Alexander/Alexandra, a Fictional Transgender Story

Chapter One

  Alexander Roberts lived in a semi-detached house in a leafy suburb of a large English town. He was ten years old and in year 6 at school. His widowed mother, Jane, was a successful graphic artist who worked from home. His sister, Abigail, was a year ahead of him at school and had not long started at a local secondary.

  Across the road lived Jane’s best friend Susan Moore, a divorcee who had rejoined her family’s estate agency business following her divorce some years earlier. Her daughter, Juliet, was Alex’s best friend and was in the same class at school as him. She went back to Alex’s after school until her mum returned from work and spent the days with him during school holidays.

  Next door to the Roberts’ lived Abby’s best friend, Marian, and her parents. Her father was an accountant and her mother ran a baking business. Marian and Abby were in the same class at school and all four kids had often played together all their lives.

  In fact, Alex rarely played with other boys except when the games were games for girls and boys. He was happy to play with his sister’s and Juliet’s toys and hardly ever played with his own. He always seemed a content little boy, taking what he was given and asking for little. When asked what ice cream flavour he wanted, the answer was always, “I don’t mind, anything will do.” If he and  Abby had the choice of two chocolate bars, Alex would say, “you choose Abby.” His mother would despair at Christmas and birthdays because he would only ask for things he needed, like new felt-tipped pens, instead of things he wanted.

  Late in September when in year 6, Alex was playing with Juliet one Saturday after lunch in her bedroom. After an hour or so, Juliet’s mum called to her, “Juliet, we have to go to town shortly to get you some new school shoes.”

  “I’d better go then,” said Alex.

  “I’ll come over when I get back and show you my new shoes,” said Juliet, and gave him a hug.

  “OK, see you then.” Alex went back across the road. “Where’s Abby?” he asked his mum.

  “In her room with Marian,” she replied.

  “Thanks mum,” Alex said and ran upstairs.

  Alex went into Abby’s room where she and Marian were setting up a board game. “Can I play?” he asked.

  “Sure,” said his sister, “where’s Juliet?”

  “Gone to town for new shoes.”

  “What colour do you want to be?” Marian asked.

  “I don’t mind.”

  “You can be yellow then.”

  “OK.”

   After a few turns, Marian suddenly asked Alex, “don’t you get bored playing girls’ games?”

  “No, why?”

  “Oh, nothing, you just never do anything boys like to do.”

  “I prefer playing with girls, I never seem to fit in with boys, I always feel different from them.”

  “You should’ve been a girl.”

  “That would’ve been nice.”

  “Have you ever dressed up like a girl?”

  “No.”

   “Shall we give Alex a makeover?” Marian said, tuning to Abby.

  “Do you want us too, Alex?” Abby asked him.

  “Yeah, OK, it might be fun.” The girls looked at each other and giggled.

  Abby jumped up and said to Alex, “take off your t-shirt,” and she pulled a dress out of her wardrobe. “Put this on, Alex.” He did as Abby said and then Abby told him to take off his jeans and socks whilst she pulled a pair of black tights from her drawer. “Here you are, put these on.”

  “How?” he asked and Abby took another pair from her drawer and took off her socks.

  “Now, do what I do.”

Alex copied her and soon both had tights on. He walked around the room looking at his legs and said, “wow! I didn’t think tights would feel this nice to wear.”

  “They’re only old school tights,” Abby pointed out.

  “You can get much better ones than those,” Marian added, “let’s do his hair and make-up.”

  Alex had always hated getting his hair cut and had quite long hair for a boy. Marian combed it a different way and put some pretty hair slides in it while Abby applied some eye-shadow and a little blusher. They added some lip gloss and stood back to look at their handy work. “You look really cute Alex,” said Marian, surprised.

  “Can I see?” he asked, and Abby shut her wardrobe door which had a full-length mirror on it. Alex  stood there staring at himself as the girls giggled. “I… I… I love it! I look like me, I… I… feel like  me, for the first time in my life I feel like I’m looking at the real me. I totally love it! Can I show mum?”

  “OK,” said Abby, a bit taken aback by his response, and the three of them went downstairs. Jane was in the kitchen loading the washing machine. “Wait outside the door and we’ll prepare her for a shock,” Abby whispered. Her and Marian went in and she said to her mother, “mum, we’ve given Alex a makeover,” and beckoned to Alex to come in. He went in, did a twirl and curtseyed.

  “Well I never,” said his mum, quite shocked.

  “What do you think?” he asked her.

  “I think… I think you look cute,” she replied regathering her composure. “What do you think?”

  “I really love how I look and I feel like this is really me. Can I keep it on for the rest of the day?”

  “I suppose so if it makes you happy.”

  “Thanks mum, it does. Is that OK with you Abby?”

  “Its fine by me,” came the reply.

  “I could do with a cup of tea,” said Jane, “do you three want one?”

  “Please mum.”

  “Please mum.”

  “Please Mrs. Roberts.”

  “Go into the living room and I’ll bring them in.”

  They all thanked her and went in and sat on the sofa to watch cartoons. Alex held his legs out in front of him, crossing them over and running his hands over his knees. “Do you really like what you’re wearing?” asked Abby.

  “Yeah, I do, this dress is so comfortable and my legs feel amazing.”

  “So it was a good idea of mine to give you a makeover,” Marian said.

  “Your best idea ever.” Both girls giggled and Abby gave him a friendly nudge.

  Jane came in shortly after with a tray carrying three mugs of tea and a plate of six biscuits. They all thanked her. Just then the doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” said Abby, jumping up.

  Marian looked over the back of the sofa and said, “it’s Juliet. Stand with your back to the living room door Alex.” She stood beside him looking out the door.

  Juliet got to the doorway  and said, “hi Mrs. Roberts, hi Marian, is Alex upstairs?”

  Alex turned around, “no, I’m here.”

  Juliet gasped and clapped her hands over her mouth. “Alex! Wow! You look … beautiful!”

  “Thanks Juliet,” and he did a twirl, “Abby and Marian gave me a makeover.”

  “I can’t get over how good you look.”

  “Would you like a cup of tea, Juliet?” asked Jane.

  “Yeah,” came an absent minded reply. “Sorry, yes please Mrs. Roberts.”

  Alex and the girls sat down, Juliet next to him. “When I looked in the door, Alex, I thought you were a friend of Abby and Marian. Do you like your new look?”

  “I love it.”

  “It really suits you.”

  “Thanks.” Abby and Marian giggled again. “I like your shoes, they’re very smart.”

  “Do you want to try them? They should fit you.”

  “OK.” Alex slipped them on and walked around the room. “They’re a little small but apart from that they’re really comfy.”

  “They look good with your outfit.”

  “They’ll look good with your school uniform,” said Alex, taking them off.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Jane came in with another cup of tea and two more biscuits for Juliet who thanked her. The four of them sipped their tea, nibbled their biscuits, giggled at the cartoon on TV and the three girls kept casting glances at Alex who smiled back at them. When she finished her biscuits, Juliet slipped her arm around Alex’s arm and cuddled into him. They both grinned widely at each other.

  A little while later, there was another ring at the door. “It’s your mum, Juliet,” Marian said, looking over the sofa. “Let’s do the same routine.” Abby answered the door and Alex surprised Susan as he had Juliet.

After getting over the shock, Susan said, “you look cute.”

“That’s what I said,” said Jane, coming up behind her from the kitchen.

“Great minds think alike.”

“And fools seldom differ,” added Juliet. They all laughed a little. Jane invited Susan into the kitchen leaving the kids to their cartoons.

  Around five o’clock, Marian headed home for her tea and Jane came into the living room and told Alex and the two girls that her and Susan had decided to get pizzas for tea. The three kids were all delighted. When the pizzas arrived, the five of them sat around the kitchen table eating and chatting.  After tea they all settled down to watch Saturday evening TV, Alex between Abby and Juliet on the sofa and Jane and Susan on the armchairs. Every now and then Jane looked across at Alex. Not only was he dressed as a girl, his mannerisms were totally girl-like as well and he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself along with his sister and best friend.

  “We’re going to head home before Casualty starts,” announced Susan, “thanks for your hospitality Jane.”

  “You’re always welcome,” she replied.

  Juliet got up and put her new shoes back on and Alex and Abby got up and gave her a hug and said their goodbyes. Once they had gone Abby asked if they could watch Casualty before going to bed. “OK,” said Jane, “but go and put your pyjamas on first and I’ll make you both a hot chocolate.” Alex and Abby went upstairs and changed and came back down to watch the programme with their drinks and a couple biscuits each.

  When the programme finished, Jane said, “OK you two, time for bed. Abby, make sure Alex gets all his make-up off.”

  “OK mum, goodnight.”

  “Goodnight darling, sleep well.” Jane gave her a kiss and said and did the same to Alex.

  “Goodnight mum, I’ve had a wonderful day,” he said.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He hugged her and ran upstairs.

  Abby was waiting in the bathroom to remove his make-up. While she wiped off his eye shadow, Alex asked her, “can I wear your dress and tights again tomorrow Abby please?”

  “Do you really like dressing as a girl?”

  “Yeah, I do, and I would love to dress like that all day. I wish I’d done it years ago.”

  “OK, you can keep the tights if you want, I’ve got plenty, but I want the dress back when you’ve finished with it.”

  “Thanks Abby, you’re the best sister ever.” Abby finished removing the make-up and they both cleaned their teeth, hugged and said their goodnights and headed to bed.

  The following morning, Alex went down for breakfast in the dress and tights. “Morning mum.”

  “Morning dear, are you wearing that again?”

  “Abby said I could.”

  “Well I suppose you can if you want.”

  “Thanks mum.” Abby came into the kitchen in t-shirt and leggings and exchanged good mornings and she and Alex sat down to breakfast. After breakfast, they both went into the living room and found a music programme on the TV and amused themselves dancing to the songs. Juliet came over a little later in a dress and tights.

  “I hoped you would dress-up again today,” she said to Alex, “so I did too.”

  “You look lovely,” said Alex.

  “Thanks, so do you.”

  “Come on, join in our dancing,” Abby insisted, and Juliet kicked off her shoes and joined them. Jane looked in after a while and saw all three of them having a great time, all laughing and smiling and waving at her as they spun and twirled. She waved and smiled back before going to her office to do a little work. Alex, Abby and Juliet continued dancing and having fun until it was time for Juliet to go home for lunch. When she’d gone, Alex and Abby helped prepare their Sunday lunch and after lunch sat down with their mum and a cup of tea to watch a film. The three of them then played a game until tea-time before settling down to Sunday evening TV. At bed time, Alex said that he’d had another wonderful day at that it was the best weekend ever.

  “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it,” said his mother, “but it’s back to boys clothes tomorrow for school.”

  “I know,” he said, a little dejected, “but thanks for letting me be myself today, goodnight mum.”

  “Goodnight darling.” Jane sat down with her hot chocolate to ponder the events of the past two days and what Alex had just said to her.

  The next day, Alex got up for school and put on his uniform of white shirt, blue jumper and grey trousers. As he left his room to go down for breakfast, Abby came out of her room in her uniform of white shirt, black and red striped tie, black pleated skirt and black tights. They said good morning to each other and Alex added that he wished he could go to school dressed like her.

  “Never mind,” Abby consoled him, “you can change when you get home if you want.”

  “I can’t wait,” he replied, and they both went downstairs.

  As they were finishing breakfast, Juliet arrived, as usual, in her uniform which included a grey skirt and black tights instead of the trousers Alex wore. Abby put on her black blazer and left to call for Marian, who had spent Sunday at her grandparents, and to fill her in on what she and Alex had done on Sunday as they took the twenty minute walk to school. Juliet left her lunch box in the fridge and her and Alex set off a little later for their shorter walk in the opposite direction. The two of them always came back for lunch.

  At home time, Alex couldn’t wait to get back and as soon as he and Juliet got in he ran upstairs and put on the dress and tights he’d been wearing over the weekend. Juliet looked almost as happy as he did when he came downstairs a few minutes later. His mum came out of her office and said that she thought he might get changed and asked them if they wanted a cup of tea. Both said “yes please,” and went into the living room to watch children’s TV. Jane brought in two mugs and four biscuits, the two of them were sat on the sofa, arm-in-arm and legs intertwined giggling at a cartoon.

  “Thanks mum.”

  “Thanks Mrs. Roberts.”

  “Did you two have a nice day at school?”

  “It was OK,” said Alex.

  “Mr Willis went to write high up on the board and as he stretched he farted,” said Juliet.

  “Oh that was so funny, all the class laughed.”

  “I bet you all did,” his mum said smiling. “One of my teachers did the same when I was at school.” Alex and Juliet giggled and then tucked into their tea and biscuits. Abby arrived home about twenty minutes later and joined them on the sofa with her tea and biscuits. When Juliet’s mum got home from work, Juliet thanked Jane, gave Alex a hug and said she would see him tomorrow. This was the pattern for the week until Friday when, on returning home from school, Abby said that she and Marian were going into town on Saturday and asked Alex and Juliet if they would like to go with them. Both said yes, mothers’ permission allowing.

Chapter Two

  Saturday morning arrived and Alex and Abby both went down to breakfast in their pyjamas. As they were eating their cereals, the phone rang and their mum went to answer it. She came back into the kitchen a bit flustered and said, “that was your Aunty Lynn, Oliver ran a bath and forgot about it. He’s flooded the bathroom and the kitchen ceiling came down, she’s in a right state, I’ve got to go over.”

  “Typical Ollie,” said Abby.

  “Here’s some money for your lunches, make sure all the windows are shut and the doors locked before you go to town. Hopefully I’ll be back in time for tea. Have a good day and be careful. Love you both, bye.”

  “Bye mum, thanks, love you.”

  “Bye mum, hope Aunty Lynn’s OK,” added Alex.

  Abby and Alex finished eating their breakfast and made a cup of tea each. “Alex, do you want to go in town dressed as a girl?” inquired Abby, teasingly.

  “I would love to, do you think I could get away with it? What do you think mum would say?”

  “I think you could totally get away with it and we might get back before mum does and if we don’t we’ll just have to face the music when we get home.”

  “OK then. Wow, I’m feeling really excited.”

  “Let’s finish our tea and go and get dressed.”

  Alex and Abby went upstairs to Abby’s room. She pulled out a top and a skirt from her wardrobe for Alex. “You’ll look good in these and you’ll need a clean pair of tights, you’ve had the others on all week. These are semi-opaque and feel nicer than the others, I think you’ll like them. And in case someone sees up your skirt you better wear a pair of my panties. These are new, I’ve not worn them yet. Tuck your willy in between your legs so there isn’t a bump showing”

  Alex took the clothes, “thanks Abby, I’ll go and get dressed.” He came back into Abby’s room some minutes later, Abby was in a dress and tights. “I love this outfit Abs, and you’re right, these tights feel really lovely.”

  “You look great, Alex, sit down and I’ll do your eyes.” Abby applied a couple shades of eye shadow and a touch of mascara and was about to do a little blusher when the doorbell rang. “That’ll be Marian, try doing the blusher yourself, but not too much.”

  “OK.”

  Abby answered the door and came back with Marian who was wearing a jacket, top and leggings. “Wow Alex, you look great,” she said.

  “Thanks, I feel great.”

  “You’ve done the blusher just right,” said Abby, “now put some lip gloss on and pick out a jacket while I do my make-up. Oh and there’s some ballerina pumps over there that should fit you and here’s a shoulder bag you can use.”

  Alex did her lip gloss and picked out a jacket that went with his outfit and then tried on the shoes. “Perfect fit, I love them.”

  “I’ll do your hair,” said Marian. When she finished, Marian stepped back and said, “you look amazing Alex, no one will guess you’re a boy.”

  “She’s right,” Abby said looking around, “my perfect little sister.”

  “Thanks so much you two, I’m so looking forward to this.”

  The doorbell rang again and Alex said that it would be Juliet and went to answer it. Juliet came in in a pretty floral print dress, sheer gloss tights and a jacket. “Alex! Are you going like that? My mum’s going to give us a lift. Oh and you look amazing by the way.”

  “Oh, we’d better tell Abby, and you look amazing too.” They went upstairs and told Abby who just said that Susan had seen Alex dressed up and that they could get away with it. She finished her make up and the four of them  checked the windows and doors and were ready just as Susan beeped the car horn.

  The girls and Alex piled into the car, thanking Susan for giving them a lift. “Are you going in like that, Alex?” she asked.

  “Mum’s OK with Alex dressing like this,” said Abby, “and us three can look after him, I mean her.”

  “Mum’s just gone to Aunty Lynn’s,” added Alex.

  “Oliver flooded the bathroom and the kitchen ceiling came down. Aunty Lynn’s in a right panic and mum’s gone to help her clear up the mess.”

  “Oh no,” Susan said worriedly, “was anyone hurt?” She started the car and pulled away.

  “No but I bet Ollie’s for the high jump.”

  “That cousin of yours is a walking disaster zone, I don’t know how Lynn manages with him and his brother. It’s a good job Ellie is such a lovely little girl.”

  “The boys’ dad was a nightmare, Aunty Lynn should have stuck with Ellie’s dad,” Abby added, relieved that she had distracted Susan away from Alex.

  When they got to town, Susan said, “I’ll pick you up here at 3.30, don’t be late. I’m not working a full day today.”

  They all thanked her and got out of the car and waved as Susan pulled away. “Right, remember this,” instructed Abby. “Alex is my sister and we all must say ‘she’ and ‘her’, and Alex, use the ladies’ loos and sit down to pee.”

  They all said OK and started off. “How are you feeling Alex?” asked Juliet.

  “Nervous and excited,” answered Alex.

  “You’ll be fine,” said Marian, “oh look, let’s go in here,” pointing to a shoe shop. They all went in a spent a little while looking at and trying on shoes.

  Alex felt a little easier after that shop and they carried on, going into a couple other shops before Abby suggested they went for a burger. They all agreed and headed to their favourite burger place. “Look!” said Abby, “There’s Beth and Sam outside.”

  “Who are they?” asked Alex.

  “They’re friends of mine and Marian’s from school. They’re in our class, I sit next to Beth in registration. Don’t worry, they’re really nice.” Beth and Samantha spotted Abby and Marian and they all exchanged ‘hellos’. “This is my little sister Alex and her best friend Juliet,” Abby said introducing them, and more hellos were exchanged.

  “I can tell you’re Abby’s sister,” Beth said, “you’re just as pretty as she is.”

  “Thanks,” said Alex, “that’s really nice of you.”

  “We’re waiting for Sarah and Erin and then we’re going for a burger.”

  “So are we,” said Marian.

  “Shall we all get a table together?”

  “OK,” agreed Marian, “oh look here comes Sarah and Erin now.”

Another round of hellos and introductions ensued and the eight of them went in, got their burgers and found a table, Alex sitting between Juliet and Beth. They all tucked in and chatted and laughed, Juliet was quite witty and made them all giggle a few times. Alex felt more at ease and enjoyed herself getting to know her sister’s friends who were, as Abby had said, all really nice girls. Sarah suggested they all went around town together and they all agreed.

  When she finished her burger and drink, Alex said, “I’ve got to go to the loo.”

  “I’ll come with you,” said Beth, and the two of them went into the ladies’. “How long have you known Juliet?” Beth asked from her cubicle.

  “All my life. She lives across the road from me and Abby. We started school together too and we should be coming to your school next year.”

  “Oh that’ll be great and now you’ll have some more friends there, not just Abby and Marian.” They both flushed and went to wash their hands. Beth finished first and reapplied her lipstick.

  “That’s a nice shade,” Alex commented.

  “Do you want to try it?”

  “Can I?”

  “Sure, wipe off your lip gloss.” Alex wiped it off and Beth gave her the lipstick. “It looks good on you.”

  “Thanks, I like it… oh and don’t forget your flies!”

Beth looked down at her jeans, blushed and adjusted herself, “thanks.”

