Past and Present (F/m, M/f

[lex46]

I was woken early (the clock on the bedside table said 4.45) by the sound of a cuckoo calling somewhere over the fields at the back of our house. Julie was still sound asleep, so I leant slowly over and kissed her cheek softly. That lovely lovely lady who was now my wife didn't stir and I could feel the warmth of her breath on my shoulder. I lay still for several more minutes, the cuckoo still calling - in my opinion one of nature's most beautiful sounds - and thought about the past eleven months from first meeting her and fixing her lawn mower, all we'd done together including the spanking exploits and the people we'd met, our wonderful small wedding just after Easter, the honeymoon in Aberystwyth (Not the most exotic of locations but a lovely Welsh seaside town surrounded by gorgeous scenic countryside with plenty of history to explore) and I smiled recalling how thrilled Julie had been at seeing a pod of dolphins playing in Cardigan Bay as we strolled one evening along the breezy sea front. I was indeed a very lucky man.

I wasn't going to go back to sleep so I leant and kissed Julie softly again and she emitted a "mmmmmmmm" so I kissed her cheek once more, eased her hair away from her face, nibbled her ear lobe gently and kissed round her neck. She stirred more and rolled onto her back so I continued kissing her neck and down her chest to her breasts. (we both sleep naked so god forbid we ever get an invite to a pyjama party!). As her hand reached out and stroked my chest and began running down my body, I took one of her nipples into my mouth and held it between my teeth. We continued to love and stimulate each other before she whispered "lay on your back darling." I did so and she sat astride me, my erection easily sliding inside her warm wetness. It was all very sensual and as she continued riding me, I felt her muscles tighten as she approached orgasm. She slid up and down faster now, and as I felt her juices flow around me I let myself have that wonderful release and exploded deep inside her. She collapsed on top of me and we held each other for a good while before eventually she climbed off and laid back next to me. Despite the bright sunlight trying to force it's way into the bedroom through the heavy red curtains, it was still quite chilly, especially for mid May, so I pulled the red satin covered quilt up to cover our shoulders. Red was Julie's favourite colour, and it certainly reflected the passion she had deep down inside her.

Julie put her elbow on the pillow and rested her head in her hand, smiling at me. "What's the matter" she enquired seriously as her other hand carefully wiped away a tear from my eyes"
"Absolutely nothing. I'm just so happy" Her lips descended on mine and we kissed deeply. I shared the thoughts I'd been having as I laid next to her and she positively beamed.

"Hm yes we've come along way together haven't we? I'm so glad we found each other" she replied.

"Me too. And such a lot to look forward to too" I said smiling. "Crikey, 6.30. You stay here babe, I'll go and make us a pot of tea" We kissed deeply again and I left her relaxing and still nkaed,went downstairs to the kitchen. The laminate floor was cold on my bare feet as I made the tea before loading it on to a tray and carrying back upstairs to the bedroom where the ever resourceful Julie had a surprise for me. She had pulled the stool out from under her dressing table and was sat on it wearing white lacy bra and knickers. I was sure they were the same set she was wearing the first time we met and Julie duly confirmed that when she said, "Alex,I thought about what you said and all those things and I got a real tingle up my spine and it made me want to rekindle some of it. I was wearing this underwear set first time you came to my house. I've never worn them since but kept them specially. You see, erm..... even though I didn't know you, there was something about you and I think I fell in love with you right there and then."

I put the tray down, went over to her treading the soft carpet (even that was red) bent , held her head and kissed her ever so tenderly. She continued, "And after we made love that time you, went over my knee. Remember? And we just made love didn't we, so?"
Well of course I remembered and without another word I laid myself across her warm lap. Her arm went around my waist and her right hand rested on my naked bottom. She stroked it and squeezed each cheek gently. There was a definite stirring in my nether regions and Julie couldn't help but notice. "Oh we are being a naughty boy aren't we?" she teased and with that her hand descended with a resounding SLAPPP on to my bottom. "Let's see what we can do about that shall we?" Once again.... SLAPPP hard onto the other cheek.
She moved me slightly and eased her right thigh up so that I was bent further over before SMACKK SMACKK SPANKK SPANKK SLAPP SLAPP SMACKK SPANKK SPANKK SLAPP SLAPP, a fusillade of a dozen of her hard stinging palm smacks had fallen more than covering my cheeks fully and putting paid to any arousal I may have had.But Julie was Julie and she wasn't about to stop there. I felt her bra encased breasts on my back as she leant across and retrieved her large wooden hairbrush from the dressing table. I knew it was going to hurt but didn't protest, even when I felt the cold wood on my warm behind. That cooling feeling didn't even last a second before she raised her powerful right arm and CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK CRACKK it descended and I had given up counting as I yelped and squirmed across her knees.

