The Women in Luke's Life

by Girlscot

 

Monday mornings, especially the first two or three hours, were the quietest period in the salon's week, a fact that allowed a couple of the girls to take Mondays off. Only a couple of the girls were active with clients, and with the salon being neat and tidy, the remainder sat in the staff-room, chatting, reading and drinking tea and coffee. During his first couple of days at "Linda's" he was aware that the conversation in the staff-room was perhaps somewhat stilted when he was around, but Rosie had quickly sensed this change in the subject matter and in her forthright manner had stood up on that first Wednesday and stated firmly but in a light-hearted way,

"Luke. I think we are being a little too sensitive to your presence in the staff-room. This has always been our place to talk about our sex, our boyfriends, clothes and all manner of girlie things. That's the way it's going to carry on. You're not to shy to hear us girls talk about all the things we usually talk about, are you?"

"No way." Luke replied with a big grin."Just continue as if I'm not here."

And from that moment on the girls talked freely, as they did before his arrival. In reality though, to include Luke in the conversations, more neutral topics, such as the night before's television was discussed. But he also became used to hearing Rosie and Victoria mull over their love life, sometimes pretty graphically, or Eva, moaning about her lazy husband, and she was happy that the rest of the girls now seemed comfortable around him. But most especially, Luke came to love the times he was able to join in the general conversation about salon life.

"I see Fay Preston was in and had obviously had her baby. Does anybody know what she had?"

Luke had washed her hair.

"Yes. It was a boy called Jack and he weighed just over eight pounds."

"She's a lovely woman, isn't she."

"She said she would bring in a photo, next time she's in."

It made him feel part of the team. It made him feel one of the GIRLS!

After a couple of weeks, he even felt confident enough to venture his opinions on hairdressing issues. After all, he reasoned, the girls must have figured by now he had an actual, genuine, interest in hair. He couldn't hide that. It was surely obvious he wasn't working in the salon purely for some summer money.

To Victoria. "I really liked the look you got with Gina Ford's hair. That light red with the blonde streaks looked great on her."

And the girls came to accept his comments, in the same way they would have reacted to the same words from any other of their colleagues.

On this Monday morning, the chat was centred about how Saturday nights and Sunday day-off had been spent. When quizzed, Luke had told everyone that yesterday had been his sixteenth birthday. The girls expressed their surprise that he had not told them about his upcoming birthday, then began to kid him on, asking him what had happened to their invites to the party.

"I didn't really have a party. Just some of my friends, and my Mum and some of her her pals. It wasn't a big deal, honestly.

"Oh, and we're not your friends, is that the case?"

Luke flushed.

The girls backed off. Rosie eased his embarrassment.

"We're only kidding you, Luke. But we''ll gatecrash if you have another party without us."

The party had been a low key affair. They had decided to limit the guests to just the girls who were in the know. Laura and Julie, Helen, and his "aunts", Christine, Carol and Irene. Luke wondered what his staff colleagues would say if they knew it was Lucy who was at the party. After their visit to the doctor on Friday they had shopped for, and bought, Lucy's first party dress. And in a discount shoe shop had managed to find the perfect low heel sandals to complete the look. The dress was pale mauve, just above knee length, with short sleeves, while the strappy, slightly darker mauve sandals could have been deliberately made to match the dress. Helen tested her hairdressing skills to the limit, making a special effort with Lucy's hair, setting it with rollers, then fashioning an elaborate updo, with some loose tendrils of hair left casually hanging down to offset the otherwise very neat effect. The cake was cut, and they sat around discussing what had been going on in their lives for the last few weeks. Laura told , sarcastically, how much she loved working beside her mother, but said it was a necessary evil to put up with in order to get the pay-packet at the end of the week. Julie liked waitressing in a local coffee shop, but admitted she was glad it was just for the summer. Everyone was interested to know if Lucy was enjoying working in the salon and they all laughed when Christine told of her visit, and Claire's seeming attempts to extract some information regarding Luke. Towards the end of the evening, however, Lucy began to feel a little queazy, and thought she was going to be sick, but she kept it to herself and managed to soldier on till everyone left around 10p.m.

And that feeling had returned to Luke as he sat in the staff-room. It wasn't entirely unexpected. He knew from the information he had gathered on the internet and from what Dr. Stirling had told him, that feelings of nausea were one of the possible side effects of his hormone regime. Different people were affected in different ways. Some hardly at all, and others quite severely. The doctor had told him that they may be short-lived at the beginning of the treatment, or if longer lasting, some adjustment of the tablets, either in strength or design, may be required. He was finding it hard to take part in and enjoy the banter taking place around him. A couple of mid-morning appointments appeared and Luke washed one client's hair, while Karen took the other. When he was finished he found it a struggle to do his normal housekeeping chores and although his pleasant attitude remained, it was an effort to maintain. Rosie asked him if he wanted to watch the cut she was doing on her young teenage customer, but Luke, otherwise up to date , declined, and worried that he was imminently about to vomit, said he was going to the staff-room for a rest. All the remaining working girls were now busy and Luke at down in the empty room.

Outside, in the salon, Rosie asked her client if she could leave her for just one minute, then made her way over to Linda at the reception desk.

"Linda, I'm a bit concerned about Luke this morning. He seems a little off colour. I've just asked him if he wanted to stand in during the cut I'm doing, and he said no. That's not like him at all. He's sitting down in the staff-room having a rest."

Linda agreed. "That's odd. And remember, he wasn't quite one hundred per cent on the ball on Friday, neither. I hope there's nothing wrong."

"He's on his own in there at the moment. Do you think you should go and have a word with him?"

"OK. I'll go have a word. Will you keep an eye an the desk?"

Linda headed over towards the staff-room, but was surprised to find it empty. Stopping and looking around, she heard a noise coming from the one of the two toilets situated of a small hall to the rear of the room. It was obviously the sound of someone being sick. Linda was not sure what to do. Should she talk to Luke and try and find out what was wrong, or should she mind her own business. She decided she could not ignore what was happening. Luke may be ill and needing help, and even if not, what was happening was happening on her premises, so it WAS her business. She walked over and entered the small hallway.

"Luke. Are you OK?"

