She pointed, “There’s a bag in the living room for you. I’ve ordered a taxi and it should be here in about five minutes, so go and get it.”

I walked out of the kitchen and into the lounge. A small clutch bag was on the couch. Opening it I saw a small mirror the lipstick and nail polish she had used, a couple of make up brushes, a powder compact and a purse which had around  £100 in it.

Returning I said “What’s all the money for?”

“Spending money. A girl can’t go shopping without enough cash,” she replied.

By Karin Roberts

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There was no question of me returning to school, as my injuries prevented me taking my exams. My mother arranged for me to take them at a local Further Education college during the summer, which made special arrangements for those who were unwell and could not sit them at the time. This was in fact ideal and some valued extra study time allowed me to catch up and prepare better, with the result that by the time I got my actual results through I had exceeded my own expectations. Fully recovered, I enrolled at the same College and began taking a Diploma in Administration Studies. Life was getting back to normal as the Christmas break approached. One day in early December I returned home, and opening the fridge I took out some fruit juice and poured it into a glass. My mother was making dinner by the sink.

“We had a visitor today,” she said casually.

“Oh who?” I enquired.

“Eddie.”

The glass dropped from my hand and smashed on the floor sending juice everywhere.

Grabbing a cloth and a brush she stopped in front of me and brushed up the glass before drying off the floor, while I stood there transfixed to the spot. Finally I spoke, “What did he want? How did he know where I lived?”

“He wanted to see Nikki and he said that he knocked on every door for three streets to find the right address.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Just that I would ask her if she wanted to see him, he left a contact number. So?”

“So what?” I asked.

“Does she want to see him?”

“How can she? She doesn't exist!” I said, sitting down at the table.

“She could though.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Well I could help you to be Nikki again.”

I stared at her “You don’t mean that.”

“Look, I think you owe him an explanation. Don’t you?”

“Well maybe, but I could do that as Craig.”

“No that would be too much of a shock. At least this way you could maybe just get out of it. Tell him you met someone else or that you’ve changed your mind.”

“Oh this is too much to take in,” I said getting up and heading towards the door.

As I left she said “Oh, and by the way he says he still loves her!”

A couple of hours later I made my way back downstairs.

“Did you really mean what you said about helping me be Nikki again,” I asked.

“Only if you want to dear. I’m not forcing you.”

“Well I suppose it wouldn't hurt, and I do owe him some sort of explanation of who Nikki really is and why we can’t be together. So I suppose I could.”

“Good. I think you're doing the right thing, Craig. You’re a kind and generous person, you did the right thing the last time and I’m proud to have you as my son- or in this case daughter,” she joked, handing me the number. “Now go and call him and make arrangements to meet him.”
I stepped into the hall to call him. Closing the door for some privacy I picked up the receiver and dialed the number. A woman answered.

“Can I speak to Eddie,” I asked.

“Yes I’ll just get him. Who's calling?”

“It’s Nikki.”

“Oh Nikki I’m so pleased you’ve called! Eddie’s done nothing but talk about you since he went to University; He’ll be so pleased. Hang on…”

So Eddie had got in to University. I was pleased for him.

“Nikki it’s so good to hear from you, I’ve missed you."

"How are you? I hear you got in to University, I’m pleased,” I responded.

“Yeah it’s cool, and it’s all thanks to you.”

“Well I’m just pleased I could help.”

"What about you? Did you get in to any trouble with the gang?”

Obviously I could not tell him about getting beat up, so I said, “Well Margo’s really pissed and has not spoken to me since; but I’m at College now doing an Administration Diploma so I don’t really have any contact with her.”

“Good, I was worried about you. Look I go back to University tomorrow, but the Christmas Break is in 5 weeks. Can we meet up during the holidays? I really want to see you.”

“Yeah that would be nice,” I said.

“Where can I call you?” he asked.

“Well I’ve got this number. So when do you get back?”

“I finish on the 10th, so you could call me any time after that.”

“O.k. I’ll look forward to it. See you soon,” I said.

“Yeah see you soon. And Nikki?”

“What?”

“I love you.” And with that he hung up.

Returning to the lounge I told me mother what we had agreed.

“Your doing the right thing dear,” she said.

I gave her a hug and said, “I hope so.”

Nothing was said for a couple of week’s, and then one Friday after dinner my mother said, “You got anything planned for tomorrow?”

“No nothing.”