  Alex and Beth left the loo and picked up their jackets and all eight set off around town, looking in lots of shops, trying on clothes and shoes and having a great time. Juliet said she liked Alex’s lipstick, they both chatted to the other girls while walking along arm-in-arm with one or the other and both felt like they were really part of the group especially when Beth suggested they all do it again next week. Alex bought a denim skirt which was like one Abby had, Abby bought a top, Juliet bought a couple bangles and a pair of earrings, the others all got various things. In a department store, Erin spotted a display of brightly coloured opaque tights and went over with Sam.

  “I’m going to get these purple ones,” said Sam.

  “Have they got them in a small size?” asked Erin, and answered her own question. “Oh yes they have, I’m getting these dark pink ones.”

  All the others came over and were looking at the colours available. “Let’s all get different colours and wear them next week,” Sarah said. “I’m getting bright blue.”

  “Great idea,” said Abby, and she picked out a raspberry red pair.

  “Yellow for me, they’ll go with my favourite dress,” Beth said.

  “And your blond hair. I like green, they’ll go with my green dress and green goes well with ginger hair,” Marian added.

  “Sky blue for me,” said Juliet, “what about you Alex?”

Alex was looking at two pairs and said, “I can’t decide between purple and lilac.”

  “I got purple,” Sam said.

  “OK, lilac for me, great, I love them.”

  As they were all paying for their tights, Beth said, “look at the time! My mum’s picking us up in fifteen minutes, we’re going to have to run.” A round of goodbyes and see you Monday or next week in Alex and Juliet’s case quickly followed and Beth, Sam, Sarah and Erin dashed off. As the others were leaving the store, they stopped at the shoe department and had a look. Alex was looking at the slippers and spotted a pair of pink fluffy mules with thick padded soles and tried one on.

  “Wow! These are  so comfortable, I love them, I’m going to get them.”

  “How much are they?” asked Abby.

  “£6, oh no, I’ve only got three.”

  “I’ve only got one left.”

  “If we all give you one you can get them,” suggested Marian.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” said Juliet, “you’ve done so well today and the others never guessed you’re not a girl and I think you really deserve them to remember the day by.” The three of them gave Alex a pound each.

  “Thank you all so much, I’ve had such a wonderful day and I’ll remember it as long as I live.” They all hugged Alex and said nice comments while doing so. Alex bought the slippers and they all headed back up town to where they were going to meet Susan.

  The four of them sat on a wall by the meeting place and waited for around five minutes until Susan arrived and then got into the car. “Did you have a good day?” Susan asked, and all four started talking excitedly at once. “OK, calm down, one at a time.”

  “We’ve had a great day, mum,” Juliet started, “we met some of Abby and Marian’s friends and spent the day with them and none of them realised about Alex. We all arranged to do it again next week, if that’s OK  with you.”

  “It’s fine by me, but I don’t know if your mum will let you do it again  Alex.”

  “I’m sure we can persuade her,” said Abby.

  “I’d love to do it again,” Alex said, “I’ve had such a great day and the other girls were really lovely. We all bought different colour tights to wear.”

  “I got these mum,” Juliet took them out of her bag.

  Susan glanced down, “what a lovely colour. They would go well with your school summer dress if they last that long.”

  “I didn’t think of that.”

  “Oh, Abby, Alex, your mum gave me a quick ring as I was leaving the office, she’s back home. I was just telling her I was off to pick you up when my battery died.”

  Abby and Alex looked at each other a little worried and Abby squeezed Alex’s hand. They all continued chatting, although Alex was a little quieter, and they were soon pulling up in Susan’s drive. Getting out of the car, Abby, Alex and Marian all said thank you to Juliet’s mum and bye to Juliet and headed across the road. Marian said bye to the other two and went in her house while Abby stilled Alex’s nerves as they went in to face their mum.

  “Hi mum.”

  “Hi mum.

  “Hi you two,” came from the kitchen, “did you have a good day?” Jane came out of the kitchen. “Alex! Did you go in town like that? Abby what were you thinking? Anything could have happened.”

  “I wanted to mum and we’ve had a brilliant day, haven’t we Abs?” Alex said immediately.

  “Yeah we have and Alex totally got away with it. We met four of my friends from school and none of them realised, Beth said she could tell Alex was my sister because she’s just as pretty as me.”

  “She said she wished she had a little sister like me rather than two brothers, and they were all really nice, and I bought this skirt, it’s like the one Abby’s got, and I got these slippers, they’re so comfortable, and we all arranged to do it all again next week, and we all bought different colour tights to wear next week, I got lilac, Abby got raspberry red, Juliet got sky blue, Marian got green and the others got other colours and I had such a wonderful, wonderful time and I really, really want to do it again next week, and all the others want me and Juliet to come along, and mum, please, please, please can I do it again, I’ve never wanted anything so much in my whole life, please mum, please can I go.”

  “Well, that was some speech,” said her mum. “I don’t know, I’m not at all sure it’s a good idea. I’m going to have to think long and hard about it. Now go upstairs and put your shopping away. Abby, put the kettle on please.” Jane shut the kitchen door. “I’m not at all happy about this Abigail, do you realise the trouble you could have got Alex into?”

  “But everything was fine mum, me and Marian kept an eye on her all day and she totally passed as a girl.”

  “You just said her and she.”

  “We have been all day and you must admit Alex has always been more like a girl than a boy. When we’ve been with our cousins Alex only plays with Ollie and Jack when Ellie and I have as well, the rest of the time she plays with me and Ellie. She hardly ever plays with her toys but loves playing with Juliet and her Barbies. Mum, I haven’t mentioned this to anyone but I think Alex may be transgender.”

  Jane looked at Abby, “don’t say that to Alex.”

  “I won’t mum but please think about it, for Alex’s sake.” The kettle boiled and Abby started making the tea.

  “Don’t pour a cup for me,” Jane said, “I’ve got to go and see Susan.” As she got to the bottom of the stairs, Alex came down in his new skirt and slippers. “I’m just going across the road,” she said, putting her shoes on.

  “Here’s your tea Alex,” Abby told him as she came up behind her mum.

  “Thanks Abby, I’ll put the TV on.” Alex took the mug and went into the living room, put the TV on and sat on the sofa. Abby sat next to him and Jane went out to see Susan. “No biscuits?”

  “I forgot them, sorry.”

  “That’s OK, I’ll get them. I’m enjoying walking in my new slippers, it’s like walking on cushions. Try one on Abby.”

  Abby tried one and said, “you’re right, they’re so comfortable, much better than mine. I’m going to get a pair too.” Alex put the slipper back on and came back a minute later with four chocolate biscuits. The two of them sat side-by-side enjoying their tea and biscuits and the cartoon they were watching.

  Across the road, Juliet let Jane in and Jane joined her and Susan in the kitchen. “How’s Lynn?” asked Susan.

  “Better when I left her. We mopped up the bathroom and cleaned the kitchen thoroughly. A huge part of the ceiling had fallen in, it was a right mess. I don’t know how a six year old boy can cause such chaos.”

  Juliet had been making tea and put mugs in front of her mum and Jane who both thanked her. “Go and see what’s on TV while we have a chat,” Susan said to her daughter and Juliet complied. “I guess you want to talk about Alex,” Susan said when Juliet had gone. “They said you were OK with him dressing like that when I took them into town.”

  “You took them in?”

  “Yes.”

  “I never said he could do that. I don’t mind him dressing up at home if it makes him happy but going out is totally different.”

  “Oh Jane, I’m so sorry, I was distracted by the talk of Lynn’s woes and before I knew it we were in town. Thank goodness no harm came of it.”

  “Well, that aside, Abby thinks Alex may be transgender.”

  “What do you think?”

  “I’m really perplexed about it all. I don’t know what to think. Perhaps I’m scared of losing my little boy.”

  “But you’ll gain another girl, he’ll still be your little darling, he’ll still love you and you’ll still love him or her. Do some research online, have a good long think about it, but most of all listen to what Alex says and watch how he behaves and how he is in himself. Maybe letting him go out with the girls next week will be a good idea.”

  “I don’t know Sue, I’m going to have to have a long think about it all. I’ll take your advice and do some research into transgenderism or whatever it’s called.”

  “That’s a wise decision. You’ve always got me to talk things over with. I’ll give you all the support I can.”

  “Thank you so much Sue.”

  “Always glad to help Jane.” The two friends finished their tea and chatted a bit more before Jane headed home.

   Back at home, Jane took off her shoes and poked her head into the living room. Alex and Abby were sat shoulder to shoulder on the sofa with their legs tucked up, a hand each on their shins and their other arms intertwined. “Right you two, I’ve had a hell of a day so you can do the veg for dinner. We’re having cottage pie. Now I’m going upstairs to lay down for a while, give me a shout when the potatoes, pepper, onions and mushrooms are all prepared.”

  “OK mum,” they both said and went into the kitchen. When they finished, Alex went upstairs and saw that Jane had fallen asleep and decided not to wake her. Back downstairs, Alex and Abby continued making the dinner themselves, cleared up their mess, set the table and, when the pie was nearly ready, put on some peas and broad beans. Abby found an opened bottle of wine in the fridge and poured Jane a glass while Alex went to wake her up.

  “We’re done in the kitchen mum.”

  “Thanks love, I’ll be right down.”

  “Are you going to change? You’re rather mucky from Aunty Lynn’s.”

  “You’re right, I’ll be two minutes.” Jane took off her dirty jeans and t-shirt and put on a dress and tights and went downstairs. When she got to the kitchen, Alex and Abby had just finished serving up and had poured themselves a glass of juice each. “Well I never,” said Jane, “you’ve done it all!”

  “We thought you deserved a nap,” said Abby and they all sat down and tucked in.

  “This is lovely,” said Jane, “you two can cook again.”

  “We really enjoyed doing it,” Alex told her, “we would love to do it again, wouldn’t we Abs?”

  “Yeah, we had fun working together, mum. I put two teaspoons of chilli powder and two teaspoons of tamarind paste in with the mince.”

   “That really made a difference, well done.”

  “Thanks.” After they all finished, Jane said there were yogurts in the fridge for dessert.

  “We’ll do the washing up, you go and sit down,” Abby instructed her and that’s what happened. When done, they made a cup of tea for them all and joined Jane for Saturday evening TV.

  “I could get used to being treated like this,” their mum said, “and Alex, I’ll let you know before the end of the week if you can go in town with the other girls on Saturday.”

  “Thanks mum, and you said ‘other girls’.”

  “Yes I did didn’t I? Well don’t read anything into it.”

  “No mum.”

  They all sipped their tea and continued to enjoy their evening watching their favourite programmes, laughing and chatting together. During the evening, Jane couldn’t help but notice how girl-like Alex was in his manner and how much closer Alex and Abby seemed, just like her and Lynn were when they were young.

  When Casualty finished, Jane told Abby and Alex to get ready for bed and went to make them a mug of hot chocolate each. They came down in their pyjamas, make-up removed and sipped their drinks. “We’ve had a marvellous day, mum,” Abby said.

  “I’ve had my best day ever,” Alex added.

  “Thank you both for a lovely evening,” their mum said, “it really made up for the nightmare at Aunty Lynn’s.”

  “Let’s hope Ollie doesn’t do that again,” said Abby.

  “If he does he can clear up the mess himself.”

  “He would only make it worse.”

  “You’re probably right,” Jane said and kissed them both goodnight, they both hugged her and said they loved her and headed to bed. Jane sat down and fell asleep thinking about the day’s events.

  The following day, Alex again wore what he’d been wearing on Saturday and even went across the road to see Juliet dressed like that and wearing his new pink slippers. During the week, Alex ran upstairs as soon as he got home and changed clothes. When it came to Thursday, he came back downstairs in his skirt and the tights Abby gave him along with one of Abby’s tops and went into the kitchen to join Jane and Juliet. “I’ve come to a decision,” Jane said, “you can go into town with the girls on Saturday dressed how you want.” Alex and Juliet jumped up and down screaming with happiness, then Alex hugged Jane saying thank you and I love you mum over and over again.

  Alex and Juliet went into the living room with tea and biscuits and Jane went back to work. A little while later, Abby got home and Jane heard screams of delight coming from the living room. “They’ve told Abby the news,” she said to herself and a minute later Abby looked around the door and thanked her before getting herself a tea. Abby and Alex made dinner again that evening and again did a great job of it.

Chapter Three

  Saturday morning arrived and a very excited pair came down to breakfast in their pyjamas. Jane told them that she would take them and Marian and Juliet into town and pick them up later and they went to get dressed as soon as they finished breakfast. Both wore their denim skirts and a nice top each. Neither had tried on their coloured tights during the week, saving them for Saturday. Alex came into Abby’s room and said, “these tights are absolutely lovely, they’re the best I’ve ever worn.”

  “You’ve only worn three pairs,” said Abby, “but yes they’re the best I’ve ever worn too.”

  “You look amazing Abs.”

  “You do too Alex,” and they gave each other a quick hug before doing their make-up and hair.

They were both ready by the time Marian came round in her green dress and tights and her ginger hair in a French plait. “Wow! Look at you!” Jane exclaimed opening the door, “you look stunning.” Marian thanked her and before she could shut the door, Juliet came running across in a blue patterned dress and light blue tights with her long, dark hair loose and free. Jane gave her a lovely compliment too and her and Marian went in to join the other two. A chorus of delighted screams and compliments ensued as the four of them compared their outfits and excitedly looked forward to the day and seeing their friends in town. It was a very warm day for early October and none of them felt they needed coats so once Abby and Alex had put their shoes on they were all ready to go.

  The four of them piled into Jane’s car with Abby in the front and off they went to town. As they pulled up to where they arranged to meet the others, another car stopped in front of them and Sam got out the back. “It’s the others!” exclaimed Abby, and Beth got out the front and Sarah and Erin emerged from the back.

  Jane stopped behind what was Beth’s mum’s car and Abby and Marian got out the nearside followed by Juliet and Alex. All eight of them indulged in more excited screaming, jumping up and down and compliments about their outfits flew around. Beth was wearing a yellow, rustic-type dress with her yellow tights, Sam and Sarah were in tops and skirts which complimented their coloured tights and Erin wore dungaree shorts with a multicoloured jumper and her pink tights underneath. Jane and Beth’s mum got out of their cars and introduced themselves to each other.

  “I’ve heard so much about your two,” said Amanda, Beth’s mum, “which ones are they?”

  “Abby’s in the red tights, Alex is in the lilac,” Jane answered, “I guess Beth is in the yellow.”

  “Yes that’s right.”

  “Abby told me what a lovely head of hair Beth’s got and I can see she didn’t exaggerate.”

  “Don’t they all look great, Jane?”

  “I’m going to get a photo,” and she took her phone from her pocket. “Girls, all line up, I’ll get a picture of you all.”

  They all got in a line one behind the other facing Jane’s right. Beth was at the front and said, “show a leg girls!” and lifted her right heal and raised the hem of her dress a little. The others all followed suit, smiled and Jane got the picture. Abby asked her mum to send it to her so she could send  it to the others and they all admired themselves in the photo. Amanda gave Jane her number and Jane forwarded it to her as well before they both said their goodbyes and told the girls to be ready at the prearranged times. The girls headed for the shops excited about the day ahead. Jane watched as Beth linked arms with Alex, the two of them giggling with each other, and she felt strangely proud.

  The girls looked in a few shops before someone suggested it was burger time. Near the burger shop was a group of three buskers, a guitarist, a fiddler and a mandolin player, who were playing lively tunes. Erin started dancing and Marian joined her and they beckoned to the others. Soon all eight were dancing and a little crowd started to gather. The buskers played up to them and played a medley of tunes which the girls interpreted well and the crowd grew. Eventually the buskers finished the medley, the girls stopped and applauded them and the buskers and the crowd applauded the girls. They all threw some coins in the buskers’ open guitar case and the crowd did the same. “Want to do another?” the guitarist asked, the girls agreed and they danced another medley before thanking and being thanked by the buskers before going into the burger shop for lunch.

  “That was so much fun,” said Alex while standing in the queue.

  “I’m knackered,” said Sarah, “but it was worth it.”

  “We should be on TV,” added Erin.

  “I could do it all over again, it was really great fun,” Juliet said. In fact all of them loved their improvised dancing session and a few days later found that someone had posted it online. They had lots of hits.

  After their burgers, they hit the shops again and soon found themselves in the mall. Alex, Sarah and Sam were thirsty and got a milkshake each while the others went into a clothes store. Sam finished first and went into the shop leaving Alex and Sarah to finish theirs. Just then, a couple boys from Sarah’s class at school came up and said hi. Sarah said hi and said, “this is my friend Alex.”  

  The boys and Alex said hi to each other and one of the boys said, “we’re just going for a burger, would you two lovely ladies care to join us?’

  “We’ve had one,” Sarah replied, “and the rest of our friends are in the shop there.”

  “Oh.”

The other boy had been looking at Alex who was feeling a bit uneasy. “I think you’re gorgeous,” he said to Alex, “can I take you to the cinema sometime?”

  Alex was a bit taken aback but quickly said, “I’m not allowed to date boys yet, I’m only ten.”

  “Oh! I thought you were our age.”

Sarah finished her drink, threw the empty in the bin and grabbed Alex by the arm. Alex threw her empty in the bin too and both said goodbye to the boys and dashed into the shop giggling with each other. In the shop they found Abby, Juliet and Erin together and told them what happened.

  “Who was it who asked Alex out?” asked Abby.

  “Dan Collins,” replied Sarah.

  “You had a lucky escape there, Alex, he’s a right sleaze-ball. You handled that really well.”

  “You should have seen his face,” said Sarah, “on Monday you should say ‘I heard you’ve been hitting on my little sister’ and see him turn red.” They all giggled. Marian, Beth and Sam came over and Sarah and Alex filled them in on their encounter.

  “Was the other boy Jimmy Dean?” asked Sam.

  “You got it,” Sarah confirmed.

  “A right pair they are,” said Beth, “both of them have tried it on with me this term.”

  “Do they only go for class girls then?” asked Juliet, with a hint of fun in her question. They all laughed.

  “You got it,” said Beth, and she gave pose and they all laughed again.

  Alex had intended to spend his pocket money on a top and some cheap jewellery and he found a nice top in that shop which he got. Leaving there, he and Juliet went into Claire’s while the others went in the shoe shop next door. He found a matching necklace and bracelet at a reasonable price and got them. Juliet got another bangle for her collection and the two of them rejoined the rest in the shoe shop where nobody bought anything despite trying on loads.

  They carried on shopping and with an hour to go before pick-up times, they found themselves in the same department store as last week. Abby went to get a pair of slippers like Alex’s and decided on black so they wouldn’t get them mixed up. Beth said, “these tights are so lovely I’m going to get another pair,” and picked out orange. Marian got another pair too, this time raspberry like Abby’s, and Alex had just enough left to get a pink pair to match her slippers.

  On the way back to the meeting place, they saw the buskers again who asked them to do another dance. They all agreed and deposited their shopping behind the fiddler before throwing themselves into another reel-type dance much to the pleasure of passing shoppers and the buskers. “Do another?” said the guitarist, but they had to decline as time was pressing. They picked up their shopping and bid the buskers farewell. “Come and dance with us anytime,” the guitarist called after them.” They all turned and waved.

  They arrived at the meeting place a little early and sat on a wall sucking some sweets that Beth had bought. All were chatting excitedly about what a great day they had had when Jane pulled up. Alex, Abby, Marian and Juliet said goodbye to the others and got into the car and waved as they pulled away. Amanda arrived a couple minutes later to pick up the rest.

  “How was your day girls?” Jane asked, and they all started with their dancing experiences. “That sounds wonderful,” Jane continued when they all had finished a full account between them, “maybe you’ll all be on a talent show before long.”

  “We’re not that good mum,” Abby said, “but we had so much fun,” the others agreed.

  When they got in, Abby ran straight upstairs and Alex put his slippers on and joined Jane in the kitchen. “How did you get on?” Jane asked.

  “It was even better than last week, mum, I even got asked out by a boy.”

  “You what?!” Alex told her what happened. “What did you say to him?”

  “I said I wasn’t allowed to date boys as I’m only ten and then Sarah and I went to join the others.”

