In the Background

First of two parts, from Blushes Supplement 12

Gilbert Hoskins had always wanted to pay a visit to the gymnasium. When it was in use, of course. Yet he had never dared mention this to Miss Hilda Conway, Head of Milward’s School. Milward’s was a private boarding school and, though not a governor, Gilbert was, without doubt, the school’s most wealthy benefactor. Since he had plenty of money to spare, there was no difficulty for him to make generous contributions towards various school activities. In this, he always took Miss Conway’s advice.

She had always been very kind to him. Now he was beginning to think of her as a friend. Perhaps one day he might actually ask her. Would she think there was anything… well… anything strange about that? An elderly man asking to look at teenage girls doing their exercises, most likely wearing nothing but vest and knickers? Maybe not. It was all part of the school curriculum. And, after all, he had been taken around various classes from time to time. Pottery, flower-arranging, needlework; even ordinary classes when lessons were in progress. Once he had even had a glimpse of some of the girls playing netball. Though he would have liked to have done, he didn’t linger or look too long. However, he was made aware that the girls of Milward’s school wore knickers of pale purple colour.

It was a colour, for reasons which he had never been able to discern, had a considerable fascination for him.

In his childhood, perhaps? A nanny? His mother, even? Maybe that colour had some very early subliminal sexual connotation. He wasn’t going to go into it anyway. No point. If you were hooked on something so simple — and innocent — why go digging about for the reason? Psycho-analysts, in his opinion, often did more harm than good. If you were repressed — a bit kinky even — why not stay that way? Especially if you enjoyed it. He’d heard of a number of chaps who’d had analysis, and been cured, but ended up damned miserable. Life would be terribly dull, Gilbert told himself, if we were all conformists. And most sensible people would have agreed with Gilbert’s own conclusions.

‘I am thinking, Miss Conway,’ he said, on that particular afternoon, ‘of making a fairly considerable donation.’

‘Oh… indeed, Mr Hoskins? You are most kind. Sometimes I wonder how we would ever get on without you.’

Gilbert smiled in self-depreciation. ‘I was thinking, possibly, of an enlargement of the gymnasium. Possibly more equipment. Or, alternatively, an open-air swimming pool. Heated, of course.’

‘Mr Hoskins, you really are most generous.’ Miss Conway fingered her upper lip which carried faint suggestions of a light brown moustache. She seemed deep in thought. ‘I really think the gym, is quite adequate in size,’ she said at length. ‘Quite well-equipped, too. You may recall you helped us out there a year or two ago.’

‘Ahh… yes… that is so…’

‘But as to a heated swimming pool… that really would be marvellous. All the girls would love it! Why… we could even name it after you!’

‘Oh no… no, that would not be necessary, Miss Conway. As you know I prefer to keep in the background.’ Gilbert paused, growing slightly pink. ‘You are sure about the gymnasium, Miss Conway?’

‘Well, why not come and see for yourself, Mr Hoskins…’

Gilbert glowed. ‘Not at all a bad idea,’ he said, trying not to seem too enthusiastic. ‘I’ve never actually been there before.’

‘Really?’ Miss Conway looked slightly embarrassed. ‘And after all you contributed towards it. I am sorry, Mr Hoskins. An awful oversight on my part.’

‘Think nothing of it, Miss Conway. As I have said, I prefer to stay in the background.’

The Head of Milward’s school opened a file on her desk and ran a finger through some charts. ‘Ah yes… as a matter of fact… it is in use at the moment,’ she said. ‘The Sixth. That’s alright, I suppose?’

‘Quite alright,’ said Gilbert as calmly as he could. In fact, he could scarcely have hoped for anything better. Damn it, all of those Sixth Formers were 17 and some of them 18.

‘Whatever you decide, Mr Hoskins, I know the school is going to be most grateful,’ said Miss Conway. ‘And so am I.’ She smiled winsomely. How much, she thought, am I going to wheedle out of the old fool this time? So far, he’d asked very little in return. Possibly now was the time to give him a little encouragement. A trip to the gym might prime him up nicely. He couldn’t be shelling out all this cash with absolutely no reward in mind. No… it was time to give the school benefactor a little treat; And why not?

