Cheryl looked taken a back. She thought before responding. “Well, I guess it was my idea that you started trying to enjoy dressing like a girl.. I mean… instead of just being Pete in a dress…” she paused, “…I just thought you might enjoy it a bit more… so I guess Mother was thinking along the same lines.” She pondered her words for moment. “She does want you to be happy you know. In spite of the petticoat punishment.”
She rubbed my knee again, I clasped her hand. “Well…. I suppose I do.” I thought about how I looked last night, all made up. Cheryl said nothing but squeezed my hand and smiled in a way which said everything. I smiled back, feeling defeated, but in a nice way. Cheryl grinned and hugged me. I hugged her back, but whispered, “I might have to hide in my room ’till she’s gone though…. you know…. play the shy little sister.”
“Fair enough.” Cheryl replied before hugging me again. “I’d better go and make her some breakfast.” She added, “But looking at you, she’ll not bat an eyelid.” Cheryl paused again. “And your voice still hasn’t broke so you could talk to her and still get away with it.” She advised before heading down stairs.
“This is going to take some getting used to!” I thought to myself as I contemplated being called Rebecca instead of Peter. “I wonder what Mother will think?” I slumped myself back on my bed and returned my attention to the magazine, instinctively straightening my frock as I did so. The elasticated sleeves had a habit of riding up unevenly which meant it needed constant attention. I seemed to be straightening my bra every five minutes or so too. Although I knew full well it was straight, I just felt a constant need to check!
By rights at this time on a Sunday I’d just be getting out of bed, grabbing some breakfast before going out on my bike or meeting up with friends (weather permitting). However Sunday’s weren’t the same any more, especially today, hiding out in my bedroom because one of Cheryl’s friends is here and I’m wearing a dress!
Eager for something to interest me I looked around my walls. Cheryl’s room is nothing like my old room, I had posters of cars and planes, a giant world map, all my books and what remained of my old toys… and camouflage curtains!
Cheryl’s room, or My room as I’ve come to know it is a whole different ball game. Cream wall paper with thin pink pinstripes, hardly noticeable but obviously there. Pink curtains with little flowers on and a matching duvet. Fortunately her posters had all gone (mime – fingers down throat to feign puking!!), but unfortunately a selection of her favourite cuddly toys remained, neatly arranged on her bookshelf.
Cheryl also had a selection of books, but none of them interested me. No Fast Cars Annual, no Age of Exploration, no war! Only girls books sat there; novels with meaningless titles, hair & make up books, pop annuals, books on what to wear and one called What Not To Wear! The best of the bad bunch was the Argos catalogue, so I slumped back on my bed and flicked through its endless pages of consumer goodies.
Having exhausted all the digital cameras, hi-fi’s, boys toys and everything else which half interested me, I inevitably ended up looking at the jewellery section and in particular, the earrings. Most of the choices available I didn’t like, or I couldn’t imagine wearing. However there were a few of the less ornate styles which looked OK, namely the small hoops and studs.
I heard a knock on the door. I looked up as Cheryl popped her head round it and said, “I’m gonna walk Tina to the bus stop in a minute so you don’t have to feel trapped much longer.”
I smiled and said thanks.
“Choosing earrings are we?” She grinned, noticing the page I had the catalogue open on.
“Er… Just looking.” I replied shyly. “I haven’t any money so….”
“Yeah” Relied Cheryl, knowing full well my pocket money was a thing of the past. “Well I could dig out some of mine if you’d like?” She offered.
I smiled and nodded in acceptance of her offer.
“Great.” She said. By this time she was stood fully in my room, with the door wide open, although I wasn’t visible from the landing so I thought nothing of it. “I can post them to you because I’m not likely be back until Christmas.” She explained.