Nixdowns Nightmare

by nixdown

Chapter 1 - Trouble in the Assembly Hall

The unsuspecting Nicola Jane Nixon was caught completely unawares when Angela Evans, the Head Prefect of Woodys, gently tapped her on the shoulder and in an apologetic voice told her, "I'm afraid it's chucking out time Nixon. I'm going to have to ask you to step up to the front of the hall."
Nicola Jane turned around in her seat and gaped up at the Head Prefect with an incredulous look on her face.
"Wha'da'ya'mean? You can't be serious!" she spluttered in genuine amazement. "I ain't done nothing."
The Head Prefect continued to lean forward to whisper into the startled schoolgal's ear, doing her best not to attract too much attention to the conversation, "Yvonne Godfrey reported you for gabbing," the Head Prefect explained.
Nicola Jane blushed a healthy crimson. "Gabbing? I wasn't gabbing!" She hissed indignantly. "Godfrey's talking utter rot of course!"
Angela raised an eyebrow and smiled indulgently. "Unfortunately you're bang to rights this time Nixon," she said in the same hushed voice, "Jackie Ivanhoe also says she spotted you."
"Well she would, wouldn't she," Nicola Jane retorted bitterly.
In spite of the difference in their ages the two Gals were quite chummy. They shared a keen equestrian interest and regularly chatted together in the stables. Considerately, Angela was doing her best to make it as easy as possible on Nicola Jane but, despite the Head Prefect's efforts at discretion, the heads of most of the schoolgals congregated for morning assembly were beginning to turn in the direction of the whispered conversation being carried out at the back of the hall.
"Please don't make a fuss," the Head Prefect whispered patiently, "just do as your told and step out to the front."
"But, I wasn't doing nothing!" Nicola Jane insisted her face flushed with consternation. "Ask Helena!"
"She's telling the truth Evans," Helena Crewton, the Gal seated beside Nicola Jane, interjected, "she definitely wasn't gabbing."
"All right Crewton that's enough," the Head Prefect said shortly. Then, to Nicola Jane, "you know I don't have any choice, Nixon," Angela said wearily. "Now please, will you just do as you're told?"
Nicola Jane pouted. "That's jolly well not fair, and you know it," Nicola Jane argued vehemently. "I didn't do nothing I tell you." Then in a more subdued voice that only Angela could hear, "Come on Angela, you know it's not the whops, it's just, well you know..." the hapless schoolgal trailed off dismally.
Angela smiled with genuine sympathy. "I'm sorry Nixon, I don't like this any more than you, but you're on report, and there's nothing I can do about it."
Angela Evans could appreciate Nicola Jane Nixon's distress. Although dozens of junior Gals were sent to the front of the Assembly Hall every year it was almost unheard of for a Gal as senior as Nicola Jane to be chucked out.

When Yvonne Godfrey had gleefully rushed up to report Nicola Jane for gabbing Angela Evans had told the Prefect that she would deal with the Gal from the Remove at the end of Assembly. "That's rich, Angela, just because she's one of your horsy set it's okay for her to gab away, is it?" the Prefect had sneered snidely.
"Not at all," Angela retorted, "I told you, I'll deal with her later."
"Deal with her? What's that supposed to mean. I bet you let her off with a ticking off, when you know jolly well she deserves a damn good licking," Yvonne said hotly.
Angela scowled at the Prefect. She was no great fan of Yvonne.
"Are you absolutely certain you saw her?" the Head Prefect asked. Then casting an eye in the direction of the accused Gal, she pointed out, "She's not gabbing now."
Yvonne Godfrey was emphatic. "I don't care. She was gabbing I tell you. Why don't you ask Jackie? She saw her."
Jackie Ivanhoe had hurried over to join the two Gals. "I saw her too Angela," Yvonne's sycophantic sidekick eagerly confirmed, "clear as daylight. She really ought to be out the front."
Angela Evans sighed wearily. She found the two Prefects obvious relish at causing trouble for Nicola Jane quite distasteful. However, as Head Prefect, Angela was responsible for maintaining order in the Assembly Hall and if two of her Prefects reported that a Gal was talking she was duty bound to take action. Whoever, the Gal may be.
"All right then," she finally agreed without enthusiasm, "have it your way."

Despite her misgivings at humiliating her friend Angela Evans was determined to stop any further argument. Time was pressing on and the mistresses would be entering the hall shortly, and to be caught having her authority questioned could have unpleasant ramifications. Further discussion was pointless.
"I'm only going to tell you one last time, Nixon," she instructed the fifth former in a firm voice. "Go and stand at the front of the hall immediately!" Nicola Jane blushed an even deeper red at the harshness of Angela's tone. By now the whole school was engrossed in the wrangling at the back of the hall.
Angela understood Nicola Jane's lack of enthusiasm but she was determined she would be obeyed and when the fifth form Gal still remained seated she grew impatient. "I would hate to have to have you collared Nixon," she said in her sternest voice, "but if you don't move yourself right now I'm going to be forced to ask Ivanhoe to help me."
Momentarily Nicola Jane continued to remain defiantly in her seat. For a Gal from the Remove to be sent to the front of the hall in disgrace was deeply humiliating. However, the threat of Ivan the Terrible twisting her arm up behind her back and grabbing her by the scruff of her neck, while she hauled her through the hall was unthinkable. Realizing that further argument was futile Nicola Jane rose to her feet. Angela made a sympathetic face, but Nicola Jane returned the Head Prefect's attempt at appeasement with a dark scowl. The Gal from the Remove miserably made her way towards the front doors of the Assembly Hall.
Nicola Jane Nixon waited until she had reached the very the front of the hall before she reluctantly turned around to confront the gaze of the fascinated Woody Gals. She chose to stare fixedly over the heads of her schoolmates. The Gal from the Remove focused on the clock at the back of the hall and tried not to fidget. Her cheeks burned from a sour cocktail of embarrassment and resentment. She could feel her face glowing like a beacon under the excited scrutiny of the assembled schoolgals. The whole school were in no doubt that the glamorous Gal from the Remove was destined to spend a very hot and sweaty few minutes in the Beak's office.
Nicola Jane was fully aware that she would be the Big Talk on the Woody grapevine for the second consecutive day.

