The best thing to do in times like this is to play along, and chances are Mum will forget all about it after a while. After supper, Peter and I did the washing up, drying and putting away, and finally I was out of the pinafore. “Thanks.” I said to Peter after he’d unfastened my buttons for me. He turned and I unfastened his. “Don’t you hate having to wear this every mealtime?” I asked.
Peter turned and nodded. Under his breath he said, “Almost as much as I hate being told how pretty I look.” he gulped. “And having to have a bath every night.”
“Yeah, that does sound pretty boring.” I said. “Wanna watch some telly?” I asked.
A broad grin swept Peter’s face. “OK.” he replied.
I know I know… it’s a tear jerking moment… the first time I’ve said anything like that to Peter since he became my sister. The fact that I gave him control of the remote should have you all reaching for tissues. However Peter gave it back to me. “Mum’ll only make me watch girl stuff if I have it.”
“Don’t you like that either?” I asked.
“Not really… some of it’s OK but mostly I just pretend I like it to keep Mum happy.” he confessed.
As usual, Mum was pottering about the house. She entered the sitting room and told us we’d done a ‘lovely job’ clearing up in the kitchen, before saying “Haven’t you two got homework to be getting on with?”
Peter asked if he could do his after his bath, before assuring our mother that both he and I would start doing out homework as soon as we get home from school… starting tomorrow. “OK.” Mum conceded. “But I want you to at least make a start on yours when Sophie goes for her bath.” she said to me.
“I will.” I assured. Come 7.00pm, I was good to my word and got my school books out, although I’d much rather just sit staring at the TV. Mum took my brother for his nightly bath and I cast him a sympathetic smile as they left. How he puts up with it I don’t know. It must be bad enough having to wear girl’s clothes all the time, let alone having to have a bath every night before he gets ready for bed, then being sent to bed really early… every single day.
Over the next few days, Peter and I got on with our homework when we got home from school as we’d promised. Doing it with Peter was actually better than doing it on my own because in spite of him being younger than me, he is a bit cleverer. He explained long division to me better than my maths teacher did, and he could spell the words that I could barely pronounce. Mum became like a stuck record, saying things like “it is nice seeing you two working together”, every time she passed through the kitchen. Me helping Peter clear up after supper became a regular thing too. I wouldn’t mind but it meant me having to wear Mum’s giant piny. Of course I complained, using the fact that it was far too big as part of my defence.
As usual, Mum took Peter into town so he could help with the Saturday shop. When they returned, Peter asked if he could go and see if Vanessa was in. “If Andrew helps me put the shopping away you can.” Mum replied.
Since Peter’s always helping Mum do this and do that, I didn’t mind helping for a change. “Aww thanks Andrew.” Peter said in a very girlie voice before leaving.
“That’s very sweet of you.” Mum said as she began passing me the tinned stuff.
“I don’t mind.” I replied. “I guess it’s not fair that Sophie has to do everything.” I added as I put away whatever item mum passed me. She began to unpack a bag from BHS and from it she passed me a plain paper bag and said “Bought you something.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“Have a look.” Mum replied.
Inside was a white cotton garment which could have been a shirt, but after unfolding it, “Oh Mum.”
“Well you did complain that mine was too big.” she smiled, “So I bought you one of your own.”
