We leant on the balustrade and looked down at the muddy bank. Even at low tide, numerous small boats make their way up and down the river. Terrie hands me her cigarette. “Can you hold that, I’m bursting for the loo.” she said. I took it and she darted indoors. I turned my eyes to the river and enjoyed the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair.

“AC/DC were amazing last night weren’t they?” a voice said. I turned to see Jenna stood beside me. She opens a pack of L&B and removes a cigarette.

“Err… I stammer, trying to find my girl voice. “…yeah, excellent!” I gulped. She smiled and lit her cigarette. I nervously toked on mine. She complimented my nail varnish.

“Thanks.” I bashfully said, splaying out my fingers to glaring at my nails.

She smiled at me. “I noticed you in the crowd last night and thought she looks cool… then almost in an instant I realised you weren’t a girl and thought… he looks cool!” she told me. My jaw dropped a little. “S’okay.” she assured. “I think guys should be able to wear whatever they want.” she said. “Us girls can wear boy’s clothes and I’m all for equality.” she smiled.

I could feel the blood rush to my head. “Cool.” I croaked, before taking a trembling toke on my roll-up. She looked me up and down. “I’ve never done it before yesterday.” I told her. She looked surprised. “Well… my sister and her friend dressed me up a couple of times when I was younger.” I added. “I don’t make a habit of it.” I gulped.

“You should.” she said, glancing down at my floaty frock and slender legs. “You wear it well.”

“Thanks.” I coyly replied. I could feel the blood rush to my cheeks. She complimented my hair. “It’s not usually like this.” I gulped, nervously thumbing a strand or two. I didn’t know what to do but something inside me did. I opened my handbag and removed my phone and showed her a photo of me. “That’s how I normally look.”

A broad grin swept her face as she looked at the selfie of me and my sister. It was taken on my birthday. I’m grinning proudly, showing off my AC/DC ticket. “Cool T-shirt.” she said, pointing out the Saxon tee I’m sporting in the photograph. “My dad’s got a few of their albums.”

“On vinyl?” I asked. She nodded and handed the phone back. “Cool.” I said. “Mine are only on CD.” I added.

“Nowt wrong with that.” she smiled. “Can I ask what your real name is?” she said. “I’m guessing it’s not really Matilda.”

“Err… Matthew, or Matty.” I confessed.

“Ah so that’s why you went for Matilda.” she grinned. “Tilly suits you.” she said.

“’specially when I’m dressed like this.” I coyly replied.

“You look nice.” she said. “I love that dress.”

“It’s my sister’s.” I told her.

Terrie returned and greeted Jenna, apprehensively introducing herself again as I handed her her roll-up. “Err…” I began. “Jenna was just telling me that she thinks it’s cool for guys to dress like this.” I informed her.

“Oh.” Terrie replied, seeming a little astonished. “Cool.” she said.

“Terrie did my make up for the gig last night.” I told Jenna. Terrie told her that I did my own today. “With plenty of help from my sister.” I bashfully added. I could feel myself blushing and couldn’t think of anything else to say. Jenna asked which one was my sister. “Izzy.” I said, briefly describing her attire.

“Thought so. I can see the likeness.” Jenna replied. “Soo… you been to any other gigs?” she asked.

“This was my first proper one.” I said.

“Mine too.” Jenna smiled.

“It’s gonna take some beating.” I figured.

Jenna agreed as some movement inside the café caught her attention “Looks like our food’s arrived.” she said. “Have you ordered?”

“We’ve already eaten.” I replied. Jenna seemed disappointed.

“So are err…. you guys hanging about or heading back up to Derbyshire?” she cautiously asked, whilst trying to make it sound casual.

“Err…” I replied.

“We’re gonna hang out… maybe see the Cutty Sark and go up to observatory.” Terrie said. “And head back this afternoon.”

“Cool.” Jenna smiled. “We’ll maybe see you about.” she said, before saying that the foot tunnel is cool “…if you like that sort of thing.” she added.

“We’ll check it out.” I shyly replied, having no idea if we would or not. “Maybe see you down there.” I added.

“We’ve already done it. Our hotel’s over the river.”

“Where’ve you come from?” I asked.

“Atherstone.” she replied. My blank expression prompted her to add “…in Warwickshire.”

“Cool.” I said, having no idea if Atherstone is indeed cool or not. I raised my hand and the phone in its palm. I often do a quick map search of places I don’t know… but then decided not to.

“Well…” Jenna said, glancing indoors. “…if we don’t bump into you guys up at the observatory… can I give you my number?” she suggested, glancing at my mobile phone. “We could maybe hook up on FaceBank or something.”

“Err… sure.” I replied, glancing at Terrie. She claimed she was chilly and went inside. I opened my contacts and began to type Jenna’s name. She read me her number and I punched in the digits. “Saved.” I said, bashfully smiling at her.

“Cool.” she said. “I’d better go in.”

“Me too.” I replied and followed her.

My sister and Cat were clearly ready to leave. I checked that the bill had been paid before we all bid farewell to Jenna and her friends and made our exit. “Were you two exchanging numbers?” my sister asked as the café door swung shut.

“She gave me hers.” I said. “She knew I was a guy.” I added

“I see.” my sister replied.

“…and she thought I was cool.” I proudly stated.

“Well she wouldn’t have given you her number otherwise.” my sister grinned. “Does she know that your tits aren’t real?” she chuckled.

“I’d forgotten about them!” I said. “They’re not wonky are they?”

Isabel laughed and assured me they were fine, adding “They’re little and cute and they suit you.”

Cat and Terrie were a few paces head. “Where next?” Cat asked. “The boat or the observatory?”

“The tunnel’s cool… apparently.” I said.

“The tunnel of love?” Terrie grinned.