Jimmy Meets His Match

by Jennifer

 

CHAPTER 8

 

MEETING THE SEWELLS

 

I woke up early and watched the rays of the rising sun slowly move up the wall opposite my bed. I felt warm and comfortable and had no wish to get up, especially under my present circumstances. I wondered what sort of thing the girls had in store for me today? Well, whatever it was, I knew that it wouldn't be to my liking, and I was certainly starting to regret my past misdeeds. After a while I could hear the sound of the girls getting up, and eventually the door opened and in came Jane. 'All right sleepyhead' she said, 'Up you get. Go to the bathroom, and then I'll dress you.' I was soon washed, and came back into my room.

As I stood waiting to be dressed, I noticed that my bottom was still very sore, and I complained to Jane. 'Let's have a look' said Jane. She looked at my bottom and laughed. 'Yes' she said, 'You've still got a severe case of nappy rash, and will have for several more days yet. How lovely. It was all that wees and poos on your skin for so long, so now you know why babies sometimes cry. If you were really a baby I'd put some ointment on it to soothe the soreness, but in your case it's a very appropriate part of your punishment for you to suffer, so you can just put up with it. Now let's get you dressed, and no more complaints.'

Jane had laid out everything neatly on the bed. She gave me a pair of pale blue knickers and a white vest to put on, and I quickly slipped them on. She picked up the cornflower blue dress and held it for me to step into. Then she pulled it up my body and put my arms through the short puffed sleeves. As she fastened the buttons down the back she said 'We really must teach you how to dress yourself one of these days, although I can see how you can't yet reach the buttons yourself. Still, that means that you can't undo them either, which means that you can't take the dress off yourself, which suits me fine.' She tied the belt behind me in a neat bow, and sat me down on the bed. White ankle socks were pulled onto my feet and turned down neatly. A pair of black T bar strap shoes securely buckled onto my feet completed the juvenile effect. 'Now for your hair Jennifer' said Jane, 'Sit on the chair.' I did as I was told, and she brushed out my wig. Once again I found myself with two big bows of hair ribbon on my head tied onto two cute bunches sticking out on either side. Jane had naturally selected pale blue ribbons to match my dress. Once again I looked in the mirror and saw a cute little girl staring back at me. I groaned in anticipation of another day of purgatory.

'Right' said Jane, 'Brekky time.' We went downstairs to where Susan was laying the breakfast table, and breakfast was quickly prepared and eaten. We soon had everything cleared up, and I asked what they had in mind for me today. 'You'll see' said Jane, 'But we've got a couple of chores to do first. The washing, for one.' My dirty baby clothes of yesterday were put into the washing machine and left to run. Just as we had gone into the lounge to wait for it to be completed, there was a knock at the door. 'I'll get it' said Susan, and went to the front door. In a moment she was back with Hilary, who was carrying a bag. 'Morning Jennifer' she said to me, smiling, 'My, you do look pretty today, don't you? Well here we are' she said, putting her bag down, 'One complete junior uniform, except for the raincoat. Mum gave it away to someone else.'

'Well that's no problem' said Susan, 'He can wear mine. I never wear it if I can help it anyway, so if it rains I'll take an umbrella.'

'Hang on Sue' said Jane, 'You know we're not allowed to take umbrellas to school. The rules say that we can only wear our school macs when it rains; it's part of our uniform. You know what sticklers they are.'

'Oh I don't care, it's a stupid rule. Anyway, they're only part time teachers going, so they won't even know.'

'Well it's up to you, but if it rains I'm still going to take my school mac, just in case. After all, it is an official school outing. Anyway' Jane continued, 'Back to this junior uniform that Jimmy's going to wear. Personally, I would prefer it if he finds out how awful it is to wear when he puts it on tomorrow, rather than today. So do you mind if we wait till then? You can still be here when we put him into it.'

'I suppose so' said Hilary, 'But are you sure it will fit him?'

'Well what size were you when you wore it?'

'It's a size 12 uniform.'

'Fine' said Jane, 'He's a size 10, so if anything it will be slightly too big for him. Even better, that means that he'll look like a little new girl. Now are you sure you've got the complete uniform?'

'Positive. Even down to the hat.'

'He can't wear the hat' said Susan, 'You promised that he'd have to wear the raincoat hood up. All day.'

'So we did' laughed Hilary, 'All right Susan, no hat, just the hood. All right?'

'Right' said Susan, and she leered at me. Jane picked up the bag and handed it to her. 'Here you are Sue' she said, 'Take this upstairs and hang the stuff up in your wardrobe. We don't want Jennifer to see her lovely school uniform until tomorrow, do we?'

'Not likely' said Susan, and took the bag upstairs. I was beginning to wonder how horrendous this school uniform was going to be to wear, as obviously the girls all hated it. Oh well, I'd find out tomorrow.

The washing machine came to a halt, and we all took the clean clothes out into the garden to hang on the line. That done, we came inside again. 'So what are you going to do with Jennifer today?' said Hilary. 'I'm not sure' said Jane, 'Got any ideas?'

'How about taking him up to Gillian Sewell's? I was going up there anyway, and she's expecting me. I've told her about Jennifer, and she's dying to see her, I know. But we haven't told her mother yet, and I'd like to see if she will realise that Jennifer isn't really a girl.'

'Now that's a good idea' said Jane. 'I'll just give Gilly a call and let her know what's happening.' She went into the hall to make the call, and a few minutes later she was back. 'OK that's fine' said Jane, 'She's really looking forward to seeing Jennifer, and she hasn't told her mum. Should be good. So, let's go.' We went out into the hallway, and out of the front door. As we walked over to Gillian's house, clouds started to gather in a darkening sky. 'Hope it's not more rain' said Susan, looking up, 'This has been a rotten summer so far. But good fun for seeing little Jennifer wearing that mackintosh we bought her. I don't know what it is, but it's just that she looks so sweet and demure with the hood framing her cute little face.' She burst into a fit of giggles while I blushed a deep crimson.

About half an hour later we reached Gillian's house, and knocked on the door. 'I'll get it' came a girl's voice from inside, and a moment later the door swung open to reveal a girl with a happy, smiling face and a sparkle in her eyes. 'Come in everyone' she said, 'Go straight through into the garden.' We went down the hallway, into the dining room, and through some french windows which led out onto a patio. Gillian brought up the rear, and grasping Jane's arm said 'Well, where is she? Where's your little cousin Jennifer?' Jane and Susan took me by the hands, and walking me out onto the lawn, turned me around to face her. 'Feet together and hands by your sides Jennifer' said Jane, 'And chin up, Gillian wants to admire you.' Gillian looked at me and grinned. The grin turned into a chuckle, and then into a laugh. 'Oh he's gorgeous!' she exclaimed, 'Absolutely delightful. What a pretty little girl. My goodness Jane, you've certainly done a good job on him. He must be absolutely squirming dressed like that.'

'Oh yes, he certainly is. And the beauty is, we've got him like this for six whole weeks. Marvellous.'

'That's brilliant. D'you know, if I saw him walking down the other side of the street I wouldn't look at him twice. Even close up, you wouldn't think he was a boy. It's just that he looks like everybody's idea of a typical little girl. Slightly old fashioned perhaps, but the outfit is just so sweet, and the hair style matches the dress perfectly.'

'Well Mum's responsible for the main effect, and I think she thought it out really well. Mind you, Susan and I had the pleasure of selecting the dresses at the shop, and you should have seen his face as he had to try everything on. We chose the cutest little girl style dresses we could find of course. Mum says that we're going back there to buy him two more dresses, so we'll make sure they are also as babyish as possible. As you said, we want him to squirm with humiliation, which is the whole idea.'

'Yes' said Gillian, 'Hilary told me the other day that he's done some pretty horrible things to you and Susan, and his sisters. They must be delighted at this wonderful way of humiliating him.'

'They certainly are, and they sent me a note to let me know how they feel about it. We're going to make him pay all right, aren't we Sue?' she said, looking at Susan with a grin.

'And what else have you got in store for him?' asked Gillian.

'Well, said Jane, 'Hilary thought up a beauty for him. Are you going on the museum trip tomorrow?'

'I wasn't planning to' said Gillian, 'Although I suppose if we don't volunteer to go they'll hold it against us, even if they don't say anything. Why do you ask?'

'Because tomorrow, Jimmy's coming with us. Not as a boy, of course, oh no. He's going to be dressed in one of Hilary's old uniforms. We're going to pass him off as one of the junior girls.'

'That does it' said Gillian, 'I'm definitely going. This I have got to see. He'll make a perfect little junior I should think.'

'Yes, but not just a junior. No, he's also going to be a little new girl. Hilary's old uniform will be about a size too big for him, so that should give a perfect new girl effect.'

'Well I've got to hand it to you Jane, you really do think of everything. A winter uniform. God, he'll be uncomfortable if it's a hot day, won't he? Still, that's the idea I suppose.'

'And even better' piped up Susan, 'We're going to make him wear my school mac as well, with the hood up all day.'

'You won't let us forget that for a moment, will you Susan?' laughed Hilary.

'Oh that is positively diabolical' said Gillian, 'I'm almost sorry for him, but especially if he's going to be wearing a school mac all day. With the hood up? Gawd. I never wear mine in summer if I can help it, except when I'm going to and from school of course, when I don't have any choice. I wonder why they make us wear them instead of letting us carry umbrellas instead? Maybe it's so that we all look the same. Anyway, at least we'll all be in our summer dresses. Where will we be meeting?'

'At our place' said Jane, 'About half past nine. We've got to be at the museum at 11.30, so we'll all be going from here on the bus.'

'Fine' said Gillian 'I'll be there.'

'Gilly' said Jane, 'Where's your mum? We wanted to see if she would think that Jennifer was a real little girl.'

'Oh she'll back in a minute' replied Gillian. 'She just popped out for a couple of things, so she won't be long.' At that moment a car could be heard coming up the drive. 'There she is now' she said, 'Do you want to introduce Jennifer, or shall I?'

'I'll do it' said Jane, 'I'm pretty well prepared for it. Now Jimmy, don't forget you are my cousin Jennifer, so you are not to say anything unless you have to. I want to try and see if I can fool Gilly's mum. All right?'

'All right' I said.

'Now play along with it, and remember to talk like a girl if you have to speak. If you give the game away or if she realises that you are really a boy, I'll make sure you regret it. Now look as demure as possible.' I was beginning to tire of Jane's threats. We heard the sound of the front door being opened, and a moment later Gillian's mother came out of the dining room and into the garden. 'Hello girls' she said, 'How are you?'

'Oh fine, thank you' said Jane. Taking my hand and pulling me forward, she said 'Mrs. Sewell, I'd like you to meet my cousin Jennifer, she's staying with us for the holidays.'

'Hello Jennifer' said Mrs. Sewell, 'How nice to meet you. That's a lovely dress you're wearing, very pretty. Gillian's got one like that somewhere, but she refuses to wear it, and seems to spend all her time in jeans and slacks. Personally I prefer to see girls looking like girls, but there we are. So how do you like it here?' What could I say? Under the circumstances, I could hardly say that I was enjoying myself. Despite Jane's dire warning, I decided to appeal to Mrs. Sewell for sympathy. 'I hate it' I said vehemently, 'Because I'm not a girl, I'm a boy, and they've made me dress up like this.' Mrs. Sewell looked at me intently for a moment, and then grinned. 'Good heavens' she said, 'So you are! D'you know, I really wouldn't have guessed if you hadn't told me. But why have they dressed you up like this?' Before I could say anything else, Jane intervened. 'It's actually for a very good reason Mrs. Sewell. He's dressed as a girl as a punishment, and this is why.'

She now told Mrs. Sewell the whole story from the beginning in every detail, and as she did so, the smile on Mrs. Sewell's face faded, to be replaced by a more serious expression. When Jane had explained everything, she turned to me and said 'Well, it's a bit more serious than I imagined. I thought that you were just larking about, but that's not the case, is it? Jimmy, I think you brought this on yourself and deserved what you got. It really is an exquisitely humiliating punishment, I must say' she grinned. 'Yes, very appropriate. Actually, you look quite charming, particularly with those hair ribbons matching your pretty dress so well.' I think she was beginning to enjoy herself as she stepped forward and tidied up the bows in my hair. Then she stepped back and smiled. 'There, that's better' she said, 'Lovely.'

