Before long Michael found himself dressed fully in his new uniform. “I look like such a girl in this mum.” He sulked, sounding almost on the verge of tears.

“Of course you don’t.” His mother replied. “You look like a very smart schoolboy.” She added. “Come on, I want to take a photo of you.”

“Oh, mum.” He moaned as she took him to the hallway and stood him by the front door. She armed herself with her camera, took several photos, insisted he smiled and took several more.

“Let’s get one with the overcoat on.” She suggested, passing him the double-breasted black coat.

Michael fiddled with the buttons and fastened the belt before looking at his reflection in the large hallway mirror. The coat had an a-line cut below the waist and it just covered his shorts, leaving his pale thin legs fully exposed. The fact it covered the effeminate shorts was a bonus, but it looked like he’d just forgotten to put his pants on. His mother took several photos of him wearing his coat and asked him if he liked it. “Not really.”