Peter is nine and at the beginning of the summer he was adopted by new parents. Before this he had lived in an orphange since his parents had died. It is the 1940's.
The summer has ended and it is Peters firts day at his new school. The school is in a pleasant country town. Peter's father will drive him the two miles to school and will collect him at the end of the day. Peters clothes have been set out for him and having woken up early with excitement he is now dressing before going downstairs for his breakfast. The headmaster of his new school, Mr Riggs, is a friend of his new father and, unknown to Peter, both men are keen to beat the boy when an opportunity arises.
Approaching the dining room to take his place Peter could smell the brekfast of eggs and bacon cooking in the lkitchen. Seeing Peter his mother called out 'good morning' and Peter replied politley before waitning behind his chair. Shortly afterwards Peter's father entered the room.
''Let me have a look at you then Peter' father asked and Peter stood to attention proudly showing off his white shirt, red and blue stripped tie, grey shorts and long grey socks. During the preceeding weeks he had polished his black leather shoes until they shone brightly. He was in charge of polishing both his and his parents shoes and on one occasion he had been made to visit the study at bed time when his father was not quite satisfied wih the shine Peter had achieved.
His father noted wirh satisfaction how the boys shorts streched across his sons bottom. Peter was a good looking boy. His hair was neaty cut and combed and shone from the previous nights shampooing.
After their breakfast father and son set off in the car.
Peter received a lot of advise from his new father on the journey but was so excited about meeting boys (and avoidning girls) of his own age again after what had seemed years that he did not hear his father's warning about the consequences of any bad reports from his teachers. If Peter had known that his father planned on discussing his behaviour at the end of every day with Peter's teachers, he would have been more attentive to the warnings.
Peter seemed to settle in well on his fiurts day. There were 14 boys and ten girls in his classroom. His teacher, Mrs Benson, was a nice lady and all went well until first break. Peter did not like the warm milk that he was given to drink, but drank it anyway. Then George, a tall and fat boy in his class, accidently ran into Peter in the yard. Peter used his hands to push George away from him. Being slim and of only average height Peter was used to defending himself from larger boys. His experiences in the orphanage made his self reliant beyond his years.
Mrs benson was on duty and saw the commotion. She immediately concluded that a deliberate fighth was taking place and both boys were sent to wait outside Mr Rigg's office. Peter followed George who knew the way. George like Peter and as they walked towards the office George apologised to the smaller boy for running into him. George had had his eyes on the football and had not seen peter standing at the side of the yard. Peter smiled and thought that perhaps he and this boy George might become friends. George seemed interested in the fact that Peter came form London as he had never visited the capital.
The two boys waited until, at last, Mr Riggs opened his office door. he was surprised to see to young boys already in trouble and waiting for him but smiled as he saw Peter. Peter smiled back at the man who had been a guest at his parents home only the previoday.
''George, you are first'' Mr Riggs said as George entered the room and the door was closed.
Peter lsitened and was not concerned, Aftre all george had siad that the accident was his falt and had apologised. He imagined that George would be explaining the facts to Mr Riggs right now.
After some minutes the door opened and George left the room looking serious. He must have been given a warning, Peter thougth, as he adjusted his tie and poked his shirt into his shorts. He puled his shorts up his waist so that he looked neat and tidy for his meeing with the headmaster.
As George left to return to class Mr Roggs ushered Peter into his room. Peter had not seen the inside of the room before. There was a large desk. Mr Riggs went and sat down behind his desk and Peter stood in front of the desk with his hands at his side.
Mr Riggs studied the boy silently for a minute or two and then sopoke in a very seriuos tone which alarmed Peter.
''Fighting is a serious matter and one which I will not tolerate here....do you understand Peter''
''But sir..'' Peter began
''Silence boy!!!' Riggs shouted at Peter. The nine year old's eyes started to water and , for a moment, Riggs thought that the boy was about to cry.
Peter held back thegears. What a predicament. Day one and already in trouble. But it was not fair. he had not done anything wrong.
''I will advise your father that you have spoken bacjk to me young man'' Riggs continued.
''You will be silent now'
Peter stood watching Mr Riggs who began opening the drawer in his desk. Riggs pulled out a short stick and Peter immediatly recognised that he was going to be punished.
''Come over here Peter'' Mr Riggs spoke firmly.
Peter considered what he could do but realised that he could do nothing. He wanted to cry and beg the man not to punish him. He knew that when his father haedr about what had happened he would be made to take his pyjama trousers down and bend over in this fathers study. Now he had to face the consequences of talking back to his new headmaster.
Mr Riggs loved the feel as Peter climbed over his lap. Riggs made a fuss about positioning Peter so that the boy was 'just rigth'' and them hoisted the boys shorts up his back until Peter felt his underpant spulling in beteween his bottom. Peter felt very uncomfortable and ashamed.
The stick was whacked down and a searing strip of pain burnt through his shorts and stung his bottom.
Peter could not help crying out. Mr Riggs smiled to himself. He would be seeing a lot of this boy's bottom in the future, he decided.
Mr Riggs whipped Peter with the stick six times and the young boy was howling at the end.
Peter was stood on his feet, rubbed his burning bottom, and continued to sob as Riggs explained that he would be punished each time he was sent to the man's office.
Peter was led back to class by Mr Riggs. George spoke to Peter later in the day and Peter told him about what Riggs had done to him. He and George became freinds that day.
Peter could not concentrate in class. His bottom hurt and he was worried about what his father would say when he was told that Peter had been punished on the first day at his new school.
At the end of the day Peter's father received a full report of the days events from his new teacher and as he drove Peter homewards the silent trip was broken only by these words
''Peter, I am very disappointed with you. As soon as we get home you will go to your rooom and change into your pyjamas. You will then go to my study and wait for me....do you understand?''
''Yes father'
TBC