"Stand up" was all she said, and once more I did without question. Julie stood too and held me close. " I love you" she whispered in my ear "Love you more" I replied. After several moments stood holding each other her hands ran down my back to my bum and stroked it. "mmmm nice and hot" she murmured."Anyway, shouldn't you be getting ready for work?" and she playfully slapped it again, though it didn't feel playful after that short sharp spanking.
Half an hour later, I was shaved, showered and dressed, still stinging somewhat as for the last time that morning, I kissed Julie again and as I turned to go out of the front door she said "Don't forget Sarah and her new boyfriend are coming for a meal this evening"
"OK darling, and when you remember his name you'd better text me so I don't embarrass him" I laughed.
As I climbed into my van Julie blew me a kiss and I could still see her in my mirror standing at the door watching me drive away.

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I was glad it had clouded over as my job today was building a pond for a retired couple. It would take several visits to complete but I really wanted to break the back today. Unfortunately there was no way of getting a mechanical digger round the back of their house so it was hard graft manually digging and each time I had to bend I could feel the effects of Julie's ministrations earlier. Nevertheless that made me think again of all we had going for us and I began to whistle. My customer Mrs Grainger was pegging out her washing and called over, "That's what I like. A man whistling, it means he's happy. Fancy a drink young man?"
Bloody hell I thought, young, I'm 51."Oh that's because I am happy" I replied smiling, "Yes please. Tea white no sugar, if that's ok?" Then seeing a pair of enormous bloomers she was pegging up, I had all on not to laugh.That made me feel young.I laughed inwardly at the thought of Julie wearing such a hideous garment in the future. When she had gone back indoors I quickly got out my phone, took a picture of the said garment and sent it to Julie with the message, please don't ever wear anything like thatxx

I dug out more soil before I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.I took it out and read Julie's reply which began with a loveheart (I had only just learned how to send a picture message, let alone insert such objects) and continued, Ha ha, as if. At which point Mrs Grainger returned with not just a mug of tea, but two on a tray and a freshly baked victoria sponge, two plates and a knife. She put the tray down on a nicely varnished wooden table in the middle of their beautifully manicured lawn, pulled out a matching chair, sat and called me over. As I sat opposite her, she commented, "You're making good progress, You look like you could use this" and pushed a steaming mug towards me.
"Thank you, I'm ready for it" My phone went again. "Excuse me one moment please. That'll be my good lady"
I took it out and read "His name's Simon. Oh and what are you doing taking pictures of ladies underwear??!!"
I smiled and put it back in my pocket.
"Well," said Mrs Grainger, "At least you had the courtesy to say excuse me.I hate it when people just stand talking loudly in the street or shops, it's so rude.People have no manners or respect these days"
"Sorry. I hope didn't offend you"
"Not at all young man. You were polite about it and if it was your wife then absolutely no problem. Been married long?"
"About a month"
"No wonder you're happy then" she smiled at me. "Here, have a slice of cake. It's not long out of the oven" and as she cut into it you could see steam rising.
"Thank you." I said and bit into the warm light tasty sponge. "Oh that's beautiful" I said honestly.
She smiled pleased at my reaction. "Well it's nice to have someone to share it with. My husband always seems to be playing bowls these days."
"He doesn't know what he's missing" My phone rang this time. Once more I said "Excuse me" and took it out. It wasn't a number I recognised so I switched it off. "There, no more interruptions"
"There a damned nuisance," she said. "the way people use them like I said, Just plain rude and most, unlike you, young man, have no manners at all"
I apologised again and said "please, call me Alex, I'm not that young!" and we both laughed.
"Well Alex, I'll tell you something. In my day people knew what manners and respect were, certainly in the school I taught at"
"Yes, we were brought up that way. They should never have banned the cane in my opinion"
"Quite right. I didn't have to use it much but my goodness, when I did, my pupils soon learned."
"Good for you" I replied smiling, not quite sure what else to say.
"Time's change I'm afraid" she responded ruefully.
I drained my mug, and replenished I said, "Better get back to it. I'd like to get this bit finished today, then I can bring the rocks to make the rockery out of all this soil and get the lining in and fountain positioned tomorrow then it's ready for filling."
"Just let me know when you want another drink. I suppose I'd better leave you to it."
Several more mugs of tea later, the figure of eight hole was complete, with a shelf about a foot wide and a foot deep round the perimeter, the remainder being about three feet deep.
I went to her back door and knocked, and waited. She opened it and I could smell the lovely aroma of beef cooking and wondered what Julie would be preparing. "That's as far as I can get today. Don't get too close and fall in will you. I don't want to find you laying there in the morning. Besides, your meat would burn."
She laughed and said, "See you in the morning then. Same Time?"
"I'll be a little later, I have to call and pick up the rocks and stuff on my way"
"Right - see you then and at least rain's not forecast"
"Bye, and thanks for all the tea" I left her stood there as , grubby and sweaty I climbed into my van and headed home, wondering why Sarah had finished with her previous boyfriend (couldn't remember his name) and if her new one, knew what she was into.

