Escape From Abu Dhabi : Part Two !

Debbi took another sip of her gin and tonic and resumed her story. "Well, they all got a bit flustered. The thought police were used to doing what they want and getting their own way but apparently, they got chewed out by the top sheikhs who didn't want their trade talks screwed up. The ambassador was peed off too at having to deal with a grumpy P.M." Harry laughed and said he could imagine.

"So it was agreed that if I said sorry and pleaded guilty, I'd be let off. But as a sop to the dignity of the thought police, I was to undergo a sham flogging."

"Sham flogging ?"

"Yeah, it was a total farce, I think they all just wanted to see me naked."

"You were naked ?"

"Yeah, in this room under the court house. They tied me over this bench, ankles to each leg and wrists on the other side. Kind of spread."

Harry conjured up the mental image ! "Then what ?" he wondered. "Then this big guard guy took his whip and kept cracking it down on the floor on either side of me for each of the fifty strokes."

"What was that like ?"

"Still scary. Even though I knew I wasn't going to get hit, you can't help flinching !"

"So who was there ?"

"Loads of people. The judge and lawyers. The thought police guys. The manger of the hotel for some reason and a bunch of random sheikhs. Oh, and the ambassador."

Harry laughed. "So the poor old sod got some recompense for all his trouble !" Debbi slapped his wrist playfully.

"And that was it ?" said Harry. "More or less. They untied me and gave me back the burka to wear while they took me back to the hotel under police escort to collect my stuff. I was being deported in disgrace as you know." Debbi took another sip of her drink. "I had to go via the embassy to apologise and say thanks to the Prime Minister and the Duke." Harry grinned at the thought. "What did the P.M say ?" he wondered. "He just went red and blustered as usual" Debbi replied. "The Duke wanted my phone number." That didn't surprise Harry. "He always has been a randy git" he commented.

"Then I met up with you much to my relief and you got me through the airport away from the press" Debbi thanked him.