be dominated, to be chastised, and to be ruled by our men, to explore our femaleness in that way. The problem was the men themselves. You see modern society provides no structure for it. Women are liberated and men have no real reference point for domination other than instinct. No father teaches his son how to be a good dominant husband because he himself does not know. So when the men do get that power it swiftly slips into abuse. They become over controlling, demanding detailed conformity, no longer chastising for correction but beating for their personal enjoyment.
"We decided the solution was to create a micro-community with a definite structure of its own. We believed, correctly as it turned out, that given a proper structure men could be terribly good at the type of domination we wanted. So we gave them the structure based partly on an old fashioned gentlemen's club and partly on the Court of King Arthur. The Court of Gentleman is awfully good at ensuring our menfolk are good dominant husbands and that they themselves behave like gentlemen even towards each other. We have created our own ideal society, unfortunately only available to those of us who can afford it."
"Hang on a minute," I broke in. "Two things - Sandra and her partner are Gay and neither dominates..."
Sandra laughed. "What can I say, sexuality is complicated so no easy answers Kate. Jane and I like the life we have here. That's it I'm afraid."
"OK fair enough, but point two - you five are actually controlling things, so are not really dominated."
"A very good point Kate." Lady Charnock was complimentary. "Unfortunately it is a sacrifice we have to make, to be behind the scenes just keeping a light touch on the rudder. The other women get the full benefit but we get enough for ourselves."
"So was I a light touch?"
"You tried to access the intranet and the report on you interested us. You see this is not for old women and I am rapidly becoming an old woman. We have a retirement complex on the mainland. You may have seen some past members at Christmas. It is the fate of us older ones to leave. I can no longer strip naked and go up on the stage to be corrected, just too old I'm afraid. Soon I shall go and Angela will take over so we have to have suitable replacements being groomed to come on board, so to speak. We have one ready and just need to start briefing her. Can you guess who it is?"
"Aileen?"
They all laughed and Sandra said, "Aileen is much better employed as the island mischief. She is very good at it so we leave her there."
Lady Forbes said, "It is your mother Kate, and that is why we were so interested in you. We think you also are perfect to join us."
"Me! Mum yes, but I'm too young. I'm going to university and I want to marry David..." I stopped, surprised at what I had just said. Yes I did want to marry David and I knew it was only my holding him off that had kept him from proposing.
"Of course, and we don't mean right now. Go to university, do an MBA, maybe work for a couple of years, marry David, but eventually come back to us for then you will be ready. We know you'd like more independence from your father, so if you wish we will sponsor you through university, completely adequate sponsorship I might add."
"No thanks, kind offer, but Dad would be hurt if I did that to him. But Claire now, her mum seems to have abandoned her and although it's not your fault..."
Lady Forbes looked relieved. "If she signs a confidentiality agreement we will sponsor her and if she wants there will be a job for her at Island Hall. We always need bright young people there. She won't want to be a member we know, but that's not a problem. Will you brief Claire? I think we can rely on your discretion as to what to say?"
Later, after a lot more talk, I was sitting with Claire in the little reception area. The imperturbable Alice had provided yet more coffee and some home-made Eccles cakes and I took Claire through everything except the names of The Five.
"So," I concluded, "they have agreed to sponsor you through university if you sign a confidentiality agreement and there will be a job here for you once you've graduated - if you want it of course."
"Will you be here?"
"Yes, hopefully with David, but you may well find a partner too you know."
"I know, you will always be special to me but I will settle for your friendship."
Angela had offered us a lift home in her golf cart but we declined. Frau Weber had been informed by the High Secretary that Claire had been seconded for special duties for the rest of the day, but in reality she had been given the day off. I was also taking the day off - there was far too much to talk over. We walked back, talking and holding hands. It suddenly seemed a glorious day. As we approached the ferry terminal we saw my parents. As soon as they saw us they both broke into a run and threw their arms around first me then Claire. I could see the huge relief etched into my father's face and realised just how much he cared about me.
We all walked home together, me spinning a story that would satisfy for now, with Dad's arm around me and mum's around Claire. The future beckoned us all and it looked very bright indeed.
THE END
Also by Susan Thomas...
Erin's Visit
Instead of going to University, Erin decides to go to America and stay with her Aunt Nicola and Uncle Jack, and work at the family business. Erin's mother has some misgivings as her churchgoing sister and brother-in-law live in a strongly religious area. Undeterred, Erin makes the trip, and discovers that she is now in a totally different environment and culture - because here in this devout Christian community, spankings are the norm. She finds that the church endorses physical chastisement and all the neighbouring houses have a church-approved spanking paddle hanging up in their homes. Erin realises her status as an unspanked 18-year old may mean she may not be popular with the other girls - so she takes steps to sign up to receiving regular spankings from her Uncle Jack. This is a rite-of-passage tale for Erin, who begins to learn the meaning of traditional discipline. She starts a relationship with local boy Josh who comes from an extremely strict family, and as their relationship develops, Erin grows in confidence and maturity and also learns more about the community in which she lives.
Spanking the Secretary's Bottom
When Helen takes a job as a secretary at the prestigious Lady Alice school she is shocked and intrigued to discover that the headmaster, Dr Croft, canes the upper sixth girls. As her fascination with corporal punishment grows, she manages to get the headmaster to punish her for her own misdeeds - to their mutual satisfaction.
When a lucrative job offer comes up in government, Helen takes it, and makes the acquaintance of eligible bachelor, Crispin. The two become close, and Helen soon finds that Crispin canes far harder than Dr Croft ever did! It is not long before she becomes a regular visitor at Crispin's family home. The wealthy upper class family is headed by Crispin's father, the General, who takes discipline in the family very seriously, and does not hesitate to punish unacceptable behaviour.
Helen experiences two hard canings and a painful birching at the hands of the General. Yet in spite of the discipline, she feels more welcomed and loved by Crispin's family than by her own. As her relationship with Crispin deepens, a wedding is on the cards...
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