It seems Abel had a dream in which his Haron and a spanko houseguest misbehaved together. A good dream:
We’d just finished eating dinner – a dinner throughout which she and Haron had misbehaved; a stern final warning had been issued, but to no avail. Whether something got broken or spilt I can’t tell you, but the switch flicked: two giggling girls were suddenly still, silent.
“Go to your rooms.”
Serious, worried now as they walked upstairs.
I let them wait. Gave them time to contemplate. Knew that each of my belated footsteps on the stairs would make their heart beat a little faster.
To the study, first, to pick up the cane. Malacca; incredibly flexible; incredibly effective. Then I opened the door to the spare room. Our friend stood up, biting her lip, eyeing the cane. “I shall deal with you in a few minutes. Put on your pyjamas and get ready for bed.”
Next I headed into the main bedroom, where Haron was waiting…