Mix-up Monday arrived and we all had to dress differently from how we were when it was announced. Since I'd been dressed as a male at the time of announcement, then I'd have to be Jayne for most of the day. Well, until after orchestra practice, when I'd have to attempt androgynous.

After my shower, I dressed as Jayne. I still had to stop myself from choosing the male clothes. Since I was doing this for the next few weeks, I wonder if I could learn how to glue the breasts on. That might help jog my memory and having to redress when I remembered.

When I saw Helen, I almost laughed. She might be stronger than me, but she looked like a girl in boys clothes. Her hair was still in her usual style and her chest didn't look as flat as a thirteen year old boys.

"How do I look," she asked, with her usual smile.

"Honestly?" I replied.

"Of course," she said, her smile fading.

"Well, you look like a girl in boys clothes," I replied. "The minimum you need is to change your hairstyle a bit and put on that compression vest, to hide your breasts."

"I'm not that big yet," she complained.

"Well they still show. Why don't you put your hair in a ponytail at the neck, instead of a high pony? Oh and use an elastic band instead of a scrunchie."

I went to find the compression vest and when I turned round she was already taking off her top. I threw the vest at Helen and rushed out of the room. I quickly sat on my bed and let out a huge sigh of relief as I removed my panties and gaff Getting turned on while wearing a gaff wasn't something I wanted to do very often.

I contemplated having a shower, but a few moments of pure thoughts and I was calm enough to get dressed again. Helen had taken up my suggestions and was looking a little less feminine.

"You're certainly looking a lot better," I said. "Not quite male, but certainly not female; perhaps androgynous."

"Really?" she asked with a pout.

"With a pout like that, you are nicely back classified as female."

At least her walking didn't let her down. In fact her gait was more on the masculine side. Perhaps she was more a tomboy.

"Have you chosen a name?" I asked as we left for breakfast.

"I thought about calling myself David, but that might have caused some confusion, so I decided on Christopher. I can then call myself Chris for when I'm androgynous."

"Great thinking batman," I said, "but don’t forget to update your school profile."

"Oh yeah," she said pulling out her PDA. After a minute of puzzled tapping she said, "There is something wrong with mine. Everything is in French.'

I quickly pulled out mine and sure enough everything was in French. "Mine's the same. I wonder if they are preparing us for the field trip."

"Well, I've remembered enough French to update my profile, though by the looks of things, no other year one students have."

"Well they weren't around when Keith told us about updating the profiles. Looks like we have a few minutes to spare, so why don't we relax in the common room?"

Inside the year one common room were two girls. By there sizes I presume one was a female Lewis and the other Brian. Brian looked uncomfortable as a girl and looked very much like a boy dressed as a girl. He might have put on girls clothes and tried to present himself as a girl but he failed. The girl that I presume was Lewis looked very upset at being back at her birth gender and had picked clothes that verged on androgynous.

"Let me introduce you to Christopher," I said pointing to my partner.

"Hi Christopher," they replied together.

"I'm Anne," said Lewis. "This wasn't my original name. I just couldn't bear to ever hear that name again."

"I'm Brenda," informed Brian, trying to sound feminine but sounding more like a strangled Mickey Mouse.

"Someone in year five also goes by the name Brenda as their female alias, so if I get confused please forgive me."

"You know someone in year five that well?"

"Andy who plays percussion. We have had a few chats since the incident the other day. If it wasn't for her having the same smile as Andy I would never have guessed." I hoped that Brian wouldn't press the issue as there was no way I could explain why or how I saw Andy as Brenda. Fortunately for me Helen, now Christopher changed the subject.

"You need to update your PDA's to show your alias," Christopher explained. "It certainly will make it easier to work out who people are."

Lewis, now Anne and Brian, now Brenda both pulled out their PDA's. "Something's wrong with mine," started Anne. "Mine is showing in French."

"So is mine," added Brenda.