At that moment it started to rain, and we all moved into the dining room. 'Who'd like a piece of cake and a cup of tea?' suggested Mrs. Sewell, and the girls all answered in an enthusiastic affirmative. 'All right' she said, 'Gillian, take the girls into the lounge and we'll have it in there.' We went into the lounge, with me sitting on the sofa between Jane and Susan. While we sat there, Jane looked at me venomously 'You just had to spoil everything, didn't you?' she said. 'Gilly's mum said that she'd thought you were a girl at first, but you had to give it away. Anything to spoil other people's fun, as usual. Well, I warned you about giving the game away. I've already got something in mind for you by way of a punishment, and I can assure you, you're not going to like it. You just wait.' I gulped nervously, becoming more and more aware of Jane's capacity for ingenious torments for me, and I was beginning to learn not to cross her. Mrs. Sewell came into the room with a tea tray, and we were soon enjoying some tea and home made sponge cake. 'You've all got your school holiday excursion tomorrow, haven't you?' said Mrs. Sewell. 'Yes' said Gillian, 'We're all going. Including Jimmy. He should look rather nice in our school uniform. A junior one, of course.'

'Oh my goodness' laughed Mrs. Sewell, 'He'll look just like one of you. That should give him a day to remember. Well don't forget to take some photos of him.'

'Don't worry' said Jane, 'We'll take plenty.'

Soon it was time to go, and Mrs. Sewell saw us to the door. She opened it, and we could see that it was now raining steadily. 'You'd better borrow some umbrellas' said Mrs. Sewell, pulling some out of an umbrella rack next to the coat stand, and handing one each to Hilary, Susan and Jane. Turning to me she grinned and said, 'And I think we've got just the thing for you, little girl. Gilly, have we still got that raincape you used to wear?'

'Oh yes' grinned Gillian, 'What a lovely idea! I'm pretty sure it's still hanging up in the cupboard under the stairs. Hang on, I'll have a look.' She went to the cupboard and looked inside. 'Yes, here it is' she said, and came out carrying a red rubberised satinette raincape. She gave it to her mother, who shook it out and held it up. 'Yes, this will do for Jennifer nicely. Come here Jennifer, let's see if it fits.' I stepped forward reluctantly, and stood there obediently while she draped the cape over my shoulders and fastened the buttons down the front. The cape smelled unpleasantly of rubber, like the red mackintosh they had bought for me the week before, and it hung down to just below my knees. It was a good fit, and once again I cursed being so small. 'There' said Mrs. Sewell, 'That'll keep you nice and dry Jennifer.'

'Don't forget to put up her hood' said Susan. 'Oh no, of course I won't' said Mrs. Sewell, 'We don't want to get those lovely hair ribbons wet, do we?' She pulled up the pixie hood of the raincape, buttoned it firmly under my chin, and gave the hood a final tug forward to make sure that it covered my head properly. Standing back, she grinned and said 'There we are, one little girl all ready for the rain. He looks a bit like Little Red Riding Hood, doesn't he?' The girls laughed and said goodbye as we went out into the rain to walk home. The rain drummed onto the raincape hood and ran down onto my rain soaked legs and feet as we walked. I felt so like a little girl walking between the bigger girls, and those people who walked past us in the rain didn't even give me a second glance. I was even a bit glad that I was wearing the pixie hood. At least it hid my face a little.

We soon reached home, where Hilary was leaving us. 'OK' she said, 'I'll see you tomorrow morning then. Bye for now' and she set off home. We went inside and the girls put their umbrellas in a stand next to the coat hooks. 'I think that's enough excitement for one day Jennifer' said Jane as she unbuttoned my wet raincape and hung it up to dry. 'I'm going to have an ingenious use for this cape in a couple of days, but I won't tell you what it is yet. Now go and sit in the lounge with Susan.' I went into the lounge, and Susan switched on the television. The rain outside stopped, and Jane exclaimed 'Damn, I'd forgotten the washing, it'll be soaked.' She went out into the garden, and brought in the soggy clothing. 'Oh well' she said, 'I'll use the drier.' She put the wet things into the washing machine to spin, and then into the tumble drier. 'Never mind' she said, 'It'll soon be damp dry and I can iron it tonight. We must make sure you have a constant supply of clean dresses to wear, mustn't we Jennifer?'

Jane prepared our tea, and after we had eaten, Susan and I washed up and put everything away. Then we watched television in a desultory fashion for about an hour or so until Jane took the washing out of the drier. She started to erect the ironing board and switched the iron on. 'All right Jennifer' she said, unfastening my dress, 'Off to bed. You know how to put on your nightie, and don't forget to hang up your clothes properly. I'll be up in a minute to switch the light out.' By now I had learnt to do as I was told, and I meekly complied. A short while later I was in bed, and Jane came in to say goodnight. 'Well Jennifer, off on the school excursion tomorrow. You'll be putting on your school uniform in Susan's room, and I think you'll look like a really typical little Sion schoolgirl. Susan's going to love it. Night night.' She switched off the light and closed the door, and I was asleep in no time.

 

 

 

CHAPTER 9

 

THE SCHOOL MUSEUM OUTING

 

Next morning I was woken by Jane and Susan, who had already been up for a while and were wearing their school uniform. Jane wore the senior summer uniform. It was a maroon and white candy striped dress with a belt, short sleeves, a button front and an open neck. She wore knee high white socks and brown lace up shoes. On top of this came a maroon blazer with the school crest on the breast pocket. Susan wore her junior uniform which was similar to Jane's but in a more juvenile style. It was a maroon and white candy stripe dress, but with a zip up the back, a white peter pan collar, and white cuffs on the short sleeves. It also had a belt which fastened at the front with a white plastic buckle, and it was kept neatly fastened with a white button fastening at the end of the belt. She wore white ankle socks with a pair of brown T bar sandals.

'Right Jennifer, up you get' said Jane, 'Off to the bathroom, and when you've washed, go into Susan's room and we'll get you dressed.' I did as I was told, and was soon standing in Susan's room, where Jane removed my nightdress, leaving me totally naked. My school uniform was laid out all ready for me. 'OK' said Jane, 'Knickers first.' She held out a pair of maroon school knickers, and I stepped into them. She pulled them up to my waist and high up my legs, and the elastic felt tight around my thighs and waist. A white vest followed, and she tucked it into the waist of the knickers. Next came a white blouse buttoned up to the neck, followed by a maroon and silver diagonally striped tie. 'And now for the one item that I really used to hate wearing' said Jane, 'Your regulation school gym tunic.' She picked it up and held it up with the back opening towards me. 'In you get' she said. I stepped into the grey tunic and she pulled it up my body before putting my arms through the armholes. Then she stood behind me and fastened the buttons running up the back. Turning me around, she did up the buckle belt and secured the two buttons which held the end of the belt in place. Pulling down the hem of the tunic so that the pleated skirt hung neatly, Jane said 'Sit down.' I sat on the chair, and a pair of white ankle socks were placed neatly on my feet and turned down at the ankle. On top of these came a pair of brown T bar strap shoes, which she fastened on securely with the buckles at the side. Definitely a junior style, and designed not to come off.

'Now for your hair Jennifer' said Jane, 'But today, no hair ribbons. Aren't you lucky!' She pulled the wig well down on my head, and brushed the pageboy style into a neat fringe at the front. 'Now stand up' said Jane. She held up the maroon blazer, I put my arms into the sleeves, and she pulled it on. Pulling the sleeves of my blouse down until they came down level with the cuffs of the blazer, she stepped back to admire her handiwork. 'There we are' she said, smiling, 'One little new girl, all ready for her first day at Sion Convent'

'Have a look at yourself in the mirror' said Susan. 'You really do look like a junior girl in her new uniform. Those teachers are never going to take you for a boy.' I looked at myself in the mirror and saw that she was right. The uniform was slightly too big for me, giving exactly that impression. 'Now you know what I have to go through for five days a week' said Susan, 'Well, for once, you can suffer just like me. I think he looks good actually.'

'Yes, I think he'll do very nicely' said Jane. 'Now let's go down and get some breakfast, the others will be here soon.' We went downstairs, and as I moved about I felt restricted in the gym tunic. It certainly wasn't comfortable.

Breakfast was a fairly quick affair, and shortly afterwards there was a knock at the door. Susan went to open it, and in came Hilary, Gillian, Tessa and Fiona. They were all wearing their school uniform, and had their school raincoats on, the hoods hanging down from their shoulders. Coming into the lounge where I was standing, they stood around me to examine me.

'Well' said Hilary, 'That's pretty good. I'd say that if you saw him in the street you really wouldn't give him a second glance. You'd just take him for another schoolgirl. Those teachers will never guess. Yep, I'm sure it'll be all right.'

'What about everyone else?' said Jane, 'What do you reckon?'

'No problem.' Said Tessa, 'He looks fine.' Gillian grinned at me and said 'I think he looks perfect' and Fiona said 'I wouldn't mind him filling in for me on a few school trips. He does look good.'

'Well I'm happy with how he looks' said Jane, ' So we might as well go. I'll just get my raincoat.' She went into the hall, and came back into the lounge, buttoning up her school mackintosh. Fastening her belt, she said 'Oh just a minute, I must take some pictures of Jennifer, just for the record.' She went to the sideboard and took out her camera. 'Come on' she said, 'Outside in the garden, the light's better.' The girls bustled me into the garden, and soon I had been photographed from all angles. That done, we went indoors again and prepared to leave.

'Don't forget she's got to wear my school mac' cried Susan, 'With the hood up.'

'Oh my goodness' laughed Jane, 'I'd nearly forgotten. All right Sue, go and get it.' Susan dashed upstairs to fetch her raincoat from her room, and a moment later was bounding back down the stairs and into the lounge with it. 'Here we are' she said gleefully, handing it to Jane. She grinned as Jane said to me 'Now Jennifer, you're going to experience what it's like to wear the most hated part of our school uniform, our regulation school raincoat. We've all had to wear our school macs many times of course, so I don't see why you shouldn't suffer as well. With that winter uniform on, you'll soon find out why Susan's not wearing hers.'

It was a typical, rather old-fashioned single breasted girl's school mackintosh made of unlined light grey rubberised cotton. It featured a buckle belt supported by two keepers attached to the mac, one on either side of the waist. From the shoulders hung a non-detachable hood with a square top, almost identical in shape to the hood on my red raincoat. The grey mackintosh hood had a maroon lining, and tie tapes to secure it under the chin. Jane took it, held it up for me to put on, and I put my arms into the sleeves. Standing in front of me, she fastened the buttons up to my neck. Then she passed the belt through the buckle, pulled it tight around my waist, and did up the securing buttonhole at the end of the belt.

I stood there examining the very juvenile style mackintosh I was now wearing. Like the rest of my uniform, it was too large for me; the hem hung down about eight inches below my knees, and the cuffs of the sleeves came down to halfway along my fingers. Yes, I looked like a little new girl all right. 'Now you can see why we hate wearing them' said Gillian. 'They look fine on little girls of about eight or ten, but by the time you are our age you feel like a total idiot wearing them. We're the laughing stock of the girls from other schools. Not only that, there's another reason why we hate wearing them, but you'll soon find that out for yourself.'

'We'd better be off now' said Jane, 'Come on. Susan, go and put your blazer on.' Susan picked up her school blazer from the back of a chair and put it on. We all went out into the hall, and as Jane opened the door we saw that it had started raining again. 'Right Jennifer' said Jane, 'We'd better put up your hood. But in a special way.' She pulled the mackintosh hood up over my head, and then, pulling the tapes tight, she fastened it under my chin. But not in a normal bow. Having made the bow first, she started to knot the tie tapes, and pulled the knots tight. Then she tied another knot on top, and another, and another. She kept tying the knots and pulling them very tight that I would never be able to undo the tie tapes without help. I tried pulling the hood back off my head but it was impossible, tightly secured as it was. 'There' said Jane, 'That'll keep you snug. How's that, Susan?'

'Perfect' said Susan, he'll never get it off now!'

'Well that's the general idea' said Jane, 'Come on everybody, let's go.' She opened the door and the girls all put up the hoods of their mackintoshes except Susan, who insisted on taking her umbrella instead, despite Jane's warning about school rules. They fastened their hoods on by the tie tapes tied in a bow under their chin, although some of the hoods had a button flap fastening instead. We were soon walking along the pavement towards the bus stop, and stood in the rain for a few minutes until the bus arrived. We got on, and after Jane had paid our three fares, we went down to sit at the back of the bus. There were several other schoolgirls in the Sion Convent uniform sitting there, most of whom were wearing raincoats identical to mine. As they sat down they unfastened their hoods so that they hung down their backs. I couldn't of course, so I had to sit there in abject humiliation, peering out demurely from under mine.

Jane and her friends soon explained my situation to the other girls, and a chorus of giggles went around the bus. They obviously approved. 'I'd love to do this to my brother' said one of them, 'We must try it on him sometime. We'll dress him up, (I've got plenty of things I can blackmail him with to make him co-operate), and then we can take him into town dressed as a little schoolgirl. You guys would help, wouldn't you?'