“Well I thought we could go shopping and get Nikki an outfit," she said. "My stuff is too old for you, we need something younger.”

“O.k.” I responded.

“But you will need to go as Nikki 'cause you’ll have to try things on,” she added.

“I can't do that. Look how short my hair is now.” “I’ll take care of that. Now go upstairs and take a bath. Use my hair removal cream to get rid of the hairs on your legs.”

Going upstairs I ran a bath and rubbed the cream into my legs arms and chest. I was familiar with this process already so the slight burning sensation was no surprise as I slipped into the hot scented water. Around 20 minutes later I emerged smooth and smelling of Chanel body lotion. I slipped into a pair of jeans and a teeshirt and went downstairs.
“Mum, if we go into town tomorrow won’t you be recognised? And if they do they'll wonder why your with a girl and not your son,” I remarked.

“That’s ok, dear, we're going to go to Edinburgh so nobody will know us there.”

Now that scared me a bit. It was ok walking around a small town, but a big bustling city was quite another matter. How would I cope?

“Now go to bed. We have an early start tomorrow.”

My mother woke me around eight dropping the bag of clothes that I had worn on Nikki’s last outing onto the bed.

“I thought you were taking those back,” I asked, surprised to see them.

"No I figured it would be too hard for Lesley to explain how a bag of clothes and a pair of breast forms appeared on their doorstep so I just kept them back, lucky or what.” she said with a smile, adding, “Now just put on the panties and the bra. And I bought some new adhesive for the breast forms. And then come and join me in my room.”

Leaving me to it she closed the door. Obediently I got out of bed and did as she asked. A few minutes later I stepped into her room.

“You’ve got not a bad figure," she joked, "Now come here and I’ll do your make-up.”

Sitting by the dresser she set to work with foundations and powder and brushes. “You know it’s great that you have such good skin for a boy. It makes using make-up so much easier,” she said as she brushed two colours of pink eye shadow on to my eyes before lengthening the lashes with mascara. She topped off the look with a glossy looking pink lipstick, and painting my short nails with a similar shade of nail varnish.

“What about my hair though? It still looks boyish,” I asked.

“Just wait and see,” she grinned. She walked away to her walk in closet and came back with what looked like a hat box. Opening it she took out a long blonde wig.

“Where did you get that? I’ve never seen you wear it before.”

“I borrowed it from a girl at work. Told her that I was going to a fancy dress party in a few weeks” she answered as she fixed it to my hair with a couple of hidden clips. Brushing it out I could feel the curly hair rest about four inches down my back.

“There," she said, "The perfect look.”

Once my nails were dry she handed me a pair of black opaque tights, and said “Put these on, I don’t think stockings are in order for a shopping trip. And then go and put your other clothes on.”

Slipping into the stockings, taking care not to rip them, I padded next door and put on the body suit and skirt. I could tell that they had been washed since I had last worn them, the shoes I had borrowed as we had made our escape had also been cleaned.

Fully dressed I went down stairs to wait on her making myself a coffee and sitting at the breakfast bar I crossed my legs as I had learned in my role as Nikki. Around 15 minutes later my mother came down dressed in a black skirt with her black boots and a red blouse.

“You know walking in here, looking at you all lady like at the breakfast bar, I would never have imagined that you could look so feminine and so much the young lady. Here take these-” she handed me a five bar gate gold bracelet and one of her old watches, a pair of pear drop gold earring’s and a necklace that had Nikki in gold letters on it.

“Where did you get that” I asked.

“I saw it in a charity shop the other day, only 2 pounds. So I thought it was fate and just bought it.” She handed me her Chanel perfume and I sprayed some on my neck and wrists as I had been taught to do.

She pointed, “There’s a bag in the living room for you. I’ve ordered a taxi and it should be here in about five minutes, so go and get it.”

I walked out of the kitchen and into the lounge. A small clutch bag was on the couch. Opening it I saw a small mirror the lipstick and nail polish she had used, a couple of make up brushes, a powder compact and a purse which had around  £100 in it.

Returning I said “What’s all the money for?”

“Spending money. A girl can’t go shopping without enough cash,” she replied.

A car sounded outside. “Take the little leather jacket off the coat rack that should fit you Ok and let's go.”

I picked up the leather jacket and put it on making sure that I took my longer hair out from the collar and let it fall down my back. As I made my way to the door I glanced in the mirror. Nikki was most definitely back, and looking as good if not better than ever.

