“What’s the matter, you don’t look very happy, don’t you like the way you look?” asked Mrs M. “No, I like it very much. I guess I am surprised how much I look like a girl and I would really like to keep the clothes on for a while” I replied. Oh dear I could not believe I said that. “Well I suppose that will be OK you can stay like that while we have some tea. But if anyone comes you must go upstairs to the bathroom. I’ll put your clothes in there so you can change.” With that she picked up my clothes and went upstairs. Soon she was back “You had better put this on so you don’t make a mess on the dress. It was Patricia’s too” She said holding out an apron. She helped me put it on tying it round my waist. “There you look quite a proper little girl, perhaps we should give you a new name, what would you like to be called?” she asked. I thought for a moment then it came to me I was wearing Jane’s dress. “Jane is a nice name I like it” I said. “Mmm it is nice but that’s my niece’s name, if I had had a second daughter I was going to call her Amanda. I think we should call you Amanda Jane, what do you think?” asked Mrs M. “I like it very much” I replied. “That’s it then, you shall be Amanda Jane. Come on a help me you can butter the bread Amanda Jane” She said. I followed her into the kitchen and we made sandwiches and tea. After I buttered the bread I set the table and when everything was ready we carried it through to the table. “Sit down” said Mrs M. I did so. “Oh dear not like that Amanda Jane” She said as I plopped down on the chair. “Stand up again, smooth your dress under your bottom then sit down gently” she instructed. I did this remembering now how I had seen other girls and women do the same. “Now think lady like as you eat, don’t bolt your food like you normally do.” I did as she asked and nibbled at the sandwiches. We chatted while we ate and Mrs M gave me instructions about how to be more lady like. When we had finished we washed the dishes and put them away. “Goodness look at the time Amanda Jane, you had better go up and change your mum will be home soon” said Mrs M. Reluctantly, I went up stair to the bathroom. I removed the shoes and socks, then the dress, blouse, slip and knickers. I carefully folded them all and left them on the chair. Dressed in my own clothes I went back down stairs. “Did you enjoy that?” asked Mrs M. “Yes I did thank you for letting me dress up, I liked being Amanda Jane very much” I replied. “That’s OK I liked having a young daughter about again, but I think it should be our secret” She said. I had no plans to tell anyone. “Oh I won’t be telling anyone” I replied. “That’s good, then perhaps you would like to come round another time” she said. “I would like that very much” and gave her a hug. Just then I heard my mum calling. “Go on, off you go home and we will do it again, I’ll dig out some more of Patricia’s clothes” said Mrs M. I hopped over the wall and could not wait till next time. |
