The lamp she’d turned on is a new one, and I don’t like it. It’s too bright for a start and has a revolving shade that casts a pink & lilac glow across the walls and ceiling. “At least it’s not Princesses,” I said as I followed a silhouette of Tinker Bell scroll across the wall.

“This is all your fault,” Peter said.

I gulped, turned onto my side and wished with all my heart that I’d wake up and it would all have been a dream. I fell asleep to the sound of my twin brother quietly sobbing.

No sooner had I fallen to sleep I woke up. It was early, but I wasn’t sure how early. I looked at the window. It was daylight. My nightie had scrunched up to my waist, which meant it really wasn’t a dream. I straightened it out as best I could. I hadn’t noticed the curtains last night. They were much thinner than our old ones, and like our bedding, they too have the Disney princess all over them. I felt guilty for feeling kind of nice waking up wearing a slinky slidey nightie, under an equally slidey duvet cover. After a while of dwelling in my silky bliss… I began to feel an urge. This brought the sudden realisation that I was also wearing a nappy and that the bathroom door was locked. I hung on for as long as I could but eventually had to let go. It was weird. After the initial flood had lost it’s warmth, it felt strangely dry down there.. full, yet dry.

Eventually, my brother woke up. “What time is it?” he groaned when he noticed I was awake.

“Dunno… we haven’t got a clock anymore.” I replied.

“Do you think Mum will make go to school wearing those?” he asked as he stared at the two school dresses hanging opposite our beds.

“Not if we’re good.” I gulped. I imagined the shame I’d experience, entering the bustling schoolyard wearing the girl’s uniform and everyone pointing and laughing at me. I buried my head beneath my duvet and longed for another reality, but all I could think about was the prospect of having to wear girls clothes both in and out of school.