What are you going to be doing during the Christmas break Joey?” my mum asked while I was relaxing with a glass of cider back at home from university for the holidays.

“I’ve nothing planned. It’s been a hectic time preparing for and performing the end-of-term show as part of my drama course. Most of the gang I used to hang around with before I left town have now got girlfriends and will be doing things with them, so it will just be a family time with you and Steph. Why do you ask?”

“This is our busy season in the toyshop and one of my team, Nell, has gone off on a last minute holiday break with her parents. I’m short-staffed and we’re rushed off our feet, I was wondering if you could come and work with Stephanie, me. and the others for a few weeks.”

“Do I have any choice?”

“Not really, you can’t just sit around drinking and watching TV, besides you used to enjoy working with us over the Christmas.”

“Mum! That was when I was younger, and it was fun to be able to play with the toys, showing them off to the parents, but I’m not into train sets and cuddly toys anymore.”

“Times have changed Joey. Now a lot of our sales ar computer games and electronic gadgets, the simple toys that you used to enjoy are no longer enough for many of the little dears. If you wish, you can look after that side of things while the girls and I deal with the more traditional gifts.”

The next morning I went in with my mum and sister, and settled down to work alongside the rest of the team and was pleasantly surprised to find that they were all young women about my age or just a bit older. Laura and Helen were in their late-twenties, married, and had worked with Mum and my older sister for a few years since leaving school; Becky, Angie, Gina and Carol were in their late teens and early twenties the same as me, relatively new and were enjoying their first Christmas in the shop.

At first I felt a bit out of place as the only male on the staff, but they all made me welcome and feel part of the team with them. After work the younger ones invited me to go for a quick drink with them and I found them to be good fun and enjoyed the time with them. I thought that maybe I might have some company during the holidays after all.

I soon settled in with the rest of the team and was kept busy in the shop mainly dealing with customers wanting details of the electronic games and mechanical toys. The last week before Christmas was always a hectic time, according to mum. To help keep up the spirits and get them in the mood for the holidays, the girls had talked Mum into ordering Santa’s elf costumes for everyone.

“Joey. We have a spare costume that I’d ordered for Nell, to let you feel part of the team it would be good if you would wear it, like the rest of us. Go try it on, it should fit you.”

“Mum, I can’t wear that.” I told her after I unpacked the costume back at home.

“Why not? The rest of us think that they are quite cute.”

“Maybe they are for you all, but it’s a costume for a girl. The fur-trimmed scoop-necked skirted tunic and the striped tights will look stupid on me, more to the point what will the girls and the customers think when they see me in it?”

‘Remind me what your role was in the Christmas show at university.”

“You know fine well that I played the Evil Queen as the pantomime dame in a comedy version of Snow White.”

“So, it’s OK for you to dress in female costumes in front of your fellow students, but not here with your family and colleagues, what’s the difference?”

“That was a fantasy performance, this is real life, and I will look weird working in the shop as a boy in a girl’s outfit.”

“Well, in that case we had better make you look like a girl. Think of it as another one of your drama roles. At least try the costume on to see how you look in it.”

Mum and Steph burst into laughter when I came out from my room wearing the outfit.

“Any comments and it’s all off, I feel stupid enough wearing this, without you making fun of me.”

“Actually that fits you quite well, and I’m sure that we can make you look so that you do not stand out from the rest of us. I’ve a wig that will suit you and with a bit of makeup you will look quite believable. Come with me to my room and I’ll see what I can do with you.” Steph grabbed me by the hand and led me to her room.

“While I am getting things ready, go to the bathroom and have a really close shave and while you are at it do your legs and arms too.”

Why do I need to do that?”

“Don’t be silly ! You have bare arms and exposed bits of your legs in that costume, nobody wants to see hair everywhere, do they?”

“That’s a lot better, now sit at the dressing table, but turn around facing me so that the light will be on your face. Before I start on your makeup I’ll just tidy up those eyebrows a bit, I’ll not go too mad, just give them a trim and a bit of shape.”

Five minutes later after a lot of yelps from me as she plucked out a lot of the brow hairs she was finally satisfied.

“OK Joey, they look a lot neater, I’ll just go over them with a pencil to finish them off. Listen as I tell you what I am doing, you can then do it yourself in future.”

