The Settlement

[Sissy Little Girl]

Sandra B, Poor Philip.  It looks like everyone is in on this escapade  Between his first day at Caroline Norton, the girl telling him that her little sister has a backpack just like his, or the gang of 4 actually bullying him at the front entrance to the school yard, Philip has no idea that all of this has been planned by Christabel and Estella.  Now we have to wait til the next chapter to find out what is going to happen.  Great job on this story. :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P :P

[Sandra B]

Chapter 17.  Togetherness.

Philip got permission to spend the lunchtime inside.  He told Miss Waters he was feeling a little nauseous – which was the truth.  He was sick with fear about what would happen when the Gang of Four realised he had changed his mind.  When the girls trooped back in after lunch, he kept his head down and his eyes fixed on a book.  Then he became aware of two figures standing over him.  He looked up.  Rebecca and Valerie.
“So you chickened out.”
“No…  I just decided…”
“You chickened out.  That’s all there is to it.  So you’re going to be Philip the Chicken from now on, as far as we’re concerned.”
“Yeah.  Just don’t come asking us for any favours.  You didn’t even have the balls to do a simple little dare.  Who gives a shit what skirt you wear?  We don’t.  You can go back to wearing trousers, like the pathetic wimp you are, as far as we’re concerned.  Get lost, chicken!”
They left him to himself.  He almost felt ashamed.  Was that the full extent of their revenge?  Maybe it was.  They were just disgusted.  Why had he chickened out?  They were right – it was nothing.  And he had to go and make a big thing of it!  He felt such an idiot.  Miss Waters hadn’t arrived yet.  He stood up and walked over to them.
“Look, I’m really sorry…” he began.
“Just go away,” said Valerie, “we’ll find someone else to play with.  Just keep out of our way.”
“I could change tomorrow…”
“Forget it,” said Rebecca, contemptuously.  “Too late.  We don’t care, okay?”
Nikki had arrived.  He sat down next to her.  Why do I seem to get everything wrong, he thought.  Why did Carol have to say that?  It’s true.  I am pathetic.  He stared into space.  Well, at least it doesn’t look as though there’ll be any repercussions.  That’s something, at least.

That evening his aunt was at home when he got back.  Tina was still at work.
“Hello, Philip!” 
“Hi, aunt.”  She still seemed in her recent good mood.  I think she likes having me here, he thought.  She always seems happy to see me, especially when I’m being her maid.  Perhaps she’s not so bad.
“Oh.  You didn’t wear your summer skirt, then?”
“No.  I decided not to.  I’ll put it back in my drawer till spring.”
“Oh, no, don’t do that.  You should keep it with you, just in case.  Actually, I have something for you.”  She left the room and returned a minute later with a bag.  “Here.  I noticed you seem to have a lot more books to carry around now.  I thought this would help.”
She opened the bag, and pulled out a new backpack!  A big one, with multiple pockets, blue with red piping.  It even had his name embroidered on the back.
“Wow.  Thanks aunt!  Yes, that’s just what I need.  Brilliant!”
“I had it personalised so it won’t get lost at school.  Look, it has all these pockets for different things.  And this one, here at the side, would be perfect for your little skirt and the accessories.”
“Great.  That’s really nice of you.”  And he gave his aunt a kiss, unbidden.  Now he could ditch that silly pink little girl’s one.
She helped him there and then transfer all his books, and she made sure his skirt and his special panties were packed neatly into their pocket and zipped up tight.  He was so grateful that, that evening, he put on his summer maid’s uniform for the first time, and did all his chores with particular thoroughness.  She seemed especially pleased that he even wore his maid’s ruffled panties, which peeped out prettily from under the short layered petticoat every time he bent down.

So when Tina got in from work, she was pleasantly surprised.
“Philip!  You look so sweet this evening!  Good enough to eat!” she laughed.  “Stand still a minute.”  She adjusted his sleeves and apron.  “What made you put this on?”
“Dunno,” he replied, bashfully.  “Just felt like it, that’s all.”
“Well, you can come and tidy my bedroom anytime, darling!”
Wouldn’t I just love to, he thought.  But, dutifully, he got on with his chores.  Tina sat down and watched him closely.  A step in the right direction, she thought.  I’m going to have to have another word with Sally.  If only he’d…..  He’d make such a gorgeous girl….and so sexy.  She bit her lips with some inexpressible emotion.