"Damn you Yvonne Godfrey, you vicious bitch," the fifth former thought bitterly.
Godder's was renowned for her spiteful nature and Nicola Jane had known full well that she was currently firmly ensconced at the top of the Prefect's shit list.
How could she have been stupid enough to offer the Prefect such a golden opportunity to get back at her? Nicola Jane wondered dejectedly. The Gal from the Remove had hardly been gabbing her head off as Yvonne had implied, but the five ill-timed whispered words of warning she had spoken to Helena Crewton were more than enough excuse for a stinker like Yvonne to make things beastly for her.

It was common knowledge that Yvonne Godfrey had a frightful crush on Timmy Simpson, a handsome, strapping stud muffin from the local boy's school. When she learned that Timmy had broken up with his Galfriend, Yvonne was determined to make the most of the opportunity.
On the Saturday prior to Nicola Jane's difficulties, Yvonne had arrived at the village tearoom with Jackie Ivanhoe in tow, and boldly invited herself to sit at Timmy's table. While her chum distracted his pals, the beauty from the Elite had made a brazen play for Timmy's attentions.
Despite her haughty demeanor Godder's could be beguilingly charming when it suited her. Tall, slim and athletic, her long neck and high cheekbones gave her an aristocratic appearance. The tight black turtleneck sweater she had chosen showed off her pert breasts and her hip hugging slacks accentuated the cuteness of her ass.
When Timmy responded to her advances with teasing chatter and offers of lashings of ginger beer Yvonne confidently predicted that it would not be long before she was on her way to the woods to enjoy, at the very least, a snogfest and maybe more if she was lucky.
The arrival of Nicola Jane Nixon always caused a stir in the tearoom.
The sixteen-year-old Nicola Jane looked forward to advancing from being a Gal from the Remove to assuming the status of a Senior Gal, with all its associated privileges. In less than three months, she would be allowed to divest herself of the dreary navy blue gymslip that she had to struggle to fit into every day. Her white ankle socks and ugly navy blue gossamer knickers would be discarded. Instead a pretty pleated senior skirt would cover the hose, suspender belt, and panties of her own choosing. At last she would be allowed to harness her maturing bosom into a brassiere. She would even be addressed by her first name by the Brass. Most importantly, at weekends, she would be allowed to wear casuals on visits to the village.
But even in her school blazer and straw boater Nicola Jane Nixon was widely considered to be amongst the most glamorous Gals in the school and, unbeknownst to Yvonne, Nicola Jane's attractions had not gone unnoticed to Timmy Simpson.
No sooner had the fifth former come into the tearoom than Timmy had waved to her to join them at the table. He pulled a chair up beside him and invited Nicola Jane to sit down. Politely he continued to include Godder's in his conversation but increasingly he directed his attentions towards the younger Gal. The Gal from the Remove enthusiastically encouraged him with her most flirtatious femme fatale behavior.
Nicola Jane Nixon was a considered a worldly Gal for her years. The daughter of a business tycoon she had learned the art of interesting conversation at an early age. Her vacations were spent in the playgrounds of the super-rich and Nicola Jane was not averse to name dropping and spinning tantalizing tales of exotic places. With her eyes fixed on Timmy the Gal from the Remove went into action.
Godder's was clearly furious at being upstaged and began to fall into a sullen sulk. It was unthinkable to her that the stud muffin could actually be more interested in Nicola Jane than in her. After all Nicola Jane was a mere Gal from the Remove, and she, Helen Godfrey was a member of the prestigious Woody Elite. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, Helen gulped down her glass of pop and announced that she recalled that she and Ivan had urgent business back at the school. Saying her good-byes with as much grace as she could muster, she hurried out of the teashop with Ivan the Terrible trailing behind her. As she reached the door the Prefect turned and threw a vengeful glare in the direction of the blonde bombshell that she clearly held responsible for her public dissing. Nicola Jane was thoroughly amused by the Prefects irritation and after very deliberately throwing Yvonne a parting wink the blonde bombshell tauntingly moved her chair closer to Timmy.
Ivan the Terrible did her best to console her friend but her sympathies fell on stony ground. Yvonne was insistent that they hide out in the woods in the hope of catching Nicola Jane in a snogging session.
She was disappointed when Nicola Jane came along the footpath with a couple of chums instead. She beckoned for the Gal to come and speak with her.
"Where's Timmy?" she hissed.
It did nothing for Yvonne Godfrey's temper when the Gal from the Remove merely shrugged. "Dunno, don't really care," Nicola Jane said in a bored voice. "He's a bit of a hunk, but he's so immature, don't you know."
"I'm going to make it hot for that little tramp," Yvonne Godfrey promised Ivan the Terrible, "you wait and see."

