"Has anyone been caned today at all?"
I looked up in surprise that I could see mirrored in the boy who sat across from me. It was a rather unusual question for Matron to be asking.
While there was no place in the House she couldn't go, she rarely invaded our common room. And her reaction to the caning that went on was to pretty much ignore it, except when she decided it was warranted. I could feel my classmates eyes slowly turn to me.
I stood up. "Yes, Matron."
"What did you get? And who from?"
"Um... three, Matron - and from Mr. Kilmore."
"You'll do, then. Come along with me."
I trailed along reluctantly. What was going on? I was worried I was about to get another hiding. But if so, I had to just accept it. Matron's word was law.
We arrived in the infirmary and there was Miss Hunter. She'd been at the school about three days and the most beautiful woman I had seen. She must have been around 20. She was a nurse and was at the school to gain some experience as a school nurse.
Matron was all business. "Nathan - please pull down your pants and your underpants and bend over my desk." I hesitated. "NOW!"
I fumbled with my trousers. I had no idea what was going on - this didn't make an ounce of sense. It was embarrassing as well - not the Matron, but Miss Hunter was another matter. But I did as I was told, and then bent over. And waited for whatever blow was going to fall.
"Come over here, Anne, and look."
I heard a gasp behind me.
"Don't be silly. This isn't unusual. You need to know what it looks like, or these little beggars will try to con you that they've been half killed. Nathan got three - you can see them all - and they look to be pretty good ones. But nothing unusual. Nathan, this was normal?"
"Um... yes, Matron."
"You'll see it as you walk around the dormitories - I wanted to make sure you knew what to expect."
"This is... normal."
"Absolutely - the cane bruises a bit, it's nothing to write home about."
"Can I touch them?"
"I don't see why not - you shouldn't have any aversion to touching a boys bare bottom. I never have, have I, Nathan?"
"No, Matron."
I felt fingers lightly stroke across the lines on my bottom - and, horror, I realised I was stiffening. Exposed like this - in front of HER. But it was beyond control.
"All right, pull them up and you can go."
I stood and tried to pull my pants up quickly. But Miss Hunter was still very close and I realised she had seen all, as she smiled at me. I buttoned and bolted before I'd even buckled my belt.
That night, as I lay in bed, one hand traced softly across the lines of the cane - while the other took me to pleasure I'd never known before.