  “Well I suppose you handled that very well. But you see what I mean about how anything can happen?”

  “Yes mum but I did handle it and I had such a wonderful time and I feel so good being a girl, I think I really am a girl with the wrong body, I want to get rid of my willy and be a girl forever, please mum, I really don’t want to be a boy any longer, I’m a girl inside and I feel like I’m my true self when I’m a girl and I don’t want to be a boy anymore, please can I be a girl always, please mum, please mum.”

  “Being a girl isn’t all fun you know.”

  “I know, I’ve watched Abby and Juliet and Marian grow up and I know they’ve all had bad times as well as good and I’ve had the same but being a girl would help me be me and I would be so much happier than I would be being a boy for the rest of my life.”

  “You really have given me a real problem now. Make you and your sister a cup of tea, I’m going to talk to Susan.”

  “OK mum.” Alex put the kettle on and Jane went across the road. Abby came down in her new slippers and said how glad she was she got them. When the tea was made, they took a couple biscuits each and went into the living room. When they were both comfortable on the sofa, Alex said, “I told mum I think I’m really a girl and that I don’t want to be a boy any more.”

  “I was expecting you to say that,” Abby said, “I think you’re transgender.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s when someone is born in the wrong body, when they’re one gender inside and another outside.”

  “That’s me! Are other people like that too?”

  “Yes, it’s not common but there are lots of transgendered people around, some male-to-female like you and some female-to-male. Many have surgery to change their genitals and change other things about their bodies.”

  “You mean I could have a fanny like yours?”

  “Yes, but you’ll have to wait until your eighteen or something like that.”

  “Wow, that would be amazing! I so much want that.”

  “It’s a difficult process.”

  “I don’t care, oh Abby I would love to be a real girl like you.”

  “Whatever happens, I’ll always stand by you, you’re my darling little sister and I love you so much.”

  “Your little sister, I love that, and I love you so much Abs. Thank you, you’re the best big sister ever.”

  “And you’re the best little sister ever.” They put their mugs down and gave each other the biggest hug ever.

  Across the road, Jane told Susan what Alex had said and they discussed it. “I’m beginning to think Abby’s right,” Jane said to her friend, “Alex is more like a girl than a boy and she has been so much happier recently. If she is transgender it’ll be an awfully hard road for her to embark on but it could be much harder for her if I say that she has to stay a boy.”

  “Perhaps it’s time to seek professional advice. Make an appointment to see your doctor.”

  “I think I will. My doctor’s very good and she’s very understanding. I’ll ring the surgery on Monday and make an appointment for Alex and see what she has to say.” A sneeze from outside the shut door alerted them to a listener. Susan carried on talking, crept to the door and opened it to reveal Juliet had had her ear pressed to it.

  “I was just...”

  “You were just eavesdropping on our conversation. What did you hear?”

  “You were talking about Alex being trans-something, what does it mean?”

   “I’ll explain latter. Now, you are not to breathe a word of this to anyone, do you understand?” Susan said firmly.

  “Yes mum, sorry. Sorry Mrs. Roberts.”

  “Now go to your room, I’ll be up later.” Juliet went upstairs.

  “Don’t punish her Sue, she is only concerned about her friend.”

  “I’ll explain things to her but I won’t punish her, she’s had a lovely day and I don’t want to spoil it for her. Just being sent to her room is punishment enough for eavesdropping.”

  “Why don’t the two of you come over after dinner?”

  “OK, that’ll be nice, thanks.”

  “I’ll see you then, then.” Jane headed back across the road and Susan checked on her stew before going up to see Juliet.

  Jane went into the living room and said to Alex, “I’ve decided to ring the doctor’s on Monday and book an appointment to discuss with the doctor whether you may be transgender, do you know what that means?”

  Alex’s face lit up, “yes mum, Abby has just explained it to me.” Alex jumped up and hugged Jane, “thank you mum, thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  “If you hug me any tighter I’ll have to get the doctor to join my top and bottom halves back together again!”

  “Sorry mum,” Alex let go and turned to Abby who had stood up too. The two of them jumped up and down excitedly.

  “Don’t get too excited, we have to see what the doctor says yet.”

  “If the doctor can’t see that Alex is really a girl then she needs to be retrained,” Abby said. Her and Alex hugged.

  “Susan and Juliet are coming over after tea and we haven’t time to cook much now so I’ll phone for a takeaway, what do you fancy?”

  “Chinese,” they both said at once and then high-fived each other.

  After dinner, Susan and Juliet arrived and Alex told Juliet her news. She gave Alex a big hug and said how happy she was for her. When she released Alex, Alex said, “are you crying?”

  “Yes, I’m so happy for you I can’t help it.”

  “Oh Juliet, that’s so sweet of you.” Alex hugged her again and then got her a tissue. “Your make-up’s going to run.”

  Juliet giggled and wiped her eyes. The three girls sat on the sofa wiggling their feet which were still covered in their coloured tights and in their slippers, Juliet having worn hers across the road. Jane brought in some tea for them and Susan followed behind with two glasses of wine and they all settled down for Saturday evening TV. After Casualty, Susan and Juliet headed home but not until Juliet had given Alex yet another hug and Susan had prised them apart.

  On the way across the road, Susan asked her daughter, “have you transferred your crush from Abby to Alex?”

  “How did you know I had a crush on Abby?”

  “I’m your mother, I notice these things.”

  “Oh,” was all she said.

Chapter Four

  On Monday, Alex and Juliet got back from school and Alex went upstairs to change, coming down in her new pink tights. “They look so good with your slippers,” Juliet said.

  “Thanks, I love how they look.”

  “Here’s your tea and biscuits,” said Jane, “Alex, we got an appointment with the doctor on Wednesday.”

  “Oh yes!” said Alex, “thank you mum, you’re the best.”

  “I’ve got some work to finish so go on in and put the TV on and we’ll talk about it over dinner.” Just then the front door burst open and a breathless Abby followed by a breathless Marian came in.

  “We ran all the way home, look at this!” Abby panted. She showed Jane, Alex and Juliet her phone which had a video on it. Someone at school had found it posted on social media and it showed the eight girls dancing to the buskers on Saturday. “We’re famous, isn’t it brilliant?”

  Alex, Juliet and Jane were all amazed and passed relevant comments about how good it was and how good they all looked.

  “Marian, you look like Jean Butler,” said Jane.

  “Oh I love her! Thanks Mrs Roberts.”

  “Whose that?” asked Juliet.

  “She was in Riverdance.”

  “Oh yes I know, me and mum have seen that loads of times on DVD.”

  They watched it a couple of times and Jane said she had to get back to work. “We’ll cook,” said Abby.

  “That would really help me out. Have a cup of tea first and Alex can tell you her news.” Abby and Marian got their tea and Alex told them about her appointment. Both of them were delighted for her and more hugs were the order of the day. When Susan got back from work she was equally delighted and was also shown the video which she loved. She said a quick hello to Jane and her and Juliet went across the road leaving Abby and Alex to make a spaghetti Bolognese.

  Over dinner, which Jane was very complimentary about, Alex was told that the appointment was at midday so she could have the day off school, Jane had already arranged it with the head teacher. “Shall I go dressed as a girl?”

  “I think that would be a good idea.”

  “Can you wash my lilac tights, my panties and this top please? I can borrow it can’t I  Abby?” Jane and Abby both said yes. “Great, I can’t wait, I’m so excited.”

  “I’m excited for you,” said Abby, “I so hope it goes well, sis.”

  “Thanks, so do I...sis.” They both giggled.

  Wednesday came and Alex dressed as she was on Saturday. The doctor knew what the consultation was about and, as a result, wasn’t surprised by Alex’s attire. Jane and Alex went in and sat down and the first thing the doctor said was, “were you in town Saturday, Alex, dancing with a group of girls?”

  “Yes, I was.”

  “I was watching you in the little crowd that gathered. I recognised Abby but didn’t realise it was you until you walked in. You looked like you were enjoying yourself.”

  “It was brilliant, doctor. We did it a few times.”

  “Well, we’re off to a flying start,” said the doctor and she proceeded to get the full story from Alex and Jane and questioned Alex at length. When satisfied with what Alex had to say, she asked Alex to wait in the waiting room while she questioned Jane and then asked Alex to come back in. “I’m going to refer you to a specialist, Alex,” Alex’s face lit up. “I think from what I’ve heard that you will get the diagnosis you want but I’m not an expert so don’t quote me on that. I wish you all the best and I look forward to seeing you again. And keep up the dancing.”

  “Thank you so much doctor, and I will.”

  When they got to the car, Alex burst into tears. “I’m so happy and so relieved mum. I feel like this is the first day of the rest of my life.”

  Jane hugged her and said, “my darling daughter.” Alex cried with even more happiness. “Right, dry your eyes, we’re going shopping. You need some new clothes.” Jane drove to a superstore on the edge of town and told Alex to get a trolley. “We’ll go to the clothes section first and then get some food. You’ll still have to go to school as a boy for the time being but you’ll be a girl the rest of the time. Hopefully it won’t be for long and you’ll be able to transition fully once we’ve seen the specialist.”

  “OK mum, I can wait.”

  In the clothes section, Jane started picking things out. “You’ll need a couple packs of panties, you can give Abby back one pair, the same for tights, here’s a three pair pack, give Abby a pair for the ones she gave you. Oh, and those would be nice,” looking at a pack of three patterned tights that Alex had picked out, “Abby can have a pair of these too. Do you like that dress?” Jane pointed at a pink sweater dress with a roll neck, “it’ll be getting cold soon so you’ll need something warm.”

  “Its lovely mum, and it’s so soft, can I have it?”

  “Put it in the trolley, you’ll look great in it. This tartan skirt will suit you too and I love that top.”

  “So do I.”

  “Put one in for Abby. It’ll go perfect with your denim skirts and you can both look the same.”

  “That’ll be nice.”

  “You’ve got some t-shirts that will still do you but a couple crop tops would be a good idea. Now, coats, a jacket and a longer coat I think.” Alex tried a few on and settled on a jacket and a warm coat. A smart skirt was added and a pair of ankle boots for rainy days along with a pair of leggings and some white ankle socks. “I think that’ll do for now, let’s go and get some food.” Alex hugged her mum, thanked her for all her new clothes and told her mum how happy she was. Jane welled up a bit, “you’re welcome my darling Alexandra.”

  After stocking up on some food, the two of them headed home. Alex went upstairs with her new clothes and changed into her new pink dress. She picked out the bits for Abby and left them on Abby’s bed. Back downstairs, she showed her mum her dress. “Don’t you look absolutely lovely,” Jane said. “Now, I’ve got to get on with some work. I’ve put the shopping away, make yourself a cup of tea and bring me one in please.”

  “Of course mum, I’ll start preparing dinner as well, what are we having?”

  “There’s some frozen fish fillets in the freezer so you only have to peel some potatoes and put some veg in a saucepan.”

  “OK mum.” Alex made the tea, peeled the potatoes and got the veg ready. She then checked out a cook book and made up a parsley sauce to go with it all. After all that, she made herself another cup of tea as the first one had gone cold and went into the living room. No sooner had she sat down than the doorbell rang. A breathless Juliet was there wanting to know how Alex had got on at the doctor’s. She came in and Alex told her that she’d been referred to a specialist. They both jumped up and down and Alex got another hug. By the time Alex had made Juliet a cup of tea, Abby and Marian both came in breathlessly as well, having run home like Juliet. Alex shared her news again and there was more excitement and hugging.

  Eventually they all managed to sit down and drink their tea and finally Abby noticed that Alex had a new dress on. “Mum bought me some new clothes and there’s a few bits for you on your bed.”

  “That dress looks great with lilac tights and pink slippers,” said Marian, “I can’t wear pink, it looks awful on me.”

  “You look great in colours that look awful on me,” said Abby, “swings and roundabouts I suppose.”

  “I look good in swings,” Juliet said, and they all laughed.

  After Juliet and Marian had gone home, Abby and Alex finished cooking dinner and called Jane. The fish and vegetables were served up when Jane sat down and Alex said, “parsley sauce mum?”

  “I didn’t know we had any packets of parsley sauce,” Jane commented.

  “We didn’t,” said Alex, “I made it from a recipe.”

  “Oh you clever girl,” Jane tasted it, “it’s perfect, well done darling.”

  “You’ll make a great housewife,” Abby joked.

  “You won’t catch me marrying a man,” Alex came back and they all laughed and tucked into their dinners. After a couple mouthfuls, Alex put her knife and fork down and started crying again.

  “What’s the matter?” asked Jane.

  “I’ve just realised just how lucky I am. I may never have a husband but I could never have wished for a better mother or a better sister.”

  “Oh darling! I could never wish for two better daughters.”

  “I agree with Alex, now I’m going to start crying now,” Abby added.

  Jane took her daughters’ hands and they all shed a few joyful tears. “That’s enough, now, dinner’s getting cold.” They all finished eating and carried on with their evenings.

  The following weekend the girls didn’t go in town as it was the start of half-term and Marian and a couple others were all busy with families or had gone away. Juliet was also staying at her grandparents for a few days so Abby and Alex found themselves entertaining their cousins on Saturday. Aunty Lynn had been updated by Jane on Alex’s situation and she in turn had told her three kids. When they arrived on Saturday morning, Jane answered the door and an excited eight-year-old Ellie was first in.

  “Hi Aunty Jane, where’s Alex?”

  “In the living room, Ellie.”

  Ellie rushed in and stopped, “Alex you look lovely,” and she ran and hugged her. Alex had her new top on with her tartan skirt, pink tights and slippers.

  “Thanks Ellie.”

  “Hi Abby.”

  “Hi Ellie, do I get a hug too?”

  “Oh yeah, sorry.”

  Six-year-old Oliver appeared at the door carrying a football, he looked at Alex and said, “you’ll never catch me dressing like a girl. Can we play football in the back garden Aunty Jane?”

  “Yes go on.” He ran off.

  Five-year-old Jack looked in at Alex, pointed and said, “you look funny,” and ran off after his brother.

  Lynn went into the living room and said, “let me have a look at my new niece, oh Alex, you look beautiful.”

  “Thanks Aunty Lynn,” and they hugged.

  “Abby, I love what you’ve done with your hair.” She had plaited it in a style she’d never tried before and they hugged too.

  “Thanks Aunty Lynn.”

  “Can you do mine like that too?” asked Ellie.

  “Sure, come and sit on the sofa.” They both sat down and Alex sat on the floor next to them and the three of them chatted away as Abby plaited Ellie’s hair.

  Ellie was full of questions for Alex and Alex happily answered them all. She wanted to know if Alex sat down to pee now, if she fancied boys, when she would get boobs, was she allowed to wear make-up, if she liked wearing skirts, what she wanted for Christmas now, what was her favourite shade of lipstick, was she going to go to school in a skirt and a whole load of other questions. Finally, for the time being, Ellie said, “I’m so glad you’re a girl now.”

  “Hair’s done,” said Abby and Ellie ran off to find a mirror, coming back shortly later. “It looks brilliant, Abby, thanks so much. Shall we play a game now?”

  “I enjoyed doing it for you. I’ll go and get a game.”

  Abby went upstairs and Ellie and Alex cleared the coffee table. “You’re outfit’s lovely Alex, I’d love to have an outfit like that, especially the slippers. Mum won’t let me have mules because she said I might trip over in them.”

  “Your slippers look cosy though.”

  “Yeah they are but I would rather have ones like you and Abby, but pink like yours.”

  Abby came down with a game and they set it up and amused themselves until lunchtime. Meanwhile the boys were kicking a ball around in the back garden and managed not to break a window, much to Jane’s relief. At one point, Ollie opened the back door and asked what was for lunch. Jane replied, “ifits.”

  “What?” said Ollie.

  “If it’s there you have it, if it’s not you don’t.”

  “Granny used to say that,” said Lynn, “and we usually got pilchards.” Jane and Lynn laughed and Ollie went back to the garden and told Jack they were having pilchards. Lunch turned out to be beans and cheese on toast which Ollie and Jack were very relieved about. Ellie sat next to Alex and chatted away all lunch-time, pleased as punch to have another female cousin. After lunch, all the kids played some games together in the living room and had fun. The boys got used to Alex’s appearance and didn’t say much more about it. The three girls offered to make dinner and Jane and Lynn joined the boys in the garden. Dinner was a great success and they all settled down to watch TV until Lynn said it was time to go around eight-ish.

  As they were leaving, Ellie hugged Abby and Alex together and said, “I’ve had so much fun today with you two. Can’t wait to see you both again.”

  “We’ve had fun with you as well, haven’t we Abby?”

  “We have and we can’t wait to see you again as well.” They all said goodbye and Lynn and her three left.

  Jane and the girls settled down to the TV again and, being half-term, they were allowed to stay up a little later, finding a comedy programme after Casualty finished. The rest of the week went well with Alex able to spend the whole week as a girl for the first time. She went food shopping with Jane and Abby, Jane took them both for a couple days out in the country and for a day in a nearby town. Alex had a lovely week and enjoyed her new life immensely. She was happier than she had ever been.

Charter Five

  Life carried on for Alex and her family through November. At the end of the month, Jane’s parents got home from America where her father had been working for the past three months. They had missed Abby starting at her new school and had no idea about what was happening with Alex. Jane wasn’t worried about what her dad would say but was dreading telling her mother. A few days after they returned she went to see them while the girls were at school. They lived in a little village a few miles from town in a house her dad had inherited from his parents. Jane and Lynn had spent the last few years of their childhood there and both of them loved the old building. Their children all loved visiting although all of them were rather scared of their grandmother who was a strict, old-fashioned lady and rather religious. Grandad was a warm, loving man who doted on all his grandchildren and taught them all much about the countryside around where he lived. In contrast to his wife he was free-thinking and open minded. Despite this, he loved her dearly and she was devoted to him.

  After the catching up on her parents’ experiences in the U.S., Jane began telling them about Alex. “Mum, dad, I’ve got some big news about Alex. We saw the doctor...”

  “Is he OK, Jane?”

  “Please mum, let me talk. We saw the doctor about something Alex is going through.”

  “What is it dear?”

  “Please mum, just listen and let me finish. Alex has never been a typical boy and things that he has said and done led me to think he might be transgender so...”

  “Oh what nonsense, it’s just a phase he’s going through.”

  “It’s not a phase, mum, the doctor has referred her to a specialist...”

  “Her? Do you mean Abby? What’s wrong with Abby?”

  “No, I’m talking about Alex, he is now a she and she is going to be seen by a specialist in gender dysphoria with the hope that she can become a girl permanently and have surgery when she’s older.  She...”

  “What on earth are you talking about? Alex was born a boy and that is that. Changing sex is something weirdos and nutcases do, not respectable middle class children from good homes with loving families.”

  “You’re living in the 1950s mother,” Jane was starting to get a little exasperated. “Dad, say something!”

  “I can’t say I’m entirely surprised, Jane.”

  “What! Charles are you losing your mind?” his wife demanded.

  “Alex has always been more like Abby and Ellie than Oliver and Jack. Who does Alex play with when they’re all here? It’s Abby and Ellie. He almost ignores the boys toys we buy him for Christmas and plays with the girls and their toys.”

  “That’s just him being nice to his sister and cousin. He’s a very kind and thoughtful boy.”

  “Then why doesn’t he play with Ollie and Jack in the same way? The only time he plays with them is when all five of them are playing a board game or some other gender neutral game.”

  “Oh what rubbish, I’m not listening to any more of this nonsense. Alex is a boy and that’s that.” She left the room.

  “Well that went as expected, dad.”

  “Tell me more, darling, I would like to fully understand what is happening with Alex.”

  Jane gave her father a full rundown of what had happened since September, answering all his questions and showing him, firstly, the picture she took of the eight girls together and, secondly, the video of them all dancing.

  “I love that video, show me again,” he said, and he watched it a third time after that. “Do all Alex’s friends know about it all, Jane?”