Standing red faced at the front of the Assembly Hall, the normally glamorous Nicola Jane Nixon knew that she had been cruelly reduced to a recalcitrant schoolgal about to be admonished for some silly prank and what was worse she was certain that the Deputy Headmistress who normally punished Gals who were chucked out would on this occasion cede the responsibility to the Headmistress.
The ignominy of her immediate circumstance aside, Nicola Jane had an even more serious reason for concern.
It was less than twenty-four hours since she had last had the misfortune to meet with the Beak.


Chapter 2 - Trouble in the Classroom

It had been Deborah Morton's fault as usual. While Mephisto feigned studious devotion to her books the mischievous schoolgal was, in fact, rendering a wicked caricature of Ms. Reed, the feeble economics teacher. After each enhancement Deborah surreptitiously showed the sketch to the Gals seated to either side of her, Rosemary Booker and Nicola Jane Nixon. The Gals did their best to stifle their delighted giggles, but on three occasions Reed the Weed caught them sniggering instructed them to be silent.
"I won't warn you again," she said each time, in her thin weedy voice. "If you don't keep quiet you'll be sorry."
Rosemary and Nicola Jane treated her pointless threats with the utmost contempt.
When Deborah finally produced the finished article her two friends broke into paroxysms of unrestrained laughter.
Reed the Weed slapped her hand down on the top of the front desk. "That's enough I tell you. I want silence in the class."
The teacher's ire only served to prompt the two Gals to fall into a renewed fit of giggles. Between them Deborah demurely attended to the essay that the class had been set.
"You Gals," Reed the Weed said irritably, flapping her arms up and down like a frightened sparrow, "step up before the form."
Still sniggering the two fifth formers wandered up to the front of the classroom.
"I won't have this tomfoolery in my classroom, do you understand me?" Reed the Weed told them.
Standing in a disrespectful slouch Nicola Jane yawned. "Yes Ms., sorry Ms., it won't happen again Ms.," she said sarcastically.
Beside her, Rosemary giggled.
"Can I sit down now please Ms.?" Nicola Jane continued impertinently, "I'm a touch tired don't you know?"
Rosemary crossed her arms across her chest. "Tired Nix?" she asked archly, "it must be all that weeding you've been doing lately."
Now the whole class was laughing.
"Silence. Silence in the class," Reed the Weed squeaked. "I won't have it I tell you. You will all be punished. I want fifty lines from every one of you." She span back to the two smirking Gals, "As for you two I've a jolly good mind to...to..." she trailed off impotently.
"To what?" Nicola Jane suggested, "to beat us? Is that what you're trying to say? Well why don't you go ahead, just see if we care."
Reed the Weed was beside herself with annoyance, "Such unspeakable insolence. If you weren't so big I'd put you over my knee and spank you," she shrieked.
Rosemary chuckled, "Now that I'd like to see."
Reed the Weed stared from one Gal to the other in bewilderment. They were taunting her. The prospect of delivering a hearty spanking to the Gals was an attractive thought but both of them were larger and stronger than she was and she would be more likely to hurt own her hand far more than she could hurt their bottoms. She had the make them bend over so she could whack them with her slipper but she wryly acknowledged she would be lucky if she could raise a wriggle between them, and besides it was rare for a mistress to beat Gals from the Remove.
"Look if we're not going to be beaten then what's the point of us hanging about here?" Rosemary jeered at the hapless teacher, "why can't we go and sit down?"
Nicola Jane yawned again.
Reed the Weed stared at the Gals completely nonplused as to how to punish the brazen schoolgals. Then suddenly she made a decision. A wry smile appeared on her face and in a surprisingly strong voice she said, "No Gals I have no intention of beating you."
"Boring," Nicola Jane interrupted, "I was looking forward to a bit of excitement."
The class tittered again but Reed the Weed ignored them.
The economics teacher smiled slyly at Nicola Jane, "Oh you'll get plenty of excitement Nixon, just you wait and see." With that the economics teacher sat down behind her desk, and with a theatrical flourish opened a pad of paper, unscrewed the cap of her fountain pen and began to write.
Nicola Jane and Rosemary exchanged worried glances.
"Oh shit!" Nicola Jane mouthed silently. Even the unflappable Rosemary looked anxious. Winding up Reed the Weed was always terrific fun. The Gals were pretty confident that there bumbags were safe from the Weed, and even in the unlikely event that she did decide to punish them, a couple of feeble slaps of the slipper would hardly make the two notorious Hall of Shamers blink. However, quite suddenly they saw that Reed the Weed had turned the tables on them.
The ceremonial writing of a note was a ritual that every Gal in the school was familiar with.
"Surely you're not bringing us up before the Dep?" Nicola Jane said bleakly. "We were only joshing."
Dramatically Reed the Weed folded the notepaper, stuffed it in an envelope, licked it closed and held it out to Nicola Jane.
"Oh no Nicola, not the Dep," Reed the Weed said triumphantly, "you're going to up before the Beak." She let the words sink in. The two senior Gals didn't look so cocky now. A visit to Ms. Hodges office would have been bad enough, but to be sent up to the Beak was ten times worse. "Deliver this note to the Headmistress," the Weed said finally,"and make sure you cut along sharpish."

The Gals did not cut along sharpish as instructed; rather they ambled through the corridors not at all keen on reaching their destination. Neither Gal had any illusion at what awaited them when they completed The Walk.
Nicola Jane had her hands thrust in the pockets of the red and black striped blazer that Woody Gals were required to wear while in the corridors of the school.
"This is not good Rosie," she remarked.
"Not good at all," agreed her chum. "She's going to take one look in that bally envelope and it'll be whops I'll be bound."
Nicola Jane sighed wearily. "I'm getting to old for this. The Beak laid ip on bloody thick last time. My bumbags were stuck to the stripes the whole bloody day."
Rosemary nodded, "Tell me about it, it'll be six of the best, that's for sure."
"I rather fancy you're right," said Nicola Jane uneasily, "Six of the very best indeed."

