THE LONG WEEKEND - PART II

                      Author : Jay Bee JBates3327@aol.com

I watched John as he cautiously approached. He knew he was in serious trouble. Telling the scout master to f**k off was very definitely a spanking offence. My problem was that as the eighteen year old senior scout I would have to administer it. I’d only just finished giving one boy seven with the tawse. I wasn’t sure I was up to doing it again right now. Yet I had to. Reluctantly I moved away from the group of boys who were waiting for me to take them to the rifle range and walked over to meet John.

He was nearly sixteen. A little shorter than my five foot eight, he had jet black hair and a cheerful, open, freckled face. Like most of the other boys he was slim and fit with all the exercise he did. He was relatively new to the Group, his parents having moved to the area about a year ago. He had fitted in well as a patrol leader and would be coming up to the seniors soon. I was quite friendly with him.

He gave a wan smile as I went up to him.

"Hi Jay," he said quietly. "I’ve seen Mr Elwood and apologised to him. We had a long chat. I didn’t realise what a shock my telling him to eff off would be to him. He’s gone for a walk. When he gets back he’d prefer it if you’d already have dealt with me."

He couldn’t repress a slight shiver at the end. He knew he was for it. But at least he accepted that he had to be punished.

"Well you’ll be the second today," I commented. "I’ve just given Mark seven with the tawse for slagging off Mr Elwood to your patrol."

"Oh well that’s one good thing then," John smiled. "Mark’s been asking for it ever since I’ve known him. He’s always bragging that he’s untouchable because of his dad."

I was beginning to get slightly worried about this. Who was Mark’s dad? Would I be in trouble? Still that was for the future.

"I’m going to take the boys down to the range. When I’ve handed them over to the instructor I’ll come back. Be in your uniform and outside my door. OK?"

"Yes Jay," John muttered, his smile fading. He squared his shoulders and trudged wearily towards the hut.

The boys were very quiet as I walked to the range with them. I was glad not to have to listen to their chatter. I needed to think. What should I give John? If I gave Mark seven I had to give John more. The trouble was I could only give up to eight. But even eight wouldn’t be enough.

I handed the boys over to the instructor and saw them get settled in. I told the senior patrol leader to have them back by 4.00. After that they would go swimming for an hour. With the arrangements made I wandered slowly back to the hut. What should I do? What would Mr Foster do in this situation? I winced. If I’d sworn at him I’d be lucky to get ten with the tawse and six with Stinger - a thin whippy cane that more than lived up to its name. Not that I would ever swear at Mr Foster. I loved him too much.

The strap and the cane, it was the right combination. But if I exceeded my powers Mr MacKenzie, the Group Scout Leader, would bring his dreaded riding crop down on my own bare bottom. On the other hand I was in charge. They’d left it up to me to deal with discipline. It was my decision. The strap and the cane it would be and if they didn’t like it then I’d have to take the consequences.

I was walking past a clump of birch trees as I made my mind up. I drew my sheath knife and selected a reasonably straight, medium thick branch. I cut it down and then continued on my way, stripping the twigs and bark from it. By the time I reached the hut I had a whippy switch of about thirty inches in length. It would do.

John wasn’t outside my door. Leaving the cane to one side, I went upstairs to the dormitory. He was sitting on his bed, half undressed, his head in his hands. He looked up as I came in.

"Oh, I’m sorry Jay. I didn’t realise you’d be back so soon."

"Alright. Just get into your uniform and be downstairs in five minutes."

"Yes Jay. I’m sorry."

I left him to it and went back to my room. I’d knelt Mark on my bed for his spanking. That was good enough for the tawse but the cane was longer. I tried out a few practice shots. I couldn’t put John on the bed. There was a hard backed chair by my table. I put it in the centre of the room. Yes, that would do nicely. I heard John coming slowly downstairs. I put the chair back and laid the cane on the table. Going to the chest of drawers I got out the tawse and put it next to the cane. I’d just laid it down when there was a firm knock at the door.

"Just a moment," I called out. I pictured him standing there. He must be wondering what he was to get. If it was me I’d be shaking like a leaf by now. I took a quick look at myself in the mirror. I was presentable. I adjusted my socks, checked my belt was properly fastened and went back to the centre of the room.

"Come in John," I said loudly.

There was a rattle of the door handle being fumbled open. I smiled inwardly. It’s always difficult to open a door when your palms are sweating with anxiety. The door opened slowly and John appeared.

"Come right in and close the door behind you." I told him.

