Andy Briar was sitting in his local library doing research for his A level English essay. His thesis was on corporal punishment in British schools post war to 1987.
Andy was eighteen years old and lived a quiet life with his parents in the university town of Uxbridge, Greater London. He was a studious boy and didn't have many male friends. He was five feet six tall, slim with longish dark hair and piercing blue eyes. All the girls thought he was a geek and steered clear of him.
He'd been at the library for the third day running when he saw a distinguished gentleman in his early sixties looking over at him from the desk opposite, The man was tall, slim with floppy grey hair. He wore a suit and looked to be a man that had enjoyed authority.
Andy went back to his reading and was fully absorbed in the photos of the implements used to chastise unruly pupils that he didn't see that the man was standing next to him until he heard him cough.
'I'm sorry to disturb you but I couldn't help but notice what an unusual array of reference books you have here,' he said pointing to the assortment on the desk.
Andy began to explain how he was researching for an essay and how he was struggling to put it all together.
The man just looked and said, 'interesting,' before walking back to his own seat where he carried on reading that days Daily Telegraph.
The next day Andy was back at the library when the same gentleman came in, took the same chair and again read the days newspaper.
After about an hour he once more approached Andy and asked him how he was getting on with the essay. Andy said he wasn't as most of the stuff in the books were superficial and didn't go into much detail.
The gentleman introduced himself as Roger Postlethwaite and told Andy that he was a retired headmaster. He went on to say that he previously had to chastise many an unruly boy when he was in charge of Faraday Walk School in the city.
Andy commented that he'd never heard of it.
Professor Postlethwaite smiled and told Andy that he wouldn't have. He went on to say that it was an extremely private school for wealthy families to send their sons not only to learn the curriculum but to learn manners and how to be a gentleman.
He said that the school still administered punishment way after it was banned from schools in 1987 in agreement with the governors and the parents.
'When I retired last year they ceased and as a parting gift they provided me with all my rattan canes, wooden paddles and leather straps. They even let me take away my study furniture which I've transferred to my house and recreated it at home. I find it very comforting. I miss the job terribly. Still things move on.'
As he went to leave he stopped and handed Andy his card. 'Look, if you'd like to pop over some day and have a look at the old office I could show you first hand what was used. I have books too that you won't find in here that may be useful for your research. My wife will provide tea and cake,' he said. 'Just ring and tell us when you want to visit the address is on the card.' He then promptly walked out.
Three days later after Andy had thought about the Professor's offer he rang the number on the card and a rather well spoken lady answered. Andy told her who he was and she said she recognised the name from her husband.
Andy agreed to go the next morning before going to the library as it wasn't very far away.
At ten o'clock the next morning Andy rang the bell of an imposing townhouse. He heard the click clack of heels coming down the hall towards the front door. When the door opened Andy was pleased to see a very attractive older lady, late fifties Andy thought, standing there. 'Hi, I'm Jane Postlethwaite,' she said holding out her hand.
Andy shook it lightly while at the same time looking at the Professors wife. She was taller than Andy in her high heels, slim, wearing a fitted cream coloured wool dress that clung to her curves especially over her large breasts. Andy was a bit stunned for a second but came to when Mrs Postlethwaite asked him if he'd like to go through to the sitting room.
'Take a seat,' she said pointing at the sofa as she sat in an armchair opposite.
'My husband won't be long. Just doing things, although I have no idea what he gets up to up there sometimes,' she said with a smile as she crossed her long legs.
Andy could have sworn he saw the tops of her cream stockings and a suspender clasp.
Just then her husband came in and they all held small talk until the Professor asked Andy if he'd like to see the study. Andy readily agreed and followed the gentleman upstairs.
Andy was amazed at how authentic the study looked. They chatted about corporal punishment with Andy asking questions about the Professor's role and he in turn would tell Andy about how and why he had to punish the boys that were sent to him.
'I used to do it here, over the desk,' he indicated. 'How,' asked Andy.
'Here, let me show you. Come and lie over the desk to get a feel of what it would have been like.'
Andy tentatively spread himself over the desk. The professor went over to the head of the desk and took Andy's arms and attached two leather to his wrists and fastened them.
'W..what are you doing?' asked Andy nervously.
'Oh just giving you a realistic feel of what happened to many of the boys sent to me.' said the Professor. He walked behind Andy and started to undo the boys jeans. 'Stop, what are you doing?' screeched Andy.
'You don't think the boys were punished with their trousers on do you?' asked the older man. Andy's jeans and underpants were drawn down and discarded then his feet were secured to two more leather restraints making him helpless.
