All spellings English (British)
Please read parts 1,2 & 3 first

John has become Susan due to a combination of circumstance beyond his control but his new friend Karen has fallen for the girl she thinks she sees.

 

Lakeland IV            by: Amanda Walker            Amanda@bitsmart.com

 

It was two days later when Susan was asleep that she heard the gentle tap of a stone upon her window.

She awoke and looking down saw Karen.

"Can we talk?"

"Of course I thought you’d never speak to me again! Just a moment."

She was still wearing girl’s things, she had no other clothes available. She found a dressing gown and went down through the house and quietly let her into the conservatory where they could talk quietly. She kept her distance for fear of disturbing her.

"I had to come and see you. I couldn’t cope with the feelings inside, what I did was wrong I’m sure, I’ve never felt that way for a girl, I’ve never kissed a girl like that. What’s wrong with me? Can we still be friends."

"You’ve done nothing wrong, it’s me who should apologise."

"No you’ve been the best of friends, having another girl my own age has been marvellous fun and now I’ve spoilt it, what must you think of me?"

"Did I say that I minded or was upset?"

"But you must be! I mean it’s not right."

"I still want us to be friends, on whatever basis you wish but there is something I must tell you…"

"And what are you two up to?" said her aunt as she opened the door. "We can’t have Karen out at this time of night."

"Err we were just making up Mrs. Bean, I’m sorry to have disturbed you."

"Well I’m very glad to see you two are friends again. I don’t know why such a lovely friendship had to have problems but it’s too late at night for such matters. Karen you can sleep over here tonight there’s a spare bed opposite Susan, I’ll ring your aunt. Now bed both of you Susan will lend you some nightwear. Karen" 

Susan gave Karen a nightdress and showed her to the spare room, as they parted held Susan’s hand and then gave her a peck on the cheek. "Thank you I know we can be friends."

Susan retired to her own room quickly tidying things to make it a bit more ladylike.

Not long after the lights went out Susan heard her door open and then felt Karen slip between the covers and cuddle her from behind. There seemed no point in protesting, Karen needed the comfort, Susan was enjoying it. Explanations could wait until the morning.

In the morning they awoke in each other’s arms and once they had shaken off their sleep they kissed and embraced. This time the feelings were even more intense as there was only the flimsy nightwear between them. They heard a knock on the door.

"Time to get up ‘girls’."

Karen waited until Susan’s aunt had gone downstairs then returned to her room to change.

Susan was now very confused. She had meant to confess all last night, she didn’t want to deceive Karen any more but she was happy, she was happy, why spoil it for the moment, soon the summer would be over and they may never see each other again.

Karen knocked and entered Susan’s bedroom. Susan was still in her underwear and decided at that moment to match to the tracksuit Karen was wearing. They could change after breakfast.

"Girls, I am going into Windermere today, Mrs. Adams is taking me in her car. Would you like to come? I’ll be at the WI until 3pm so you can do what you wish."

"Thank-you Mrs CCC, but what about my Aunt?"

"It’s alright I have already agreed with her that you can spend the day with us."

"Thank-you again that will be great."

"Now go and freshen up the pair of you, but I think tracksuits will be fine remember Mrs. Adams only has a Mini."

The girls when back to Susan’s bedroom freshened their makeup brushed their hair and were ready. The journey through the narrow lanes in the back of a Mini was not comfortable but Mrs. Adams knew the shortcuts and they came out by the fire station avoiding all the holiday traffic. They dropped them off by the library.

"Now you two buy yourselves something nice and have a good time, pick you up here at 3:30," said Susan’s aunt and she gave them £50 to spend.

"Do you need anything?" asked Karen.

"Well I have been thinking about getting some exercise but I’ve nothing to wear." Replied Susan.

"Good thought, that’s something we could do together. There’s an exercise class at the village hall and we could go for a run on the green lanes. Let’s shop!"

Fortunately Windermere is well stocked with sports shops and soon they were trying on leotards and matching tights and those lovely glossy running tights. Karen insisted that they required sports bras and new t-shirts to match. They would have spent all the money but Karen had brought her bag and again her father’s credit account was raided. They also decided on some new trainers for the running and after an hour or so were very satisfied with their choices. They left their bags with the last shop and set off to walk down to Bowness and the lakeshore.

It wasn’t too busy and they browsed the shop windows as they walked down the hill.

