I stood still just staring into space. I’d never felt pain like it before, as the cane hit my fingers for a third time making them swell and go bright red. Skinner dealt out our Grammar School’s ritual punishment. Flanders shouted as he pointed to the Religious Knowledge classroom door. I stood still just staring into space. “Miss Simpson!” He bellowed, I turned to see him standing beside his desk looking furious in his black gown and mortar-board, “Listen to me when I’m talking to you!”
I nearly shit myself with fright! As I sat outside his office I recognised the voices of a couple of boys from the year below me through the closed door as the Headmaster lectured them. “Touch your toes then,” he coughed. “No sir,” I replied as I gripped my knees in readiness. Flanders shouted as he pointed to the Religious Knowledge classroom door. “Miss Simpson?” The Headmaster looked at me and pointed the cane towards the boys, “What are you waiting for?”
Bart and Millhouse began sniggering as I blurted out,