At the foot of the stairs that made up the last leg of the Strand the two friends came to a halt.
"How do I look?" Rosemary asked her chum.
Nicola Jane leaned forward and brushed some stray strands of hair from her friend's blazer, then straightened the Gals tie a little.
"Divine," Nicola Jane grinned weakly, "et moi?"
"Oh come on Nix," Rosemary smiled, "you know you always look perfect." With that the two chums gave each other a comforting hug.
"Show time folks," said Rosemary and began to mount the stairs that led to the end of the Strand.

Chapter 3 - Up before the Beak

Ms. Lawton put the note back on her desk, removed her reading glasses and sat back in her chair to contemplate the two Gals standing a foot away from her desk.
The quintessential pair of schoolgal minxes who had slouched discourteously in front of Reed the Weed, had evolved into two immaculately turned out teachers pets, standing stiffly to attention and trying earnestly to look contrite.
"I presume there is some explanation for your behaviour," said the Headmistress.
The two Gals glanced at each other out of the corners of their eyes. Rosemary nodded her head slightly to indicate that Nicola Jane should do the jaw flapping.
"It was just a joke ma'am," Nicola Jane said in the boldest voice she could muster, "it got a little out of hand."
"A joke you say Nixon?" the Headmistress asked in a sardonic tone of voice.
Nicola nodded intently, "Oh yes ma'am," she assured the Headmistress, "it was just a joke. We didn't mean any harm."
The Headmistress tapped her index finger on the notepaper on the table. "This note does not make any mention of jokes," she said irritably. "It discusses fifth form Gals, who should know better, causing a disruption in the classroom. It also complains about your disobedience and gross insolence."
She glared at the Gals, who remained strategically silent.
"Perhaps Ms. Reed does not share your sense of humor," the Headmistress said dryly. "I must confess I find it hard to find any levity in Gals of your seniority acting up in the classroom." She drummed her fingers on the tabletop. "Ms. Reed has requested that you be punished with the utmost severity and I'm sure you both know what that means," she declared.
Rosemary and Nicola Jane stared straight ahead.
"I intend to cane you both very soundly," the Headmistress continued. "You will receive six strokes of the senior cane with your knickers lowered," she informed them sternly. "Have either of you anything further to say?"
The Gals shook their heads gloomily.
"Then we will proceed. Which one of you wishes to go first?"
"If it's all right with Nicola Jane, I'll go first," volunteered Rosemary bravely.
Nicola Jane shrugged dismally. It was a close call which was worse, to be caned first which got it over with quickly but meant a Gal had to face the wall with her hands on her head not daring to touch her sizzling seat for fear of extra licks, or to go second, and spend the waiting time with stomach churning and mind racing. "Whatever," she said without enthusiasm.
"Very well," the Headmistress said, rising from her chair, "then perhaps you'll would be so kind as to stand over by the wall Nixon, and assume the position."
Nicola Jane turned away from the desk and crossed the office to the far wall. She placed her hands on the top of her head with fingers laced, settled the points of her shoes against the skirting board, and leaning shightly forward pressed the tip of her nose against the wood paneling.
Behind her Nicola Jane could hear Rosemary being instructed to place a chair in the centre of the room and to remove her blazer.
"Bend over the back of the chair Booker and let's have your bottom up high," she heard the Headmistress say. Then a few seconds later, "Raise your hips please." Nicola Jane didn't need to be watching to know that by now Rosemary Booker's skirt had been neatly folded up her back and that Ms. Lawton was turning her navy blue knickers inside out to just below the cheeks of her buttocks.
Next, Nicola Jane heard the swish of the cane cutting through the air. She waited. Once, twice, thrice the cane whistled. She heard the shuffle of the Headmistresses heels as she positioned herself to the right of Rosemary Bookers upturned behind.
"Oh well Rosie here goes!" Nicola Jane thought, "If you're bending comfortably then she'll begin."
The next whistle of the cane cutting through the air was significantly and was followed by a resounding THWACK!
Nicola Jane blinked. "Oh lor," she thought despondently, "why am I such a chump?"
With her hands on her head and her nose pressed to the wall the sixteen-year-old schoolgal felt ridiculous. How many times had she been in this very same room in the exact same position, she wondered? A dozen? More? Less? It didn't matter; it was far too many.
Nicola Jane counted to ten and right on cue the cane sliced through the air landing with a second dreadful thwack. Nicola Jane felt her legs turn cold and her own buttock cheeks clench involuntarily. She didn't need telling that there was a terrible licking going on behind her, or reminding that it would be her turn soon.
During her career as a Woody Gal, Nicola Jane Nixon had seen plenty of action. In her year as a Little Brat she had been soundly spanked into the top five of the all time Little Brat League. During her years in the middle school her incorrigibility had provoked the Brass to ruthlessly whop her all the way to number four on the BUTT Hall of Fame, earning her the nickname Nixdown Nix. Now, as a Gal from the Remove, Nicola Jane was relatively safe from the sting of the cane and It had been over six months since she had last been invited to the Beaks office for a good thrashing after being swagged for smoking Following that incident Nixdown had decided it was time to turn over a new leaf and hang up her bumbags. Facing the wall, Nicola Jane Nixon was harboring deep regrets at having been foolhardy enough to stray once more from the path of righteousness.