Twenty minutes later we were on a train speeding towards Edinburgh. The train was not too busy, but as I looked out the window I wondered how I would take to the crowds of a bustling city. Around ninety minutes later I was about to find out as we stepped of the train in Waverley Station, the sound of me and my mother's heels click clacking loudly as we walked along the concrete platform and up the stairs to Princes Street.

About an hour later the buzz of the city had faded and I confidently followed my mother around shops looking for clothes to buy. So far we had managed to pick up a bra and panties set, a pair of black 4 inch stilettos, and a pair of 4 1/2 red inch stilettos that had a t-bar ankle strap. Having been on our feet for a while my mother suggested we get a bite of lunch, so we found a pub that did bar lunches and went in. Locating an empty booth by the back wall we took our purchases and sat down. Looking at the menu the young waitress came over and asked if we would like to order. “Yeah can I have a cheese and salad baguette please. Nikki what about you?” she asked.

“Eh, can I have the Tuna Mayonnaise sandwich platter please,” I said nervously.

“Anything to drink with that, ladies?” she asked quickly.

My mother said, “Yes can we have two large glasses of the house dry white wine please?”

“No problem, I’ll be back in a minute,” she nodded as she left us.

“Mum you ordered me alcohol,” I whispered.

“It’s to help you relax a bit. Look no one has given you a second look and the waitress just said ladies, didn’t she? And the guy sitting in the booth across from us had been watching your legs from the minute we sat down.”

“Mum!” I said, exasperated with her.

“I’m only telling the truth. When you get a chance glance over, you’ll catch him,” she said. Taking her cigarettes and lighter out of her bag she lit up. Waiting a couple of minutes I glanced round and sure enough caught him in the act as he avoided my gaze nervously with a blush.

The waitress returned with our meals and drinks and we proceeded to eat our lunch. Finishing our meal my mother took another cigarette and lit up as we sat sipping our wine. Now my mother was not a big smoker and only really on special occasions, or when out for a drink socially; then she smoked a special brand called More Special Menthol, which are longer and thinner than the average cigarette. I had always found it quite sexy when she smoked. Anyway she must have caught me watching her and said “Nikki, did you start smoking?”

I blushed and looked away.

“You have haven’t you?” she persisted.

“Only on the odd occasion,” I said sheepishly.

Lifting her packet she opened it and held it towards me, “Here, take one.”

I hesitated. She said, “Go on, take one!”

I reached forward and took one of the long slim cigarettes from the pack. She handed me her lighter and I put it to my lips and lit up.

“It’s ok I don’t mind,” she said as I exhaled a cloud of smoke. “We’ll get you a packet of your own when we leave here.”

We paid our bill and left the restaurant. Before I left I could not resist glancing at that guy, once more catching him in the act of admiring my legs and embarrassing him once more. Much happier with myself we resumed our shopping trip.
 
 
Our first stop was a specialist tobacco shop where my mother bought two cases of More SM and a slim gold plated lighter which had a very lady like narrow flame. We moved on to another department store and looked for some more items. I selected a pink jersey top which was split up down the sleeve with only a gold ring holding the sleeve together. There was also a gap just at the chest area which had a similar gold ring pulling it into a ruched effect. This was followed by a figure hugging tight black skirt which came to about two inches above the knee, and finally a red lacy blouse which was practically see through, and which resulted in the purchase of another set of satin red bra and panties.

Leaving the shop I said, “That should be enough. I’m probably only going to see Eddie once or twice at the most to explain.”

Sighing my mother said, “Yes, your probably right Dear. I suppose we should head back to the station.”

As we headed back we passed a particularly expensive designer shop.

“Let’s have a quick look in here” my mother said as she maneuvered my in to the shop. We had been in there for about 5 minutes when she said “Look Nikki. You just need to get that dress, it’s simply stunning!”

Over by the wall on a mannequin was a short strapless dress in black Lycra with an asymmetrical hem, which had narrows a fringe of small beaded strips.
“
I don’t need a dress, and besides I’ve nearly spent all the money”

“Oh please try it on. If it's o.k. I’ll buy it for you. And since Eddie comes back at Christmas there might be some party he invites you to.”

For peace I said o.k., I would try it on.

Getting an assistant to bring one in my size, we both stepped into the changing area and I put it on.

“Oh you look amazing in it. With long evening gloves and the right shoes it would be fantastic,” my mother squealed.