  “Juliet and Marian do, the other four don’t. We agreed she wouldn’t tell them until she got a definitive diagnosis. I’m not sure if I’m right in doing that but we’ll play it by ear I think.” Jane had already told him that Lynn and her kids knew and her dad now suggested they all come over for Sunday dinner at the weekend.

  “What about mum?”

  “Yes, she can have dinner as well.” They both laughed. “No, seriously, I’ll talk to her. I’ll ring Lynn and we’ll present a united front.”

  “Thanks dad, I knew I could count on you to understand.”

  “I’m not saying I fully understand but I love Alex and I only want Alex to be happy, whether he’s a boy or she’s a girl.”

  Jane left soon after that and called a goodbye to her mother. She didn’t get an answer.

  Back home, Jane told Abby and Alex they were all going to their grandparents on Sunday. She suggested that Alex wore her leggings so as not to upset her grandmother too much and Alex agreed. Abby said she would wear leggings as well. Lynn rang later and confirmed that her and her kids would be going too and Alex felt a little easier knowing that. Alex loved her grandmother but was wary of her sharp tongue and judgemental attitude.

  On Saturday, the girls all went in town again. Abby and Alex wore their matching tops, denim skirts and matching patterned tights, drawing peas-in-a-pod comments from the other girls which particularly pleased Alex. They went to get a burger earlier than usual and decided to go to the cinema for a change, there was a romcom on which they all fancied seeing. In the queue, Abby said, “I hope it’s good, I’ve heard it is.”

  “If it’s boring, we can play join-the-dots on Erin’s tights,” suggested Juliet. They all giggled. “Sorry Erin.”

  “Don’t apologise, I thought it was rather funny,” said Erin.

  The girls got their tickets, went in and sat four behind the other four. The film was funny and they all enjoyed it, getting through two tubs of individual chocolates between them. After coming out, they had little time for shopping but managed a quick walk through the mall and a milkshake. Back home, Abby and Alex prepared potatoes and veg to go with something from the freezer which they and Jane enjoyed. Jane had some work to do and so the girls went in to watch TV. At eight o’clock she decided to call it a day and went  to join her daughters in the living room. She went in to ask if they wanted a cup of tea and found them both lying on the sofa in their matching outfits, arms around each other, legs intertwined, sound asleep. Fetching her phone, Jane took a picture of them both, the flash waking them up.

  “What’s happening,” asked Abby.

  “Sorry I woke you but you both looked so cute I couldn’t resist a photo. Look!” Jane showed them the picture.

  “Can you print it out, please?” asked Alex, “I would like to put it on my wall next to the one of the eight of us you took in town.”

  “I would like to do that as well,” added Abby, “I think it’s a lovely picture.”

  “I’ll do it tomorrow before we go out,” Jane promised.

  “Thanks mum.”

  “Thanks mum.”

  They all had a cup of tea and watched some more TV and the girls went to bed after Casualty as usual despite an argument that they had had a nap and so should be allowed to stay up longer. When Abby and Alex came down for breakfast, they found prints of the photo waiting for them on the table. Pleased as punch, they both put them on their walls after eating, next to their  pictures with all their friends. Jane had printed out another copy and had put it in her handbag.

  The girls got dressed in their matching tops again, with leggings, white ankle socks and ankle boots and both put coats on as it was a chilly day with showers. They got into Jane’s car and headed to their grandparents. As they pulled up outside, they saw Lynn’s car and Ellie’s face at the front window. By the time they got to the door, Ellie had opened it, excited to see her cousins. She was disappointed Alex had leggings on, she had dressed up and hoped that Alex would’ve done too. Her disappointment didn’t last long and she still gave Abby and Alex a big hug each. The boys were in the back garden playing with an American football which Granddad had brought back for them. Grandad came out of the living room to greet them all and they all went into the kitchen where Grandma and Lynn were busy. Jane and the girls said hello and they all gave Jane’s mum a hug. She made a point of saying Abigail and Alexander when greeting them and told them to go and put their slippers on and told Jane to come back and lend a hand.

  Abby, Alex and Ellie joined their grandad in the living room where he gave them some souvenirs he had brought back from America for them and told them about the things he had seen. In the kitchen, Jane was quizzed by her mother about Alex’s outfit. “I told her to wear leggings and not a dress or skirt so she wouldn’t upset you.”

  “HE should be in trousers and a shirt like Oliver and Jack.”

  “Alex looks lovely as a girl,” said Lynn.

  “So you’re on Jane’s side. I should’ve expected that.”

  “WE are on Alex’s side, mum,” Lynn retorted.

  “It’s all a load of nonsense, he’s just after attention.”

  “Can we just have a nice day without arguing please mum?” Jane asked.

  “Sorry for having an opinion about my own grandson.” Jane was about to say something but Lynn put her finger to her mouth without her mother seeing and Jane bit her tongue. They carried on making dinner with little conversation.

  A little while later, Abby came into the kitchen. “Can I show Grandad the picture you took last night, please mum?”

  “Of course you can, dear, it’s in my handbag.”

  “Thanks mum,” and she took the photo into the living room.

  “What picture is this?” asked Grandma.

  “Abby and Alex asleep on the sofa last night. I’ll show you after dinner.”

  In the living room, Grandad was shown the photo and said how lovely it was. Ellie saw it and said how cute they both looked and asked if she could have a copy. “I’ll ask mum,” said Abby, “I expect mum will let you have that one, Grandad, if you would like it.”

  “Yes I would, you both look absolutely darling.” Both girls thanked him and Ellie thanked Abby.

  About twenty minutes later, Jane came into the living room and said that dinner was ready. Lynn had called the boys in from the garden and they all assembled in the dining room. “This looks wonderful, Mary,” Grandad said to his wife, “you can’t beat a good old British Sunday roast.”

  “What are American roasts like Grandad?” asked Abby.

  “Nice, but not as good as ones here at home.”

Grandma said grace and they all began. “We’ve got some news,” she said. “Charles, do you want to tell everyone?”

  “We’re going to get a puppy,” he announced and there was general excitement all around the table. “A farmer friend of ours has had a litter and he said we could have one. It’s a border collie and we’ll get him in about ten days. We’re going to call him Harry.”

  “He’s a lovely little thing with very cute markings,” added Grandma, “quite different from Betty.”

  “Who’s Betty?” asked Ollie.

  “She was the dog we had when me and Aunty Jane were young,” said Lynn.

  “She was a great dog,” Jane added, “she loved long walks around here and swimming in the river.”

  “What happened to her,” asked Jack.

  “She had a long and happy life and died of old age,” Grandma said. “I’ll dig out some photos later.”

  After the roast was finished, Abby and Alex offered to help taking the plates out. Grandma spotted Alex’s slippers for the first time and said, “Alexander, what have you got on your feet?”

  “My slippers, Gran, do you like them?”

  “I would like them on Abby.”

  “Mary,” Grandad said looking at her.

  “I would love a pair like that,” said Ellie.

  “I’ve told you you’re too young for a pair of mules, you’ll only end up falling down the stairs or something,” Lynn told her.

  “Aww mum. I’m more likely to trip over one of the boys’ toys.”

  “That’s the hope,” Ollie said.

  “Ollie! That’s not a nice thing to say about your sister,” scolded Lynn. Abby and Alex came back in for some more empty plates. “I’ll serve dessert.”

   “I’ll help you, Lynn,” said Jane and a few minutes later Abby and Alex helped them bring them in. When dinner was finished, Grandad and the three girls did the washing up and then they went for a walk with the boys. Grandma, Jane and Lynn sat down with a cup of tea.

  “Let me see the photo then,” said Grandma.

  “It’s here,” Jane said picking it up from the coffee table.

  “What on earth! Alexander’s wearing a skirt and tights, exactly the same as his sister. He’s obviously just copying her.”

  “Alex picked out the top and I suggested we got another for Abby. She also picked out the tights which were a multi-pack and she gave Abby a pair.”

  “I think they both look adorable,” said Lynn, looking over her mother’s shoulder.

  “You’ll be getting Oliver and Jack copying their sister and cousins next.”

  “You really haven’t a clue mother, have you?” Jane said, “Transgenderism is a medical condition not copy-cat behaviour.”

  “It say in the Bible that a man shall not wear a woman’s clothes and a woman shall not wear a man’s clothes.”

  “It also says that we shouldn’t eat pork and what did you serve us for dinner? Pork.”

  “That’s Jewish law.”

  “It’s in the same book as what you quoted. You’re picking and choosing what parts of the Bible to follow and what parts to ignore. And you’re wearing trousers, trousers are men’s clothes.”

  “These are women’s trousers. Tights are women’s clothes not men’s.”

  “See that book on the shelf? The Kings and Queens of England. Lynn and I used to giggle at the picture of the Princes in the Tower when we were young, both of them are wearing tights, centuries before women started wearing them.”

  “Henry VIII wore tights,” added Lynn.

  “I have a headache, I’m going to lie down,” Grandma announced and went upstairs.

  “She hates being made to look a hypocrite when it comes to religion,” Lynn quietly said after she had gone.

  “I hope she calms down before Christmas, Alex is bound to want to come in a nice dress and make-up.”

  “Do you think we should go when dad gets back?”

  “We’ll see what dad says. I did enjoy that pork though.”

  “Me too.”

  When their father returned with the kids, Jane and Lynn made everyone a cup of tea with squash for the boys. “We saw a water vole, mum,” said Ellie.

  “And a sparrowhawk,” added Ollie.

  “Girls, boys, take your tea into the living room,” Jane instructed them. When they had gone, she told Grandad about their run in with Grandma.

  “I’ll take her up a cup and see how she is,” he said. He came down a few minutes later and said that she was very upset about what was happening with Alex. “She thinks it completely unnatural and contrary to Biblical teachings and she just can’t get her head around it at all. I’m going to do some research and try to explain things to her. If you could recommend some reading material, Jane, I would be grateful.”

  “OK dad, I’ll e-mail you some references you may find useful. Do you think we should head back home?”

  “It may be a good idea in the circumstances. Finish your teas first though.”

  Everyone drank their drinks and Jane, Lynn and the kids left and went back to Jane’s for Sunday tea. The girls went upstairs to change. Ellie wanted a picture with Alex and Abby. The girls went back downstairs and Jane took a photo of them sat on the sofa with Ellie in the middle. Ollie and Jack then sat at either end and Jane took another and sent them to Lynn so she could print out copies for herself and Ellie who wanted to put them on her wall.

  “Ellie is so pleased she’s got two girls for cousins now,” Lynn told Jane as they were making sandwiches in the kitchen, “I think she would move in here if she had the chance.”

  Jane laughed, “she’s such a lovely girl, if either of mine get too much I’ll swap you.”

  Lynn laughed, “you wouldn’t want to swap one girl for two boys, would you?”

  “Thanks for the offer, but I think not.”

  They had sandwiches and sausage rolls for tea with fruit cake to follow. Lynn and her three went home around an hour later and Abby and Alex headed for bed about half eight, tired out. Jane poured herself a G&T and fell asleep on the sofa.

Chapter Six

  The following Saturday the eight girls met in town for the last time before Christmas. Beth handed out invitations to the other seven for her birthday party on New Year’s Eve. All were excited and there was much talk of what they were going to wear. It was going to be Alex’s first party as a girl and quietly said to Abby, the classic line, ‘I’ve nothing to wear’.

  “Maybe you’ll get something for Christmas,” Abby consoled her.

  “If not you can borrow something of mine,” said Juliet. Alex was somewhat placated.

  As it happened, when they were in the department store, Alex saw a beautiful purple and black dress and tried it on. “That dress was made for you,” said Abby and a couple of the others who saw her in it agreed, “Ask mum if you can have it for Christmas.”

  “I would love it,” Alex pined, “but it’s probably too expensive.”

  Abby tried on a classy black dress and loved that one. “Every girl should have a LBD,” she said, “but I doubt mum would let me have it. Still, it was nice to wear it once.”

  Alex and Abby bought a pair of slippers just like Alex’s in Ellie’s size as a Christmas present to her from the both of them. “We’re going to get in trouble with Aunty Lynn,” said Abby, “but I don’t  care.”

  “Me neither, I don’t think Ellie’s too young for them, she’s nearly nine now.”

  “Exactly.”

  When they got home, they told Jane about the dresses they had tried on but neither made a fuss about getting them. Over dinner, Abby took off her jumper as she was rather warm. Underneath she had a tight fitting t-shirt that showed she had two little bumps underneath it. “We’re going to have to think about getting you a bra, darling,” Jane commented, “we could go in town tomorrow morning if you want.”

  “OK mum, thanks.”

  “Can I come too?” asked Alex.

  “No, this should be something Abby and I do together. You can go over to Juliet’s for a couple hours.”

  “OK.”

  They spent their usual Saturday evening watching TV and the girls went to bed after  Casualty. When they got upstairs, Alex asked Abby if she was excited about getting her first bra. “Well I had to get one sooner or later, but yes, I am a little.”

  “It must be wonderful to grow boobs,” Alex said wistfully.

  “Hormone treatment will give you little ones and you can have implants when you’re older.”

  “That would be a dream. I bet Ellie ends up bigger than both of us.” They both giggled and said goodnight.

  The next morning, Alex went across to Juliet’s and Jane took Abby into town. The department store had a good range of girls’ bras and a fitting service. They picked out a pretty padded satin bra in a natural colour which Abby was very pleased with. “You can save that for best and we’ll get you a couple white cotton bras for wearing to school,” suggested Jane.

  Bras bought, Jane said, “now where’s this dress that Alex liked?” Abby took her to where it was. “Are you sure this is the one?”

  “Certain.”

  “It’s not as much as I was expecting. This will do for her main present,” and Jane took it off the rail. “Which one did you like?” Abby showed her. “Oh this looks a bit old for you, sorry dear, I’ll come in with Alex and find something more suitable for you.”

  “OK mum,” Abby said disappointed.

  “Now, here’s £10 to put towards a really nice pair of tights for your present to Alex to match the dress. Go downstairs to the hosiery department and pick out a pair and I’ll meet you down there after I’ve paid for this.” Abby took the tenner and as soon as she had gone down the escalator, Jane took the black dress Abby wanted from the rail and went to the till. At the till, she asked the assistant to put the black dress in the bag under Alex’s so Abby wouldn’t see that she had bought it.

  In the hosiery department, Abby had found a pair of purple tights with a pattern down the outside of each leg which looked very stylish. They were made by a top manufacturer and about £15. Abby made up the difference and was very pleased with herself for finding them. When Jane saw them she was delighted with Abby’s choice, “Alex is going to look stunning in this dress and those tights. We’ll find something for you so you’ll look equally stunning.”

  “Thanks mum, and now I’ll have a lovely bra to wear underneath, thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome,” Jane hugged her.

  Jane put the dresses in the back of the car and told Abby not to let on to Alex about it. When they got home, she sent Abby across the road to get Alex and she took the dresses and tights indoors before the girls got in so she could hide them away. Abby had the bag with the bras in and proudly showed them to Alex, Juliet and Susan. “I’m going to put the best one on as soon as I get in,” she said excitedly.

  When they got home, Abby and Alex ran straight upstairs and Abby put on the padded satin bra. “It looks great on you,” said Alex.

  “Thanks, I’m really pleased with it,” Abby said, admiring it in the mirror. She put on the tight t-shirt she had been wearing the day before and stood in front of the mirror turning from side to side. “The padding makes me look even bigger.”

  “It does, don’t turn around too fast, you’ll have my eye out!” They both laughed. Both of them went downstairs and helped Jane prepare Sunday dinner and the three of them enjoyed the rest of the day together.

  As Abby was leaving for school the next morning, Jane told her that she was going in town with Alex and Juliet and soon as they got back from school. Abby suspected they were going to get her Christmas present and said she might go round to Marian’s. On the way into town, Jane told Alex that she was making Abby think that they were going to get her present but that she got it yesterday. But she said she wanted Alex to get something for Abby so they would get that and then go for a milkshake. They went into the department store and, passing the hosiery department, Jane suggested Alex get her a really nice pair of tights and gave her £10 to put towards a pair. Jane guided Alex a bit so she would pick a pair to go with a black dress and Alex found a pair similar to the ones Abby had bought her for a similar price, also by a top manufacturer. Jane and Juliet approved of the choice. The three of them went for a milkshake to waste a bit of time to give the impression of spending time finding a present. Jane was very pleased with herself as she had bought both of her daughters’ main Christmas presents and neither of them had a clue what they were getting.

  That week, Grandad Charles did some research into what it meant to be transgender. Jane e-mailed him some links to sites on the internet he might find useful and he read about how some people felt trapped in bodies they didn’t feel belonged to them; how boys and girls, men and women felt suicidal because they thought they couldn’t talk to anyone or because they had been ostracised by friends and family who couldn’t or wouldn’t understand; how people spent years living a lie, maybe ending up in marriages in which they didn’t fit; how misery was their constant companion. He read how struggle against prejudice and ignorance for some was too high a price to pay and for others was better than not transitioning.

  He took in all he could and then tried to explain to Grandma Mary about it all and to try to get her to understand that Alex wasn’t doing this as a whim or trying to copy Abby. He tried to explain how Alex needed her family’s love and support, not their disapproval, and how she could lose not only Alex, but Jane and Abby too if she persisted in treating her like she was a naughty child.

  Mary took it in and said she would speak to the vicar as well for spiritual guidance. The vicar pointed out how Jesus preached love and forgiveness and how this was particularly relevant at this time of year. He urged her to look to the teachings of Christ in the Gospels and not to the vengefulness of some of the Old Testament passages. He suggested that she just think of Alex as her grandchild and not as her grandson or granddaughter, looking at the person inside, whatever clothes were on the outside.

  After thinking about what her husband and the vicar had said to her, Mary agreed not to demonise or antagonise Alex for being transgender and to try and accept it. She said she would not call her Alexander, would accept her choice of clothing and would make every effort not to disrupt Christmas. Charles phoned Jane and told her all this and Jane said they would be happy to come for Christmas Day. This pleased Charles very much, he loved having his daughters and grandchildren  around him during the festive season.

  Jane and the girls finished their Christmas shopping and wrapped their presents. Alex had gone through her mum’s old photographs and found a picture of Betty the dog. She made a few attempts at doing a drawing of her and finally succeeded in doing one that really looked like her. She got a frame from a charity shop, framed it and wrapped it for her mum. Abby was beginning to show a talent for pottery in her art class at school and had made, painted and glazed a mug that bore the name ‘mum’ on it. It held about half as much again as most mugs and she wrapped that for her mum. She had also noticed that one of her mum’s easels was held together with tape and she and Alex had saved up to get her a new one and had arranged with Marian’s dad to order it for them. The girls spent Christmas Eve watching TV and doing their nails.

  On Christmas morning, Alex and Abby got up at seven and took their home-made presents into Jane’s room. “Merry Christmas mum!” they both shouted and climbed into bed either side of her.

  “Merry Christmas my darlings!” Jane said, still a bit bleary-eyed. They both put their presents in Jane’s lap as she sat up. “For me? Thank you both.” Jane was delighted with both presents.

  “Your main present is under the tree,” said Abby.

  “I saw it there, you really shouldn’t have you know. Now, come on, let’s go down and you can open yours.”

  The girls went down first while Jane put on her dressing gown and got the girls dresses from her wardrobe. Abby and Alex were kneeling by the tree when Jane arrived carrying two presents. “Who wants to go first?”

  “Alex first, I want to see her face,” said Abby excitedly, “I know what you got Alex.”

  “Here you are, darling,” Jane gave Alex a parcel which she opened enthusiastically.

  “Oh! It’s that dress I tried on, oh wow! Thank you mum, thank you, thank you, I love it.”

  “Here’s yours, darling,” Jane handed Abby hers and she too opened it enthusiastically.

  “It’s the dress you said was too old for me, thank you so much mum, I love it too.”

  “I said it was too old for you so it would be a surprise for you. I got it the same time I got Alex’s.”

  “That was crafty, but I love you for it.”

  “Here’s yours mum,” said Alex, “it’s from the both of us.” Jane opened it and was bowled over at how thoughtful the girls had been.

