Have a word about appropriate language

There's no doubt that if a younger woman had been swearing and blaspheming as loudly and for as long as the brunette in the maxi dress, then she would be having her bottom (or some other part of her anatomy) warmed right now. You saw where she hobbled, legs rather shaky after her intense experience at the tongue of the young student she rode, so it's quite easy to find her, even amongst the densely packed crowd. You politely wend your way through the knots of people chanting the count for the swats of the girl on stage or watching the gorgeous Naia suffering the consequences of failure.

The screamer is with a group of friends of similar ages, three men and two women (neither carrying implements), all nicely dressed for a late summer party. They're not watching proceedings, but instead talking and laughing together, mainly about your target's arresting performance earlier. You wonder briefly whether one of the chaps is her husband, but then you can't help but overhear a comment about his relative lack of skill with his tongue being the reason she reacted so strongly to the defender's attentions, which would hardly be likely if he were actually there, so you think you're safe to proceed.

"Hello," you say smoothly during a lull in conversation, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I felt I had to say something."

The six friends, all well-heeled and only a few years younger than you, turn to face you, enquiringly.

"There are a lot of young ladies present here and your language during the race set a very poor example. Were you a little younger, I would have you over my knee." That's not really true. There are plenty of men here and you're sure one of them would have spared you the trouble, but the principle is the same.

The blonde friend nudges her pal with a giggle and whispers, loudly enough to be heard over the buzz all around: "You're in trouble now; you've attracted the attention of the authorities!"

The woman in question, though, is staring at you incredulously.

"You want to spank me?"

"No, no," no, you really don't have any interest in baring her middle-aged backside, considering the delightful derrières you discipline every day, "but I did think washing your mouth out with soap and water might be appropriate." You give a wholesome smile as though your suggestion is the most reasonable thing in the world.

She gapes at your temerity, but her companions all seem to think it's hilarious and express their unstinting support for the notion. What an excellent idea…you'll be careful what you say now, won't you…it's no worse than I'd give our daughter…we ought to be setting a good example at our age…think of the children.

"What? You think I should do it? I'm not doing it!" She looks around and sighs. "Fine, I'll do it." Giving you a withering look, she begins to make her way to the restrooms and as soon as she's out of earshot, her mates all burst out laughing.

"I can't believe she's actually doing it," says the other brunette.

"It's years since I had my mouth washed out," the blonde confesses.

"It's years since you've needed it, darling," adds the man you suppose is her husband.

You introduce yourselves (although you note that none of them mentions what they do for a living) and talk for a few moments about the good work the football team does for town/gown relations, but before long, you're interrupted by a round of applause signalling the end of the paddling. You excuse yourself and head back closer to the stage, but the friends are already more interested in the upcoming race than talking to you.

On that subject, Robyn starts to announce the riders in the next heat and the first person she mentions takes you completely by surprise.