After all, money for education was tight these days… and the Hoskins’s of this world were indeed thin upon the ground. Simply but smartly dressed in a black suit, Miss Conway led the way to the gymnasium.

----//----

Ladder-like walls. Ropes, parallel bars. Vaulting horses. Ah yes… vaulting horses. Perhaps the most intriguing pieces of equipment of all. Leather. Rounded leather. Over which could go…

No… no… he mustn’t think like that!

‘These are our most senior girls,’ Miss Conway was saying. Gilbert, feeling an unusual heat of excitement on his body, could see that all too well. He had expected these girls to be in shorts and knickers but, in fact, they were in leotards. Pale purple leotards. Exquisitely lithe young creatures, with bouncing round breasts and thrusting buttocks. Buttocks half bare. Gilbert was, to say the very least, enthralled by the sights before him. As they bent, their buttocks seemed to swell; as they stretched their breasts thrust more proudly. It was a mobile scene of nubile girl-flesh that many a man would have paid handsomely to observe. Himself included.

‘Now to the vault!’ came the PE Instructor’s strident voice.

Gilbert watched them line up, breasts heaving after their exertions; some of the thin leotards were wet with sweat. Soft muscles of thigh and buttocks quivered. Delicious! Gilbert strove not to show how turned on he was but it was a virtual impossibility. Miss Conway, need it be said, was all too well aware of her benefactor’s involvement. And, already, her mind was considering how she could best turn it to the school’s advantage. Not to mention her own!

A plan was forming.

Gilbert watched them run… like young deer… up to the horse. Then vault, limbs splayed, buttocks thrusting. Up… up… then down… landing lightly… turning with arms raised, breasts high. Oh what a joy to see! Especially at close quarters. This was reality. The sweat and grind of the gym. The real flesh of girlhood. The female displays, so overt through those brief, so thin, leotards. Gilbert could scarcely have asked for anything more.

----//----

Miss Conway and he were back in the study. Tea was being dispensed. ‘I can see that the gym is well equipped,’ said Gilbert. He thought he received a rather odd look from Miss Conway. ‘So it seems I best donate to a new swimming pool.’

‘It really is most kind, Mr Hoskins. I don’t think we want to go into the details now, however, I shall get some estimates.’

‘Of course. The proper way.’

Miss Conway leaned closer, seeming suddenly far more confidential than usual. ‘Is it possible, Mr Hoskins, you might like to visit the gym again? When the Sixth are exercising?’

Gilbert felt himself going hot; colouring again. It was exactly what he wanted. Yet, dare he admit it? Miss Conway was smiling so encouragingly. ‘It is so nice to see young active children, isn’t it?’ she said.

‘Mmm… yes… yes, of course, Miss Conway. They are a credit to you.’ Gilbert paused. ‘Very well then, if you agree, I’ll come the same time next week.’

‘That’s just fine, Mr Hoskins. Then we can discuss the new pool as well.’

‘Of course… of course… ’ Gilbert rose and gave a courtly little bow. ‘It has been a great pleasure.’

‘Thank you, Mr Hoskins,’ simpered Miss Conway. ‘I hope it continues to be so.’ Just bring your cheque book next week, you randy old goat, she thought, as she escorted her guest from the room.

----//----

‘Amanda… I’ll make it worth your while…’ Miss Conway was stroking the blonde hair of one of her favourite sixth-formers. Not that she indulged herself in that way at the school, much as she sometimes might want to. Such frolics were for holiday time.

‘I… I don’t know, Miss Conway. Really. I mean… it’s a bit… well… off… isn’t it.’

Miss Conway smiled in the most encouraging way she could. ‘Oh, I don’t know, Amanda. Just think of it as acting. A part you have to play for the school. Never forget that Mr Hoskins is our greatest benefactor.’ She kissed the girl’s soft cheek. ‘There will be rewards.’

