Julie nervously lit a cigarette & sucked at it deeply as she stared at her living room clock. It showed 20 past 7 which meant another 10 minutes before she had to leave.
Glancing down at her quivering hand before putting her cigarette quickly up to her lips again, she thought:
"God, look at me! A 45 year old woman with three grown up children, sitting trembling before an appointment with my Boss of so many years!" Closing her eyes she remembered the reason for it.
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Arriving a few moments before nine as always one morning she was surprised to find an envelope lying across the middle of her desk. There was one word on it in her Managing Director's familiar scrawl:
Julie!
Puzzled, she opened it & read, again hand written:
"I wish to see you at 10 am. Please ensure that we will not be disturbed during our meeting which may take some time. Thank you."
It was unsigned which was typical of Michael Minter.
Still unaware of the reason for their meeting, there was nervousness as she knocked at the familiar door. The Town Hall clock was striking the hour.
As soon as she entered & saw the plain wooden chair set before his desk she knew this was going to be unpleasant. Her usual soft backed armchair stood under the window at the rear of his large office.
"Sit down, Mrs Williams, please. Thank you for being punctual."
She felt embarrassed as she obeyed. She could never remember being addressed by anything but her Christian name before. Suddenly it was clear why she was there.
He opened a file, the only thing on his desk, pausing long enough for her to see her full name on its cover. Slowly he turned several pages before looking up & saying quietly:
"Remind me, Mrs Williams, How long have you been my P.A.?"
"Fifteen years." pausing she added: "Sir," instead of the usual Michael.
"And how long since your husband died?"
"Almost exactly two years, Sir," she replied, looking straight into his unsympathetic eyes.
"We were all shocked at his sudden death, Mrs Williams, & I accepted that the shock would effect your normal efficiency. I allowed a full six months for you to become again the P.A. I valued so much. However, in recent weeks your work has become totally unacceptable! I'm afraid that unless you can convince me otherwise, I shall have to let you go."
Mouthing a silent:"No!" she whispered almost inaudibly: "If John were alive this would never have happened!"
For the first time his severe expression changed to one of surprise as he said, almost sympathetically: "Yes, perhaps that may be true. But you cannot continue as my P.A. if you are constantly inefficient."
"You don't understand, Sir, he would not have allowed me to lower my work standards, as I know I have!"
With a slight shrug, she decided to tell him about the intimate secret of her marriage. If she wanted to keep her job there was no choice.
"I was working in the Typing Pool when we got married & John was very keen that I should get promotion. He knew of my natural laziness, & made me promise to tell him of my errors each week. Because I loved him so much I agreed though it meant punishment most weekends. Particularly at the beginning!"
"Punishment? What kind of punishment?"
Blushing fully now in her embarrassment she continued: "My Father believed in Corporal Punishment, & told John of its effectiveness in keeping me in line, during the pre-wedding Stag night. I agreed that it was so with John & so he thrashed me regularly when necessary throughout our marriage!"
Michael closed his eyes & sat back in his chair before replying. Still with a puzzled expression he asked: "What do you mean exactly by thrashed?"
"He spanked me & then used his belt to begin with. As I got promotion but still showed signs of laziness he bought a school cane, & later, occasionally, he birched me! It was because of his control that I was so efficient as your P.A. Since his death & my recovery from it I'm afraid, with no deterrent. I have become lazy again, Sir. So you see that in a way his death is responsible for today's meeting!"
Without speaking he got up & walked over to stand looking out of the full width window behind his desk. With hands deep in his trouser pockets he gazed out for several moments, motionless.
Julie sat nervously twisting her hands in her lap, wondering what he was going to decide.
At last, returning to his desk he pressed his intercom:
"Coffee for two please, Irene!" he barked.
Then he motioned her over to the settee & two armchairs near the door. As she sat down opposite him he pointed to the table between them:
"I should think you need a cigarette after all that, don't you, Julie?"
