Why? Why? Bloody hell, I hadn't thought of why.

'I have a Doctor's appointment', I stammered. 'Womanly problems', I added stupidly, hoping that would shut him up.

I was staggered when his response was a very big smile. 'Take as long as you need to sort out your little problem'.

The rest of the morning dragged by, minute by minute. At one point I glanced over at Geoff's office and he gave me a friendly little wave. I pretended I had not noticed him, and returned my attention to my computer screen that I had been staring at blankly for most of the morning. Is that little bastard trying to hit on me, I wondered, with him suddenly being all friendly towards me?

Finally it was midday, and although it was only a 15-minute drive to my Parents in Law's house I did not want to take any risks of being late. I had already suffered the consequences of being late, and I so wanted to impress my Parents in Law that I was well on the road to being the perfect Daughter in Law.

Not surprisingly I arrived at their house early so did my little trick of driving around the block a couple of times until it was almost 12.30pm. With some satisfaction I rang the doorbell at 12.29pm. Jane answered immediately and greeted me with a warm hug, which was repeated by Ben when I entered the house. I tried to act normal, but as you can well imagine I was confused as to why I was there. Surely they would not think of humiliating me and punishing me in the middle of my working day.

If Jane and Ben could see the confusion on my face they were ignoring it. The three of us made small talk while Jane continued to prepare lunch. Like the dutiful Daughter in Law I offered to help and was given the task of setting the table. Alarm bells rang in my head when Jane asked me to set the table for four persons. Visions of the humiliating John and Debbie incident flashed before my eyes, but I tried to blank them out. I was about to enquire who the fourth person was going to be when the front door bell rang.

Ben answered the door and I heard him greeting a male visitor. I returned to my task of setting the table, and tried to hide my curiosity.

I just about dropped a plate on the floor when I heard a familiar voice greet me.

'Well, hello there Kym. What a surprise.'

I swung around in terror and came face to face with......yes, you guessed it. My boss, Geoff Swift, looking all dapper in his designer jacket and trousers. My mouth hung open and I swear my heart stopped beating for several seconds.

'But....but...,' was all I could muster. I looked to Ben and Jane for some sort of explanation. For what seemed an eternity Ben and Jane just stared back at me, smiling, and obviously not in a hurry to elaborate on why my boss was standing in the dining room of my Parents in Law.

'Lunch is ready. Be seated', Jane chanted, clearly not about to give any sort of explanation. As I took my seat at the table I gave a pleading look at Ben, searching for answers. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say, 'Life is just full of its little surprises, isn't it.' That is for sure.

Geoff and my Parents in Law made polite conversation as the salad lunch was consumed. I remained silent, and deliberately focused on chasing my food around the plate. Somehow my appetite had waned. I could tell from the conversation that Geoff was a stranger to Ben and Jane, which only served to increase my apprehension.

'Sorry you are not well today, Kym', Geoff had turned his attention to me.

I looked back at him confused

'The Doctor', he smiled, 'Womanly problem'.

Suddenly I remembered my lame excuse, and flushed with embarrassment.

'Doctor? Womanly problems? What on earth are you two on about', Ben enquired.

'Little private joke', Geoff responded, looking very much like the cat that had just got the cream.

As we finished our lunch I began to sense an air of anticipation at the table. I suddenly felt like the sacrificial lamb being thrown to the lions. I couldn't help but slump down in my chair in a futile attempt to be insignificant.

'Sit up Kym', my Mother in Law commanded.

'Yes Ma'am', I obeyed without hesitation, feeling so embarrassed that I was being spoken to like a child in front of my boss.

'The time you got rotten drunk you missed a whole day off work, it that not correct'' Jane continued to address me.

'Yes Ma'am', I responded, even though she knew the answer to this question

'You did not give a thought to the inconvenience you caused your boss or your fellow workers?'

'But I did not mean to sleep in Ma'am.' I did not like the way this conversation was heading one little bit, and felt compelled to defend myself.

'You are an adult. Are you not capable of getting to work on time?'

'Yes Ma'am.' My head slumped forward in abject defeat.

'Ben and I have discussed this matter with Geoff, and we have agreed you need to be punished for this behaviour.'

'No! no!', was all I could mutter, absolutely mortified at the thought that I could be punished in front of my boss, a young man whom I held in contempt. At that moment I was sure I would die from the humiliation if I were forced to go through with it.

'It would place a great financial burden on you and Michael if you should ever lose this job. You clearly have not put your marriage first.'

I bit my lip in an attempt to starve off the tears welling in my eyes.

'But Kym, you need to understand we are going to give you the choice. Ben and I have discussed this matter and feel it should be best dealt with by you being punished. And since Geoff is the one most inconvenienced by your behaviour, it is only right that he should participate.'

'Participate', my mind screamed out, but I dared not utter a word.

'By allowing yourself to be punished we can all put this matter behind us and move on with our lives like mature adults.'

'Mature adults?' I mentally questioned. It is easy for her to say. She is not about to have her bottom bared for a spanking.

'Whilst we sincerely believe the punish will help make you a better Daughter in Law, we will not force you to participate. You can choose to leave and we promise you nothing more will be said of this matter.'

I sat, stunned. Yet again my Parents in Law had my mind in turmoil. A part of me wanted to race to that front door and beat a hasty retreat. But deep down I wanted to face up to what I had done. This was the new Kym. Taking responsibility. I resolved to try and negotiate a compromise

'Please, if I agree to be punished can it not be in front of Geoff', I pleaded to my Parents in Law.

I then turned to Geoff, and in the most sincere and contrite voice I could muster, addressed him, 'Geoff, I am truly so sorry for my behaviour. I realise how much I must have inconvenienced you, and I promise that I will never let you down again in the future. But please, I ask that you do not be present for my punishment. The humiliation would be more than I can bear. I have already suffered terrible embarrassment by having you here, and you knowing I will be punished. But please, not with you present.'

'We are not going to bargain with you young lady.' It was Ben who chimed in. 'It is important we are the sole judges of what form the punishment should take. Make your decision now. Leave through the front door if you wish. Otherwise go to your corner and prepare.'

I am glad I was sitting down as I was shaking with nerves, and I was struggling to keep down what little I had eaten of my lunch. I knew I could simply get up and walk away. But deep down I knew that was not going to happen. The big question was whether I could muster the courage.

For a long while we sat in silence, tension filling the air. They awaited my decision. Although I suspect Ben and Jane had little doubt what that decision would be. Finally, without a word or a gesture of any kind I stood, and in the most confident manner I could, walked around the corner of the dining room and into the lounge, making my way to 'my corner'.