"Why don’t we get some sandwiches and cross on the ferry to Claiffe, I’ve never been over there I believe it’s very pretty." Said Karen.

The ferry ride only takes 5 minutes and they walked around to the quiet bay looking back at Bowness. There were tables available and they sat down to enjoy the picnic they bought in town. There were few people about but eventually two young men walked by and smiled at the two attractive girls. Shortly afterwards they returned and after asking politely if they may sit at their table joined Susan and Karen.

Francoise and Phillipe were French students on a touring holiday in England. Their English was not perfect but they could make themselves understood, and it was clear that they were very happy to be sat with two pretty girls. There was no pressure, they just wanted some company and the four chatted and shared their meal. The girls revelled in the attention of the two handsome Frenchmen. Eventually the girls said they had to leave and the boys jumped up to help them clear up and to give them a farewell kiss. Susan had never been kissed by a boy before, but it happened before she had time to react and it wasn’t unpleasant, she did prefer kissing Karen though. The boys were staying in Hawkeshead and they set off over Claiffe Heights waving back to the girls as they climbed the hill.

The girls returned to Windermere via the ferry and up the hill through Bowness. They collected their purchases and met Susan’s aunt at the library. As they drew up at Karen’s aunt’s house she asked Susan to go in and have a coffee. Susan’s aunt said all right and to get home in time for tea.

"So you two are alright again." Said Karen’s aunt.

"Yes thank-you." said Susan. "It was just a misunderstanding."

"Well I’m very pleased to hear it, you are both lovely girls." She replied.

After their drink they went up to Karen’s room and separated her purchases, she was so excited she decided to try on the leotard and tights immediately and shed all her clothing straight away. Susan was a bit taken aback by the sight of her naked friend but feigned shyness and agreed to change in another room. When Susan returned they could see and admire each other’s choice. There is something about the shiny Lycra that sets off a fit young body. They were both quite beautiful, and they were drawn to each other again. The thin cloth heightened the feeling as they embraced and entwined their young bodies until they were called down, as it was time for tea.

Susan now felt that she could not tell Karen about the deception, she seemed to have overcome her inhibitions about kissing a ‘girl’ and they were now great friends. Susan would still prefer not to have to deceive her and to have a boy/girl relationship, but she was now comfortable with the situation.

The next day they had an appointment in the morning to meet the vicar about the Victorian fair.

"I’m so glad you two young ladies offered to help." Said Rev Green, "There are so few young people in this community. Mrs Green has obtained two original maid uniforms and I wondered whether you would consent to wearing them and serving afternoon tea at the event?"

Karen said immediately "of course, we would be happy to." Susan was amused by the idea and as Karen seemed so keen went along with it. They made a note of the times they would be required then went upstairs to meet Mrs Green and try on her outfits.

The dresses were original full-length maid’s uniforms and had been handed down through her family from her Grandmother. She had everything including period underwear and corsets! "I think you have to go the whole hog or they just won’t look right, it’s years since I wore these with my sister for a similar event, you’ll find it interesting! Is that OK"

Soon they were stood in the petticoats and pantaloon knickers and Mrs Green was fitting the corsets to them. After measuring they realised they would need to them to fit the narrow waist style of yesteryear.

The first pull on the corset threads was the worst. After that they both got down to a low 20’s waistline and prepared to try on the dresses. Firstly though they pulled on black stockings and then ankle boots with tiny buttons up the side. The corsets meant they couldn’t bend properly and Mrs Green showed them how to use a little hooked tool for the buttons. Finally the black dresses that fitted perfectly to their corseted bodies. Lots of buttons, no zips and then a long white apron and to finish a lace trimmed mop cap. They looked at each other in delight, Mrs Green also smiled broadly. "There we are, a perfect fit, just see that you can move about easily. Take care with the stairs, lift your skirts up."

They went into Rev Green’s office. "Oh perfect, just perfect, it’s a long time since you’ve had those out Sylvia. Ladies thank-you this will be perfect. Come out into the garden I’ll get my camera. Sylvia will make us some drinks, please dear."

"I think he’s happy" whispered Karen

"Perfectly happy" replied Susan

He took photos on the front step to the (Victorian) rectory. "I’ll use these for my posters" he said.

Then they sat in the garden for a coffee, Susan and Karen noticing how the corset forced them to sit very straight and their other movements were restricted.

After the drink they changed back and felt the relief as the corsets were undone. They agreed when they would arrive before the fete.

 

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