He closed the door then came and stood in front of me. His eyes went to the table. There was a sharp indrawing of breath as he saw the birch switch and the tawse. For a moment I thought he was going to protest but he held his peace. I looked at his uniform. He hadn’t had time to get it ready. Besides the spanking he was going to get would more than make up for the lack of an inspection. I decided to get on with it. I wanted it over before the others came back.

"Why did you tell Mr Elwood to eff off?"

He must have been expecting the question but it took him a moment to answer. His eyes once more went to the table. He shuddered. Then he looked up at me. He had had trouble at school. That overspilled to home. His dad had nearly banned him from coming on the weekend. To make matters worse he’d also had a row with his sister. It was such a relief to be out of the house. During the day he’d had problems with some of his patrol. Then Mr Elwood had had a go at him. It was only a minor thing about the route for his patrol’s hike. But it had been the last straw. He’d snapped. As soon as he’d said it he was sorry. Not because of the spanking he immediately knew he’d earned, but for saying it and for the look in Mr Elwood’s eyes.

"If I gave Mark seven, I’m going to have to give you more aren’t I?"

"Yes Jay, but can’t you only give us eight?"

"True. It’s really up to you. Do you think Mr MacKenzie’s going to be satisfied if that’s all you get?"

"Not really," he sighed.

" Also you know you deserve more than eight with the tawse don’t you?"

"I suppose so Jay. But I didn’t mean to. It just popped out."

"Then you must learn to control yourself. I propose to give you eight with the tawse then four with the switch. Do you accept my punishment?"

"Oh Jay," he faltered. "Oh no. I know I deserve it but....."

He hesitated. He looked out of the window. I let him take his time. His bare knees were shaking. He tried to curb them but within a few seconds they were quivering again. He shook his head, turned and once more looked at strap and the cane. He winced. Then he looked me straight in the eye and in a slightly quavering voice said, "I accept your punishment Jay."

"Good boy," I said quietly. "At least you realise you were wrong and that you deserve to be punished. It’ll soon be all over and done with. Is there anything you’d like to say before I spank you?"

"I’m sorry Jay, honestly I am. I didn’t mean to upset Skip like that."

"Alright, get the chair from by the table and put it in the centre of the room."

He went absolutely still. Then he sighed and went up to the chair. He grasped its wooden back and lifted it up. Staggering slightly he brought it over to me. I stepped aside and pointed to where I wanted it. He put it down and looked at me for further instructions. He was white faced, his lower lip trembling a little. His fists clenched and unclenched.

"I want the back of the chair facing the chest of drawers, then come and stand on this side of it, facing the far wall."

Silently he moved the chair round. He turned and came to stand facing the seat of the chair, his back to me. His whole body was shaking slightly by now. His hands moved slowly up to the waistband of his shorts. He knew what the next order would be.

"Take your shorts and pants down."

He swiftly unfastened his buttons and let the shorts drop. They fell to his knees. He gave a slight wriggle and they tumbled to lie around his feet. He paused for a moment. Then his shoulders heaved in another great sigh. His fingers found the hem of his pants. He tugged. The pants slipped over his bottom and slid down his legs. He grasped his shirt tail and began to roll it up. I nearly said something but let it be. As the shirt was rolled up his firm, white, round bottom appeared. There was a small silvery scar on the side of the left cheek. Both cheeks were quivering in anticipation of the pain to come. Once he’d got the shirt up he let his hands drop listlessly to his side.

"Bend over the seat of the chair and get a firm grip on the base of its legs."

He bent forward until he was right over. I could see his knuckles whiten as he grasped the chair legs. Without being told he straightened his knees and moved his feet apart until his shorts and pants were taut against them. Then he stilled and waited absolutely motionless for his punishment. For a moment I just stood there looking at his smooth bare bottom. The only sound in the room was his shallow breathing. Time seemed to stand still. An aircraft passed overhead. The sound brought me back to what I had to do. Reluctantly I walked over to the table. The tawse gleamed, reflecting the sunlight from the window. I picked it up and returned to stand by John.

I checked that I could cover both cheeks fully with it from where I was standing. I hesitated for a second. John would be a senior in a couple of months time. Could we be friends after this? But it was my duty. I wouldn’t do him any favours by letting him go. I gave a quite audible sigh and raised the tawse up. I rested it briefly against his bottom. He shivered a bit then went still again. He tensed. I drew the tawse right back. These had to be scorchers from the start.

