Sir fastened the yellow stripey school tie carefully around my neck, knotting it tightly around the grey polyester short-sleeve shirt. Grey elasticated shorts and grey knee socks with their two yellow stripes completed the look. Underneath, the crinkly nappy already felt bulky.
After putting on my velcro school shoes, we stepped outside and began walking toward the park. Halfway there I felt the familiar warm rush as I wet the nappy. The plastic grew heavier and warmer against my skin. I kept quiet, hoping Sir would not notice yet.
At the grass he ordered me to sit cross-legged for a few photographs. Then he stood me up again.
“Shorts down,” he said. “Nappy check.”
I glanced around. We were outside, in full view of the path. Still, I pushed the grey shorts to my knees. The front of the wet nappy was obvious - the dark, damp patch and the swollen padding impossible to hide.
Sir pressed a hand against the plastic, feeling the warmth. “Good. You used it properly. Leave the shorts where they are for a moment.”
He took several more photographs while I stood there, the wet nappy fully on display. Only when he was satisfied did he allow me to pull the shorts back up.
“This is how a boy of mine is checked,” he said simply. “Outside or indoors makes no difference.”
I walked home with the wet padding shifting under the school shorts. Now I was beginning to understand why my regular uniforms were shifting to yellow.











