Meanwhile up in Butterworth, Peter is sat at the dining room table finishing off his homework. His mother pops in to check he’s OK and not watching YouTube videos instead of studying. “Did you get in touch with Noel?” she asks.
“Yeah… and Carol.” Peter replied. “I think I did a stupid thing though.”
“What?”
“I sent him a photo of me in my uniform… and I’m worried he’ll show it to everyone.”
“Well did you ask him not to?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t realise that Carol was looking over his shoulder… so now she’s seen it too.”
“What did Carol say?”
“She said I looked cute.” Peter sighed, “…but I think she was just teasing me.”
“Which photo did you send?” his mother asked. Peter dug it out and showed her. “You should have sent the one from September. It’s much nicer.”
“Hmmmmm, nah.” Peter replied. “I’m wearing knee socks in that one and I hate knee socks!”
“Well you’ll be back in them when spring arrives.” his mother stated.
“I’d rather wear tights all year.” Peter sighed.
“They’ll be far too warm in summer.” his mother informed him as she cast her eyes up his legs; clad in thick cable knit tights.
“I’ll wear thinner ones than these.” he stated. His mother told him that even 30 denier tights would be too warm. “OK.” Peter conceded. “But if I have to wear knee socks, can you get me some plain ones?” he asked. “I hate those pelerine ones.”
“Well now you’re shaving it’d nice to get some sun on them.” his mother replied. “Anyway I was thinking of ankle socks rather than knee socks.” she added. “…with a little bit of lace around the cuffs.” she teased.
“I’m thinking I’d rather risk boiling to death in my tights.” Peter dryly retorted. He cast his mind back to his first week at his new school. He felt so out-of-place wearing a skirt for the first time and the fact that all the other boys wore one too really didn’t help. Some wore the regulation bottle green tights, some wore ankle socks and some like him wore knee socks in either white or bottle green. The fact that his mother had a strong preference for white pelerine knee socks didn’t help either… especially when most knee sock wearing boys seemed to wear socks with a plain knit. Girlie knee socks and a short skirt left far too much of his pale hairy legs exposed. His mother, sister and some classmates all encouraged him to shave them but Peter was adamant that he wouldn’t. It was only after donning tights in the autumn that he decided to shave, and that was purely for comfort reasons.
“Have you got sports or dance tomorrow?” his mother asked.
“Dance.” he grumbled in a disparaging tone.
“When do you have sports next?”
“Friday.” he replied, adding “Hockey. Give me rugby any day.”
“You hated rugby.”
“I know… but hockey’s worse.”
“Because of the skirt?”
“No because if the sticks!” he replied. “It’s carnage… have you seen the state of my shins?” he added. “I wish we could wear tights for hockey…. it’s freezing!”
“They wouldn’t last very long.” his mother tittered. “Anyway it’ll toughen your legs up.” she added. “I’ve noticed plenty of kids braving the winter in knee socks.”
“Some of the girls are still wearing ankle socks!” he exclaimed. His mother told him they’ve probably toughened up over the years. “Yeah maybe.” he said.
“Did you have ballet on Tuesday?”
“Yeesss.” he drolled. Why is she even asking?
“Have you got ballet again tomorrow?” she enquired.
“Yeesss.” he apathetically sighed.
“And you put your tights, knickers and leotard in the wash?” she asked.
“Errr… I’ll check.” he replied.
“Well can you check now because I’m about to put a wash on.”
“Yeah.” he said. He got up and trotted to his room. His plaid pleats bounced off his lap as he bounded up the stairs. It wasn’t too long ago he daren’t do anything but walk slowly and cautiously in his two inch heels. These days he’s completely accustomed to them. In his room, he digs out his dance bag and lo & behold, inside is his leotard, tights and the hateful control knickers. His pink satin ballet shoes have been cooped up in there too. He ties a loose knot in their ribbons and hangs them from the hook on his door for an airing, before taking the rest of his dance kit downstairs.