Ben and Alison, right in front of Victoria's chair, amid a riot of discarded clothes, looked like they were making love. Victoria was about to storm in and grab Ben by the ear to demand to know what the hell he thought he was doing taking advantage of the comatose Alison like that, but then she saw the way Alison was kissing him, rubbing his bottom, moaning with delight.
She closed the door, and stared at it. Her mood changed suddenly. She now wanted to rush in, to give Alison a big hug and a kiss, to do the same to Ben, but she knew it would be best to leave them, let them enjoy what they were doing. There was definitely something about that boy, she thought, not for the first time.
The server wouldn't check itself, but she had something more important to do first. She pulled out her mobile phone and dialled.
"Em, some good news..."
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
It wasn't until mid-afternoon that they were all gathered again in the lounge. Ben and Alison were dressed and Ben sat on the floor, his legs straight and wide in front of him. Alison sat nestled between his legs, leaning back into him as he held her in his arms. Her usual cheerfulness had returned, and she was smiling. Amy sat on the floor cross-legged nearby, casting occasional envious glances at them.
Victoria, Emily, and Paul each sat in their own chair, looking thoughtful. Victoria was lamenting the huge dent that been had made in her savings. Paul had phoned her from B&Q, to give her the alarming news. He'd totted up the prices and it had come to nearly three-hundred pounds. Victoria had told him to go ahead anyway.
Everyone had been delighted to see Alison back to her usual self, and Emily had hugged her for the longest time, weeping and kissing her, assuring her that everything would be alright. No one raised the question of what might have happened if Giles hadn't been frightened away.
Subdued by the afternoon heat, the atmosphere was languid.
"So what's the plan, Victoria?" asked Paul.
"I've got half of it worked out, but the other half depends on what Emily and Amy found out from Helen" she replied, looking over at Emily, inviting her to speak.
"Not a lot I'm afraid" said Emily "We found Helen, and we managed to talk to her, but she's terrified of Giles... I mean Gillian... is it okay to call him Giles again now?" she asked taking a quick look at Alison to see how she'd reacted to the mention of his name. Alison hadn't reacted, and still wore her contented dreamy smile.
Victoria also looked at Alison "No, let's keep Gillian, I like it" she said, and then her face suddenly fell "Ben! Did you use a condom?" she asked suddenly.
"Um..." Ben squirmed uncomfortably.
"We'll talk about that later" she said with a frown.
"It was lovely" said Alison.
Emily grimaced, she didn't want to think what would happen if Alison got pregnant; so she distracted herself "She did seem, Helen I mean, fascinated with the idea of getting back at him, but I don't think she really believed that it was possible. Apparently he's always getting her into trouble. We all know how strict their parents are, and she spends a lot of time getting spankings and beatings that she hasn't earned"
"Spankings and beatings?" said Ben "No-one really does that do they? I mean outside the gang?" Ben's tummy rumbled and gurgled alarmingly. He had missed breakfast and hadn't had anything to eat all day. He was famished.
"Yes they do" said Victoria "Most of the parents around here do anyway"
"I thought that was just in history, not in real life" he said.
"We get spanked" said Emily "You know that because of Alison's spanking that got us all started in the first place."
Ben nodded slowly, remembering, and trying not to imagine how awful that must have been.
"Me too" said Paul, mournfully.
Ben looked up at Victoria "I bet you don't get spanked" he said.
"Of course not!" she answered, appalled at the thought.
"So not all the parents round here do spanking then" he said as if to reassure himself.
"Victoria's parents do spank though" said Paul "It's just that Victoria's a very good girl."
"And intends to stay that way" said Victoria "Go on, Em".
"Giles, I mean Gillian, never gets spanked. Like you he's always a very good boy, apparently. At least at home when his parents are around. He's obviously the apple of his father's eye, but it's not so clear how his step-mother sees him. Helen doesn't have anything on him at all, to all intents and purposes he's squeaky clean" said Emily.
"Except that we know he's not" said Paul.
"What we know isn't evidence" said Victoria "And it's all connected to us, so useless"
"Anyway, Amy had an idea" said Emily and looked at Amy, inviting her to share it with the others.
"Well..." said Amy "Knowing boys like I do..." she looked directly at Ben as she said this "He's probably got secrets in his bedroom"
Victoria nodded, beginning to see Amy in quite a different light. She was going to be a very useful asset to the gang.
"Helen wasn't willing to search his room to find them though" said Emily "She's just too terrified of him, poor love."