At school the next day it really seemed as if his troubles were behind him.  Rebecca and Valerie ignored him.  At lunchtime Sadie approached him in the playground.
“So you wimped out.  I’m not surprised.  Just what I’d expect of a bloke like you.”
“Sorry.  I did offer…”
“Forget it.  Not interested.  And Freida’s gone all soft, anyway.”
“Gone soft…?”
“She feels guilty about threatening you, she says.  Silly cow.  There’s hardly anyone with balls in this place.”  And she walked away sulkily.

So things had just fizzled out, it seemed.  There was one development, however.  On Wednesday, Rebecca and Valerie were chattering at registration.  For the first time, he saw Miss Waters lose her temper.
“You two!  I’ve had enough.  I’m moving you from the back.”  She looked around.  “Right, collect up your things and change places with Emma and Deirdre.  Now!”
Emma and Deirdre were the two girls seated directly behind Philip and Nikki.  Philip panicked.  He stuck his hand up. 
“Miss!  Could you put them somewhere else, please?”
“Philip?  Why are you asking me that?  I decide who sits where, not you.”
“But, miss, they’re sort of…I mean, we don’t get along that well, and…”
“Don’t be silly, Philip.  They’re not going to interfere with you.  If they do, they’ll find themselves outside Miss Tancred’s door.”
“Don’t worry, Philip,” said Rebecca, “we don’t want to be near you, either.”
“That’s enough, girls!  Now change places quietly, and no more backchat.”

Philip was very dubious about developments, but it seemed he needn’t have worried.  The girls settled down behind him, and, apart from the occasional murmur of conversation, they didn't disturb him.  The rest of the week passed without incident.  On Friday evening he even said goodbye to them, and they actually acknowledged him with a little wave.  He went into the weekend feeling much happier and more relaxed.

[Sandra B]

Chapter 18.  Persuasion. 

Philip enjoyed his weekend.  He was beginning to feel very comfortable wearing his maid’s uniform and doing the domestic chores.  He loved the sense that he was of use to the two women who dominated his life, and he especially liked the feeling of waiting on them, bringing them food and drinks, clearing away, while they chatted.  Their disregard of his presence made the whole thing seem somehow…normal.  He didn’t care to analyse the psychology.  When one finds oneself in a state of pure happiness, why risk it by starting to explore its roots?  So when his aunt mentioned that she was planning to have some friends over in a week or two, and that Philip would be required to wait on them, it was no longer the source of anxiety that it would have been when he first arrived in Dayton, but a prospect that gave him a little thrill of excitement.
His growing acceptance was reinforced by Tina.  She was always adjusting his clothes, arranging his hair, smiling at him, telling him how pretty he looked, finding him new outfits on line.  And he actually looked forward to his daily makeup sessions, which now incorporated a significant element of training, encouraging him to apply his own, and to make appropriate choices.  He still hadn’t got very far with her physically, however.  She never seemed to be available at the right times.  Either that, or his aunt would appear from nowhere at a critical moment.  So during the Saturday morning session in his bedroom, he addressed the issue head on.
“Tina, darling?”
“Yes, Philip?”
“It would be so nice if we could…you know…get a bit of time just for ourselves.  When is your mother going to be out again?”
“I’ve no idea, Philip.  She’s so unpredictable.”
“But I want to…to be close to you, and we never seem to get the opportunity.”
“I know, dear.”  She sighed.  “I’d like it too.  I think there’s an element of mummy trying to protect me from what she sees as aggressive male advances.  I know it’s stupid…”
““Aggressive male advances?”  Are you joking?  Look at me!  I don’t even look male!”
“I know, dear, but in her eyes you’re still just a man in women’s clothing.  She asked me the other day about your character – if you were developing psychologically.”
“And you said?”
“Well, I said I wasn’t sure.  It’s the truth.  I couldn’t lie to her.”
“So how can I convince her I have a feminine heart?  I think I really have, you know.”
“I think so too, Philip.  I don’t know how….unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Maybe you should take Sally’s advice.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, some mild hormone therapy.”
Philip frowned.  He looked her in the eyes.
“Is that what you want?”
“Well, Philip, you know how I feel about you.  You know the part of you I love the best is your feminine side, your sweetness, your gentleness.  If it would help develop that even more…”
“So you do.  And it would get me your mother’s acceptance too?”
“Well it would definitely help.”
He sat silent for a minute.
“All right.  I’ll do it for you.  But mild, mind you.  And if I don’t like the results, I’ll stop at once.”
“Oh, darling, you’re so wonderful!  I love you so much!”
And she leaned across and gave him a long, lingering kiss.  A promise of things to come, hoped Philip.

