I dropped what I was doing and went over to him. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him with a content smile on my face. “Thanks George. You’re a star!” George slightly struggled to get out of my grip, a bit embarrassed by the situation. I kissed his cheek gently and let him go. A mix of confusion ran through his eyes as I just stood back and smiled at him.
 

 
Debbie stuck around for most of the day and indeed blagged an invite to dinner that night. I knew what she was thinking. And as much as I thought it was a daft idea, I was willing to give it a go. George arrived just before six and after explaining that Debbie was staying for dinner, he went and took a shower to wash away the day’s toils. We all sat down to mixed salad and cold meat as the sun began to drop in the sky. Debbie prodded me under the table and gestured with her eyes to get my attention to focus on George. I began to relate the events of the day to him.

“George, Mum called today.”

“Everything ok?”

“Yeah everything’s fine. Just that its Dad’s fiftieth next week and we’re expected to be there.” I replied.

Silence descended for a minute.

“I clean forgot all about it.” I apologetically looked at George as he played with his food.

“Well there’s no way we can go, not with you looking like that.” he said.

“But she’s insisting…”

George let go of his salad fork and looked into my eyes. “Alex how the hell can we be at the party? I mean look at you… you’re as far removed from the Alex that came here a couple of months back that….that… how can you go to a party looking… like this?”

I flushed slightly at his comment on my look.

Debbie spoke up, “Look, it’s none of my business, but I think I’ve got a solution for the both of you.”

“Well feel free Sherlock. I’m all ears.” George irratatedly quipped as he placed another bite into his mouth.

“Well there’s no way Alex can really go back to being ‘Alex,’ if you know what I mean.” she stopped.

“Well you got that one right sister!” George interrupted.

“Well what about if you go?” she pointed at George. “And you take Alex as Amanda? None of Alex’s family have met Amanda yet, right? So they won’t know any different and that way you both get to be there.”

There was silence.

“You want me to take Alex… as Amanda?” George incredulously stared at Debbie.

“Why not? It’s not as if your staying overnight. Just drive down go to the party and then come back. No one needs to know and least of all Amanda. You’re just going to a family party. No big deal. And, as I said, you both get what you want. You both get to be there.”

“One small problem there. What about Alex’s mum? She knows about this. How is she going to feel about her son turning up at her Husband’s birthday party in drag?”

“I’m sure she will be ok with it. She’s been ok so far with this arrangement. So another little white lie won’t matter. You get her to tell her husband the real Alex is ill, say that he’s bed ridden and unfit for travel and you take Melissa with you. Perfect. Everyone’s happy. What do you think?”

“Makes a bit of sense… maybe?” I threw my two pence in, not finding fault with the logic.

George paused. “I’m not sure. I don’t know whether I like the idea or not. What do I tell Amanda?”

“Just the truth. You’re not lying. You’re both going to a family event, nothing else.” Debbie emphasized.

“I’m still not convinced about it,” George said as he got up and deposited his empty plate in the sink. “ I need to give it more thought.”

Debbie gave him a stare as he started to go out of the kitchen.

George spoke from the hallway as he was putting his coat on, “I’ll think about it, Ok? Look I need to get going. I’m meeting Amanda later.” George then trounced upstairs.

Debbie looked at me and winked, “He’ll do it.” A smile crept on to her face.

It was Tuesday morning before George finally agreed to the Debbie’s plan. As I made breakfast for Melissa, he came in from the barn. “Look I think this idea stinks, but it’s only fair that you should be at your Dad’s birthday. Ok, let’s run with it. But on no account does anyone tell Amanda ever and you had also better square it with your mum first” he directed towards me, eyeing me.

I dropped what I was doing and went over to him. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him with a content smile on my face.

“Thanks George. You’re a star!” George slightly struggled to get out of my grip, a bit embarrassed by the situation. I kissed his cheek gently and let him go. A mix of confusion ran through his eyes as I just stood back and smiled at him.

Soon after, I was on the telephone to Debbie.

“He’s agreed about Saturday!” I rushed. The excitement in my voice gave away how I felt.

“Told you he would!” Debbie knowingly proffered, “And that means shopping for an outfit tomorrow.” I could just see her grinning through the phone set. Any excuse to shop.

I laughed. “I don’t need anything more.”

“Hey who’s idea was this anyways? A shopping trip is the least that I should get as a reward.”

“Ok. Then shopping tomorrow it is then.” I hung up.

The second call, later, was a bit more difficult.

“Christ Alex! You can’t show up at your Dad’s birthday party dressed as a woman!” mum exclaimed.

“It’s either that or not at all. Look nobody’s ever saw Amanda. We can make the excuse that I’m ill, bed ridden with some stomach bug, etc. Then at least I get to be there. Anyway, no one else knows about this do they?”

She hesitated. “Well Ashley does.”

“Why the hell did you tell Ashley?” I erupted.

“Alex! It’s been hard on me dealing with this. I needed somebody to talk to about it!”

“I suppose.” I just rolled my eyes and paused, thinking. “And is she ok… with it?”

“Well to be frank, she found it hilarious to start with. But I think she sees that you done it for the right reasons. Anyway, you’ll need to stop it soon. I mean it’s only three weeks till the start of term, so you’ll need to get back to normal soon.”

“Maybe not Mum.” I answered.

“What do you mean maybe not? You’re not changing your mind are you? Look, this situation hasn’t gone any further, has it?” she pleaded with a hint of exasperation in her tone.

I felt the heat of a blush run through my face from embarrassment. I knew exactly what she had meant!

“No, it hasn’t. It’s just that I rang the Education Board and explained that I had a family situation that I was dealing with. They agreed that I could defer my post until Christmas if I want. I’ve not decided yet. But if I need more time here, then I can have it.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Mum replied. I could almost believe that she knew what was going through my mind.

I cleared my throat. “Yeah I do, mum. I just need a bit more time to make George see some sense.”

“Well if that’s all… then ok. But about Saturday, please be careful! Your dad would have a fit if he finds out.”

“I will mum. I promise you won’t even recognise me, never mind dad. I’ll see you Saturday.”

With that, we hung up. And I began to think some serious work needed to be done.