"Is there any way we could search it?" suggested Paul.
"Too complicated" said Victoria "It would take too long, and the chances we'd be thorough enough, put everything back so he wouldn't noticed, are pretty slim, not to mention the risk of getting caught."
"But then Amy came up with another idea" said Emily.
Amy didn't need an invitation to speak this time. "I thought we could plant a camera in his room. That way we don't have to search, we just wait for him to reveal his secrets for us."
"Helen said she would be prepared to tell us when the house was going to be empty for a while, and let one of us in to plant the camera" said Emily.
"Oh this is fabulous!" said Victoria, "I like this much better. It's still risky, but much more likely to yield results, and it's so... Machiavellian."
Amy looked very pleased with herself.
"There's a poetic justice to having him reveal his own secrets to us" Victoria said wistfully "Amy, you're a treasure."
Amy grinned broadly "I know" she said without modesty.
"How will she let us know?" asked Victoria.
"She'll phone, she's got my number, but she's not allowed a mobile so she'll have to do it from the vicarage. She's going to be lurking there for a while anyway, she wants to be ready if the house empties. But I think when Gillian tells his dad..."
"Her dad" said Paul.
"Okay, when Gillian tells her dad, about Helen flashing her knickers, which she still claims she didn't do, by the way, she's going to get a thrashing. She's petrified of that, and I think she'll probably be out of action for a while."
"Are you sure we can trust her? She's not going to tell Gillian or her parents?" asked Victoria.
"Hard to tell for sure, but... I don't think so. I think she hates Gillian so much she'd do anything to see him get his just desserts" said Emily.
"Then we have to be as quick as possible. The sooner we can get the camera installed, the sooner we can begin the surveillance and gather the evidence we need. We don't know how long it'll be before Giles comes sniffing round again, so time is of the essence" said Victoria.
"Assuming there is any evidence" said Paul, not wanting them to get their hopes up.
"He's a boy!" said Amy "There'll be lots of evidence."
Everyone laughed, even Ben, albeit nervously and with a little embarrassment.
"Emily?" said Victoria "Have you still got that old air-conditioning thingy, you know the old portable one that your dad threw out?"
"He bought a new one" Emily said.
"It's in the garage" said Alison.
"Do you think you can get it?" asked Victoria.
"He's been meaning to get rid of it for ages. I could try" she said.
"Say Paul wants to play with it, to figure out how it works" said Victoria "And Paul, you go round with your trailer, pick it up and bring it here"
"It'll weigh a ton!" he said.
Victoria gave him a stern look "But not as heavy as my grief at losing half my savings" she said.
"Alright" he said.
"Leave that for tomorrow, there's no rush. We've got work to do!" Victoria said rising from her chair "Come on, everyone's going to have to muck in."
Margaret looked up at the kitchen clock as she heard the front door slam. She continued cleaning the cooker.
Ben and Amy, exhausted and aching, found their way to the kitchen slowly, drawn by the sounds of their mother cleaning.
"Can we have some orange juice please, mum?" asked Amy.
"In the fridge, don't make a mess" said Margaret peering at Ben especially closely.
"We won't" said Amy cheerfully heading for the sparkling new appliance.
"The kitchen men have only just gone, so I'm still cleaning up" said Margaret "Dinner's going to be a bit late I'm afraid."
"Aw mum, I'm starving" whined Ben.
"Serves you right for not having any breakfast" she said, giving the cooker one last wipe "What did you do for lunch?"
"Victoria made some sandwiches" said Amy carrying the juice carton to the table.
"Who's Victoria?" asked Margaret.
"Just a friend" said Amy "Where are the glasses now?"
"In the top cupboard next to the wall" said Margaret "I hope she's responsible"
"Mum! She's fourteen!" said Ben, as if that explained everything.
"Isn't she a bit old to be playing with you two" asked Margaret.
"She's a friend of Emily and Paul" said Amy retrieving two glasses.
Margaret opened a cupboard next to the back door and pulled out a bucket and mop.
"And Alison!" said Ben, instantly regretting his outburst.
"And who's Alison?" asked Margaret.
"Oh nobody" said Ben becoming sullen.
"She's my friend" said Amy, stressing the 'my' and giving Ben a grin as she did so. Ben wanted to contradict her, out of pride, but he didn't dare.
"Well I suppose I'll meet them all tomorrow" said Margaret filling the bucket at the sink, and adding two capfuls of cleaner.
