Janet is dumbstruck when she sees her brother wearing one of her dresses. Her jaw drops. She gasps. “Why are you wearing my things?” she asks in a most accusational tone. David does nothing but blush. Janet turns to the door and yells “Mu-um! He’s wearing one of my dresses!”

Their mother had already followed Janet up the stairs and eavesdropped from the landing. She steps into view. “He is.” she says, before informing Janet that it was her idea. “Putting him in a dress ensured that he’d stay in his room and not pester you and your friends… and now your friends have gone we can all go downstairs and enjoy the rest of the day as family.” she explained, turning to the crimson cheeked boy. “Why don’t you give Janet a twirl so she can see how pretty you look?”

David didn’t move a muscle. “Can I take it off now.” he whined.

“Not yet, let’s have some cake first.” he mother replied. “Come on… I won’t take no for an answer.”

 

 

I felt so stupid as I followed my mother down to the kitchen. My sister followed me and teased me, telling me how pretty I look. The dining table is full of bowls and plates bearing a scattering of crisps, half-eaten cakes and sandwiches, sausages and pineapple on cocktail sticks and a large bowl bearing half a jelly. In the centre is the remnants of her birthday cake covered in pink icing. Mum offers me a slice and I nod, but make sure that my lower lip remains out as a statement of my disdain. Mum gives me one of those looks. “Yes please.” I murmur. Mum cuts me a slice and put it on a paper plate. It, like the cake is pink. I take a hesitant nibble and like all cake, it’s sugary and sweet. I take a bite and my mother asks me if it’s nice. I nod and chomp.