Behind her the punishment was proceeding with methodical efficiency. It wasn't until the fifth stroke had fallen that Nicola Jane dared to sneak a peak over her shoulder. Nixdown was confident that the Headmistress would be far to engrossed in the punishments grand finale to be paying her any attention, but she knew she had to be quick because if she was caught she was risking an extra cut of the cane.
Rosemary Booker's bum was sumptuous. Upturned over the straight-backed chair it reminded Nicola Jane of two full moons. Vividly striped moons. The Headmistress had the long thin cane flexed into an arc and was intently surveying her handiwork. Nicola Jane quickly turned away, pressed her nose back to the wall and tensely waited.
The cane sliced through the air for the sixth time and collided with the helpless flesh with devastating power. Nicola Jane winced. It sounded like an absolute scorcher. She wasn't surprised when Rosemary suffered the dreadful stripe in silence. Despite her ethereal demeanor Rosie had had an even more tumultuous career, at Woody, than Nixdown Nix and was currently placed at number two on the BUTT Hall of Fame. During her forty-seven punishments Rosemary Booker had never emitted as much as a murmur. Nixdown Nix prayed that she would be as brave as her chum had been.
As they made the swap Nicola Jane was only slightly comborted by the wink that Rosemary threw her as they passed each other. Approaching the chair Nixdown did her best to steady her nerves. "It's only whops," she encouraged herself, "only bally whops."
Nicola Jane bent forward at the waist, gripped the crossbeam of the chair and waited while her clothing was adjusted. She wished that she had invested her clothing allowance in new blouses and a larger gymslip instead of pop records and fan mags. With her body bent into a vee her breasts seemed to fill her undersized gymslip and her blouse collar cut into her neck making it hard to breath.
Above her the Headmistress had meticulously turned her skirt back with three neat folds. Nicola Jane pushed up a little without needing to be asked and allowed the Beak to smoothly slide her knickers down over her hips.
She listened as the cane made its preliminary excursions, gripped the chair a little tighter as the stick tapped gently on her naked bum, closed her eyes, and then KAPOW!
The pain of the stroke seemed to travel from her bottom in diametrically opposite directions until all her nerve endings were jangling from head to toe. The ten-second break between each stroke was carefully calculated. First came the external explosion when the cane licked the naked flesh, next the internal implosion as the tortured buttock skin shared its distress with the rest of the body, and finally the desperate panic as a Gal tried to prepare for the next swipe.
THWACK!THWACK!THWACK!THWACK!THWACK! The cane ricocheted off her defenseless backside. Nixdown Nix did her best to prepare herself for each stroke but the excruciating pain was making her giddy and bilious. She was unable to stop her bottom from bobbing and weaving as the onslaught continued. She squeezed her eyes shut, clamped her teeth together and hung onto the bar for dear life.
Nicola Jane grimly waited for the grand finale. In her prone position, Nixdown was panting from the effort at remaining in position. Above her Ms. Lawton was scrutinizing her target. The stripes had been laid on deep and crisp and even. From the top of Nicola Jane's thighs to the crown of her arse glowing weal's sat up from the flesh, each precisely separated by an inch. Enough heat was emanating from the candy striped behind to toast crumpets. The Headmistress flexed the cane, raised her arm above her head to full stretch and slashed the long whippy stick downwards. The cane sliced diagonally across the sizzling wounds.
It was a perfect five-bar gate.
To her credit Nixdown Nix managed to strangle the howl that so badly wanted to escape from the deepest recess of her soul. Her right leg crooked upwards at the knee, her body bucked and it was only the support of the chair that stopped her from toppling. Her long blonde hair shook and a vile taste filled her mouth. The backs of her eyelids stung with the salt of unwept tears. In a daze she felt her knickers being drawn up and her skirt folded down. She pushed herself up from the chair and held on to its back while she struggled to regain her sea legs. She let out her breath in a fevered gasp. For a few moments she continued to lean against the chair, then having finally regained some vestige of composure she put her blazer on, fastened the top button in prescribed Woody style and turned to face her nemesis. Ms. Lawton gave a slight nod of the head, acknowledging Nixdown's stoic performance and called for Rosemary to return to the centre of the room. Nicola Jane couldn't help noticing
that even the awesomely courageous Rosie's face was chalky white and her gait was stiff as she walked away from the wall.
Not allowed to touch their burning nates, the closing lecture and the recording of their wrongdoings in their respective punishment books served to prolong the Gals agony. As usual, Rosemary seemed to making a remarkable recovery, the color quickly returning to her face, and she seemed nonchalant during the closing ceremony. Beside her, Nixdown Nix was having to do her level best try to keep still, but the inflammation of her buttocks made her involuntarily shift her weight from one foot to the other. The rough material of her gossamer knickers chaffed her chastened orbs uncomfortably and caused her buttocks to wriggle and squirm. She had fully expected a hot and sweaty few minutes bent over the back of the chair, but the Beak had excelled herself. Six straight aces had been delivered to each defenseless bum.
Ms. Lawton's concluding lecture seemed interminable but eventually the Gals heard the cherished words "...you may now return to class."
The Gals needed no second bidding, they wriggled out of the office as fast as their unsteady legs could carry them.