She worked on my face for about an hour, trying out looks, cleaning everything off and starting again.
”There you are, all done. This reminds me when I was about twelve or thirteen, you must have been ten, and I was experimenting with makeup. I remember that I forced you to act as my model so that I could see how it all worked together. Mum caught me doing that one time and warned me not to do it again, but looking at you now maybe I shouldn’t have stopped. Let me find you some shoes, put the wig on you and we can then go and see what Mum thinks.”

I carefully made my way downstairs, feeling unsteady with the heels on the shoes, even though they were only 2” and quite chunky.

“What do you think Mum, will Josie fit in with the other girls in the shop.”

“Josie? Well suppose that we can’t be calling him Joey in front of the customers when he looks like that. You’ve done a good job Stephanie, Josie is quite believable it’s now up to her to carry it off. This is a big test of your acting skills Josie, the experience will be good for you.

“To save time tomorrow, except for the costume, which will be a quick change, we’ll be getting ready at home,. Obviously if Josie is going to travel into work in makeup and a wig she will need some normal clothes, find something appropriate please Stephanie. In the shop at this time of year it is too cold to go bare-legged, have you got a spare pair of tights she can have Stephanie? The costume is a reasonable fit but she needs breasts for it to sit right, find a bra that suits and let her have those silicone enhancers you use when you want to make an impression. Now go and get ready for bed, then come down again, you forgot to do her nails and she needs to clean off the makeup.” Stephanie blushed at her feminine secrets being revealed to her brother, even though he now looked more like her sister.

Back in the bedroom she threw the bra and the falsies at me, along with one of her nighties, just a short cotton slip with furry kitten motifs. “You’d better put those things on, you need to get into the role of Josie, you need to adapt quickly.”

I wasn’t expecting you to come back down looking like that Josie, but I suppose if Stephanie is going to do your nails it’s probably more appropriate. Don’t let Stephanie push you too far, she is enjoying this far too much.”

My fingernails were soon shaped and coloured a brilliant red to match the skirt of the elf costume, followed by my toenails. I didn’t see why the toes needed to be done as I would be wearing the tights or the striped stockings but Steph insisted that it all had to be coordinated.

In the morning, I dressed in the things Steph had laid out for me, a knee-length cream linen skirt with a red cotton short-sleeved top, did my makeup, donned the wig and was ready to go down for breakfast.

“You’ve done well Sis, your makeup is pretty good, you’ll fit in with the rest of us. We haven’t got time for a proper breakfast, but there’s some toast and a cup of coffee to keep you going. There’s a winter coat for you on the hall-stand and a shoulder bag for your bits and pieces. Don’t forget your lipstick and mascara for a touch up as you go through the day.” Stephanie had obviously decided that she was in charge of me.

When we arrived at the shop Mum told me to wait in the car for a few minutes while she talked to the others to advise them that I would be in costume with them. However they were still shocked when I walked in looking totally like any of the other girls before they had changed into their costumes.

“Right everyone, as I have just said Joey has agreed that for the run-up to the holidays he will be wearing the same elf costume as you, and obviously that means he needs to dress as a girl to get here, and is going by the name of Josie. After you have finished gawking and get over the shock, just forget all about Joey and treat Josie as another one of us girls. When I came out after putting on the costume, at first there were all sorts of comments and questions, but everyone agreed that I made an attractive girl and that none of the customers would know any different. Everyone then just went about their business and other than the occasional glance over towards me, I was given no special attention.

I was on the same lunch break as Becky and Angie, they asked if I wanted to go with them to McD’s, they had never asked me before as Joey.

“That sounds good Angie, I missed out on breakfast this morning. Are you going to get changed first?”

“We weren’t going to bother, it’s only next door but one, it’s not worth the effort and I’m sure the staff there will be amused when they have to serve three elves. Go and get your bag and we’ll be off.”

It caused a bit of a stir when we went in, particularly with the very young customers who couldn’t take their eyes of us.

“What do you fancy Josie? I’m having the grilled chicken salad with a strawberry Mcflurry, and
Angie normally has the Chilli chicken.”

“I would normally go for the quarter pounder with cheese with a side of French fries, but I suppose that doesn’t go with the way I’m dressed. I’ll have a filet of fish and a side salad.”

“Are you enjoying your first time as a girl then Josie, or do you do this often?”

“Believe it or not Becky this is the first time in the real world although I have played female roles on stage. I was really nervous at first, but when we became busy I just forgot about how I looked and got on with things.”

“To be honest I’m sure that none of the customers have picked you out, you are just another one of the girl assistants, you really look the part and you are even talking like us.”

“I’ve always been a bit of a mimic, and working with you all this morning and dealing with mainly female customers I just slipped into all your mannerisms.”

“We knew that you would be wearing the costume in the shop but were really surprised when you walked in wearing a skirt , makeup and a wig, you looked just like another girl customer.”

“We have to thank for Steph for that Becky, I think she really enjoyed herself last night transforming me, all the clothes and makeup are hers, even down to the falsies in my bra.”

“I must say that you are awfully brave Josie, not many boys would do what you have done, and if they did, only a few would look as good as you.”

“Right, that’s enough about me, tell me a bit about yourselves and what you get up to.”

For the rest of our break time we chatted about things in general, or at least they chatted and I mainly listened to tales of woe with boyfriends, their families, which were the best places for a night out, and what they wanted out of life.

“Okay, girls it’s time we were heading back to let some of the others have a break.”

I was glad to get back to the warmth of the shop. In that short skirt, even with the tights and the costume knee-high socks, my legs were freezing.

“I don’t know how you girls survive winter we’ve only been outside for a few minutes and my legs are like blocks of ice”

“You’ll get used to it after a while and not really notice it. That’s why we wear trousers so often, dresses and skirts are really for nights out or special occasions. Talking of skirts reminds me, when you are going down to the lower cupboards, dip at the knees and sink down, don’t bend at the waist. A couple of times I have seen your knickers when you went to get something, it’s not considered very ladylike.” Becky told me with a grin.

When the shop closed at the end of the day, along with the others I changed from the costume into my street clothes and popped into Mum’s office.

“I’ll be here for a while Josie, doing the books, do you want hang around or will you make your own way home?”

“Actually, I’ve arranged to go for a drink with some of the girls, Becky, Angie and Gina, at The Lakeside Bistro, so I’ll just see you at home.”

“When you leave get a taxi home, you shouldn’t be walking the streets alone on these dark nights.”

“You’ve never worried about that before, I’ve often walked home in the early hours and never had any trouble.”

“You’ve never been a girl before though, have you? As far as the muggers, rapists and general ne’er-do-wells are concerned you will be seen as a girl and will be as vulnerable as the rest of the female population. Ask the girls how they feel if they think they are being followed. Most of the time it is just an innocent man going the same way, but that doesn’t stop them being worried. Unfortunately you will have to be much more aware of your personal safety when you are dressing as a girl.”

“Ok Mum, that makes sense, I’ll get a taxi.” I agreed giving her a goodbye peck on the cheek.

“It’s a long time since you did that Joey, that was nice.”

I’ve never been a girl before have I Mum, and I thought that you’re calling me Josie for now.”

I walked to the bistro with the girls and we settled in for snacks and wine spritzers. There was no more mention of me being Josie or how I felt, it was just a routine gossip night about how we felt working in the elf costumes, the others in the shop, their boyfriends and love life, their medical and image worries and emotions. I was fascinated by how open they were with each other about their problems, no allowance was made for me being there they just treated me as one of the girls. I told them what Mum had said about personal safety and they all agreed that they had received the same lecture from their mums. They told me some stories about loud-mouthed men making suggestive comments about them when they passed in the street and that tried to never be out alone at nights,

“You’ve probably never experienced anything like that Josie, but you need to learn to be much more careful, like the rest of us girls have had to do.” Becky warned me.

After quick visits to the loo to save any last-minute rush on the way home, we all said our goodbyes with hugs, I found my taxi waiting outside and we all went our separate ways. I kept seeing the drivers eyes looking at me in the rear-view mirror and although he never said anything untoward, I felt uncomfortable and was glad to arrive home and get into the safety of the house.

“Hi Sis, did you have a good night with the girls?” Steph greeted me. “Mum’s not long in, so we’ve just ordered a takeaway, an Italian mix, is that OK? I’ve left you out some leggings and a jumper, go and get changed and then over dinner you can tell us how you have felt your first day working as a girl.”

