Being in a queue, a good handful of people were privy to the conversation. I reluctantly dug my hand onto the pink Mason’s Lingerie bag and removed the cellophane wrapped underwear set. “Is this one of those flat-bras?” Sarah asked me. I gulped and nodded. “It’s very pretty.” she said in a teasing tone. “And it comes with little knickers too!” she exclaimed. “I bet you can’t wait to try those on.”

“He’s got lots of nice new things today haven’t you.” my aunt said.

I gulped and nodded as we all shuffled forward. By this point, Sarah was at the front of the queue so her attention went to the lady behind the counter. Once she’d paid for her items (a vintage flight bag and a 70s Jackie annual), she turned and smiled as us. “See you on Monday Will.” she said to me, “Nice to meet you.” she said to my aunt, before leaving.

I placed the grey skirt suit on the counter and handed over a ten pound note. “She seems nice.” my aunt said as she watched Sarah exit the shop.

The lady behind the counter put my purchase in a carrier bag and popped the receipt in too, before passing it to me. I said thanks and we headed for the door. “She’s always teasing me at work.” I said, referring to Sarah.

“In what way?” my aunt asked. I explained and my aunt claimed that they sounded more like compliments than anything else. “And it is cute that you wear a bra.” my aunt added as she held the door open for a customer.

When we got back to my Aunt’s house, we unpacked all my new things; The skirt suit and shift dress were placed on coat hangers and hung in full view from my wardrobe door and my new underwear was placed on my bed. “Which do you want to try first?” my aunt asked, “The dress or the skirt?”

Recalling how horrendous the skirt looked with my knee highs, I opted for the dress. “Right, well you’ll need your slip.” my aunt said, “And do you want to try one of your new girdles?” she asked as she picked one up and ripped open the cellophane. “Oh look, it comes with suspender attachments too.” she said, holding up a little self seal baggy that contained four lengths of elastic, each with a hook on one end and a suspender clip on the other.

I commented on how tight he girdle felt as I squeezed my body inside it. My aunt said it’s supposed to be snug. “This will be lovely and warm in winter.” she said as she adjusted the shoulder straps for me. “I don’t think I’ve got any stockings, will tights be OK?” she asked as I pulled the white slip over my head.

“Er, yeah I think so.” I replied.