Both Nanny Mitchel and Mrs Hegitey fell silent again, as Nanny Mitchel revealed that Patricia was not really a girl of such.
Although slightly flabbergasted, logical thinking soon took over.
Bearing this in mind it came as no great surprise to Mrs Hegitey that Patricia was not really a girl.
Certain characteristics had been noticed in Patricia that made her a little different from others.
This especially had been noticed whilst she was being measured for her new shoes.
For a start, Mrs Hegitey had noticed Patricia’s voice was a little different from that of other girls.
Then there were other factors such as Patricia’s mannerisms and other things Mrs Hegitey could just not put her fingers on.
“I do hope you do not mind me asking,” began Mrs Hegitey,” but if Patricia is not really a girl, what is she?
This was a question that Nanny Mitchel had half been dreading, as to be honest she really did not have an answer.
However, she had also been expecting this line of questioning so in a way she was prepared
Eventually, Nanny Mitchel Answered
“We do not know yet,” came her response.
Once again silence fell in the room as if this was a doctor’s surgery with Mrs Hegitey being the medical professional about to make a diagnosis.
At this time it was decided that myself and cousin karen would be better off out of the room and out of earshot, after all it was not as if they were talking to us.
It was a common practice that when the grown-ups were talking, us little ones were never invited into the conversation.
In fact, in general, we were totally ignored.
Once again “Seen and not heard.” is the expression that springs to mind.
However, this was undoubtedly one of those conversations that we were not supposed to hear.
Mrs Hegitey, who appeared to be, at least for now, a little less stern than Nanny Mitchel turned her attention to both myself and cousin Karen.
In a teacher-like fashion, we had both heard before, she said those immortal words.
Could you two wait outside my office, please?
Normally this type of sentence would be said to one who was awaiting some kind of chastisement.
However neither myself or cousin Karen had anything to fear as neither of us had done anything wrong.
Both myself and Karen left Mrs Hegiteys office.
“And no squabbling,” interjected Nanny Mitchel as we walked out.
Once out of earshot, the conversation between Nanny Mitchel and Mrs Hegitey resumed.
Mrs Hegitey had come to the conclusion that this was a very delicate situation.
She had thus decided that she was going to treat it as such.
In her imagination, it was as if she was talking to a parent of a problem pupil at the school she had once taught at.
With this in mind, Mrs Hegitey was secretly enjoying her revitalized role of deputy headmistress.
However, the seriousness of the situation was not to be ignored.
“Would you care for more tea Mrs Mitchel,” Mrs Hegitey offered in a kindly manner as if it were the time for tea and sympathy.
“I had better not” Nanny Mitchel responded. “I will spend the day wanting to spend a penny if I drink any more tea,” she continued.
So now it was down to the nitty gritty of what exactly I was.
Nanny Mitchel was not being as forward with information as she normally was, however, Mrs Hegitey was fairly used to coaxing out information that she felt she needed to know.
“So if you do not know what gender Patricia is,” began Mrs Hegitey, ” Have you taken her to a doctor?”
Nanny Mitchel gave a slight sigh.
“Patricia has been taken to all the Psychologists, doctors, and specialists known in the area,” responded Nanny Mitchel. ” She has even had an evaluation in Harley street,” she continued. All of them have come to the conclusion that there is absolutely nothing wrong with her.
Mrs Hegitey listened intently to what Nanny Mitchel was saying.
“Please continue,” said Mrs Hegitey.
“Well, unfortunately, Patricia lost her father a year or so ago and her mother has since then had a lot of difficulty coping with her behavior.
Mrs Hegitey noticed that Nanny Mitchel was a little distraught by mentioning this.
Carefully she asked the question.
“Was Patricia’s father your son Mrs Mitchel?
“Yes,” came Nanny Mitchel’s response with a little teer in her eye.
“I am so very sorry,” responded Mrs Hegitey.
It appeared that Nanny Mitchel had not gotten over the death of her one and only son and it was likely she never would.
Nanny Mitchel was now on a roll, pouring her heart out to her new friend Mrs Hegitey.
She told her how my mother now had a new man in her life and how she really did not care for him.
She explained that the new man in my mothers life was nothing less than a bully and a coward.
It was at this time Nanny Mitchel started to find her inner strength.