Luke had been hoping that nobody had noticed that he was feeling under the weather, but he knew that Linda had probably heard him vomiting, so there was little point in shouting he was fine.

"I've just been feeling a bit queazy this morning. But don't worry, I'm OK.. I'm not dying. I'll be out in a minute or two."

"All right. I'll wait for you."

Luke eventually felt able to leave the cubicle and he began to wonder what he should tell Linda. He didn't feel like revealing any more than he had to, but he knew that Linda deserved to know that she had an employee capable of doing the job required.

"I'm all right, honestly. It being caused by some medicine I'm taking. The doctor said it would settle down in a couple of days." Luke hoped fervently that this was the case.

"You seemed a little off on Friday, too, Luke."

"I know. I was at my doctor on Friday afternoon, but I'm feeling a lot better, now. It's just the medicine. I'm ready to get back to work.

Offhand, Linda could not think of any condition that would necessitate taking medicines that made you sick, but one in which a doctor obviously didn't deem it necessary to be off work, but everyone's health is their own business, and she didn't feel she had the right to pry any further if Luke did not want to be more forthcoming.

Luke sensed her uncertainty and tried to reassure her.

"I'm honestly ready to go back to work. I'm fine."

"I'm not concerned if you can do the work, Luke. I'm only concerned about your health."

"I'm fine."

"All right. But I want you to tell me if you're feeling unwell again. Promise?"

"Promise."

Linda returned to the reception, stopping to talk to Rosie on the way.

"I think everything is OK. It's just some medicine he's taken has upset him a bit. I heard him being sick in the toilet."

"Do you know what the medicine is for?"

"No I don't. And I didn't want to pry any further. He says he'll be out in a second."

Linda took her seat at the reception and a couple of seconds later Luke reappeared in the salon. Truthfully, he was feeling a good bit better, and fortunately it seemed that for him the worst side effect, at least in this first week of full hormones, was some early morning discomfort or sickness, which was followed by a return to better health. He walked up to Rosie and enquired.

"Do you mind if I look on now."

"Sure. Feeling better?"

"Fine."

Rosie, who was naturally an outspoken and inquisitive girl, was just about to ask Luke what was wrong with him and what was the medicine that was making him sick. Luke sensed this question was on the way, so he was relieved when Brenda asked Luke to clear some cut hair of the floor over by her chair.

"I'll be back in a couple of minutes." He reckoned when he returned he would start a new conversation, but this time steer it away from questions about his health.

Brenda, was another of Luke's favourites. It wasn't because they got on so well, because, in truth, Brenda was the fellow worker he had spoken to least since his arrival. Brenda, although only in her late forties, was the oldest member of the salon staff and was also generally the quietest and shyest. She found Luke very personable and polite, but had not found it easy to speak to the young boy. The reason, however, she was on Luke's favourite list, was that it was she who carried out most of the perms that took place in the salon. Of course, all the girls were trained hairdressers and capable of doing each others job, but Brenda had worked through a time when perms were more prevalent, so it was she who performed them most often. Perms went in and out and fashion, and most women who came to the salon requested "cut and colour", but Luke loved to watch Brenda perming a clients hair. For Luke, there was something so completely female about the process. To be sitting in the chair with a full head curlers or permrods and know that your hair is being transformed into a beautiful feminine style was something he had dreamt about for as long as he could remember. One of the things Luke was looking forward to the most about becoming Lucy was the freedom to choose and change hairstyles, but he knew, at least once, and probably quite soon after his transition, he would have a full perm and transform his sleek, straight hair into a mass of curls. He could hardly wait. Meanwhile, he grabbed his broom and headed over to Brenda chair. Linda was very fussy about a clean floor. She hated to have hair lying on the floor, so as soon as it practicable, it was his job to remove it without getting in the way of the stylist. Normally, Luke had a keen eye for everything that was going on in the salon, but due to episode in the toilet, he hadn't seen Brenda or her client. He was in luck. In the chair was a girl in her late twenties, whom Brenda had just trimmed some three or four inches of length from her mid-back length hair. And she was obviously preparing to perm the remaining hair. Luke tidied the floor, and seeing Karen was cutting a teenage girl's hair, under the watchful eye of Eva, he saw an opportunity to become involved with the perm.

"Can I help you with the rods and papers, Brenda?"

"Sure, Luke. If you like."

Luke called over to Rosie.

"I'm just helping Brenda with her perm. Is that OK?"

Rosie pretended to be hurt.

"If that's what you want. I'll manage on my own."

Brenda's client wanted her glorious natural auburn hair transformed into a mass of curls tumbling from the crown of her head and for the next forty five minutes Luke handed over the permrods and papers and watched mesmerised as Brenda set her hair using around one hundred and twenty permrods placed piggyback style. Brenda had noticed that Luke wasn't merely handing her the necessary bits and pieces, but actually appeared to be intensely interested in the what was going on. Feeling a little awkward and never having worked with a male junior, she eventually managed to silence.

"I don't do this as often as I used to."

Luke was becoming ever more confident in the salon and he no longer worried how his remark could, or would, be interpreted.

"I know. It's a shame that not so many girls have perms at the moment. I think a good perm looks great."

"Me too. I actually like doing them."

Luke smiled."Well you're really good at doing them."

Luke had another convert. Brenda had joined The Luke McVey fan club, the growing band of women who seemed to find it very easy to adopt this young boy. Luke loved the result of Brenda's labours, but he wasn't thinking about the combed-out, final result. He loved the look of the girl sitting with all these permrods in her hair. He knew some women hated to be seen with their hair in rollers, but as far as he was concerned, a woman was beautiful and feminine when looking like the girl sitting in Brenda's chair. A few short months ago, he spent many an hour searching the internet for pictures of girls and women, hair in rollers, curlers and permrods, and the desire to be in their position was so strong it hurt. Now here he was, assisting Brenda with a perm in a beauty salon, and soon he would be free to be that girl in the chair. Perm lotion, neutraliser and rinse followed and when Brenda had completed the final styling, Luke had to admit he was impressed by the end product as much as any other part of the perming process. As the happy client departed Luke took a note of her name, as perhaps, not too far in the future he might ask Brenda to repeat the process for Lucy.

