We finished our meal and headed down the high street. The search for shoes began in John Lewis but the suitable styles were deemed too expensive for just one day. We exited the store and Mother deliberated which shoe shop to try next. Judy suggested the bridal shop, since the style I’m looking for are essentially bridesmaid’s shoes, but Mother said they’d be far too expensive in there. “He’ll only be wearing them once so lets try Primark.” she suggested.
With a vast selection and inexpensive prices, we soon found something suitable in the discount clothing store. The shoes I ended up with are almost identical to the black ballet style shoes my sister (and many other girls) wear for school, only the ones I ended up with are white and are decorated with a little white bow on the front. Judy got some new shoes too; a pair of lilac baseball style plimsolls with powder pink laces, and once again, the cashier assumed both pairs of shoes were for my sister. “Have you tried these on?” the cashier asked. Mother and Judy nodded and the cashier pointed out that each pair was clearly a different size.
“Oh, er… yes.” my mother sheepishly replied, glancing at me before returning her gaze to the cashier, then she dropped the bombshell.
“I see!” the cashier replied. “You’re the talk of the town!” she said. “Are you looking forward to it?”
“I guess.” I gulped. Although more specifically, I’m looking forward to it all being over.
“We’re very proud of him.” Mother smiled. “Although he is a little nervous.. aren’t you.”
“Very.” I replied.
“I’m not surprised!” the cashier retorted. “But don’t let that bother you… my sister was May Queen a decade ago and she was nervous too.”
My mother had previously claimed that everyone who’s selected as May Queen gets nervous because it’s such a great honour. Maybe she’s right. Maybe if I was a proper girl I’d still be nervous? All I know is I’m not a girl and that fact is why I’m crapping myself. The cashier wished me the best of luck on Monday and politely, I thanked her. We left the store and finally made our way home.
Father asked if I’d enjoyed my ballet class and I half-heartedly told him about the full dress rehearsal and that I have to make a speech too. “It’ll all be over on Monday son.” he said.
“Yeah I know.” I mumbled.
Mother showed him the shoes she’d bought me. “I hope these weren’t expensive.” Father said. “He’ll only wear them once.” he added.
“Eight quid from Primark.” Mother replied before informing him that she’d bought Judith a new pair of plimsolls too. She was full of airs and graces as she told my Father how pretty and delightful I looked in my dress and claimed that she even felt a little bit tearful. “It’s just a dress Mother.” I told her.
“It’s more than just a dress Vincent.” she stated. I know she’s right.
On Sunday, the day before the big day, I felt a bit down. The weather was over cast and so was my mood. In the back of my mind I hoped it’d rain and rain… and rain, and rain… so much so that the May Day parade would be cancelled. Mother asked me why I was being so quiet and I told her the truth. “Do you think Benjimin and Antony are as nervous as I am?” I asked.
“Probably.” Mother replied. “I expect the girls are nervous too.” she added.
“I know but… they’re used to wearing dresses and everyone’s seen them wearing dresses.” I glumly claimed. “Everyone’s going to laugh at me.”
“I assure you they won’t Vincent… and plenty of people have seen you in your Brownie uniform.”
“I know but that’s not really nice like my May Queen dress.”
Mother smiled and agreed. “It’s nice to hear you admitting that it’s nice… you never know, you might even enjoy wearing it at this rate.” she smiled.
“I doubt it.” I gulped.