I kept my eyes firmly on the target and launched the first stroke. It swooshed through the air and landed with a satisfying crack on that recalcitrant bottom. He gave a gasp of pain and shivered a bit. As I withdrew the strap for the second one I could see a scarlet band appear where it had scalded those firm white cheeks. I steadied myself then sent the next one down. That struck him a little lower. Again he shivered but otherwise stayed still. I took a look behind him. I was getting most of the right cheek but not so much of the left. I moved in a bit closer.

The third stroke cracked onto him. The shivering grew more intense. I had another look. That was better. I was now covering him properly. So far he was holding up well under his punishment. Yet I think we both knew it wouldn’t last. Even if he managed the tawse he’d never take four with the switch on top. I sighed again. I liked John. I steeled myself and raised the strap for the fourth.

The fourth was the best shot yet. I put more effort into it. It landed squarely across both of those well rounded cheeks. He couldn’t resist a gasp of pain. He jiggled up and down on his toes for a moment, moaning softly to himself. I didn’t wait. I drew the tawse back once more and brought it firmly down again. Perhaps I should have paused. I nearly missed his bottom completely. As it was I got him right on the crease with his legs. He yelped and writhed, then subsided, panting loudly.

I took my time with the sixth. I wanted to make sure of my aim. I brought the tawse up so it was nearly touching him, checked it was centred, then drew it back and launched it all in one motion. It was a much better one. Again it cracked down dead centre across both cheeks. He couldn’t help it. The agony was too much. He howled. He wriggled about frantically trying to ease the pain in that burning backside. His hands left the chair legs but with an effort of will he grasped them once again.

"Straighten your knees, please," I said quietly.

He did as he was told. I waited until he was ready then let him have the seventh. It was another good one. Once more he howled his sorrow for his sins. He jiggled about on his toes again gasping and panting. I paused until he was more or less still then cracked the eighth firmly in. For some reason that got him more on the right cheek but it was enough to draw another high pitched scream from him. As I lowered the tawse I could hear him start to sob.

I stepped back to examine his wounded bottom. It was bright scarlet and crimson from almost his back to the crease. There was a slight gap a bit down but otherwise I was looking at a well spanked backside. He was shaking now, partly from the pain of what had been but equally, I guessed, from fear of what was to come - the switch.

I went over to the table and put the tawse down. I picked up the cane and held it in one hand, running my other hand along it to check for possible splinters. It seemed alright. I turned round. He was watching me through his tears. As I approached his shivering increased. He let out a small moan of fear. Then he got himself under control and raised his throbbing bottom up to receive the last part of his punishment.

Once more I positioned myself to teach this boy a firm lesson. I raised the switch up and rested it against those poor, burning cheeks. He gasped and muttered something I didn’t quite hear. His hands gripped the chair legs so tightly I thought he might break them. I lifted the cane away. I drew it back behind me then swung it down hard. It whopped through the air and seared into his vulnerable rear end. He shrieked in agony and jumped up, his hands flying to his wounded stern.

"Oh Jay! Please Jay!" he cried. "No more. Please no more!"

"Get back down and take your hands away." I said harshly.

Sobbing and writhing he did as he was told. I waited until once more his bare bottom was ready for its medicine. I tapped the switch lightly against it. Then I raised it back and let him have the second. Another howl of pain ensued. He jerked forward, moving the chair a bit. He writhed and jiggled up and down on his toes but managed to stay where he was. By now he was sobbing uncontrollably, his tears staining the wooden floor.

I was slightly worried about the effect the switch might be having. Stepping back I took another good look at those firm cheeks. The angry red lines left by the cane were vivid against the scarlet of the tawse. But there were no cuts and nothing to indicate any splinters were being driven in. His punishment could continue to the end.

I moved back and tapped the cane on him again. He shook like a leaf for a moment, then stilled. I drew the switch back and whopped in the third. It was another scorcher across both cheeks, if a little low. He couldn’t take it. He gave a loud, long howl like a wolf. He shot up once more, racked by sobs; his hands again seeking to soothe away the pain of his battered bottom. But he knew he still had one to go. Before I could tell him to get down, his hands reluctantly left his scarlet rear end. Slowly, like a crippled old man, he bent forward.

His bottom rose in the air. It was quivering almost as if it had a life of its own. When he was properly down I lifted the switch for the last stroke. I nearly took it easy on him. Then I thought better of it. I liked the boy but he needed to realise the consequences of his actions. There would be no mercy. I paused with the cane behind me, made sure of my aim then lashed it down hard. It landed with a firm crack. He screamed, then screamed again. He jumped up once more, jiggling about on his feet, rubbing frantically at his sore backside. Then he turned and looked at me, tears streaming down his face.