'Sure' said one of the others, 'With pleasure. As long as you help me to do the same to my brother.'

'And mine' said another girl.'All right' said Jane, 'We'll take care of them as well, but for today, let's just concentrate on giving Jennifer a hard time, shall we? The main thing is not to let the temp. teachers realise that he's a boy. They'll probably ask why he's still got his hood up when we are inside the museum, so I'll tell them that Jennifer's got a slight chill, and has to be kept warm. The real reason of course is part of his punishment. You all know what it's like wearing our macs indoors. It gets very hot and sticky, especially when they get wet. Well, we've dressed Jennifer in our winter uniform with her gym tunic and blazer on. With her hood up, she's going to be boiling in that mac, and the lovely thing is that we've done up the tie tapes in such a tight knot that she'll never be able to get the hood off by herself. Cruel, aren't I Jennifer?' she said to me maliciously. I groaned, and the girls giggled with delight. They were obviously enjoying it. 'Now don't forget everyone' called out Jane, 'He's Jennifer Chapman at all times from now on. Got it?'

'Got it' came a chorus of girl's voices in reply. What the other few passengers on the bus made of this performance I can't imagine, although two women nearby seemed to think the whole episode amusing, and kept looking at me and grinning.

The bus was hot, and my wet, warm mackintosh soon became unbearable to wear. It smelt of rubber, and the smell and dampness added to my discomfort as I began sweating profusely. Those girls who were wearing their macs soon had the pleasure of removing them completely, but as I instinctively went to unfasten the tie tapes under my chin to do the same thing, the tight knots in my fingers soon reminded me that I couldn't. 'No chance Jennifer' said Jane, and smiled. We soon arrived at the city centre and got off the bus. It was still raining, so those girls that had taken off their macs on the bus put them on again and put up their hoods. It only took about ten minutes to reach the museum, and as soon as we were inside, the girls removed their macs and carried them. They obviously didn't like wearing them any more than Jane and her friends, and I didn't blame them. Unfortunately, I didn't have the same choice.

A couple of dozen other girls from Sion Convent were also there, and Jane and her friends lost no time in explaining the situation to them. Apart for a few amused looks at me from them, they covered up pretty successfully. A moment later, two teachers and a member of the museum staff called us together, and the tour began. The dinosaur exhibition was very interesting, and I almost forgot how I was dressed, and began to enjoy it. But Jane and Susan never left my side, which was just as well. Suddenly, one of the teachers came up to me and said 'You girl, why have you still got your hood up? Take it off, you'll be far too hot.'

'Excuse me miss' Jane interjected quickly, 'She's my sister and she's got laryngitis. The doctor said that she must keep warm.' The teacher looked at me for a moment and said 'Well she looks as if she might have a temperature, she's very flushed. I don't really think that she should have come, but still, you're here now, so I suppose you might as well stay. All right dear, you'd better keep your hood on, but don't do any talking, and if you feel unwell your sister must take you home.' She walked away, and Susan chuckled. 'It worked' she said, 'Now let's enjoy the rest of the tour. It's better than I expected actually.' We continued on the tour until we finished a couple of hours later, by which time the perspiration was running down my face and the smell of rubber inside the damp mackintosh was stifling. When we arrived back at the museum entrance, we were dismissed by the teachers. 'Thank you for coming girls' said the one who had spoken to me, 'Enjoy the rest of the holidays, and I'll see you back at school on open day, don't forget, that's a week tomorrow. Thank you.'

We went out into the street. 'Damn' said Fiona, 'I'd forgotten about open day.'

'What's open day?' I asked. 'Well if you must know' said Gillian, ' It's the day about a month before the new school year starts, when all the prospective new girls and their parents come and visit the school and have a look around. Unfortunately we all have to be there in uniform to show them around.'

'And' interjected Hilary, 'Some of the unlucky ones have to walk around in the old school uniforms that the girls wore about fifty to a hundred years ago, and they're really uncomfortable. I should know, I got picked last year, and I looked a right twit.'

Jane suddenly grinned. 'Tell you what' she said. 'Since we've all got to go anyway, we might as well get some amusement out of it. You know that there's a certain piece of furniture in a certain room which is used for certain naughty girls?'

'Oh yes, I know the one you mean' said Gillian, beginning to smile. 'Well.' said Jane, 'I think it might be rather fun if a certain little girl became acquainted with it. Wearing one of the old school uniforms, of course.' Gillian looked at me and then at Jane, grinning as she did so. 'Of course' she said, 'What a lovely idea. We'll let Jennifer find out what happens to naughty girls who get caught swearing by a teacher. It's almost mediaeval really.'

Fiona giggled and added 'I think it's an excellent idea. I went through it twice last year, and I'll tell you, they won't catch me swearing again.'

'All right' said Jane, 'We'll work out the details later. Come on, let's go.'

The rain had stopped, and the sun shone warmly out of a clear blue sky. 'What shall we do now?' said Gillian. Jane thought for a moment and said 'Let's just go for a walk around town for a bit and see what we can find'. We set off through the shopping precinct, going into various shops selling the kind of things of interest to teenage girls, while I hovered miserably in the background. As we walked in the sunshine, my mackintosh grew hotter and hotter, until finally I stopped and pleaded with Jane. 'Please take off this hood Jane, I'm boiling!' Jane looked at my hot, red face under the hood, and laughed. 'Oh no' she said, 'This is the whole idea, for you to be both humiliated and uncomfortable. It was Susan's idea, so she's the only person who's going to take off your hood when she feels like it. Isn't that so Sue?' Susan giggled. 'That's right' she said. 'I want him to go through what I went through when Mum once made me keep my mac on with the hood up in the sunshine as a punishment. No, I said that he'd keep it on until we get home, so he's going to.'

Jane smiled. 'Fair enough, so stop complaining Jennifer, you'll just have to put up with it. Come on, we might as well walk home.' It took about an hour and a half to walk home in the hot sun, and by the time we got there I was soaked with sweat. Before going inside, Jane and Susan said goodbye to their friends. 'Don't forget open day' said Hilary, as she walked off with the others. We went up to the front door, and as soon as we were inside, Jane took off her mackintosh and hung it up. Susan dropped her umbrella into the umbrella stand and said 'There you are Jane, I told you they wouldn't notice my umbrella.'

'No, you're right' said Jane, 'They didn't. But I wouldn't try it during term time if I were you. If Miss Beddows saw you you'd be for it.'

'That's different' replied Susan, quickly.

Jane turned to me, grinned, and said 'OK Jennifer, I think you've suffered enough for today. You've been wearing that mac for over nine hours, so I think that'll do. Go on, you can take it off now.' I started to try and untie the tightly knotted tie strings that secured the hood on under my chin, but it was hopeless. I couldn't see the knots, and try as I might I couldn't even get the first one undone. I struggled with them, but it was hopeless. In the end I gave up, panting with frustration. 'I can't get it off!' I said. 'It's too tight.'

'Well that was the general idea,' said Jane casually, 'Sue, see if you can undo the hood.'

'Oh all right' said Susan. 'Sit down while I undo the knots, Jennifer.' I sat down, and she started to try and undo the knots. But her small fingers couldn't do any better than mine. After a brief struggle she gave up. 'I can't do it' she said. 'Jane, I think you'd better have a go.' Jane had a look at the tightly knotted tie tapes, and began to try unfastening them. 'My God they are tight' she said, 'But I think they're loosening. Ah, yes, here comes the first one.' It took all of ten minutes before the last knot was untied, and Jane put the hood down. 'Whew' she said, 'At last.' She unfastened my mackintosh and removed it, revealing my sweat soaked blouse and gym tunic. 'Wow' she exclaimed, looking at me, 'You're soaking wet. All right Jennifer, you'd better go up to the bathroom and leave all your clothes on the linen basket to be washed. I'll also have to turn that raincoat inside out and wash it before I hang it up to dry. Have a shower, and then go to your room and put on your nightie. You can have tea, and then I'll put you to bed. My goodness, what a day. Did you enjoy it Sue?'

'I thought it was great' said Sue, 'Exactly how we planned it, and Jennifer looked so cute in her school uniform. You know what? I'd like to take him into town again on another day, only this time he can wear my junior summer dress without the raincoat, so that everyone can see how pretty he looks in it. And he can wear my nice school hat. You will look sweet, won't you Jennifer?' she said. 'Yes, well I don't see why not' said Jane. 'We'll wear slacks and T shirts, and he can be the little schoolgirl getting ready to go back to school. Yes, I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll take him into the school uniform shop and he can try on a few things. I'm sure Mum won't mind, and it should be fun. Right Jennifer, off you go and take a shower. Just a minute, I'll undo the back of your gym tunic first; you'll never undo all those buttons by yourself.' She helped me to remove the blazer, and unfastened the tunic. 'OK' said Jane, 'Up you go, and don't be too long, I'm going to get tea ready in a minute.'

I went up to the bathroom, and with a huge sigh of relief removed the entire school uniform, which I placed on the lid of the laundry basket. I was drenched with perspiration, and felt as if I'd been boiled alive. But a lukewarm shower soon revived me, and by the time I had dried myself off I felt pleasantly warm and relaxed. I went to my room, put on my nightie, and went downstairs to where tea was laid on the kitchen table. We sat down to eat, mostly in silence. As we finished, Jane said 'Well, I think that's enough of school uniforms for you today Jennifer. Tomorrow it's back to your cute little dresses again. After all, they suit you so well, and they really create the perfect image of everyone's idea of a sweet little girl.'

'If I hear the words 'sweet little girl' again I think I'll scream,' I said.

'Now now' said Jane, 'We'll have none of that. Finish off your tea, and then get off to bed. You seem to getting used to going to bed at six o'clock by now, so I think I'll suggest to Mum that it becomes a permanent feature.'

'Absolutely' said Susan, 'So much better for little girls like you.' Tea over, Jane said 'Right Jennifer, up you go to bed, I'll be up in a while.' It was becoming a regular pattern, but that didn't really worry me. Going to bed so early gave me some relief from the girls' attentions, and every day that passed was another day nearer to my release from this purgatory. But I still had five weeks to go. Yuck.

 

CHAPTER 10

 

WITH SUSAN IN THE RAIN

 

Another fine day dawned, and getting up under Jane's direction was becoming less difficult. After my usual morning ablutions it was time for me to be dressed. Today's outfit was my freshly ironed crisp pink dress, with ribbons to match, while my white ankle socks and black T bar sandals completed the picture. As we tidied up after breakfast Jane said 'We've got to go back to see Angela this morning and collect the pushchair to return it to Fiona. Besides, I think we're going to need it again shortly.' I said nothing but inwardly groaned. 'Oh and by the way' said Jane, 'I want to take some more photos of you before we go into town. Susan, go up to Jennifer's room and fetch her other dresses with ribbons to match.' Susan ran upstairs, while Jane took her camera out of a draw. 'Now Jennifer' she said, 'I'm going to take some nice pictures of you.'

'Oh please Jane, no' I protested, 'No.'

'Don't be tiresome Jennifer' said Jane, 'You know what will happen if you're naughty. I'm sure your sisters would just love to tell your mates and the girls at your school all about this. It could easily be arranged you know.' I felt sick inside. 'You wouldn't' I said, 'Not really, would you?'

'Don't try me' said Jane, 'Believe me, I would if I needed to. Just a note or a quick phone call is all it would need. Shall I call Diana now?'

'All right' I said, 'Obviously you've got me.' I sighed as Susan came bounding into the room with the other dresses over her arm, and some hair ribbons in one hand. 'Here we are' she said, 'Everything.'

'Good' said Jane, 'We'll take the photos out in the garden. Come along Jennifer.' I meekly followed her out through the french windows and into the garden. 'Right' said Jane, 'Stand here on the patio Jennifer, feet together and hands by your sides.' With some assistance from Susan, I was manoeuvred into position, and Jane began taking the photographs of me, full length, half length, and head and shoulders. Front, back, and profile. She certainly wasn't sparing on film. When she was satisfied she said 'Good, that'll do for that one. Now let's change you into another dress, with hair ribbons to match.' The girls took me inside, and changed my dress for another one. Another photo session ensued, and then two more, so that in the end I had been thoroughly photographed in the pink, yellow, blue, and white dresses from every angle. I felt uneasy about being photographed, but I suppose I wasn't in a position to argue. The photo session over, I was finally dressed in my pink dress again, with pink hair ribbons to match.