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Arriving home, Julie was busy in the kitchen preparing beef bourgingon. I kissed her cheek and said that I was going for a shower. "Yes you need it" she laughed.
I returned, refreshed and clean twenty minutes later."Any thing need doing babe?"
"You can set the table if you like" so whilst I busied myself with that I told Julie about Mrs Grainger.
"No way!" she exclaimed. "My old home economics teacher was called Mrs Grainger. If she's sort of 70ish I suppose it could be the same one. She was a good teacher but a right battle-axe. She caned me once but It's because of her I like cooking so much"
"And bloody good at it you are too darling" I said and standing behind her, put my arms round her waist and kissed the back of her neck.
"Oi you," she said laughingly, "we have to get on, they'll be here soon" She turned and kissed me on the lips then carried on what she was doing. I poured her a glass of wine and got a tin of beer from the fridge for myself and sat down. I asked Julie about Sarah's ex (he only wanted one thing by all accounts but this Simon genuinely seemed to care for her) "And does he know about her spanking interests" I asked.
"I hope to find out tonight" Julie answered grinning.
There was a knock at the door and I went to answer. I kissed Sarah on each cheek, not having seen her since our wedding and shook hands with her new man, invited them in, showed them into our sitting room and offered them a drink.That was going to be easy, Sarah wanted wine and Simon, like me, beer. I returned with their drinks and explained Julie would be with us soon and she was just putting the vegetables on to steam.
"How's married life then," asked Simon. "Sarah's told me all about you too"
"Brilliant thanks. Couldn't be better." I wondered though about the all. Julie joined us and sat in the black leather armchair opposite me and from and angle to Sarah and Simon. Apparently, Julie had met Simon once before and asked them both how they were and general inane conversation continued until the timer rang on the steamer.
"Right, let's go through" said Julie. "Alex, get us all another drink would you please."
So we sat and ate heartily, another resounding success from Julie. Simon seemed like a pleasant enough chap and he even offered to wash up.
"Thank you, but we have a dishwasher so no need to worry" said Julie.
"It's just as well " interjected Sarah. "Last time he washed up the plates were dirtier than when he started so I taught him a lesson"
Julie smiled and I saw Simon blush deeply. Sarah reached across and took Simon's hand. "Don't worry, my two best friends here taught me all I know"
Julie positively beamed, and Simon, getting over the shock said "Oh I see." then sarcastically added,"Thanks for that" and we all laughed.
"Yes Simon, they even gave me the cane I used"
"Bastards" said Simon Jokingly, and, whatever had got into Julie recently I didn't know but she jumped on his words. "TchTch Simon. Using language like that, perhaps I'd better teach you a lesson. And as for you Sarah, maybe Alex should teach you one too. You plainly didn't teach him well enough."
I could see Simon was shocked but when Sarah said, " Hm, I guess you're right" Simon muttered "OK then"
We adjourned back to the sitting room and as Simon was about to take a seat, Julie stopped him. "Don't bother sitting down, you're coming upstairs with me. We'll leave these two here."
"Well go on then Simon. Don't worry, I know how much these two trust each other and I'd love it if we could do the same."
Simon's next words were "Where do you want me then?" to which Julie replied "Follow me" and swept out of the room with Simon in tow leaving Sarah and myself alone.
"Wow" gasped Sarah "I need this.I haven't been perfect but Simon won't do it. He's a sub at heart"
"I'm sure can work on that with him for you, but if that's how it is then that's how it is."
"Oh I'm not complaining. I've got you two if necessary."
We heard slapping sounds from upstairs and Sarah said, "Like he said, where do you want me."
I leaned back in my armchair and patted my thighs. Within seconds, Sarah had draped herself across my lap. I Raised her skirt, and though it had been a while since I'd last had to spank her, her familiar full apple shaped bottom presented itself clad in black lacy knickers. I eased them down and rested my palm on he bare flesh. She remained perfectly still so I drew it back and swung it down, my flat palm landing with a resounding SMACKKKK. She remained still and I drew it back once again SMACKKK on her other cheek.
"Right my girl, let's see if we can't make you perfect."

SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK SMACKK

My hand had begun to sting as it cracked firmly down on alternate cheeks and Sarah was by now wriggling and yelping and kicking. I puller her knickers right down to her ankles, slipped them off one ankle, twisted them round several times and slipped it back over that ankle ensuring her legs were held together with the aim of making it more difficult for her to kick. I laid back in my chair and unfastened my belt. It was a nice leather belt, quite thick and about 1 and 1/2 inches wide which I folded in half. Taking a firm grip around her waist I took aim and KERACKK swung it down across the middle of her quivering red buttocks.She yelped loudly and bucked but I had tight hold and immediately I could see a deep red mark start to develop. KERACKK KARRACKK I landed it twice more just where the buttocks meet the thighs and a strange gurgling sound emitted from her throat. KERRACKK KERRACKK I aimed higher up her sorry bum and I heard her sob, but she remained almost still, resigned to her fate. Just as I raised the belt again I saw Julie and Simon appear at the door, Julie with her favourite crook handled cane in hand and Simon very red faced. I didn't think Sarah was aware of their presence but I continued KERRACKK KERRACKK KERRACKK, three more stinging blows starting towards the top and working down her by now blistered bottom. I put the folded belt down and felt her bum, and realised I had never made Julie's bottom feel that hot. Sarah was sobbing quietly when I told her to get up and the poor girl nearly fell over with her knickers bound round her ankles but she casually slipped out of them then wiped away a couple of tears.

