"From the next door's neighbour's porch, the regular swishing and cracking sound could be heard by Mr Simmons as he sat in the afternoon sun. Not a rare event I can assure you, but one that Mr Simmons both looks forward to and enjoys. He has known Jess all his life. Now she's at secretarial college, the stroke of the cane has become much harsher; a different cane too he expects. Whatever the case, he enjoys watching Jess leave for college the following day, uncomfortable as she walks and careful not to let anyone see the red lines on the soft fleshy upper parts of her thighs."