“I was bit nervous when I first went into the shop, wondering how everyone would react, but the others were great. Except for a few questions about how I felt, they just treated me as they would anyone else. After a while I didn’t even think about the clothes I had on”

“So you’ll be OK going in again tomorrow as Josie?”

“Of course, I promised that I would. I’ll stay as Josie until the holidays are over”

“That’s good. I’ve bought you some panties and bras, you can’t keep wearing mine, but you do need some more clothes, skirts, trousers and tops for work and casual, we’ll have to get you a nice dress too.”

“The other things seem sensible, but when will I wear a dress?”

“Have you forgot that we have the staff Christmas meal on Friday, the other girls will all be making an effort and wearing their best frocks, you can’t turn up looking underdressed. Do you agree Mum?”

“Stephanie’s right Josie, we’ll all be looking our best with bright evening makeup, It always brightens us up when we feel glamorous.”

After work the next day Mum, Steph and I went shopping, returning home laden down with bags, it seemed an awful lot of clothes for the next week or so. They had talked me into getting my ears pierced, Steph had more than enough studs and rings that she offered to loan me, but insisted that I needed at least one pair of a more dressy style for the staff dinner and selected an expensive-looking silver and moissanite starburst drop and dangle set.

When we arrived home there was a parcel on the doorstep. “Oh, goody, I’m glad that has arrived, I have a surprise for you Josie.” Steph grinned like a cat that had got the cream. “ Before you go to get changed go into the living room and take off your top and bra. A few minutes later she returned with what looked like breasts. Let me put those on your chest, then you hold them in place so I can stand back to see what they look like. Hmm, not too bad, take your hands away, they should stay in place. That’s a lot better Josie, I thought if you’re going to stay dressed as girl, you need proper full breasts, the enhancers did the job OK, but those will look much more realistic, and the glue should hold them in place for over the holidays. Now put your bra back on, then we can adjust the straps properly, that is something that I never imagined I would say to my little brother.”

“You just said that the glue will hold them in place, do they not come off?”

“Oh they will come off when I use the glue solvent, before you go back to university,
but until the you will have to get used to them, like half the population do. You now have no choice in the matter, you are a girl for over the holidays. Go and change and put on one of the v-neck jumpers I want to see how realistic they look.

“Mum, come in here and have look at Josie, what do you think.”

Mum’s eyes fixed on the now larger and natural looking breasts with the cleavage showing.

“What have you both done? Are you okay with this Josie, it was never intended to go this far? I’ll have a word with you later Stephanie.”

Mum soon calmed down, although I noticed that she kept looking over at my new breasts.

“I think you have taken this too far Stephanie, but Josie isn’t objecting and I suppose that if she is going to stay as a girl over the holidays it’s probably not a bad idea.”

In the morning I was in the staff locker room with my jumper off changing into the elf costume when Angie walked in. I thought she must have seen the breasts, but she said nothing about it which saved an embarrassing conversation.

However that only lasted until our lunch break when I was in McD’s with her and Becky.

“Where did the breasts suddenly come from Josie, I could hardly believe it when I saw you this morning, and I was a bit jealous, you are bigger than me. You really filled out the costume this morning, even showing a bit of cleavage. When I was twelve or thirteen I envied the other girls who were developing a lot earlier than I was, but I’m happy with my B cups, or was until I saw yours.” Becky admitted.

“It was the same for me in a way, my classmates all seemed to be getting taller and muscular and I just stayed as the short skinny kid, even a lot of the girls were now bigger than me. In a way I was jealous of the girls too, they all seemed to change overnight into shapely young women flaunting their new sexuality and growing in confidence, particularly in how they could handle the boys.”

“Are you saying you were jealous of the way their bodies and personalities were developing and wishing something like that could happen to you?”

”Yes but not in the way you mean, obviously I didn’t want to develop to look like them as a girl, but just become more attractive physically and more outgoing.”

“I don’t know what the boys would think but a lot of the girls would now envy you, you make a very attractive young woman and you have a much better attitude than when you were working with us as Joey. You are so confident and outgoing with the customers and especially with the younger kiddies, you should be proud of who you are.”

“Thanks, but it’s a shame that I have to pretend to be a girl to become a better person.’