Smiling, she nodded & opened the silver box indicated, remembering that it had been an office present the previous year for his fiftieth birthday.
"I have no desire to train a new P.A. after all our time together, but equally I cannot see myself doing what you are suggesting."
Before she could reply the door opened, after a perfunctory knock, & the coffee was delivered. The interruption gave Julie more time to consider her reply. Gratefully she lengthened it by sipping her coffee before replying with more of her natural, work place, self confidence.
"What is it you think I am suggesting exactly?"
Frowning he lit himself a cigarette before he said slowly:
"That I deal with you as your late husband would have done? Perhaps I could do that after all!"
Never during their years together had anything sexual occurred between them except at one drunken Christmas Party when they had showed their mutual attraction in a fierce kissing & caressing bout. She had paid dearly later, from her husband.
"I feel that would be the best solution, providing it was severe, & as soon as possible please."
"Very well. But I intend that you should wait. Do you still have the items you described?"
"Yes, Sir. But could we not get this over with soon, please?" Perhaps this evening?"
"Certainly not. I shall decide when I will deal with you at my home. I want a report on my desk tomorrow morning listing in what ways you think your work could be improved. You may go!"
That had been ten days before, & her trepidation had increased each day as he made no mention of their meeting. He had returned her report with various comments. But apart from reminding her to bring her punitive instruments when he decided on a suitable evening, there was no hint of when that would be.
It was with enormous relief that she tore open the envelope that morning to read the four words:
Eight O'clock this Evening.
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Viewing herself in the hall mirror as she put on her coat, she was glad that one of her quickly removable outfits, not worn since her husband died, still fitted perfectly, outlining her slim figure. Picking up a suitcase she hurried out to her car.
Michael sat in casual clothes sipping a whisky as he heard his front door bell. He decided to make her wait before he let her in. He was looking forward to finding out what punishing someone so attractive would be like.
With her leather booted feet stamping in impatience she waited:
"Oh please come on - let me in!" she murmured, wishing the evening would begin.
After pressing the bell twice more the door opened to reveal her smiling Boss: "Well, I'm very pleased,Julie, that you are just as punctual away from the office. Do come in."
He led the way into his spacious lounge which seemed dominated by the plain kitchen chair & kitchen steps which stood in the middle of it. Holding out his hand she gave him her coat which he took to hang in the hall.
She sat on the very edge of an armchair. Though fearful of what was going to happen, sexual excitement helped to minimise it.
"I don't recall giving you permission to sit!" he said harshly. "Now stand up & tell me why you are here!"
As she stood rigidly to attention with her hands, fingers pointing to the carpet, by her sides, she remembered the many exciting games she had played with John as well as the serious punishment sessions.
"Because I wish to remain your P.A., Sir, I have come here this evening to be punished for my inefficiency," she explained, staring straight ahead.
"Yes, but also remember, as I do not intend this to be a regular occurrence, I promise you the utmost severity. Now empty the contents of your case onto the table over there."
Looking over her shoulder he saw her lay out a thick & thin cane; a white Riding Crop; a square thick wooden Paddle; & a heavy leather soled slipper. Placing the case under the table she removed one final thing while doing so. It was a short twin tailed tawse which looked incongruous laid beside the longer items. He picked it up.
"What's this for?" he queried, slapping it against his palm.
Still with her back to him she resumed her stance. Biting her bottom lip in embarrassment, she admitted:
"If - if I was - ever disobedient or argued, John would use it to punish my-my breasts, Sir."
"I see. What an excellent idea. We will now begin. Come here!"
Turning she saw him seated on the kitchen chair, pointing with his right forefinger at the carpet beside his right foot.
"Over my knee!" he ordered loudly.
As she spread herself, her frame formed a bow which he quickly changed by pulling her feet forward thus raising her skirt covered behind higher. He began to spank each cheek alternately quite gently.
"I'm going to teach you a lesson that you will never forget!"
"Yes, Sir, I know. I'm sorry. I know what a fool I have been. Aaah!"