Ben sat up at that, but Amy's calm nature kept her hands steady as she poured.
"Why?" asked Ben, his voice betraying his fear.
"Because we're going to a get-together" she said "What are you so worried about?"
"Nothing, I just thought... you might not like them" he said hurriedly.
"Why wouldn't I like them?" she asked surprised.
"No I didn't mean you wouldn't..." he began.
"He means, that they're our first new friends here, and he wants you to like them" said Amy, screwing the cap back on the carton.
"Oh" said Margaret watching Ben very carefully as his trembling hands picked up the orange juice filled glass "I'm sure I'll like them. Paul seemed very nice."
"Paul's lovely" said Amy.
"Which reminds me" said Margaret shutting of the tap and heaving the bucket out of the sink "Tomorrow I want you in by midday."
"Mum, you said six o'clock today and we're back by five-thirty" complained Ben.
"Not as a punishment" said Margaret "I need you showered and in your Sunday best by one."
"Aw no! What for?" he whined imagining some terrible family visit.
"I told you, we're going to a bit of a get-together. Meet the neighbours and so on. Don't worry your friends will be there"
Ben didn't want his friends to be there, he didn't want to go.
"Sounds great" said Amy.
"Now scoot, both of you. I need to get this floor clean before I start on dinner" said Margaret slopping the mop down onto the floor.
Leaving their dirty glasses on the table, they evacuated the kitchen. Ben thundered up the stairs like an angry rhinoceros. Margaret shook her head "That boy!"
Keith knocked on Ben's door nervously, and when Ben opened, it he asked if he could come in. Ben looked at his father, surprised.
"There's some stuff we need to talk about, son" said Keith with little enthusiasm.
Ben froze in fear, his father sounded really, really serious. What had he found out? For fear of betraying something Ben backed away and turned as if to finish something off.
"Come and sit down" said his father sitting himself on the bed and beckoning Ben over.
'Ooooh, really serious' thought Ben. He sat, and began to shake slightly. He couldn't look his father in the eye; didn't dare. He'd always found it difficult to lie to his parents. The infallible lie-detectors, that all parents seemed to have, always caught him out, and the shame of lying, on top of his otherwise quite small crime, always made things worse. This time though, he knew, his crimes were bigger. Much bigger.
Keith placed a hand on Ben's shoulder, he was too distracted by his own embarrassment to notice Ben's terror.
"It's time we had a bit of a chat, man to man" said Keith, trying to sound casual "You're growing up now, and in a year or so you'll probably start to see some changes, to your body"
Ben did not feel inclined to inform his father that such changes had already begun to occur to his body. He kept his head down and stayed as still as he was able.
"So, the sorts of things that are likely to happen are..." began Keith.
"I know all about that dad?" Ben blurted out suddenly; afraid his father might start to question him.
"Oh!" said his father, surprised "Good. Well that brings us onto girls then. You see, chances are, in a year or so, you'll probably start to look at girls a bit differently too..." Keith began.
"I know about that too" said Ben, trying to head off this line of enquiry before it even began.
"Do you?" Keith asked surprised "How?"
The last thing in the world Ben wanted to do was confess to having had sex already, and he didn't even want to let on that he had been looking at girls quite differently for some time now. His mouth opened and closed, and opened again "Um... 'cos...."
"They do all that in school, daddy" Amy said, giggling in the doorway.
"Amy!" said her father looking up and intending to tell her to go away and close the door, but she crossed to her father's side quickly and sat down.
"I haven't done it yet though, so can you tell me?" she asked looking as sweet and innocent as it was possible for a girl to look.
Keith looked down at her. His attempt at an affectionate smile came out more like a grimace.
"Best you talk to your mother" he said weakly. He quickly ruffled Ben's hair "Well, you seem to know all about it already so..." he paused to think of some clever closing statement, but failed "Dinner's in half an hour, kids."
He left the room hurriedly.
"Aw, I was looking forward to that" said Amy with a giggle. Ben looked up at her, still embarrassed. He wanted to scowl at her, but he didn't, he smiled at her gratefully instead.
"That was quick!" said Margaret, rather surprised when Keith re-entered the kitchen.
"He's a quick learner" he said, and gave her a quick kiss.
"You did do it, didn't you?" she asked.
"I said I would didn't I?" he prevaricated.
"Properly?" she inquired.
He kissed her again "What's for dinner then?" he asked trying to distract her.
