Sometimes life has a habit of creeping up on you and sending you careering down a different and unexpected trajectory. Nicola – the stand-in Chapter 14 by Louise Anne Smithson Copyright © 2021 Louise Anne Smithson All Rights Reserved.

Chapter 14

After our wonderful evening out, I was reluctant to change out of Amy’s lovely dress, take off my borrowed jewellery or to clean off Sandra’s expertly applied makeup. I sat in front of the dressing table mirror for an hour or more admiring my image and thinking about the remarkable changes that had taken place in my life over the last fortnight. I had gone from being a temporary stable lad with no direction to my life and no prospects, to having an interesting, albeit unusual, job on a film set. I also now had the offer of some further work in a week or two. During that time, I’d become friends with a famous tv star. Above all, though. I’d sampled life in a different gender role and had to admit to myself that I’d enjoyed every minute of my time as Nicola. But what about the future? What I was going to do over the next fortnight? Did I continue living as Nicola, as Amy had just suggested, or revert to my usual male self as I’d previously intended? I knew which of these options appealed most to me, but at the same time, I asked myself whether it was right, whether it was even natural for me to feel the way I did. I couldn’t immediately convince myself, one way or another, although I knew that throughout our evening at the restaurant. I had felt good about the way I looked and the way that others reacted to me.

I eventually got undressed, went to bed and slept soundly dreaming of beautiful long dresses and dainty high-heeled shoes. I woke earlier than usual, at six thirty, with the sun shining directly into my room. I sat up: it was now crunch time – there could be no more procastinating - I had to decide how I was going to spend the next fortnight. Should I ask Amy to give me access to Nick’s clothes, currently in her storage locker and keep my appointment to revert to my male life, or should I accept her offer and remain as Nicola, staying in her flat for the next fortnight? The latter course of action seemed to be the most straightforward - but was this just putting off making a long-term decision about my future? After all, I was going have to become Nicola again once we re-started filming, so would it really matter if I continued to live as a girl for the next fortnight and gain the experience that Frank seemed to encourage me to do? All these questions went through my head.

Amy also seemed to want to encourage me to continue to develop my alter ego, but what was her motivation – was it just friendship or was there some other reason? What would other people think of me if I continued to live as a girl after I no longer needed to do so for work? Most people on the film set knew the story of how Nick had come to be Nicola and nobody had said anything untoward. Would that still be the case once there was no longer a good reason for me to continue as I was? I knew that my mother and her latest boyfriend wouldn’t approve. But were they likely to find out and, for that matter, did I care what they thought of me? It was this question, more than any other, which made me determine my decision. I enjoyed spending my time living and working as Nicola and if I did so, it was no-one else’s business but my own. I would accept Amy’s offer although there was still the question of deciding what, if anything, I should do or say about use of recreational drugs and indeed whether it was any of my business.

I got up, took a shower, and found some clean underclothes and a dress to wear. I then sat at my dressing table to fix my hair and makeup, pleased that I was now able to do it quite proficiently. At eight o’clock there was a knock on my bedroom door and Amy entered still wearing her night clothes. She took one look at me and realised that I’d made my decision.

‘Well young lady, you seem to be making a good job with your hair and makeup this morning.’

‘Sandra showed me a few techniques as she was fixing my makeup yesterday.’ I replied.

‘I don’t know, you’ve only been living as a girl for a couple of weeks; it took me months to become as competent as you are.’

‘Does that mean that you regard me as a girl?’ I asked.

‘Of course I do. I’ve considered you to be my girlfriend ever since you rode that horse wearing my costume. I hope to continue to do so.’

I didn’t respond but continued applying mascara to my still full eyelashes.

‘I take it that you’ve made your decision about where you are going to live for the next fortnight?’ she continued.

‘If I accept your offer, is there any way that I can repay you for your hospitality and kindness?’ I asked

‘I suppose there may be some clerical and secretarial jobs that you will be able to help me with now that I no longer have a personal assistant, if you want to do so. However, as I made it clear last night, there must be no arguments about who you are and what you’re going to wear during your stay with me. I can’t afford the risk of having you staying with me in ‘guy’ or even in ‘butch girl’ mode just in case my boyfriend or the paparazzi should turn up. Is that agreed, Nicola?’