‘Rewards, Miss Conway?’

‘An easier time here. Promotion. No sweat. You’ll pass everything.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes… really! Apart from that, there’ll be money. I can guarantee it. Thirty pounds…’

‘Thirty pounds! Oh my goodness, Miss Conway!’

‘And I won’t be too hard on you. Don’t fret. It’s just something old gentlemen like, from time to time. So can’t we accommodate, Mr Hoskins, Amanda?’

‘Oh… Miss Conway… for thirty pounds I certainly think we can!’

‘You’ll have to be brave. But it won’t last all that long, I promise.’

The fair-haired Amanda nodded. ‘OK, I believe you. This first time anyway.’ She smiled slyly. ‘But of course, I’ll have to have the money up front.’

Miss Conway smiled back, rather acidly. This girl will go far, she thought. Probably in the wrong direction. However, for the time being, she was exactly what she wanted. A rather too-plump 17-year-old. Exactly, she thought, what Mr Hoskins also wanted!

----//----

‘I have to tell you, Mr Hoskins — confidentially, I need hardly say — that, on occasions, when girls are considered not to be making enough effort at gym, they are punished.’

‘Is that so, Miss Conway?’ Gilbert, blood pressure already high at the thought of watching the Sixth exercising again, felt his pressure go a notch or so higher. ‘Well… I suppose that is how it should be. Not enough discipline around these days, in my opinion.’

‘Quite so, Mr Hoskins.’ Another of those friendly, almost conspiratorial, smiles. ‘I have a feeling there may well be a girl in need of such treatment this afternoon. She has been slacking for some time. We shall have to see. I should, I need not press the point, prefer if you were present during this possible punishment. To see, head on, how we run things here.’

‘Oh yes… yes… if you say so, Miss Conway!’ Gilbert was part confused, part utterly exhilarated. He could scarcely believe his luck. Invited to watch one of those youngsters getting a hiding! It was more than he had ever imagined remotely possible!

Gilbert tried to control his excitement as they made their way to the Gym. There they all were in those pale purple leotards. So near naked; every young figure clearly outlined. This time, they were exercising with dumbbells.

Up… down… up… down… arms raised high, white thighs splaying, buttocks widening.

‘That’s the girl I’m keeping an eye on,’ said Miss Conway, pointing out the rather plump figure of Amanda. Previously, she had briefed the girl to give a rather sloppy performance that afternoon. ‘See… she’s not getting right down… and her arms are not straight half the time. Sheer laziness.’

Gilbert did see. He also saw a most sumptuous young bottom which was only minimally covered by the tight-cutting leotard. ‘She looks as if she could do with more exercise,’ said Gilbert, finding his voice a little thick.

‘She’ll get it,’ nodded Miss Conway. ‘And I’m definitely going to deal with her after this session.’ Gilbert experienced a tingling sensation; he felt suddenly light-headed. Remarkable, quite remarkable! He could never have believed he could be so fortunate. It occurred to him that he would have to find a way to reward Miss Conway. Not the school, but her personally. Not too overtly, of course. Then, who knew, there might be more sessions like this!

‘They’ll soon be finished,’ Miss Conway was saying. ‘I’ll go down and have a word with the instructor about Amanda. Follow me. I’ll put you in an advantageous position; I don’t suppose you’d want to be seen.’

‘Oh no… no…’ replied Gilbert hastily. ‘As I’ve said before, I like to stay in the background. In all things.’

They entered a small room which led off from the gym. Inside was a single vaulting horse — a hump of light brown leather on four wooden, sloping supports. ‘Go through that door, Mr Hoskins,’ said Miss Conway, pointing across the room, ‘but leave it half open. You will see it has an unusually large crack — so you will have a clear view of this.’ She patted the horse. ‘Over which Amanda will shortly be going.’

Swallowing nervously, heart beating faster, Gilbert opened the door and looked through the crack. Miss Conway was quite right. He had a narrow, but excellent view. He wiped his brow, watching Miss Conway leave the room.