By the time I had handed it to her and changed back, she had plundered the shop for a pair of gloves and another pair of shoes. She also managed to get herself what I thought was an equally stunning tight red velvet dress, which was ankle length but had a split up one side to mid thigh.

Happy that we had all we needed we headed back and boarded the train that would take us home.

Once back home we had a light dinner and I went upstairs to change.

“Don’t change just yet, I’m going to open a bottle of wine. Let’s have a girly night in, a couple of glasses of wine and a few ciggies while we watch TV.”

I joined her in the lounge and she poured me a large glass of wine and tossed me a carton of the Mores. I sat down and opened them, kicked off my shoes and pulled my legs up onto the couch. Opening the first packet I took out the narrow cigarette and with my newly purchased lighter and lit it.

“Did you enjoy today?” she asked as I sipped on my wine, seeing the lipstick mark on my glass.

“Yeah it was o.k., but we bought too much. I mean one meeting with Eddie will probably be enough to explain this to him.”

“Yeah your probably right. But a girl can never be too prepared, and needs the right clothes for what ever comes up” she said taking a drag from her cigarette and blowing a cloud of smoke in the air.

Two or three glasses of wine later and a couple of more ciggies and I was beginning to feel tipsy, so I made my excuses and headed upstairs. As I went she said, “Goodnight dear, and I enjoyed today as well.”

Finally the 11tth December arrived and I called Eddie.

“How are you?”

“Oh it’s great to hear from you Nikki. I’ve been counting down the days to finishing, just to see you.”

“So when do you want to meet up? Is Saturday o.k. for you?”

“Yeah that would be great. We could go for a meal, then maybe a drink,” he said.

“Yeah that sounds good. Saturday around seven then? Look, if there’s any problems you can call me here at 257613…”

“Looking forward to it,” he responded; and with that our meeting was arranged.

“So when is it?” my mother asked as I walked back into the lounge.

“Saturday,” I said.

“Good. I’m not working on Saturday so that will give us all day to prepare.”

I spent the remainder of the week wondering how I was going to break the news to Eddie about Nikki’s true identity. I rehearsed several stories in my mind but the easiest and best was still really just the plain truth.

Saturday came around, and after a light lunch I was despatched upstairs to get ready. Bathing in some scented oil and rubbing on some more hair loss cream, I emerged smooth and smelling lovely. Drying and taping up my maleness, I put on the pair of red lacy panties I had bought, and the glued on my breast forms before encasing them in the matching red bra. I opened a pair of black shear tights and slipped them up my legs before putting on the bathrobe and returning to the bedroom, where my mother sat waiting to do my make-up.

She smoothed on a new foundation she had bought---which seemed to suit my colouring really well---before setting it with a light dusting of powder. She outlined my eyelids with black kohl pencil before brushing on some smokey grey eye shadow, then silver on the top lid to brighten them up. She had just finished my mascara when the phone rang.
“Hang on a sec, I’ll just get that,” she said leaving the room. She returned a couple of minutes later, saying, “That was Eddie.”

I looked up. “He wants to cancel?”

“No, not at all. In fact he just wanted to say that his Mother & Father are coming along to meet you.”

“What,” I cried, “That screws up the whole plan! I can’t confess to him with them sitting playing gooseberry, can I?”

“Maybe they will just stay for the meal and then go. You can tell him after,” she tried to reassure me.

She finished off my make up in silence, applying a dark wine glossy lip-colour which she brushed on expertly.

To complete my transformation I took out the red lacy blouse I had purchased and put it on. I buttoned up the front before taking the short black skirt and tugging it over my hips before zipping it up. I slipped on the new black stilettos that we had bought and took the jewelery that my mother had left on the dresser; and started to put it on. A single pearl ring, a choker with four strands of pearls, the gate bracelet I had worn previously, then her own gold watch (which was an expensive Rotary model but very nice, with a solid bracelet type band), and then a pair of earring’s with a pearl drop.

She had left a black clutch bag on the bed for me, and opening it I found all the usual essentials, including two packs of Mores and my new lighter, with lipstick, tissues and a purse with around  £40 and some change in it. She came back into the room and said, "Very nice, that skirt really hugs the curves. Now lets get your wig on and your nails painted and that will be you."