On the Friday morning at the end of that fifth week, Lucy woke, and very soon became aware of the feeling of nausea which had been accompanying the last few days. But there was also something else. Another strange feeling, but this time one which Luke had been waiting for since she started on the oestrogen and one which she was happy to bare. There was a tingling sensation in her chest around her nipple area. The excitement overcoming the nausea, she jumped from her bed and made his way to the bathroom, removed her night-dress, and stood before the mirror. Unfortunately, there was little to see. Was there a slight enlargement of the nipples themselves? Maybe. Probably not. No, I think there is. Anyway, the sensation was definitely there, and Lucy put her night-dress back on, and rushed to the kitchen to find her Mum.

"Mum. Listen. There's a definite tingling around my nipples. The oestrogen is beginning to have some effect."

Helen stopped preparing the breakfast and turned to face Lucy. Despite her total acceptance of Lucy's transition, there were still times when what was happening halted her in her tracks. She was stuck by the notion that this was, until recently, her SON Luke, now in such a short space of time here was Lucy bursting into the kitchen, like any excited teenage girl, thrilled by the impending budding of her young breasts. She remembered her own excitement when, although a couple of years younger the Luke, her own breasts began to bud. How she felt proud of her proof that she was turning from a girl into a woman. Her breasts were one of a young girl's signs of femininity. And here was Lucy with the exact same excitement in her voice. Tears sprung to her eyes and it took a couple of minutes to satisfy to an upset Lucy, that they weren't tears of sadness or upset but tears of emotion and happiness.

"I know what is happening is for the best. You know I am one hundred per cent behind you. I love seeing the joy on your face and to see how happy you are. It's just that so many things have happened in such a short space of time and sometimes it all catches up on me and I get a little emotional. That's all." She laughed while brushing away a tear. "Let's hope we get some movement on the size front soon, eh!"

Luke moved into his final week at the salon, happily dividing his time between Luke during the day, and Lucy at home in the evenings. His other supermarket "aunts", Irene and Carol also made an appearance in the salon, both forsaking their regular salons to give Luke some friendly support. Luke noticed that neither woman had anything more major than a wash and blow-dry, and he guessed that as most women don't change their favourite hairdresser on a whim, they both would return to the hands of their regular stylists at their next salon visit. They had just come to let him know they were thinking about him. Despite his early morning sickness, Luke had become proficient at his chores and a grateful Karen was able to devote nearly all her time to practical work. And his proficiency also allowed him to spend more and more time helping out the stylists. He observed how the girls achieved the looks they strived for. He began to see and understand the different methods the girls used when cutting hair, and he found he was beginning to anticipate their next move. He understood the ways hair could be coloured how to achieve the look the client wanted. He also discovered that he now had a real desire to do hands-on hairdressing. Not just washing hair. But he was only going to be at the salon for a few more weeks before retuning to school, so he was hardly likely to be let loose on any customers, even with the strictest of supervision, and this he was beginning to find slightly frustrating. Rosie was the one girl who was most determined to find out what made Luke tick, and her light-hearted probing had been increasing in intensity since the day of his arrival. Luke met her questions with neutral answers that made her all the more determined to shake loose some of his background history. All the girls were still baffled about the reason for Luke's nausea, but after constantly being reassured by Luke that there was nothing serious causing his spells of sickness, it was Rosie who had jokingly commented to the rest of the staff that in an effort to cement his position as one of he team, Luke appeared to have gotten himself pregnant and was suffering from morning sickness! In the afternoon, Rosie was alone in the staff-room when Luke entered and went to the small kitchen area where the coffee percolator sat and poured a cup for a client. Rosie, confident that her growing friendship was not being threatened by her persistent harassment of Luke, ventured a theory to Luke.

"You know Luke, in my experience, there are usually only two types of males working as hairdressers. The first group are gay, and the second group are guys who think it's a great way to be around, and pick up girls. Somehow you don't seem to fit exactly into any of those categories."

Luke smiled. "I guess their must be other categories you don't know about."

Rosie sensed a possible chink in Luke's defence. "So what category would you be in, then?"

Luke was enjoying the game. "That's for you to find out." He departed the staff-room with the coffee, leaving Rosie pondering the enigma that was Luke.

On his last Tuesday in the salon, Luke had just returned from a trip to sandwich bar collecting lunch for a busy Kristy and Victoria, when Linda caught him as passed the reception.

"Luke, Could I have a word with you after you've given the girls their lunch?"

"I'll just be a second." Luke was puzzled as to why Linda would want to see him privately. Had he done something wrong? He called over to the girls to let them know their lunch was waiting in the staff-room, then returned to the reception where Linda had moved to the same comfortable chairs on which she had given him his first interview. She motioned to him to sit down, noting the concerned look on his face.

"Don't worry. There's nothing wrong. There's something I want to put to you. Something you can think about and then talk to me again."

"OK."

"Luke, I know you are a clever boy and that it's your intention to return to school after the summer break, but I just want to tell you that we are very happy with you in the salon. All the girls adore you, and the feedback from the customers has been very positive. To be honest, I've even noticed a slight increase in booking since you arrived, especially in the thirty and above age group, and I think that may be down to you. I know of at least two clients who have told me that they recommended the salon to friends and that the service they got from you was one of the main reasons."

She didn't tell Luke that one of these clients had actually said that she wanted her friend to see "the most beautiful boy", as she wasn't sure that this would be what Luke wanted to hear. Linda ploughed on with her prepared speech.

"Anyway, as I said, we're happy to have you here, and the main reason I wanted to speak to you is to tell you that there is a full-time job for you here at the salon if you want to stay on." Linda let this statement hang in the air for a few seconds.

Luke was dumbstruck. His mind was immediately a whirl of thoughts and ideas, problems and answers. Sensing his confusion, Linda picked up the so far one way conversation, again.

"I realise this is a big decision and it's something that you'll need to think and talk to your mother about, so take your time. There's no immediate hurry. You're here till the end of the week, anyway. If you definitely want to return to school , then that's what you should do, no doubt about it. But I've sensed that you like it here too, so if this is the way you want to go, I'll raise your wage some, and help you through the training to become a fully fledged hairdresser, beautician, or whatever.

