Apologies to anybody who emailed comments between 1st Jan 2000 and 5th Jan 2000. There was a problem at Hotmail, no messages came through. Please send again, and let me know what you think of this chapter.
(It helps if you read chapter one first, but most of the other chapters can be read in any order)
The Guest House.
Chapter two. James (aged 14) gets a dose.
The summer season was well under way. Colin's guest house in Margate was doing a roaring trade. Most of the guests were couples with children, and they were all shocked to see a cane, paddle, and tawse hanging in their bedrooms. Most grinned as they read the notices inviting parents to make frequent use of these instruments to maintain good order.
The children, however, were aghast at these items so close to hand. Many of the children were used to getting a slap on the clothed bottom, or bare thigh in summertime when shorts were being worn, but few had felt a real cane. The guest house had become a much happier place since Colin had installed the discipline tools. The kids were shocked into good behaviour, and the parents certainly took advantage of the tools to enforce family values.
James Williams did not fit the normal pattern. He was the only child of Valerie and her new partner, Graham. Valerie's husband had committed suicide many years earlier, leaving a note which accused his wife of mental cruelty, and apologising for the cash that he had stolen from his employer to supplement his salary. The death had occurred on the eve of the annual audit, but apparently the fraud had been conducted for several years. The employers demanded the money back, and took whatever assets Valerie had. As a result, Valerie was widowed, destitute, and highly strung. She loved her son, and determined to never nag him.
The boy, as boys will, took advantage of his mother's lack of parental control. In short, he was a brat. He would insult her in public, came & went as he pleased, dropped his clothes where he undressed, and shouted at her if they were not washed & ironed ready for him to wear the next day. James had a foul mouth, too. If he was irritated, which was most of the time, then his language was peppered with obscenities. Despite his academic ability, James was idle in school, often truanted, and was constantly in trouble for arguing with the staff. He had few friends, and they only played with him out of pity, or because they were scared of offending him. James was a bully.
Then Valerie met Graham. They had met at first on a bus, returning to Greenwich from central London. Graham had sat next to her one day, and Valerie just started talking to him. She told him about her son, how she was at her wits end, how she had struggled to give him everything he asked for, but he just got worse. It was a public pleading, could have been anybody that she was talking to, it happened to be Graham. Sometimes it is easier to talk to a total stranger than to a friend. Perhaps it is the thought that they will go, never be seen again, which allows us to open our hearts, pour out our troubles, then feel better. Graham, however, did not go. He got off at her stop, and explained that he lived just across the street. Graham had just moved in, having taken a job in the town, working for a haulage company. Previously he had been a sailor, but the shipping line had closed down , and he had seen enough of the ocean. Graham had enough knowledge of handling goods to cope with the demands of a small despatch firm, and was enjoying the challenge.
Over the next few months Graham and Valerie became great friends. Finally they became lovers. It was Graham's idea to come to the seaside. He thought a change of air might help the new family to settle down. James, of course, was disturbed at first when this strange man started hanging about in his house, but after a while he ignored it. Although Graham would be present when James had one of his many tantrums, Graham did not interfere. Of course, Graham and Valerie had talked at length about the boy, and Graham had offered to take a leading role in his "behaviour management." But Valerie was not yet ready to take that important first step. She knew she would, just not yet. Graham had tried to befriend the boy, but so far he had remained aloof, unco-operative, begging for a spanking but not able to say it.
So, here they were, in the guest-house in Margate with a cane in every room. And not by chance. Graham's friend at work had described the place, and Graham had booked in the same day. A fortunate booking, the last available room. All three of them in one room, but no problem. James was a bit put out at having to undress in front of his mother, but not unduly. He never gave a second thought to being naked in front of a man, it happened all the time in the changing rooms at the swimming pool.