‘Yes, I guess so, I’ll continue to live as a girl so long as you’re willing to come shopping with me sometime and advise me about my appearance and presentation.’

Amy smiled.

‘It’s a deal and I’m sure it’s going to be fun,’ she said kissing me on the cheek. ‘I have a few commitments over the next fortnight but there will be plenty of opportunities for us to go out shopping and get you some nice clothes.’

I kept my 9.30 appointment at the Costume and Makeup caravan on Saturday morning, to find thar both Sue Evans and Joan, Frank’s secretary, were waiting for me.

‘Hi. Nicola, I’ve got two copies a new contract for you to sign, began Joan.

‘That was quick, I only knew myself last night,’ I commented.

‘Actually, it was drawn up yesterday, but Frank first needed to confirm that you were interested in an extension.’

I signed where required and she took one copy.

‘There’s also a bank transfer of £200 clothing allowance for the work that you have already done due to you. It will be in your account this afternoon. The remainder will come with your salary next month.’

‘Thanks,’ I said.

‘So, you’ve been offered an extension to your contract, congratulations!’ said Sue after Joan had left us. ‘I was wondering why you appear to have made such an effort with your appearance this morning.’

‘As you are going to have to turn me back into a girl at the beginning of July, would there be a problem with me remaining as I am until then?’ I asked, blushing slightly.

At first it was difficult to gauge Sue’s reaction to my request.

‘Are you saying that you want to retain the hair extensions and breast forms?’ she asked.

‘Yes, I suppose so.’

‘Will you be able to manage alright as Nicola on your own for the next fortnight?’

‘I got myself ready this morning. It will also give me more useful practice as a girl before we start filming again. What do you think?’

‘It would undoubtedly save me a lot of time today, so I’m hardly going to refuse your request, if that’s what you want. But we will need to check on you once again before we begin location filming.'

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Your hair extensions were sewn in quite securely so they should be good for at least another few weeks, perhaps even longer. May I just quickly check them?’

I sat down in the chair and allowed her to do so.

‘You appear to have looked after your hair quite well when you weren’t filming.’

‘I’ve enjoyed having long hair,’ I admitted

‘In that case they may as well stay as they are for the next fortnight, but I’ll need to check that they are still ok before we next start filming. ‘What about your eyelash extensions?’

‘I think one or two may have fallen out.’

She peered into my eyes.

‘Most of them are still alright. We will have to renew them on your return but that is all part of the usual maintenance regime.’

‘What about my breast forms, can I hang on to them?’ I asked.

‘As long as you bring them back undamaged. ‘Perhaps I should just check that they are still ok, and that they are not causing you any soreness. Unbutton your dress and take off your bra, it will only take twenty minutes or so.

I did as instructed.

Sue and I chatted happily whilst she removed and checked each breast form.

‘Will you be standing in for Amy again next time?’

‘Yes, when they’re setting up the shots or when taken from behind, but this time it will all be interior scenes, no more horse riding.

‘In that case we will have to make sure there are duplicates of all her costumes.’

‘I guess so.’

‘What about your clothes when you’re not on set?’

‘I can use the clothes that Amy bought me a fortnight ago but next time I’ll also have a dress allowance to buy myself some more.’

‘What about the next fortnight?’

‘I should have enough clothes to last me for the next few days. By the way, I left the pink dress and the shoes that you loaned me last week for the bowls match on the rack over there last night. Would you like me to wash and iron the dress before I return it.’

‘Well, since you seem to have saved us a lot of time this morning, I think I can probably find a way to write those items off as damaged stock, so that you can keep them. It sounds as if you’re going to need to have some more things to wear over the next few weeks.’

‘Thank you, as long as you’re sure it would be ok.’

By this time Sue had finished her inspection.

‘I think your boobs should now be ok for the next fortnight. We’ll check everything again once you come back on location. What will you do about make up.’

‘Amy bought me one or two products and I expect I’ll be able to buy myself some more.’

Sue went to a drawer and handed me a sponge bag with my name on it.