Luke was beginning to order his thoughts. So much of him wanted to do exactly what Linda was suggesting, But there was his schooling. He knew that his Mum had high hopes for him academically, and he was pretty sure she would not be happy at the prospect of him finishing school at sixteen, the minimum age for leaving. And he also had ambitions that would require his return to school to fulfil. But maybe they could wait?

Luke still had not spoken so Linda carried on.

"Well I can tell that has got you thinking. Can you tell me if this suggestion is a complete no-no?"

Luke found his voice.

"No. It's not a no-no. But, like you said I'll have to think it over. I must admit though, I do love it here and it is something I could see myself enjoying as a career. Let me think."

"Sure thing. On you go back to work. I think Victoria is looking for a coffee for her client. Speak to me when you're ready."

 

That evening Lucy decided not to involve her mother until she had time to consider all the ramifications if she accepted Linda's offer. First thing he had to consider was, did he want to work in a beauty salon. And the answer to that Lucy found was yes.

She did enjoy it and in many ways it was the ideal solution to her future employment dilemma.. She had always wanted to work in the field of music or art, and certainly this job would serve to satisfy the artistic side of her nature. Plus, she reasoned, she was getting a female education in the salon. The more time she spent soaked in the feminine atmosphere of the salon, helped to compensate for the "lost" male years as Luke. She felt it was allowing her to catch up in lost femininity.

And she would finish with a qualification, so it was not exactly without merit in that sense. At the very worst she could return to a scholastic education at a later date, if she decided that the beauty trade was not for her. She would still be able to go to college or night school. Lucy realised that she was organising these points to put to her Mum, and that she HAD made up her mind. There was glaring problem, though. Linda had asked offered Luke the job and not Lucy. In three months or so Luke had planned to go full-time as Lucy and she thought this would happen at school. She would have to tell Linda this information first to allow her withdraw the offer if her transition was altering the reasons that she initially offered her the job . And what about the other girls? They too, would have to be told and be comfortable working under the changed circumstances. But first she must talk to her Mum.

It wasn't quite as difficult as he thought, and after initially refusing to even contemplate the idea, Lucy's reasoned arguments began to make some sense to Helen. Of course, there was the hurdle of the Linda and the staff finding out about Lucy. She had become used to Lucy telling her about Luke's day in the salon, and of all the great people who worked there, and she had to admit that if they did accept Lucy for the the job, it probably would be a good place to be while transitioning. Probably much better than at school, where she would undoubtedly come in for verbal and maybe even physical abuse, which was one of Helen's greatest worries about the transition period. And she was reassured by Lucy's promise that she return to her education if she did not feel fulfilled. Somehow, neither of them thought that this would be the case! Helen decided to wait until Friday before Luke should speak to Linda to give them a couple of more days thinking time, and if the decision was still the same Helen would arrange Luke's departure from school. It wouldn't pay to rush things. But Lucy had made up her mind!

 

On Friday morning, Luke was in early, hoping to catch Linda on her own before the other girls arrived. She was always the first to arrive at the salon and she was opening the front door as Luke came up behind her.

"You're keen." Linda was aware that Luke had not yet given her an answer to her job offer, so gave she gave him a gentle hint."Is it because you want to maximise your last day?"

"That's what I want to talk to you about. I was wanting to speak to you on your own."

Linda pushed open the door and stepped into the salon.

"Sure. No bother. Let's go through and take our jackets off."

Luke followed Linda through the salon to the staff-room. It was normally Luke's first chore of the day to get the coffee percolator going , so he set to work as Linda took off her jacket and sat down. Coffee started Luke sat down beside Linda. He was very nervous.

"About the job. I've spoken with my Mum. She knows how much I like it here. I've been telling her all about the salon and the people since the day I started, and, well, she agrees with me that this would be a great place for me to work."

"Does that mean you want to take me up on my offer?"

"Yes I do. But there's one problem that you really have to know about before we can both be sure that this is what we want."

Linda looked pensively at Luke.
"What's that, Luke?"

Luke delayed telling his secret a few more seconds.

"And I'll understand if you decide to change your mind."

"Luke?"

Luke took a deep breath.

"You've offered the job to Luke. In a few months I'll be Lucy."

Luke left a pause for this information to sink in.

"I've been on anti-androgen tablets to halt my male puberty, and a month ago I started taking oestrogen, so in a few months, I will begin living my life as Lucy. As soon as I can, I intend having S.R.S. or a sex-change operation as you probably know it, and living the rest of my life as a woman. So Luke wont be around much longer."

Linda was stunned. She looked at this beautiful boy, and like every one of the small band who knew Luke's secret, she suddenly saw a girl before her. So many questions raced through her mind.

"WOW! That's huge. Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because I thought that I would be leaving at the end of today, and because this is not the easiest thing to tell someone, I didn't think you needed to know. I thought I would be out of your lives today. You offering me the job has made things different."

"What about school?"

"Some of my friends know, but I was just going to tell the school when I went back, do it, and battle my way through."

"And your family?"

"Only me and my Mum. She only found out about "my secret" a few months back, but she's been great. She's with me all the way."

Linda was open mouthed with amazement and Luke did his best to fill in some gaps.

"That's the reason why I wanted to get the job in here in the first place. You see, as far as I'm concerned, I am a girl, everything I do as a boy is an act, and a beauty salon is a natural place for a girl to want to work in. I love hair and makeup in the same way that all the other girls in the salon do."

Linda did not know how to ask her next question.

"And now,eh, do you, er, dress up as, you know?"

"Lucy?"

"Yes, Lucy. do you..?"

" I spend every evening if I'm not out, as Lucy. A few of my friends and my my Mum's friends have seen me as Lucy."

Linda suddenly remembered Christine Slater and her special request to let Luke shampoo her hair.

"Christine Slater. She's one of your Mum's pals. She knows, doesn't she?"

Luke nodded.

"And you do the lot. Clothes, hair, makeup?"

"Most nights."

"Clothes, makeup, hair?"

"Everything."

Linda needed confirmation, as if she couldn't believe her ears first time around.

