I should explain that the summary of the barrister's advice is taken from a genuine legal opinion. The rest of the story, however, is fictional.
The boy was fourteen years old. He and his father were at home, in the sitting room. His father was reading a letter which the boy had brought home from school. Having read it, he handed it to his son.
"Here you are Justin, how do you think I should reply?"
This is the letter the boy read.
"Dear Parent,
"As you know, when Parliament was considering the Bill to abolish corporal punishment in private schools, we conducted surveys of parents and boys in order to consider whether we should stop using the cane before the Bill became law. You will recall that the overwhelming majority of both boys and parents wanted us to continue using the cane for as long as it remained legal. Following those surveys, one parent, who is a lawyer, suggested that the wording of the proposed law (which has now taken effect) may be such as to enable us to continue caning even after it came into force. I reported this to the governors and they authorised me to ask our solicitors to get counsel's opinion on the point. We now have that opinion and it does indeed suggest that there may be ways of continuing the use of corporal punishment after its 'abolition'. The opinion is lengthy and detailed and I will only attempt a brief summary of its main conclusions. Full copies can be provided to any parents who request them.
"The barrister has explained that the reason why corporal punishment in schools has not been illegal in the past is that schoolmasters have always been taken to be acting in loco parentis. The law has created an irrebuttable presumption that parents delegate to teachers all their powers as parents. One of those powers is a power to use reasonable force in chastising the child. What the new law does is to provide that corporal punishment can no longer be justified in legal proceedings on the grounds that it was administered by a member of the school's staff 'by virtue of his position as such'. The new law does not remove the parents' right to give reasonable physical chastisement. More importantly, it does not remove the parent's undoubted right expressly to delegate to another the application of reasonable corporal punishment to his child.
"Our barrister considers that it is certainly arguable that parents can lawfully give a general power to a schoolmaster physically to chastise their children if the need arises. A parent, for instance, who employs a responsible adult child sitter is perfectly entitled to say to that person that he may spank the child if he is naughty. The child sitter who then spanks the child is not doing so 'by virtue of his position' as a child sitter: he is doing so by virtue of the express authority to spank given by the parent. Nevertheless, the barrister considers that many judges these days would not construe Section 131 of the School Standards and Frameworks Act 1998 literally. There would be a distinct risk that they would hold that a general authority given to a school to administer corporal punishment would mean that, when it was applied, it would be applied by the schoolmaster 'by virtue of his position' as a member of the school staff. He goes on, however, to advise that even the most progressive of judges would find it difficult to hold, contrary to the natural meaning of the Act, that a named member of staff who is expressly asked by a parent to give corporal punishment to his son for a particular offence would, when complying with that request, be doing so 'by virtue of his position' as a member of staff, rather than by virtue of a particular request made by the parent.
"The advice we have been given, therefore, is that, if a parent expressly asks a named member of staff to beat his son for a particular offence which the boy has committed, that member of staff will not be acting unlawfully in carrying out the request.
"In those circumstances, I am proposing, subject to the approval of a majority of parents, to institute a new system of punishments. The purpose of this letter is to explain that system and to ask you to say whether you approve or disapprove of it.
"As you know, we have already instituted Saturday detentions for offences which would formerly have led to the use of corporal punishment. I intend to keep that system in place, with some minor changes. First, any boy who commits an offence for which he would, before the new law, have been caned will now be given a letter informing him and his parents that he is to undertake a detention on the following Saturday. It will be explained that the detention will be served in two parts, the first running from 08.00 a. m. to 09.00 a. m. and the second from 02.00 p. m. to 03.00 p. m. The letter will also require the boy to attend at school at 07.30 a. m. on the day following its being handed to him for the purpose of registering for the next detention. It will name the member of staff who will be dealing with registration of detentions on that day. It will also state how many strokes of the cane or gym shoe would have been given to the boy if his offence had been committed before the new law.
"A boy given a Saturday detention letter must, on the evening it is given to him, show it to one or other of his parents. That parent will be asked to sign the letter, indicating he has seen it. When the boy attends for registration, he will be required to hand the letter to the master to confirm that it has been seen. At the bottom of the letter there will be space for the parent to write, should he wish, an express request to the named member of staff that that member of staff should give to his son the number of strokes of the cane or gym shoe stipulated in the letter. If that is done, the member of staff, acting solely on that request, will then beat the boy. When that has been done the boy will be informed that since, at the request of his parents, he has already been beaten for his offence, the school will no longer require him to attend for his Saturday detention.
