“What is it?” I asked as she slid the bag towards me.

“Something for a rainy day.” she smiled.

I bit my lip as I lifted the garment from the bag. “Oh mu-um.” I bashfully commented.

“Do you like it?” she asked. “I know it’s a bit of a step up from your sailor dress but…” she paused as my jaw slowly dropped. “…and now spring’s just around the corner… I thought it would nice to have a new one.” she added. I was kinda gob smacked. I really wasn’t expecting it. “Well… what do think?” she asked again. “It’s not too girlie is it?”

“Er… it’d be better without those bows.” I gulped.

“I like the one on the collar but I wasn’t so sure about these either.” she said, taking hold of the skirt and thumbing one of the bows. “Thinking about it, I never did get round to taking the bow off your sailor dress.”

“I know.” I said, although I have got used to it being there.

 

“I got you a little something else too.” she said, dipping her hand deep into the bag and removing a small carrier bag. Again I asked what it was, expecting socks or tights. “Well.. you might not want them.” she said as I took it from her. “But it doesn’t seem right somehow… not having anything nice to wear underneath.”

I peered inside the bag before dipping my hand inside. I removed and unfolded a pair of knickers and a matching training bra; white, trimmed with frilly red lace and decorated with a cherry pattern. Beneath these, a pair of white ankle socks with half an inch of frilly lace trim around the ankles. “These look really girlie Mum.” I shyly stated.

 

“I know.” Mum said as a bashful smile swept her face. “You remember when I said that I sometimes wished you were a girl… so could buy you nice things?”

“Yeah.”

“Well… now I can.” she smiled. “If you’ll let me?”

I smiled and nodded. Shopping with mother would never be the same again.