‘Why do I have to be naked while you beat me? Surely the pain levels would hardly be reduced if I wore say a swimming costume or a leotard. I have plenty of those at home from my gymnastics past, they would at least leave me with some dignity. Presenting myself to you naked adds a degree of humiliation to the event, is this what you seek to achieve on top of inflicting pain, to humiliate me?’ Philip looked back at Lucy.

‘It’s an interesting point. I think you being naked will bring home to you your vulnerability Lucy. Let’s not quibble over such small detail, if you’d like to wear a tee shirt, or a short top that is fine, but your buttocks will be bare for the caning.’ Lucy wasn’t sure if she’d gained a concession, if she had it wasn’t perhaps the one, she hoped for.

‘I’m just worried about scarring, being left permanently marked. I do like the beach Philip and I also like to swim; I don’t want people looking at me and asking themselves - are those cane marks?’ Lucy smiled as she spoke, whispering the last sentence to prevent eavesdroppers on a nearby table hearing a sordid tale.

‘Twenty-five strokes of the cane at £200 a stroke adds up to £5000, this will be your reward at the end Lucy. More than enough to pay your tuition fees for the foreseeable future. Obviously, you will be welcome to come back for more if that is your wish.’ He paused while their sweets were served, he then continued. You will be heavily marked. I use a medium, very flexible rattan cane. As you can imagine at the rate per stroke I mentioned, I won’t go easy on you. Each stroke will be delivered with full force and there will be a 10-15 second delay between strokes. It will be an authentic judicial caning, a flogging. No mercy, no safe word. I will decide if I feel you’ve had enough or the damage to your buttocks is becoming a problem. I will draw blood. You will be heavily bruised for a week to ten days, where the skin was broken will take longer. After six to eight weeks there will be the slightest sign of a caning but over the months to come that will clear completely. By the summer you’ll be sunning your body on a warm sunlit beach and all any red-blooded man and possibly quite a few women will be interested in is how astonishingly beautiful your bottom is Lucy.’ She raised her eyebrows as he concluded.

‘That’s harsh Philip, it’s sadistic. I’m finding it a stretch to believe you’re not a cold-hearted sadist, luring a victim in with soft sweet words. I’m not sure I can take that?’ She replied softly, spooning a portion of strawberry cheesecake into her mouth.
Excerpt from The Medical Student.

Lucy is a medical student. She comes from a poor background and wants to become a doctor rather than face the mundane existence she faced as she grew up. After a first successful year, her whole future is put in doubt when funding for her second year is used to pay off her father’s gambling debt. She already works as an exotic dance to help her survive, but when tuition fees are due and must be paid within days she is faced with the unthinkable – returning home, a humiliating failure. Then she is made an offer, one she has no choice but to consider. Her problems will be solved immediately, quickly, but the price she has to pay, so her life can move on is huge. But is it? Will it also provide the means to shake off all the hurt of her life so far at the same time?

A sensitive but realistic story which has a happy but sadistic, painful ending.