"Ours are too," replied Christopher. "We think it is to help us prepare for the field trip."

"Oh great," replied Anne in disgust. Brenda just shrugged his shoulders and offered to help Anne.

"Brenda isn't allowed," sighed Brian. "They must only allow one person to have an alias to avoid confusion. I really wanted to have a name starting with B."

"Why don't you try Belinda or Barbara?"

"Do you like Barbara?" he asked Lewis.

"Give it a try."

Brian tapped a few buttons and Barbara was born.

A few minutes later a boy and girl arrived. The boy looked like a masculine version of Sam, so I presume the rather fetching girl was Richard. Sam had made a big effort to try and appear masculine and had pulled it off. Looking again Sam hadn't actually changed much. Perhaps Sam's was born a boy, though I decided to withhold judgement till I saw Sam as a girl. Richard looked very much like Wendy. He looked very relaxed in the way he carried himself in the clothes and I very much doubted that it was the first time.

I introduced Anne, Barbara and Christopher and told Sam and Richard to update their profiles. Again there were complaints about their PDA's being in French but they both managed to update their details without help.

"I was going to be Rachel but I thought that might be confusing, so I've pumped for Jessica," informed Richard.

"Surprisingly I'm going to be Samuel," said Sam with a grin. "Though why don't you just call me Sam for short."

This only left Paula and Emma. Neither of them appeared before it was time for breakfast so we left for the dining room without them. Inside I was surprised to see that nobody looked out of place. Girls looked like girls and boys looked like boys. A great care went into people appearing and behaving as they were dressed. I looked across at the year five table and saw Brenda taking away with a dashing young man, who I could only presume was Stacy. Impressive. I quickly pulled up Stacy's information and found her male alias was Marcus.

Neither Emma nor Paula was at our table and instead of Dan, Mr Hobson and another lady was there.

"Sit down," said Mr Hobson. "Let me introduce you to Kelly Baxter. She will be judging you today. If you have any questions in how to portray yourself, she is the lady to ask. Now Emma is very upset about showing herself in male clothes and is having a chat with Dan."

"You're doing very well," said Kelly quietly to me. "I'd like to arrange for you to see me on Wednesday for some tips."

"Thank you," I replied. "I will need them. Till two days ago I'd never tried to dress as a girl and I will need all the help I can. I don't think I thanked you properly for the lovely meal last week. You have a lovely house."

"Why thank you," smiled Kelly slightly shaking her head. I was unsure what she meant by that and I didn't really think I wanted to, so I kept quiet.

"Before we commence with breakfast," said Mr Hobson as he stood up. "Some of you might have noticed that your PDA's are now in French mode. They will stay that way till after the field trip. After breakfast all television and radio stations will be locked to French speaking stations. After breakfast, I would also like you to try and conduct all your conversations in French. Years three, four and five shouldn't have any trouble as they all have studied French a few years ago. Years one and two might find it a bit more of a challenge but I hope you find the challenge a worthy one. So enjoy your last small talk in English for a little while. Enjoy your breakfast."

All the people on the year one table turned their gaze to Brian, now Barbara. She gave a small laugh and said, "I'll help as much as I can. If you get stuck just ask."

In the corner of my eye I noticed Mr Hobson nodding his head in approval.

After we had cleared away and before we disappeared to our first lesson, Mr Hobson said, "Sam, you need to change just before lunch. You're therefore excused from your specialist lesson. Also classes will start fifteen minutes late as I want to speak with you all. Is it okay if I join you in your common room, or would you rather do it in a classroom?"

We all looked round at each other and I noticed we were all nodding. "The common room sounds a good idea," I replied for us all and we all departed to find out what Mr Hobson wanted. He was joined by Kelly and four of the psychiatrists. Dan was obviously still with Emma and Paula.