The new family arrived on Saturday afternoon, and James was soon making his presence felt. He complained loudly at supper that his soup was too cold, then they did not have burgers, then he was given peas with his roast beef, but hated peas, and the ice-cream portion was too small. The other families sat quietly, keeping their heads down, glancing at this noisy brat, and whispering to themselves. Mr and Mrs Marshall had brought their 3 sons up strictly, and now the boys, aged 9, 12, 14, were hardly ever naughty. However, the occasional bare bottom was roasted. They were occupying two rooms for the week. Mr and Mrs Higgins were on holiday with their two boys, aged 6 and 8. They were still in need of regular spankings. The Higgins' did their duty. This family had one of the larger rooms, the boys adored the bunk beds, taking turns each night to sleep on the top bunk. The five remaining rooms were occupied by an assortment of elderly couples, two newly-weds, and some gentlemen who apparently didn't mind sharing the double bed. Everybody was present for dinner.
Valerie was accustomed to the scene, James always played up when in a restaurant. Not that she took him very often, it was too expensive, and embarrassing. Graham was not amused. Although he had been visiting Valerie for months, he had not really seen the public side of James. His frustration grew, until finally he snapped. James left the table, without asking permission, to go to the toilet.
"Valerie," he spoke "This has got to end. I want to take that boy upstairs and spank him. Do I have your permission?"
"Yes" she said, simply.
James returned, but before he had sat down Graham stood up.
"Come with me, boy" He ordered, pausing near to the main exit.
"Or what?" snapped James.
"Or I will take down your pants and spank you right here"
"You can't touch me"
"Yes he can," Valerie corrected "You are a horrible child, and I have been such a fool to allow you to behave so badly. Now go to our room." Valerie wept, sitting head in her hands.
Mr Marshall, sitting near to the fire exit, stood up and leaned on the door. No words were spoken - the gesture was clear, this bolt hole was blocked. Colin, the owner, stood in the kitchen door.
"There is a paddle in the lounge, if you need it." Colin offered.
"Thank you. Well boy, are you coming to our room, or do we do this in front of all these people?"
"F**k you" James growled.
Mrs Marshall kindly placed her chair in the centre of the dining room.
"Here it is then" and with the speed of a man who has faced several ruffians armed with knives, Graham grabbed James by the left arm. Before the boy knew what was happening, he was face down over Graham's lap, and a hand was tugging at his jeans.
"No way, Get off you pervert" James squealed, and used his right arm to hold onto the waist of his jeans.
Colin appeared from the kitchen with a large pair of scissors and a wooden spoon. "These any use to you?" he calmly enquired.
"Oh, thank you" said Graham, politely. "But I am nearly there" The button on the front of the garment burst, and they came don to the tops of James' thighs. He was wearing pale blue boxer shorts.
"Get off me" James was panicking now, and flapping his hands trying to knock the overpowering hands away.
"May I help?" Offered Mr Marshall.
"Thank you, but this battle has to be between me and him" Graham tugged at the waist band of the underwear. Both buttocks were revealed. James tried to pull them back up.
SLAP!
The first stinging smack on bare skin raised James' game.
"Get off. Get off. Get off" He wriggled furiously, pulling up his underpants. Graham pulled the boxers down again.
SLAP!
"Stop it" James screamed, pants up again.
SLAP! Graham managed to expose some left cheek, and land a blow before James tugged the boxers back.
Mrs Marshall moved to sit next to Valerie. "Don't be afraid," she comforted "they all thank you later" she bolstered Valerie's nerve.
On and on it went. Graham landing blow after blow onto the boy's bottom. Sometimes on the bare skin when he managed to get the boxers down, sometimes onto the rounded buttocks under that garment. James continued to struggle, swear, retrieve his clothes, cry, and dribble. After ten minutes Graham was exhausted. James was not beaten, but had been well spanked. One of them was going to have to give in. Graham paused. He looked at Valerie.
"Finish it" she said "Beat him."
Graham had an idea. "James, please take your pants down" he asked.
"Yes Sir" the boy capitulated. He was swimming in a sea of emotions. Part of him was angry, offended at this loss of status, but part of him wanted to concede authority to this man. Somewhere deep inside he instinctively knew it was right to obey. James lowered the boxers that he had spent ten minutes raising. He put his arms out in front of him, and lowered his head. James sobbed even before the next smack. SLAP!
"Owww" the boy wept uncontrollably, years of guilt were purged.
SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP! SLAP!