  “I saw you had taped up your easel so we thought it was time you had a new one seeing as your work keeps us fed and housed,” Abby told her. Jane hugged them both.

  “This is from me, Alex, to go with your dress.”

  “Thanks Abby, and this is from me to go with your dress.”

  “Thanks Alex.” They both opened their presents from each other.

  “Oh wow! I love them,” said Alex a split second before Abby said exactly the same. They both thanked each other again and hugged.

  There were lots of little present for them too, such as books, make-up, school supplies, CDs and DVDs, a few items of clothing and a note for each of them promising them a new pair of shoes to go with their dresses. When they had finished opening presents they all went to the kitchen for breakfast. “We’re leaving for Grandma and Grandad’s at around eleven so we better get ready after finishing this,” Jane informed them.

  “OK mum, we want to look our best so we might take a while,” Abby replied. “Alex, shall we get ready together?”

  “Yeah, lets, it’ll be fun.”

  “That’s what I was thinking.”

  After breakfast, the girls picked up their presents and went upstairs. Alex put hers on her bed, took off her pyjamas and put on a pair of panties and a crop-top. She picked up her new dress and tights and went into Abby’s room. Abby had got a new pair of panties to match her best bra and she had put them on and was putting on her bra.

  “They go together really well,” said Alex.

  “They do, don’t they?” Abby said looking in the mirror. They both took their tights from the packets and put them on. Abby finished first, “wow, these are brilliant, they feel amazing.”

  “Mine do too,” said Alex, standing up, “and look at the pattern down the legs, they’re beautiful.”

  “So are mine, I love the pattern.” They both admired their legs in the mirror, turning from side to side.

  Alex came out with the classic line, “does my bum look big in this?” They both got a fit of the giggles. They put their dresses on. “Abby you look stunning, your tights go perfectly with your dress.”

  “You look stunning too, Alex, and your tights go perfectly too. Let’s do our make-up now.”

  “I’ll get my new eyeshadow and lipstick.” Alex put her slippers back on and fetched them from her room. They both did a great job with their eyeshadow, blending in colours to suit their outfits. After applying a little blusher, they put on their lipstick and then did their hair. When they finished, they admired themselves in the mirror again.

  As they sat on Abby’s bed chatting, the doorbell rang. “Can one of you get that? I’m in the bathroom,” Jane called out.

  “I’ll get it, it’ll be Marian,” Abby called back, and she went downstairs. Alex picked up her make-up and took it back to her room. Abby opened the door, it was Juliet.

  “Merry Christmas, Abby.”

  “Merry Christmas, Juliet. Alex, its Juliet,” Abby shouted up the stairs.

  “Coming,” Alex replied and she appeared at the top of the stairs. Juliet’s face had a look of astonishment on it.

  “Alex, I’ve never seen you look so beautiful! Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas Juliet, you look really beautiful too.” She had reached the bottom of the stairs by now and they gave each other a hug and Juliet gave Alex a little kiss, taking her by surprise.

  “This is for you,” Juliet said, handing Alex a little package.

  “Thanks Juliet, I’ve something for you under the tree.” The three of them went into the living room and the doorbell rang again.

  “That will be Marian,” said Abby and she answered the door again.

  “Merry Christmas, Abby.”

  “Merry Christmas, Marian, come in the living room.” Marian, Juliet and Alex all exchanged merry Christmases and all of them exchanged compliments about their outfits. Juliet had a new red dress, that looked great with her long dark hair, and sheer black tights with an ankle motif. Marian also had a new dress, it was in her favourite shade of green. “Where did you get those tights?” Abby asked her.

  “I’ve got two pairs on, sheer green underneath and lacy black ones on top,” she answered.

  “What a great idea, I’ve never thought of that,” Juliet said.

  “They look really great,” added Alex. She gave her present to Juliet and Abby and Marian exchanged presents. All four opened their gifts and by some weird coincidence found that they had all given each other necklaces. They were all delighted with what they had received and helped each other put them on. Alex had a heart shaped locket on hers and opened it. “Oh wow, it’s a little picture of you,” she said to Juliet, “I absolutely love it.” She gave Juliet a kiss and a hug.

  “If you two kiss any more, you’ll both have to redo your lipstick,” Abby said. They both went red. Juliet’s was also heart shaped but it had a red stone in the middle and went perfectly with her dress. “Have you got time for a drink? Marian? Juliet?” Both said yes and Abby went to the kitchen and came back with some fizzy apple juice and four glasses. She popped the cork and poured each of them a glass. “Merry Christmas everyone.” They all said the same.

  “Here’s to friendship,” said Marian and they all drunk again.

  “And families,” said Alex.

  “And lots of Christmas pudding,” said Juliet, they all laughed. Abby topped up their glasses and they stood around chatting, looking as if they were all at a sophisticated cocktail party. Jane came downstairs looking great too. She took a photo of the four girls, took a present from under the tree and nipped across the road to see Susan. Ten minutes later, Jane came back and told Juliet that her mum had said it was time to go. Juliet headed home and Marian did too. Alex, Abby and Jane gathered the presents for their family, put their slippers in a carrier bag, put on their coats and shoes and got in the car to go to Grandma and Grandad’s.

  They arrived before Lynn and her three and Grandad greeted them at the door and showed them into the dining room. Harry came into the room to see what was going on and met Jane, Alex and Abby for the first time and they all made a fuss of him. Grandma came in and true to her word included Alex in her compliments for their appearances. Jane went to help her in the kitchen and Grandad chatted with the girls until Lynn and family arrived soon after. He showed them into the dining room too and said that the cousins could exchange presents now but the rest would have to wait until after dinner. Harry was made a fuss of again before Grandad and Lynn went to help in the kitchen and Jane and Grandma briefly looked in to greet Ellie and the boys.

  Ellie was delighted that Alex had come in a dress and was full of praise for how lovely Alex and Abby looked. She had a pretty pink dress and matching tights on with her full-footed slippers. When she opened her present from Alex and Abby she was over the moon with her pink fluffy mules that matched her outfit perfectly. Lynn came in with the cranberry sauce just in time to see her putting them on and cast a disapproving look at her nieces. Abby said, “Ellie, you need to make me and Alex a promise. You are not to run in them and you must hold the banister on the stairs. Do you promise that?”

  “I promise,” she said. Lynn said nothing to Abby and Alex and Ellie was allowed to keep them and wear them. She hugged her two cousins in thanks. They finished exchanging their presents and all were pleased. Harry went back to the kitchen to have his dinner. The boys had brought a couple new toys with them and played with them on the floor around the dinner table while the girls all chatted about what they had got.

  It wasn’t long before dinner was ready and the kids were told to take their places at the table. Ellie sat between her cousins and the boys were on the other side. The plates with the turkey and all the trimmings were brought in along with the gravy and the cranberry sauce was passed around. Jane  and Lynn sat either side  of the boys with the grandparents at either end and Harry wandering around hoping for tit-bits despite already having had his. He got a few. When pudding was served, Grandad warned the kids not to give Harry any because of the dried fruit but he had no hope of getting any anyway. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed dinner and made it known to Grandma with their thanks, Grandad saying, “that was lovely, what’s for tea?”

The dinner things were cleared into the kitchen and the living room was declared open. A magnificent Christmas tree stood in the corner surrounded by presents and the boys were given the job of passing them out. Grandma had bought Alex gender neutral clothes which she was very pleased with and Abby got the same. When presents were exchanged, the adults did the washing up and the kids played with Harry and his new toys. Washing up done, they all sat down to watch the Queen and, after that, Grandad and the kids took Harry for a walk leaving Grandma and her daughters to relax. Jane thanked her mother for making a big effort with Alex.

  “I love Alex and I just want him, sorry, her, to be happy.”

  Tea was a huge spread with boiled ham, sausage rolls, salad, a range of pickles and accompaniments, home-made Black Forest gateau, trifle and fruit flan. How anyone was able to stand after that was a miracle. The washing up was done and all sat down to Christmas Night TV except Harry who was fast asleep in his basket. At one point during the evening, Grandma asked if  anyone would like a cup of tea. “Alex and I will make it,” volunteered Abby.

  “Can I help?” asked Ellie.

  “OK, come on,” and the three of them went into the kitchen.

  “I really love these slippers,” said Ellie as she put some saucers on a tray. “They are so comfortable and I love how they flip up as you walk, just like flip-flops.”

  “I like that too,” said Alex and Abby agreed. “You look so pretty all in pink Ellie, you’re going to grow up as beautiful as your mum.”

  “Thanks Alex, I hope we all will still be as close as mum and Aunty Jane are when we’re that old.”

  “They’re only in their thirties,” Abby pointed out, “but yes, I’m sure we will be.”

  The girls made tea for seven and squash for the boys and took it all in. “There’s more in the pot,” said Alex.

  “You did remember to warm the pot, didn’t you?” asked Grandma.

  “Of course,” Abby reassured her.

  “A lovely cup,” Grandad said, “you three can all come again.”

  Finally the day was over and goodbyes were said. It had been arranged for the grandparents to go to Jane’s the day after Boxing Day and to Lynn’s two days later. Jane and the girls were invited to Lynn’s on New Year’s Day and that was the family’s festive arrangements settled. On the way home, Jane asked the girls if they had had a nice day. “It was the best Christmas I’ve ever had,” Alex told her. “It feels so right to be a girl and I’m more grateful than I could ever say that you’ve allowed me to start transitioning.”

  “If I wasn’t driving, I would give you the biggest hug ever for saying that.”

  “I’m so glad about that too mum, I feel like you’ve given me the best present ever, a sister,” added Abby.

  “Please stop it girls, I’m on the verge of crying and I don’t what to crash because of teary eyes.” Abby reached across and held Alex’s hand.

  When they got home and had taken their coats and shoes off, they all sat down on the sofa and watched some more Christmas TV. Jane opened a box of chocolates and they cuddled up together and indulged themselves. “We’ll go into town the day after Grandma and Grandad have been and get you both your shoes before your party,” Jane said.

  “Thanks mum.”

  “Thanks mum.”

  “You can both have little heels but no stilettos.” They both assented.    

Chapter Seven

  Boxing Day went quietly in the Roberts’ household. The three of them settled down for a nice afternoon together until Juliet came over with an invitation to tea with her and Susan. She said it wouldn’t be much, just a buffet, which Jane said would be most welcome after the excesses of yesterday. Juliet went back to help her mum prepare and Jane and the girls followed later with a kiwi fruit cheesecake and a bottle of good quality wine. The five of them had a lovely time, watching some of their favourite programmes and playing some party games. Jane and Susan got a little tipsy and the girls were allowed a little snowball each.

  The following day, Abby and Alex asked if they could cook dinner for Grandma and Grandad and Jane allowed them. They banished her from the kitchen. When the grandparents and Harry arrived, they were led into the living room and told about the plans for dinner. Abby and Alex dropped in to say hi and make a quick fuss of Harry. “What are you cooking?” asked Grandma as they headed back to the kitchen.

  “Bangers and mash,” said Abby.

  “Oh! Is that it Jane?”

  “You’ll be surprised, mum,” Jane reassured her.

  “I hope so.”

  When called into dinner, they all sat down to sausages cooked in a white sauce with crushed mustard seeds, mushrooms and cannellini beans; potatoes and parsnips mashed together, honey glazed carrots and peas. Grandma was very surprised and enjoyed it thoroughly, as did Grandad and everyone else. Harry had two sausages but without the sauce. The girls had made up a dessert  using various things from the cupboard which was fruity, chocolaty and very creamy. That went down well too and all were well pleased. After dinner, they all took Harry to the local park where he made friends with a few other dogs and had a fine time. When they got back, Grandma helped Jane prepare a buffet tea then they played a party game that had been learnt from Susan the evening before and then watched some TV. Grandma and Grandad declared they had had a lovely day and left after helping polish off another box of chocolates.

  Next day, Jane honoured her promissory notes and took the girls shoe shopping. It didn’t take long! In the first shop they went into, Alex tried on a pair of black suede-like shoes with a rounded toe, a strap over the top of the foot and solid two inch heels and loved them. They went perfectly with the tartan skirt and black tights she was wearing but were smart enough to go with her party dress. As she walked around the shop in them, Abby came over and decided she loved them as well. Two pairs of shoes were bought in record time and the three of them went for a milkshake and replenished their chocolate supply. Both girls were very pleased now they had shoes with heels, albeit little ones, and spent the rest of the afternoon wearing them around the house to get used to them.

  During the day on New Year’s Eve, Abby and Alex started getting ready by painting their nails. They dressed, did their hair and make-up, put on their new shoes and their coats and went next door to Marian’s with their present for Beth. Marian’s dad was going to take the four of them to the party and pick them up later and Jane and Susan were going around to Marian’s parents later in the evening. Juliet arrived soon after. All four girls were wearing exactly what they were on Christmas Day but had put a lot more effort into their hair and make-up. Pointing to her dress (which she got for Christmas), Juliet said, “I just threw this old thing on,” which got a laugh from the others.

  When they arrived at Beth’s house, they marvelled at its size and impressive appearance. Both of her parents were lawyers in her father’s family’s long established firm and they had inherited the house some years before. Mrs. Rutherford, Beth’s mum, answered the door. “Hello girls, come in, thank  you all for coming. Now let me see, you’re Marian, then we have Abby and Alex, and you’re Juliet, am I right?”

  “Perfect,” said Marian.

  “I’ve seen that lovely photo with you all in and I’ve heard so much about you all. You can leave your coats in the dining room,” and she showed them into a beautiful oak-panelled room. “Well, you all look absolutely magnificent,” she said after they had removed their coats. “If you go up the stairs and then up the next flight you’ll find the party.” They all thanked her and ascended the stairs.

  As they got to the top, Beth came to meet them and Sam followed her. Happy Birthdays were wished and there was much delight in seeing each other again along with a stream of compliments about how wonderful they all looked. Beth was wearing a calf-length white dress with white tights, red shoes and her hair done beautifully with a floral adornment, she looked like she had just stepped out of a pre-Raphaelite painting. Sam was in red and she pulled Juliet to one side and whispered in her ear. “I would love to,” said Juliet.

  “What was that about?” asked Beth.

  “Wait and see,” said Sam and her and Juliet smiled at each other.

  There were two large rooms on the second floor, one was for dancing and the other had chairs and tables, a drinks table and a snacks table. Beth’s brothers, who were sixteen and nineteen, were in charge of drinks and music and a few of her cousins and neighbours’ kids were already there as were a couple boys from school who came up to say hi to Abby and Marian and were introduced to Alex and Juliet. As they were chatting to the boys, there was another bit of excitement behind them and they turned to see that Sarah and Erin had arrived. They joined in the excitement and another round of compliments, Sarah was in black and Erin in blue. The two boys came over and said hello too. Sarah was pleased to see one of them, Beth made a point of inviting him as she knew Sarah had a crush on him. He complimented her on her appearance and this pleased her even more. Before long they were sat down chatting.

  More guests arrived, including some more boys from school and more of Beth’s cousins, and the dancing soon began.  When the party was in full swing,  Sam grabbed Juliet and they spoke to Beth’s brother who was acting as DJ. The next song on was The Sugarbabes’ red dress song and the two of them took to the floor and produced a dance performance that included much posing and pouting. Everyone else moved to the sides, clapping and howling in appreciation and Juliet and Sam played up to it, getting a huge round of applause at the end of the song. Sam and Juliet hugged each other and were surrounded by admiring party goers.

  “That was amazing,” said Alex to Juliet, “I totally loved it.” Similar comments were made by everyone else to the two stars of the show.

  “I could do with a drink after that,” Juliet said and she and Alex went to get one. They sat down for a while and chatted about how much fun they were having. Abby and Marian both had dances with a number of the boys as did the other girls except Sarah who only danced with the one boy she liked and was later seen snogging him in a dark corner. Beth was having a wonderful time, dancing with everyone. At around half past nine, Beth’s parents and her aunts and uncles came upstairs with a huge birthday cake which was cut and shared around after the world’s most sung song had been sung again.

  The party was due to end by eleven so everyone could be picked up in time to see in New Year with their families. At quarter to eleven, Beth’s oldest brother, Richie, announced the last song, a slow number. Sarah had her partner already and Beth, Abby, Marion and Sam all grabbed a boy. Erin was near Beth’s other brother, Tom, whom she knew, him being in the sixth form at their school, and she managed to get him on the dance floor. As for Alex and Juliet, there was only one partner for each of them, each other. They held each other close, smiling broadly at each other every time they looked at the other and finally sharing a very tender kiss followed by a long hug which they were still indulging in when the main lights came on. Sarah, too, was in a similar position.

  “Get a room you two… and you two!” was heard, followed by much giggling.

  Everyone started heading off, except for Beth, her brothers and cousins. Many ‘thanks for the party’ and ‘happy New Years’ were said and the guests gathered their bags, coats, scarves and the suchlike and were bid a goodnight at the door by Beth and her parents. A fleet of parents’ cars were waiting outside and all the leaving party-goers were safely picked up. Marian’s dad was bombarded with the girls’ tales of the evening and them saying what a wonderful party it was and how much they enjoyed themselves. He took them back to his where Jane, Susan and Marian’s mum were waiting so they could all bring in the New Year together and he could finally have a drink. The next door neighbours on the other side from Jane and the girls were also there, a very nice gay couple in their fifties, Stephen and Christopher, who everyone knew well.

  When the girls arrived, they found their mothers a little tipsy but it didn’t stop them reliving all their experiences again. Juliet’s dance with Sam was the main topic of what was said by Alex, Abby and Marian with Juliet basking a little in the glow. Abby nipped next door to get her and Alex’s slippers as their feet were a little tired. Juliet did the same. As midnight approached, Marian’s dad opened two bottles of Champagne and filled six glasses for the adults and half-filled four glasses for the girls. With Big Ben’s chimes everyone toasted the New Year and hugged family and friends. A little later, Alex and Juliet snook into another room and shared another kiss. They spent the rest of the evening sat next to each other holding hands and chatting, whispering and giggling with each other.

  At one point Alex suddenly interupted and said, “Look at Christopher!” Juliet looked across to the other end of the room where Christopher was breakdancing and the others were stood around clapping and whooping. When he finished Marian’s dad had a go and split his trousers with his first move. Everybody roared with laughter and he went upstairs to change, slightly embarrassed.

  The party ended by one o’clock and Jane, Abby and Alex wearily made their way next door and headed for bed. Jane fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow but Abby and Alex were still excited after their wonderful evening and their first taste of Champagne. Abby crept into Alex’s room and said quietly, “are you still awake?”

  “Yes, I’m too excited to sleep.”

  “Me too.” Abby got into bed with Alex. “I kissed a boy at the party.”

  “I had a kiss too… with Juliet.”

  “I know, I saw you.”

  “Did you enjoy yours?”

  “Yeah, it was really nice. How about you?”

  “Yeah, I enjoyed it. We kissed again at Marian’s.”

  “Really? Do you think you’ll do it again?”

  “I hope so. How about you?”

  “I hope so too, I like him.” They talked a little more and fell asleep cuddling each other and that’s how Jane found them in the morning, leaving them to wake up in their own time.

  When awake, the girls and Jane got themselves ready to go to Lynn’s and they all had another lovely day. Alex wore her pink sweater dress and pink tights and when Ellie saw her she went upstairs and changed into her pink dress and tights as well, they both had their matching slippers on too. The boys had had a new game for Christmas and it turned out to be really good fun to play and all afternoon the five kids played it over and over, much to the boys delight. Early in the evening, after tea, Jane and the girls said their thanks and goodbyes and went home to another box of chocolates.

Chapter Eight

   The last few days of the Christmas holidays passed quietly and the girls went back to school. Alex wasn’t pleased to have to dress as a boy again but put up with it. A letter arrived with an appointment to see a gender specialist at the beginning of February. It meant travelling some distance so an early start was required. The night before, Alex picked out her outfit. She choose her favourite top, the warm jumper her grandparents gave her, her tartan skirt, black tights and her best shoes that she wore to the party.

