Over the next few days, Peter dons the pop socks and tap shoes and practises with his sister in the garden. Mother is happy that they finally have something in common, but isn’t too sure about the Mary Jane style tap shoes and white pop socks he seems happy enough to wear.

The following week, Sally takes her brother to her tap dancing class and introduces him to Miss Baxter, the dance teacher.

“Welcome Peter. You want to learn to tap dance?” she smiles, he nods nervously. “It’ll be nice having a boy here for once.” she says, before asking him if he’s had any classes before.

“Sally’s been teaching me some steps.” Peter replies as he nervously glances around the room, feeling a little out of place.

“And he’s really good!” Sally interjects proudly. “He picked up the basics in minutes.”

“Do you have any tap shoes?” the teacher asks.

“Er….” Peter unzipped his bag and removes his shoes. “I’ve been using these.”

“They’re my old ones.” Sally explains, “Mum said she’ll buy him his own if he sticks at it.”

The teacher takes the shoes and inspects them. “These are fine for now.” she replies. “How do you find dancing in heels?”

“OK.” Peter replies honestly. “They’re not high.” he reckoned.

“Well, lets get started.” the teacher says, passing him his shoes. “The changing room is through that door, so you go and get ready and we’ll see you in a minute.”

Clutching his shoes, Peter walks across the floor towards the changing room as all the girls eye him with suspicion. The changing room is empty so Peter gets himself ready for his first formal tap dancing class. He knows he’s in female territory and as such, is clearly self conscious as he steps out into the studio. A gabble of sniggers echoed around the studio as he noisily walks in his tap shoes towards his sister, who’s grinning face is as welcoming as ever.

“You look great Peter.” she says, looking him up and down before glancing around the class nervously.

Peter blushes and looks down at himself, clad in the same black leotard and short skirt that Sally and all the other girls wear. He nervously looks around the studio as he feels the eyes of each and every one of them focus on him. Some giggle and point, some glance and whisper whilst others just stand and stare. He knows he’s out of place, and they know it too. He looks back at Sally who smiles reassuringly.

“Now now girl’s, we’re here to dance and not snigger.” the teacher states loudly before getting them all in lines to do their warm up and stretching exercises.

Once the class gets under way, Peter looses his inhibitions and tries his best to keep up. Miss Baxter claps out the timing as she shouts instructions such as “on the beat!” and “with grace Lauren!”. Peter is chuffed as she occasionally shouts “Very good Peter.”