Before long he found himself trying on a pair of the regular school shorts. Similar to the PE skort, the box pleated shorts looked like a skirt from most angles. However, these ‘shorts’ had a single button and zip at the back. Michael couldn’t fathom why they fastened at the back rather than the front but figured he’d be able to stand and pee via one of the wide pleated legs.

Michael grew increasingly nervous as the shop assistant took a tape measure and measured the distance from the hem to his knee. “That’s well within guidelines.” She said as the tape auto retracted back into its metal casing. “There’s also a two-inch and a six-inch inside leg…” She said to his mother who stood admiring his new school shorts. “Those are four-inch.” She added.

Karen asked her son which he’d like, but he couldn’t offer an informed opinion so she said, “Well I think the shorter ones are nicer, so we’ll have a couple of two-inch legs and those he’s wearing.” She smiled. “We can get you some longer ones in the winter if need be.”