"In any case in which no parental request for a beating is made, the boy will simply attend for his Saturday detention in the normal way.
"You will have noticed that I have referred to beatings with both cane and gym shoe. As you know, we have in fact only ever used the cane. Our barrister has advised us, however, that some courts these days might consider that the use of the cane on younger boys would not constitute 'reasonable chastisement'. While my own view (incidentally shared by the vast majority of boys in the school) is that moderate use of the cane on twelve year old boys is entirely reasonable, I have to accept that a certain amount of sentimentality in relation to children is now common in public life. I expect it is right that there are judges whose knowledge of twelve and thirteen boys is so restricted that they would hold that caning such boys would be unreasonable. In those circumstances, even if requested to do so, we will not cane boys until they are fourteen. The younger boys will be offered beatings with a gym shoe instead. The maximum number of strokes offered to twelve year old boys will be three and to thirteen year old boys it will be four. Fourteen year old boys will be offered no more than three strokes of the cane. The maximum number of strokes offered to fifteen year old boys will be four and to sixteen year old boys, five.
"All beatings will be on the buttocks and boys being beaten will wear normal school uniform trousers with normal underpants. Should any boy refuse to cooperate in his beating, the member of staff will not use any force to attempt to make him cooperate. Instead, the boy will be told to attend for Saturday detention in the normal way and his parents will be told that their request could not be carried out because of their sons refusal to take the punishment.
"I would be grateful if you could let me know whether you approve or disapprove of this proposal.
"Yours sincerely
"Charles Robotham"
Justin finished reading.
"I think it's a cool idea Dad. Boys who have done Saturday detentions say they're really awful and they'd much rather have the cane like we used to. I don't mean the cane's a soft option. When I got it that time it was really painful and it made me think very carefully about how to behave in the future. It's just that the cane is a genuine punishment, but it's over and done with in minutes. You think it's cool don't you?"
His father thought for a moment.
"Well, as you'd be the first to point out, I am certainly not opposed to corporal punishment in principle. God knows, I would have been completely lost when you were younger if I hadn't been able to give you the occasional _d_a_m_n_ good spanking. I'm just not convinced that this new system of Saturday detentions isn't working perfectly well. As far as I can see, behaviour has not deteriorated this term. Surely, if the school can do as well without the cane as with it, it must be better not to use it."
"You're partly right Dad. I grant you that most boys have been entirely well behaved. But I bet things'll get worse with time. I mean, we've got used to being good over the years and we're not suddenly going to run riot just because we can't be caned any more. But give it another few terms and people will gradually start changing. After all, you're always going on about how badly behaved the St George's boys are, and they've had Saturday detentions for years. I think you should also give a thought to the masters. It can't be much fun having to come in to supervise Saturday detentions and I'm sure, with this new system, that nearly all the parents will opt for corporal punishment so there will be hardly any Saturday detentions left."
"You've got a point there Justin. It's not as if three or four strokes with the cane ever did a boy any harm and I suppose that this system does give the parents a genuine choice. Well, if you're happy with it, I'll say I approve."
"Wicked Dad. Let's just hope the other parents do the same."
His father scribbled his assent to the scheme on the letter and handed it back to the boy. "Here you are, can you give it to Mr Robotham tomorrow for me?"
"Sure thing Dad, you're a star."
At break time on the next day Mr Robotham sifted through the replies to his letter. Nearly all the parents had responded. He decided to put them into three piles. One was for "don't knows", one for "yeses" and one for "nos". At the end of the exercise there was one letter in the don't know pile, there was none in the no pile and there were three hundred and forty three in the yes pile. He allowed himself a little smile as he got up, went to a cupboard and took out a cane. "It's a good thing I didn't get rid of you old thing" he said, as he placed it back with the others.
At assembly on the following morning Mr Robotham made the official announcement that the new scheme was now in force. He was taken aback, but pleased, by the spontaneous cheer that went up in the hall. He went on to explain what he called the "transitional provisions". This being a Wednesday, he announced, anyone who was due to do a Saturday detention that week could report to his office in break to collect one of the new letters. That was not compulsory, as it would be for any future detention, but any boy who would prefer a beating to a detention was welcome to see him. To mark the occasion properly, he would personally conduct detention registration on the following morning.