"Okay, initial impressions are that you have all made an effort to achieve your goals. Some have succeeded more than others, due to various reasons. Kelly will be shadowing you during the day, so if you have any questions than please ask her. She speaks fluent French but the conversation might go beyond your level of French so feel free to speak in English if that is needed. If trying to portray yourself in the opposite gender gets too much then please seek help from a fellow pupil or any of the psychiatrists. It is meant as an opportunity for you to learn more about yourselves and others here."

As he finished the door opened and in came Emma with a male. We all ignored the adults and crowded round them, all giving Emma hugs.

"Thank you," she said rather shakily. It sounded like her voice hadn't recovered from her earlier trauma. "By the way, let me introduce you to Paul. He's far braver than I've been."

"No more of that," said Paul, trying to sound masculine, but failing. "You tried and it was too much. Nobody thinks any less of you."

"You've been very brave," I said. "It takes a lot of guts to admit it isn't something you can do and you got help, which is the right way forward."

"Il est temps pour votre premiá¨re leçon," said Mr Hobson.

I loitered for a moment to have a quiet word with Rachel. "Any news from Jill?"

"Jill is at Anna's this morning while Julia is here. This afternoon Julia will stay home till she comes in with Jill for orchestra practice. Jill will get changed here for her part in Mix-up Monday so her neighbours don't see anything strange."

"If anything happens, you will let me know?" I asked.

"If I can," she said promising nothing.

"Oh and can I see someone about getting adhesive for the breast forms?"

"Book yourself an appointment with the school nurse during your study period."

I caught up with the others just as they were entering the classroom for an hour of Mathematics. Kelly sat at the back to observe and we just took our normal seats.

"Bonjour."

I looked around to see everyone's face fall. It seemed, like me, that they had hoped that Mr Hobson had been joking about everyone speaking French. Are we really going to have our lessons in French? I wonder if we shall have our English lesson conducted in French. I just hoped that speaking French wouldn't stop my newfound skill in maths.

Now and again a word or phrase would be said that we didn't understand and would get translated. We were then expected to remember and use in future. It was hard enough trying to understand differential equations let alone know the French.

Lessons progressed as per normal and even in French I was getting much more out of them than at my previous school. I think I'd covered more in a week than I used to do in three months.

At half past eleven I kissed Christopher goodbye and headed up to see the nurse. Her office was next door to Dr Sue's so it wasn't any trouble to find.

"Come in Jayne," she said opening her door. Even though she had never met me, she knew my name. I wonder if there were wanted posters with my name and picture on.

Ten minutes later I'd been given a lesson on the proper way to glue them on and was walking down the corridor with a strange tug on my chest. The adhesive and solvent would be put in my room later. What service.

I joined the others in the common room. They were all there apart from Sam, who was getting changed. Just before lunch a sweet looking girl appeared. She wasn't a stunner but she looked like a girl, moved like a girl and spoke like a girl. It was at that point that I gave up trying to work out what someone's birth gender was. I'd spent nearly a week with Sam and was still no closer to finding out Sam's birth gender."

Half way through my tuna salad, Rachel came up to me, "Jayne, can you come with me. I need your help with Jill."

"What's happened?" I asked getting up.

"You'll be filled in on the way," she replied.

Christopher got up to accompany me but was stopped. "Christopher, not this time," Rachel said. "You aren't yet fully passable in male mode and there isn't time for you to get changed. Sorry."

I rushed out following the quickly departing Rachel, understanding that we must be going outside the school grounds. I felt flattered that she thought I was passable.

In the hallway I heard another voice, "Can Jayne come with me?"

I looked and saw Marcus. Wow, Stacy even sounded male. Or was it that Marcus was the real person and he did a good job at sounding feminine? I couldn't tell and wasn't about to start having a guessing match.

Rachel turned and saw the look of determination on his face and just nodded her agreement. Once out the front door we all broke into a run. Rachel got into her car and I followed Marcus to another one.

As Marcus drove the car out of the school gates she said, "Jayne, what you see happen when we pick up Jill mustn't be discussed with anyone other that Helen/Christopher."