[Sandra B]

Chapter 19.  Relief. 

When they returned downstairs, Tina broke the news to her mother.  Estella was ecstatic.  It occurred to Philip that this might be the perfect time to ask about speaking to his siblings.
“Aunt, can I ask you something?”
“Anything, dear.”
“I know I’m not allowed to contact mum, but I was wondering…  Do you think I could speak to Delia and Sammy on the phone.  I’m really missing them, and I’m sure they’re wondering where I am.”
“Of course, Philip!  Didn’t you see I deliberately exempted them from the ‘no communication’ rule?”
“I did notice.  I thought it may have been an oversight.”
“My dear, I do not overlook things.  The only condition I would impose is that the telephone call must take place in my presence and on speaker.”
“Of course!  Thank you so much, aunt!  Maybe this evening, before Sammy’s bedtime.”
“Fine by me, dear.”
Philip felt life was getting better by the minute.  Apart from the proposed hormone therapy, anyway.  No, he didn’t fancy that at all.  But for Tina….  Anyway, he felt sure it would be some weeks before anything could be arranged, by which time he’d have had a chance to find out a bit more and think it over. 

He couldn’t have been more wrong.  When Sally arrived that afternoon, the first thing she said was, “Oh, you’ve decided to go for it, then, Philip.  You won’t regre’ it, mate.  I’ve got some capsules and some creams with me, so we can sit down and decide what’s best for you.”  Poor Philip.  By the time she left, not only had his eyebrows all but disappeared, but he’s been liberally massaged with a variety of creams, one of which purported to aid breast growth, and issued with two boxes of capsules for daily use.  Well, actually they’d been issued to Tina, so that she could supervise his regime.  Sally had swept aside all his doubts and anxieties.
“Just give i’ a go, Philip, and see 'ow you feel.  You probably won’t notice anyfink for some weeks, anyway.  I guarantee they’ll make you feel a lot ‘appier.”
“But I am happy, Sally!”
“You fink you are.  But just wait till these kick in.  You’ll start ge’’in’ int’rested in all sorts of girly fings, you see if you don’t.”
“Yes, Philip.  I’m so glad you’ve decided to embrace the role you’ve adopted,” leered aunt Estella.  “Won’t it be exciting when you go and buy your first bra?”

He had his phone call.  His aunt let him talk for nearly an hour.  She didn’t even bother to supervise him the whole time, but went off into the basement to fold some washing.  The kids were ecstatic to hear from him.  Of course they wanted to know when he was coming back, or at least when they’d see him, and all he could say was “soon, darlings, soon”.  Delia said her mum sent her love, and was thinking about him all the time.  Apparently Christabel Tancred had rung her to say how well he was getting on at school, and how happy he was.  That was nice.  I wonder if she did it off her own bat, he thought.  Anyway, it must have made mum feel a bit better.