"Oh Jay, that was terrible," he sobbed. "I’ll never do anything to deserve that again."

He just stood there, everything on display, rubbing at himself. I let him stand for a moment. When the flow of tears started to ebb I told him to turn round and bend over again.

"Oh no Jay! You can’t give me any more. Please!"

"Relax John," I said quietly, "You’re not getting any more. I just need to see that you’re not damaged or cut."

Still crying he did as he was told. I examined his bottom, running my hand across it. His cheeks were red hot. The lines left by the switch stood out. For a moment I thought I had cut him but there was no blood. I told him to stand up and get dressed. The last I saw of that well whipped backside was it disappearing into his pants. He pulled his shorts up, let his shirt down then tucked it in. He turned to face me, his tears drying by now.

"Alright?" I asked softly.

"Yes Jay. Thank you Jay."

"Don’t swear at those who look after you; or at anyone else for that matter."

"No Jay. I’m sorry, really I am."

"Good lad. Off you go."

He didn’t need telling twice. He shot out of the room like a scalded cat. I heard him rush to the washroom. A damp cloth was about to be applied to his tender bottom. I slowly changed out of my uniform. I felt really down. I hadn’t much liked spanking Mark but John was far worse. Still I had done my duty and properly at that.

I went to sit outside the hut. After a while John came out to join me. He started to lower himself onto the grass then thought better of it. Those cheeks weren’t ready for sitting on just yet. He leaned against the side of the hut and we chatted quietly about this and that. He didn’t seem to be angry with me. More I think he was cross with himself.

After a while we could hear the boys returning from the range. They were laughing and chattering excitedly. Young Michael had apparently proved to be a crack shot. He proudly showed me his target. Others clustered around offering their cards. Andrew had done well too. I ruffled his hair and told him he’d be a marksman one day. Surprisingly Mark didn’t join in. Usually he was at the forefront of the boasting. Some of the boys were consoling John.

I got them ready to go swimming and we went down to the pool. In the changing room there were gasps as first Mark and then John took their pants off. I looked away. Some of the boys shot me worried glances. They didn’t want anything like that happening to them. Well, if they behaved themselves, it wouldn’t. Otherwise........

After the swimming we returned to the hut for tea. Mr Elwood was there. I told him what I’d given John. He was a bit put out that I’d used a switch but seemed to accept it. That night we had a camp fire. When it was dying down and the boys had gone to bed I got the switch from my room. I tossed it on the embers and watched it shrivel and burn. I didn’t sleep very well that night.

The rest of the camp passed off peacefully. I handed out a few minor punishments but didn’t need to spank anyone. I think after what happened to Mark and John the boys were wary anyway. But they seemed happy enough. John too was back to normal. With Mark it was a different story. He was very subdued. I gathered that the other boys had been very unsympathetic to him, where they had been nice to John.

On the last day we were packing up to go. I was looking forward to going home. I also couldn’t wait to get back to my job in the Council’s planning department and catch up with all the latest news. The possibility of promotion was still on. I just hoped nothing had been decided in my absence. Mark had been sent to sort out the hiking kit and check it was all there. I wandered over. He scowled up at me but then relented.

"I can’t think of anything else but that spanking," he started. "It really hurt. And I’m so ashamed. I never thought I’d yell and cry so much."

"You shouldn’t let that bother you," I grinned, squatting down next to him. "Last month I was yelling and crying just as much as you did."

He was astonished. He didn’t realise that I howled when I got it. Certainly he never dreamed that I’d admit it. His real problem was that the other boys had listened to him getting it. They had teased him about it ever since. I told him not to worry. If they got it they would yell just as much. Anyway it had been his first time.

"And my last I hope," he smiled ruefully.

"Only if it’s taught you a lesson," I pointed out, "Otherwise it’s a lesson that may have to be repeated."

"I think it has Jay," he said seriously. "Not so much the spanking itself but it has opened my eyes to what the other boys think of me. I thought they liked me because I’m good at football. But some of them have been really nasty."

"It’s not surprising Mark," I said, standing up to go, "If you make comments about others behind their backs then the people you’re talking to are bound to wonder what you say about them when they’re not around."

"I hadn’t thought of that," he frowned. "Thank you Jay."