"Let me get this straight. You're taking female hormones right now?"

"I started four weeks ago. It's all being done properly. I'm seeing a doctor who specialises in treating boys or girls like me. They call it gender dysphoria. The hormones are the reason why I've been feeling nauseous recently. They can have that effect."

"I see. Well that solves that little mystery. We've all been pretty baffled by that."

Linda paused, deep in thought.

"The thing is, do you want a young boy transitioning to a girl working in your salon, and would the other girls be comfortable about it ,too."

"Offhand, I can't think of any reason why you still can't join us full-time. The girl's all think your great and the customers reaction has all been positive. To be honest, if you don't mind me saying so, I think most of our clients will find it a little exotic having a beautiful girl that was once a boy in he salon, especially the ones that have known and liked you as Luke. What did you sat your girl name was again?"

"Lucy."

Linda nodded her head."Mmm. Yes, Lucy.", she said, trying the name out for the first time.

"So, it's OK. with you, then."

"I've no problem with it."

"That's brilliant. I thought that if it was OK. with you that I could have a quick word with all the girls before we got started this morning. You know, kind of get it all over with in one go."

"That's a good idea. I understand that this is not easy for you, but honestly, I can't wait to see the girl's faces when you tell them."

Luke let out a short laugh. "Me neither. Especially Rosie."

Over the next ten minutes the staff began to filter into the salon, while a nervous Luke fielded more of Linda's questions. Friday was a full house, staff wise, and eventually when everyone had arrived, Linda called to the few who were on the salon floor, to join the rest of them in the staff-room,

"Could everyone come into the staff-room for a few minutes. I need to have a pow-wow with all of you." The girls were somewhat surprised, as this was definitely not a normal occurrence, but within a minute, everyone was in the room. Linda brought the room to attention.

"Morning all. I've got a couple of things to tell you. the first of which is quite straight forward. Then it gets a bit more complicated. Girls, I know we have all enjoyed having Luke around the salon for the last eight weeks, so with Karen moving on a year in her training, I've decided to ask Luke to stay on and join us in a full-time basis, with a view to train and become fully qualified. Luke has agreed to this so from Monday there will be a new full-time member of staff."

Luke glanced round the rest of the staff and was pleased to see everyone was smiling and nodding in agreement. Rosie and Victoria came up with some "WHOOP WHOOP"s while thundering out an exaggerated applause. Linda went on.

"However it is dependant on something, and I think to let you understand what that is, it would be better to let Luke talk now."

Puzzled expression flitted over the faces of most of the staff and all eyes turned to Luke. He took a deep breath and began.

"When Linda asked me to stay on there was something she didn't know. And none of you know, either. I've talked it over with Linda and she says it doesn't make any difference to her. I need to know that you will all be comfortable with it, too."

There was total mystified silence and all of the girls wondered what he could possibly be about to say. Luke went on.

"In a short I wont be Luke any more, I'll be Lucy. I'm in the middle of transitioning from being a boy to a girl, although, for me, I've always been a girl. In a few weeks, I'll be living full-time, totally, that means clothes, makeup hair etcetera, as a girl. Before I can agree to stay on in the salon, I need to know if anyone would find this an uncomfortable situation."

All Luke could hear was a series of "WOW"s, "GOOD HEAVEN"s, and"GEE"s.

A stunned Kristy asked. "So you're transsexual?"

"If that's the name you want to put on it, yes."

For he next few minutes Luke fielded many of the same question he had answered for Linda, and some new ones, too. As well as answering the queries as well as he could, Luke was trying to gauge everyone's reaction to his revelation, and as far as he could tell it was entirely positive. Everyone was inquisitive, even the normally shy Brenda. Linda eventually brought the inquisition to an end.

"OK., Everybody. Do I take it that we are all happy with LUCY remaining with us in the salon?"

Luke was overjoyed to hear a chorus of approvals.

Rosie, smiling, found her voice."I knew there was something different about you. You didn't fall exactly into any of my two categories, but I couldn't quite put my finger on the reason. Now I know why. I'll obviously need to consider a third category from now on."

"I guess."

Rosie explained her theory to the rest of the girls, and it was Victoria who then asked cheekily.

"Do you fall, in any way, into Rosie's original two categories?"

Really, she was asking Luke if he was gay or not, but this was one question he wasn't about to answer. He didn't KNOW the answer.

"I'll just stay in category three for the moment and make up the entry qualifications as I go along."

Another question from Rosie.

"Why are you able to spend your evenings as Lucy, but you have to wait until another couple of months before you can be full-time?"

Luke explained that there was no hard and fast rules, but that by giving the hormones some time to work in her body, it would help her feel more comfortable when she started to go out in public.

"I've been talking it over with my Mum and I think I'm actually ready to take some small trips out as Lucy just now. You know, to the shops or maybe the cinema. Start building up my confidence. More and more nearer the time."

"But are you not comfortable here, working with us?"

"I was nervous at first, but yes, I'm comfortable now. Working in here has brought me on leaps and bounds concerning being at ease in a feminine environment. I think it's probably brought me nearer to the point I can be Lucy a bit quicker than we were planning.

"And everyone here knows all about you now?" Rosie seemed to be leading somewhere, but Luke did not see where.

"Yes."

"Well why can't Lucy work in the salon, starting right now?"

The question hung in the air and all the other girls instinctively stopped any other conversations they were having to hear the answer. Luke was unsure just exactly what Rosie was suggesting, and told her so.

"I'm saying, if you're comfortable working besides us girls, why don't you start being Lucy this very minute. We'll help you."

Butterflies swarmed in Luke's stomach as the exciting possibilities of the day began to flash in front of him. Could he let this happen? He stammered out

"B.. But, clothes?"

Linda had the solution.

"I've always got some new uniforms in the office ready to dish out. I know I'll have something to fit."

"But, underwear, shoes, I haven't got....."

"Give me your sizes then. We've got a shoe shop next door and any number of shops you can pick up loungerie from within five minutes of us. We'll get some things while you're having your makeover. It'll be my treat"

"But at the end of the day I'd need to change back..."

Quiet Brenda interrupted Luke midstream.