Now Justin had somehow contrived, on the Monday afternoon, to be given a Saturday detention. He had lost his temper during a football match and kicked another boy, rather than the ball. He had slightly mixed feelings as he heard about the "transitional provisions". On the one hand, he would do almost anything to avoid his Saturday being ruined. On the other, he did remember the previous occasion on which he had been caned, and it had not exactly been fun. Furthermore, Mr Robotham was well known as an exceptionally hard caner. Being generally in favour of the return of the cane was not the same as, in effect, asking to be beaten. This would need some careful thought.
Justin sought out his friend Rupert. He knew that Rupert had also been given a Saturday detention. It would be interesting to see what he was going to do.
Rupert was in the common room on his own. Justin opened the door and saw his friend standing with his back to him, contemplatively stroking his bottom and deep in thought.
"Hey, Rupes", Rupert jumped in surprise and turned round, "what are you going to do about your Sat DT?"
"It's obvious isn't it? I'm going to get one of those letters and get Dad to ask for me to have the cane. Aren't you?".
As Rupert responded, Justin realised that that was exactly what he'd have said if the same question had been put to him. What boy would show such a weak streak as to suggest that he wouldn't take the cane rather than a Saturday detention.
"Course I'm going to. I was just wondering who else would."
Well that was settled. Justin could hardly go back on his word. He duly turned up at Mr Robotham's study at 11 o'clock. Rupert was waiting outside with three other boys (two twelve year olds and one sixteen year old). They all smiled conspiritorially at each other. Mr Robotham turned up a moment later.
"Come in lads", he said cheerily as he opened the door and ushered them in.
He sat at his desk and opened the punishment book. "Right, age before beauty, James you failed to do your homework three nights running, is that right?"
"Yes sir" said the sixteen year old.
"Four with the cane sound fair?"
"Certainly sir".
Mr Robotham wrote on a pro-forma letter and handed it to the boy. "See you tomorrow morning, off you go now".
James left the room.
"Now, Justin, I'm feeling in a generous mood. How does two with the cane sound to you?"
"Very fair indeed sir".
"Jolly good", he filled in the letter, "see you in the morning".
Justin left. He waited outside for Rupert.
Rupert appeared. "What's he giving you?", Justin asked.
"Three, worst luck, still I reckon I'd have got at least four last term."
That night Justin waited for his father to come home before broaching the subject of his Saturday Detention. He suspected that his mother might not be quite as understanding about the need to ask that he be given a caning. Eventually, at 7.30 p. m., his father came home. Justin immediately offered to pour him a whisky and soda and bring it to him in the sitting room. His father guessed that some favour was about to be sought, but he gladly accepted the offer and settled down in his favourite arm chair.
Justin returned with the drink.
"What do you want Justin?"
"Oh, it's nothing Dad. I just thought you'd like a drink. Have you had a nice day at the office?"
"Not too bad, what about your day at school?"
"Cool."
"Did anything interesting happen?"
"Not really. Oh, there was something. That new punishment system has started."
"So you've had a lucky escape. If you'd got your Saturday detention today rather than on Monday youd have been producing a form for me to sign I suppose."
"Actually Dad, old Robot, I mean Mr Robotham, let the boys who are down for this Saturday have forms if they wanted them and, well, we all did ask for them. So I've got one for you to sign. You might as well do it now. You just have to sign it twice.
He handed his father the form. This is what was written on it.
"Dear parent,
"Your son Justin has been given a Saturday detention for kicking a boy during football. He is required to register for his detention tomorrow morning at 07.30 a. m. For your information, had he committed this offence before we stopped using corporal punishment, he would have been given two strokes with the cane.
"I would be grateful if you would sign below to indicate that you have seen this letter. Should you wish to sign the additional request, do feel free to do so.
"Yours sincerely
"Charles Robotham
"I acknowledge receipt of this letter
"Signed........................................
"I understand that if my son has been given two strokes of the cane for this offence by me, or by someone acting on my behalf, he will not have to attend the Saturday detention. In those circumstances, I would be grateful if Mr Robotham, acting on my behalf, would give my son two strokes of the cane tomorrow morning.
Signed......................................."
Justin's father signed his name in the first space. He then handed the form back to his son.
"But you've only signed once Dad."
"That's right."
"But you have to sign it twice".
"No I don't, Mr Robotham is quite clear. It is entirely up to me to decide whether or not to sign the second time."
"But then I'll have to do Saturday detention."
"That is my understanding too."