I left him to it. I walked back to the hut, checked that the patrols were doing their jobs and went to my room to do my own packing. I took the tawse from the chest of drawers and put it in my case. I shivered slightly. Now I would have to account for my use of it to Mr Foster. Even if he accepted what I had done, the next time it was used it would be the tails I would feel not the handle. I’d just closed the case when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I called.

It was Andrew. He stood on the threshold, his lower lip trembling. "Please Jay, Mr Elwood sent me to see you."

"Come on in and close the door behind you," I sighed.

He came in and stood trembling in front of me.

"What have you done now?" I asked.

"I was sent to pick up litter from the camp fire area. While I was there I swear I saw a falcon land in one of the trees. I went to get a better look. It kept moving from branch to branch. Then it flew off. When I got back Mr Elwood was by the fireplace. He was really angry and told me to report to you at once."

I looked at the poor little mite. His eyes were damp now. In a minute he’d be crying. I couldn’t help but sympathise. I would be tempted to follow a falcon myself. But I had my duty.

"You know you shouldn’t have left the area don’t you?"

"Yes Jay," he quavered.

"There’s a lot of work to be done before the coach arrives. We don’t need boys like you skiving off. Take your shorts and pants down."

"Oh please Jay, not the strap!"

"You’re a scout now Andrew. You get the strap. And if those shorts and pants aren’t round your ankles fast you’ll get more."

The tears started to flow. But his hands moved. Soon his shorts tumbled down to the floor. His white pants followed them. He was only wearing a short T shirt. It hid nothing. He stood there looking at me with wide brown eyes. He started to put his hands in front to hide himself but then brought them back to his side. I went to my case and took out the tawse.

"Three. Touch your toes."

"Three?" he squeaked, "Oh thank you Jay."

He’d obviously been expecting six. He was a little young for that and this was hardly a serious crime. Three firm ones would be quite enough. There was no need for scorchers. I watched him bend over. By now he knew what to do. His knees straightened and his feet moved apart. I walked round him to the side. For the second time in three months I prepared to spank his round white bottom.

I rested the tawse against him. He shuffled his feet at the touch of the leather. Then I drew the tawse back and brought it down across those firm cheeks. I was right. It was enough. He howled in pain and writhed about. He managed to stay down though. But his soft crying turned to loud sobs. I raised the tawse again and whacked his little backside once more. He shrieked in agony and sprang up, his hands going straight to his poor bottom.

"Get back down," I snapped.

Reluctantly he bent over for the last one. I took a good look at his reddening bottom. When he was still I raised the tawse and brought it down firmly once more. He howled again. I thought he was going to jump up but he managed to stay down. His poor burning bottom remained ready for further punishment. But he’d had enough. I let him stand. I walked back round to his front and waited for the tears to dry. Then I told him to get dressed.

"When you are given a job to do you don’t leave until it’s done. Is that clear?"

"Yes Jay. Thank you Jay."

"Had you finished it?"

"No Jay."

"Come on then, I’ll give you a hand."

He watched as I put the tawse away. Then we walked back to the fire site and cleared it of litter. We put the waste on the fire place and I lit it. As we watched it burn I told him of where I’d seen a kingfisher in the summer. His eyes shone. He’d never seen one of those.

When the coach got back to the school that afternoon most of the parents were there. They swiftly collected their boys and were gone. The few remaining lads helped me and Mr Elwood put the hiking stuff back in the store and then they too departed.

"Well Jay," Mr Elwood said heavily. "Thank you for your help. I don’t know what I’d have done without you."

"That’s OK Skip," I grinned.

"Mind you I’m not entirely happy with you using the switch or with some of your other activities."

My grin faded. Was I to be reported to Mr MacKenzie? He didn’t say and I didn’t like to ask. I might put ideas into his head.

"Still I have to commend your courage in spanking Mark," he added.

"Others have said that. Why Skip? Who is his dad?"

"You really don’t know do you Jay?" he grinned. "Well, what’s his surname?"

"I don’t know Skip. I never call them by surnames."

"It’s Arnold. Mark Arnold."

I still didn’t get it. Then suddenly it sank in. I must have gone white. Certainly I felt a bit faint. Mark Arnold. The son of Mr Arnold the Town Clerk. My ultimate boss. I’d spanked his son. Oh God! I was in real trouble now.

The next day I went anxiously to work. Everything started off normally. At eleven the tea-trolley came to the door of our office. I got my usual coffee and a buttered bun. I returned to my desk. I was just finishing the last of the bun when Mr Lewis, the senior planner, came up to me.