  Abby got ready early, wished Alex good luck and went around to Marian’s. Susan took an hour off work so she could take Juliet to school. Jane and Alex left around eight, Alex had done her nails the night before and had just enough time in the morning to do her hair nicely and put on some lip gloss.

  “How are you feeling?” Jane asked as they left the car and walked towards where the appointment was.

  “Very nervous, mum, I hope he likes me.”

  “I’m sure he will, just be yourself and be honest. He’s bound to see what a lovely girl you are and I’m sure it’ll all go very well.”

  The specialist was a nice, warm man who made them both feel at ease straight away. He had read what Alex’s doctor had written to him and Jane showed him the photos and video on her phone. Alex gave a full account of her life and feelings and hopes for the future. As at the doctor’s, she was asked to wait outside while the specialist talked to Jane. Alex was called back in again and the specialist started by saying how impressed he was by her. He was also impressed with the  support she had from her family and friends. He finished by saying that he would consider everything he had heard and read and make another appointment for her and Jane so that he could discuss how they would proceed with Alex’s transitioning. He was satisfied that Alex did have gender dysphoria.

  Jane and Alex thanked him profusely and left very happy. They found a local cafe to have a nice  early lunch to celebrate. Alex was over the moon and couldn’t stop smiling, Jane was delighted to see her daughter so happy. “You know what you have to do on Saturday, don’t you?”

  “What mum?”

“It’s time to tell your friends that you’re transgender. It won’t be fair on them if you leave it any longer.”

  “I’ve been dreading that, what if they hate me?”

  “If they hate you then they’re not true friends, but, from what I’ve heard about them, I think that they are and if you explain things properly I think they will understand and support you. Think what you want to say to them and rehearse it to yourself so that you get it right and don’t forget anything.”

  “I’ll do that, I’ll write down my thoughts and put them together before I see them and make sure I’ve got what I want to say straight in my head.”

  “Good girl, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

  “Thanks mum and thanks for today, I love you.”

  “I love you too my angel.”

  Jane and Alex got home before three o’clock, put on their slippers and relaxed with a cup of tea. Jane went to do some work and Alex said she would do the preparation for dinner while she was waiting for Juliet to finish school. When Juliet arrived, having run back, Alex opened the door and she asked breathlessly how it went.

  “Its great news,” Alex told her, “I’m going to grow up to be a woman.” They jumped up and down, squealed with delight and had a little kiss. “I’ll tell you all the details when Abby gets home.”

  “I can’t wait to hear about it all, I’m so pleased and excited for you.” They had another little kiss and a big hug.

  It wasn’t long before Abby and Marian came in having run back themselves. Alex told them her news and there was more excitement. They all sat around the kitchen table and Alex gave them a full account of everything that had happened. Abby shed a few happy tears and Marian gave Alex a big hug before heading next door. “I’m going to tell the others on Saturday,” said Alex, “I hope it’ll go well.”

  “I’m sure it will,” Abby reassured her, “but whatever happens, you’ll always have the three of us.”

  “Yes you will,” Juliet added, “we’ll never desert you.”

  “Thank you both so much. I think I need a cup of tea now.”

  “I could do with a stiff whiskey,” said Juliet, and they all laughed.

  Saturday came and Susan dropped the four girls in town to meet their friends. They had arranged to meet at the burger place and when they were all there they got their burgers and sat down. Alex was sat next to Erin and opposite Beth, Sam and Sarah were on either side of Beth and Juliet was on Alex’s left. There was the usual chatter between them all but Alex was quiet and very nervous inside. When there was a lull in the conversation, Alex said, “I’ve got something very important to say. Sam, Beth, Sarah, Erin, I’ve got something to tell you all. Earlier this week I had an appointment with a specialist and...”

  “You’re not ill are you?” asked Beth.

  “No, I’ve been diagnosed with gender dysphoria.” There was a brief silence.

  “You mean you’re going to become a boy?” asked Sarah.

  “No, I was born a boy but inside I’m a girl and when I’m old enough I’m going to have surgery to give me the right body. Please don’t hate me for not having told you all before now but I wanted to wait until I got my diagnosis, to be certain.”

  “You’ve got a willy?” Sam said amazed.

  “Yes, and I hate it, and I can’t wait to get rid of it.” There was a stunned silence.

  “As far as I’m concerned,” Erin started, “you’re a girl and you’re my friend and I think you’ve been very brave to tell us and very brave to go through what you’ve been going through.”

  “You’re 100% girl to me,” said Beth, “willy or no willy.”

  “We don’t hate you, Alex, we love you as our friend and that doesn’t change for me,” Sarah added.

  “And that goes for me too,” Sam chipped in.

  “That goes for all of us, doesn’t it girls?” Beth said.  They all agreed and Alex burst into tears.

  “I don’t know what I’ve done to be blessed with such wonderful friends,” she sobbed. Erin and Juliet put their arms around her and the others all beseeched her not to cry and tried to reassured her. “Sorry,” she said as she brought herself under control.

  “You’ve nothing to apologise for,” said Beth. “Erin, Sam, Sarah, come with me.” The four of them gathered a little way away in a huddle.

  “What’s happening,” Alex asked Juliet.

  “I don’t know,” she replied. Beth led the others to the counter and moments later the four of them came back to the table, each of them carrying two plates each with a slice of chocolate cake and a fork on it.

  “You need to celebrate your diagnosis and what better way to celebrate than with chocolate cake,” Beth said, “now don’t start crying again.”

  “Thank you all so much, I really love you all,” Alex said, stunned and relieved by her friends reactions. All eight of them tucked into the cake and Alex happily answered all the questions that came her way. They all had a great afternoon and Beth, Sam, Sarah and Erin all took turns chatting and walking arm in arm with Alex.

  When she got home, Alex was greeted by Jane who wanted to know how it went. “It went better than I ever could have imagined. Everyone was so supportive and kind and understanding and loving and I’m totally stunned and grateful to have such friends as I’ve got,” Alex told her.

  “I was sure everything was going to be OK.”

  “Beth even bought us all chocolate cake to celebrate Alex’s diagnosis,” Abby added.

  “Well with human rights lawyers for parents it’s no wonder she’s so empathetic. Thank you Abby for introducing Alex to such wonderful girls.”

  “Yes, thanks Abs, you’re the best sister ever.” They all hugged.

  “Pizza for dinner?” Jane asked. Both agreed, changed into their slippers and went into the living room where Jane shortly brought them a cup of tea.

  Before Easter, Alex had a second appointment with the specialist who went through all the details of how things would progress for her in the coming years. The subjects of medication and surgery were explained, the legal issues such as name changing were gone through as well as the support from medical professionals, including counsellors, that she would need. Alex and Jane took it all in, finding it all a bit overwhelming.

  Alex’s birthday was during the Easter holidays this year and Jane asked her what she would like to do for it. “If the weather’s nice, can we have a picnic?” Alex asked.

  “What a good idea, I’ll check the long range forecast to see. Who would you like to invite?”

  “Grandma and Grandad, Aunty Lynn and the kids, Juliet, Marian and the other girls.”

  “That sounds doable, what about Juliet’s mum?”

  “Oh yes, of course, and Harry too.”

  “We can’t forget Harry, he would feel very left out if we did.”

  Closer the time, the weather forecast was very favourable and plans went ahead. Grandad suggested a spot up the river from where they lived which he said would be ideal. The girls were told to bring food instead of presents and Marian offered to bake a cake which Juliet offered to chip in with. The other girls coordinated what to bring so that they wouldn’t end up all bringing the same and despite being told not to bring presents, they chipped in to get Alex a little something.

  On the day, Alex and Abby were getting ready together. Abby put on a top, a knee-length summery skirt and sheer natural tights. Alex had a new summer top, skirt and sandals as presents from her mum and wore them. “I’m not wearing tights,” she told Abby, “I may want to go for a paddle in the river.”

  “There’s no way you’ll catch me doing that,” Abby said, “the water will be far too cold this time of year.”

  “Chicken!” Alex taunted her.

  “Sensible,” Abby retorted.

  Jane picked up Beth and Sam and Susan took Juliet and Marian and picked up Sarah and Erin. They all met at their grandparents and Grandad led the little convoy of four cars, including Aunty Lynn’s, to the picnic site. It was a lovely spot with a large grassy area with trees in blossom around it and spring flowers between the trees. The river bank was low and there was a little beach beside it. Grandad set up a windbreak and a camping stove so as to make tea. There were deck chairs for the adults and a few picnic blankets for the kids to sit on. The boys had brought a football and Harry had a couple balls to play with too.

  All the kids were running around playing with the football and with Harry and generally having fun. Jane, Susan and Lynn went for a walk along the river, leaving the grandparents to keep an eye on the kids although Grandad had his binoculars and was more interested in bird watching. He was particularly pleased to see a kingfisher a little up the river.

  Alex persuaded Juliet to go for a paddle with her and took off her sandals. Juliet took off her trainers and ankle socks and both of them held up their skirt hems and walked into the water with Abby stood on the beach laughing at them as they squealed at the cold. “I told you,” she said unsympathetically.

  “Abby!” shouted Erin. She turned around and Erin threw her Harry’s ball. Abby caught it and was just about to throw it when Harry bounded off the bank, jumped up and knocked Abby over backwards. Abby sat down in the shallow water at the river’s edge. Alex, Juliet, Erin and a couple others who saw it happen instantly burst into fits of laughter and everyone else ran over. Abby was not amused.

  “It’s not funny! I’m soaking!” They all laughed even more.

  Grandma came over to see what had happened, “oh Abigail darling! Come over here.” She took Abby over to where the chairs and blankets were and picked up a blanket, folded it in half and held it around her. “Take off your wet things and wrap yourself in this.” Abby took off her skirt, tights and panties and Marian draped them over a bush to dry in the warm spring sunshine and Abby sat on another blanket rather miffed.

  “Here you go Abby, get this inside you,” said Grandad, handing her a freshly made cup of tea.

  “Thanks Grandad.”

  “Do you want to put my socks on to warm your feet?” asked Juliet.

  “No, its OK thanks, I didn’t get my feet wet.” Suddenly Abby shouted, “Harry, no! He’s got my skirt.” Harry had took Abby’s skirt off the bush and ran off with it.

  “Stop him!” Alex shouted as he ran towards some of the others but he evaded them all.

  Jane, Susan and Lynn were just walking back along the riverside path and Harry came running towards them chased by Ellie and a few others. “Stop him mum!” called out Ellie and the three women spread out and caught him.

  “That’s Abby’s skirt,” said Jane, “what’s happened?”

  “Abby fell in the river, it was really funny,” panted Ellie, “and Harry took it off the bush where it was drying.”

  “Is Abby OK?”

  “She’s fine Aunty Jane, Grandma wrapped her in a blanket.”

  They all went back to the picnic area and heard the full story along with many giggles. Abby was a little more calm and even admitted it was quite funny and that she would have laughed had it happened to anyone else. Grandad handed out some more cups of tea and the girls began pouring out plastic beakers of fizzy drinks. Everyone sat down and started on the picnic. Grandad put Harry in the car with a chewy bone so he couldn’t cause any more mayhem while everyone ate. After a good feed, the boys and some of the girls kicked the ball around again and Grandad let some of the others have a look at the kingfisher through his binoculars. Harry was allowed out of the car again and was fed some leftovers. Grandma checked Abby’s clothes but they were still a little damp but Abby was fed up sat in a blanket and put on her skirt and joined in running around with the others playing with the football.

  Alex and Juliet had gone for a walk by the river and strolled along holding hands and chatting, stopping every so often for a quick birthday kiss. In a field on the other side or the river, they spotted a couple rabbits out for a late afternoon snack and stopped and watched them for a while. “What are you looking at?” asked Beth as she and Sam came up behind them.

  “Rabbits, look, over there,” Alex said.

  “Oh aren’t they lovely,” said Sam, “oh look! There’s a little one, isn’t it cute.”

  They watched the rabbits for a little longer and then wandered back to the picnic site, chatting and laughing again at Abby’s misfortune. Back at the picnic site, the hampers were cleared away and Grandad had brewed a last cup of tea. The rest of the girls were sat around talking and throwing Harry’s ball each time he brought it back. “Cake time,” said Marian and she fetched the cake from the car along with a knife and some paper napkins. The candles were lit, the song sung and Alex blew out the candles. Jane cut the cake, a large, square double layer sponge cake with a jam and buttercream filling, covered with soft icing. Slices were handed out to everyone and Marian was praised for her baking skills. She pointed out that Juliet had helped and deserved credit too, which she got.

  Grandad went to his car and came back with a little wrapped package. “Happy birthday darling, from me and Grandma,” he said, giving it to Alex.

  “Thank you, but you’ve already given me a book.”

  “Open it,” Grandma instructed her, and she did.

  “Oh it’s a phone! Thank you, thank you both so much!”

  “Well, we gave Abby one for her eleventh so it’s only right you should have one too.”

  “Thank you, its brilliant.” Alex then went about getting everyone’s numbers and Jane sent her the picture she had taken of the eight girls in town the previous Autumn which became Alex’s screen saver. Alex took some pictures of her own including a number of selfies with her friends.

  The sun was sinking in the western sky and the shadows of the trees were stretching over the picnic site and so they packed up and loaded the cars and all headed home. “Did you have a nice day, Alex?” asked her mum as they were driving back.

  “It was great mum, thank you.”

  “We all had a lovely time, Mrs. Roberts,” added Beth and Sam agreed.

  “I had a good day except for getting wet,” said Abby.

  “You said you weren’t going to have a paddle, but sitting in the river was a bit extreme,” Alex joked. They all giggled, even Abby.

  Beth and Sam were dropped off at their homes, thanked Jane for the day and wished Alex a happy rest of her birthday. When they got home, Abby ran upstairs and changed, Alex sat on the sofa with her new phone and texted Juliet while Jane put the kettle on. They sat and enjoyed a cup of tea and watched what Alex wanted to watch on TV, which was what Jane and Abby wanted to watch too. At bedtime, Alex thanked her mum again for a lovely day. “Glad you enjoyed it, my darling daughter.”

  “It was my first as a girl, the next big one, hopefully, will be my nineteenth because I may have had my surgery by then.”

  “Let’s hope so,” said Jane and kissed her goodnight.

Chapter Nine

  Before the Easter holidays, Jane had gone to the school to see Alex’s headteacher to tell her about Alex being transgender. Jane wanted to know if Alex could come to school as a girl after the holidays as she was living as a girl the rest of the time and wanted to leave her life as a boy behind her. The headteacher called Alex to her office and spoke to her as well and finally agreed. In their PSHE lessons, the children were told about transgender issues and that Alex would be coming to school as a girl after Easter. There was considerable surprise and many questions but the children generally accepted it.

  After the holidays, Alex got ready for her first day at school as a girl. Being the summer term, she had a light blue summer dress to wear together with a darker blue cardigan. There was a choice of white ankle socks or light blue or white tights and seeing as Juliet was going to be wearing the light blue tights she had got the previous autumn, Alex got a pair from the same shop. Juliet came over before school as usual and the two of them walked in to school together dressed exactly the same for the first time.

  On the way, Juliet asked Alex how she was feeling. Very nervous was the answer. “Let’s stop for a Twix,” suggested Juliet as they got to the shop at the end of the road. They got one and each had a half and sat on the wall eating it. A boy in their class called Callum came along and said hi. Both of them said hi back.

  Callum looked Alex up and down and said, “you actually look OK in a dress.”

  “Thanks,” said Alex.

  “Are you two coming or are you staying there all day?” Alex and Juliet jumped off the wall and chatted with Callum as they walked in. Closer to the school, they saw more kids and parents dropping them off. There was quite a bit of sniggering and some unpleasant comments, mainly from the mothers. When they got into the playground, a little group of kids gathered around them asking questions and making comments. A girl from their class called Anna, who was the ‘queen bee’ amongst the girls in the school, came over with her best friend Charlotte. They pushed some kids out of the way and stood opposite Alex.

  “So, you’re a girl now Alex?” Anna said.

  “Yes Anna.”

  “You look pretty good actually, did you get those in the department store in town?” Anna asked pointing at Alex’s tights.

  “Yeah I did, so did Juliet.”

  “I got mine there too,” said Anna.

  “Me too,” said another girl in their class called Qi.

  “I’m going in town after school with my mum,” Charlotte chipped in, “I’m going to get a pair then.”

  “If I give you the money, can you get me a pair too?” asked Emma, another of their classmates.

  “Sure Emma.”

  A boy called Robbie came up and said to Alex, “you look like a right weirdo.”

  “Do you want a kick in the balls?” asked Anna, “I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again if you don’t shut up and leave Alex alone.” He skulked away.

  “Thanks Anna,” said Alex.

  “If anyone gives you any hassle, you tell me or Charlotte.”

  “Yeah,” said Charlotte. At that point the bell went and everyone walked in for registration.

  In the classroom, their teacher, Mrs. Willis, was waiting and started the register when they had all sat down. Alex was first alphabetically and Mrs. Willis called out “Alexandra?”

  “Yes miss,” Alex answered. There was quite a bit of giggling.

  “OK, OK, Alex is now Alexandra, get over it... Anna?”

  “Yes miss.”

And so on finishing with a boy called Zack.

  The register done, everyone started leaving the room for assembly. Juliet was walking with Qi who said to her, “I used to quite fancy Alex when she was a boy.”

  “Who do you fancy now?” asked Juliet.

  “I like Callum, he’s really nice.”

  “Really?” asked Callum who was right behind them with Alex. Qi went red with embarrassment.

  “I didn’t realise you were behind me.”

  “That’s OK, Qi, I like you too.”

  “Ask her out,” said Alex.

  “OK, would you like to go to the cinema with me Qi?”

  “I’ll think about it… I’ve thought about it, I would love to.”

  “Wow, great, let’s talk about it at break time.”

  “OK.”

  At break time, Callum and Qi sat on the wall at the edge of the playground sharing a bar of chocolate. “How about Friday evening?” asked Callum.

  “OK, but I’ll have to ask my dad if it’s in the evening, why don’t we ask Juliet and Alex to come too? It’ll be a bit like a double-date and my dad will be more likely to say yes if there’s more of us.”

  “That’s a good idea, it’ll be a fun evening.” Alex and Juliet were nearby and Callum called them over and put Qi’s idea to them and they agreed to it.

  Alex had quite a lot of questions to answer from curious kids all day but despite some giggling, she didn’t get much in the way of nastiness until walking past the crowd of mums on the way home.

When she and Juliet got home, Alex found Jane had been looking out the window waiting for them, worried about how Alex had got on. She gave her mum a full run down of the day and summed it up by saying it was better than expected. Alex then asked about going to the cinema on Friday and Jane said she could depending on the arrangements made with Callum and Qi’s parents and with Susan. This was what Alex was expecting and agreed to the plan.

  The next day Alex and Juliet sat on the wall outside the shop again and waited for Callum to come along. They walked in together and Callum told them that he had rung Qi the previous evening and got his dad to speak to Qi’s dad. Callum’s dad said he would take them and would go to see a film too. This was acceptable to Qi’s dad as long as their friends went as well. Alex and Juliet said this arrangement would probably be acceptable to their mums and they would ring him that evening to confirm.

  In the playground, they told Qi and she was now very hopeful that the evening would go ahead. Anna and Charlotte came over to the four of them, Charlotte in her new tights. “Have you seen Emma?” she asked.

  “No...yes she’s just come in the gate,” Alex answered.

  “Emma, over here,” Charlotte called out and Emma came over. Charlotte took the tights she had got for Emma from her bag and handed them to her.

  “Thanks so much, Charlotte, did I give you the right money?”

  “Exactly right.”

  “I’ll go and put them on now,” and headed to the loos. She came back a few minutes later and was very pleased with them. She thanked Charlotte again and at breaktime she got Charlotte a bit of chocolate from the tuck shop, she was so pleased and thankful.