We were now ready to go, and with Jane carrying a shopping bag we soon set off for the bus stop. Interestingly enough, nobody stared at me, and I realised that I was getting so much into the part that anyone who saw me simply assumed that I was a girl. It was almost comforting. Again, I didn't realise that Susan and Jane had other tricks up their sleeve to take care of that.

We took the bus into town, and arrived at the baby shop just as it began to rain again. Angela was there, and as soon as she had finished serving a customer, we were alone. 'Have you come for the pushchair?' said Angela, 'Just a moment and I'll get it.' She went into the other room and came back with the folded pushchair together with the rain covers, the baby reins, the restraining straps and the dummy.

'Thanks' said Jane, putting the straps and pushchair covers into her bag. They had a short conversation until Jane looked at her watch and said 'I must go. I want to be home by two o'clock before I go over to Fiona's to return the pushchair. Now Susan, did you say that you wanted to walk home with Jennifer?'

'Yes' said Susan, 'I want to walk home with my little sister, just the two of us, while I tell her some of the lovely things I'm going to do to her.'

'She really is sadistic' laughed Jane. 'She must take after me. All right Susan, I don't mind you walking home with Jennifer, but I want her to remain well under your control, so first, we're going to make quite sure that she can't give you any trouble.' Turning to Angela she said 'I think it's about time that we used that controlling method you suggested the other day, you know, the one with the restrained hands?'

'Oh yes' said Angela, grinning, 'Well we've got everything we need here, so let's do it. Just a minute, I'll lock up for lunch so that we won't be disturbed. No one can see us here from the street.' She went over to the door, locked it, and came back. 'Right' she said, 'Let's make sure that Jennifer won't be a naughty girl, shall we?' She picked up the pink leather baby reins, and pulling my head and arms carefully through the straps, she tightly secured the buckle behind me. It felt horribly familiar. 'Now I've made something for his hands' said Angela, ' We don't want him using his fingers to undo anything, do we?' She opened a cupboard under the counter and took out a pair of soft, fingerless leather mittens. Pushing my clenched fists into them, she secured them firmly by a strap and buckle around the wrists so that my hands were now just helpless lumps. Taking a pair of white woollen mittens from under the counter, she slipped them on top of the leather ones, and tied them on securely with pink ribbons around my wrists. To all intents and purposes I now wore a pair of cute white baby mittens.

'Now' said Angela, 'Let's keep you under control.' She buckled a pair of pink leather wrist straps around my wrists, and crossed my arms behind me. Then she attached a strap with a strong clip at each end to D rings on the wrist straps, across the front of my waist. The strap was in two parts that joined together with a buckle about where my navel was. Angela opened the roller buckle, and began to pull the two halves of the strap tighter and tighter. This pulled my crossed arms nearer and nearer to the front of my waist, until I couldn't move them. Angela fastened the buckle securely and I was helpless. 'Just one other thing' she said. She took two other small straps fitted with buckles, and fastening them around my upper arms, secured them to the baby reins. Now my arms really were immobilised. 'There we are, that'll keep her under control' said Angela. 'But not for long' I said triumphantly, 'As soon as anyone sees me walking home they'll see that I'm tied up and I'll ask them to release me!' The triumph on my face was short lived.

'My goodness' said Jane, 'What do you take us for? We've thought of all that. No one's going know that your arms are tied, because to begin with, you won't be able to call out, will you? Certainly not with a nice big dummy in your mouth. Take off his wig for a moment Susan, and Jane, sit him down on the chair.' Susan quickly pulled the wig off my head, and Jane had no difficulty in sitting me down. Angela picked up the dummy from the counter, stood in front of me, and said 'All right Jennifer, open your mouth, unless you want Jane to help me.' I knew by now that resistance would just make things more unpleasant for me, so I opened my mouth wide. Smiling, Angela said 'There's a good girl,' and she pushed the dummy deep into my mouth. Then she began to wind the ribbons tightly around my head several times before tying them in a non-slip bow behind my neck. Jane then put my wig back on my head.

'There we are Jennifer' said Jane, grinning at me as I stared at her silently over the dummy. 'That's one good reason why no one's going to get you out of this. But there's another reason why they won't know that we've trussed you up. It's because you'll be wearing this!' She put her hand into her shopping bag and pulled out the red raincape that I'd had to wear home from Gilly's the day before. My heart sank as Jane held up the cape and said 'What do you think, Angela?'

'Oh yes' said Angela, smiling, 'That will cover him up very nicely. Where did you get it?'

'From my friend Gillian's mother' said Jane. 'Gilly used to wear it when she went to primary school. Apparently she hated it as she got older.'

'Yes, I used to have one like that when I was little' said Angela, 'Except mine was blue. Well it'll certainly give him that 'little girl' look, won't it?.' Jane shook out the raincape, and said 'Now Jennifer, let's put it on you and cover up those nasty straps, shall we?' Standing me up first, she draped the raincape around me and buttoned it up to the neck. Then she pulled up the pointed pixie hood and buttoned it securely under my chin. Finally she tugged the hood well forward. 'There we are' said Jane, 'One little girl all ready for the rain. Gillian's mother said she looks like Little Red Riding Hood.'

'Well looking at her now, I can understand why' said Angela. 'She certainly does look the part, doesn't she?' She burst out laughing along with Susan and Angela, until their mirth slowly subsided. 'Well I have to say' said Angela, 'He really does look like Susan's little sister, doesn't he? He is going to look so cute walking home in the rain, and that pixie hood is just the perfect touch. What do you think Susan? Are you going to walk your little sister home now?'

'With pleasure' said Susan, 'And I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.'

'Off you go then' said Jane, 'I must be off in a minute as well, but I've just got a couple of things to discuss with Angela. Now Jennifer, enjoy your walk home with Susan, won't you?'

'I don't think so' laughed Susan. 'Come on Jennifer, off we go.' Angela and Jane now unwillingly dragged me towards the door, but with my arms firmly restrained under the raincape, there was nothing I could do to resist. Angela unlocked the door, and together they pushed me out into the pouring rain. Susan quickly slipped out after me and put up her umbrella. 'Now now Jennifer' laughed Susan, 'We've a long way to go, so don't dawdle. Come along.' So off we went.

The long walk home was a nightmare for me. As I tripped along in the rain through the town centre, there were plenty of people about, but no one seemed to take any special notice of two little girls walking along, one holding up her pink translucent umbrella, the other well wrapped up in her red rubberised raincape, peeping out demurely from under her pixie hood. On one occasion I tried to call out to some people, but all I could do was gurgle 'Mmf mmm mmp!' They took no notice at all, and I realised that they didn't find it unusual for a little girl in her raincape to have a dummy in her mouth. They didn't realise, of course, that the dummy was securely tied in my mouth by the hidden ribbons under my wig and hood. Knowing what she knew, Susan just laughed, and with her arm protectively around my shoulder, hurried me along. We gradually started to get away from the town centre, but there were still quite a few people about. As we passed the entrance to a park, a group of girls of various ages, all in their jackets or raincoats with the hoods up, came out onto the pavement, and we walked along among them for a while. None of them even looked at me twice, so my appearance was obviously convincing, and a little later they went their separate way. My raincape gradually became wetter and heavier, and the hem slapped against my bare legs. My feet were by now soaking wet, and for a moment I instinctively tried to shake off the childish pixie hood that made me look so cute. 'Oh no you don't!' said Susan, and she pulled my hood well forward again.

Eventually we reached home, and Susan knocked on the door. Jane opened it, and we went in. Susan removed my wet raincape and hung it up on the coat stand before we went into the lounge. 'There you are' said Jane, 'Did you have a nice walk in the rain?' Susan laughed. 'It was perfect' she said, 'We even walked along for a while with some girls, and they didn't suspect that he was really a boy, not even for an instant. It was really good.'

'Well you obviously enjoyed it Sue' said Jane, 'And that was what I wanted. Now let's let him out of these baby reins.' She removed my wig and untied my dummy before taking it out of my mouth. Then she started to unfasten my hands and arms, removed the baby reins, and I was soon free. I sat down. 'You know' said Jane, 'Fiona says that we can hang onto these baby things until Jennifer goes home, because we might need them again. I've kept the pushchair for now, so if we get a nice sunny day, we can take Jennifer out for a picnic in it, dressed in a pretty frock. Or, walking along the street in the baby reins with her hands secured like they were today. That would be fun.'

'Oh yes, what a lovely way of taking him out! Let's keep that one in mind.'

'Done' said Jane, 'That's a definite. What's on telly?' She turned on the television, and we settled down for the afternoon. The rest of the day went very much as routine. Tea at five, and bed for me at six. I was beginning to get used to it.

 

 

 

CHAPTER 11

 

TWO NEW DRESSES

 

The next morning, getting up was as routine as my going to bed. Woken and dressed by Jane, followed by breakfast and then whatever torment the girls could dream up for me. Today, Jane had decided I would wear my primrose yellow dress with hair ribbons to match, white ankle socks and white leather sandals. Once I was dressed, Jane took me down to breakfast, and while we were eating, Susan said 'Hurry up and finish Jennifer, you're going to meet some friends of mine this morning.' She giggled in anticipation, and Jane just smiled indulgently. Once breakfast was over, Susan could hardly wait to get me out of the back door into the bright sunshine. On the patio was Susan's old doll's pram with her favourite doll in it. 'Now Jennifer' grinned Susan. 'You can push your dolly in her pram around the village. Come along!'

With some physical encouragement from the girls, my hands were placed on the handle of the doll's pram with the threat that they would be tied onto it if I didn't co-operate. Then the three of us set off for our walk. Susan took great delight in taking me out for that walk on a lovely sunny day with me pushing her doll's pram. My primrose yellow dress and white ankle socks looked almost luminous in the strong light. Susan led us to a friend's house, and after knocking on the door, we were let in by her mother, and went into the garden where her friend's younger sister, with two of her little friends, were having a doll's tea party on the lawn. I then had the indignity of sitting cross-legged on the lawn with three little girls playing doll's tea parties. Her friend's mother went teasingly along with it, as by now everyone in the village knew about me. After about an hour of this excruciating humiliation, Jane and Susan decided it was time to go home, as Aunt Mary was due back shortly. I had to walk home pushing the doll's pram of course, and we were soon there. Aunt Mary opened the door and greeted us, and laughed when she saw me standing there with the doll's pram. 'Ah, there you are' she said, as soon as we were inside the house, 'I've made some sandwiches for lunch, and then we must be off. Have you forgotten what today is?' We looked at her uncomprehendingly for a moment, and then she said 'It's Thursday. You know what that means, don't you? It's the day we take Jimmy into town to the police station, but without his wig. 'Oh of course' said Susan, 'I'd forgotten. This I am going to enjoy.'

We sat down to lunch, and as soon as we had finished it was time to go. 'Now' said Jane, 'You won't be needing this Jimmy, will you?' Before I could protest, she had pulled the wig off my head, and combed my short hair into my normal boy's style. 'Oh yes' she said, 'This is going to be fun.' Aunt Mary opened the door, the girls grabbed me by the arms and pulled me outside, and Aunt Mary then shut the door behind us. 'Now' she said, 'We're not going into town in the car. It was giving a little trouble as I drove back, so we'll go into town on the bus. Come along.' We started to walk down to the bus stop, and a moment later Fiona and Hilary saw us from the other side of the road. When they saw me, they burst out laughing. Fiona called out 'Oh that's a great idea Jane, now everyone will know he's a boy! Where are you taking him?'

'Into town' called Jane. 'How fabulous' said Hilary, 'Wish I could come with you. Have fun!' I hung my head in shame, staring at the ground as we walked. This was going to be terrible.

We reached the bus stop, and the bus arrived after about ten minutes. As we got on, the other passengers stared at me with bemused grins on their faces. Two young girls started to laugh, and Susan went over to them to explain. They continued to chuckle all the way into town. In about twenty minutes we reached the town centre, and got off at the shopping precinct. It was full of shoppers, and we started walking towards the police station. 'Keep your head up Jimmy' said Aunt Mary, 'We want everyone to see your face.' Jane lifted up my chin. 'That's better' she laughed, 'Now keep it up.' This was really hateful. As we walked along, there were stares from everyone it seemed. Smiles and laughs, especially from little girls dressed as I was. One of them with her family ran up to Jane and asked 'Why is he dressed as a girl?'

'Because he's been naughty' said Jane. The little girl ran back to her friends shouting 'It's because he's been naughty!' One of the women with her came across to Aunt Mary and said 'What a good idea. I must keep it in mind for one of my boys, it's just what he needs!' and the whole family laughed. Our walk was becoming sheer misery. A whole series of catcalls and laughter followed me, and Jane and Susan took great delight in openly teasing me and explaining my situation to other onlookers. Now I knew what it must have been like in olden days being put in the pillory, or for women being dragged through the streets wearing a scold's bridle. Pure humiliating ridicule.

