This story continues from "A Lakeland Visit - Part 1."
Spellings are English (British)!
There is no unpleasantness here just gender confusion and eventually love

 

A Lakeland Journey                     by: Amanda Walker

 

Part 2

John has been compromised to dress as a young girl and is now sat in a pew in a Cumbrian slate church next to a real beautiful young girl. He and his aunt are invited to Sunday lunch with the girl and her aunt.

Susan (john) spent the service worrying about the decorum of kneeling for prayers, sitting down and standing for hymns while wearing such unaccustomed clothing. Karen had looked at him once, very shyly, as they were introduced and had not looked his way again. She was either very, very shy or had 'made' him. He suspected the former.

The service finished and the congregation began to leave. Karen smiled at Susan as they got up. "I'm so pleased there's another girl to share the holiday with, it can be very dull up here on your own." The vicar was meeting and greeting in the churchyard and as the two girls and as their Aunts paused he came up to speak with them.

"I presume these delightful young girls are your nieces ladies?"

"Oh yes vicar aren't they a picture. Karen was worried that she would be on her own but we've found Susan has come to stay with her aunt this summer so they can be companions for each other and not have to put up with us oldies all the time." Replied Mrs. Bean.

Susan missed the significance of 'all summer' he/she was thinking 'this is the last time in a dress except on my terms' thank-you very much.

"Well it's a pleasure to have some young, and I must say pretty, faces in the church today. Karen and Susan may I ask a favour from you? We are having a Victorian fete here on Wednesday and I would appreciate it very much it you two would agree to help out. We have some maid outfits that would fit, don't decide now but do let me know if you are interested."

"That sounds a lot of fun, of course we'll do it won't we Susan?" replied Karen.

Susan was silently horrified Karen had suddenly come to life and was making plans for them both, this charade had gone too far. Karen was beautiful but HE didn't want to be HER girlfriend.

"Well I don't think I will be able to. I've got to get back home as I've lost my clothes and I think I want to …"

"Now dears what's all the fuss?" called Susan's Aunt.

"Susan was saying she must leave already!" Cried Karen. "But I would like her to stay. The Vicar has just asked us to help at the fete, I don't want to do it on my own, please persuade her to stay Mrs. Williams."

"Well we'll have to see Susan did lose her bag on the way here. I will have to speak with her later to decide what is to be done. We are going to Kendal tomorrow to see if the Bus Company can find her things. If not we will have to make new plans." Replied Susan's Aunt.

"Oh! But that's lovely we were going there tomorrow as well, I have an appointment at the hairdressers on Stramondgate. We seem to be about the same size, she can borrow some of my clothes. I've brought loads."

Karen's Aunt nodded. "An awful lot of clothes, there'll be no problem."

"Over to you then Susan." said her Aunt with a wicked glint in her eye.

Susan was trapped for the time being and she knew it. Ok then, a week in frocks. At one time the boy had fantasised about such a thing, reality was harder to cope with. "I'm sorry if I appeared reluctant, I was worried about my things. It's a very kind offer to share your things, thank-you." Said Susan.

"That is decided then. We will go look for your things while you girls have your hair done. Then we can do some shopping and have lunch at the coffee shop." Said Mrs. Bean. "Now you two go and tell the vicar and then we'll have some dinner. Catch us up dears."

Susan was trembling, events appeared to be completely out of control. Go with the flow seemed to be the only way out. Just one week then I'm out of here.

They went over to the Vicar and agreed to visit the vicarage on Tuesday to find out what to do and try on the costumes.

"Oh Susan my dear you're shaking, are you cold?" Asked Karen. "Here take my cardigan, let's get on the walk will warm you, our Aunts will be waiting." With that she put her cardigan around Susan's shoulders, put her arm around her waist and set off to Mrs. Beans.

Susan realised they weren't taking the direct route as Karen chatted animatedly to her new friend. It felt very strange to be the delicate girl arm in arm with this girl who was so happy to be with her. Karen told her she had few friends and had never been out with a boy as she was too shy. She asked Susan about the boys she knew and she decided to project the same image. It seemed easier that way. What Susan did know was that the boy inside was falling for this girl big time, she was gorgeous in looks and nature. What a problem! Staying near to her by whatever means became the most important thought.

The meal was served by the time they arrived home and after they had helped to clear up they all took tea on the terrace with it's beautiful views down the Winster valley. Eventually the meal and the relaxing atmosphere caused the two older ladies to drop off in their chairs and the girls were freed from polite conversation.

"I know let's try you in some of my things for tomorrow. What do you like to wear?"

"What have you got?" asked Susan.

"Let's go and see." Replied Karen.

"These Sunday frocks are all very well but I'm more comfortable in a denim skirt and blouse. Where did you get the clothes you're wearing today?"

"Oh these are my cousin's clothes, I know they don't quite fit but they're not bad, I haven't worn a dress like this for years." Replied Susan truthfully. Now she was worrying about undressing and being discovered. She decided to play very shy. They went up to the room and Karen rummaged about in her wardrobe, producing a knee length denim skirt for Susan to try on. She also found a white cotton blouse and Susan went behind a screen in the room to change. She had just slipped the dress over her head when Karen poked her head around and said. "Oh you're wearing stockings how lovely can I try them I've never worn them before?"

"Oh 'er yes just a minute." She said holding the dress against herself.

"Oh I am sorry I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"No I'm sorry. It's just that we've only just met and I am a little shy."

"That's OK, tell you what, I'll pass you some blue opaque's they'll look better with the skirt and you throw me the stockings when you're ready. I've got some blue shoes that will go too."

Susan hurriedly changed. The blouse and skirt fitted perfectly and the tights felt safer than the stockings. She slipped on the shoes and again a perfect fit. She felt a lot more comfortable. She emerged from behind the screen and Karen had put on the stockings with a white cotton skirt and a white blouse much the same as Susan was wearing.

"These stockings are lovely, so cool. I always avoided them as I thought they were a male fantasy thing. I must buy some of my own tomorrow. Keep what you're wearing for tomorrow, we'll pick you both up and go to Kendal. My appointment is at 10am."

"Now girls, what are you up to?" Karen's Aunt called from downstairs. "It's time for some tea."

They came downstairs to find tea and sandwiches prepared by their Aunts.

"We're so pleased that you are going to be friends. I'm sure we'll have a lovely time this summer."

The evening passed by as they finished the afternoon tea then played cards and board games, the girls were indulging their Aunt's who were enjoying themselves immensely.

Finally as it started to go dark Susan and her aunt left for the short walk to home.

"Now dear that wasn't so bad"

"Wasn't so bad! I've never been so embarrassed I don’t know how we got away with it!"

"I think overall you rather enjoyed it. She is a very pretty girl."

"There's no doubt about that Aunt, but she thinks I'm a girl. There's no mileage in it."

"Oh you! Enjoy a different view of the world. You will understand women better and it will make a better man of you. Let's have a night-cap and go to bed."

After the drink he went to his bedroom, his aunt had laid out another silky night-dress. He had to admit these clothes did feel wonderful. He carefully laid out the clothes he was to wear tomorrow and, after cleaning up, went to bed and slept soundly.

 

Part 3 to follow.

Amanda@bitsmart.com

 

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