“Have you got everything in your purse Andrew?” Mother asked. I nodded. “You sure, lip stick, gloss, foundation, mirror, spare stockings?” I nodded again and she suggested I reapply my lipstick before we set off. She asked Vincent the same, but said handbag instead of purse before supervising me as I topped up my candy pink lipstick, then painted a shimmering layer of gloss over it. “Lovely.” Mother said. “Now try not to lick it off, otherwise you’ll spend all afternoon applying it.” she advised, before busy-bodying inside her own handbag.
“How do you do that?” I asked as I watched Vincent apply his lipstick without using a mirror.
“Practice.” he replied as he popped the lid back on his lippy and dropped inside his handbag. Why he gets a normal black leather handbag with handles and I get a pink purse thing I don’t know. After all the times I’ve thought that Vincent was getting the shitty end of the stick by having to wear prettier and prissier dresses that I ever had to wear, today the tables are turned. He’s the one in ‘normal’ clothes and I’m most definitely the prissy sissy.
We prepared to leave and I reached for my jacket as we passed through the hallway. “Andrew you’re not wearing that.” Mother said.
“But I need something.” I replied.
“Nonsense, it’s a lovely day.” she told me as she opened the front door to reveal a lovely day. She remotely opened the car before locking up the house. I trotted as fast as I dare and jumped inside. Vincent was a lot more casual as he approached the car. Mother looked at me and shook her head. “In the back Andrew.” she said.
“What!?” I thought. I always sit in the front because I’m the oldest.
“In the back!” Mother ordered. “It’s Vincent’s big day so he’s in the front.”
I frowned and opened the door. Every second outside on the street I risk exposure. I quickly climbed out and opened the back door and got myself inside as quick as I could. Vincent climbed in the front seat, fastened his seat belt, then waved out of the window. I looked to see what he was waving at and noticed Vanessa in her bedroom window, grinning and waving. I wanted to die. But I guess she’s not a gossip like Lauren. It wouldn’t be quite so bad if my bra didn’t show so much, I thought. “Then again there’s still this ribbon in my hair.” I figured as I moved part of it off my face and back where it should be… in amongst my masses of curly locks!