"I can drive you home if you want. You live in Oldbridge don't you? That's not to far out my way. And if you're working here full-time I can even pick you up mornings from now on if you want."

"Problem solved." said Eva.

Linda brought a small reality check to the group.

"Luke. Will your Mum be OK. with this?"

"I think she'll be fine. She knows this is a good place for me to be. She'll be happy as long as I feel relaxed about it."

Linda was thinking about the makeover.

"Luke, is there any reason you have to return to being a boy anytime soon?"

Luke mulled it over and realised that now he settling in to working full-time in the salon, there was no reason whatsoever for him to remain as Luke. Going full-time as Lucy was coming soon, but the obstacles that school would have presented had been removed. He could settle into being Lucy far easier in the salon. And why not right now? He could go full-time at work and with Lucy, together.

"None at all."

"Great. Is there any look you have in mind?"

"Well, there's a perm that Brenda does I particularly like."

"Are you sure you really want to perm that beautiful, long, straight hair? That'll be quite a change."

"More than you can imagine. I've got all my life to try various colours and styles. I want to be a blonde, a redhead, a brunette. Have straight and curly hair. Have it short, medium and long and all the combinations of all these things. But right now there's nothing more I'd like than that perm. It would start me off feeling really feminine. Tell Brenda, Holly Forbes."

"OK., then let's get moving. You are going to get the works, courtesy of Linda's Hair and Beauty Salon. Karen can you pick up the slack for a couple of hours? We've got a makeover to do."

"No problem, boss. But I get to shampoo. C'mon eh, what do we call you just now?"

"As soon as I'm in girl mode, I'm Lucy. So as I'm just about to have a makeover, I'd be happy if everyone were to call me Lucy from now on."

"C'mon then, Lucy."

" Linda, can I ask one more favour before we get started?"

"Go ahead."

"You know you keep that digital camera to take some makeover pictures for your website?"

"Yes."

"Would you take some photos for me at different stages during my perm?"

"Sure thing. I think that's a good idea."

They headed over to the washbasins and, Linda went to the reception desk to check the appointment book. With a little adjustment that wouldn't upset any customers Linda was able to free Brenda. She walked over to speak to her.

"Lucy has asked if you would perm her hair. He said Holly Forbes perm. That you would remember. Are you happy to do it?"

"Always enjoy doing a perm, Linda. I'll be delighted to help our Lucy."

Lucy, unexpectedly found herself sitting in the same chair that for the last eight weeks she had guided clients to before washing their hair. Karen adjusted the water temperature, then asked Lucy to lean back.

"I can hardly believe I'm doing this."

"Don't be expecting much of a tip now, Linda hasn't been paying me all that much."

Lucy felt the warm water soak her scalp and hair. Karen hands began to gently work the shampoo into hair and Lucy relaxed to enjoy the very pleasant experience. The camera beeped as Linda took a picture. A rinse and repeat and Karen's work was done. Yesterday, he was her boy workmate Luke. Today she was wrapping a towel round Lucy's head, turban style, as she did with all her female clients. It certainly was an unusual start to the day.

Lucy left the seat and walked towards Brenda's chair. All the girls stopped to stare. A couple clapped, a couple cheered, and Rosie wolf whistled. The camera beeped several more times. The first early client of the day came through the door, amused by, but not comprehending the ribald spirit in the salon.

As Lucy sat in Brenda's chair, the most beautiful feeling of contentment overwhelmed her. It was like something you could touch.

Brenda asked the same question of every girl.

"Are you absolutely sure you want a perm? If your keeping your hair long, it's a decision that dictates your look for the next couple of months at least."

"Absolutely sure, Brenda."

"OK. then. Let's get started."

Customers were beginning to fill the salon. Lot's of women, wanting to look their best for the weekend, but with busy Fridays ahead of them, liked to get their appointments early on a Friday morning. Most of the girls were soon busy, but today they had difficulty drawing their attention away from what was happening in Brenda's chair. No one got their ear cut off, but all of them stopped what they were doing every few minutes to check on Brenda and Lucy's progress. None of the customers saw anything unusual about the young girl getting a perm . Permrods were steadily forming in neat rows, piggyback fashion, along the top of Lucy's head. Lucy looked at the mirror in front of her in a trance. Was this really happening to her. Night after night she had gone to bed and dreamed of this moment. She had found pictures of perms on the internet and stared at them, trying to imagine the sensation the girl or woman was experiencing. In her mind, she tried to be that female. And now it was actually happening for Lucy. Every single permrod that Brenda placed in Lucy's hair, was ten seconds of ecstasy. Every rod that added to the total in her hair, was sweeter than the one before. Every now and again , Linda would appear with the camera and and more pictures would be taken. Brenda was working on the side of her head now. Rosie stared in amazement. When she came into work this morning, Lucy was the salon's "boy". OK., a feminine looking boy, but still a boy, all the same. And just an hour later Lucy was sitting in Brenda's chair, having her hair permed. She scene was one she had seen so many times before. A gorgeous teenage girl having her hair done in the salon. But this isn't a girl, this is Luke. One by one the other girls stopped what they were doing for a minute and came over to see how Brenda and Lucy were getting on. Claire was stunned.

"You know, just the fact that you've now got permrods in your hair, transforms you from a girlish boy into a beautiful girl. I can only see a girl sitting in the chair. The boy is gone. It's absolutely amazing. There's been a girl lying just beneath the surface all this time."

Brenda was was putting in the final rods at the nape of Lucy's neck when Karen came up to see her friend.

"I can hardly believe my eyes. Just look at you. Tell me, what are you going to say to the customers who've got to know Luke in the last couple of months?"

"I think I'm going to have a lot of explaining to do during the shampoos for the next few weeks, Don't you?"

"I should say so!"

Lucy heard Brenda say "last one" , and for the last time today, focused on the exquisite feeling as Brenda tensioned the strand of hair, and rolled it firmly but gently, gathering up the strand of hair before locking and securing the permrod against her neck. She stared in the mirror. It was a vision that a year ago she wouldn't have dreamed could come true. Of course, even then, she had known she was a girl, but to make that fact a reality, seemed a distant and maybe impossible prospect. Yet here she was, just turned sixteen, sitting in a salon in which she worked, with a full head of well over one hundred permrods in her hair, and about to begin living her life permanently as Lucy. Life could not be better.