James was lost in his sorrow. Clear liquid ran in torrents from his nose, mouth, eyes. A continuous wailing noise oozed from his lungs. The boy was broken. Graham felt deep emotions too. Partly sorrow for causing this much distress, partly pity for the chastised child, some concern that he had over-done it.
The spanking stopped. Nobody moved. Minutes went by, disturbed only by James's cries and Graham's deep breaths.
Mr Marshall spoke first. "You did a fine job, old man"
"Yes, excellent show" commented Mr Higgins in the corner.
Mrs Marshall turned to Valerie. "That was a long time coming, but you did the right thing"
"I hope so" Valerie replied, trembling.
Graham helped the catatonic boy onto his feet, and steered him into a corner. There was no resistance as Graham lifted the boy's arms onto his head. The blue jeans and boxers wrapped around his ankles, pale white legs, narrow at the ankles, getting chubby as they climbed to the flaming buttocks. James had numerous impact marks on the rear of both thighs. Then the buttocks, plump, roasted, swollen, crimson. Then a white band of skin before a black Motorhead T-shirt. This totem-pole was capped with a black-haired ruffled head, gripped by two pale arms in classic penance posture.
"Wait there until I have had coffee" graham commanded.
James did not respond. The weeping gradually died down, and he stood up straight.
The other adult guests retired to the lounge, children headed off to the playroom.
Eventually Graham called James to his side. The boy came over, still with his hands on his head, trousers round his trainers, snot and saliva all over his face.
"Sit here" graham eased the boy onto his knee. Graham wiped the boy's face with a napkin. They hugged as a father might hug his little son.
"I want you to know that we care for you." Graham whispered.
"I know, I'm sorry" James wept again.
"Well, from now on, whenever you step out of line, I will punish you. But it will not be this hard if you co-operate."
"Thank you. Sir" James fell asleep.
The next morning James woke up to find that he was in his bed, in his pyjamas, and he was alone. He glanced at the double bed in the room which had been used and turned down to air. James guessed that his mum and Graham were in the bathroom. He had of course explored the house thoroughly upon arrival. James felt at his bottom. It was bruised, swollen, but not hot. He got out of bed and lowered his pyjamas. There was a mirror on the wardrobe door. James twisted until he could see his rump in the reflection. Both buttocks were peppered with deep blue spots, where Graham's fingers had landed. James felt very compliant. He wanted to show his new "father" that he was a reformed character.
James decided to shower in the cubicle that was installed in the corner of each bedroom. The water was soft and warm. James liked the shower. After a while Valerie and Graham returned, dressed in white bathrobes and towels covering their wet hair.
"Good Morning James" they said together.
"Good Morning, Mum" replied James, then after some thought "Good Morning, Dad"
"Are you happy with that?" Graham looked at Valerie.
"If he wants to, it's fine by me" She smiled.
"Good Morning, Son" Graham corrected himself.
At breakfast the entire guest-house was staggered at the change. James sat up straight, thanked Colin for the cereal, and ate it quietly. He passed the butter when requested, and even asked permission to leave the table.
"It won't last long" Mrs Marshall leaned over, "But it is a good sign"
After breakfast the household was treated to the sight of Mr Higgins giving his eldest boy a spanking. The eight year-old had been caught teasing his younger brother about a bedwetting incident, and was now over the lap of his dad, wearing only a white T-shirt. How the little fellow kicked and squealed, thought James, as he gathered his beach things. When he was finally let up, the youngster howled and danced around the lounge, then leapt onto his Daddy's lap for a long hug. The pair were still embraced when James and his adults set off.
That Sunday morning the new family went for a stroll along the promenade. Valerie felt the sun on her face, the weight of the world lift from her shoulders, and the strong hand of her man. Life was good.
By Tuesday James was returning to his old ways. In the afternoon he had squabbled with another 14 year old in the open-air swimming pool. This pool was a Victorian invention, a square wall had been built on the beach. At high tide it was totally submerged, at low tide it retained a quantity of water, and was popular with children of all ages. James had been swimming for an hour or so, and had got bored.