As for the hormone therapy, Philip decided to go along with it for the time being.  Well, he couldn’t see a way out of it just at that moment.  But he remembered reading somewhere that these treatments, especially the creams,  were often ineffective.  So he clung desperately to the hope that that was true.  On Sunday morning, when he was sitting in his bedroom and Tina was doling out pills, he took the opportunity to express his misgivings.
“Tina, darling…  I’ve been thinking.  You know, I don’t mind the dressing up – sometimes I quite enjoy it – but I’m really not sure about this aspect of things…”
“Open wide, dear.  There.  Good boy!  Maybe I’ll be able to call you “good girl” in the not too distant future.”
“Please don’t joke.  I’m serious!”
“Oh, so am I, believe me!”
“I mean, maybe the creams aren’t so bad, but the pills…”
“Oh.  You don’t mind the creams, then?”
“Not really…”
“Interesting.  There’s one he for general use, to inhibit male development.  May be I should try it…down there?”
“What?”
“Here, slip your panties off…  That’s it.  Now….”
“Tina, you…”
“Shhh…”
“Oh, Tina!  Yes!  Please don’t….  I mean, please don’t stop.  Yes…  That’s it… yes…”
“So are you going to take your medication regularly, dear?” she asked, quietly.
“Yes!  Yes!  I’ll…  I’ll… take it!  Oh, god!!  Ohhh!”
“Good boy!  Goodness, you must have needed that!  I think shall have to ask the maid to clean this up, don't you?”

[Sandra B]

Chapter 20.  Ambushed!

After Philip had gone to bed that night, Estella and Tina were sitting up together in the living room, having a nightcap.
“Well, darling,” said Estella, “I think we’ve proved that the carrot can be more effective than the stick in certain cases.”
“Yes, mum.  But it does depend on the nature of the carrot.”
“Well you’re the expert on that,” she smiled.  “And do you think he’ll carry on taking the meds?”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll make sure he does.  I don’t think there’ll be a problem.  He believes he on a low dose.”
“Oh, dear.  He should be in for a surprise, then.”
“Sally says so.  We’ll see.  Aren’t we naughty aunt?  Playing these games.  But I think it’ll be good for him, as well as keeping us entertained.”
“Of course.  He’ll be much happier as a proper girl.  And I know you’ll be happier.”
“I will.  It’s true.  But I meant to ask, weren’t you arranging some little tricks at his school?”
“I was.  I have.  At least, me and Christabel have.  Everyone’s played their part, though, from Sadie and her friends to Miss Waters.  To be honest, none of us really knows if it’ll work, or how things will develop, but then it’s only a bit of fun.”
“I don’t know all the details, mum, but I guess I’ll find out when he gets home.  I hope I can keep a straight face.  It’s really difficult sometimes, when he’s complaining about those girls.  The other day I twisted something inside, trying not to laugh.”
“He’s so cute, isn’t he?  And so innocent.  It would be impossible not to take just a little advantage, wouldn’t it?”
“I know.  He gets so embarrassed about the slightest thing.  I dread to think how he’s going to be when you have your friends round.  Actually, I can’t wait.”
“Yes.  They are a bit wild, aren’t they?  They're going to love him!”

