Miss Snell dropped me off just outside the local bowling alley at around 5pm. I asked her if she was joining us, but she said that this was just for the team and she didn't want to 'cramp our style'.

"Enjoy yourself, and I'll pick you up later. Just give me a call when you're ready." And with that, she left.

I was a bit anxious, as this was my first time dressed without Miss Snell around, as well as being the first time in a really public place while dressed as Tabitha. At the football pitch the previous day, it had only been my teammates who had seen me as the pitch is fenced off within the school grounds. And I'd felt safe when meeting Mr Phillips, albeit anxious, as I was in Miss Snell's house and trusted her when she said everything would be hunky-dory. But now loads of people, some of whom may know Toby from around town, would be seeing Tabitha. I took a deep breath, and entered the bowling alley.

The girls were stood inside the foyer. I had been the last to arrive. I was surprised to see everyone wearing leggings or jeans. I was wearing a tight green miniskirt and a black square neck long sleeve top, over a red thong and matching plain t-shirt bra. I definitely looked the most dressed-up, while everyone else was in more casual wear. 'Oh well', I thought, 'wearing a skirt actually feels quite nice...I think I may even prefer it to the leggings and jeans I'd worn previously.'

I had my phone and purse in a small clutch handbag that Miss Snell had lent me. She had also added a tube of lipstick, in case I needed a top up, and showed me how to apply some.

"There she is", said Katie upon spotting me. She came up and wrapped her arms around me; I reciprocated the hug. "Wow, you look stunning...you do know we're bowling right?" She said this with a lovely grin that put me ease, knowing she was just teasing me.

Katie then led the group to the reception desk, where we were assigned to lanes 10, 11 & 12. I was on the same lane as Katie, and with us were Evelyn, Zara and Amanda. While the bowling was competitive, I quickly realised that it wasn't the primary focus for any of the girls, who were never ending with their gossip and chit chat.

Katie: Is Mick coming to watch you when we play St. Mary's, Evelyn?

Evelyn: Yeah. He said a few of the boys' team will pop down to show their support too.

Katie: Aww, that's sweet of them.

Zara: I get so jealous of you sometimes, Evelyn. It must be so nice to have a boyfriend.

Evelyn: Oh babe, he's brill. Drives me around wherever I want to go, spends time with me doing whatever I choose, plus he's always buying me gifts. Honestly, he spoils me rotten.

Amanda: Jesus, he does all that for you? He must be getting a good deal in return.

Evelyn: Aye, I make sure he doesn't go short changed, don't you worry.

At this point, all the girls started giggling.

Katie (turning to me): Do you have a boyfriend, Tabitha?

I must have gone crimson, because the girls started laughing even more.

Katie: That surely means 'yes'. Who's the lucky fella?

Tabitha: Oh, no no no. I don't have a boyfriend. I quickly spat out.

Katie: Then, why have you gone as red as a tomato? *giggles* Oh, do you have a girlfriend? Don't be embarrassed if you do, we actually have a two couples within the team: Lucinda and Erin have been dating for a few months now, and Sabrina and Belle are also seeing each other, even though they try to play it down. It's actually pretty common in a girls' team, y'know.

Tabitha: No, I don't have a girlfriend either. Single and ready to mingle, me.

Why on earth did I add that last part? I think I must have thought I needed to cover for my earlier hesitancy and blushing over the mention of a boyfriend, but I overcorrected and must have sounded ridiculous. However, nobody reacted as if I had made a fool of myself, which was a relief.

Katie: That's the spirit girl. You never know, you may pull one of the lads from our school if you impress them in the tournament.

Amanda: That's your plan, isn't it K? Got your eye on Lloyd from what I heard.

Katie: Bloody hell, must have been Erin who told you that. Thought that girl could keep a secret! But, yes, if you must know, I wouldn't say no to those luscious blue eyes. Think we'll be asked to go to the summer ball together anyway, being the team captains, so I'll lure him with my skills on the pitch and seal the deal at the ball.

Evelyn: Poor boy, you'll scare him off.

Katie: No I won't, he'll be head over heels in no time, you watch.

All of this was clearly said in moderate jest, judging by everyone's tone, but you could tell there was truth lying beneath every word spoken.

Katie: Maybe you will pull one of the boys when they see you play, Tabitha. They all seem to love watching us running around the pitch getting all sweaty.

All of the girls laughed at this.

Tabitha: Maybe.

It was all I could reply. I could feel the conversation becoming dangerously close to being out of the realms of my comfort zone, but luckily our game was coming to a close and soon after we were heading for the exit.