A local boy, Alan, came up to him, and asked if he wanted to play diving. Alan explained that he would throw something into the water whilst James had his eyes closed, and James had to swim in and recover it. James agreed. Alan produced a small spanner, made of silvery metal. It sinks, he explained.
The boys played for a while, then when it was James' turn to throw it in, he stood on the spanner. Whilst Alan was in the water, James kicked the spanner off the wall and into the sand. It dropped about 2 metres and disappeared into the soft sand. After a long time Alan was getting concerned. He climbed out
"You didn't throw it in" He stared hard at James.
"Yes I did" James lied.
"Well I've looked everywhere" Alan continued "it is not in there"
"Maybe somebody else took it" James reasoned.
"I need that spanner, it belongs with my bike." Alan explained "Where is it?"
"I don't know" James turned "I'm bored. See you" And James left, grinning.
Alan followed him. "Come on, what did you do with it?" he demanded, pulling at James' arm.
"Nothing" James denied, shaking off the restraining wrist.
"James, what is the matter?" Graham saw the two boys walking up the beach towards where he was sunbathing with Valerie.
"He hid my spanner" Alan shouted.
"Didn't"
"Did" Alan was getting upset.
Graham rose to his feet. "Tell me the full story" Graham looked at Alan, "and you be quiet until I say" he pointed to James.
Alan started to explain. When he got to the part where James was supposed to have thrown the spanner in, James interrupted. "I did"
"I told you to be quiet" Graham stared at the boy "you will not be told again"
James looked down. Alan related how he had searched the entire pool, and how James had walked away.
Graham looked at James. "Where is the spanner?"
"I don't know where it is" James insisted, "I threw it in the water."
"If you are lying to me, I will cane you for this"
"I'm not lying. Come on, let's go" James moved towards the steps which led up to the promenade.
"Show me where you were playing" Graham started to walk to the pool.
Alan ran to the spot on the wall where they had been. "We were here"
Graham went to the wall, and began digging in the sand. The spanner soon appeared.
"Well boy" he turned to James.
"Sorry, It was just a joke"
"You were going to leave it there, weren't you?" accused Graham.
"Yes Sir" James realised the game was up.
"OK, when we get to the Guest-house, you will be punished"
Graham handed the spanner to Alan. "Sorry" he said.
"I Hope he will be" said Alan as he ran to his bike.
Graham followed James all the way to the bedroom. "Take off your swimming shorts" he commanded. James complied. The sandals had been discarded at the main door. James was totally naked.
"Now, that was a wicked trick to play. Not only did you tease that lad, but you were prepared to abandon him. And you interrupted when I said not too. You will get six strokes of the cane"
"Please, not that many, I've said I'm sorry" James wanted to be compliant, but his emotions were mixed. He was scared.
"Bend over the end of the bed" Graham took the cane off it's hook.
James bent over. He was truly sorry.
SWISH
"Jesus Christ that hurts" James leapt up, grabbing his naked buttocks "No more"
"Bend over" Graham demanded.
"F**k off" James snapped. The coward in him had won.
SWISH Graham slashed the cane across James' left thigh.
"Don't swear at me, boy"
"Ouch, there's no f**king way" James backed up, facing Graham.
SWISH The cane whipped across James's front right thigh.
"No swearing" Graham repeated.
James darted into the shower cubicle, shutting the folding door behind him He sat down in the shower with his back against the door, and wrapped his hands around his sore legs.
"Leave me alone" He shouted.
Graham hung the cane on it's hook. "When you are ready, we will finish your punishment."
"You'll have a long wait" James barked, close to tears but very angry.
Graham picked up the swimming shorts, and took the towels off the racks. These he put in the wardrobe, followed by all the bedding, and then he went to the chest of drawers. Graham put all of James's clothes into a suitcase, and locked it in the wardrobe where Valerie's and his clothes were. There were no garments at all in the room.
"Report to the lounge when you're ready" Graham said coldly as he shut the door.
James emerged from the shower cubicle after about five minutes. He tried the wardrobe door, it was strong, secure. There was nothing to cover his nudity at all. He sat on the bed, angry at Graham for caning too hard, angry at himself for not taking it.