He had to wait about five minutes, but it seemed much longer. All the time he was trying to keep a check on his mounting excitement. Too much of this sort of thing wasn’t good for him at his age!

Then they came in. the girl looking hot and sulky. ‘Take off one of your plimsolls, Amanda.’

‘It’s not fair, Miss… I’m not feeling well… ’ All the same, the rubber-soled shoe came off.

‘Don’t argue with me, Amanda; you’ve been slacking for weeks. We’ve been watching you. Get over the horse. At once!’

The girl pouted and hesitated. Miss Conway patted the sole of the plimsoll on her palm. ‘Any more delay and you’ll get extra.’

‘H-how many am I getting, Miss?’

‘Twelve,’ replied Miss Conway. ‘Now, come along. Bend over and let’s have no fuss and nonsense.’

With bated breath, Gilbert watched the girl move around the horse then bend over it so that her plump hindquarters were directly facing him. The position was perfect for him. The bottom now seemed larger than it had done in the gym, and the leotard was so brief and cutting, it was virtually naked. Miss Conway moved around as well… then up went the plimsoll… and ssspppllllaaatttt… down it came on that bare, girlie-soft flesh.

With an agonised yelp, Amanda leapt up off the horse and pressed her hands to the pink-red welt which had appeared. ‘Oooh… ahhh… that’s too hard!’ she cried.

‘Just bend over, Amanda,’ said Miss Conway. ‘I can’t abide laziness in a girl.’ And, she thought, you’re going to earn that thirty quid!

Ssppplllaaaattttt! This time on the other buttock-cheek, with very similar reactions. Delightful to see and hear. Another pink-red splodge had appeared and Amanda’s bottom was juddering with pain. ‘You don’t want me to send for the instructor to hold you down, do you?’ demanded Miss Conway. ‘Because, if I do, I’ll start all over again.’ Everything for Mr Hoskins’ benefit, of course!

‘No… no… please,’ half sobbed the girl. ‘But… but not quite so hard… please…’

It would be best, Miss Conway reflected, not to overdo things. She might well require Amanda’s services again. ‘Bend over,’ was all she said. The plump bottom curved and spread again; she wondered what that was doing for her benefactor’s blood pressure! Then she resumed the slippering but did not lay it on quite so hard.

Amanda, realising that Miss Conway was deliberately easing up a little, started to act her part. That slipper hurt, but not as much as those first two whacks. But, now remaining bending over, the girl yelled loudly, squirmed and bounced wildly, whilst begging repeatedly to be spared. It was, indeed, a first class performance and Miss Conway was most gratified.

For his part, Gilbert was positively ecstatic. He gazed avidly at that pink-red blancmange of a bottom that quivered and quivered right before him.

‘You may go, Amanda…’ Sobbing, Amanda got off the horse and, hands pressing to her bottom, tottered from the room.

----//----

‘I don’t think she’ll be so slack in future.’ They were back in Miss Conway’s study and, having just written out an exceedingly large cheque, Gilbert was sipping a stiff Scotch.

‘No… I’m sure she won’t,’ he said, nodding. ‘I must say, I’m most impressed by your disciplinary methods, Miss Conway. I never realised…’

‘There are many things that private schools can do that others can’t,’ she said. ‘Perhaps you would like to see more of my methods another time, Mr Hoskins?’

‘I would indeed!’ My word, what an afternoon this was turning out to be!

‘Then I shall be in touch with you. If I’m still here…’

‘What! You’re not ever thinking of leaving. Surely?’ Gilbert was most agitated.

‘It’s my poor mother. I should really be looking after her. But these Nursing Homes are so expensive. I couldn’t possibly afford one on my salary.’

‘No… no… I suppose not. But it would be such a pity to break off so promising a career.’ He rubbed his chin. Miss Conway looked quite disconsolate. Ah well… there was nothing else for it.

A few moments later Gilbert was writing out another handsome cheque. And this time it was simply made out to cash. At Miss Conway’s request.