I had been letting my nails grow and last night my mother had cut and shaped them so by now I had just 3 or 4 millimetres of nail showing above the tip but beginning to look feminine and narrowing my fingers no less. She brushed out the wig and secured it to me head using a couple of clips and a little gum on the forehead cap for extra hold. Painting my nails she told me to stand up, have a look. It came as no surprise that looking back at me from the mirror was and attractive eighteen going on nineteen year old waiting to hit the town.

The process of getting ready had numbed my thoughts a little, and it was only when I returned to the lounge that it struck me that I was about to meet Eddie’s parents.

“Mum I need a drink. I don’t know if I can carry this one off, I’m so nervous. Is it o.k.?” I asked.

“Sure, no problem.”

She went to the fridge and opened a corked bottle of wine. Returning with a glass she handed it to me. I sipped on the wine took a cigarette from my purse and lit up.

“Look it will be fine, Nikki. How many people did we met when we went to Edinburgh. How many people did you meet when you were first seeing Eddie? And anyhow a girl is always nervous meeting a guy’s mother for the first time. I know I was,” she joked, trying to make light of the situation.

“Oh Ha Ha,” I said rather sarcastically, taking another draw from my cigarette followed by a sip of wine. Minute’s later a car horn honked.

“That will be the taxi.” Getting up and crossing to me she kissed me on the cheek and said, “Have a nice time. Now take the coat I bought you yesterday, it’s on the coat rack. And here’s my Chanel perfume."

Spraying some on me liberally she handed me the bottle and I put it in my bag. I crushed out the cigarette and went into the hall. Sure enough there was a short black overcoat on the coat rack which she took down and helped me on with, being careful that my longer hair was pulled out over the collar. Nervously I opened the door the sound of my heels echoing loudly on the concrete, as if they wanted to announce to the whole neighbourhood that I was going out. I walked towards the taxi. Opening the door I got in the back and gave the driver instructions and we were on our way.

Fifteen minutes later the cab was approaching The Lotus Flower, which was probably the most expensive restaurant in the town. Pulling up at the kerb I walked towards the entrance. I knew that there was a small lounge bar where diners waited before being called to their tables, and that was where Eddie said he would meet me. I stepped into the restaurant and into the lounge. I could see Eddie in the corner. His Mother was sitting with her back to me, his Dad side on. Eddie rose and came toward me, “You look lovely.”

“Nervous,” I said.

“Don’t worry, they will love you,” he smiled as he led me towards them.

His Mother and Father got up and turned towards us as we approached. His Mother was an attractive looking lady probably around 5-10 years older than my mother, with deep auburn hair and just the first sign’s of greying. His dad was an equally attractive man with greying hair, and a bit serious looking. His Mother was first to greet me, extending her hand.

“I’m so please to meet you Nikki. Eddie never stops talking about you, he’s mad about you,” she said as I began to blush.

“Don’t. You'll embarrass the girl," his Dad said as he offered me his hand and I shook it.

“Here sit by me dear,” his mother said, making space for me to slip into the booth.

“Would you like a drink Nikki?” Eddie asked.

"Yes please. A glass of Dry white wine please."

“I’ll get these. Same again folks?” his dad asked, and with our nods he headed of to the bar.

I was by now really nervous and opened my bag to take out my cigarettes. Holding up the packet I said, “Does anyone mind?”

“Not at all dear," his mother said, "In fact I’m a smoker myself. I don’t believe I’ve tried that brand, would you mind if I had one?”

I offered her the open packet and she went to take one. I immediately noticed her very long tapered perfectly-manicured nails, which made it difficult for her to get the narrow cigarette from the packet. I moved the packet back and slightly pulled one up.

“Thank you,” she said as I offered her the packet again and she slipped the cigarette out.
Taking one for myself I offered her a light and lit my own nervously, blowing out a big cloud of smoke. Making conversation I said, “I do like your nails."

"I have a friend does them for me. In fact I think I have her card here. She’s just started doing extensions, so if you would like some give her a call it’s not expensive,” she said handing me a card.

“I might just do that,” I said, dropping the card in my bag.

Eddie’s Dad returned with the drinks and I took a sip from the glass began to relax. Me and Eddies mother were smoking and girl chatting away while Eddie and his Dad sat and talked between themselves. Ten minutes later the waiter called for us and we went through to eat, the waiter taking our coats as we left the table and entered the restaurant proper.

Two hours later we had finished our meal and were leaving the restaurant. As my mother had suggested his Mum and Dad had just come for the meal and we were indeed going on for a drink ourselves.

As we waved them off in a cab Eddie said, “There, that wasn’t so bad was it?”