After what seemed an eternity we reached the police station and went inside up to the enquiry counter. A policeman behind the counter looked at me and grinned, saying 'And who have we here? My goodness, doesn't she have short hair!' Aunt Mary stepped forward and explained why we were here. The policeman opened a door behind him, and called out 'Jean, your little girl's here.' A moment later our policewoman came out with a clipboard. She looked at me and grinned. Turning to the policeman next to her she said 'There we are Pete, how do you like our little girl?'

'Cute as they come' laughed the policeman. 'I love the dress and the little white socks, just delightful. But his hair's a real giveaway, isn't it?'

'That's the whole idea' said the policewoman, 'This is the boy I told you about, remember?'

'Oh yes of course, I read your report' he said. 'Well I must say, thank goodness I never had to go through anything like this when I was a kid. I can't think of anything more humiliating for any boy! It's exquisite.'

'Yes' said Jean, 'He'll think twice about jumping over the traces again.' She turned to Aunt Mary and said 'OK that's it for now. I'll sign the book saying that he's reported in, and I'll see you next Thursday.' We said goodbye and went out into the street again.

'While we're in town' said Aunt Mary, 'Would you like to go and buy Jennifer's other two dresses?'

'Oh yes Mum!' said Susan excitedly, 'Can we?' Aunt Mary smiled. 'Yes, why not' she said, 'Come on, the shop's only round the corner.' We set off, and once again endured a multitude of laughs and giggles from nearly everyone we passed. In a few minutes we entered the children's wear shop we had visited previously. We went upstairs and there was Julia serving a customer and a young teenage girl. 'That's Christine Jenkins' said Jane, 'She's in my class at school.' Aunt Mary said to Susan and Jane 'Why don't you take Jennifer over to the dress rack and find something pretty for her to wear? Don't forget, it's size 10.' With a gleeful expression on her face, Susan took my hand and pulled me over to the clothes rack. As she had mentioned a few days before, she had a clear idea of what she was looking for, and in a few minutes she had found it. With a chuckle she said 'Here we are' and pulled a dress from out of the rack, 'How about this one?' She held it up for me to see, and my heart sank. It was a pink and white gingham dress, in much the same style as the others she and Jane had selected for me. It featured a white peter pan collar, short puffed sleeves with white cuffs, a button fastening down the back, and a tie belt which fastened behind. 'I hate wearing these styles' I exclaimed. 'It's bad enough wearing a dress, but these are so babyish! Can't I at least wear something a bit older looking?'

'Certainly not' said Jane, 'Humiliating you is the whole idea, and these dresses do the job perfectly. Come on, let's see what Mum and Julia think of this one.'

I was taken back over to where they stood, as Julia was putting the other girl's new dress in a bag. Recognising Jane, Christine said 'Hi Jane, how's things?' Jane said 'Fine thanks, meet my cousin' and she pointed at me. For a moment the girl looked at me in my childish yellow dress, and then burst into a giggle. 'Oh it suits him' she laughed, 'Do you always buy his dresses here?' Jane explained the situation to her, and she laughed even more. 'Well I think it's a great idea' she said. 'I'd love to deal with my brother in the same way, he's a real pain at times.'

'Oh I think we can probably arrange something' said Jane. 'Susan and I are getting good at this, and we can dream up all sorts of ways to blackmail your brother into cooperating. We'll talk about it next term and see what we can come up with.'

'Would you really?' said Christine, 'That would be great.' Her brother had my sympathy. If he only knew what was in store for him. Christine and her mother said goodbye, and the attention turned to me. Susan held up the gingham dress for approval. 'Oh yes' said Aunt Mary, 'That's just right, I think. Similar to the other ones, but very suitable. Come along Jimmy, into the cubicle and let's try it on.' In a moment she had removed the yellow dress, and buttoned me into the gingham dress. She tied the bow neatly behind me, and took me out of the cubicle. Susan beamed with delight. 'That's exactly what I wanted' she said, 'It's just like the one I used to wear when I was little, but in his size.'

'Yes, I remember the one' said Aunt Mary, 'It really is a classic little girl's frock I must say. Good choice Susan. Now, one more to go. What's it to be?' Susan went back to the dress rack to find another dress, and after working her way along the dress rack, she pulled one out. 'Now how about this one?' she said, holding up an Alice in Wonderland style dress that would have been the delight of any little girl. It was light blue with a peter pan collar and puffed sleeves, and featured a row of buttons down the back. The dress was secured around the waist with a tie belt, which fastened in a bow at the back. On top of the dress was a white frilled pinafore, which also tied at the back. The whole ensemble gave the classical Alice in Wonderland effect.

'Oh that's perfect' said Jane, 'Yes, I like that one, let's get him into it.' Once again I was propelled into the changing cubicle, and soon reappeared wearing the dress and apron. 'It's gorgeous!' laughed Susan, 'Absolutely gorgeous. Now that's something I do want to see him wear home.'

'Then you shall' said Aunt Mary, 'Why not? All right everyone, let's be off.' As she was paying for the two dresses, Julia said 'Just one suggestion, how about a couple of Alice bands to match the outfit?'

'Oh that's a good idea' said Aunt Mary, looking at some on a rack of girl's hair accessories, 'Once he's got the shoulder length wig on they'll just top it off nicely. Yes, we'll take three please Julia, one each in pink, blue, and white. He can sometimes wear them with the other dresses as well.' Julia took the Alice bands and put them in the bag, and after saying goodbye to her, Aunt Mary shepherded us down the stairs and out into the street. Dressed as I was, I felt mortified. Instinctively I put my hands over my face, but Jane immediately pulled them down again, saying 'Oh no you don't.' She and Susan took a firm grip on my hands on either side of me, and walked me along the precinct. If anything I felt even worse than when I had been wearing the previous primrose yellow dress. It was just that the Alice in Wonderland dress was so much the epitome of a little girl. I blushed to the roots as I endured the comments from people as we encountered them. One lady even asked if I'd seen any white rabbits!

Eventually we reached the bus stop, and I had to just stand there and take it as we waited for our bus home. Susan and Jane's comments didn't help much, either. But the bus arrived at last, and we climbed aboard. As an extra refinement of cruelty, the girls deliberately chose a downstairs seat in a conspicuous position at the front of the bus which faced inwards, so that I could be clearly seen by everyone. They sat on either side of me, still keeping a firm grip on my hands. The comments of ridicule from the onlookers continued, but we finally arrived at our bus stop and alighted. We were soon home, and with a sigh of relief I sank down onto a chair while Aunt Mary said 'Don't forget to hang Jennifer's new dresses in her wardrobe. Take her upstairs.' We went upstairs into my room, and Susan laid out the new acquisitions on my bed.

'Well that was fun with Jimmy not wearing the wig' said Susan, 'I can't wait until next Thursday. I think perhaps we should make Jennifer wear her nice new pink gingham dress. Yes' she said decisively, 'The pink gingham one.'

'And talking of pink gingham dresses' said Jane, 'Let's take some pictures of Jennifer in her lovely new clothes. But we'll put the long wig on him first.' She sat me down on the edge of the bed, and taking my shoulder length wig from the dressing table, pulled it carefully onto my head. Then she brushed it neatly. 'Don't forget the Alice band' said Susan, handing her the white one. 'Of course not' said Jane, and slid it into place on my head. 'Stand up Jennifer' she said. I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror. It was amazing. You just wouldn't have thought that under that imagery of a little girl was me. 'You know' said Jane, 'I think we should enter Jimmy in a children's fancy dress competition. Wouldn't he enjoy that!'

Well if there is one around here before he goes back, we'll do it' said Sue. 'I'll check it out.' I fervently hoped that there wouldn't be one, but with my luck, there probably would be. I shuddered to think what it would be like.

I was now taken downstairs and presented to Aunt Mary, who nodded in obvious approval. 'Lovely' she said, 'That really is delightful.' Jane told her about entering me in a fancy dress competition, and she smiled. 'What a good idea' she said, 'We'll definitely check around the parish news and see if there's one coming up anywhere.'

'Come on Jennifer' said Jane, 'Picture time.' She picked up her camera, and taking me by the hand, led me out into the garden. Once again it was a thorough photo session. As soon as she was satisfied, I was taken up to my room and dressed in the pink and white gingham dress. Jane changed my wig for a pageboy style, and tied two pink bows in my hair to match. Then downstairs again for a few more photos. When she thought that she had enough pictures, we went indoors to where Aunt Mary had prepared tea.

After tea we sat in the lounge watching television. Suddenly Susan grinned, and whispered something into Jane's ear. Jane laughed, and said 'What a great idea. Ask Mum.'

'What is it?' asked Aunt Mary.

'I was just thinking' said Susan, 'You know that you said a few weeks ago that my school summer uniform is getting too small for me, and I'm going to need a new blazer and a couple of dresses for next term?'

'Yes, I remember' said Aunt Mary.

'Well, I was wondering if we could go and get them tomorrow. Then I can go for a walk round town in my new uniform, with Jimmy wearing my old one. It'll fit him perfectly. I know it's holiday time, but lots of the girls are buying their new uniforms at the moment, so it wouldn't be unusual if a couple of girls were dressed like that during the holidays. I just love the idea of Jimmy walking around town dressed as one of us. A bit like when we went to the museum, but with him not being able to hide his face under a mackintosh hood. And I'm sure the magistrate lady would approve.'

That clinched it. 'You're quite right' said Aunt Mary, 'I'm sure she would. All right, we'll go into town tomorrow. You can wear your shorts and T shirt, and we'll dress Jimmy in the summer uniform you've got already. You can then change when you try on your new uniform in the shop. Let's see if Jimmy likes wearing your summer uniform more than he did the winter gym tunic and blouse'

'Thanks Mum' said Susan, 'I think my summer school uniform will look lovely on him!'

When six o'clock came Aunt Mary said 'Come now Jennifer, time for bed. Jane told me she'd been putting you to bed at six, and you seem to have got used to it. So we will continue in that way. From now on you'll go to bed at six, just like a baby. Go upstairs, get ready for bed, and I'll be up in a minute.' I did as I was told, and a short while later, Aunt Mary came up to my room. She drew the curtains, kissed me goodnight, and closed the door. I lay there for a while with horrid memories of the past week, and groaned when I thought of how much longer my punishment was to last. For the first time I began to contemplate running away. The trouble was that even if I did make a break for it, I had nothing but girl's clothes to wear. True, I now knew that I could pass myself off as a girl pretty convincingly, and probably wouldn't attract attention, but where would I go? That was something for me to think about. I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the day when my torment would be over.

 

 

 

CHAPTER 12

 

OUT IN SUSAN'S SCHOOL UNIFORM

 

I was woken next morning by Aunt Mary drawing back my curtains. 'Up we get, rise and shine' she said. 'Off to the bathroom, and then we'll transform you into a nice little schoolgirl. Off you go.' I got out of bed and went to the bathroom, and when I came back to my room Aunt Mary was laying Susan's school summer uniform out on the bed. It was of course the one she had worn to the museum, but this time it was my turn to wear it. 'Now off with your nightie' said Aunt Mary, 'And on with your undies.' I removed the nightdress, and stepped into the pair of maroon knickers that she was holding out for me. She neatly tucked in the elasticated waist and legs, and then put the vest on over my head and tucked it into my knickers.

'Now for your dress' said Aunt Mary. She picked up the maroon and white candy striped dress, opened the back zip, and held it up for me to put on. I stepped into it and put my arms into the short sleeves, and she closed the zip up behind me. Then she fastened a hook and eye behind my neck to stop the zip from slipping open. Tightening the belt firmly around my waist, she did up the white plastic buckle, passed the end of the belt through a keeper on my waist, and buttoned up the end of the belt so that it couldn't come undone. My feet were next. Sitting me down on a chair, Aunt Mary pulled a pair of white ankle socks onto my feet and turned down the tops neatly. On top of these came a pair of brown T bar school shoes, which she firmly buckled up at the side of the foot. By the feel of them, these shoes were definitely not going to slip off.

'Now sit up straight while I do your hair' said Aunt Mary. Picking up my pageboy wig, she placed it firmly on my head and brushed it. At this moment, Susan came into the room, wearing a pair of shorts and a T shirt. 'Hey, that looks great' she said, 'A typical Sion schoolgirl.' She looked at me, grinned, and then said 'Hair ribbons. I want him to wear hair ribbons because the youngest girls always do. They have to be either maroon or white. I think that white ribbons are cuter.'