“It’s nothing to be ashamed of, enjoy the next few weeks as a girl, it could make you a more rounded and more popular boy when you go back to university.”

“Anyway, we have drifted from the subject of your new breasts, Josie. Are they permanent or do they come off when you get home?”Angie interrupted.

“They are there until Steph decides to dissolve the special glue, which she says won’t be until after the holidays.”

“In that case Josie, you are going to have a good time with your new BFFs, we’ve a few things arranged for over the holidays and you’re welcome to come with us, how about living on the pink side for a while?”

“Why not, I’ve lost touch with the friends I used to hang out with and am not having an active social life, what have you got planned?”

“Friday it’s the staff dinner, which I’m told is usually a bit dull, but we’ll change that. There’s a pre-Christmas party with some friends Saturday night which should be fun. Monday after work Becky,, Gina, Carol and I are going to the local hospice children’s ward, wearing our elf costumes, handing out small gifts that your Mum has donated from the shop. That’ll be followed by a pub crawl with some friends all in fancy dress to collect donations to St Mark’s hospice. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are family time, Boxing Day we’ll be going clubbing, how does all that sound.” Angie’s look dared me to refuse.

“A lot better than what I had planned. Come on, we should be getting back.”

Thursday evening back at home. Steph came to talk to me.

“Josie, I think the your natural hair is long enough for me to do something with to go with your new dress for the dinner tomorrow night, or would you rather just wear the wig? If you do want me to style your own hair, we need to get started as there is a lot to do and there won’t be much time tomorrow.”

“I quite like the idea of that, and if it doesn’t look right I can always go back to the wig.”

Steph played with my hair for about an hour washing cutting, blow drying and styling it until she was happy to let me see what she had done. She had used straighteners which lengthened my natural waves, put some subtle streaks in and used a styling brush to add some waves and curls to create a very feminine bob.

“You’ve done a really good job Steph, thank you. The girls will be amazed when they see it.”

Keep it as a surprise, when you go to bed wear the wig cap to keep it mostly in shape and at work tomorrow wear the wig, your hairstyle should just brush out tomorrow night without much bother. Now go and do your nails, then I’ve some moisturising face masks for us. You now know how much bother it is for us girls to get ready for a night out, we have to plan ahead.”

The shop closed early on Friday afternoon to give everyone a bit of time to get ready. I did my face, brushed out my hair tidying it up with the styling brush, gave it all a spray to hold it in place and was ready to get dressed in my party outfit.

After putting on a set of sexy underwear that Steph insisted I wear, I took put on my dress and stared at the reflection in the mirror. I had chosen a Halter-neck, waterfall skirted, ruched, mid-calf, wine -coloured lace and velvet dress, which fitted in all the right places oozing femininity. I slipped into matching heels, added my starburst drop earrings, filled my clutch bag with all the necessities and was ready to face my mum and sister.

“Oh Josie, you are looking gorgeous, the other girls will be so envious. We must take some photos of the three of us together.” Mum gushed when I joined her and Steph.

When we arrived the restaurant, where Mum had booked a private room, there was a sudden hush, that is until Angie rushed over and gave me a big hug. “Wow! Just look at you Josie, you are absolutely stunning. You are wasted as a boy, you should really come over to the pink side.”

Things soon settled down and we all had a wonderful night. I had worried about how I would fit in with them all, but after all the initial compliments and comments I blended in with the others, joining in with all the general chatter about everyone’s plans for Christmas with their families., discussing each others choice of party outfits.

“We’ll carry on our celebrations at the party tomorrow, Josie.” Becky reminded me as she gave me a goodnight hug. You look gorgeous tonight but tone it down a bit tomorrow, otherwise the boys will be all over you and you’ll learn how catty some girls can be when they are outshone. Get Steph to help you choose something a bit more smart casual.”

Following her advice, with help from Steph, I met Becky wearing a cream flared maxi-skirt with a royal blue lurex v neck overlay top which Steph had suggested was classy but not overstated.

I was enjoying the night, meeting lots of Becky’s friends and getting a lot of attention from the boys. We were chatting to Abby, whose party it was ,when I remembered her from my schooldays.

“I’ve not seen you around Josie, how do you know Becky?” Abby asked.

“I’m visiting relatives for a few weeks during my university break and have been helping at at the McCarthy’s toyshop where she works.’