"No problem," I replied. "Is Jill okay?"

"It seems there is a group of people outside of Jill's house causing a lot of trouble. There have been threats to them and it isn't safe for them to get out. Anna is also there and there have been a few threats against her. Due to you only being thirteen you weren't going to be asked along. However, Jill won't recognise me or any others."

"So what's going to happen?"

Once the mob has been dealt with, we will drive Jill and Anna back to the school and Julia will drive down herself. Rachel will stay round the corner out of the way.

"Do I dare ask what is planned?" I asked moving my feet from a large canvas bag.

"Due to some of her work at the school, Julia's house is registered as a building which could contain secure information. Therefore the police are treating this as a priority. There has been a nasty rumour that Adam has information regarding the recent terrorist attacks in London."

"But isn't that over the top?"

"Yes," Marcus admitted, "but when he gets released he will be too busy to cause trouble and hopefully the other people he's got to cause trouble won't mix with him in the future. The police moved them on earlier and the mob just came back. The police are waiting for specialist reinforcements. They are short stretched at the moment due to them sending spare people to help in London. Their specialist teams are down there. Apparently there aren't enough police officers trained in firearms for some of the operations they are mounting."

"So where do we fit in?"

"Well firstly, I need you to navigate. Once there we will park in a parallel street and enter from the back. Anna and Jill are terrified. Julia is trying to keep them calm but it is difficult while she is also stopping them getting into the house. Just before we set off, somebody tried to petrol bomb their house. Julia was able to extinguish the fire before it took hold."

"But Adam is only thirteen, how could he do such things?"

"Some people start getting into trouble earlier than others," he replied. "I was attacked when I was eleven by someone my age."

"Attacked?" I said in shock.

"Raped," he replied quietly. "I was born male and was out dressed as a girl. Someone thought it would teach me a lesson."

I put my hand on Marcus's leg as a sign of support. It was the only thing I could do. Marcus needed to concentrate on his driving.

"I'm well past it," he replied, not telling of the nightmares he sometimes still had. "I just don't want to stand by and watch someone else get terrorised. There is a map in the bag. I want you to find Browns Wood and direct me there. There are also two headsets, put one on and pass me the other."

I passed her the headset, put mine on and studied the map. "I've found it. Stay on this road till we get to the roundabout. As long as there isn't a train due we can take a shortcut."

Marcus just nodded, driving the car along the road faster than she should have done.

"It looks like a few more have joined," I heard Julia's say via the headset.

"Take the forth exit," I told Marcus, trying to keep my voice from showing the panic in my voice.

The roundabout was clear and we went round quicker than I'd have liked. Marcus opened up the engine and we were soon going through a level crossing, which started to close just behind us. Two minutes later we were in a road parallel to where Jill lived.
"Julia, we are in position," informed Marcus into his headset, grabbing the bag. "Get Jill to unlock the back door when she sees Jayne."

"Acknowledged."

As we made our way quickly through a side gate into someone else's back garden I asked, "I thought we were too young to go on a mission?"

"This isn't a mission," he responded. "We are helping a friend."

Marcus gave me a leg up and I was thrust over the fence. Nobody at my old school would have believed that I could ever get involved with something like this. David Grant jumping over fences and rescuing people under attack. I couldn't believe it myself.

After I picked myself up and felt the scratches I hissed, "Go a bit to the right, I fell on a rosebush."

I didn't wait for Marcus but ran towards the house where I saw Jill opening the back door. I really wished I'd worn trousers today. Skirts weren't very practical for rescuing people.

"Where's Anna?" I asked, trying to catch my breath. No wonder we do cycling or running.

"Upstairs, locked in the bathroom," replied Jill in between her worried sobs. "I was there myself till Julia told me to unlock the back door. What are you doing here?"

"Jill, go and get Anna," said Marcus coming through the door. "Keep down and try not to get noticed."