‘These are the products that Sandra used on you last night. You may as well take them with you.’

‘Thanks,’ I said as I took the sponge bag.

She noticed my left hand and held it up to examine my manicured fingernails.

‘I must say, Sandra made a good job with your hair and nails yesterday. I saw you as you were leaving with Amy and was most impressed.’

I blushed slightly but was pleased that she’d noticed.

‘That’s why I thought it would be a shame to undo all of her good work straight away.’

‘Of course, long painted nails would be anachronistic in Victorian times. They only became fashionable in the 1920s and 1930s, but we won’t need to worry about them for now. We can easily sort them out once we start filming again. I’ve plenty of other things to do this morning as it is. In any event, it would be a pity to remove them now as they look so nice and you’re planning to live as a twenty-first century young lady for the next fortnight.’

I was just collecting everything ready to leave when Sue asked: ‘How will your family react when they meet Nicola for the first time?’

‘They won’t be meeting her. My mother lives in Greater Manchester and I’ve no idea where my father lives. Amy has offered to let me stay in a spare room in her flat until we begin filming on location again.’

Sue’s manner changed almost imperceptibly.

‘Well remember my warning from last Sunday and don’t let her get you into any trouble with her schemes.’

‘Don’t worry I doubt if we will be going out together other than to do some shopping over the next fortnight. I intend to stay at home and practice my speech and presentation.’

‘In that case I’ll see you again in a fortnight’s time. ‘I hope you have a good time in the meanwhile, Nicola.’

‘Thanks to you and your staff for everything you have done for me.’

When I returned to the caravan Amy was busy packing her own clothes in an expensive set of matchings suitcases.

‘So how did it go with Sue?’ she asked

‘Fine, there was no problem, I get to keep my long hair and other adornments for the next fortnight, but they’ll need to do some maintenance once we return to Hatfield. Sue’s even letting me keep the pink dress and shoes that she loaned me.’

‘That’s good; the more clothes for Nicola that you’ve got to choose from, the better. I’ve arranged for a car to pick us up after lunch. Pack everything that you are going to need into a suitcase – I assume you do have a suitcase available.’

‘No just the canvas bag with Nick’s clothes.’

‘In that case I’ll loan you one of mine.’

‘What should I do about Nick’s clothes?’

‘Your canvas bag can be locked in the outside storage compartment of the caravan. It’ll be quite safe there until we return.’

‘But then the contents won’t be assessible for the next fortnight.’

‘No they won’t; remember our agreement.’

‘Alright but there are a couple of important documents in that bag that I might need. I can also add the clothes that Nick was wearing the Sunday before last - when you insisted on turning him into Nicola full time. They’ve all been washed and ironed.’

‘Go ahead and sort out whatever you are going to need, and then we can lock away all remaining traces of Nick for the next month.

‘Alright then.'

She walked over to one of her drawers and took out a capacious and expensive looking black handbag and handed it to me.’

‘Here, you’d better start learning to use this to hold your wallet and makeup and things. You may keep it, if you like, I doubt if I’ll use it again.’

It was made of soft leather with straps that could serve as a shoulder bag or handbag. There was an Italian brand name that I did not recognise.

‘But it looks almost new.’

‘It was given to me, but I already have plenty of handbags and I would rather you had it.’

‘Thank you, Amy, but why are you doing all this for me?’

‘I always wanted a sister to look after and boss around, ever since I was a little girl.’

‘Hmmm. A sister may want to make up her own mind about how to live her life.’

‘I know, but she’ll also need a little help and advice at the outset.

Half an hour later the car arrived and the driver packed Amy’s three large suitcases and the one she had loaned to me into the boot.

‘Don’t worry, Nikki, as soon as you’ve moved in and unpacked we’ll make a list of everything else you’re likely to need over the next month and perhaps we can go shopping on Monday.'

‘I’m look forward to it,’ I replied.

The driver of the rental car helped us both into the back seat of the car. I smiled and murmured my thanks even though, by this time, I was perfectly capable of elegantly negotiating myself while wearing heels and a dress.

‘I think the next fortnight may be an adventure for both of us,’ commented Amy as we set off.

‘I hope so,’ I replied.

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise