“I’m in so much pain!” whined Missy as she came into the room.

Mariella looked across and watched her trying to walk. The poor girl was clearly in pain, trying to limp on both legs at once, the result an ungainly waddling motion.

“Stop whining,” she said, “you sound like a baby, and you’re waddling like one too.”

“It’s not my fault!” protested Missy, “You made me do all those exercises yesterday. I didn’t even know what a star jump was!”

Mariella stifled her smile. “Exactly, and that’s why you needed the workout. I can’t be letting you get fat and unfit.”

“But it hurts,” said Missy, “I can’t walk.”

Mariella grinned at that. “Fine. On your knees and crawl then.”

Missy looked at her in horror. “Crawl? I’m not a baby. No!”

Mariella sighed and shook her head. “You waddle like a child in diapers, you whine like a baby and now you’re throwing a tantrum just like a toddler. Ok, I guess you’re a toddler. Sit there and be a good girl or you’ll get a spanking.”

Missy sat down, knowing Mariella wasn’t making an idle threat. “I’m behaving,” she promised.

Mariella left the room and came back holding a brightly coloured shoulder bag. Putting it by Missy she pulled from it a large diaper, clearly designed for adults.

“Now,” said Mariella, “Let’s give you a real reason to waddle.”