  That afternoon, Alex’s year had games and Alex was assigned the disabled toilet to change in. She had a new gym skirt and was pleased not to have to do games with the boys any more. There was a choice of netball or hockey in the summer term and Alex choose netball as that’s what Juliet did. It was Alex’s first time playing netball and she was  picked in a team with Emma, Qi and Charlotte. Juliet and Anna were on the other team. Alex did OK for a first-timer but Emma was the star of the team. Juliet played well too and the match was close. There were substitutions all game so everyone got a chance to play and Alex was glad to sit out a few times so she could watch and learn more about the game. Afterwards she told Juliet that she had never enjoyed games period so much and couldn’t wait for next week. Alex and Juliet were full of it when they got back after school, giving Jane a full report of the game.

  Jane and Susan agreed to the girls going to the cinema that Friday and Juliet rang Callum, who rang Qi and then rang Juliet back to say it was all on. Juliet then went across the road to tell Alex and the two of them discussed what they were going to wear. “I was thinking about my floral print dress and gloss tights,” said Juliet.

  “I think you look really lovely in that,” Alex told her.

  “I know you do, and I like wearing that.”

  “What do you think I should wear?”

  “How about that nice top with your denim skirt and lilac tights and your nice heeled shoes?”

  “That’s what I was thinking. Do you read minds?”

  “Only yours.” They both giggled, agreed on their outfits and looked forward to an evening out together with two of their friends.

  Friday soon came and Alex and Juliet got ready and were picked up first by Callum’s dad as they lived closest. They drove to Qi’s house and Callum went to the door. Qi’s dad answered the door and Callum said, “Hello Mr Huang, is wow!” Qi had appeared behind him dressed in a stunning embroidered Chinese style red top, a reddish-brown skirt and red tights with a pattern of little red hearts on them. “Qi you look amazing!”

  “Thanks Callum, you look nice,” she replied. Callum had a smart blue and white shirt on with dark blue trousers.

  “Thank you.”

  “Now young man, I expect you to treat my daughter well tonight, I want her to come home having enjoyed herself,” Mr Huang told him.

  “Yes sir, I’ll treat her like a princess.”

  “Good, is your father outside? I’ll come and say hello.” Mr Huang had a brief chat with Callum’s dad and they all set off, Mr Huang waving them goodbye.

  At the cinema, the kids decided on a comedy film and Mr Brown, Callum’s dad, decided on an action film that he wanted to see that was on a different screen. “I’m only in the next room if you need me,” he said, “behave yourselves and enjoy the film.” They all thanked him and Callum bought some popcorn because Qi loved popcorn and some drinks for him and Qi. Alex and Juliet got themselves some drinks. Alex had a bar of chocolate in her bag which she shared around. The film was very funny and they all laughed a lot. Callum and Qi held hands and had a few kisses, Alex and Juliet did the same.

  After the film, the kids had a ten minute wait before Mr Brown’s film finished and they all went to the loos. “I love how you both have done your eyes,” Qi said as they were washing their hands, “my dad won’t let me wear make-up yet.”

  “You’re really beautiful anyway Qi, I just wear it to look more feminine,” said Alex.

  “Thanks Alex, are you two together now then?”

  “Not officially,” Juliet told her, “officially we’re just best friends but we do like to kiss now and then.”

  “I think that’s really lovely, I won’t tell anyone at school and I’m sure Callum won’t either. We don’t want to give the gossips anything else to talk about.”

  “That’s very thoughtful of you, thank you,” Alex replied. “Have you enjoyed yourself with Callum?”

  “Yes, it’s been a great evening, I hope he wants to go out with me again.”

  “I’m certain he will,” Juliet reassured her, “he’s totally smitten with you and who can blame him?”

  “Thanks, Juliet, that’s really nice of you.”

  Callum was waiting for them outside when they left the loo and Qi went up to him and gave him a big kiss. “Thank you so much for this evening,” she said, “I’ve had a wonderful time.”

  “Would you like to go out again sometime?” he asked.

  “I would love to.” They kissed and again Alex and Juliet squeezed each other’s arms and smiled broadly to see their friends so happy.

  Mr Brown came out from his screen, asked if they had enjoyed themselves and got a stream of good reports. When he dropped Qi off Callum walked her to the door and gave her a goodnight kiss. Mr Huang came out and asked Qi how it went. “I’ve had a wonderful evening dad. Callum was a perfect gentleman and Alex and Juliet had a great time too.”

  “I’m very glad to hear that, thank you young man for giving my daughter a nice time.”

  “Thank you, sir, she’s a lovely girl and I couldn’t have wished for a better first date.”

  “I’ll give you a ring tomorrow Callum, thank you so much for taking me out, you’ve been wonderful.”

  “So have you Qi, look forward to speaking tomorrow, goodnight, goodnight sir.” They both wished him goodnight and Qi waved to him as he shut the gate behind him.

  “What a polite young man,” Mr Huang said to his daughter, “you chose well there.”

  “We’re not getting married dad, well not yet anyway.” Her dad laughed and they went in.

  Alex and Juliet were dropped off and thanked Mr Brown and wished him and Callum goodnight. They said their goodnight to each other with a goodnight kiss and went in to tell their mums how the evening went.

  The next day, the eight girls met in town for the first time since Alex’s birthday and Beth, Sam, Sarah and Erin all wanted to know how Alex had got on at school now she was living full time as a girl. They were pleased that it went reasonably well and Sam, being a netball star, talked netball with her while they had their burgers. All the girls had another nice afternoon in town although Abby wasn’t amused when Juliet asked her if she wanted to have a sit down in the fountain.

  Summer term went on, the weather got hotter and all the girls at Alex’s school left their cardigans at home and wore ankle socks. Alex was starting to get quite good at netball and comments about her died down to a very few as everyone got used to her gender change and accepted it, a few mothers excepted. On the last day of term, the school leavers were photographed in their classes and were given prints to take home for their parents. Many of Alex’s class were going to the same school after the summer holiday and goodbyes were said until then.

  During the summer, Jane took the girls down to Cornwall for their usual fortnight caravan holiday near where their other grandmother lived. Nana Roberts had a little farm where she raised chickens and geese and from where she ran a free range egg business. Abby and Alex liked the chickens but were very wary of the geese who acted like guard dogs and seemed to enjoy chasing the girls around the farmyard.

  The girls regularly kept in touch with their grandmother and she knew all about Alex’s transitioning. She was disappointed to lose a grandson but decided to give her her full support as she reasoned that was what their father would have wanted her to do. When she saw how happy Alex was, she knew she had made the right decision. Jane had bought the girls new swimsuits for the holiday. Abby had a new bikini which she needed as her body was developing but Alex had a one-piece swimsuit as she had always thought that wearing a bikini top was silly if a girl had no boobs and she wanted to look like a girl when on the beach.

  Their holiday went very well, they went sight-seeing, visited the Eden Project and the Tate gallery, spent days on the beach and helped Nana out on the farm. All too soon it was time to go home and they all said a tearful farewell to Nana and gladly took their leave of the geese.

  Late in the summer holidays, Stephen and Christopher, Marian’s gay neighbours, were going to a LGBT Pride event in a nearby city and they asked if Alex and Juliet would like to go with them. Jane and Susan agreed to it and the four of them went. Alex and Juliet dressed all in pink and had a lovely day. Alex met a number of other trans people and got some contacts to support groups and to a few trans teenagers. Juliet also got some contacts, in her case to gay and lesbian teen support groups and both of them came away feeling like they were part of a community and not as isolated as they had previously believed they were. They both kept in contact with people and groups online and got much support from them. After they got back, they chipped in and bought Stephen and Christopher a nice present as a thank you for taking them. Stephen and Christopher were touched by this and very grateful.

Chapter Ten

  As the summer holidays were coming to an end, Jane took the girls into town to get their new uniforms. Abby didn’t need much, just a couple new shirts and some underwear. Alex had to have a whole new uniform for her new school. She got a blazer and tie, three shirts and two pleated skirts,  black tights, a new pair of shoes and a full P.E. kit.

  On the day school started, both girls got ready and Jane took a photo of them together. Juliet came over as usual in her new uniform and Jane took another photo and wished them all good luck as they set off. The three of them called for Marian and they all walked in together. Alex was rather nervous but felt good in her new uniform and happy to have her sister and friends with her.

  When they arrived, they saw Sarah and Erin and went to join them. Callum and Qi arrived and went to say hello to Alex and Juliet who introduced them to Sarah and Erin, they already knew Abby and Marian. Qi spotted Anna, Charlotte and Emma across the playground and her and Callum went over. Alex and Juliet said they would see the others at breaktime and went to join them.

  The bell went a little later and the deputy head, Mr. Davies, appeared at the entrance and told all new-comers to wait in the playground. Three other teachers appeared behind him. When all the older kids had gone in, Mr. Davies told the year sevens to form lines on one side of the playground when their names were called and then go in with their form teachers.

  He started with Emma Anderson, Emma started the line, he carried on and came to Callum Brown...Huang Qi (“yes!” said Qi, pleased to be in Callum’s class)...Charlotte McMillan, Juliet Moore, Jake Newton, Alexandra Roberts (another ‘yes!’)… and finally Anna Williamson (another ‘yes!’). They all trooped in behind Miss Watson and were led to their form room where they were told to sit in alphabetical order. Juliet was next to Charlotte and Alex and the boy called Jake, who came from a different primary school, were behind them. They were very pleased with that arrangement.

  Miss Watson then proceeded to give them all an introduction to the school and handed out their time-tables with a map of the school on the back. They were told that they would have P.E. on Mondays and Fridays and games on a Thursday. She pointed out where the changing rooms were and then said that Alex should use the disabled toilet next to the staff room, both for changing and as a toilet. As their first lesson was history with Miss Watson, they stayed where they were for the first period. She asked Emma and the boy sat next to her to hand out the textbooks that were piled on her desk. As they were doing that, Jake asked Alex why she had to use a different changing room. “I’m transgender,” Alex replied.

  “Shut up, you’re not, are you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’d never have guessed that in a month of Sundays. I was thinking of asking you out.”

  “Thanks but I’m not allowed to date yet. Emma’s really nice though.” Emma handed Jake a book at that moment.

  “Thanks Emma,” he said and smiled at her. “Yes she is,” he said to Alex.

  After all the introductions there wasn’t much time for teaching so Miss Watson just gave them an overview of what they would be learning that term and asked them to have a look through their text books at home. Second period was maths in a different room and, when the bell went, they all filed off. In that class, they were all told to sit where they wanted so Alex sat next to Juliet and Callum and Qi were sat behind them.

  It was breaktime after that and Alex and Juliet went to find Abby and the others. They had missed Beth and Sam earlier and said hi to them. “Who’s your form teacher?” asked Abby.

  “Miss Watson,” Alex told her.

  “She was our form teacher last year,”  said Beth, “she’s really nice, you’ll like her.”

  “She’s usually known as Doctor,” Erin said.

  “Why?” asked Juliet.

  “Doctor Watson… Sherlock Holmes.”

  “Oh, I get it.” At afternoon registration, Juliet had a question and said, “Doctor, sorry, I mean Miss Watson...” (There was a bit of giggling.)

  “I see you’ve discovered my nickname already,” Miss Watson interrupted. Juliet finished her question, red faced, and got an answer.

  Alex and Juliet stayed at school for lunch as it was a longer walk than from their previous school. By lunchtime, word had begun to get around that Alex was trans and a few unwanted comments started coming her way but her friends stood up for her and she took it all stoically. After lunch they had science all afternoon and found it quite enjoyable. At home time Alex and Juliet found Abby and Marian waiting for them and they all strolled home together chatting all the way. Jane was waiting for them and was pleased that Alex had a pretty good day and had enjoyed her lessons. She experienced more bullying as time went on as more people found out about her but she had much more support than nastiness and took strength from that. Anna became ‘queen bee’ amongst the year seven girls and her friendship helped Alex as did her knowing Tom Rutherford, Beth’s brother, who was in his final year at the school and captain of the First XV.

  One year ten boy called George Johnson, a well-known trouble-maker in the school, particularly took against Alex and him and his mates gave her grief every time they saw her. Alex tried to brush it off but she was very upset by their bullying. One morning, in early November, things came to an awful head.

  At the beginning of morning break, Alex and Juliet were walking along the edge of the playground to where they usually met Abby and the others when Johnson and three of his mates grabbed them and pulled them into a gap between two buildings. One boy held Alex with one arm while putting his hand over her mouth. Another boy did the same to Juliet.

  Johnson said to the fourth boy, “pull his knickers down!” The boy reached under Alex’s skirt and pulled her tights and panties down to her knees and held her skirt up. Johnson took a photo with his phone.

  As Alex and Juliet were being hauled into the gap, Marian was leading their friends along  towards the meeting place and saw it happen. She turned around and shouted, “Alex is being attacked!” The girls ran to her rescue except Erin.

  “I’ll get a teacher,” she shouted and ran back into the school.

  Just as Johnson was looking at the picture on his phone, he got flattened by a flying Beth, who was in the lead, with a text book rugby tackle. He dropped the phone and Marian grabbed it. The boy holding Juliet let her go and ran while Sarah jumped on the boy holding Alex and Sam jumped on the boy who was holding her skirt up. The boy holding Alex let her go and she fell to the ground in floods of tears. Abby ran to her and Juliet, also in floods of tears went to her as well and did her best to pull Alex’s tights and panties up. Sarah and Sam were holding on to the boys for dear life and Beth still had her arms around Johnson’s legs when Erin and a teacher ran up. They were soon followed by three sixth formers and then two other teachers including Miss Watson. The deputy head and more sixth formers, including Tom, also arrived and started moving the little crowd that had gathered back. Sarah had been thrown off by  the boy she had jumped on and was sat on the ground holding her arm. Johnson had been grabbed by a teacher and Beth was sat on the floor holding her knee. Tom went to her and found she had a huge hole in her tights and a very bloody knee following her tackle.

  The deputy head, Mr. Davies, took charge and told two of the teachers to take Johnson and the other two boys who were still there to the headmaster’s office. Marian showed Mr. Davies the picture Johnson had took and he instantly realised the seriousness of the situation. Miss Watson had gone to Alex as well and helped her up and, together with Abby, led her indoors. Erin put her arm around Juliet and led her in also. Sam helped Sarah up and Marian and Tom helped Beth in.

  Outside the headmaster’s office, one teacher stood with Johnson and his cohorts while the other went in. The headmaster, Mr. Perkins, came out with a look of thunder on his face and shouted, “you three, in there, NOW!” He then asked his secretary to phone their parents.

  Mr. Davies came running in and showed Mr. Perkins Johnson’s phone. “Before you phone their parents, phone the police,” he instructed the secretary, “and then the chairman of the governors and ask him to come immediately please”. The chairman just happened to be Beth’s dad. He then went into his office where the three boys and the two teachers were waiting. “You three are in very serious trouble, the police and your parents have been called and your days in this school are numbered.”

  Mr. Perkins left his room again and spoke to Mr. Davies who went to the main door to wait for the police. Miss Watson and Alex and Abby arrived in the secretary’s office shortly followed by Juliet and Erin. Sarah and Beth were taken to the first aid room and the teacher responsible for first aid came and looked at them and asked Marian to ring an ambulance.

  A few more teachers were roped in to interview all the girls to get the full story and the bell for the end of break was cancelled to keep everyone out in the playground for the time being. The police arrived quickly and two officers were shown to the secretary’s office where they were shown the photo on Johnson’s phone. They went into Mr. Perkins’ office and told the boys they were under arrest on suspicion of sexual assault and making indecent images of an underage child. One officer then radioed in to request back-up and to get a search out for the other boy who had been seen leaving the school.

  Abby had rung her mum as she was helping Alex in and Jane now arrived. Alex flung her arms around her neck, still in floods of tears. Abby tried to fill Jane in on what had happened and Mr. Perkins tried his best to console them. Susan had also been rung and she arrived about ten minutes later about the same time as Mr. Rutherford. A second police car arrived and the boys’ parents started to arrive as well. Johnson’s father went into the head’s office having been told his son had been arrested and started whacking his son around the head and swearing at him. Mr. Perkins tried to restrain him and Mr. Johnson said, “get your hands off me you black *******.” He was instantly arrested by one of the officers for assault and racial language. He then turned on the officer who was Asian and racially abused her too and was handcuffed and led away. Another police officer radioed for a van to take the boys in.

  Mr. Perkins and Mr. Rutherford conferred and the other parents were informed that their sons were permanently excluded from the school effective immediately. Mr. Rutherford was then shown to the first aid room where a paramedic was looking at Beth’s knee and another was examining Sarah’s wrist. Both were then taken into A&E for a check and, in Sarah’s case, an x-ray.

  Jane took Alex and Abby home and Susan took Juliet home. Mr. Rutherford said he would come and see them both later and he went to the hospital where he met Sarah’s mum. When they got home, Abby ran Alex a hot bath and Jane helped her out of her uniform. When she was in the bath, Jane knelt beside the bath stroking her hair as she wept. “Am I doing the right thing mum?” she asked, “Would it be better if I stay a boy?”

  “Do you think you’ll be happier as a boy?”

  “Things like this won’t happen to me.”

  “No, but you would be miserable and you would be living a lie. You’ve been so brave up until now and you’ve been happier than you’ve ever been since you started transitioning. You knew it would be difficult and what happened to you today was horrendous, but if you can get through this you will only get stronger and you will be able to face anything life throws at you. I believe in you and so does your sister and all your friends. In ten years from now you’ll be a strong, happy woman living your best life. Don’t give up my darling, darling daughter, don’t let those monsters win.”

  “I love you mum,” she said, putting her arms around Jane’s neck, “I’ll do my best.”

  “I know you will, and I love you more than words can tell.”

  Back in the hospital, Sarah’s wrist was not broken but was badly sprained and she was bandaged and given a sling while Beth’s knee was cleaned, some little bits of gravel removed and then bandaged. Both of them were taken home, Mr. Rutherford declared them both very brave for doing what they did but all each of them were concerned with was how Alex was. In school, the other girls were interviewed by the police and the boys were taken to the police station to be interviewed and charged. The fourth boy was found at his home and confessed to everything. He too was arrested and taken in. His charge was of assault on Juliet and conspiracy.

  Jane had rung her parents and Grandad drove around as soon as he could, Grandma was ill in bed and couldn’t come. Grandad brought Harry and Alex got some comfort from him as he could sense something was wrong as dogs do and he was very loving towards her. Juliet was very upset but all she wanted to do when she got home was go and see Alex. When Alex got out of the bath she asked Abby to go and see how Juliet was and to ask her to come over if she was up to it. Juliet was there in a flash and sat next to Alex with her arms around her apologising for not being able to help her. Alex told her she had nothing to apologise for because there was nothing she could have done.

  The police called but Jane told them Alex was too upset to speak and could she speak to them tomorrow. They agreed but they did speak to Juliet and Abby. Mr. Perkins rang and updated Jane and expressed his deep regret about what had happened, he was obviously very shaken himself. Early in the evening, Mr. Rutherford dropped in and told Jane that if any legal work was needed, he        would do it for them without payment for which Jane was grateful. He also let them know how Beth and Sarah were and Alex asked him to pass on her deepest thanks for what Beth had done. “She’s my hero,” said Alex.

  The following day, Alex stayed home as she was too upset still to go in. The police called around and took a full statement from her and updated her on what was going to happen to the boys involved. Abby went to school and came home to tell Alex and her mum that the head teacher had read the riot act to the whole school and that most pupils were shocked and upset about what had happened to Alex. Abby had spoken to a number of Alex’s classmates whom she remembered from primary school and all of them were totally supportive of Alex and couldn’t wait to see her back at school. She said Qi was particularly upset and very tearful when she spoke to her.

  Alex decided to go to school the day after that although still upset. She and Abby got ready and Juliet and Marian came around to offer support. The doorbell rang as they were getting ready to leave and Sarah and Erin were there. “We’ve come to walk in with you to give you more support,” said Sarah.

  “Thank you both, and thank you so much for what you both did, I’m so grateful,” Alex told them.

  “You would do the same for us if we needed it,” Erin said, and the six of them set off for school.