'All right' said Aunt Mary. 'Cut me two pieces from that roll of ribbon on the dresser and I'll put them in.' Susan picked up a pair of scissors, cut the two lengths of ribbon, and held them out ready for Aunt Mary, together with a couple of white plastic hair slides. Aunt Mary carefully tied two bows of hair ribbon tightly onto the wig, one on either side of my head, and finished off the effect with the two hair slides. Now stand up Jennifer' said Aunt Mary. I did so, and saw myself in the mirror. Once again, I saw a little girl that no one would look twice at in the street or on the bus, especially a little schoolgirl. 'And we mustn't forget your blazer' said Susan, holding it up for me to put on. I put my arms into the sleeves, and Aunt Mary pulled the blazer on and arranged it neatly. 'There we are' said Aunt Mary, 'One little girl ready to go back to school. Now come on downstairs you two and I'll get breakfast ready.'

We went downstairs and into the kitchen, where Jane looked at me with approval and grinned. 'Very nice' she said, 'Just how I used to look.' Once breakfast was over, Susan said to Jane 'Are you going to take some photos?'

'Oh yes' said Jane, 'Just a minute.' She took her camera out of the draw, and was checking it when she looked at me and said 'Just a minute, where's your hat Susan? I know you hate wearing it, but that doesn't mean to say that he's not going to.'

Susan laughed. 'Oh yes, she must wear her school hat. Actually Jennifer, it's compulsory only for the girls aged eight or younger, so we normally don't have to wear them, thank goodness. But it does mean that if any of the girls in town today see you wearing a hat, they'll notice you immediately. They'll think it's hilarious. I'll just go and get it, it's in my room.' She bounded up the stairs and was soon back carrying her school hat. It was a regulation Panama design made of cream coloured straw with a large brim slanting slightly down all the way around its circumference. It featured a hatband of maroon ribbon with the school crest at the front. 'Now Jennifer' said Susan, 'Just sit down for a moment while I put your hat on for you.' I sat down, and Susan pushed the hat firmly down onto my head, taking care not to dislodge the hair ribbons. Then she pulled down a piece of strong white elastic attached to the hat and put it in position well under my chin. Making sure that the hat was straight and level, Susan said 'All right, you can stand up now. Let's see how you look.' I stood up and Susan took my hand as she walked me out into the garden. Then she stood back and looked at me. 'Very nice' she said, 'Very demure. Except when we have to wear them, of course. Which happens on certain days such as speech day, when we all have to wear them, even the senior girls, don't you Jane?'

'Don't remind me' grimaced Jane, 'On speech day, sports day, and founder's day. And also as a punishment. I had to wear one for 2 weeks last year because of giving cheek to Miss Jones, and God, it was humiliating, I felt absolutely ridiculous. As you can see, it's not only humiliating for us to have to wear such old fashioned, childish school hats these days, but that chin elastic gets really uncomfortable. As you will find out, because you're going to wear it all day. Won't that be fun! Now stand over here while I take the pictures.' Another photo session gave Jane all the photos of me that she wanted, and I was beginning to worry what she was going to do with so many photos of me. I asked her what they were for, but she just grinned and said 'You'll find out in due course' which didn't make me feel any better.

Aunt Mary called from inside the house. 'Are you ready girls? It's time to go.'

'Just finished' said Jane, and we went inside. Aunt Mary was in the hall putting on her jacket, and as we got ready, she said 'It's looking a bit cloudy, so Susan and Jennifer, I think you'd better take your raincoats. Susan, you're in your school uniform, so I want you to wear your school raincoat, just in case. Jennifer can wear her nice new red mac, the one we bought her last week.'

'Oh no Mum' protested Susan, 'You know how much I hate wearing my school mac!'

'Please don't be silly Susan' said Aunt Mary, 'You said you wanted to walk around town with Jennifer in your new uniform, so now you're going to. And that includes your school mackintosh. Now go up and get your coat, and let's have no more arguments.' Pouting with frustration, Susan went upstairs, and came down with her school raincoat, while Aunt Mary fetched my red mackintosh from the hall and gave it to me. Susan put hers over her arm, and I did the same with my red one. 'That's better' said Aunt Mary, 'Now let's be off.' We left the house, got in the car, and headed towards town. When we reached the town centre we had no trouble parking, and were soon walking through the precinct. In a few minutes we reached the school outfitters and went upstairs to the girl's school uniform department.

A pleasant young shop assistant measured Susan for her new uniform, and while she did so, she glanced at me a couple of times, but only briefly. She clearly took me for just another schoolgirl being fitted with her new school uniform. Susan was already wearing a pair of white ankle socks and brown T bar sandals, although they were not as juvenile as the ones that I was wearing. This meant that the only items Susan needed were two summer dresses and a new blazer. Quite soon she was dressed identically to myself, and in her junior school uniform she somehow didn't seem as threatening as she was in slacks or shorts. I tried to have some fun of my own by saying to Aunt Mary, 'Shouldn't she be wearing a school hat?'

'No way' snapped Susan, giving me a malevolent stare, making me feel that later on I might regret having suggested it.

'No, it's all right' said Aunt Mary, 'The hat can wait, but is there anything else we need while we're here?' A few accessories such as underwear and socks were purchased, and everything was put in a bag. Aunt Mary paid the bill, and we were soon out in the precinct again.

'Now' said Aunt Mary, 'Susan's going to go home with Jennifer on the bus, is that right?'

'Yes' said Susan, 'Can I have some money please?'

'Right' said Aunt Mary, opening her handbag. 'Here's some money Susan, Jennifer won't need any, and I don't want her wandering off on her own. What do you want to do Jane?'

'Oh I think I'll go and do some window shopping' said Jane, 'And then I'll get the bus home as well.'

'All right everybody' said Aunt Mary, 'I'll see you all later. Have fun, and Susan, don't lose Jennifer whatever you do.'

'Don't worry Mum, I won't' said Susan.

We went our separate ways, and as Susan and I walked along, she seemed to be headed purposefully in a particular direction. 'Where are we going?' I said. 'Oh you'll see' she grinned. In about 15 minutes, we reached a coffee bar and went inside. Susan led me across to where a group of girls of about her age were sitting having a milk shake. Two of them were in the same school uniform as we were wearing. 'Hi everybody' she said as we sat down. The girls stared at me for a moment before one said 'Who are you? I haven't seen you before.' Susan looked at me, and then turned to her and said 'Oh Denise, this is my cousin Jennifer. She's starting next term, and we've just been to buy her uniform.'

'Oh really, what year will she be in?' said Denise, 'How old is she?'

'She's ten' said Susan, to which Denise replied 'Ten! She looks like she's about eight!'

'Yes I know' said Susan, 'She does look very young, but she really is ten.' Denise continued looking at me intently and then started to grin. 'Well Jennifer' she said, 'How do you like our school uniform?'

'It's all right I suppose' I said, trying to keep my voice as suitably girlish as possible.

'Um' she said, looking at me thoughtfully, 'Why don't you take off your hat? You don't have to wear it here, and we never wear ours if we don't have to. I hate them. Stupid things.'

'I'll take it off' said Susan, 'She's not used to it.' Easing the elastic out from under my chin, she carefully removed the hat so as not to disturb my wig. As soon as the girls saw my exposed head they fell about laughing. 'Hair ribbons!' said one, 'Cute little bows of hair ribbon! God, she looks like a six year old. If she turns up at school like that she'll never live it down.'

Denise began to chuckle, and suddenly a look of comprehension came across her face. 'You know' she said, 'I have a feeling that Jennifer won't be coming to our school, and you know why?' The others looked at her, and Susan said 'Why?'

'Because' said Denise, leaning over the table towards me, 'Jennifer is a boy!' She quickly put her hand out, and before Susan could stop her, she whisked the wig off my head. Then she fell back into her seat, laughing loudly. The girls looked at me in disbelief for a moment before breaking into roars of laughter. 'Oh Sue, that's brilliant' said one. 'I thought that something wasn't quite right, but I couldn't guess what. You certainly had me fooled. I must say though, he really does look like a girl, doesn't he? Quite pretty in fact.' As the laughter subsided, the girls started to ask what it was all about, and Susan told them the whole story. One of the girls said 'Well after the rotten things he's done, I think he deserves it. It really is a perfect punishment, isn't it? If there's one thing that boys really hate, it's being dressed as girls. And he's stuck like this for six weeks. You are going to have some fun with him, aren't you?'

After various other comments they decided it was time to go, and we all got up from the table, Susan and I still carrying our mackintoshes. Susan also held my school hat in her hand. As we got outside the door I said to Denise 'Can I please have the wig back? I can't stand walking around dressed like this when everyone can see by my hair that I'm a boy. I had to put up with that yesterday.' Denise handed the wig to Susan. 'You'd better put it on him ' she said, 'You know how to do it properly.' Susan held the wig up over my head, and was about to put it on when she paused, smiled, and then held the wig down by her side. 'No' she said, 'I've got a better idea. If Jennifer doesn't have her wig and hat, and wants to hide her head from view, she'll have to do it with something else, won't she? I'm sure that you'd all like to see how she looks wearing this adorable little girl mackintosh we bought for her the other day. With the hood up of course.' A ripple of laughter went round the group.

Sue gave her school raincoat and my wig and hat to Denise and took mine from me. 'Now Jennifer' she said, 'On with your mac, like a good little girl. Hold your arms out.' I miserably held out my arms behind me, and Susan pulled it on. Doing up the buttons she said 'This is more like it. I'll tell you what girls, you should have seen him on the museum trip, wearing my school mac with a winter gym tunic and blazer on underneath. He was boiling!' She buttoned my mac up to the neck, and then buckled up the belt securely. 'Now little Jennifer' Sue giggled, 'Let's make you look really cute, shall we?' She pulled the hood up over my head, buttoned it up securely under my chin and gave it a final tug forward. I peeped out demurely from under the hood framing my face. 'There we are' she said, stepping back, 'How do you think she looks now?' A chorus of approval came from the girls. 'Oh he looks exactly like my little sister' said one. Another girl grinned and said 'I used to have a mac like that when I was little. I hated wearing it because it was so hot to wear in summer, and they have that horrid rubbery smell, especially when they're wet. But I do like him having to wear it, makes him look like a cute little six year old. Well, serves him right.'

'In that case, I think we all approve' said Sue. 'Now Jennifer' she said to me, 'It's up to you. You can either keep that mac on with the hood up, or you can carry it, in which case everyone will see that you're a boy. I'll carry your wig and hat. Give them to me Denise.' Denise gave them to her, and she put them into a small bag. 'You can have them back when we get home. So what's it to be Jennifer, school hat or hood?'

'I'll wear the mac' I said wearily. 'Good' said Susan, taking her mackintosh from Denise, 'I thought you would. Let's go for a walk.' We all started walking along the precinct, and spent the next couple of hours wandering in and out of various shops. Finally, as we came out of a boutique, it started to rain quite heavily, and Susan reluctantly started putting on her own school raincoat. When she had buttoned it up and fastened the belt, she put up the hood and tied the tapes in a bow under her chin. I felt slightly better at her obvious distaste at wearing it. None of the other girls had raincoats, and we all dashed back into the shop. 'We'll have to go' said Sue to the others, 'We have to catch the bus. See you around, girls.' We trudged off in the pouring rain to the bus stop, and as we went I realised that my mackintosh was completely waterproof. When worn with a summer dress on underneath, it wasn't too hot, but nevertheless, as the rubberised satin became wet, it did become very clammy.

We waited in the downpour for about fifteen minutes, the rain drumming on our hoods and pouring down onto our wet feet. The bus eventually arrived, and Susan paid our fare. As we sat down, she took off her hood and undid her mac. To keep my head covered I had to keep mine on, and she whispered to me 'Go on, you can take yours off too. If you dare!' I declined of course, so she said 'Oh well. You must want to keep your mac on then. Fine.' She smiled. We finally reached our bus stop, and got off the bus as the rain stopped. Susan carried her wet mackintosh, and we walked home. Aunt Mary let us in, removed my mac, and hung our two wet coats up in the hall. Then we went into the lounge. Taking my school hat and my wig out of the bag, Susan went upstairs with them. She came back down a moment later, carrying the wig and a hairbrush. Then she undid the ribbons, brushed out the wig, and replaced it on my head. Finally she retied the bows in my hair. 'There, that looks much better' she giggled. Meanwhile, Aunt Mary had prepared tea, and the evening followed in the usual pattern for me. No television, six o'clock bed time, and sleep.