"Bangers and mash" she replied sceptically, suspecting her husband's rare cowardly side was showing itself "Oh, and we got a letter from the council. Bad news I'm afraid. They've refused planning permission for the extension" she said.
"Bloody council!" he said "The architect said it would be fine, should go through without a hitch."
"Probably just wants to up his fee for the modifications. I wouldn't be surprised if they were in league" said Margaret "Will we be able to afford it?"
"If we're careful we should. But we will have to be careful. This house has cost us a fortune!" he said.
"It'll be worth it when it's finished though" said Margaret seeing Keith's expression of despair "And, if you're a good boy, maybe we could kick the kids out this evening and have some time to ourselves" she said giving him a suggestive smile. The twinkle returned to Keith's eye. Margaret thought he looked so cute like that.
Paul came through the back door quietly. The long bike ride with the heavy trailer had tired him enough, but with the long afternoon's labour on top he was exhausted. His neck, his arms, his back, his legs, they all ached, and he hoped he'd have time to soak in the bath before dinner.
His mother stirred a large pot on the stove impatiently.
"Hi mum, how long's dinner?" he asked.
"Where have you been?" she asked sounding exasperated.
"Just out, playing" he said surprised at her tone.
"What about the garden?" she asked turning round to look at him.
"Uh..." he began. Damn! In all the excitement he'd forgotten all about the garden. His mother had been on at him all week to mow the lawn and he'd kept putting it off. He'd finally promised that he'd do it this afternoon.
"I'll do it now" he said quickly.
"There isn't time, dinner's nearly ready" said his mother.
"Alright, tomorrow afternoon then" he suggested.
"We're going to be busy tomorrow afternoon" she said.
"Are we?" he asked.
"We've been invited to Mr and Mrs Weaver's, to meet the new neighbours" she said.
"I think I've already met them" he said "At least Ben and Amy, and their mum, Margaret"
"Mrs Davison" she said sharply "Show some respect"
"She told me to call her Margaret" he said defensively.
"I don't care what she told you, I'm telling you different" she countered.
"Tomorrow morning then" Paul said sullenly.
"Tomorrow morning I'm taking you shopping for school clothes" said his mother as she opened the drawer and took out a hefty wooden spoon.
Paul stared at it with mounting concern. Maybe she needed two spoons to stir the pot, he thought optimistically.
"This" said his mother waving the spoon ominously in front of him "Is what you'll get if that lawn isn't immaculate by bed-time - tonight!"
The Reverend St. John-Moncrieff sipped his tea elegantly as he watched the girls politely vacate the lounge. His experienced eye noticed Alison's slightly awkward gait and he smiled to himself, pleased that Mr and Mrs Weaver were taking their parental responsibilities seriously.
"We'll be delighted to attend Mrs Weaver" he said arranging his cup back in its saucer carefully "Although Helen may not be sitting for the duration."
"Oh dear, nothing serious I hope" said Diane.
"When children do wrong it's always serious" he said "It tempts them to greater sins if they're not corrected. And heaven knows where Helen's... unladylike behaviour might lead."
"Give them an inch and they'll take a mile" said Diane.
"Precisely" he said with a satisfied smile "Helen will be visiting me in my study after dinner this evening and we'll have a little chat."
Diane preferred to deal with the girls quickly when they were naughty, she didn't like keeping them waiting. Any unnecessary ceremony seemed harsh; unless it was needed to make the point more firmly. She suspected that Helen's unladylike behaviour must have been very unladylike.
"Well, at least it'll be private for the poor thing" she said, just for something to say.
"Giles will be present of course" he said "Since she caused him such embarrassment with her behaviour."
"Poor Giles, I expect it will hard on him too" said Diane feeling sorry for the rather shy and gentle boy.
"It's a useful reminder to him of what happens to sinful children" he said with a sigh.
Ben sat impatiently at the table. His knife and fork were abandoned erratically on his plate, he had gravy on his chin, and, hoping no-one would notice, a couple of peas in his lap.
The rest of the family were still eating sedately, and as far as Ben was concerned - far too slowly. He wouldn't be able to leave the table until everyone had finished eating, and talking, and he wanted to get off, to see Alison - if he would be allowed.
Amy leaned over and looked at his lap "Mum?" she said.
"Yes, Amy" said Margaret sneaking quick glances at Keith and smiling.
"Ben's peed his trousers again" she giggled.
Ben blushed.