“I liked your Mum, but your Dad's a bit serious.”

"Oh don’t let him fool you. He is like that with everyone but he warms up after you’ve been in his company a couple of times. He liked you anyway.”

"Did he say that?” I asked.

“No but I caught him looking at your gorgeous legs three or four times.”

“Oh quit it” I said, pushing him playfully as he hailed down a cab.

Twenty minutes later we were in a trendy bar in town. I sat down at a booth and lit up a cigarette while Eddie popped off to get us some drinks. Once he was back he said “You o.k.?”

I puffed nervously on my cigarette, “Yeah. There was just something that I wanted to talk to you about.”

No sooner did I say it than- “Eddie, what a coincidence! what are you doing here?”

We looked up and there was a guy with a pretty slim red headed girl.

“Matt and Anne, imagine meeting you here.” Standing up he said come and join” us as he ushered them into the other side of the booth. “Nikki this is Matt he’s studying in the same year as me, and this is Anne who I’ve known since Primary school”

“Pleased to meet you both,” I smiled, shaking each of their hands in turn and detecting a certain coolness when I looked towards Anne. We chatted as a group and I noticed a certain bitchiness towards me by Anne and, in particular, a definite dislike to cigarette smoke as I caught her two or three times making little waving gesture’s when smoke came anywhere near her. We sat for around 3 hours chatting before Matt suggested that we share a cab home together “Yeah that would be fine” Eddie said and Matt went to retrieve our coats from the cloakroom Anne went to powder her nose.

“What’s her problem,” I asked.

“What?”

“She’s been bitchy to me all night.”

“Just ignore her. And anyway you’ve caught her with a couple of shots back,” he joked.

“She definitely fancies you she hangs on your every word,” I said.

“You jealous?”

“No.”

“No, and neither should you be, because I’ve only got eye’s for you,” he said leaning forward and planting a gently kiss on my lips.

“Hey you two lovebirds, quit it," Matt said. As we turned he and Anne were standing with our coats and Anne with a face that could kill!

We managed to catch a cab, and we had just dropped off Matt when Eddie asked, “You wanted to ask me something earlier?”

“Oh it’s not important. It will keep to the next time I see you,” I said as the cab pulled up outside my house. Leaning forward I gave Eddie a slightly longer kiss, knowing all the time that our other passenger was seething in her seat.

“See you later,” I said as I stepped out and waved them off.

Walking up the path I could see the lights were still on, and guessed that my mother had stayed up for a report on the night. Sure enough, when I got in she was sitting with a cigarette and a glass of wine waiting on my return. “Well did you tell him?”

“Pour me a glass of that, will you?” I said as I slipped a cigarette out of the packet and lit it. Sitting on the other chair I crossed my legs and took another draw on the cigarette, looking at the lipstick ring on the filter.

“Well I’m waiting,” she asked again as she placed the glass of wine in front of me.

“No I didn’t tell him."

“Why not?”

“Because I never got the chance,” I said, taking a drink from the glass. “We had the meal then went on ourselves to a bar as you said. But when we got there I was just about to start, when two of his University buddies showed up. We were stuck with them all night and then shared a cab home, so I couldn't tell him.”

“Oh well you’ll get another chance. When does he go back?”

“He goes back on the 31st because his folks are going back down with him to Cambridge, as his Dad’s got a brother near there. They are spending the New Year with them.”

My mother got up, taking my half empty glass and her empty one and filling them up. She offered me a cigarette and took one herself as we both lit up.

“Look I’ve got an idea,” she said.

“What?”

“Well you know that I’m going to a Christmas Eve Party at the Tavern Inn with a girl from work.”

“Yeah?”

“Well there are tickets left. Why don’t I get you and Eddie one, and you two can come as well?”

“But surely she knows you have a son,” I responded.

“Yeah she does, but I’ll make it known this week that it’s a young neighbour and her boyfriend that are coming. She’s never met you and anyway you pass perfectly, don’t you? So what’s the problem?”

“Well that might work, I’ll phone Eddie tomorrow and ask him.” Finishing my drink and cigarette I said, “Well I’m off to get changed and go to bed.”

As I passed she asked, “Nikki, did you like Eddie’s parents and enjoy tonight?”

“Yeah. His Mum’s very nice and his Dad’s quiet but o.k., and the night was fine,” I said, bending and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“Ok. dear goodnight,” she said as I left the room.

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To Be Continued...