“What was that?” Papa called out, striding through from the dining room. “Did you just break that on purpose?”

“Got your attention, didn’t I?”

He looked furious, marching across and grabbing her by the arm. “Do you think I paid for that so you could break it when you felt like it, you petulant little brat?”

“I…I only wanted some attention.”

“Attention you want, is it? Well you will soon have all the attention you could desire and much more.”

Rose gasped as he bent her over the kitchen table, yanking her dress roughly up to expose her knickers. He tore them from her, tossing them away. “You don’t deserve them,” he snapped, bringing his hand down on her posterior harder than she was expecting.

“Ouch,” she cried out, smiling inwardly as she did so. At least he was paying her some attention at last.

She pushed her rear towards him, wriggling it coquettishly as he continued to spank her. Her smile faded as his blows grew stronger, countless smacks hitting her bottom so hard she began to sob. “Please,” she said, reaching behind her with her hands. “That’s enough.”

“I will tell you when you’ve had enough,” Papa replied, batting her hands away. “You brought this on yourself, remember that.”

By the time he was finished, her legs were shaking, tears running down her cheeks. “Stand up,” he snapped, stepping back with his arms folded. Slowly, she turned to face him, hoping to see some compassion in his eyes. She saw only coldness.

“Strip,” he said. The single word dripped with venom.

Rose pulled up her dress, lifting it up over her head. She did not remove her petticoats fast enough and he cursed at her, grabbing at them with his rough hands, ripping her clothes from her, rending the fabric as she gasped at his anger, his animal rage making her wonder if she knew him at all.

“Go over to the window.”

She did as he asked, looking out at the street through the glass, people strolling by in the summer sun.

“Press your chest to the glass.”

“Please, don’t make me do this.”

“You wanted attention, didn’t you? You are about to get plenty. Now press your chest to the glass or I will spank you so hard you will not be able to sit down.”

Rose looked at him. He was not bluffing. His expression dared her to defy him. Slowly she moved up to the glass, pressing her breasts to it, feeling the coldness on her nipples. She could see clearly everyone who walked past. So far none of them were looking her way, thank Heaven for small favours.

“Remain there whilst I finish with the paper. If you move, it will be the worse for you.”

Rose heard him go. Part of her was desperate to move away, knowing that someone would see her soon. But she knew she could not do it. Even in his anger, she still loved him. She knew he was doing this for a reason, to prove he owned her, that she was his. She had given him her love, her heart. He had taken it gladly and now he was demonstrating his love through his power.

When a passing elderly man happened to look her way, she held her breath. He wore spectacles. Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to see her. But when he paused and grinned, staring directly at her chest, she knew there could be no doubt. He was looking at her naked breasts, squashed as they were against the glass.

His eyes burned into her and they were soon joined by others, each passer-by wondering what was causing people to stop and stare. No one remained in place for too long, though some pointed and others called out to her. One man seemed to stop and think, taking a few steps towards her before changing his mind and walking on. A group of women scowled at her as they went by and Rose could only look apologetically back at them.

Half an hour passed and still Papa did not return. She could hear his newspaper rustling, a sign that he was still busy. She felt increasingly sorry for him. He was only trying to raise funds so that he could look after her. How had she repaid him? By breaking one of his plates.

Someone shouted outside and Rose closed her eyes, unable to look out at the humiliating crowds that were openly calling to her, inviting her to indulge in the most obscene acts. Please let me move, she thought, screaming the words in her head. Please do not make me stay here any longer.

It was another ten minutes before he returned. When he walked in, he did so with such a gentle step that Rose only knew he was there when his hand descended on her shoulder. “You can move away from the window,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and holding her to him. “Was that enough attention for you?”

“I am sorry, Papa,” she said, pressing her face to his chest. “Forgive me.”

“Of course I forgive you. You have taken your punishment like a good little Rose, you need fear me no more. In fact, I have just scraped together the last of my funds and we are going to have a night out.”

“Can we afford it?”

“Not really but do not let that worry you. I shall find work tomorrow; I am sure of it. For tonight, I will give you all the attention you desire.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the theatre. Have you ever been?”

“Never. Mother thought it was not an appropriate place for a lady.”

“What about you, what do you think?”

“I think it is a wonderful idea.”

“Good. I have something special for you to wear whilst you are there.”

“You do. What is it?”

“This.” He held out the plug, Rose’s eyes widening as she realised what he was holding. “You want me to wear that to the theatre?”

“Not just this, you can wear a dress as well if you wish.”

Rose reached up and kissed him. “If you told me to, I would wear nothing but the plug.”

“I have no doubt you would. But we don’t want to pay for the tickets and then get thrown out before we even see the show now, do we?”