"That joke got very boring a long time ago Amy, and don't be rude" said Margaret, trying to ignore Keith's wink.
"Are you kids going out to play tonight?" asked Margaret, trying to sound indifferent.
"Can we?" asked Ben excitedly.
"So long as you're not back before eight" said Margaret firmly. Ben looked at her all confused. Usually they had to be back before a certain time, not after it. He couldn't figure out what was going on.
"I mean be back at eight" said Margaret correcting herself "But don't be early!"
Keith smiled at her, enjoying her verbal squirming. He was looking forward to making her squirm in quite a different way later on.
"Why?" asked Amy.
"Because I said so" snapped Margaret, blushing a little.
"Because your mother and I have some things we need to discuss" said Keith "About the house, and we don't want to be distracted by you two running around."
'God! Grown-ups are so boring' thought Ben, turning his mind to what he might be up to tonight, if Alison would let him. 'Or' he thought suddenly 'Victoria!'
"I think I'll take my bike" said Ben, figuring that would allow him to arrive at the den sooner and leave later.
"Have you fixed the lights yet?" Margaret asked.
"Yes" said Ben.
"You're not taking your bike" said Margaret.
'Bloody stupid parents' lie-detector thingy' Ben said to himself as his face drooped.
Ben came crashing through the door into the lounge. Victoria, Emily, and Alison all looked up startled.
"Bloody Hell! Ben you nearly gave us all a heart attack" said Victoria slightly breathlessly.
"Sorry" he said, grinning at Alison. She grinned back and gave him a little wave.
Amy strolled in behind Ben shaking her head "You should see him at home" she said.
"Paul's not with us this evening, and we won't see him until tomorrow afternoon at the bash Emily and Alison's mother's giving" said Victoria.
"Why?" asked Amy.
"He's got chores to do this evening, and tomorrow morning his mum's talking him shopping. New clothes for school" said Victoria.
Ben screwed his face up; he hated shopping for clothes.
"So if anything happens tomorrow we're going to have to deal with it without him" said Emily.
"That means there's only one boy here, and he's my brother" said Amy disappointedly.
"And he's mine" said Alison, possessively.
"He doesn't belong to you Alison, he belongs to the gang" said Victoria reprovingly "Anyway I want a serious word with you two" she added "Come and stand over here!" Victoria pointed to a spot just in front of her.
Ben trudged over slowly, but Alison was up to her feet quickly and arrived first. Victoria waited for them to settle, as Amy took a seat beside Emily to watch.
"I know things were very stressful this morning" Victoria said, alternating glances between Alison and Ben "But you broke a cardinal rule in having sex without protection."
Alison went deathly pale and began trembling and crying.
"It's alright darling" said Victoria lightly "I just want you to remember. No sex without protection."
Taking everyone by surprise, Alison pulled her knickers down and lifted her skirt, shuffling closer to Victoria.
"No, it's all right darling, I'm not going to spank you. I know things were very difficult this morning, especially for you, and I understand if you weren't really thinking straight. I just want you to remember, for the future" said Victoria, her heart bleeding.
"Please Victoria, I'm really sorry, don't be mad" said Alison through sobs and looking devastated.
"I'm not cross at you, darling, I just wanted to make sure you remembered" said Victoria gently, trying to calm Alison down.
"Please spank me Victoria, I'm sorry..." said Alison beginning to break down.
"If I spank you darling I'll have to spank Ben too, he's more to blame than you are" said Victoria, but when she saw Ben's look of dismay she added "A bit anyway."
"I don't mind" bawled Alison.
"I do" squeaked Ben.
Victoria looked over at Emily, who shrugged in bewilderment and then nodded hesitantly.
"Come here then" said Victoria gently, and Alison leapt into Victoria's lap and rapidly arranged herself into an appropriate and submissive position. Victoria took a last, and apologetic look at Emily, raised a reluctant hand and began spanking Alison. She was crying immediately and begging for forgiveness.
Victoria didn't spank her for very long. She lowered her hand to stroke Alison's bottom affectionately. "Are we going to remember to always use protection?" she asked.
"Yeesss!" bawled Alison.
"Alright, all forgiven then. Give me a hug!" said Victoria softly.
Alison hauled herself round swiftly and threw her arms around Victoria's neck. "I'm sorry Victoria, please don't be mad with me" she bawled.
"I'm not" said Victoria, rubbing Alison's back and kissing her tenderly on the cheek "I'm not cross with you. Come on darling, let's not keep Ben waiting."