 

 

 

CHAPTER 13

 

A PICNIC IN THE RAIN

 

Next morning I was woken by Aunt Mary pulling back my curtains. The early morning sun streamed into my room as she threw back my bedding and sent me off to the bathroom. I came back to my room almost curious as to what I would be wearing today, and I didn't have to wait long to find out. Aunt Mary gave me a white vest and a pair of pink knickers to put on, and held my pink dress for me to wear. She soon had me buttoned into it and the belt tied in a neat bow behind my back. Then she sat me on the edge of the bed and placed white ankle socks on my feet, followed by a pair of white leather sandals with a side buckle fastening. Next, she placed the pageboy wig on my head and tightly tied two bows of pink hair ribbon in it. 'There Jennifer', she said, 'That looks lovely. I want you to look especially pretty today, because the girls are going to take you up to the park for a picnic. Won't that be nice?' I had my doubts, but said nothing as we went down to breakfast.

After I had eaten my breakfast accompanied by the usual taunts from the two girls, Susan took me out into the garden while Aunt Mary and Jane made some sandwiches for our picnic. We sat out under the trees on a beautiful sunny morning, and I almost relaxed, despite the way in which I was dressed. Presently, Jane called to us from the dining room window saying 'All right you two, let's be off.' Susan and I went inside and into the hall, where Jane held a picnic basket into which she was putting two folding umbrellas, 'Just in case' she said. Aunt Mary handed a tartan rug to Susan for her to carry, and opened the front door to see us off. We set off down the path, waving to her as we left.

'Now Jennifer' said Jane, 'Walk nicely, there's a good girl. We've got another little treat in store for you today, and I want lots of people in the village to see you.' With a grin on her face she led the way down the street until we arrived at Fiona's house. Fiona opened the front door and took us down the hall and into the kitchen. 'Have you got everything?' she said.

'Yes I think so' replied Jane, putting the picnic basket onto a chair. Looking into it, she took some items out and placed them on the table. My heart sank as I saw that among them were the straps with which I had been restrained in the pushchair the previous Saturday. 'Now Jennifer' said Jane, looking at me, 'Fortunately Mum's not with us, which is just as well. I don't want her to see you being babyfied yet, although she certainly approves of us humiliating you in this way. We've got something special to show her later on, when the weather's nice, but for today we're going to turn you into a toddler just a little bit older than a baby. Fortunately that pink dress and ribbons you are wearing with your little shoes and socks are quite fitting for say, a three to four year old, so let's get you ready.'

Picking up the pink leather baby reins off the table, she arranged the straps, and while she held them up, Fiona pulled my arms and head into them. Jane then pulled the straps together behind me securely, and fastened the buckle. I felt imprisoned. 'Give me your hands' said Jane. I held them out to her, and she buckled two wrist straps fitted with D rings tightly onto my wrists. Crossing my arms behind my back, she joined my wrists across the front of my waist with an adjustable strap clipped to each of the D rings around my wrists. Finally she pulled the strap tight through its buckle in front of my waist, and fastened it securely so that my arms were pulled towards the front of my waist. The final refinement was to secure my upper arms to the sides of the reins with two more straps, pinioning my arms completely. 'Now' said Jane, 'We don't want any protests, we want a nice quiet little toddler. Sit down.'

Sitting me down on a chair, she removed my wig and put it on the table. Then she picked up the large dummy I had endured last weekend, and adjusted the securing ribbons. 'Open wide Jennifer' she smiled. I knew by now that resistance was futile, so I did as I was told and opened my mouth. Jane then pushed the large rubber bulb of the dummy deep into my mouth, and began to pull the securing ribbons tightly around my head before tying them in a non-slip bow behind my neck. I tried to say something in protest, but all I could do was utter a quiet, muffled 'Mmf mmp mmm!' The girls laughed, satisfied at my helplessness. Jane now put the wig back on my head, straightened it carefully, and stood me up. 'Now just one more thing to keep you under control' she said, picking up a pink leather strap about four feet long with a clip at each end. She clipped these into two D rings attached to the back of the baby reins, so that she would now be able to control me like any normal toddler.

'Well I think we're ready now' said Jane, 'So let's go.'

'Right' said Fiona, 'Off to the park.' She picked up the picnic basket, and we all went to the front door and out into the sunshine. With a determined push from behind by Jane and Fiona, I obediently led the way out into the street, and began walking along the pavement, up towards the park. Jane kept me under control by frequently jerking on the baby reins. This made the little bells on the front tinkle, and I almost wept with humiliation. Several people saw us, but they just laughed and waved, with no attempt to intervene. Obviously my predicament was becoming well known around the village, thanks to Jane, Susan and their friends. I nearly tripped over a couple of times, and with my bound arms could have had a nasty fall. But Jane simply pulled on the reins to steady me.

Eventually we entered the park, where several people were out walking, some with prams and pushchairs. I felt so babyish, but worse was to come. It was a large, pleasant park, with clumps of bushes and trees interspersed with little glades between them. After walking for some distance we stopped at a fairly quiet, isolated spot where we could have our picnic. A shelter lay about twenty yards away. 'This'll do nicely I think' said Fiona, and put down the picnic basket while Susan threw the rug down onto the ground and spread it out neatly on the grass. 'Right' said Jane, 'let's make Jennifer comfy, shall we? Jennifer, I want you to sit down on the grass, cross-legged. Down you go.'

With Fiona's assistance she pushed me down onto the ground so that I was sitting bolt upright with my legs crossed. 'Good' said Jane, 'Just like a proper little girl. Now we don't want you wandering about all over the place, so I'm going to make sure that you stay put where we can keep an eye on you.' She leaned over the picnic basket and drew out a length of rope. Crouching next to me, she doubled the rope, wound it around my crossed ankles and tied it in a secure knot. Then, taking the remaining length of two ropes together, she passed them under my bottom, and pulled on them from behind me. This pulled my feet close to my body, with no possibility of stretching my legs out in front. Jane now pulled the rope ends tightly up behind my back, passed them up under my crossed arms, and tied them securely to the two D rings attached to the back of the baby reins. Then she stood up and admired her handiwork, hands on hips. 'There' she said, 'I don't think little Jennifer's going to go wandering off now, do you?'

'I'm sure she won't' grinned Fiona. ' That's one little toddler nicely under control.' The girls giggled for a moment, and then sat down on the rug to enjoy their picnic, spreading out the sandwiches and lemonade. Just as they were preparing to eat, Jane said 'Just a minute, I must have a picture of Jennifer like this for my collection.' Pulling out her camera from her pocket, she once again took a whole series of pictures of me from all angles. That done, she joined the girls in tucking into their sandwiches and lemonade. When they had nearly finished, Jane looked at me and grinned. 'I suppose' she said, 'That Jennifer's expecting something too, aren't you?' I tried to answer in the affirmative without thinking, but all I could say was 'Mmp mmm mmf!' The girls giggled, and Jane said 'Well you can't eat anything with that dummy in your mouth, can you? Just a minute.' She got up, and crouching behind me, untied the dummy and took it out of my mouth. I heaved a sigh of relief, and moving my aching jaw, said 'Thanks Jane, but that was awful.'

'Don't mention it' said Jane, 'Let's give you your lunch shall we; I've got it all prepared.' I should have guessed what was coming next. She went to her bag and pulled out a bib, a jar of baby food, a small plastic spoon, and a baby bottle of milk. 'Oh no' I said 'Not again.'

'Oh yes again' said Jane, and grinned as she fastened the bib around my neck with two tie tapes. I now went through the experience of being fed like a baby in front of every giggling passer by. First the baby food, expertly spooned into my mouth by Jane, while Fiona held my nose when it was necessary. Then the ultimate in humiliation. As I ate the last vestige of baby food, Susan picked up the baby bottle and said 'Can I give baby her bottle now?'

'Sure' laughed Jane, 'But remember, she's not a baby, she's a toddler. Go ahead Sue.' Susan picked up the bottle of milk, and with Fiona assisting, thrust the teat into my mouth. 'Come on baby, suck on your bottle' she giggled. Becoming used to doing as I was told, I obligingly sucked on the bottle teat until I had drunk all the milk. 'There's a good little girl' said Jane, 'Very good. Now, let's just give our little toddler her dummy again, shall we?' In a couple of minutes I was once more sitting there helplessly with the dummy tied in my mouth even more tightly than before. I couldn't move or make a sound, so all I could do was just sit there obediently, a typical looking little girl sitting cross-legged on the grass. The girls continued with their picnic while I sat there in silence.

After a while a slight breeze sprang up and the sky began to cloud over. It became cooler and darker, and a few spots of rain began to fall. Jane looked up and said 'Looks like we're in for a downpour. We'd better get into that shelter over there.'

'What about Jimmy?' said Fiona, 'We'll have to untie him so that he can walk over there.'

'Oh no we won't' said Fiona triumphantly, 'I've already thought of that.' Standing up, she pulled some umbrellas out of the bag and gave one to each of the other girls. Then she pulled the red rubberised raincape out of the bag and held it up. 'Just the thing' she grinned. 'Come on Jennifer, this will keep you dry.' She draped the raincape over my shoulders, pulled it down over me, and fastened the buttons down the front. Then she tucked the hem of the raincape in under me all the way around so that I was completely covered. Finally she pulled the pixie hood up over my head and buttoned it securely under my chin. Pulling the hood well forward, she stood up and said to me with a grin 'There we are Jennifer, you're all ready for the rain now, aren't you?' Turning to the others she said 'OK, that's Jennifer fixed; we'll leave her here while we go over to the shelter. Come on, we can watch her from there.' Hurriedly picking up the rug and picnic basket, the girls dashed over to the shelter, and a moment later it began to pour with rain.

I helplessly sat there, immobilised and unable to utter a sound of protest, like a lonely little girl. The pouring rain drummed on my hood and poured down my body onto the rain soaked ground, while all the while the girls stood in the shelter jeering at me. It was miserable. It was over half an hour before the rain finally stopped and the girls came back over to me. 'Goodness me' laughed Jane, 'What a wet little girl. I think we'd better let you up. Come on, I'll undo your legs.' Unbuttoning the raincape, she gave it to Susan to hold, and then untied the rope that fastened my legs. Even with the support of Jane and Fiona, I had enormous difficulty standing up unsteadily on my cramped legs, and I had to wait for a moment before I could walk unassisted.

'Now then' said Jane, 'Just in case it rains again, I think Jennifer should wear that lovely raincape home. I know how much she likes wearing it, and besides, it makes her look so cute.' Ignoring my muffled protests she took the raincape from Susan and put it back on me again. I wriggled to try and get it off, but the wet rubberised satinette cape just swished and slapped against my bare legs. We set off for home, and once again I had to walk along the street, this time peeping out from under the pixie hood of the raincape, and again enduring the comments of the populace at large. We finally arrived back at Fiona's, and it was with huge relief that I found Jane removing first the raincape, and then my restraints and dummy. 'I hate wearing that raincape' I said, 'It's hot and sticky, and it makes me look so babyish!'

'Yes, I know' grinned Jane, 'Especially with the dummy. That's why we make you wear it. And you'll be wearing it again and again on other days as well. Isn't that lovely?' I groaned, and Susan smiled broadly. It was soon time to be off home, and this time I walked along carrying the raincape over my arm. Aunt Mary had prepared tea for us, and afterwards we sat comfortably in the lounge until my six o'clock bedtime, when Aunt Mary took me upstairs to bed for the night. It had been another emotionally exhausting day. As I lay in bed drifting off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder at the ingenuity of Jane and Susan in dreaming up all my humiliations. Well, they had plenty in store yet.

 

 

 

CHAPTER 14

 

THE COSTUME EXHIBITION

 

Aunt Mary opened my bedroom curtains as usual, and the sun streamed in. It was going to be a beautiful day (For some). She packed me off to the bathroom, and when I returned to be dressed she had laid out my cornflower blue dress. She quickly had me buttoned into it, and the belt fastened in a large, neat bow behind me. My two bows of hair ribbons were to be white today, and on my feet I wore white ankle socks and a pair of black T bar shoes buckled securely on. After a final inspection, Aunt Mary took me downstairs to breakfast to the by now familiar chorus of teasing comments from Jane and Susan. As soon as we had finished, Susan and I helped Aunt Mary with the washing up while Jane sat at the kitchen table reading the paper. 'Mum' she suddenly said, 'There's an exhibition of historical costumes on at the art gallery at the moment, and it's free. D'you think we could go and see it today?'

'That's a nice idea' said Aunt Mary, 'I'd quite like to see it myself, so we'll go after lunch.'

'Good' said Jane, 'Because it also says that visiting children will be allowed to dress in reproduction period costumes while they are there. Which gives me an idea. I'm sure that we could find something suitable for Jennifer, something perhaps nice and uncomfortable?'

'Oh yes' said Susan, 'And I'll pick it out.'