  As they approached the school drive, Alex became very nervous but Sarah said, “you’ve nothing to fear, it’s going to be fine.” They turned into the drive and there was a crowd of kids outside the gate with Beth and Sam at the front. Sam ran across the drive, unfurling an overhead banner on the way that Beth held the other end of. It read ‘Stand tall Alex and be proud’. Alex was taken aback, behind the banner were placards saying things like ‘no to transphobia’ and ‘no to hatred’ and as Alex walked past everyone she showered thanks on them all. Part way along was another banner held by Callum and Qi saying ‘we love you Alex’ and even Robbie who had taunted her in primary school was there with a supportive sign. As she reached the school gates, Alice, the head girl, stepped out and presented her with a huge bunch of flowers.

  “These are from the entire sixth form,” Alice said.

  “Thank you so much, I’m overwhelmed by this reception,” Alex replied.

  “Mr. Perkins would like to see you and you can leave the flowers in his office until you go home.” Alex went with Alice and Abby and her friends waited by the playground door.

  Alice knocked on the head’s door and told him Alex was there and he asked her to show her in. Mr. Perkins was obviously shaken about what had happened to Alex and he offered his deepest regret and told her he would always be available should she have any other problems. He was as supportive as he possibly could be and Alex was very grateful for that. She left her flowers in the office and went back to her friends. All day she got support from so many people, kids she had never seen before would high-five her in the corridor, classmates hugged her and her friends were with her wherever she went, she felt so much better.  At the end of the day Alex collected the flowers from Mr. Perkins office and walked home with Abby, Juliet and Marian. Jane was standing by the window watching out for them and opened the door for them. “What a beautiful bunch of flowers!” she exclaimed.

  “Alice, the head girl, gave them to me,” Alex informed her.

  “I’ll find a vase, do you want them in your room?”

  “No, I think they should go in the living room where we can all enjoy them,” Alex said. The next day, when they were at school, Jane did a painting of them for Alex to hang in her room.

  In the week following the attack on Alex, Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford invited Jane, Alex and Abby to dinner. At the table, Beth sat between her two friends and Jane sat next to Tom, Beth’s other brother was away at university. Her parents sat at either end. They all enjoyed a rack of lamb and dessert. Afterwards the girls went up to Beth’s room and played music and danced, chatted and danced some more. Downstairs over coffee, the Rutherfords  discussed the legal aspects of what happened to Alex with Jane and again offered their services free. Jane in return offered to do any design work they needed free and they developed a growing friendship.

  The term went on and as the Christmas concert neared Alex, Abby and their friends decided to get a dance routine together. They all practised hard and were pleased with their routine. All that was left was to give themselves a name. They had a meeting and all suggested possible names except Abby who was writing their names down and finally said, “look, if you take our initials -B for Beth, E for Erin, S for Sam and S for Sarah and then J for Juliet, A for Alex, M for Marian and A for Abby, you get BESS JAMA.” They all liked it and Bess Jama they became. For the show, they decided to wear their school uniforms without their blazers and with their ties and hair untidy and with their different coloured tights. The performance went down very well and they got a standing ovation. Bess Jama became a regular feature of the school’s annual show.

  When the boys who attacked Alex and Juliet came to trial, two pleaded guilty to common assault and conspiracy, one pleaded guilty to sexual assault and conspiracy and Johnson pleaded guilty to orchestrating the attack and to making an indecent image of a minor and child pornography as he was in the process of posting the image online when Beth tackled him. The two lesser charges resulted in those boys being bound over and given community service orders. The two more serious charges saw Johnson and his friend being given custodial sentences and put on the sex offenders’ register. Mr. Rutherford was good to his word and represented Alex and Juliet in court.

  The rest of the year passed and the next and before she knew it Alex was in the sixth form. She had had unpleasant comments from time to time but nothing she couldn’t handle with the support of her friends. Ellie had joined the school and after her Ollie and Jack. Abby got three A-levels and got a place in a university about fifty miles away. Beth got a place at Cambridge, where she became a star winger in her college’s women’s rugby team, and Sarah and Sam both went to different universities on the south coast. Marian started a catering course and was also working in her mum’s bakery, gaining a reputation as a very skilled cake maker. Erin got a job to save up to go travelling in Africa and Alex and Juliet still met up with her and Marian regularly and with the others when they came home for the weekend or holidays.

  In their last year at school, Anna was head girl and Jake was head boy. Alex and Juliet both did well in their A-levels and got places in their home university. Jane and Susan were very proud of them. Their relationship had grown over the years and they had openly been girlfriend and girlfriend for a few years and had gone to pride with Stephen and Christopher every summer. They continued to make each other very happy. Jane too was happy, Susan had met a very nice man through work and started dating and they introduced his brother to Jane and they fell for each other too. She and Susan could hardly believe they were going out with brothers.

Chapter Eleven

  When she was eighteen, Alex had been put on a waiting list for surgery for gender reassignment. During the summer holiday before starting university, she got a letter saying there had been a cancellation and would she like to step in. She phoned back immediately and was told she would have her surgery in the first few days of September. Alex was over the moon and could hardly contain her excitement, she was finally going to have the body she wanted and thought she should always have had. Everyone around her were also delighted, especially Juliet. They had talked about sex but Juliet had insisted they wait until Alex had had her surgery, she didn’t think it fair that she should receive pleasure from Alex when Alex couldn’t receive pleasure from her.

  The surgery would happen in a hospital some distance from where they lived and Jane booked a B&B for her and Abby for a few days so they could be with Alex. Susan and Juliet booked for two nights either side of the operation. On the day of the surgery, they all visited Alex who was far more excited than nervous. Juliet, on the other hand, was a complete bag of nerves. When Alex went into theatre, Juliet could hardly keep still in the waiting room and Jane told Abby to take her out to find a pub and buy her a stiff drink to calm her down. As they were walking along a corridor, they turned a corner and Juliet walked straight into a young doctor, knocking some folders out of her arms. She helped the doctor pick them up, apologising as she did.

  As the doctor stood up, Abby said, “oh, oh, its Alice isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” she said, “do I know you?”

  “We were at the same school, you gave my sister a huge bunch of flowers after she was attacked.”

  “Oh, I remember, it was Alex wasn’t it? How is she?”

  “She’s upstairs in surgery.”

  “Oh no, what’s wrong with her?”

  “She’s having her gender reassignment surgery.”

  “She is? I’m so pleased for her. I’ll try and drop in and see her before my shift tomorrow.”

  “She would be so pleased to see you. Juliet here was the other girl attacked that day, she’s so nervous I’m taking her for a drink.”

  “Don’t worry Juliet, the surgical team are very well respected. I’m sure they’ll do a marvellous job. I’ve got to go but it was lovely to see you, maybe see you tomorrow.”

  “It was lovely to see you too,” said Abby and Juliet agreed and thanked her for her reassurance. They found a pub nearby and Juliet had a large vodka and tonic and Abby a half a Guinness. A bit calmer, Juliet and Abby went back to the waiting room and Jane and Susan went for a coffee.

  Alex was in surgery for some hours and Juliet got very nervous again. She and Abby went for another drink and came back with sandwiches for everyone. Eventually the surgeon came in. “Mrs. Roberts?”

  “Yes,” said Jane.

  “Your daughter’s surgery has gone extremely well and my team are very happy with the results. She has a new vagina and is in recovery. You should be able to go and see her soon.”

  “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Jane said, totally relieved. Juliet burst into tears of relief and they all hugged each other again and again. They all got to see a groggy but very happy Alex before going back to their B&B to let Alex sleep and recover from the anaesthetic.

  The next morning, they visited again. Juliet had some time with her girlfriend before she and her mum had to head home. Jane was sat with Alex when there was a knock at the door and Alice came in carrying a bunch of flowers. “Hello Alex, I thought I would bring you another bunch of flowers.”

  “Another?” queried Alex. “Oh, you’re Alice, mum this is Alice who gave me those lovely flowers after I was attacked. Are you a doctor now?”

  “I’m still in training, but yes.”

  Jane took the flowers from her and said, “I’m so pleased to meet you, thank you so much for these. How did you know Alex was here?”

  “I bumped into your sister and friend yesterday, Alex, didn’t they tell you?”

  “They must’ve forgot what with everything going on,” she replied.

  “This was so kind of you,” Jane carried on. “You’ve done very well for yourself, have you always wanted to be a doctor?”

  “Yes,” replied Alice, “my grandparents worked for the NHS after they came over from Jamaica in the fifties. They always hoped I would do so too.”

  “They must be very proud of you.”

  “They’re both in their eighties now, but yes they are. I’m so glad you’ve had your surgery Alex, you’ve shown great courage and I’m proud to have known you. I wish you all the happiness in the world. My shift starts shortly so I have to go, I hope we meet again one day.”

  “Thank you Alice, it’s been wonderful to see you again, I’m sure you’ll be a great doctor.” They said goodbye and Alice left.

  “What a lovely young woman,” Jane said when she had gone.

  “She was the best head girl we had in all the time I was at the school,” Alex said, “but don’t tell Anna that.” A few minutes later, Abby came in and was disappointed she missed Alice and apologetic that she forgot to mention she had seen her. She and Jane continued to visit Alex until she was released and Grandma and Grandad and Nana all had video calls with her as did Juliet.

  When Alex got home, Juliet went over to see her. Alex was still in pain and tired and had gone straight to bed. Abby let Juliet in and they went up to Alex’s room, Jane was already there. “How are you feeling?” asked Juliet.

  “Painful but happy, in fact I can’t imagine being any happier.”

  “I’m going to try to make you happier,” announced Juliet. She got down on one knee beside the bed, Jane and Abby clasped their hands to their mouths, “Alexandra Roberts, will you marry me?”

  “Yes! Yes! Yes! A million times yes!” Alex replied, they hugged and kissed and Jane and Abby did the same and then hugged and kissed Alex and Juliet.

  “I’ve hoped for years that you would one day be my daughter-in-law,” Jane told Juliet.

  “You’ll be the best mother-in-law in the world,” Juliet replied.

  “No, Susan will be the best mother-in-law,” Alex said.

  “No, your mum will.”

  “No, your mum will.”

  “No...”

  “Stop!” Abby interrupted, “you know what you’re doing, don’t you?”

  “No,” said Alex.

  “You’re having your first argument as fiancees.” They all laughed.

  “Fiancees, that sounds so good,” Alex said, holding Juliet’s hand, “I love you so much.”

  “I love you more,” Juliet replied.

  “No, I love you more.”

  “No...”

  “Stop! You’re doing it again!” They all laughed once more.

  “Abby, will you be my maid of honour,” Alex asked her.

  “Of course I will, it would be my honour, my darling sister.” They hugged again.

  “I’m going to ask Marian to be mine,” Juliet said.

  “She will definitely say yes.”

  “My mum should be home soon, I’ll go and tell her and let you get some rest. I’ll see you later, fiancee.”

  “See you later fiancee, and thank you for making me even more happier.”

  Marian could hardly contain her excitement when Juliet told her the news and was overjoyed at being asked to be her maid of honour, of course she said yes. Susan burst into tears of happiness and hugged Juliet so tight she could hardly breathe. Alex and Juliet decided to wait until spring to get married and settled on a date when Abby and their friends would be home from university. Alex continued to recover and she and Juliet started university in October. Both joined the netball club and both made new friends, Juliet was studying English and hoped to become a teacher and Alex was studying history with archaeology.

  Wedding preparations were in full swing as Easter approached and as Alex’s nineteenth birthday was in the week before, they decided to have their joint hen night on her birthday, her first after surgery as she had hoped for eight years before. Abby and all their other friends were there except for Erin who was last known to be somewhere in Botswana. Jane, Susan, Aunty Lynn and Ellie were there along with Qi, Anna, Charlotte and Emma and a few university friends. Alice had been invited but pressures of work  prevented her from attending.

  As the evening went on, all were having fun, especially Alex and Juliet. They were talking to Sarah who suddenly interrupted and mentioned Erin. Alex said, “I so disappointed that Erin can’t be here.”

  “What do you mean, Erin can’t be here?” They turned around and there was Erin. Sarah had known Erin was back in the country but had kept it a secret to surprise Alex and Juliet

  “Erin! You’re here!” Alex threw her arms around her and so did Juliet.

  “You didn’t think I would miss this did you? I flew in today.” All the others formed a group hug around Erin, pleased they were all back together again after so long.

  The evening was an unmitigated success, all drank a little too much and even Ellie managed to sneak a few. The eight friends had a huddle and agreed to resurrect one of their dance routines for the reception and met the next day to rehearse, hangovers and all.

  Alex and Juliet had picked similar wedding dresses, without trains, that they knew they would be able to dance in. Alex had picked out matching white patterned tights for them both and Juliet had picked matching shoes for them. As Alex was dressing on the morning of the wedding, the doorbell rang. Abby answered and took delivery of a lovely bunch of flowers. She took them up to Alex’s room and said that there was a card with them. Alex read it out, “ ‘Here’s a third bunch of flowers, sorry I can’t be there to deliver them in person, Congratulations to you both, love Alice.’ Oh isn’t that lovely of her mum, what a wonderful start to the day.”

  The first guests to arrive at the venue for the wedding were Beth, her boyfriend, her brother Tom, her brother Richie and his wife. “I told you we were early,” said Tom as they left the car.

  “That bloke there,” Beth said, referring to someone lurking near the venue, “I know him.”

  “He looks familiar,” Tom added.

  “It’s Johnson, it’s George Johnson, what’s he doing here?”

  “I’ll find out,” and Tom started walking towards him. “Excuse me mate...” Johnson turned and started walking away. “Wait, I want to speak to you.” Johnson started running.

  Tom ran after him and Richie ran after Tom. Johnson tried to jump a wall at the back of the venue and fell, dropping something. Tom leapt the wall and caught Johnson and Richie arrived on the scene and saw from the fizzing on the pavement that it was a bottle of acid that he had dropped.

  “Hold him Tom, he had acid,” Richie shouted.

  “That freak deserved to get that, he ruined my life!” Johnson said viciously.

  “SHE didn’t ruin your life, you managed that all on your own by your own actions,” Tom snarled back. Richie rang the police as Beth and the others came up. “Make sure nobody else knows about this,” Tom instructed her, “we don’t want the wedding ruined.”

  “OK, if anyone asks about the police we’ll say there was a car crash but no one was hurt,” Beth said.

  “Do that!” A few minutes later the police arrived in the road at the back of the venue and handcuffed Johnson. Another car arrived and the pavement was cordoned off and Tom and Richie gave the police their stories.

  Back at Alex’s home, preparations continued oblivious of what had just happened. Abby was looking out the window and saw Juliet’s wedding car with her, Susan and Marian leave. “They’ve just gone,” she said and Alex, Abby and Jane went out and got into their wedding car and set off after them. “Are you nervous, sis?”

  “Not at all, just excited, I’m soon going to be Mrs. Moore-Roberts, a dream is coming true,” Alex told her.

  The guests had been arriving at the venue and little attention was paid to what was happening at the back. Beth, her boyfriend and sister-in-law waited outside and answered the few questions that were asked about the police presence. When her parents arrived, she took her father to one side while her mum was distracted by Richie’s wife. She told him what had happened and he asked if his sons were OK. “They’re fine dad, Tom’s a hero. They’re talking to the police.” Mr. Rutherford went around the back and made himself known to the police there.

  Soon after that, Juliet’s car arrived and she and Marian waited in the entrance while Susan took her seat. A couple minutes later, Alex arrived and Jane went and took her seat. The music started, everyone stood up and Alex and Juliet walked down the aisle holding hands, followed by Abby and Marian, through the gathered ranks of friends and family. Nana had come up from Cornwall, Grandad and Grandma were there (Harry had gone to visit his mum on the farm for the day), Juliet’s dad, stepmother and half-brother had come as well as her grandparents. Aunty Lynn and her three were there of course and the sibling boyfriends of Jane and Susan. Marian’s parents had been invited and so too had Stephen and Christopher and many of the girls’ friends.

  The service was beautiful and, during the vows, Christopher blubbed and so did a few others. Finally, the celebrant declared them wife and wife and said they may kiss their brides. After the ceremony the guests waited outside while Mrs. and Mrs. Moore-Roberts signed the register. They came out and were showered with confetti, Jack threw a whole box which bounced off Alex’s head and got a big laugh. Photos were taken and after the family pictures, Alex and Juliet called in Abby, Marian, Beth, Sam, Sarah and Erin and they lined up in the order they had stood all those years before when Jane had took the photo of them in their coloured tights. “Show a leg girls!” said Beth and they all lifted the hems of their dresses and recreated that picture to much applause.

  At the reception, the guests were standing around chatting and Tom and Richie walked in with their dad. Erin had noticed Tom was missing at the ceremony and went straight over to him. He told her what had happened and she said, “Tom, you’re a hero!” and she planted a big kiss on him and he kissed her back.

  “Look at Erin and Tom!” Alex said to Juliet.

  “So that’s why she came back from Africa.” The little group around them all laughed. A gong rang and the MC asked them all to take their seats. The wedding breakfast was served, the speeches given and the cake that Marian and her mum had made and iced beautifully was cut. After that, the MC announced Alex and Juliet’s first dance. They took to the floor and danced a couple bars close together to a slow number and then they gave a signal to the DJ and to the MC.

  The music changed and the MC announced, “ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the sensational dance group Bess Jama.” The other girls joined then and performed a routine that received a standing ovation. After that, others joined in the dancing or went to the bar. There was much merriment and groups of chatting guests were spread around the room. Alex and Juliet did the rounds, talking to everyone. More friends arrived for the evening party and it was soon in full swing. Callum and Qi were there, they had long since split up but remained friends, Anna, Charlotte and Emma all came along with their boyfriends, other friends from school and university also arrived. Alice and her doctor boyfriend came later after a long drive following their shifts and were made very welcome.

  At one point in the evening, Alex went to the bar to get drinks for her and Juliet and found Anna there. After exchanging a few pleasant words, Alex said she had always been grateful to Anna for her friendship and support ever since she had started transitioning.

  “I had a transgendered cousin,” said Anna, “she got bullied terribly and committed suicide when she was seventeen. I didn’t want that to happen to you.”

  “Oh, that’s so awful,” Alex hugged her. “What was her name?”

  “Martha.”

  “I think that’s a lovely name, why did you never tell me before?”

  “It took me years to talk about it. I was very close to her and was only nine when she died.”

  “Thank you for telling me and thank you for being my friend.” They hugged again.

  While Alex was getting the drinks, Grandma, Nana and one of Juliet’s grandmothers were chatting with Juliet. “It’s such a shame that you can’t have children together,” said Grandma.

  “I heard that Gran,” said Alex behind her.

  “Oh I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean...”

  “No Gran, it’s OK...Juliet,” Alex turned to her wife, “mum reminded me last night about something I completely forgot about. Before I started on puberty blockers and hormone therapy, I had some of my sperm frozen, so if you ever want to try IVF...”

  Juliet shot forward and threw her arms around Alex, nearly knocking the drinks out of Alex’s hands, “every time I think you couldn’t possibly make me any happier, you do! Is it any wonder I love you so much?”

  “I love you more.”

  “No, I love you more.”

  “No, I...”

  “Stop!” said Abby who had just joined the group. “Now you’re having your first argument as a married couple.” They laughed and kissed.

  The party carried on, Erin was spotted kissing Tom in a corner, Callum was spotted kissing Qi in another corner, Ellie was spotted kissing one of her cousin’s school friends. Finally the time came for Alex and Juliet to leave for their honeymoon. Everyone wished them well as they said goodbye to all their guests and they left for a hotel before flying to the south of France for a week. They posted a photo on social media of themselves watching the sun rise over the Mediterranean, and over the rest of their lives together.

Epilogue

It has been around five years since their wedding and recently Jane posted a photo on social media with the caption ‘Mummy J. and Mummy A. and Baby Martha Moore-Roberts. All are very well and very, very happy.’ It got many likes including ones from Tom and Erin Rutherford, and from Callum and Qi Brown, and from, soon to be Godmother, Anna.