SSC2004:Story: [Child]

'REMOTE CONTROL'

by Alex Birch

Category: Child

Words: 501

Jane Benson stared at her young daughter, moping over breakfast.
'Charlotte, it's the summer break...' she said '...and you're normally
glad to be off school. Whats up?'

Charlotte glowered over her teen magazine.

'Sarah's gone to summer camp somewhere foreign...' she muttered moodily
'...and Im stuck on my own'

Jane was uneasy with Sarah Martin as Charlotte's buddy for the girl was
a bad influence.  She smoked and drank under age and there were stories
about boys too.  However Jane was a good friend of Heather Martin and
was a little miffed that Sarah's mum hadn't said a word about it.

She found a pretext to nip over to Heather's later that morning and the
two women sat down for a natter.

'Charlotte says Sarah has gone abroad to camp' Jane eventually said,
and Heather read the inflection in the voice.

'Yes, Kenya...' Heather replied softly '...and you're wondering why we
didnt mention it so Charlotte might go too?'

'Well..'Jane flushed and Heather grinned.

'I didn't think Charlotte deserved it...' Heather replied and stilled
Jane's indignation '..wait, love, let me finish.   What do you know
about Kenya?'

Jane muttered something about one party states and British Empire and
Heather nodded.

'...plus one more thing...' she said darkly  '...unlike this nanny
state of ours, they still practise corporal punishment!'

Jane gasped.  'You mean....?' and Heather grinned.

'Oh yes, I know you're worried about Charlotte following Sarah's
example. My kid has always been a bit wild and a good smack used to
sort that out, so maybe....'

'Does Sarah know ?' Jane stammered and Heather grinned.

'Naaah...We told her that the camp leaders are in loco parentis..'she
said '..but she didnt bother to ask what it meant.  She thinks it's 3
weeks of boys, booze and fags!  Furthermore...' Heather added '..the
camp makes a DVD of all punishments to send back to the parents so even
if I can't smack her, any further indiscretions.... and friends and
family get a night round the DVD player!!'

'My God!' Jane stuttered, and just then the phone rang.

Heather answered and said 'Hello dear...uh huh..sorry..can't hear' and
a big grin spread across her face as she put her hand over the
mouthpiece.

'My little angel.' she smiled 'Didnt take her long.  She's been caught
smoking and drinking and sentenced to a bare bottom strapping in front
of the whole camp..boys too!! She's screaming blue murder and demanding
the police, the Prime Minister and God himself to intervene!'

Jane was blushing at the picture conjured up.

'Jesus.. what are you going to do?' she gasped and Heather grinned.

'Can't do a damn thing if I can't hear what she's saying..' she smiled,
and then her fingers gently depressed the receiver '...and now it seems
I've lost the line.  Oh well!!  More coffee dear?'