'I don't see why not' said Aunt Mary, 'Yes, all right Susan; you made a good selection of styles at the dress shop, so let's see how you go with something more old fashioned.' That agreed, we went into the lounge and sat down to read. Susan handed me a copy of 'What Katy did at School,' which didn't exactly enthral me, and I decided to go and sit in the garden. About midday, Aunt Mary prepared a light snack, and after we had eaten, we prepared to leave for the art gallery in town. Needless to say, the two girls wore slacks, while I was the one wearing a dress. I still hated my punishment intensely, but didn't yet know what I could do about it.

We drove into town, and it being a Sunday, Aunt Mary had no trouble finding a parking spot. We walked the short distance to the art gallery, and once we were inside the entrance, a lady member of staff came up to us and spoke to Aunt Mary. 'Welcome to our exhibition Madam, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Now to get into the spirit of things, we are allowing the children to dress in period costume. I wonder if either of your little girls (pointing at Susan and me) would like to wear something. We have a room over here where you can select something, and you can leave their clothes in one of the changing cubicles.' It was obvious that she completely accepted me as a girl, without a hint of suspicion. My boyish pride was taking a severe dent at such humiliation.

'That's very kind of you' said Aunt Mary. 'Jennifer loves dressing up, don't you dear?' she said, looking at me. I winced internally. 'What about you Susan, would you like to wear something historical?' The look on Susan's face was very clearly in the negative. 'I don't think my daughter would be interested' she said, 'But I'm sure that Jennifer here would like to try something on, wouldn't you?' She looked at me, and I nodded submissively as I wasn't in a position to refuse. 'Fine' said the lady, 'There are two rooms, one each for boys and girls. The girl's clothes are in the room over there on the right. When she's changed, do bring her over to me, I'd like to see how she looks.'

'Lovely' said Aunt Mary, 'Come along then girls, let's find something for Jennifer.' Susan took my hand and pulled me across to the room marked GIRLS. Inside the room was a long rack of girl's costumes down the ages, from mediaeval times through to the 1970's. 'Mum' said Susan, 'I want it to be something from about Victorian times. Something with a corset, and a bonnet. I'm dying to see Jimmy wearing a bonnet.'

'Well that shouldn't be a problem' said Aunt Mary as she started to look along the line, 'Let's see, the dresses are in historical order, so the Victorian ones should be about here I think.' Mid way along the rack, she pulled out a dress with a slightly voluminous skirt and held it up against me. Looking at Susan, she said 'This one looks like a good fit. What do you think?' Susan fingered the bonnet attached to the hanger by its tie ribbons. 'Oh yes' she grinned, 'I think this one's perfect. Come on, let's get him into it. This is going to be fun!'

'Right' said Aunt Mary, 'We'll go and dress him in the cubicle over there. Oh Jane, there are some pairs of button up boots on the floor next to the Victorian dresses. See if you can find a pair in size 4 to fit him, will you? Take one of his shoes with you to find a matching size.' Jane knelt down and unfastened one of my shoes, slipped it off, and took it over to the row of shoes on the floor.

Aunt Mary and Susan took me into a cubicle, and my aunt removed my dress and other shoe. Sorting out the accessories on the hanger with the Victorian dress, she prepared to put them on me. 'Now Jimmy, first the bloomers' she began. Holding out a pair of long white bloomers, she guided my legs into them and laced them up tightly behind me. They came down to just below my knees, but they were too narrow below my knees to enable me to pull them up above them. I began to wonder how on earth Victorian girls went to the toilet. 'And now' smiled Aunt Mary, 'The bane of every little Victorian girl, your corset. How they must have hated wearing these.' Picking up the corset, she placed it around my waist and fastened a row of clips up the front. Then, standing behind me, she began to pull the laces tight behind me. As she pulled, the boned corset began to constrict my waist more and more tightly, and I began to gasp as breathing became more difficult. Just when I felt I could stand no more, Aunt Mary said. 'There, I think that should be tight enough. That's a nice trim little waist you've got there Jennifer.' I hardly had enough breath to reply as she expertly tied the laces in a non-slip double bow. Now came the dress. It was in pink silk, with short puff sleeves and a high stiff collar round the neck. This was obviously intended to prevent the wearer from lowering their face. Aunt Mary held the dress up and I stepped into it. She pulled it up around me, put my arms through the sleeves, and then began to lace up the back from waist to neck. It felt like a straight jacket as she tied the ends of the laces together. At that moment Jane reappeared, carrying a pair of white leather button up boots with pointed toes. 'These should fit him' she said, 'Let's try them on.' I sat down on a chair, and she started to force them onto my feet. After a great deal of tugging, my feet were finally encased in the boots, and Jane began to do up the buttons with the aid of a buttonhook. That done, Jane took my hands and stood me up. 'Ow!' I exclaimed, 'Oh please Jane, I can't wear these, they're much too tight, and these clothes, I can't breathe.'

'Don't be such a baby' said Jane, 'You've got them on now, so they're going to stay on. Now you know what girls had to put up with every day in Victorian times. Anyway, it's not for very long.'

'Well that should do' said Aunt Mary, 'Let's take him out and see how he looks.' They took me out of the changing cubicle and Aunt Mary left my dress and shoes in there. 'Just a minute' said Susan, picking up the pink matching bonnet, 'Don't forget Jennifer's bonnet.'

'Oh yes' said Jane, 'That's almost the best bit. Give it to me, I'll tie it.' Susan handed her the bonnet, and Jane lowered it onto my head, pulling it on firmly. Then she tied the broad ribbons tightly under my chin in a secure non-slip bow which she arranged neatly. I peered out demurely from under it while the girls stepped back to admire their handiwork. 'There' grinned Jane, 'That won't come off in a hurry. I must say that little girls did look cute in Victorian times, and so quiet. Doesn't she look a picture?'

'Very nice' said Aunt Mary, 'The epitomy of a demure little girl.'

'I think he looks adorable' said Susan, 'But I'm glad I didn't live then. Those clothes. It must've been horrible.'

'Yes' said Aunt Mary, 'Well now you know how lucky you are; come on then, let's go and look at the exhibition and show Jennifer off to that lady. I think she'll be impressed.'

Taking my hand, she led me with the girls out into the entrance area and into the exhibition. There were several children walking around dressed in period costume, and the effect was quite atmospheric. They attracted quite a lot of attention, including myself unfortunately, which I found a bit disconcerting. From time to time, Susan took me off to walk around with her, and on one occasion a man took my photograph. He clearly had no idea that I was actually a boy, and when he had taken it his wife said 'Thank you dear, you look lovely.' Susan laughed. Just after rejoining Aunt Mary and Jane, we met the lady staff member and stopped to say hello. She looked at me and said 'My my, don't you look charming? Pretty as a picture. But it feels a bit more uncomfortable than what you normally wear, doesn't it?'

'It certainly does' I murmured, smiling grimly to myself. If she'd only known how true that was.

'Then imagine what it was like wearing clothes like that every day. Now you know how lucky you are. Well, I must get back to the front counter. I hope you've enjoyed yourselves.'

'Oh yes, we certainly have' said Susan, grinning.

The lady said goodbye to us and went back into the entrance hall as Aunt Mary said 'Well, I think we've seen everything now, so we may as well be going. I'll go and change Jennifer, while you two wait in the entrance hall or have another quick look around.'

'OK Mum' said Jane, 'Come on Sue.' They went back into the exhibition area, and Aunt Mary took me into the girl's changing room.

It took about ten minutes for her to get me out of the Victorian outfit, which she hung up on the rack again Then she dressed me back in my pink dress, replaced my shoes and socks, and tidied my hair ribbons before we walked back to the entrance hall where the girls were waiting. 'Ah, it's my little sister again' laughed Susan when she saw me.

We went out into the street and began to stroll through the quiet streets for an hour or so. I was now becoming quite used to it, except for when the odd person, usually women or girls, suspected something about my appearance and would make a comment to Aunt Mary. She would then explain to them why I was being punished in this way and they would express their approval, usually with some teasing comment aimed at me. Susan usually made the most of these situations, and thoroughly enjoyed them.

At last we headed for the car park, and were soon driving home. When we got there, Susan and I watched television until teatime. While we waited for our tea, Jane came into the lounge with some books. 'Sue' she said, 'These books of yours are due back at the library tomorrow, don't forget to return them.'

'Oh bother' said Susan, ' I'm supposed to be going over to Lorraine's, and her mum's taking us out. You wouldn't like to take them back for me, would you?'

'Not a hope, I'm going out myself. And don't ask Mum, she's got other things to do.'

Susan pouted with a frown for a moment, but then her face lit up. 'I know' she said, 'Why don't we send Jimmy to the library dressed as me? I'll give him my library card as I.D., and all he has to do is drop them off.'

'Do you think he's up to it by now?' said Jane. 'Well I think so' said Susan, as Aunt Mary came into the room. Jane said 'Let's see what Mum thinks. Mum, Susan wants Jimmy to take her books back to the library tomorrow, pretending to be her. Do you think he'd get away with it?'

'I don't know' said Aunt Mary thoughtfully, 'He's only been living as Jennifer for ten days or so.' Susan didn't want to be put off, and obviously wanted to spend tomorrow with her friend. 'I think he could do it easily' she said, 'Look at that lady at the exhibition today, she didn't bat an eyelid. And those people who took his photo, they didn't suspect a thing. He's been practicing how to walk and talk, and I know he makes a perfect girl by now. Mrs. Sewell was fooled as well until he gave the game away, wasn't she?. Oh go on Mum, I know he can do it.'

'Well, I suppose you're right' said Aunt Mary, 'He certainly made a convincing little girl today. What do you think Jane?'

'He'll be all right' said Jane. 'But just one thing. If he's supposed to be Susan, there's no way he can wear one of those babyish dresses. We all know that Sue wouldn't be seen dead in a dress like that.'

'No problem' said Susan, 'He can wear my spare school uniform, the one he wore the other day when we bought my new one.'

'That's true' said Aunt Mary, 'He'd look quite natural in that. But the thing that concerns me is letting him out on his own. I agree that he can now almost certainly pass himself of as a girl with most people, but I'm a bit worried that he might not come back. Have you thought of that?'

'Oh I don't think that's a problem either' said Jane, 'For two good reasons. One, he knows that if he were to do that, he'd finish up before the magistrate again, and that means spending a full year in a girl's boarding school. Something I imagine that he would shudder to contemplate. And two, I've been preparing a little bit of extra insurance. While he's been dressed up as a sweet little girl, and as a baby, I've been taking heaps of photographs of him. I had them processed the other day, and they are delightful. Now Jimmy knows that if he incurs my wrath by running away, or even misbehaving, those photos are going to finish up in the willing hands of his sisters. I'm sure they would have great pleasure in handing them freely around his school and among his mates. He could never show his face again.'

Aunt Mary looked at her, smiled, and then looked at me. 'Why Jennifer' she said, 'My goodness, you're blushing, just like a girl. Embarrassed?'

'Yes' I murmured quietly. 'Please Aunt Mary, not this. I've put up with so much already.'

'But not enough' said Aunt Mary. 'You were sent here to be humiliated by being dressed as a girl for six weeks, and I think that Jane and Susan have done a wonderful job in achieving just that. You've still got about four more weeks to go, so you'd better get used to the idea. With the threat of the retribution we have in mind for you if you misbehave, I'm pretty sure you'll be obedient, won't you?'

'Aunt Mary' I said, 'I really don't have any choice do I?'

'Good' she said brightly, 'That's settled then. Tomorrow, you'll go into town on the bus by yourself dressed as Susan in her summer school uniform. You'll return her books to the library and then come back home. Now let's have some tea.'

'Great!' said Susan, giggling, 'Oh Jennifer, you will look nice.' Tea was soon under way, and while we sat at the table, Jane suddenly gave a chuckle and said 'I know, let's make her a little bit more humiliated. Jennifer, you won't just take Susan's books back for her tomorrow. We're going to give you a list of things to buy as if they're for you. Things like hair ribbons and hair slides, so you'll really have to act the part of a little girl out shopping. I almost wish I could be there to see it.'

'And perhaps she should buy some things for her dolly' grinned Susan. 'Things like tiny bottles and dummies and so on. I'm sure I can think of some lovely things for her to buy.'

The teatime conversation wasn't much fun for me, and I squirmed as the girls continued to torment me with my prospects for tomorrow. Finally, tea was over, and I actually asked Aunt Mary if I could go to bed, just to get away from them. She said yes, and off I went. After Aunt Mary had tucked me in, sleep was a wonderful release. Peace at last.

(continued)

 

 

 

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© 2002 by Jennifer. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.