Marcus shut the door and we both sat on the floor, gently getting our breath back. It didn't take Marcus as long as me due to his enhanced fitness level.

"Hi Anna," I said as she came through the door with Jill.

"Who are you?" she asked, her face marked with tear stains.

"That’s Jayne. You might know her as David," informed Jill, blowing her nose.

"Oh," replied Anna. "It suits you."

"Thank you, I think. This is Marcus," I said introducing my fellow rescuer.

Anna looked at Jill but Jill just shook her head. "I've never met Marcus before."

"You have," he said. "I'll tell you later. Just think about the activity going on at the school today. Now, how do you feel about going over the back fence?"

"I don't think I could make it," said Anna as she broke down into tears again. "Did you come that way?"

"Yes, Marcus pushed me over the fence and then managed to get over himself."

"Looks like you fell into the rosebush," said Jill, looking at my scratches.

"Yeah."

"I want you three to stay in the back," said Marcus. "I heard that the police are going to be coming soon. I'm going to check on Julia."

"The police were no help earlier," sobbed Anna. "What are they going to do, send in the army?"

A single police siren broke through the noise of the protesters and Jill broke into a hysterical laugh, "What is a single police car going to do?"

A few seconds later a couple of shots rang out through the air, which I could only hope were warning shots. Jill and Anna stopped crying and looked frightened. I pulled them into me. "It's going to be okay," I reassured them.

The chanting from the mob stopped. I held onto the two frightened girls, waiting for the all clear. We saw a man run into the garden. I presume he'd jumped over the fence.

Anna started to give a small scream which I muffled with my hand. "Shush," I hissed. "You don't want him to see us."

"That’s Adam," hissed Jill.

"Put your hands into the air," boomed a voice in the garden and I saw two armed police officers approach Adam.

I watched in amazement as he was ordered, while under the gaze of two high powered riffles, to strip. Adam was stupid enough to refuse and one of the officers fired a warning shot just by his feet. I don't think I've seen someone get naked so quickly. Not a pleasant sight. He was soon in a special gown and being carted off.

"Wow," said Anna, peeping from behind Jill. "That's just like what happened when they arrested that terrorist in London. Did they really think he had explosive strapped to his body?"

Marcus came through the door with Julia and a police officer.

"Are you ladies okay," he asked.

"I think they are shaken," replied Julia, who looked like nothing had happened. "Marcus parked round the corner, would it be possible for them to leave?"

"Of course," he replied, "though it might be best if you get the car and bring it round."

"Why such a big scene on arresting Adam?" asked Jill.

"He might be linked to the current terrorist threat," replied the policeman. "We received a tip off earlier and we were hunting for him. You should be glad that the policeman that attempted to move them on earlier had recognised him."

Jill and Anna looked surprised so I said, "It's strange times, we are just so grateful."

"Oh yes," they replied simultaneously.

"Julia, just a reminder," said the policeman suddenly remembering something. "You will need to fill an incident form within twelve hours."

"Er thanks," replied Julia giving the policeman a meaningful glance.

"Oh, er sorry," he replied.

Marcus pulled up and we were escorted to his car. I climbed in the back with Jill and Anna, so I could give comfort if needed.

"I'll see you soon," said Julia to Jill, giving her a hug. "I just need to secure the house."

Marcus slipped the car into gear and drove off, leaving Julia to sort out the mess and answer questions from inquisitive neighbours.

"This isn't the way to my house," said Anna.

"I was going to take you to Hayfield Hall," replied Marcus. "You should be safe there."

"As guests or pupils?" asked Jill suddenly.

"Pupils."

"Then I refuse to allow Anna as my study partner," Jill responded.

"WHAT!" Marcus screeched, quickly pulling into a lay-by.

"I found out last week that Jill was aware that pupils are not able to see their family during or after there stay at school," I replied wearily. "Jill does not want Anna to go to the school because she is aware of the closeness between Anna and her parents."

"What about what I want?" Anna asked.

"What do you want?"