“I know it. I went to school with Joey whose mother owns the shop. I often wonder what happened to him. He was different from most of the boys, who were all trying to get into my knickers, unsuccessfully I might add.” She grinned at the thought of the awkward approaches. “Most of the lads were so cocksure and full of themselves, but Joey was different, shy and polite, and really good-looking, not all muscle-bound and macho like many of them. I quite liked him, its a shame he never asked me out. If he comes into the shop to see his mum and you talk to him, tell him I was asking after him. Enjoy yourselves girls, I have to mix.”

“It looks like you missed your chance there, Abby is a really nice girl and she is fancy-free nowadays. It’s a pity that Joey’s not around at the moment.” For the rest of the time at the party, I kept looking over at Abby and took every chance to talk with her trying to find out a bit more about her.

Monday after work Becky, Angie, Gina, Carol and I visited the children in the hospice wearing our elf costumes, handing out presents and asking what they would like us to tell father Christmas they would like from him. Most of the presents were only small and inexpensive, books, games, dolls or furry toys, but the look of delight on the kiddies’ faces was so heartwarming, even though some were seriously ill. It set us all up in high-spirits for the fund-raising pub crawl. Even though it was a chilly night, not ideal for walking the streets in our quite skimpy costumes, it was worth it seeing the reaction we got when a crowd of scantily dressed attractive young girls walked into a bar, rattling our buckets for donations. The money we collected and returned to the hospice made up for all the lewd comments, pats on the backside and demands for a kiss.

Christmas Eve was hectic in the shop, last-minute shoppers always amazed me, crossing off the shopping list items that had suddenly appeared on the letters to Father Christmas. Finally the doors were closed, the elf costumes put away until next year, a quick drink with chocolates, hugs and ‘Merry Christmas’ wishes and it was time for home and family celebrations.”

It was a different Christmas for me, In the past Mum and Steph worked away in the kitchen, my role was to keep them supplied with drinks and set the table. This year as Josie, I joined them preparing the meal, dressed like them in silly Xmas jumpers and leggings with a reindeer-ears hair band, feeling much more a part of the family. As well as my usual presents this year there were some for Josie, perfume and jewelry, although I didn’t know when I would get to use them.

When we reopened the shop I agreed with Mum and Steph that I would be working as Joey until I went back to university. All Josie’s clothes and paraphernalia were packed away, the streaks in my hair were washed out and it was brushed into more masculine style, Joey was now back full-time. The girls in the shop, especially Becky and Angie seemed disappointed that their new friend Josie was not around any more, It soon became apparent that I was no longer to be treated as one of the girls and was not invited to join them for lunch at McD’s.

Saturday morning I was leaving the stock room when I was surprised to hear Abby in the shop talking to Becky.

“You know what Becky, after chatting with you and Josie last Saturday, I’ve been thinking about Joey and would like to get in touch again. Do you know how to reach him?”

Becky paused for a moment before coming to a decision. “You’re lucky, he came home for a family Christmas and is helping out here tidying up after the last-minute rush for toys. “I’ll get him for you.” She came over and grabbed my arm.

“Get yourself out there Joey and talk with Abby she seems keen to meet up with you, but don’t mention the party.”

“Hi Abby, Becky told me that you were asking after me last week and wanted to get in touch again, I’m surprised but glad that you still remember me. Do you fancy going for a coffee and having a catch up, unless you have to be somewhere?”

Abby and Joey hit it off and for the rest of the holidays spent a lot of time together until Joey had to go back to university, both promising to meet up again whenever they could.

On his last day working in the shop before leaving, he was once more asked to join Becky and Angie for lunch.

Well it looks like that is the end of Josie, it was fun while it lasted, but you and Abby look so good together you don’t want to spoil that. You might want to know that when you agreed to wear the costume and dress as a girl, Steph asked us to encourage you in the role so that you could learn about what being a girl means and how to relate to us. She said that you were never too outgoing with girls, always worried about your size, she asked us to try to get you more comfortable with girls and that seems to have worked.”

“It was fun meeting Josie though and maybe we can all get together again sometime. In April, the shop will be entering a float in the Easter parade, we will all be wearing fancy dress bunny costumes, maybe Josie could join us then.

“Let’s wait and see Becky, you never know what might happen."

The end.