"Golly gosh," complained Nicola Jane, "she didn't need to make it that hot."
The Gals were striding through the corridors, hands thrust in their blazer pockets, lest they came across a corridor monitor. For Gals from the Remove to be spotted with their hands clutched to their bums would automatically gain them reputations as muffs. It was not considered good form for a Woodie Gal to show that a licking had hurt.
"She was certainly on form," agreed Rosemary. "I thought she was going to cut me in half with number six."
"I don't know about you but I'm cutting the rest of class," Nicola Jane announced firmly. "I'm not giving the Weed the satisfaction of seeing that the Beak beat me bally bandy."
Rosemary gave a little grin. "Fancy sitting in a sink filled of cold water and smoking a fag?"
"Sounds like a plan," said Nicola Jane, "a damn good plan."

Chapter 4 - Back in the Assembly Hall

Nicola Jane Nixon did her best to avoid making eye contact with the teachers as they entered the Assembly Hall but she couldn't help noticing their looks of surprise at seeing a Gal from the Remove at the front of the hall. As usual Ms. Wharton took an opportunity to rub salt into the wound.
"Waiting for whops are we Nixon?" she commented unkindly in a voice that carried to the back of the hall.
Reed the Weed, also, looked positively gleeful at the sight of Nicola Jane's discomfort.
Ms. Hodge, the deputy Headmistress arrived and as Nicola Jane had suspected she curtly instructed the Gal to wait for the arrival of the Beak. Nicola Jane continued to stare unhappily at the clock. One, two, three, four, five, she counted inwardly, then Ms. Lawton swept into the hall.
Nicola Jane's heart was pounding, her fingers trembled, and her belly was doing somersaults. Ms. Lawton came to an abrupt halt in front of the hapless schoolgal.
Momentarily her expression was one of surprise, but instantly it transformed into a terrible glower. Nicola Jane visibly flinched under the ferocity of the Headmistress's glare.
Angela Evans had positioned herself close by and was ready when the Headmistress turned on her, "Angela. What is Nixon doing standing here?" she snapped.
"She was reported for talking ma'am," the Head Prefect said quietly.
The Headmistress returned her gimlet glare back to the increasingly anxious Nicola Jane. It was clear that she was furious.
The Headmistress placed her hands on her hips, "This would be disgraceful enough at any time," she scolded, "but after yesterday it is utterly preposterous."
Nicola Jane swallowed hard, licked her lips, but she couldn't find anything to say.
The Headmistress shook her head in disgust.
"You're a Gal from the Remove and you're behaving like a Little Brat," she barked so that the whole school could hear. "I think I'm going to have to teach you a lesson in conduct that you won't forget." She turned to the Head Prefect and beckoned the Gal towards her.
"Yes ma'am," the Head Prefect said as she stepped forward.
"Go immediatley to my office and fetch me the senior cane." Then turning to face the school the Headmistress announced in a somber voice, "When Evans returns, Nixon will receive six strokes of the cane." She turned again and began to bustle towards the stage.
A spontaneous public flogging! Nicola Jane couldn't believe her ears. Suddenly she was in a total funk. Her face had turned from a ruddy rouge to a deathly white and her previously pounding heart seemed to have stopped beating altogether.
As the Headmistress moved away from the luckless Gal from the Remove Angela Evans stepped forward.
"Could I please have a word ma'am?" she said gently.
Ms. Lawton gave a theatrical sigh and rolled her eyes.
"What is it?" she said sarcastically. "Isn't it bad enough that you are unable to control the Gals in the Assembly Hall. At least do Nixon the favor of hurrying."
The Head Prefect continued gamely. "Please ma'am, it'll only take a second."
The Headmistress rolled her eyes again, nonetheless she nodded and joined Angela a few feet away from Nicola Jane. Much to the Gals chagrin they carried out their discussion just out of earshot.
Nicola Jane stood with her head slightly bowed to avoid her schoolchums from seeing the ghastly grimace her face was twisted into. With her arms stiffly by her sides and her legs pressed together Nicola Jane looked the picture of disgrace. Although public floggings were not uncommon, indeed Nicola Jane had herself been a recipient during the previous year, it was the fact that she would have no time to prepare herself that caused the Gal such distress.
After a few moments the Headmistress turned her attention back to Nixdown. "Angela has earned you a short reprieve," Ms. Lawton told the Gal curtly. "However you will repair to my office and wait for me. When assembly is over we will address this matter further."
Nicola Jane let out a heartfelt sigh of relief. She couldn't stop herself from blurting out, "Yes ma'am. Thank you ma'am. I'll cut along right away ma'am."
As she reached the door she heard the Headmistress call out to her. Her heart stopped again, surely the Beak couldn't have changed her mind already.
"Nose and toes, Nixon," the Headmistress told the schoolgal.
"Yes ma'am," said Nicola Jane. "Nose and toes," and she hurried from the hall.

