“You won’t if you’re careful.” Mum said. “And just blow the ash off instead of wiping it.” she suggested. I needed the loo so went indoors anyway. Mum hollered something about handbags as I tottered through the kitchen to the downstairs loo. On the way back I grabbed both handbags from the kitchen table before going outside. “I wasn’t sure if you said yours or mine so I brought both.” I said, passing Mum hers.
“I said both.” Mum replied as she took her handbag from me. “Since you’re not getting changed…” she said as she delved into her bag, “…you need to re-apply.” she said as she routed out her lipstick. “And so do I.” she added before swiftly painting her lips. I sat down and coyly opened my handbag. I removed the lipstick and the small vanity mirror and carefully painted mine before looking at my mother for approval. She approved. “It’s hard to believe you’ve never done this before.”
“It’s hard to believe I’m doing it now.” I replied as I replaced the lid. “It’s quite nice in a way.” I added as I dropped the lippy back into the handbag and clipped it shut.
“I’m glad you said that.” mum replied. “I’d have felt doubly guilty if you’d hated it.”
“You don’t have to feel guilty.” I said. Mum said she did and said why. “It was my idea that you get someone to pretend to be your PA.” I reminded her. “I just wasn’t expecting it’d be me.”
“I’m glad it was.” Mum grinned.
“Really?” I said as I picked up my glass. “Didn’t we just make a complete mess of that meeting?”
“Well… yeah… but…” Mum said as she picked up her wine and took a sip. “Don’t take this the wrong way but, it feels like we’re having a mother/daughter bonding experience.”
“Not a mother/son one then?” I bashfully replied.
“Well, yeah, of course.” Mum said. “I was thinking about…” she blushed. “…it sounds silly now.”
“Go on.” I said.
“Well… little things like…” she paused. “…your first bra…” she grinned. “…and getting your ears pierced… stuff like that.”
I raised my finger to my earlobe. “I’d forgotten about those too.” I said. I placed my hand on my left chest and added, “But not this.” Mum grinned and I smiled coyly back. I looked at the back of my hand, my outstretched fingers and my pale pink nails. “Or these.”
“Would you do it again?” Mum asked. I closed my hand and looked at her. The question is ambiguous. “Not pose as my imaginary PA…” Mum added, “…but dress up?”
“Er… I dunno… I guess it depends.” I replied. I kicked out my leg and looked at the shoe and my hairless shin. “I can’t deny that it feels nice but… I guess it’s the sort of ‘nice’ that only women should enjoy.”
“I think nice feels nice regardless of your gender.” Mum replied. “I don’t think women are somehow pre-programmed to like satin and lace and nice frocks, and shoes of course… it’s only because we get to try them that we realise how nice it is.” she explained. “It seems a bit unfair that boys don’t even get to try them… well, mostly.” she said, smiling sweetly at me. I smiled back and considered her words. “One more drink and one more fag then we’ll go in?” she suggested.
“OK.” I replied.
“Are you still warm enough?” she asked as she grabbed our empty glasses. “Do you want some tights?”
I gauged the chill on my legs. “Nah I’m OK.” I replied. “Can I put my jacket on though?” I asked.
“Of course. I’ll fetch it.”