"Oh Jay," he said sharply. "Mr Arnold will see both of us at two thirty this afternoon. Try and make yourself presentable."

He stalked off leaving me in a state of shock. The bun turned into cardboard in my mouth. I washed it down with a swig of coffee and just sat there looking at my desk through a haze of tears. This was it. I was going to be sacked. Where would I get another job?

I must have been sitting there for some time before Mr Findlay, my immediate boss, noticed there was something wrong. He lumbered over wanting to know why I wasn’t working. Tears rolling down my cheeks I explained. He reached out and patted me gently.

"Jay, you’re making something out of nothing," he pronounced. "Pull yourself together. I bet you anything you like you’re still making my life a misery tomorrow."

"Yes sir," I smiled weakly.

He let me go to the washroom and clean myself up. I managed to get on with some work. But all I could think about was two thirty. I had no appetite for lunch. I just went for a long miserable walk instead. Then I smartened myself up as best I could and went to Mr Arnold’s office. His secretary let me sit in her room. A little while later Mr Lewis joined me. The phone rang. We were told to go in. I drew a deep breath and marched in to my fate.

I had hardly got into the room when I stopped in dismay. Seated near the desk was Mr Edwards, the Council officer in charge of us boys. In a sense I felt some relief. I wasn’t to be fired. But I knew that as soon as the meeting was over I’d be taken down to the basement for a painful session with the strap and the cane. I shuddered at the thought. Mr Lewis took another seat. I was left to stand trembling in front of Mr Arnold.

"So," he frowned, "You are the boy who gave my son a good thrashing are you?"

"Yes sir," I said firmly, looking him straight in the eyes. If I was going to go down, I’d go down fighting.

He asked me why. I told him what Mark had done. Why did I have to spank the boy? I explained my reasons. He wanted to know why I gave him seven with the tawse. I pointed out that in my opinion it should have been more. The only reason it wasn’t was because I had to deal with another boy for a more serious offence. I was questioned about that too. In the end he sat there looking coldly at me. I just wondered how many I was going to get.

"Well done," he finally announced.

I couldn’t believe my ears. Had he really said what I thought he’d said?

"Thank you, Jay," he continued. "Mark has been a bit of a handful for sometime. I’d have spanked him myself before now but his mother would never let me hear the last of it. She was furious when she found out what you’d done. She wanted me to fire you or at least send you to Mr Edwards. I said that would lead to union trouble so she calmed down a bit."

I just listened bemused. He was actually thanking me. I wasn’t in trouble after all. I nearly fainted with relief.

"It’s done the boy a power of good," Mr Arnold went on. "It really made him think. Also he says you were kind to him afterwards when the other boys were being nasty."

"Yes sir, thank you sir," I stuttered.

"So," he concluded briskly, "I think you’re just the person I’m looking for to solve a little problem I have."

He explained. As I knew the Council was expanding at the beginning of the New Year. As part of that expansion the staff would increase. The number of boys employed was going to almost double. While Mr Edwards could cope with the twenty or so there were now, he didn’t want to have forty of us on his hands. He needed an assistant. The suggestion was that I would become responsible for disciplining the boys who were between fifteen and seventeen and a half. Mr Edwards would deal with the rest. Despite my new role, if I accepted it, I was still a boy and would be subject to Mr Edwards. Would I agree?

I was stunned. One minute I was sure I was to be sacked. Next I knew I was in for a good spanking. Now I was being offered a job. It was too much. I asked for time to consider it.

"Very well," Mr Arnold agreed. "Oh and another thing while we’re at it. The planning department is expanding with the Council. Despite your occasional forgetfulness, I am considering promoting you. I have two jobs in mind. Either you would become the junior clerk to the new planning sub-committee or you would deal with the clerking of the preparation of the new Local Plan and its subsequent public inquiry. Which would you prefer?"

"Can I have time to think about this as well sir?" I asked weakly.

"Very well. Drop a note to my secretary on Monday. Good day to you."

I left his office in a daze. Mr Lewis walked back with me. He explained the two jobs. Both would mean promotion to the same grade and the consequent pay increase. The Local Plan would be difficult but I’d learn more about the planning system. Also I’d have a junior clerk under me. The sub-committee would be easier and might lead to more rapid promotion but I wouldn’t learn as much as doing the Plan. I thought about the planning diploma course I was about to start. By the time we got to the office I was more in favour of taking the Plan job. But I would think it through over the weekend.

Jay Bee

July 1 1998