Chapter 5 - Up before the Beak again

Nicola Jane's first order of business was to race to the bathroom where she peed like a racehorse. Her relief was overwhelming. Despite the fact she still faced the appalling prospect of another dose of whops, escaping the terrible humiliation of a public flogging left her feeling quite buoyant. Standing, once again, in the ignominious position of hands on head, nose and toes to the wall, while the Brass filed passed the foot of the stairs on their way to the staff room renewed Nicola Jane's resentment of Yvonne Godfrey. She knew they would doubtless all look up the stairs and see her standing face to the wall on the landing. Her only consolation was that Godder's wouldn't get the satisfaction of watching her being whopped.
Finally she heard the click of the Headmistresses heels on the stairs.
"You will remain in position Nixon while I discuss this matter with the others," Ms. Lawton instructed her in a stern voice. Then, as an afterthought, in a slightly milder tone she said, "However, I can assure you that Angela has convinced me to listen to your version of events." With that she strode into her office, slamming the door closed behind her.
Nicola Jane stared at the wall wondering what Angela could have possibly said that would make any difference.
After a little while Yvonne Godfrey and Jackie Ivanhoe arrived at the landing. Yvonne leaned forward. "Not so bally cocky now are you Nixon?" she said spitefully. Then, gave Nicola Jane's pony tail a sharp and painful tug. Angrily, Nixdown kicked her heel backwards and caught Yvonne sharply on the shin. The Prefect yelped in surprise. "You little bitch, you've asked for it now," Yvonne squealed. She made another grab for Nixdown's hair and yanked hard. Nicola Jane tried to resist but Yvonne was viciously twisting her head downwards.
"Leggo," Nicola Jane wailed.
"No chance," Yvonne gloated tugging harder, but she was soon forced to retreat when she heard Angela Evans mounting the stairs. "I haven't finished with you," Yvonne hissed, "just wait and see."
"What's going on?" Angela said quizzically.
"Nothing Ang," Godder's smirked. "Nothing at all, is there Nixon?"
Nicola Jane stared at the wall and stayed silent.
Angela went into the Headmistresses office first, leaving the door ajar. After a few moments the Head Prefect put her head around the door and asked Yvonne to step into the office. After a few minutes Yvonne came out and Jackie replaced her. Nicola Jane was surprised when Yvonne didn't make any snide comments, instead the Prefect ignored her completely. Choosing instead to lean with her back against the wall looking morose. Shortly, Angela reappeared she asked Yvonne to return to the office. On this occasion the door was firmly closed.
Nicola Jane was tiring of holding her hands uncomfortably on top of her head and her neck was aching where she had to reach forward to keep her nose against the wall. She wondered nervously what mischievous lies that Yvonne was telling. She cursed Helena Crewton's stupidity. To arrive in the Assembly Hall with her top button unfastened and her tie at half mast only twenty four hours after Fiona Kenton had been chucked out of the hall to be caned for the same offense was ridiculous.
"That's the last time I help that chump out," Nicola Jane grumbled to herself. "She can look after her own bumbags in future."
Yvonne Godfrey and Jackie Ivanhoe came out of the office and wordlessly they descended the stairs. A moment later Angela Evans re-appeared.
"You can go in now Nixon," the Head Prefect told her.
Then while Nicola Jane did her best to rub some life back into her tired arms Angela whispered, "Fingers crossed. I've done my best. Come to my study during morning break, I want to have a little chat with you."

Nicola Jane Nixon nervously stood before the Beaks desk. It was impossible to tell what the Headmistress was thinking as she quietly observed the luckless Gal from the Remove. Nixdown was relieved when the Beak eventually began to wag her jaw.
"I have spoken with Godfrey and Ivanhoe. Each of them confirms that they saw you lean across to Helena Crewton and whisper in her ear. Both Gals versions of the events concur," she began.
I bet they do, thought Nicola Jane bitterly, they were probably rehearsing all the way to the office.
"Nevertheless, Angela Evans informs me that you strongly deny that you were talking," the Headmistress said thoughtfully.
Nicola Jane noticed that the Headmistress was nowhere near as shirty as she had been in the Assembly Hall.
"In a moment Nixon I am going to ask you to tell me whether you were talking or not," the Headmistress continued.
"I wasn't.." Nicola Jane began to explain, but the Headmistress held her hand up and interrupted her.
"Not yet Nixon!" the Beak barked authoritatively. "First I would I would like you to consider what I am about to say."
Nicola Jane fell into glum silence.
"Over the years you have shown yourself to be a complete menace to the smooth running of this school," the Headmistress told Nicola Jane sternly. The schoolgal began to blush. "You have displayed every vice imaginable."
Nixdown flushed even deeper. She felt ghastly.
"Notwithstanding," the Beak continued, "I have never considered you to be an untruthful Gal." Then markedly, "Untruthfulness is an intolerable trait in a Gal." She let the words sink in.
Nicola Jane licked her dry lips.
"What you will need to consider, Nixon, when giving me your answer, is what you would prefer to be punished for. Considering yesterdays deplorable escapade you most surely must expect to be beaten most soundly for being as foolish as to talk in the assembly hall," the Beak explained. "You must, however, weigh that knowledge against the consequences of lying to me. If I should find you to be untruthful Nixon I can assure you that I will summons the school to re-assemble and deliver the hiding of your life."
The Headmistress stared intently at Nicola Jane.
"Now Nixon," she said firmly, "Answer me truthfully were you talking in the assembly hall, or not?"
Nicola Jane bowed her head, her mind was racing. If she completely denied having said anything at all she ran the risk of being judged a liar and the frightful specter of a public flogging would reappear on the agenda. If she confessed to having whispered to Helena she was sure to be whopped. Although the pain from the previous days caning had largely diminished, her bottom was still stiff and very sensitive where the stripes still showed against her pale flesh. Whops were a most unappetizing prospect. Nixdown Nix took a long moment before she raised her head and dared to face the Headmistress.
After swallowing hard she told the Headmistress in a low, uncertain voice, "I wasn't exactly talking ma'am."
Ms. Lawton looked surprised, "Come, come now Nixon, that's no kind of an answer. Please address the question. Were you talking, or were you not."
Nicola Jane's shoulders slumped. For a moment she hung her head again. Then plucking up her courage, "Not the way that Godfrey makes it sound ma'am," she said desperately, "she makes it sound like I was gabbing my head off."
The Beak glared at the Gal, "Answer me Nixon, were you talking or not," she said impatiently.
Finally Nicola Jane nodded wearily, and mumbled, "Yes ma'am, I do admit I spoke." The Headmistress continued to stare at the hapless Gal from the Remove.
Then miserably Nicola Jane said , "But, honest ma'am, I only told Helena to do up her tie properly. You know after yesterday I didn't want her to get into trouble." She trailed off dismally. Nixdown hated behaving so humbly. But, another six of the best? It was all just to horrible.
The Headmistress nodded thoughtfully.
"Well done Nixon, your truthfulness is a credit to you," the Headmistress said in a kindly voice.
"However, you know my policy," she continued, "I believe it is best for all concerned that the school regulations are implemented to the letter. I finds that this avoids unsavory misunderstandings."
Nicola Jane waited hopelessly for the Headmistress to pass sentence.
"As you know from experience the punishment for talking in assembly is six strokes of the cane with knickers lowered," the Beak told her. "I have no choice but to ask you to prepare yourself for punishment."
"Whops again! I'll kill bally Helena," Nicola Jane thought darkly as trudged across the office and returned with a straight backed chair, which she placed in front of Ms. Lawton's desk. She shrugged off her blazer, placed it over the back of the chair and dolefully bent over.
Nixdown Nix did her best to keep calm while Ms. Lawton went through the formalities of adjusting her clothing and taking the preparatory practice swipes of the cane. She clenched her eyes closed as the first swipe of the cane whistled through the air and waited for the implosion. To her surprise all she felt was a mild tap on the crown her bottom. Not even the slightest sting. An instant later the second stroke was delivered in exactly the same manner. Nixdown Nix couldn't believe it, the Beak seemed to be letting her off easy. She waited with baited breath to see if was some cruel trick.
Six times the cane sliced through the air making an ominous whistle and six times the Headmistress pulled the stroke back at the last moment.
Nicola Jane felt a gentle pat on her bottom and then her knickers were pulled up with a snap.
"You can stand up now Nixon," she heard the Headmistress say behind her. Nixdown didn't need any encouragement, she was up from the chair in an instant. Smoothing her skirt down over her backside and grabbing for her blazer.
She turned to face Ms. Lawton with a puzzled look on her face.
"You would be well advised to keep your lip firmly buttoned in the future Nixon," the Headmistress said, not altogether unkindly. "However well intentioned your advise to Helena Crewton, Godfrey was perfectly justified in reporting you. In the circumstances I feel she was a little zealous. When she observed that you were not endeavoring to carry out a conversation she could have overlooked the indiscretion. It was probably punishment enough for a Gal of your seniority to be sent to the front of the school and I hope that you have learned a lesson from this incident. I'm sure I don't need to tell a Gal of your intelligence that any repetition would be looked upon unfavorably. Extremely unfavorably." The Headmistress let the words hang in the air, before continuing. "Now Nixon, perhaps you would like to cut along and continue with your education."
Nixdown hurried towards the door. Then as an afterthought she turned and said, sincerely, "I don't know how to thank you ma'am, but you'll never have any trouble from me again."
The Headmistress smiled. "Don't thank me, thank Angela."