After a few minutes James heard the front door open. The house was silent, and his senses were focused.
"Get up to our room, and get your shorts off" a woman's voice barked.
"Yes Mum, sorry Mum" a child's voice replied. Light footsteps rattled the stairs.
A door opened. It was the next bedroom. The door closed. That room belonged to the Marshall parents, this must be one of their boys. The eldest, Adrian (14), and James had played together yesterday evening. His twelve year old brother Gareth had played with the youngest, Colin, and the two Higgins boys.
The front door opened again.
"Where is he?" A man's voice enquired.
"In our bedroom" the woman replied. "Did you manage to calm her down?"
"Yes, she will not be pressing charges."
Heavy footsteps ascended the stairs. The bedroom door opened, then closed.
"What on earth were you thinking of" James realised that this must be Mr Marshall, but which boy was with him.
"It was just a bit of fun" one of the Marshall boys confessed.
"It was theft" Mr Marshall corrected him.
"I was going to put them back" the boy wept.
"The shop-keeper didn't think so. She said you had walked twenty yards before she caught you."
"I was showing them to Gareth" explained Adrian.
"Well your silly mistake cost me ten pounds, the most expensive two postcards I've ever had to buy. And I can't ever use them, not with pictures like that"
"Sorry Dad, It was a mistake"
"I thought you were more sensible, son. Fancy getting freaked out by a couple of smutty postcards. Perhaps a few more cold showers will help?"
Adrian did not reply.
"Six of the best, I think"
"Dad, you've never caned me before"
"There is a first time for everything, son"
"Does it have to be six?"
"Yes, and consider yourself lucky that the shopkeeper didn't call the police. She still might, if she is not satisfied with the results"
"What results?" Adrian's voice sounded alarmed.
"You've got to show her the stripes"
"Oh"
James was all ears.
"Bend over the end of the bed" Mr Marshall commanded.
SWISH!
"Ow"
SWISH!
"Oww"
James could hear crying.
SWISH!
"Owww. Dad, please, it hurts so much"
"It is supposed to"
The crying intensified.
SWISH!
"Owwww. PLEASE. Oh God, it hurts"
"Bend over right now, or we start again"
If you get up again, you get an extra one on the back of your legs. Understand?"
"Yes Dad, Sorry"
The sobs grew louder.
SWISH!
"Owwwww"
SWISH!
"Arrrgh"
Screams now.
"You were warned. Now get down again."
"Yes, Yes, I will, in a minute"
SWISH!
"Arrgh. Ow! Ow! Ow!"
"No, right now"
"OK, OK, I'm doing it"
"Better. Now stay there until I say you can get up."
"Sorry Dad"
SWISH!
"Owwwwww"
James could hear loud gasps, crying, gulps of confused breathing, A totally beaten boy. Gradually he quietened.
After a few minutes Mr Marshall spoke.
"OK son, it's all over now. Come sit here" James guessed correctly that this was a lap to sit upon.
"Thank you Daddy, I love you so much"
"I know, I'm sorry it had to hurt so much"
"I deserved it"
The crying commenced again. Softer now, more emotional than painful.
James listened carefully, he wished that his punishment was over, that his bum stung and burned, that he was being cuddled. James walked naked down to the lounge. Mrs Marshall was there with her younger two sons. Everybody looked at the plump teenager with a red stripe on each thigh, and one across his bare bottom. Suddenly James felt shy about his developing manhood, he put his hands in front of it.
"Dad, I am sorry that I was naughty. I am very sorry for swearing at you. Will you please finish my punishment now?"
"Thank you, James" Graham felt very emotional "Go back to our room, and bend over. I will be up in a minute"
"Yes Sir" James turned and charged up the stairs. He felt relieved, loved, forgiven already.
Graham delayed just long enough to let James get into position. When he entered the room, the boy was positioned at the end of the bed, rump raised, the cans lying next to him. Graham picked it up.
"I realise you have to start again, Sir" James spoke up "and if I get up before you're through, I get an extra one on my legs"
"Good boy"
SWISH
"Ow"
Next door, Marshall & Son looked at each other.
