At age twelve I had become a good violinist and I was allowed to play in the GHS orchestra and became an indispensable member with many good friends among the girls who accepted me as part of the team. I was very much the envy of my school friends and often played postman taking love letters back and forth between the two schools. The GHS orchestra was where my first cross-dress story actually began.

When the end of year prize-giving came up, the head mistress refused to let me play in the orchestra as she felt it was not right for a boy to be in the girl’s orchestra. My teacher was furious and phoned my mum who was equally angry. “We should dress him up as a girl then no one would know” said my mother half joking. My music teacher being a lady of quick brain said: “well why not?”

After much discussion the head was consulted and she agreed on condition the “girl” was absolutely authentic and indistinguishable from any of the real girls in the orchestra. I was duly told of the plan and needless to say flatly refused, on principle, but was inwardly beside myself with delight! I knew I could pull it off, as I was at that time slight of build, fairly short, and fair with pink cheeks and fine features. I had not yet developed a beard, which was to help matters, and my voice had not “broken” and was still a sweet girlish treble.