At the mention of his name Ben tensed up. Life was getting more confusing by the minute; it was just one thing on top of another. Why was Alison begging for a spanking when she didn't need one? Why was she so upset? He had thought she was all recovered now, and happy because they were going to get their revenge on Giles.
Alison withdrew from Victoria's hug slowly, pulled up her knickers, and returned to her usual place, cross-legged on the floor. She was oblivious to any pain felt she felt in her bottom. Ben shuffled from foot to foot.
"Come on sweety" said Victoria looking over at Ben "Let's get this over with"
"It's all right, Victoria" said Ben hopefully "You don't have to"
"Come on, my brave little tiger" she said smiling and patting her lap.
Ben stuttered towards her reluctantly and began to climb into her lap awkwardly.
"Aren't we forgetting something?" she asked patiently.
Ben hadn't forgotten, he was just hoping that she had, but obviously she hadn't; unless of course she was referring to something else that he had forgotten. He hesitated in a moment of agonising uncertainty, half-way over her lap.
Victoria carefully pushed him back to his feet, and her hands busied themselves at the top of his trousers.
"Oh that" he said miserably, she hadn't forgotten after all.
Ben stood humiliated like a small child as she drew his trousers down his legs.
"Bottoms are always smacked bare, Ben" said Victoria, as she took hold of the waistband of his boxers shorts and pushed those to his ankles as well "You should have learned that by now."
Ben kept his sorry head down, and when Victoria patted her lap again he climbed up quickly, doing his best to minimise his exposure to the others.
"Aren't boys funny?" said Amy "It doesn't matter how often everyone's seen their willy, they're still all silly and shy about it."
Victoria looked over at Amy while she settled Ben in her lap "You're next young lady" she said sternly "Stand over here and take your skirt and kickers off."
Amy looked momentarily shocked "What for... Oh! Sorry I forgot again."
"Forgetting is not an excuse" said Victoria.
Amy rose to her feet with a fatalistic sigh, and began undressing.
Victoria looked down at Ben's bottom and smiled. 'All good things come to those who wait' she thought, and she began smacking him. Ben squirmed, more in indignity than pain, and wondered whether he'd ever be able to come to the den without suffering some terrible humiliation or other. He hoped that this didn't ruin his chances with Victoria, assuming he'd had any in the first place.
Victoria enjoyed spanking him; not because she wanted to cause him pain, but just for the joy of smacking his bottom: seeing it wobble in response, and seeing the cute squirming that accompanied those things. The feeling of his bottom under her hand, and his weight over her lap added to the overall pleasure.
Ben squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his buttocks with each smack, determined not to cry. This time he was going to be brave and make Victoria and Alison proud of him.
Victoria did not spank him very hard, and she didn't spank him very long. She stroked his bottom for a little while afterwards, while Ben lay wondering if his ordeal was over.
"Up you get then, sweety" said Victoria. Ben sat himself up clumsily, hoping he might get a hug if he took long enough. Victoria did hug him. She wrapped her arms round him, pulled him up a little and squeezed. She studied his slightly pained and embarrassed face.
"Are you going to remember to always wear a condom when having sex?" she asked.
Ben nodded, and then looked unsure "I haven't got any" he said.
"Well we've got plenty. When you need them, ask one of us" she said "On second thoughts though we'll give you some just in case, and show you where they're kept, but just remember they're for sex, they're not toys."
Ben couldn't see how they'd make very good toys, but he nodded all the same.
"You were a very brave little tiger" she said and gave him a kiss. Victoria's kiss began affectionately enough, but soon became more amorous, and his willy started to stiffen. He didn't quite fully erect, but enough to point straight outwards.
"Is it my turn yet?" asked Amy.
Victoria stopped kissing Ben, and patted him on the bottom. "Come on then my little studmuffin. Amy's turn." Ben was almost jealous.
Not wanting to turn round and waggle himself at Amy, he backed away from Victoria, hoping to turn away from Amy once he was stood with his back to her; that way she wouldn't see him.
Victoria looked down as he retreated and smiled. She took hold of his erect penis and held it tightly.
"Looks like you've got a little handle" she said.
Ben blushed furiously and frowned.
"Are you going to get a move on or shall I get Emily to tug you away?" she asked
"I'm doing my best" he said.
Victoria let go of him, and he scooted more quickly, dropping to his feet and turning away from Amy. He pulled up his pants and then his trousers, while Amy took her position over Victoria's lap.
