As if my day could not get any more embarrassing, on arrival at the school outfitters, there was another shock in store.
For who should be the shop manageress, no other than Sandra the next door neighbor.
“Good Morning Mrs Mitchel,” said a slightly surprised Sandra
“Good Morning Sandra” said an equally surprised Nanny Mitchel. “You are a very dark horse, I never knew you worked here”.
“Oh really,” replied Sandra. “I thought you knew most things.”
“No I never,” replied Nanny Mitchel, somewhat disappointed that she did not know the ins and outs of her neighbor’s life.
Being somewhat of a younger generation and a little more modern than Nanny Mitchell’s generation Sandra kept her affairs to herself.
However, she had already latched in that something peculiar was happening with me being transformed into a girl.
She was shortly to be even more shocked to find out that we were in the school outfitters to purchase me a new school uniform for my opposite gender.
Meanwhile, whilst Nanny Mitchel and Sandra chatted for a while, Aunty Shirley busied herself looking at all the school dresses, dragging me along with her as she did so.
“Come and have a look at this one Patrica,” said Aunty Shirley in a joyful manner whilst pulling out a pink Summer school dress. “You will look simply delightful in it. Oh and look at this one as well,” continued Aunty Shirley as if to wish to completely embarrass me, ” Mrs Hegitey will be over the moon to see you wearing this at school.”
It was at this time whilst Nanny Mitchel was waffling on to her, Sandra overheard the name Mrs Hegitey.
It appeared that the very mention of Mrs Hegitey not only struck fear in the young but also struck fear in adults who had been at school whilst she was teaching.
By now it was becoming clear that Mrs Hegitey had the reputation of the Demon Headmistress.
Sandra herself had been through school whilst Mrs Hegitey had taught and was well aware of her teaching methods.
It was not going to be long until all was revealed.
Come to that Nanny Mitchel could not wait to reveal all to her next-door neighbor.
“Patricia is to be home tutored from now on Sandra, as we no longer want her going to a rough state school,” Nanny Mitchel informed her next-door neighbor with some pride
Sandra had already been informed of this earlier on, so it came as no surprise, however, it was still somewhat of a shock that I was being transformed into a girl.
Sandra was not one to pry for more information.
Having said that,with Nanny Mitchel she did not need to,
Nanny Mitchel was about to tell her all.
Nanny Mitchel continued to tell Sandra, how the small spare room in the house was going to be transformed into a school room where I would be tutored,
She continued to inform Sandra that we were in the shop to purchase a school uniform for me and that Nanny Mitchel had a list of items that were needed.
Whereas Sandra had always thought that Nanny Mitchel was somewhat in cuckoo land, it now appeared she had firm evidence to support that fact.
Nanny Mitchel proceeded to hand the list of Items over to Sandra.
The List that was titled, “Mrs Hegitey school for Special Girls.”
To say Sandra was shocked by the title, even before reading the list, was somewhat of a complete understatement,
It now was indeed apparent that Sandra’s old headmistress Mrs Hegitey was if not behind all this she was at least to play a very major part.
Sandra also worked out very quickly that this would mean that Mrs Hegitey would be paying regular visits to her neighbour’s house.
This thought alone filled Sandra with much dread, for she had hoped on leaving school she would never meet Mrs Hegitey again.
She remembered very well her old headmistress’s methods of chastisement and had sometimes been on the receiving end of them.
After this revelation the list of school items came was to come as no surprise to Sandra.
The List read as follows.
Three School green checked dresses
Five Pairs of green regulation undergarments.
Five white school Vests.
Two dark Green Pinafore dress
3 white school Blouses
2 pairs of green gym undergarments
2 White cotton P E blouses
5 pairs of white knee ankle socks
2 Pairs of white socks for P E
One pair of classic school pumps.
It appeared to Sandra whereas the school list had been well thought out it had been somewhat rushed.
Sandra questioned Nanny Mitchel as to which particular school these items were from, who appeared to be puzzled by this question.
It was at this point Aunty Shirley was called over for some much-needed advice.
Aunty Shirley had noticed that Sandra’s face looked somewhat familiar, however, she was too engrossed in the items in the school outfitters to ask.
Nanny Mitchel explained that there appeared to be some confusion in the list of clothing that was to be purchased as each school in the borough had its different items.
“Well,” said Aunty Shirley, ” From what I remember I think Mrs Hegitey liked parents and pupils to use their own initiative Dorothy. Besides,” she continued “If the items we purchase are wrong I am sure we can return them.”
At this time Sandra interjected, explaining the shop policy that items could be returned within a month so longs they were not damaged.
“Well that settles it then,” said Aunty Shirley once again taking the lead, “We will use what is known as poetic license.”
Meanwhile, once again whilst the grown-ups were discussing my new uniform, myself and cousin Karen were being ignored completely.
By now cousin Karen was completely bored, as she could think of better things to do on a Saturday other than hanging around shoe shops and school outfitters.
I on the other hand was quietly becoming more and more embarrassed as time went on.
Sandra had noticed this and gave me somewhat of a sympathetic look.
However whereas, this was appreciated it did very little to ease my embarrassment.
Once again things were about to get even worse.
Nanny Mitchel now joined Aunty Shirley in looking through what appeared to be the whole content of the shop in order to find the required garments.