Chapter 6 - A cozy little chat

Nicola Jane's classmates were certainly surprised by her jaunty gait when she turned up in the classroom. As soon as the bell went for the end of the lesson' they were all over her.
"What happened Nix?"
"Come on Gal spill the beans, were you licked?"
"What are you bally smirking about?" the Gals all wanted to know.
Nicola Jane grinned, "Well a funny thing happened on the way to the Beaks..."

At the beginning of morning break Nixdown Nix tapped on the door of the Head Prefects study. Angela invited her in.
"Well?" the Head Prefect asked, "how did you get on?"
"I don't know how to thank you Evans," Nicola Jane blurted out appreciatively. "I don't understand it. She went through the whole routine, made me bend over, took down me bumbags, then she pulled every stroke."
Angela smiled kindly, "She had to perform the ritual otherwise she would have undermined Yvonne and Jackie's authority," she told Nicola Jane purposefully. "You fessed up, I take it? I rather hoped you would."
"I just told her the truth," said Nicola Jane. "Yvonne wanted to make it sound like I was gabbing up a storm, but I honestly wasn't, and that's what I told the Beak. I knew I was going to be whopped but it seemed like my only option."
Angela beamed, "Well good, well done. I'm certainly pleased it all turned out for the best," she said cheerily.
Nicola Jane pulled a face. "All I've got to worry about now is Yvonne. She's going to be all over me for the rest of term," the Gal from the Remove grumbled. "still wants me to catch it hot I'll be bound." Nicola Jane shrugged uselessly. "Still that my problem I suppose. Thanks awfully Evans but if you don't mind if there's nothing else I'd like to cut along. It's been a little hectic over the last few days and I'd like to catch a few moments peace and quiet."
"Oh fire away, you're very welcome," Angela smiled, "and by the way Nixon, one last thing before you go. You don't have to worry about Yvonne. Your bumbags are probably the safest in the school. The Beaks not silly, she can smell a grudge match a mile off. She made it very clear to Yvonne and Jackie that she would be telling the rest of the Brass to keep them under observation. I rather fancy that Godder's will be keeping a pretty low profile in the future."
The Head Prefect winked knowingly, "Pake it from me, when a Prefect gets her bumbags in the firing line things tend to get very hot indeed and Godder's knows full well she's got a target painted on her drawers right now." Angela's smile broadened, "Couldn't happen to a nicer Gal, don't you know."
"Honest Evans if there is anything I can do for you just yell," said Nixdown earnestly.
Angela smiled. "Well now you come to mention it, perhaps there is," she said coyly, "why don't you drop by later and we'll ... well we'll see."