Claire grabbed at her brother’s short dress and lifted it. “Well they look like knickers to me.” she giggled, revealing the pair of very frilly ‘modesty shorts’ he also wore beneath his dress. Mark’s jaw dropped at the sight of them.
“Hey get off!” Jacob yelped, leaping away from his sister’s reach.
“Oh stop being such a fuss pot Jacob.” his mother said. “Your shorts are made to be seen.” she reminded him.
“But that doesn’t mean she can go lifting my dress up!” Jacob whined.
“I know… but it’s not as if you’ve only got your panties on.” his mother stated, before asking if the kitchen had been tidied.
“Yeah… dad’s just wiping the worktops.” Jacob replied.
“Thank you for helping Mark.” Lydia said.
“Yes well done Mark.” his mother added as he perched on the sofa beside her. She grabbed his handbag and put it in his hands. “You might want to redo your lipstick.” she quietly suggested.
“Do I have to?” Mark shyly asked.
“Well you’ve just eaten, so yes.” his mother told him.
Sheepishly he opened the bag and removed the small make-up bag, and from that he retrieved the compact (for its mirror), and his lipstick. “Oh don’t all stare at me!” he protested when he realised that everyone but Alfie was watching him.
“I think Jacob wants to see how it’s done… then he might start wearing his own.” Lydia replied.
“Have you got some make-up?” Charlotte asked. Jacob gulped and blushed.
“He’s got loads.” Claire informed her.
“But he’s reluctant to try it.” Lydia added.
“I don’t know what to do with it.” Jacob muttered.
“You’ve got your make-up for boys book.” his mother reminded him.
“Yeah but I only got that today.” Jacob replied.
“Maybe Mark can show you.” Lydia said.
“Mum did mine.” Mark claimed
“You did it yourself.” his mother stated.
“Yeah but you told me what to do… I wouldn’t have had a clue otherwise.” Mark said.
“Well I can show you what to do Jacob.” Charlotte offered. “It needn’t be the works… just some lipstick and foundation, to help hide your blushes.” she suggested. “It’ll only take a few minutes.”
“Oh that’s kind of you Charlotte.” Lydia said.
Jacob wasn’t so keen. “It’s bad enough having to wear a dress. I don’t want to wear make-up as well.”
“You’re beginning to sound awfully ungrateful Jacob.” Lydia stated. “On Christmas day of all days.” she added.
“Sorry.” Jacob said. “It’s just hard you know.” he frowned. “I’m not used to all this stuff.” he said, glaring down at his infantile attire. “I’m used to long trousers and no frills.”
“Well women wear the trousers these days Jacob.” his sister stated. “And there’s nothing you can do about it!” she snorted.
“It wasn’t so long ago we both wore trousers.” Jacob grumbled. “Until Mum put all mine in the bin.”
“It was the only way I could get you to wear your dresses.” his mother replied. “And once you’ve learned to wear them without moaning about them, I’ll occasionally let you wear pants again.” she added. “I’ll bet Mark didn’t moan when he was getting dressed today.”
“I did.” Mark told her as he put his make-up bag back in his handbag (having discreetly applied it when everyone was talking to Jacob). “I’d rather wear boys clothes.”
“You are wearing boy’s clothes.” Claire interjected.
“You know what I mean though.” Mark replied.
“Yes but you can’t fight progress.” Claire retorted.
“Claire’s right Mark.” his mother said. “And you didn’t moan that much when you were getting ready today.” she claimed, adding “Not so much I had to threaten to take your pants away.”
“But his dress is nice.” Jacob said.
“And so is yours Jacob.” Charlotte replied. “A very different style but lovely none-the-less.” she said. “In fact I’d love to get a photo of you both.”
“Oh no Mum.” Mark frowned.
“Oh go on.” she pestered. “You didn’t think I wouldn’t take a photo of you wearing your first dress did you?”
“Didn’t you get him one in the summer… for a wedding or something?” Lydia quizzed.
“That was just a skirt.” Charlotte replied. “…and one of those reverse shirts, with the buttons up the back.” she added.
“Oh I see.” Lydia said. “Well if you do take a photo, I think Jacob should put some make-up on first.” she suggested. “If you wouldn’t mind helping him?” she asked Charlotte.
“So long as Jacob doesn’t mind.” Charlotte replied. “It does wash off you know.” she said to Jacob.
Jacob glanced at Mark who sheepishly gulped and forced a smile. “OK.” Jacob sighed. With all his make-up in his bedroom, Charlotte and Jacob left and Mark was left alone with Lydia, Claire and little Alfie.