The next morning, Philip, his chores completed, his homework finished,  threw on his new backpack and set off for school.  It was still warm for March, and the sky was cloudless.  He felt full of energy, and was looking forward to lessons, not least because of the new literature period in the afternoon.  He had a sensitive mind, he loved poetry – he had told Miss Waters as much - and now, with no boys to jeer at him, he would be able to allow that side of his persona to express itself. The morning went well, he was commended for his work, and by lunchtime he was feeling quite exhilarated.  He moved around the playground, talking to various friends.  He registered the fact that the Gang of Four were nowhere to be seen, but he had no reason to attach any significance to that.  Then, about fifteen minutes before the end of lunchtime, a girl he didn’t know approached him.
“You’re Philip, right?”
“Yes…”
“Do you know Freida, in L.1?”
“Well, I’ve met her.”
“She’s in the corridor outside the cloakroom.  She wants to talk to you.  I think she’s a bit upset.”
“Really?  Why does she want to talk to me?”
“Dunno.  She just said she wanted to apologise, or something.”
“Okay.  Thanks.  I’ll go and see what she wants.”
Wants to apologise, thought Philip.  What for?  Just cos of that silly empty threat?  Silly girl.  I’d better go see her and sort it out.
Sure enough, there was Freida, standing in the corridor, looking sorry for herself.  She looked as though she’d been crying.  Her makeup was all messed up.
“What’s up?”
“Philip.  I’m really sorry about…you know.”  She sobbed, quietly.
“What, about that silly prank?  It was nothing.  Don’t be upset.”
“Can we go into the cloakroom, where it’s private?”
“Course.  Come on.”
He put his arm around her and conducted her gently into one of the aisles.
“You’ve nothing to apologise for.  I didn’t do it anyway.  You know, put on my short skirt.”
Freida was still rubbing her eyes.  Then with a sudden lurch forward, she threw her arms around him and started kissing him passionately.  In an attempt to push her off, he grabbed her arm, and then her plait.  It was at this moment that there was two or three flashes from his left.  He tore his face away from Freida to look, and there was another.  He blinked, and saw Sadie standing there holding her phone, with Rebecca and Valerie behind her.
“What…what’s going on?  What are you all…?”
“Gotcha, Philip,” shouted Sadie, triumphantly.  “Get a load of this!”  And she held out her phone for him to see.  He had Freida by the hair, there was lipstick all over his face, while Freida’s face looked a mess and wore an expression of extreme distress.  Before Philip could move, she’d passed the phone to Valerie, who ran away as fast as she could.
Philip was speechless.  Freida had detached herself now, and was regarding him with cool malice.  It was Rebecca who spoke first.
“You’ve been caught in the act, Philip.  Assaulting a lower school girl in the cloakroom.  It almost looks like attempted rape.”
“It was she who jumped on me!  I was trying to get her off!”
“It didn’t look like that from the pictures.  What’s your version, Freida?”
“I just wanted to apologise to him...  He suggested we come in here, then he grabbed me.  Thank goodness you found us in time!”  She said all this with mock distress, but with an evil smile on her lips.
“I’m afraid you’re finished, Philip,” said Sadie.  When the head hears about this, you’ll be expelled.  We’ll be rid of you at last.”
“Please…please, girls, don’t tell the head, please…”
“Val’s on her way there at this very minute.  I hope Miss Tancred’s available.”
“No!  Call her back.  Please!  I’ll do anything…anything, I promise!”
“Anything?  Like wearing your summer skirt?”
“Yes.  Yes.  I’ve got it with me!  I’ll go and put it on right now!”
“And what else?”
“Anything!  I swear!  Please don’t get me expelled.  I’m so happy here!”
“What do you think, girls,” said Sadie, thoughtfully.  “Should we give him another chance?”
“Maybe….” replied Rebecca, “maybe…but he’d have to obey us in future, obey us absolutely.”
“I will!  I swear!  Please call Valerie before it’s too late!”
“All right.  We’re going to give you one more chance.  Rebecca, call her.”
Rebecca did call her, though it made no difference, since Valerie was nowhere near Miss Tancred’s office, but had simply wandered back into the playground waiting to hear if their subterfuge had been successful.
“Okay.  You were lucky this time, Philip Timothy,” said Sadie.  “In future, you’d better behave yourself.  You’ll have to follow our instructions to the letter – or else.  Now, there’s five minutes before the bell.  Go and get your skirt.  Hurry.  We’ll meet you in the toilets.”
“Yes, Sadie.  I’m going.”  And he dashed out of the cloakroom to get his backpack.
The girls exchanged high fives. “I can’t wait to see this!” said Rebecca.
“Lucky thing!” said Sadie.  “I wish I was in your class!”

[Sissy Little Girl]

Sandra B, If only Philip knew that everyone was in on the plot to make him do as they wanted.  Between the hormones and now the picture that looks like he assaulted Freida, he is in way over his head.  Can't wait to see what they all have planned for him next time.

Thanks for 3 GREAT chapters.  They are always well written and riveting.
 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)   

[Sandra B]

Chapter 21.  Deep Waters.   