"But no one else will Dad. You can't be so unfair. You know that Mr Robotham is a wicked swisher. This is your chance to make sure I am severely punished. Come on Dad, don't be so uncool."
"I'd have thought you would have been grateful to me. Let me get this right. You are begging me to ask Mr Robotham to cane you. Is that right?"
"Of course I am Dad. Look, four other boys have got Saturday detention and they are all choosing to get swished instead. I just can't be the only wimp who does his DT instead."
"What do you mean by saying that these other boys are choosing to be caned? As I understand it, it is for their parents to make the choice, not them."
"But Dad, it's only a formality to get round the government's stupid ban. You can't possibly not sign. I'll lose all my friends and Mr Robotham will think I am a coward. Anyway", he had on a brain wave, "what is Mr Jones going to think of you if he has to supervise me on Saturday rather than having his day off?"
Justin's father was, in fact, only playing games with his son. He remembered enough of his own childhood to know that there was practically no greater sin in the eyes of the average schoolboy than that of getting out of a deserved caning. He was always going to sign the request and now, having had his fun, he did so.
"Wicked Dad. You really gave me a fright then."
That night, as Justin undressed for bed, his thoughts were preoccupied with his fate in the morning. He was not nearly as sanguine about the caning as he had been suggesting to his father. This was to be his second beating (he didn't count his father's spankings) and the first had been very painful indeed. What was more, this time he was going to get it from "old Robot", whose ability with the cane was legendary. True, he was only going to get two, but he was not stupid enough to think that two could not be deeply unpleasant. He took off all his clothes and stood in front of the mirror. He was proud of his physique. He was 5' 9" tall and still growing. He was slim and fit. There was not an inch of spare flesh on his young body. His muscles were firm and strong. He had short dark hair, a clear complexion, perfectly proportioned facial features and a smile which he knew to be usefully disarming in a tight situation. As usual he paid particular attention to developments in what he had heard one of his father's friends call his "wedding kit". Things were progressing well, he thought, but there was definitely room for more growth. He was attractive to, and attracted by, girls and he longed for the day when he would at last be able to put that "kit" to its proper use, rather than the solitary exercise that it still had to take after lights out. What was of most concern to him that night, however, was that part of him which was to be subject to assault on the following morning. He turned and looked at his firm, slim and, at present, unmarked bottom. He stroked it gently and then, as if preparing himself for the ordeal, gave it a sharp slap with his right hand. The slight reddening that produced was, he knew, absolutely nothing compared with what would happen in the morning.
The smack on his bottom had produced a pleasant reaction at the front. It was something of a consolation to him, he thought, that the prospect of the next morning's beating could give him some pleasure as well as fear. As he thought of what would be happening, both to him and to Rupert and the others, there was a most satisfactory stiffening. He moved to the door and locked it, not that his parents came in unannounced these days, but better safe than sorry. He could do without pyjamas, he decided, and he climbed naked into bed. Ten minutes later (he had taken to timing himself) there was an ecstatic release and, despite what was to happen the next day, he drifted off to sleep.
Justin had to rise earlier than usual on the next day because of his appointment with Mr Robotham at half past seven. When he came down at six thirty he found his mother already up preparing his breakfast. He hadn't mentioned anything to her about the caning, but his father must have told her that he had to be up early. He never minded talking about school punishments to his father, but he was always uncomfortable when the subject was raised in front of his mother. He just hoped that she did not know the reason for his early rise. That hope was soon dashed.
"I know that you can't be feeling very hungry at the moment, but you'll be much better off taking your punishment on a full stomach. Now sit down and I'll boil you an egg."
"Honestly, Mum, there's no need. I'll take some crisps or something to eat at break."
"You will do as you are told young man or I will add my own request to that form your father filled in last night. I somehow think that three rather than two would not be something you would want."
Justin reluctantly sat down and nibbled his way through the toast and egg. When he had finished he jumped up, gave his mother a peck on her cheek and turned to go. As he did so, she gave him a playful smack on his bottom and said that she hoped it would not be too bad. He blushed deeply and rushed to the door.
Justin arrived outside Mr Robotham's study at seven twenty five. The two younger boys were there already, but Rupert and James had not yet got there. He did not know the younger boys' names, so he introduced himself. They said they were Robin and Thomas. He looked them up and down. They looked fine young lads, he thought. They were both slim and fit looking. They were managing to give an impression of nonchalance, even smiling occasionally. He asked them what they had done to get into trouble.