Embarrassingly, I had come last in the bowling by quite some way. I had scored 62, while everyone else had scored 80+. Not to make excuses, but I was so conscious of the shortness of my skirt, that I was ardently trying to avoid any fashion faux pas and having my knickers exposed. After every bowl, I was conscious of the fact I was tugging at the hem of my skirt to make sure it was at an appropriate height - now I saw why all the others were in leggings and jeans! That may have been it, but I think truthfully it was probably that I'm a pretty rubbish bowler.

Katie won on our lane with a score of 119. I got the impression that not only was she the most sporty, but she was also the most competitive. It made sense now why she was the team's captain.

After bowling, we made our way to the local park, which was a fifteen minute walk from the bowling alley. Thankfully, talk had turned towards our first match, against St. Mary's. The team had drawn against them once in the past but they seemed confident of beating them this time out. There was even talk about who we'd play in the final, even though we hadn't even won our first game yet. But the girls seemed certain we'd be there in the final, and that we'd probably be up against Shevington Academy. Shevington were unbeaten in their last 20 matches, and had only drawn once in that time. They were clearly the tournament favourites.

At the park, we larked around for a bit, but spent most of it congregated in a circle on the dry grass. Then Katie announced, as pre-agreed by the team (although this was news to me) that the three losers at the bowling alley had to complete a forfeit. It was agreed that we would perform a dance to 'Single Ladies' by Beyoncé.

Before I knew it, myself, Manisha and Scarlett (the other bowling losers) were standing in the centre of the circle, and music was blasting from Katie's iPhone. We fell into line, and began to bust our moves, prompting mass hysterics from the other girls. We must have looked like dorks, but it quickly began to become fun. Although I was stiff at first, I gradually loosened up, and lost myself in the moment.

"Wooooo, go Tabitha, you sexy little minx you", Katie called out.

That made me chuckle. I had known Katie at school but had never really interacted with her aside from the occasional greeting as we passed in the corridor. In fact, I hadn't spoken much to any of the girls at my school, or even any other girls in my entire life, really. Now, I was one of them, and dancing spontaneously in a public place with complete abandon. Weirdly, I already felt a kinship with all of them, particularly Katie, despite them only having known Tabitha for less than 48 hours.

At one point while we were dancing, a group of lads walked past and wolf-whistled us. "You go girls. Looking hot", one of them called over. They walked off chuckling amongst themselves, but they were all taking cheeky glances at us over their shoulders as they continued on their way.

Unbelievably, I didn't feel any annoyance or embarrassment at being whistled at by those lads...it actually gave me a strange little tingle and a bit of an adrenaline rush. I think it just reconfirmed how much of a girl I looked as Tabitha. I was no longer a boy-dressed-as-a-girl-dancing-in-a-field in my mind but a proper girl who was enjoying a carefree evening bonding with her football teammates.

The music ended, and us three dancers locked hands and did a mock bow. The girls clapped and cheered wildly like we'd just done something amazing, and then we all sat back down and laughed some more about what had just happened.

We talked some more at the park, before I rang Miss Snell to ask her to pick me up. She arrived a little while later and I waved goodbye to the girls that remained (everyone was breaking off at different times, but there were still 5 there when Miss Snell arrived). I got in the car and she drove us to her house, where I would unfortunately have to turn back into Toby.

"Looks like somebody had a good time."

This was obvious from my beaming smile.

"Yeah. It was great."

"Do you realise the time?"

At that point I looked at my phone, which I dug out of my handbag.

"Oh my god! I's half past ten", I somewhat shrieked.

"That's just what happens when girls get together. Can't stop nattering, and the time passes in a flash."

"Sorry for calling you so late. I'd have called you earlier if I'd have known. I feel bad making you come back out at this time."

"Don't be daft, sweetheart. I'm honestly so glad you enjoyed yourself and have got to know your teammates better. Bodes well for the team in the tournament. Plus, it gave me and Mr Phillips plenty of time to do...well, you know what. I invited him over for the evening."

"Oh, well I'm glad you had a pleasant time too."

There was a pause, then we looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Yeah, I guess you could say it was a 'pleasant time', babe." She chuckled some more, and then we were pulling up by her house.

"Time to get you changed. Training tomorrow and the day after, then our first match against St. Mary's. Excited?"

"Oh, more than you could possibly imagine" I replied. Then, on impulse, I threw my arms around her. "Thank you so much Miss Snell. I've never felt more comfortable than the past couple of days. This has been truly wonderful."

"Awww, sweetheart, I'm so glad you're enjoying it." She hugged me back, which felt lovely. "Now come on, we better get you ready to go home."

We entered the house, Miss Snell and me - Tabitha, but it was Toby who emerged half hour later. But this time, I was still wearing the red thong under my male jeans. I just couldn't resist!