It was strictly forbidden to enter the classrooms during lunchtime, but Philip was in a panic, and he knew there was no alternative if he were to avoid serious consequences.  Miss Waters was sitting at her desk marking books, but he didn’t have time to stop and ask permission.  He ran straight in, ignoring her completely, grabbed his bag, and ran out again.
“Philip?” she called after him, angrily.  “Philip!”
But he was already nearly at the toilets.  He rushed in.  The girls were waiting for him, holding open a stall door.  He ran in, slammed and bolted the door, kicked off his shoes, and undid his skirt.  He stepped out of it, and looked around for a hook, but there was none, so he called to the girls, “Can you look after my winter skirt for a mo?”  - and passed it to them over the door.
“Three minutes!” said Sadie, from outside.
“Okay, okay!  I’m changing!”
He slipped out of his tights and panties, and pulled the underpanties out of his bag.  Yellow,  Just as well he’d put on yellow panties this morning.  A quick squirt of lube, and he slid them on, arranging himself comfortably against his tummy.  He slipped back into his panties, pulled on his white socks, which he had never worn, stepped back into his shoes, and found the skirt.  He unfolded it and held it open.  It seemed so scanty compared to the other one.  He stepped in and pulled it up.
“Two minutes!”
He zipped it up and was in the process of fastening the button when he realised something was wrong.  Terribly wrong.  The summer skirt was short, yes -  mid-thigh, as he remembered.  But this!  It barely hid his panties, even when he stood quite straight!  It was short even for a miniskirt!  What had happened?  It must have shrunk!  But, no, it hadn’t even been worn, let alone washed.  The poor, naĂŻve boy.  It never entered his innocent head that his aunt, who had been so nice to him in recent days, could have had anything to do with it!
“One minute, Philip!”
“Wait!  Something’s not right.  Please.  This isn’t my skirt.  I don’t know why…” he wailed.
“Open the door, quickly,” said Rebecca.  “We’ve got to go now or we’ll be in trouble.  You know what Miss Waters is like for punctuality.”
“No.  I can’t.  I’m not going to class wearing this.  Give me my other skirt back!”
“Sorry, Philip, we’ve got to go.  See you in class!”
“No!  Come back!  Girls?”
But they were gone.