SWISH
"Oww"
"Sounds like somebody else is getting a seeing too" Mr Marshall whispered.
"Do you think they heard my caning"
"Son, everybody on the beach heard your crying" Both of them laughed.
SWISH
"Owww"
"It must be your friend, James"
" I wonder what he's done"
"You can compare notes, later"
SWISH
"Owwww"
"Taking it well, isn't he Dad"
"Maybe he's had more experience"
"Don't think so, not from the way he behaved on that first night"
SWISH
"Owwwww"
"He's crying now. Breaking his heart, poor thing" said Mr Marshall.
"No, he's mending it, Dad"
They cuddled a little tighter.
SWISH
"Owwwwww"
"Do you think that's it?"
"Six is traditional, son, it seems to do the trick."
"Shall we go downstairs now, Dad"
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yes Sir, thank you for punishing me"
"We have to take a walk back to the shop. Don't bother putting your underpants back on"
"Thanks, I wasn't going too"
"OK, get into your shorts, and wash your face, them meet me in the lounge"
"Yes Sir"
Meanwhile, next door, James was sitting on Graham's Lap. He was facing Graham, one leg either side of the man's body, with his head resting on the big sailor's right shoulder. James was weeping uncontrollably, but in his heart he felt good. Boy cuddled man for ten minutes. Graham felt sorrow for having to hurt this boy, but satisfaction knowing that it had been so necessary.
Before supper, Adrian sought out James. He found his new friend in the games room, on the way there he passed the youngest Higgins boy, who was in the hall having his left leg slapped. Short pants make your legs so vulnerable, he thought as he looked at the wriggling six-year-old in a red top and matching shorts. Apparently Mrs Higgins, who was doing the slapping, did not permit nose-picking in public. Master Higgins was assuring her that he would in future comply with her wishes. Adrian saw five slaps land on the leg, and heard another five as he progressed downstairs. He did not stop to see if they had landed on the left leg, or if Mrs Higgins was now targeting the right one.
"Hi"
"Hi, Adrian" replied James, lying on the floor reading a comic.
"How are you feeling?"
"Sore" answered James, as he got up.
"So am I. What did you do?"
"Took a kid's spanner and hid it in the sand, then told lies"
"I nicked some postcards"
"Year, I heard"
"I heard your whacking. You took it real well"
"No, at first I was a coward, but when I heard you getting it, I just wanted to get mine over with."
"Those stripes on your legs look real bad"
"They sure hurt. You legs don't look any better"
"True, the woman in the shop said my arse is a picture"
"Perhaps she could make a postcard from it" They both laughed.
"Did you have to do corner-time?" asked Adrian.
"No, thank God"
"Me neither"
"Want to see my stripes?" offered James.
"OK, lets go to my room"
The boys raced up the stairs.
"Wow, you got seven" Adrian was shocked when James dropped his shorts.
"The first one was earlier" James explained.
"Is mine as red as yours?" he dropped his own shorts and bent over.
"'Bout the same"
"You two would make a fine pair of ornaments" said Mrs Marshall as she opened the door. Supper's nearly ready, get washed up and downstairs in two minutes."
"Yes Ma-am" Both boys stood up.
In the dining room Mrs Marshall spoke to Valerie.
"Your husband and mine did a fine job, those boys have identical backsides"
"It seems to have done them good, see how polite they are, helping the little Higgins boy onto his chair" The youngster was displaying two very red legs.
"Let's see how long it lasts"
"Where do you live?" enquired Valerie.
"Deptford"
"Oh, we're only a mile away, in Greenwich"
"Well, the boys could meet up again, sometime"
"Sure, we have plenty of time in Greenwich" the two women giggled.
By the end of the week Adrian and James were inseparable. By the end of the school holidays they were life-long pals, frequently hopping on a 188 Bus to call at the other's house.
Graham and Mr Marshall each bought a cane from Colin (Who shrewdly had acquired a stock and was selling them at a nice profit) and the two families agreed that if a boy needing caning, it was to be done, regardless of which boy or which man was involved.
So far, neither boy had needed a second dose, but they all knew it was only a matter of time.