Life carried on. Schoolwork was going well for Mary, and she was getting the low fifties in her test results, which were now down to the routine half-term and end-of-term checks. She looked a little embarrassed when one evening, she said to us, “Please, can I talk over something with you?” “Yes, of course.” “It’s my friend Janet. She’s been doing not so well in her tests. A few weeks ago, she saw my caned bottom in the sh...

I was nineteen and worked for an electronics and electronic warfare company in test and development as a senior technician. Uni was not for me. At the local technical college, I got an HNC in electronics and carried on with an Open University degree whilst working and earning money. Working damn hard affected my outlook, I hoped, in a good way. My older brother had taken a similar route and was approaching the end of his...

My time with Joan had steadied me and I made it through the rest of the term and my mock exams. One of my more perceptive pals at college said, “Pete, you seem much happier and relaxed. That awful look in your eyes has gone. What happened?” “It’s OK,” I said, “All life is change,” marvelling at it! My mother was more perceptive than my father. “There was such a change in you, which I noticed when we returned from the reun...

I am a semi-retired industrial scientist with tertiary-level teaching experience. My wife died a few years back. With time on my hands, I do some consultancy, take part in hobby activities, and socialise. In late August two years ago, I was in our pub on a Monday evening. The new barmaid called Carolyn, whom I knew lived locally. Her mother was a senior nurse at the local hospital. Her husband had died in a traffic accide...

I flew to London in business class looking like the spoiled daughter of a local wealthy sheikh. Mother saw me off at the airport. Departing in my abaya and hijab, I was told, once airborne, to change into Western clothes in the toilet before the aircraft landed. When I returned to my seat, I was in a tailored trouser suit. It was very smart but cut for modesty. One of the air hostesses gave me an admiring look. There was...

Training continued. They made me rehearse my activities in enormous detail. I acted out so many scenarios with the actors that might occur when I met the target. The wonderful release offered by my time with Nasrah helped me deal with the burden of it. My date of departure to London loomed. Tuesday came along, and at 1.00 PM I was outside Aisha’s house. I rang the bell, holding my little cardboard tube with something ratt...

I went to the sailing club, there was a stiff breeze blowing, just right. I had a look around and asked if anyone wanted to go for a sail. The socialites were looking at their nails and expensive shoes; they were not going anywhere near a boat. A fifteen-year-old lad said, “Would you take me, please?” I said, “Certainly.” It was just a little unusual for a girl to take a lad out, but it was in sight of everyone. There was...

It was my turn to tell Nasrah about my life. So I went into detail about our carefree but disciplined life at home. I described how my mother enforced her will with the cane when necessary. My taking responsibility for disciplining Salma did not appear to surprise her. She asked me how the prison caning compared with what I got from Mother. I told her the prison caning was worse, but the experience of my mother’s canings...

We caught up with Mother early on Thursday afternoon. Salma and I were in our sitting room looking at one of the latest videos when she came in. Mother said, “Are you busy now? I’ve got some time free.” Salma and I looked at each other, nodded, and smiled; I took the lead and said, “Mother, Salma and I would very much like to talk to you if you are free, please.” Mother replied, “Yes, this is a good time. Father is out fo...