"Hm, nice work Alex" commented Julie, smiling. Simon just stood there staring at his girlfriend.
"How much of that did you see" asked Sarah in a stuttering voice, still doubtless feeling the fire in her behind.
"Just the last bit sweetheart" reassured Simon.
"I needed it Simon"
"It's ok. I understand. I need it too"
"So, if you understand, why can't I persuade you to give it to me just once in a while?" Sarah seemed more upset by that fact than anything. Julie and I looked at each other and Julie winked at me and grabbed the bull by the horns."Simon, I know some people like to only receive discipline but even so, you have a wonderful girl there, and she, like me occasionally requires discipline too. Usually, I give it out and Alex was over my knee only this morning but he does punish me when necessary. It has been a while, indeed before we were married so I'm due it anytime and now seems a good a time as any" She walked across the room and handed me the cane. "Show him, like I showed Sarah after we met her in the museum" and with that she had bent over the arm of the chair where I had just dealt with Sarah.
"Simon, stand there,"I said indicating a spot where he was looking directly at Julies bottom. He did so and Sarah walked across, stood by his side and put her arm around his waist.I stood beside Julie, lifted up her pale yellow dress and tucked it up so it wouldn't get in the way. I glanced up and saw Simon's eyes widen. Which hot blooded male's eyes wouldn't at the sight of my Julie's gorgeous bottom? Then I lowered her white knickers to expose her flawless flesh and rested the cane towards the top of her bottom and she didn't even flinch.
"Right Simon," I said. "Watch. Position the cane where you want it to land. Make sure you're stood just a little behind the bottom and rest the tip just about half way across the farthest buttock. When you swing it down you will automatically make it land further across. So unless you want it to wrap right round and cut into the sides, this is the best way. Focus your eye's where you're resting the cane, and don't move them. Draw the cane back, and still looking at that spot bring it down, and just before the cane is about to make contact, a little flick of the wrist can add force to the impact - like this" I drew it back and swisshed it through the air and it landed exactly where I intended it. Julie's buttocks engulfed the cane before they wobbled out and I took the cane away. I looked at Simon and he appeared aware of nothing other then Julie's bottom and the red mark that was swelling slowly into that typical tramline welt. Julie however, remained perfectly still.
I lined the cane up again, just below the first stroke. "Take your aim, keep your eye on the spot, draw it back and "...........siwssh THWACKK . It bit deep again, how her cheeks wobbled, but still no movement or sound from Julie. Just a second set of tramlines developing.Both Simon and Sarah were seemed entranced and I broke their concentration. "Here Simon, you try," and I offered him the cane. He took it. "Come round here and stand where I was" He shuffled across the floor and stood there. I put my hand on his hips and said "Across this way a bit" and eased him into the correct position. "Good. Now rest the cane like I showed you. Aim below that second stroke." He did exactly that. "That's good, now shuffle back ever so slightly, the tip's too far over - that's it. Now when you're ready, draw it back and don't let your eyes lose focus from that spot. Don't try and swing it down hard especially first time, and don't forget the little flick of the wrist. OK? Off you go then" I took a step back and stood with Sarah and we both watched as he drew it back and cut it through the air with that wicked hum only a cane can give before it cut quite deeply into Julie's flesh, slightly lower than he'd aimed but certainly not bad for a first attempt. Once again Julie just maintained her posture in silence. The tramlines began to develop but not as deeply as the two I'd given her - but that was only to be expected. "Go on , and again Simon" I said, "A little lower again"
Simon did exactly that - swishhh thwackkk it bit again. Julie's cheeks danced merrily and a fourth set of tramlines began to appear. "Carry on Simon, two more"
swishh thwackk, he landed it again. I admit I was feeling slightly jealous of another man dealing with my wife but the sole aim was to help friends, and I had no qualms now with other women dealing with me and vice versa at Julie's behest. "One more Simon, and make it count." I encouraged him. He took careful aim at the low part of her bum, drew it back further than the previous three and SWEISHHH THWACKK, it really did bite deep and Julie let out a yelp. Simon rested the cane by his side and stared at her bum. I glanced at Sarah who smiled at me and mouthed "Thank you"
"Well tell her to get up then Simon"
"OK Julie you may get up now," he said quite authoritatively, "And pull your knickers back up."
"Thank you sir" said Julie as she stood and eased her knickers back over her nicely striped bum.
Sarah spoke next, "So how do you feel then Simon?"
"Empowered" he responded quickly and eagerly.
"Good" said Julie as Sarah flung her arms around him and kissed him, "But a little more practise is required yet I think," she added.

We drank more beer and wine, played a DVD music quiz and the girls wiped the floor with us before their taxi arrived and they left in jovial spirits. That night in bed, Julie told me he definitely need practise becasue she could only still feel my two strokes and his last one but only because that was the more tender area but he certainly had potential. I reached some E45 cream from the bedside table, told Julie to lay on her tummy and tenderly covered her gorgeous bum with cold cream before gently rubbing it in. Needless to say, my fingers wandered and we made long passionate love again before falling asleep in each other's arms.
Next morning as Julie was cooking breakfast she said, "You got away lightly last night, but don't worry I have a plan." and she winked at me grinning. I said nothing.As I was about to leave for work she said, "You know, I wouldn't mind meeting Mrs Grainger again, just to say thanks for what she taught me about cookery. Ask her if she taught at Queen Anne's and if she did, then ask if she remembers me"
"No problem babe," I answered as I kissed her good bye and via the garden centre headed to to Mrs Grainger's house.