Ben sat next to Alison, putting an arm around her, and she smiled at him. "I didn't mean to get you in trouble" she said.
"It's okay" said Ben, hoping she might make it up to him.
Victoria spanked Amy a lot harder than the other two. Victoria wanted to make a point with Amy, to stop her disrespect of Ben before it became too much of an issue, but she drew no pleasure from it. Unused to being spanked Amy found the experience very painful and unlike Ben she was soon crying. Victoria gave her a few more hard smacks and stopped.
"Now are you going to stop saying nasty things about Ben?" asked Victoria, a little crossly.
"Yes" said Amy "I don't mean to, it's just that I'm so used to it now it's difficult to stop."
"Well you're going to have to stop, because next time it's back to the riding crop, and not just three either" said Victoria.
"Is it just when we're in the gang? Or when we're at home as well?" asked Amy, wiping her tears on her sleeve.
"It's all the time" said Victoria "If you do it at home you're more likely to forget when you're with us" said Victoria.
"Okay, I'll try, but habits are hard to break, you might have to be patient" said Amy.
Victoria pulled her into a hug and gave her a kiss "I will darling. I'll very patiently take the riding crop to your bottom"
It was Amy's turn to clench her buttocks now.
"You're a very clever girl Amy, and I think you're going to do really well in the gang. You just have to learn a bit of discipline" said Victoria.
"I know" said Amy "But when it comes to discipline, Ben's..." she began without thinking, screwed her face up and then "Really... good"
Victoria shook her head and gave her a last squeeze. "Off you go then, poppet" she said.
Amy climbed off Victoria's lap unselfconsciously, and with no concern for whether Ben or anyone else could see her fanny, she got dressed.
"Victoria?" asked Amy.
"Yes, darling" said Victoria.
"Why do you have funny names for people" she asked "Like tiger, and poppet and studmuffin?"
"It's a sign of affection, darling. It means I like you" said Victoria.
"Okay" said Amy.
Emily's pocket began to jingle merrily, and she pulled out her mobile. Flipping the clamshell top dextrously as she brought it to her ear she said "Yep?" She heard a distant whispering that she couldn't quite make out.
"Can you speak up? I can't hear you?" she said loudly in case the line was bad. The call was terminated.
"Who was it?" asked Victoria.
"Don't know, hung up" said Emily.
Victoria grinned at her "I bet it was Dave."
"Dave who?" asked Emily, pretending she didn't know.
"Lumpy Dave?" said Victoria "You're biggest admirer?"
"Oh him" said Emily dismissively.
"Why's he called 'Lumpy'?" asked Amy.
"Because whenever he sees Emily he goes all shy and breathless, and lumpy" explained Victoria.
"Oh, you mean like he gets a stiffy" said Amy.
Emily was blushing.
"He was probably trying to pluck up the courage to ask you out and he bottled it" said Victoria.
"Shut up!" said Emily.
"I bet he's lying on his bed right now, all naked and..." began Victoria
"Wanking" said Alison.
"I was going to say dreaming" said Victoria.
"Stop it, that's horrible!" said Emily.
"He is quite cute though" said Victoria.
Ben felt a flush of jealousy, he turned and kissed Alison. She kissed him back.
"Not in a wanting to go out with him kind of way" said Emily.
"No maybe not" said Victoria.
"But a string him up naked, tickle him and make him..." began Emily.
"Lumpy?" suggested Victoria.
"... squeal" said Emily.
Alison pulled Ben backwards so they lay rather than sat on the floor. Her hand came stroking down his tummy, and she started to undo his fly. They continued kissing.
"Looks like we've got a lumpy Ben" said Emily "Alison don't you ever stop?"
Victoria shushed Emily silently and shook her head.
Emily's phone jangled again "What should I do?" she asked.
"Answer it, see what he wants" said Victoria.
"How did he get my number?" she said.
"Paul probably. Winding you up" said Victoria, with a smile.
Emily answered "Hello" she said trying to sound as sexy as possible.
Victoria stifled a giggle.
"They've gone" said a tiny shaky voice at the other end.
"What?" asked Emily "Who's gone?"
"They have, they won't be back 'til ten. Please hurry." The terrified voice said.
"Oh God! Helen? Is that you?" she shouted, but the phone was dead.
Victoria sat bolt upright in her chair.
Continued in Chapter Twenty Seven