"Brenda, do you mind getting a hand mirror and letting me see your handiwork at the back?"

"Sure luv. "

Brenda brought the mirror and held it at five or six different angles to give Lucy a good view of the permrods she could feel but could not see, while Linda buzzed around the chair, snapping away with the digital camera. Brenda began fixing some rolled up cotton wool around Lucy's hairline. Linda beeped with the camera.

"Ready for the perming solution? Last chance to change your mind."

"No chance. Go ahead."

Brenda began squeezing the perming lotion on the rods at the front of Lucy's head. Lucy felt the cold lotion soak through the permrods and touch against her scalp. The feeling was unbelievable. Lucy was acutely aware that at this very second, a process was beginning that was altering her hair in a beautiful, womanly way. She would soon have a hairstyle that would be completely and absolutely feminine. This would not be a style that could, even in the remotest way, be worn by a male. Although she had had lovely long hair for several years now, it was long in a unisex way, that allowed her to live as a boy. Her hair would now be one hundred per cent "girl". And it was happening right now. She was in heaven. In a few minutes, every permrod was soaked with the perm solution. Linda beeped with the camera!

"OK., Lucy, lets give that some time. I'll come back in a few minutes."

One by one the girls came to see and talk to Lucy. He had been "their" Luke and now she was going to be "their" Lucy. They asked her how it felt to be in the chair and not standing beside it, and Lucy told everyone that it was a lot more relaxing where she was at the moment. however when Eva came over to see Lucy she had a question that she needed some help to answer.

"Lucy, Penny Hunter has just arrived in my chair after shampooing. I know she's one of Luke's fans, and she's just asked me where Luke is this morning. She was asking me if Luke was alright. I just made an excuse to leave her a second so I could speak to you. What do you want me to say to her?"

Lucy thought, but only for a second.

"Just tell her to look over here. She comes in every week so she has to know. This is what I'm going to have to get used to in the future, so just answer anything she, or anybody else, asks, truthfully. I'm going to be working here as Lucy for everyone to see from Monday, so there's no point in keeping it a secret today."

"OK., then. This will blow her socks off"

Eva returned to her client. She apologised for leaving.

"I'm sorry about that. You were asking about Luke. Well, do you see that young girl getting a perm over at Brenda's station?"

"Yes."

"That's Luke. Or to be more accurate, that's Lucy!"

Lucy sat in her chair and watched the conversation taking place between Eva and her client, and when Penny Hunter's head suddenly swivelled to face her, she gave a shy wave. Penny waved back then resumed talking to Eva.

"Oh my word. Tell me everything."

Eva told Penny how the morning had unfolded, and after being brought up to date she had only one thing to say.

"Well I must insist that it's Lucy who does my shampoo next week. I've got so many questions to ask her."

Eva smiled."I'm sure that can be arranged. I think were are all going to have questions jumping into our minds in the next few weeks."

Brenda came back, unrolled one of the permrods and declared it was time for the neutraliser to go on. Once on, Lucy had to sit for another few minutes before heading back to the washbasins for a complete freshwater rinse of her permroded hair. Linda beeped with the camera! Next came the dryer. Karen placed a pink hairnet over the permrods and helped Lucy settle under the hood. She laughed and asked Lucy.

"Can I get you some tea or coffee and a magazine to read madam?"

"Coffee and a magazine, please."

"Don't push your luck. I've been relegated back to junior duties, while you relax under the dryer. I want you back on your feet, and on the salon floor as soon as possible."

A magazine was of no use to Lucy, anyway. She was too excited to read. She sat under the dryer, drinking in the atmosphere of the salon, and anticipating the moment when she would leave the dryer and the rods would be removed and her long, curled hair would be revealed. Linda when came back and took yet another couple of pictures she found out she would have to wait a little longer.

"After you're finished with the dryer, Rosie will do your makeup before Brenda unrolls your hair. OK?"

Lucy could have sat under the dryer all day. She was desperate to move on to the next step of her makeover, but somehow postponing the inevitable was just making the thought of it happening all the sweeter. She wanted the makeup and comb-out so much. She knew it was going to happen soon, but she wanted to stay under the dryer for just a little longer and relish the prospect of what was to come. Eventually, Rosie came to the dryer.

"Brenda said you've been under the dryer long enough. It's time for me to have my way with you now. Follow me please."

together, they headed off towards the special chair that allowed the recipient of the makeover to recline a little, making it more comfortable for the client and easier for the makeup artist.

Over the last few months, one of the things that Lucy had wanted to change, but felt she had been unable to do while her life still included Luke, was her eyebrows. She decided to bring this to Rosie's attention.

"Rosie, I was wondering, eh, my eyebrows."

"Don't worry. I'm on to it. They were already my first priority. You've not got bushy eyebrows anyway, they just need shaping. Have you got any ideas on how you want them?"

Rosie brought a small card on which different shapes of eyebrows were printed. Together, they decided on a shape that started fuller in the middle, then arched and tapered towards the outside.

"And what about makeup. Have you a look you'd like me to try and achieve?"

"I thought I'd leave that to you. I'd like to see what a fresh mind would do."

Rosie began to pinch out the stray hairs in Lucy's eyebrows. This was sweet discomfort for Lucy. She sat with her eyes closed. A sensuous, warm feeling swept through her body. She had never felt better or been more content. She could have sat there all day. She found herself spilling out her emotions to Rosie.

"You know, I used to be so annoyed that I hadn't been born female. I thought of all the things I was missing by not growing up a girl. I wanted to be a girl so bad. I was angry that fate had conspired against me and put me in a boy's body. I looked at all the other kids at my age and wonder why I wasn't like them. They all seemed happy with what they were. It didn't cross their minds for a second to question their gender. They were boys, or they were girls, plain as that. Why was I so unlucky to be born in the wrong body?" She stopped for a second and drew breath. "But now I feel as though the gods have decided to smile on me. I missed growing up as a girl, but at least from here on, I can live my life as fully female as possible. The last few months have been great for me. I'll always regret not having been born female, but at least I had the right people around to help me be the best girl that I can be."