Miss Waters was not happy.  Rebecca and Valerie had rushed in just after the bell, and now Philip was missing.
“Where is that boy?” she demanded, angrily.  “He’s missing registration.  I assume you were with him, were you not?”
“Yes, miss,” panted Rebecca.  “He wanted to change into his summer skirt.  We left him in the toilets.  I think he’ll be along shortly.”
“Oh, he will, will he?  How nice of him!  He was already in trouble for entering the classroom at lunchtime.  Denise?”  Denise was the form prefect.  “Denise.  I want you to go and find him and bring him here at once.  No excuses.”
“Yes, miss.”
When Denise arrived at the toilets, there was one door that wasn’t open.  She walked over. 
“Philip?  Are you in there?  It’s Denise.”
“Yes.  Listen.  I need my winter skirt.  One of the girls ran off with it.  Rebecca or Sadie or Valerie or Freida.  Can you get it back for me?  It’s really important.”
“Of course I can’t!  Aren’t you wearing a skirt, then?”
“I am, yes.  But….”
“But what?”
“It’s too small for me.”
“Don’t be silly!  Miss Waters going to go berserk if I don’t bring you back with me.  You're probably in for it anyway.  Now come out and let’s go!”
There was a few moments silence, and then Denise heard the bolt being slowly drawn back.  She pushed the door open.
“Now what’s the prob….  Oh, my god!  I see what you mean!  That’s…that’s…quite a cute little skirt, Philip.”  She stifled a laugh.  “Come on.  You look fine.  Here.”
He had picked up his bag, and now Denise took his other hand and drew him from the stall.  He followed reluctantly, blushing to the roots of his wig, as she led him along the corridor to the classroom.  All faces were turned to him as they passed by the corridor windows, but as yet only Rebecca and Valerie knew what to expect.   Denise opened the door, and ushered him inside.  There was a universal gasp.  Miss Waters, however, showed no surprise.
“Come here, Philip!”  Then, to the class,  “Be quiet, girls!”  She regarded him severely.  He stood by the side of her desk, holding onto the hem of his skirt with his left hand in a vain attempt to pull it lower.  Denise, having completed her mission, resumed her seat.  Rebecca and Valerie were convulsed with silent laughter, Nikki wore a satisfied smirk, while the rest of the class looked on wide-eyed, hardly believing what they were seeing,  mouths variously agape or covered with hands.
“That’s the shortest skirt I’ve ever seen in Caroline Norton,” Mandy White, the class fashionista, whispered to her neighbour.  “Quite cute on him, though.”
“Now, Philip Timothy, I want an explanation of why you burst into my classroom during lunch, which as you know, or should know, is strictly prohibited….”
“But, miss, I had to get my bag urgently.  I needed…”
“I haven’t finished, Philip!  Please be quiet until I say you can speak!”
“Sorry, miss…”
“Thank you.  As I was saying, why you burst into my classroom, why you then chose to ignore me, and why, after all that, you had the temerity to miss registration?”
“I…I…”
“Well?”
Philip couldn’t think of a credible excuse.  Clearly he couldn’t involve the Gang of Four in any way, or he would be the one to come off worst.  Maybe get expelled!  So he just stood there, cheeks burning, hanging his head, holding onto his little skirt, and longing to escape the gleeful gazes of his classmates. 
“I see.  You’ve got nothing to say for yourself?  Right.  Well you can stand in the corner for the rest of the lesson, hands on head.  And you can come with me to see Miss Tancred after school.  Go on.  Face the wall, please.  That’s right.  Clasp those hands on your head.  And stay like that, please.”
As Philip raised his hands to his head, so the hem of the skirt also rose a couple of inches, offering his classmates a glimpse of his little yellow satin panties.  He guessed the reason for the ripple of suppressed giggles which followed.
“Settle down, girls.  Perhaps at last we can get on now.”
The lesson proceeded without further incident.  Philip fidgeted in his corner, his thighs pressed tightly together with embarrassment.  It was such a relief when he was allowed to take his seat for the new literature period.  He ignored the sniggering coming from behind him.   Valerie passed him a note when Miss Waters wasn’t looking.  “If you say anything about us you know what will happen,” it read.  He turned round.  “Where’s my long skirt?” he mouthed.
“Philip?  Talking in class, now?  What’s come over you today?”
“Sorry, miss.  I, er, I dropped my pen, that’s all.”
“Since you don’t seem to be able to behave without supervision, you can come out here again and read today’s poem out loud to the class.  Come on.  You’re the poetry expert, aren’t you?  It should be a pleasure for you.”
There was a buzz of excitement.  The girls were going to be able to stare at him all over again.  Poor Philip got up slowly, and made his way to the front.
“Here.  Stand on this, so the girls at the back can hear you.”
She took her chair from behind her desk and placed it in front.  The girls in the front row seemed especially excited at this development.  Philip gave up further attempts at concealment.  He climbed up onto the chair, giving half the class an uninterrupted view of his panties, and took the book Miss Waters offered.  Coleridge’s Poetical Works.  The poem she had marked?  ‘Christabel’.  A nice little touch of irony, she thought to herself.  She even allowed herself the faintest smile as he began to read.  ‘Christabel’ is not a short poem, and in his confusion Philip kept making mistakes and having to go back.  So the girls were treated to a protracted period of entertainment.   And when one of them ventured to take a picture, and Miss Waters appeared not to notice, the rest took courage and followed suit.

When Philip was finally able to climb down, Miss Waters addressed him.
“Well, Philip, I’m sure you’ll be the first to admit that wasn’t your best performance.”
“No, miss.”
“So next week I’ll allow you to make up for it.  Who’s your favourite poet?”
“I don’t know, miss.  Maybe Keats?”
“Ah.  Keats.  Yes.  All right.  You will learn the ‘Ode to Autumn’ off by heart for next Monday.”
“Yes, miss.
“Good.  Now go back to your seat, please.  And no more talking.”
“Yes miss.”