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I knocked on the front door and Mrs Grainger answered smiling "Morning Alex. How are you?"
"Great thanks. Yourself?"
"Oh can't grumble"
"I hope you don't mind, but could you ask your husband to move his car out of the garage then I can get the rocks and slabs through in my wheel barrow"
"Oh he's going out in a minute anyway"
"Bowls?"
"How did you guess?"
Julie always told me never answer a question with a question and her response made me smile.
"I'll put the kettle on and make you tea whilst we wait then" she said matter of factly. "Come through and sit in the kitchen" and I followed her.
"Don't stand on ceremony, sit yourself down then," she said as she filled her stainless steel kettle.
"Can I ask you something? Did you used to teach at Queen Anne's?"
"Well yes.Why?"
"I wondered, and it'll be thirty years or more, but can you remember a girl called Julie Cartwright?" I assumed that was her maiden name as it was her mothers surname.
She looked at me and smiled. "One of the best cooks I ever had the pleasure to teach.Plumpish girl, very quiet but a very pushy mother, always on the phone or sending notes in, though i never met her. just an impression"
"Yes, that'll be her, and I prefer cuddly to plump" I said laughing and she smiled. "And your right about her mother"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because she's now my wife. We were talking last night and I was telling her about you so she asked me to ask. She also said she'd like to meet you again. I don't suppose you'd be interested?"
"Oh Alex. There's nothing I like better than seeing how my old pupils have got on in life. I'd love to."
She poured boiling water into to a brown earthenware teapot and continued "Any idea when she might be available?"
"Well I could bring her with me tomorrow if that's OK? We're lucky, she doesn't have to work. She just does voluntary stuff with under privileged children"
"Oh that's wonderful. There always was something about that girl." she smiled a genuine warm smile and I thought that Mrs G must have been a good teacher indeed if she could understand her pupils as she plainly did. "And yes tomorrow would be brilliant. Charlie, my husband, is going to some bowling tournament in Birmingham and won't be back till Friday. You know I think he's married to the bowling green and not me!"
At which point Charlie appeared saying "Right Edith, I'm off. See you Friday." They gave each other a quick peck on the cheek and he was out of the door. She poured tea and as we sat in her kitchen, drinking waiting for Charlie to get his car out of the garage, Edith looked at me and spoke, slightly nervously.
"You know we talked a bit yesterday about discipline in schools. I'm not sure if I should tell you this but..... Julie was one of only two girls I had to cane who didn't cry in my whole career"
I smiled at her. "Well, that doesn't surprise me. She's one in a million. And I don't know if I should tell you this but she said you were a great teacher though a bit of a battle axe; and that you caned her once."
Edith laughed again. "All us teachers were battle axes back then. That's how it had to be, but we're all human underneath you know. And now you know my name, please do call me Edith."
"I can see that Edith" I replied warmly. "Anyway. If Charlie's gone to see Mrs Bowling-Green," I joked, "I suppose I'd better get on then"
By the end of the day, I had the pond lining in, the fountain and associated pump, pipework and cables in position, the slabs laid around the edge of the pond and the stones in position on what was to be the rockery.
As I left Edith that evening, I told her we'd arrive about the same time tomorrow as I needed to collect the order of various speciality plants for the rockery. She waved calling, "I'm so looking forward to tomorrow."
"Good night Edith. See you in the morning"