Robin answered: "we were fighting during break and Jonesy saw us."
"Was it a serious fight then?"
"Not really", this was Thomas, we had got in quite a bait with each other and I suppose we were both trying to hurt each other, but we're best friends really."
"How many are you going to get?"
"Two with the plimsoll", Robin answered.
"Have you ever had it before?"
Both boys said they had not, but were quick to assure Justin that their respective fathers were demons when it came to spankings.
"I'm afraid it might be a bit worse than that, but I'm sure you'll be OK."
Rupert and James arrived together. They smiled at the others. Rupert had already filled James in on his fate and that of Justin. Robin and Thomas repeated their story for the newcomers.
Time passed. Mr Robotham did not arrive until seven thirty five. He then loomed into sight, holding a very large white plimsoll in his right hand.
"I'm so sorry to be late lads. I had forgotten that I would need this", he held up the plimsoll, "so I had to go to the master's common room to borrow it. I think it's big enough for the job. Righty-ho, I think we'll start with James. After he's left, Robin and Thomas can come in together, since you were so keen to hurt each other I thought you might like to see each other's beatings. You must wait until the light turns green and then enter without knocking. After them, I'll do Rupert next and finally Justin. Come along in James."
The others waited outside in silence. They could hear a low murmur of voices inside. Then there was a pause. Then they heard a sharp crack as the first stroke connected. There was another pause. Then another crack. Then the third and finally the fourth. Another murmur of voices. Then the door opened and James emerged. He was smiling, but rubbing his bottom furiously.
"Well, the old Robot hasn't lost his touch", he said, "I'm off to the common room now. How about a comparative bum display when you're all done here? I daresay you wouldn't mind seeing my four expert stripes."
This was quite an honour. Boys would, of course, proudly show off their wounds to their friends, but it was unusual for a sixteen year old to volunteer a show to twelve and fourteen year olds. They all agreed to meet later. Then the light turned green.
"Good luck" said Justin and Rupert together. The two younger boys opened the door and walked in.
Another murmur of voices. Another pause. Then a different sound. A loud thwack as plimsoll hit bottom. Another pause. Another thwack. Another murmur of voices. Another pause. Another thwack. Pause and thwack again. A murmur of voices. The door opened. The two youngsters, both forcing grins onto their faces, came out. They too were rubbing their bottoms.
"How was it?", Rupert asked.
"Well hard", answered Robin, "my bum is mega sore".
"Same here", said Thomas, "but at least it's over and done with and we won't have to do Sat DT".
The light turned green. Rupert told the twelve year olds he'd see them in the common room and opened the door.
Justin was left alone listening. All was repeated. This time it was, of course, the crack of cane rather than the thwack of plimsoll, and there were three. Justin winced as he heard each one. The beating seemed to be over in a flash. Rupert emerged caressing his firm round bottom with both hands.
"I've had worse, but he's still bloody hard."
The light turned green. Justin went in.
Mr Robotham was standing in the centre of the large room with a 3' bamboo cane in his right hand.
"Ah, come in, come in. I wonder if you would be so kind as to remove your jacket and place it over that chair."
Justin did as he was asked.
"I think I am right in saying that I have not had the honour of beating you before Justin".
"That's right sir, I had the cane last term but it was from Mr Jones."
"Very well, let me just explain what will happen. In a moment you will place your feet on those two chalk marks on the floor. You will then bend over and hold your ankles with your hands. You will not, of course, bend your knees. Once you are in that position, and when I am ready, I will hit you twice with this trusty cane of mine. You will then wait until I tell you to stand up. At that stage you will retrieve your jacket and leave the room. You are not required, as is the case with some masters I believe, to thank me. I know perfectly well that you will not be in a grateful frame of mind. One day, in years to come, I am sure you will thank me, because you will then understand that this beating is being given to you for your own good, but I don't expect instant gratitude. Now, is that all clear?"
"Yes sir".
"Very well, bend over please."
Justin walked forward, placed his feet on the two marks and bent.
Mr Robotham stood back and sized up his target. "Looks good and firm", he thought, "clearly no padding, I can see the lines of his Y-fronts, maybe on the small side, but all the better for that."
Justin was waiting patiently. He couldn't decide whether the wait was good or bad. In one way, it was drawing out the agony, but in another it was putting off an experience he was not looking forward to. Then he heard Mr Robotham step forward. He opened his eyes and peered between his legs. He saw the long cane being drawn back behind the headmaster's shoulder. Suddenly, it swung towards him. He shut his eyes again and gripped his ankles more tightly.
