Maja gave him a moment to rub, then told him to move his hands again. With the third stroke, which was on the sit-spot, Paul began to howl, and he couldn’t stop. He was hopping up and down, rubbing his bottom frantically.
Sally covered her mouth and let out some quiet squeaks, going very red in the process. Joanne rubbed her arm reassuringly and smiled. Richard knew what had happened but daredn’t look at her.
Then Maja gave Paul the last three in quick succession. “You naughty, naughty, naughty boy,” she said critically, as Paul howled, louder and louder.
To Richard’s right, Astrella suddenly got off the sofa arm. She put her hand over her mouth as she squealed gently a few times. Then she perched back on the sofa arm, covered her nose and mouth and pretended to suppress a sneeze. Her c