“I am not having that man replace my son as Patricia’s father,” said Nanny Mitchel in a firm no-nonsense manner. “It has been decided that if they can not bring her up, then I will.”
Mrs Hegitey now remembered my slip of the tongue whilst being measured for my shoes.
Mrs Mitchel, Is Patricia’s name really Peter? enquired Mrs Hegitey.
This question surprised Nanny Mitchel as she could not work out how Mrs Hegitey knew my real boy’s name.
Mrs Hegitey had already sensed this.
“Patricia told me in the shoe measuring room that her name was Peter, only to be quickly corrected by Karen,”
Nanny Mitchel was fairly astounded that Mrs Hegitey had taken the time to get to know both her granddaughters names including my old boy’s name.
Nanny Mitchel continued as she was now in full flow.
“Yes, Patricia’s name is really Peter. However, I am a great believer in starting as I mean to carry on. The moment she arrived at my house yesterday she had her old clothes thrown away, she was dressed in more suitable attire and was from then on called Patricia.”
Nanny Mitchel then continued.
“I do not want Patricia to grow up like all those other wretched urchins, that terrorize others and that are rude and uncouth like the bullies that you had to remove from your shop earlier. Furthermore, Patricia is far more of a gentle soul and is nothing like those awful types. She does not like things like football, fighting, war games or anything other like those types like. Patricia prefers doll houses, skipping games, and dress-up games.
Mrs Hegitey was now starting to get a clearer picture of just where Nanny Mitchel was coming from.
Years ago, whilst being a deputy headmistress, she had witnessed a few who were of a similar disposition to Patricia.
These types did not fit into the stereotypical macho behavior that was expected of all boys at the time and as a result, were far more gentle and passive.
Mrs Hegitey had always been sympathetic to these particular pupils and had always wanted to help them.
If she heard that one of these particular pupils was being picked on, she would punish the perpetrator of the bullying quite severely.
This punishment would normally be carried out with a cane.
It was at this time Mrs Hegitey saw an opportunity to assist Nanny Mitchel.
This was however not entirely for selfless reasons.
Whereas Mrs Hegitey could sense Nanny Mitchel’s dilemmas and did so want to genuinely help, she also sensed that this could be an opportunity for her to return to her once chosen profession of teaching.
“What are you going to do about Patricias Schooling Miss Mitchel?” asked Mrs Hegitey.
Although Nanny Mitchel had already tried to think this all through, once again she did not really know what she was going to do about my schooling.
One thing was for sure.
Nanny Mitchel realized that I could not be sent back to my present education establishment.
Going back to my day school was completely out of the question, for if I was to return there, my life would be made a living hell.
What with two of the worst of the school bullies seeing me dressed up in a mint green skirt and paraded around the town in this attire, as well as the bullying I had otherwise occurred, I would never have survived normal schooling.
It had been decided a much more gentler approach was needed.
However, what this gentle approach would be remained to be seen.
On Nanny Mitchels Megre pension she certainly could not afford a private tutor.
Bearing this in mind, Nanny Mitchel had thought about home tutoring me herself
However, Nanny Mitchel was not that well academically educated and thus did not really know if she could manage the task.
She had thought of seeking the help of Aunty Shirley.
However, it appeared that Aunty Shirley was always busy with her church activities.
Bearing this in mind Nanny Mitchel did not like to ask.
It now appeared that there may be a solution to this current dilemma.
It was as if both Mrs Hegitey and Nanny Mitchel were thinking the same thing.
“As I have said Mrs Mitchel,” began Mrs Hegitey, “I retire in a few week’s time from this dreadful shoe shop. I would gladly help you with Patricia’s education if you wish me to.”
With some embarrassment Nanny Mitchel informed Mrs Hegitey that she appreciated her kind offer, however, she could not afford to pay her.
“Who said anything about payment?” interjected Mrs Hegitey. “It would be an absolute pleasure to tutor Patricia.”
“Are you sure?” replied Nanny Mitchel.
“Yes of course I am sure,” came Mrs Hegitey’s response.”It would be simply delightful for me to return to teaching in my latter years.”
It appeared that Mrs Hegitey was excited by the prospect of returning to her chosen profession.
Are you sure you will not join me for another cup of tea Miss Mitchel? asked Mrs Hegitey
This time around Nanny Mitchel gladly accepted this offer.
There was now a lot to discuss.