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As Julie and I left for the garden centre, the sun was already quite high in a beautiful azure sky and swallows were circling and skitting off in various directions catching their insect prey and I was glad the real hard work was out of the way. I carefully loaded the plants into the back of my van and we duly arrived at Edith's house. Before we had even opened our doors Edith had appeared at her front door smiling broadly.
"Morning again Alex. Julie, how wonderful to see you again, come in come in."
"Wow, you haven't changed a bit Mrs Grainger" said Julie.
"Edith, please. That's my name"
"Right, well I'll leave you two to it and get cracking then" and once I'd connected my hose to Edith's outside tap I began filling the pond then got the plant's round the back.As I was laying them to assess the best position of each one in the rockery, Julie and Edith with tray and teapot etc in hand came and sat at the round wooden table.
"Hope you don't mind if we watch Alex, it's such a lovely day and we don't want to be sat inside. This could be the only day we see the sun the way the wonderful British weather is these days"
"Or course I don't mind. Nice to have company out here" Julie brought a mug of tea over and placed it down on one of the newly laid slabs.
They sat and talked non stop in the warm sunshine and I threw in the odd comment or answered any questions aimed at me as, once satisfied with their positions I began to plant out the rockery, putting some nice trailing ones near the front so that by next summer they would be flowing over the rocks and slabs and dipping into the pond. I pointed out to Edith that they would grow in that fashion and offer nice refuge for any passing frogs and the like which she was positively delighted at. By lunchtime the pond was barely half full but I added some water treatment to it to rid it of flouride and other chemicals and even though I'd used special lime free mortar so as it not to harm anything that may chose to live in there later, it would protect against that too.
Julie and Edith had gone back into the kitchen and as I put the final plant into the soft soil of the rockery, they came back out into the garden, Edith's tray adorned with sandwiches made from home made bread.
"Come and join us for a bite of lunch" invited Edith so I did.
The sandwiches were beef (presumably left over from last night's joint) and it was indeed tasty and succulent.
"I have to say, Edith, these sandwiches are as good as anything Julie does" Under the table Julie rubbed her foot up my inner leg, smiled at me and said, "I told you she was a good teacher" and you could see the pride in Edith's face. Once the we had demolished the sandwiches, Julie switched the conversation.
"Alex tells me you don't like mobile phones Edith"
"Oh it's not I don't like them. I mean they have good uses but I suppose each generation is set in it's ways. No, I hate it when people are rude with them. Just talking loudly in public and being generally ignorant."
"Oh I see" said Julie, "And what about things like this?" Julie took her phone out and opened the message I'd sent with Edith's bloomers and showed her it. Edith laughed roundly. "Oh you cheeky young man" she said smiling at me.
"What I'd like to know Edith," said Julie rather purposefully, "Is, if that had happened when you were teaching, what would have happened?"
"No nonsense back then, it would have been the cane" No hesitation there on Edith's part.
"Then I think you should cane my husband"
Edith looked from one to the other of us. I kept quiet, Julie knew I wouldn't object and I wasn't quite sure of the look on Edith's face.
"I mean it Edith"
"Yes, she does" I said resignedly
"I can see that" said Edith assertively. "I'm not sure though if I still have my old cane."
"Oh come on Edith, let's go and see" Julie urged.
"There's only one room it will be, that's the study but I don't go in there often,hardly ever in fact since I retired, it could be a little dusty"
"Then it's time to dust things down, come on." With that Julie was on her feet.

The three of us left the sunshine behind and entered the house. Edith led us through and opened a door off the sitting room. "In here" she called to us. As we entered the room Julie whispered to me "I told you the night before last I had a plan" and winked at me.

There was a plain beige carpet on the floor, a couple of cupboards against the far wall and a sturdy oak desk in the middle with a leather padded high back wooden chair. The walls were covered in and old green wallpaper which by the looks of it had been hung probably twenty years since. Darker green curtains were tied back either side of the old sash window and they hadn't been drawn for quite some time either.Various framed pictures of class groups were hanging by nail and string on the walls. Julie gazed round and wandered over to one particular picture. "Look" she said excitedly "There's me!" pointing.
Between them, Julie and Edith named all the girls in that photo before Julie said, "Plenty of time for nostalgia later. Where's biter likely to be?"
"Biter?" questioned Edith.
"Oh that's what we used to call your cane" laughed Julie.Edith laughed too understanding the irony. Edith opened one cupboard, rooted around, "No" then opened the other and straight away for us all to see there was a slightly warped straight rattan cane resting on it's end in the corner. Edith reached in and took it out, stroked it rather too fondly for my liking and cut it through the air. It had plainly lost some of it's venom but nevertheless was reasonably thick and still very flexible.