"I want to be with Jill," she replied. "If my parents agree to me going to the school then I will go. With all the fuss outside Jill's house it won't just have caused Jill difficulties but also me. I'm known to be good friends with Jill and people will understand that I knew Jill's secret. You must have heard my name was being chanted as much as Jill's or Julia's. I take it I would still be allowed to correspond with my family, but just not discuss the going's on at the school?"

"Yes, you can still correspond with your family," Marcus replied.

"Today we are running something called Mix-up Monday," Marcus explained. "That is where the boys dress as girls and girls dress as boys. Would you be willing to partake in such activities?"

"It sounds a bit strange," she replied, "but I don't see any problem. I helped Bill dress as Jill for the first time. I'm sure I could cope with dressing as a man. I take it that you are a girl. I'm very impressed."

"Do you remember the girl that welcomed you to the school? That's me."

"Stacy?" gasped Jill. "Wow."

"Marcus, can we get Rachel to meet us at Anna's parents house. That way she can discuss things with her parents."

"My parents are both at work."

"Rachel will track them down," Marcus said confidently. "Stay here, while I ring her."

Marcus got a mobile phone out of the bag and moved away from the car. When he came back he looked a lot better, less grim.

"Rachel was just down the road. She has contacted your Dad, Anna, and he will be home in fifteen minutes. He is also contacting your Mum so she can join the discussion."

We all chatted quietly for fifteen minutes and then headed to Anna's parents house. When we arrived, Rachel had just finished briefing Anna's parents on the mob attack. They quickly got up and were suddenly hugging their daughter and Jill. It brought tears to my eyes seeing a genuinely happy family being broken apart by a nutter. I was glad that Helen wasn't here to witness this.

"Jill's secret is out," Anna explained. "So she will never be treated as if she was born a girl and she might have to experience such intolerances again. She has been offered a place at Hayfield Hall as a fulltime student. That school is tolerant about people with gender issues."

"Do you start in September?" asked Mrs Scott.

"The pupils at that school live there all year round," explained Mr Scott to his wife. "What I think Anna is trying to say is, that if Jill goes she will never see us again, or Anna again."

Mrs Scott was so shocked it didn't occur to her to ask how he knew. "Oh Anna," she said, scooping her daughter into her arms. "I know you love Jill so much."

"I can go with Jill," she said, "but then I won't see you."

I was grateful that Anna didn't say 'ever' on the end of the last statement. I think she realised that if she did, then they would never agree to it.

"But educationally, what's the school like?" asked Mr Scott.

"The students are highly intelligent and most take there exams earlier. Currently all the students that are sixteen have five top grade A-Levels. That is two years earlier than other schools."

After what Mr and Mrs Scott thought was an in depth discussion of the school, it was decided that Anna would accompany Jill and Beth would move in with the Scott's.

"Anna, shall I help you pack?" asked Mrs Scott.

"Lisa, all the student needs are provided, including clothing. Students don't take anything with them," patiently explained Rachel.

"Oh," was Lisa Scott's only reply sad at not having a few moments alone with her daughter for the last time.

"I could do with some fresh air," I said getting up. "Please excuse me."

"Me too," said Marcus cottoning on to my train of thought.

"And I need to organise things at the school," said Rachel. "Before I go, I need to give you this card. This is a special PO Box number which we collect from once a week. We don't allow visitors so we don't give out the address of the school. As you can see, there is an emergency non-geographic phone number. That is constantly manned but must only be used in conditions such as death of a family member."

Marcus and I climbed into the car and waited while Rachel drove off back to the school.

"I can't believe it was only six days ago since I left home," I mentioned, staring out of the window car window having moved to the front of the car. "It seems like a lifetime ago."

"You've not experienced much yet," replied Marcus with a smile. "The fun has barely started."

I was about to ask what he meant by that, but I didn't get chance as Jill and Anna walked to the car. Both were holding each others hands and both were trying to bravely face their future.