“I’ve already got two dance classes a week… and Saturday’s the only day I’ve really got to myself.” William replied. “The downside of staying at St Flick’s is that I’m supposed to wear my Sunday dress every Sunday.”
“Yeah, that and about a million others.” Andrew grunted.
“I know.” William agreed. “I’ve just got used to all the other downsides… and I’d much rather play netball than rugby at this time of year.”
“There is that.” Andrew replied. “Is that your Mum shouting?”
William turned the radio down. “William!” his mother shouts again.
“Yeah?” he replied, opening the door and leaning over the balustrade.
“WE need to go into town soon… does Andrew want to come?” she asked.
“Er… Mum’s asking if you wanna come into town with us.”
“Nah… I’ve already been once.” Andrew replied, but he refrained from telling William what for. “I’d better get home.” he said.
The boy’s descended the stairs. Andrew pushed his arms into the sleeves of his sister’s dress coat. What are we going to town for Mum?” William asked.
“Well… now you’re staying at St Felicity’s, I thought I’d treat you to a new Sunday dress… I saw a lovely one in Debenham’s window.”
“Do I need another one?” William gulped.
“Well you can’t wear the same one every week… that’d be boring.” his mother said.
William gulped and bit his lip. He glanced at his friend. “Errr… I’d better get home.” Andrew said. “I’ll see you soon?”
“Sure… I’ll come round one night after school if you want.”
“OK.” Andrew replied. He walked home feeling a little glum. It’s not going to be the same at Cromwell Road without his best mate. He wondered for a moment if he too should have accepted a permanent place at St Felicity’s but quickly decided he’d made the right decision. It’s OK for William, he can dress like a boy at home. For Andrew, the only place he can dress like a boy is when he goes back to Cromwell Road… the rest of the time it’s going to be girl’s clothes and a girl’s room.
He arrived home and told his mother that William had decided to stay at St Felicity’s. “Now that surprises me.” his mother retorted. “Still it is a much better school than Cromwell Road.” she added. “And talking of Cromwell Road… look what I dug out.”
Andrew gorped at the familiar box pleated skirt and gulped. “I don’t have to wear that do I?” he feared.
“Of course.” his mother replied. Andrew bit his lip and spent the remainder of the weekend dreading going back to Cromwell Road. On Monday morning his mother put out some clean underwear; knickers, training bra and white pelerine knee socks. She tells him to get dressed before coming down for breakfast…
“If I’d known I had to wear this I’d have stayed at St Flick’s with William.” Andrew moaned as he sauntered into the kitchen wearing the grey box pleated skirt with white pelerine knee socks and his Mary Jane shoes.
“Oh Andrew!” his mother giggled. “I didn’t mean you had to wear that skirt at school… it’s for after school, when you’re doing your homework.”
“Seriously?” Andrew asked. His mother grinned and nodded. “Oh thank god for that.” he exclaimed.
“You wouldn’t be allowed to wear the girl’s uniform at Cromwell Road even if you wanted to.” his mother told him, before suggesting he return to his room and put his trousers and normal school shoes on
Andrew bounced out of the kitchen before stopping and turning. “But… why did you put out my girlie undies when I’m wearing the boy’s uniform?” he quizzed.
“You always wear girlie undies.” she replied.
“Only when I’m wearing girl’s clothes.” he claimed. His mother shook her head and told him that now he’s allowed to wear boy’s clothes for school, he still has to wear his girlie underwear beneath them.
“Even my bra?”
“Yes… especially your training bra.” his mother replied. “Now go and get changed, you don’t want to be late on your first day back.” she smiled