"Right young man. Touch your toes."
"Hang on Edith," said Julie and walked across to me, took my hand and led me to the desk, unfastened my jeans and pulled them down. "Bend over that Alex please" So I bent. Julie pulled my t-shirt up my back then she lowered my boxers. "There, he's all yours"
"Are you sure about this Julie?" asked Edith.
"Of course I'm sure. He deserves all he's got coming"
I knew I did deserve it. Just a schoolboy type prank that had backfired on me. So there I was, bare bottomed bent over a desk like a schoolboy and an apparent battle axe of a school teacher now in her seventies about to deliver it.
Edith then spoke in a tone I never expected but it was her professionalism coming to the fore I guessed.
"You boy are here because of your total lack of respect and daring to share such lewd pictures. Such behaviour cannot be tolerated and I have no option but to give you the maximum six of the best. And I can see from this," she touched my bum presumably on a fading bruise from Julie's hairbrush,"you haven't learned from previous punishments"

Where it came from, I really don't know but I just responded, "Yes Miss." and waited butterflies churning in my stomach. I felt that old cane rest across my cheeks and I tensed up. I felt it lift and before I knew it.....
SWISHHHH CRACKKKK SWISHHHH CRACKKKK SWISHHHH CRACKKKK SWISHHHH CRACKKKK SWISHHHH CRACKKKK SWISHHHH CRACKKKK six very hard and rapid strokes had fallen, the breath knocked out of me. The sting was still building when she said "Stand up boy, pull up your pants and trousers and get back to what you should be doing. I winced as I pulled my boxers and jeans up, glanced up and saw Julie grinning, turned and went back to the pond. By the time I got there, my eyes were unavoidably watering and the sting had built tremendously. The only consolation I took was that perhaps because she was a little older, they hadn't quite been full force but her technique I had to admit was superb.I still had butterflies and as I watched the water level slowly rising my mind turned back to my schooldays. Yes that was real discipline, even though Julie was sometimes, ok often then, very severe, at least she gave it with love.

About an hour and a half later as I was tidying up the two ladies, laughing and chatting frenetically came out with yet another pot of tea and a plate of freshly baked scones and two tureens, one of whipped cream the other of jam.
"Oh, well done Alex, You've nearly finished. It's starting to look really good. Thank you." said Edith smiling.
"It'll be a while yet. I need to get the fountain running today then we can let the water settle and in a week or so I can come back and put the water plants in. Lilys, Flag Irises and the like. If you like Julie and I will take you to the garden centre and get your fish too, then you'll only pay trade price and no VAT."
"Oh. That's really kind of you" said Edith smiling. She was back to the nice lady I'd got to know over the past few days.
"I'm glad I took my friends recommendation on you. I can see how hard you've worked and you've done a cracking Job"
Always nice to hear but I couldn't help feeling a little embarrassed. We tucked in to tea and scones, then I hard wired the fountain in and switched it on. It worked perfectly and the splashes and bubbles appeared irridescent in the sunlight. I stood surveying my work and Julie came to stand behind me and took my hand and squeezed it tight. She rested her head on my shoulders and said "She's right. You have done a good job. I'm so proud to be your wife"
She turned,"Edith, can I ask who recommended my husband?"
"It was Mary from Women's Institute"
Julie and I stared at each other. "Mother!" said Julie.
"What?" Edith seemed astounded. "Mary's your Mum? I'd never have guessed. Mind you, she's changed and for the better this past year or so, though she won't say why"
"Oh come with me and I'll tell you all about it" said Julie. "He can finish up here while I do so"

Once I'd packed everything up I went inside to find them in the kitchen - where else for two culinary practitioners?
"Come on babe, Time we were making tracks."
Julie rose and kissed Edith on the cheek. "See you Saturday" she said. "I've invited her and Charlie over for a meal."
"Brilliant" I said enthusiastically, and I genuinely was pleased.
As we turned to go, Edith stood on her tip toes and kissed my cheek too. "Thanks for your work. And for this afternoon. I feel so, I don't know........ liberated..........refreshed. I'm glad I taught like I did and can now see, especially after what your wonderful wife has told me, just how important discipline is in life even as adults"

I climbed into my van and somewhat gingerly managed to sit in the driving seat. Julie had a last few words with Edith before joining me and we set off home.

***********************************************

Well, I'm sure Julie and Alex will have a very happy future and discipline will play a big part in that. To those of you who have read their adventures, thank you. I hope you have enjoyed reading about them as much as I have writing about them. If I feel inspired to write again, it will be with different characters.

[Often123]

It was a good English tale and some memorable characters.