One afternoon during the following week, Mr Gallagher was casually looking out of his window onto the lush green lawns below his study and saw something that took his eye. He rang his bell and his faithful secretary Miss O'Hare entered his room quietly. "You called me Head Master?"
The Head nodded. "I have just seen Mrs West crossing the lawn from the gymnasium, Miss O'Hare. She looked very nice in her very short pleated skirt." Mrs West was the young English Mistress while her husband, Julian, taught History.
Miss O'Hare crossed the room and looked out with him. Mrs West had now reached the small road directly under the window. Just then a young schoolgirl rode her bicycle erratically across in front of Mrs West. They saw the girl laugh as she managed to keep the bike upright but in doing so her skirt did flip up exposing her white pantied bottom.
Miss O'Hare smiled. She knew what the Head was thinking. "We would have to think carefully before we start dealing with Mrs West, Headmaster"
"What do you suggest, Miss O'Hare?"
"Well Sir, she and her husband Julian are up for salary review next week. I know they are desperate for money as they live with her father who is being very awkward with them."
Mr Gallagher nodded his head, adding, "Julian West finds it difficult to maintain any discipline in his class already, and Shirley, his wife, is only on probation"
Miss O'Hare smiled; she could see how the Headmaster's mind was working but she had to make sure he understood her position. "It will be difficult for me to deal with Mrs West in the same way as I controlled Amy Turner, Head Master."
The older man was very sharp and knew what she meant. "I presume you mean because Mrs West is a teacher and not a student?"
Miss O'Hare nodded "Yes and she is a little more mature but she still shouldn't cause any great problems for you, Sir."
"What about her husband?"
"He will be even easier for you, Sir. He is very weak. Afraid of his own shadow. A little effeminate."
The Head Master was pleased. "Will you send them a formal warning that their performance is well below acceptable and that I will be assessing them both next Monday?"
She laughed "They will be petrified" and added "May I make a suggestion, Sir?" He nodded.
"Mrs West and her husband don't drink alcohol now ever since they became intoxicated very easily at the last Staff Party. I suggest that after you tell them off next Monday you could give then a couple of glasses of wine to appear benevolent and kindly. They will be afraid to refuse."
The Head smiled. His secretary was quite a clever woman "You think she will be more amenable then"
"Definitely Sir! Her fear about her job followed by a few glasses of wine and she will be more than amenable." Mr Gallagher smiled, especially when his secretary added "And so will her husband." He appreciated what this could mean and what his secretary meant so he suggested, "I know you can't act in the same capacity as with Amy Turner, Miss O'Hare but I would you like to be present anyway."
Miss O'Hare smiled. Her Headmaster really looked after her. "Certainly, Sir. I would really enjoy being present when you deal with Mr and Mrs West. I think it will be fully in order if I assist you when you require it."
Mr Gallagher liked his secretaries efficiency, especially when she advised "I think we should change the date of the meeting to Tuesday morning Sir. Mrs West always does some exercising in the morning and always wears her shortest pleated skirt."
"Usually with little, white knickers," she added.
Mr Gallagher nodded "That sounds excellent Miss O'Hare. Send them their warnings today."
When Shirley West received her formal warning she felt petrified. When Julian also had a similar letter he almost cried. He just fell apart. Shirley felt so upset but, even more, she was angry with her husband's pathetic weakness. He was absolutely useless in a crisis. She first of all tore a strip off him and then said, "It's no good you sobbing like a big baby Julian. We have to face up to it and do our best."
Julian was distraught. "You don't understand how threatened I feel, Shirley. I am terrified of the Headmaster and Miss O'Hare his secretary is so intimidating."
Shirley nodded. She had some sympathy with her husband. She was just as nervous. She then took a deep breath saying, "The main thing Julian is that we must not upset the Head or Miss O'Hare in any way. We have to keep on the right side of them. Anything they suggest we can do to improve our chances we must agree to and we must do it with a smile."
On Tuesday morning Shirley started early. She told Julian she would meet him in the Headmasters Office. He was still frightened and wanted to wait for his wife but she was adamant.
"No, Julian. Pull yourself together. I want to go to the Gym first for some light exercise. Then I will pop back here to change into my suit and meet you outside the Headmaster's office." She seemed so well organised but she didn't know what Miss O'Hare had planned.
After her exercises Shirley left the gym and made her way across the lawns to her own office intending to change. She was only sweating slightly but she wanted to feel her best when she faced Mr Gallagher so she knew she couldn't afford to be the least bit uncomfortable and her knickers always ran up her bum during her exercises.
Unbeknown to Shirley, Miss O'Hare had been waiting and watching and suddenly her mobile phone rang. It was Miss O'Hare telling her to come straight to the Head's Office. Shirley tried to explain she needed to go to her office first to change.
Miss O'Hare sounded cross "Mrs West, when I said the Head wants you to come here immediately, that is exactly what I mean. Your husband is already here. Don't make us angry Mrs West." Shirley had no option but to change her plans and go directly to the Heads Office.
As she entered the large office she could see her husband sitting there trying to look insignificant. He didn't really have to try. Shirley felt conscious of her very short skirt as she looked at the Head behind his big desk and Miss O'Hare nearby with her notebook out ready to take notes.
There was only one seat available a very high stool. Miss O'Hare beckoned to the stool "Take a seat Mrs West."