Crack. Right across the middle of his bottom. And it whipped round his right thigh as well. Justin swore to himself as he felt the searing pain. He opened his eyes again. Mr Robotham was smiling, as though pleased with his first stroke. The cane was by his side. Justin felt his bottom beginning to throb. The pain started to ease a little. As it did so, Mr Robotham raised the cane again. Justin's eyes shut again. The second stroke was just below the first. The pain was now doubled. Justin's swearing (not aloud of course) became thoroughly obscene. He stayed in position. The throbbing went on. He looked between his legs. Mr Robotham seemed thoroughly pleased with himself as he gazed at his young victim's bottom. Finally, he told Justin to get up.
Justin was determined not to show how much pain he was in. He walked, a little stiffly, to the chair to pick up his jacket. He slowly put it on and walked to the door. He opened the door and walked out. As he closed the door both his hands flew to his bottom and he jumped up and down six times. It seemed to do the trick. There was still a lot of pain, but he could bear it. He headed for the common room.
It was still too early for any other boys to be there. Sure enough, only James, Rupert, Robin and Thomas were there. Justin joined them.
"We decided to wait for you Justin", said James. "I'm happy to go first'.
James undid his grey school trousers, turned his back on the other boys, and lowered them to the floor. He then slipped his underpants down to his knees. The boys gasped. The sixteen year old's slim muscular bottom had four perfectly positioned stripes across its centre. They were a livid red colour and slightly raised.
"OK, you can each feel my stripes if you want."
Rupert went forward first and gently laid his right hand on James's bottom.
"Wicked", he exclaimed, "I can even feel the throbbing".
Justin motioned the two younger boys forward. Robin went first, then Thomas. Each expressed similar admiration. Finally Justin stepped forward. He leant forward and placed his hand on the bottom. He too could feel a slight throbbing. The ridges of the stripes were clearly defined. James's bottom felt quite warm to the touch.
James pulled his trousers up. Justin immediately volunteered to be next. He feared that if he was left much longer his state of arousal would become more marked, especially after seeing Rupert. He stood where James had been and lowered his trousers and pants. There were, of course, only two stripes. But they were just as good as James's. He felt James's large cool hand on his bottom, it was quite soothing. Then, in turn, the others. When he had pulled up his trousers, Rupert stepped forward.
Justin had seen Rupert's bottom after a previous caning. It was a memory which he cherished and, sometimes, would call on when lying in bed at night. There was something about the slight rounded plumpness (certainly not fat) which he found thrilling. Now, with those three well placed stripes across it, it was more than thrilling. He was glad he had gone first, because he was feeling a growing hardening of that "wedding kit". He waited until the others had felt the stripes. Then he felt the boy's bottom. This was a moment to treasure for years to come. He gently caressed the raised throbbing stripes. He could feel the pressure at the front of his trousers. He knew he could not linger. He reluctantly removed his hand and Rupert pulled his trousers up.
Robin went next. He happily removed his trousers and pants and proudly displayed his slim, round and now bright scarlet bottom. Each in turn felt the wonderful heat. The older boys assured him that, within an hour or so, there would be clear bruising which would be of considerable interest to his friends by the time of showers after games. The sight of the lad's bottom was not doing anything to reduce the pressure on Justin's trousers. He was beginning to be afraid that there might be some spontaneous eruption at any moment. But he was not going to miss Thomas.
Thomas pulled down his trousers and pants and beamed as all expressed their admiration for the old Robot's work. Again, they all felt the hot and throbbing bottom. Justin was finding it almost unbearable now. But he was managing to restrain himself. When Thomas was dressed again, James said he had to go to his study to catch up on his homework (as a sixteen year old he had one to himself). Justin said he had to go to the lavatory. The boys dispersed.
Justin entered one of the cubicles, locked the door, removed his trousers and pants and then used the privacy of the lavatory for a purpose for which it was not intended. He could only draw it out for five minutes this time, which was not surprising in view of the length of time in which he had been excited. But the end was magnificent. Half way through, he heard someone go into another cubicle. But he paid no attention. Once he was composed again, he left the cubicle and washed his hands. The other cubicle door opened. He looked in the mirror and saw Rupert emerging. Both boys guessed what the other had been doing, but neither was going to risk saying a word.