The Mothers discuss their past

Conversation between the parents and the faculty is light and desultory, the Carrolltons and Mrs. Wolcott obviously comfortable with Ms. Naylor and the other faculty members. The two mothers tell a few stories of their own years as student's at Pink Rose, laughing easily as they recount tales of girlish mischief.

It sounds pretty tame. Stories of sneaking out after curfew to meet some boys from Hamilton school, pranks played on other girls, and covert parties down by the lake. They mention being disciplined by the Dean of Students of the day, who sounds like a fearsome woman, and receiving a few strokes of the paddle for punishment.

"The first time I squealed so hard," Marcia Wolcott laughs softly. "I thought I'd never be able to sit down again."

"The first time? So you were in there more than once?" Lorri asks with a sardonic smile.

"Oh Heaven's yes!" Marcia answers. "Both Helen and I were regular customers. We weren't very good at sneaking out you see. We got caught so many times. I used to think the Dean had a trip wire on our door and knew when we opened it." The two women laugh at the memory, Helen Carrollton blushing faintly.

"You were a student here," Marcia says to Ms. Naylor. "A few years behind us. Was Dean Marshall still as quick to paddle when you were naughty?"

Diana blushes slightly before answering. "I'm afraid I was something of a goody-two shoes when I was a student. I never gave her cause to paddle me."

"That must have made you unique," Helen laughs. "Most of our class spent their time bent over Miss Marshall's desk being punished."

"When they weren't down by the lake with their legs in the air getting serviced," Marcia adds with an earthy chuckle that deepens Diana's blush.

"Not that Marcia and I were ever like that," Helen says, putting a hand on her husband's arm and giving him a wink before grinning at the other mother. "We were mischievous, not slutty." Tony Carrollton smiles fondly at her, patting her hand.

"Well, we do our best to limit that kind of thing," Diana says. "No system is perfect of course, but we try our best. And Dean Hawkfeather seems to have made quite an impression on the student's with how serious he is."

"Mmmmm, from what I saw of his picture in the school guide, I'd guess some girls can't wait to drop their panties and bend over his desk," Marcia laughs softly.

"That's the reason that all punishment's are conducted in the presence of a witness. Me in most cases. That should restrain the more....uninhibited of the girls."

"I'm sure the Dean is an honourable man," Tony Carrollton says with a smile. "A career Marine I understand. Wounded in combat and decorated for valour. He sounds like a man to be trusted."

"I have every faith in him," Diana says firmly. "As does the Board of Regents."

"No doubt entirely justified," Helen says with a smile. "I'd like to meet him. Will he be joining us?"

"He often eats alone," Donna Considine says with a smile. "I suspect he feels that his reputation is diluted if he spends social time with the students. There's a certain disciplinary value in being remote."

Diana nods, as though the idea is new to her. Tony Carrollton gives a short nod of approval. "Sounds like an intelligent man. I like him more, the more I hear about him."

"Well, I'd still like to meet him," Helen Carrollton says with a smile. "Wouldn't you Marcia? It would be good to get a look at the man who might be paddling my daughter's bottom. Would you take us to meet him Headmistress?"

"By all means," Diana answers, pulling out her phone and typing a text message. "I'll just see where he is."

Her phone chimes a minute later and Diana reads it with a smile. "He's in his office. I told him you'd like to meet and he says this is a good time. Let me take you there."

"That's very kind, Headmistress. Even though reformed bad girls like us know the way to that office all too well," Marcia smiles, making a little pantomime of rubbing her rump as she stands.

"You never change do you Marcia?" Helen chuckles. "Maybe the Dean can show you if his paddling technique is different from his Miss Marshalls."

"Oh Stop!" Marcia laughs. "You were always the naughtier one. Nothing but trouble. So pleased to meet all of you," she adds turning to you and the other faculty members. "And welcome to Pink Rose Mr. Watts. Good luck."

"I'll pass on meeting the Dean for now," Tony Carrollton says as he rises. "I'd like a walk in the fresh air. I'm sure you ladies want to reminisce about your days as naughty schoolgirls without me tagging along."

The two women laugh, Helen Carrollton kissing her husband before following the Headmistress out of the dining hall.

"As Marcia said, it's been a real pleasure to meet you all. Coach Watts, good luck in your new career," he adds, giving you a firm handshake before striding out of the room.

You watch him as he leaves and see him give the briefest glance at the table Millie Wolcott sits at. He hasn't reached the door of the hall before she stands, saying something to her companions and walks after him.