The year is 1969, and thanks to her Aunt Sam being friends with the Headmistress of St Elphin's Ladies' Academy, Lea attends an interview at the school for the post of a teacher. She is surprised and delighted when she is subsequently offered a place, and eagerly books a train ticket to Aunt Sam's home, located very close to the school, on the Staffordshire moors. But Lea's delight is short-lived as her luggage goes missing, and she is forced to wear a school uniform her aunt has borrowed from a friend. Lea has a diminutive stature and a baby face which can easily pass for a girl half of her age (twenty-three) - and when Aunt Sam puts Lea's hair in two plaits, the illusion of a young schoolgirl is complete.

Lea's plans are turned upside down when a bizarre mistake occurs; it seems that Lea Thompson, newly appointed teacher, is regarded as being Leah Tompson, pupil. Although Lea protests, she only earns herself several whackings. Sore bottomed, she decides to stick out the charade, knowing the mistake will soon be rectified once the real Leah Thompson turns up. And so it begins... as Leah, she makes friends and learns more about the ethos of St Elphin's. The school is very keen on discipline, and it isn't long before the cane and the slipper make contact with the new girl's bare bottom. Far from feeling resentful, Leah begins to feel a sense of pride that she has taken her punishment well. But how long will this charade last? How long before she can take up her rightful place as a teacher...?

Note: This is the first in a series of books about school life at St Elphin's.