A lump came to Rosie's throat. It had been such a short time since she had learned about Lucy, that she had only had time to think about the revelation in a sensational sort of way. Luke had always been such an upbeat character in the salon. She hadn't thought about the anguish that Lucy would have had to endure before coming to such a momentous decision as changing your born sex. Suddenly, she was sad that Lucy had had to bare such trials in her young life. She was unusually serious when she spoke to Lucy.

"I'm really glad you feel that things are looking up for you. Let me tell you though, the fates may not have made you female, but if a boy ever wanted to look fabulous as a girl, they gave you a great canvas on which to make those changes. You look phenomenal with no makeup and permrods in your hair. You are going to be stunning when were finished here today. There is no way that anyone who didn't know Luke would be able to see him through Lucy."

"That's really kind. It means a lot when someone like you tells me that. It certainly boosts my confidence."

Eyebrows finished, Rosie moved on to the makeup.

"I'm going to keep your makeup pretty muted Lucy. OK? Your young and you have a fabulous complexion. There's no point in overdoing things."

"You're the boss."

"Don't look in the mirror until I tell you."

Rosie weaved her magic. Lucy was now well used to wearing makeup, but she was keen to see if Rosie's look was something different from anything she had tried. Eventually, Rosie was satisfied with the end result and informed Lucy that she could now look at her reflection. It was beautiful. The colours were less upfront than she had been trying , more subtler, but she had to admit it worked. She especially liked the light golden colour over her eyes.

"What do you think?"

"You should do this job professionally. I really like it. I don't have these colours at home, but I can see what I'm going to have to spend some of my wages on next week."

"That's my part over with. Your next stop is Linda's office."

In Linda's small office, she found laid out a pair of panties, a 34A bra, a pair of black tights, a white blouse still in it's wrapping, black trousers, and a short black skirt. There was also a pair of black leather shoes, size five, a pair of stud earrings, and a new cellophane bag containing cotton wool. Ten minutes later, Lucy emerged. She had chosen to wear the short skirt, and had used the cotton wool to provide some padding for the bra which could be seen under the sheer blouse. Extremely self consciously, she set off across the salon floor, resplendent in the staff uniform, face beautifully made up, and still with her hair full of permrods. She found Linda at the reception desk.

"Are you sure this is OK? You seemed to have spent quite a bit of money on things for me."

"Are you kidding? It's worth every penny. You look fantastic. Seeing you come alive as Lucy is priceless. I'm so happy for you. I don't think the girls have ever had so much excitement on the salon floor. I know they are all stunned with your transformation. But we're all desperate to see the end result of the perm. I think you better go back to Brenda and let her finish it off."

"Must I?

"What do you mean."

"I know this may sound silly to you, but I love the tight feeling of them in my hair and I love knowing what they are doing to my hair while they are there. To be honest, they just make me feel really feminine."

"Lucy, you truly have a girl's soul. It now so obvious that Lucy is who you are meant to be. It's a shame you've had to keep that hidden to yourself for so long."

"Well I think I'm pretty lucky actually. There are plenty of men and boys out there exactly like me whose circumstances never allow them to be who they really are. They have to live with a secret all there lives, knowing that they'll never realise their dream. Some only achieve their goal when there're a bit older and that's normally more difficult for them and the people they've developed relationships with."

"Can I ask how you get to be so knowledgeable about other peoples circumstances? Apart from reading the odd sensational article in a newspaper or magazine, most people would know next to nothing about transsexuals, I guess. And that includes me."

"The Internet. You'd be amazed how many people who are willing to share their lives and tell their stories. For a lot of them it's the only place they can be themselves. I don't know what I would have done without it."

"You'll have to tell me more later. Brenda is waiting to unwind your permrods now. Off you go."

Lucy sat with her eyes closed as Brenda began removing the permrods. She did not want to see the her hair until Brenda had combed the curls out to achieve the finished look. She would see how she was looking anyway, as Linda continued to snap away with the camera.

"I'll be able to give you a complete start to finish picture history of your first salon visit as a client. It'll be something to remember this day by."

"Are you kidding? There is no way I'm ever going to forget today. I think I'll remember every detail till the day I die."

One by one, Brenda removed the rods. Although she couldn't see her hair, Lucy was acutely aware of the different feeling to her scalp. Her hair felt heavier. Eventually they were all out, and Brenda began the to tease her hair with a combination of comb, brush and fingers.

"That'll do. Close your eyes. Hairspray on the way."

Brenda misted the sweet smelling spray around Lucy's head, taking care to shade her eyes when she reached the area above her forehead. It was almost time for Lucy to see the end result of her perm, and the excitement was almost to much to bear, a fact Brenda was quick to spot.

"Good grief, Lucy. You're shoulders and hands are shaking like a leaf. I think we better get this over with. OK., that's it. You can open your eyes."

She slowly opened her eyes to the sound of the whoops and cheers of the other girls who had silently crept up to the chair to witness Lucy's "unveiling", before hurriedly returning to their puzzled clients. All except Penny Hunter, that is. The result was everything that Lucy could have hoped for. Her hair fell in beautiful curls over her shoulders, and the effect with makeup and newly shaped eyebrows removed any lingering traces of Luke from Lucy's face. Brenda pointed out that the curls would relax a little of the next few days, then began to tell of different ways she could change the wear the style, but Lucy didn't hear. She was momentarily lost in a world of her own. She had just taken another huge step on a journey she had been driven to take for as long as she could remember. She could not have been any happier. A few months ago, she had known that this journey had to take place, and she knew the final destination, but there had been absolutely no sign of the road which would take her to that place. Then an accidental find by her Mum had began a process, during which, that longed for pathway had opened out before her. She had no idea how long it would take her to reach her final destination, but now she was on the road and moving forward, she knew she would not be sidetracked. With the help of all the marvellous women who existed in her life, one day, in the not too distant future, she would achieve her dream. Today, however it was back to reality. But what a reality. From this moment on, she would live and work as Lucy. She had become one of the "GIRLS" at the salon.

  

  

  

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