Healing Cousin George

Part 3 - New Tactics

I’m not sure why I choose the path that I choose that morning, maybe it was born out of some frustration over the situation that I found myself in, or the deep desire to keep a loving family together. However, I do know that I have never regretted it since.

The morning began just as any other day had; George was gone by the time I woke. I checked on Melissa, got her dressed and then made some breakfast. Our usual morning routine of frolicking around in the house before a short walk in the buggy down the farm road, stopping to watch the cows in the field Melissa giggling and pointing at the animals trying to take in the scenes and sights around her as a child does. By the time we had arrived back at the house Melissa was out cold, carefully lifting her out of the buggy I carried her upstairs and put her down in her cot.

Leaving the door open so I could hear her if she woke up; I climbed the few steps to the loft and opened the door. I was not sure what I was about to do was right or sensible but the idea sounded good in my head. Opening the box’s containing Grace’s clothes I selected a few items including shoes, there was a toilet bag containing some cosmetics and underwear, off to the right I spotted a shelf where there was what appeared to be a couple of heads on the shelf, crossing over to my surprise I found that they were two wig stands one with a golden blonde wig and the other with a light brown wig, both around shoulder length thick and luscious hair with a fringe that swept across the forehead. Collecting everything I had picked up I left the room and closed the door.

Walking in to the bathroom my heart was thumping, was I right, how mad this idea was, I thought to myself. Removing my clothes I stripped off and began to dress. The underwear in place I padded the bra with some rolled up socks I had taken from my room and then pulled the black shiny cap sleeve blouse over my shoulders and fastened the buttons. Pulling on some tan tights I slipped the blue denim skirt up my legs. It was a slight struggle to get the button fastened at the back and the zip fully up, but eventually I managed it. I stepped into the two inch kitten heeled shoes I had chosen, a bit tight I thought and a bit wobbly but a couple of minutes of walking around the bath room and I had perfected my balance.

I left the bathroom and went into George’s room where there was a mirrored dressing table which I presumed that Grace had used many times. Sitting down I opened the cosmetics bag and looked at the products in front of me. I had used make up before as a member of the college drama group we had frequently put on play’s where some sort of stage make up was required so I had a fair idea of what I was doing. Twenty minutes later I was pulling on the wig.

The wig in place looking in the mirror I caught my breath, “Jesus I thought you really look like a woman” I said. Looking through a couple of drawers in the dresser I came across a jewel box opening it I found what must have been Graces, jewellery collection. There was not a great deal but I found a gold watch with an expanding band a couple of gold bangles a gold chain and a pair of simple gold leaf earring’s with clips. Putting on the jewellery I stood up and sprayed some perfume on my hands and neck that I had found upstairs. Looking in the full length wardrobe mirror I was stunned to see a female looking back at me, Ok not the most shapely woman in the world but one that would definitely not be read as a guy in a dress.

Melissa stirred me into action as I heard her gently sob, through the open bathroom door. I turned and walked towards her room, entering I picked her up my change in appearance had no obvious effect on her a couple of soothing words as I cradled her to my fake boobs and she was once again peaceful. I carried her downstairs and deposited her in her buggy pushing the buggy into the conservatory to catch some afternoon sunlight. I pushed the buggy up beside the settee and sat down crossing my legs in a ladylike manner was a surprising reaction. I pulled over a TV magazine from the coffee table and started to glance through it. Melissa stirred “What’s wrong darling, you want some juice” I asked getting up I left the conservatory and went to get her bottle taking it from the fridge I returned towards the conservatory and opened the door. A rap on the window, I looked up and stared ahead caught like a rabbit in headlights I stood transfixed, there at the window stood a smartly dressed female smiling towards me and gesturing for me to open the door.

She gestures towards the door again and I awoke from my trance like state and put the bottle down on the table and walked towards the door, “Christ I’ve blown it now” I said quietly to myself as I reached the patio windows. I turned the catch and pushed the door open, she stepped towards me.

“Hi I’m Amanda” she said offering me her hand.

“Eh Alex” I said “you startled me a bit I wasn’t expecting you” I continued.

“Just thought I’d pop by see if George is around and how this lovely baby is” she said

She moved past me and towards Melissa. Crouching in front of her she put out her hand and made some of those annoying noises that adult’s make expecting babies to understand them. She turned,

“George didn’t mention you were a girl” she said with an edge in her voice.

Girl did she just say, I’d pulled it off she thought I was a girl, I relaxed slightly.

“Didn’t he, Alex is short for Alexandria” I said, “would you like a coffee” I asked.

“Yeah that would be nice milk and no sugar please, we need to look after our figures” she said through a slightly forced smile.

“Ok, back in a minute” I said walking towards the kitchen.

I busied my self with the kettle in the kitchen, I’d got away with it I thought she really thinks I’m a girl I thought as the water boiled and I spooned some coffee into two mugs. “Just stay calm” I said to myself act naturally she won’t stay long. Picking up the cups I walked back to the conservatory and went in, Amanda was sitting on the settee her briefcase by her feet, I handed her the cup and sat on the opposite settee putting the hot cup on a coaster I sat down being sure to cross my legs in a lady like manner.

“George not here then” she asked sipping her coffee and looking around.

“No out in the fields” I said thinking how daft a question that was, he’s a farmer for gods sake where else would he be. She went on,

“We had a great night the other week there down the pub; he’s so nice, isn’t he,”

“Yeah I suppose so” I said sounding disinterested.

“You got a boyfriend” she asked, god she’s fishing I thought.

“No not just now” I answered.

“You’ll need to come down the village with us one night, I’ll find you a nice young local man” she replied.

“Eh I’m quite happy as I am” I said.

“Fair enough, Melissa looks well” she said glancing round at her quickly.

Finally she gets to Melissa I thought, it’s your job to monitor her welfare, glad to see you’re interested,

“Yes she’s really well, such a darling I love her to bits.”

She opened her purse and took out a pack of cigarettes.

“You mind” she asked.

“Eh well I’d rather you stepped outside, Melissa’s here,”

“Oh yeah”, I forgot she said as she rose, I got up with her and we both moved towards the door and stepped out onto the patio.

“You smoke” she asked offering them towards me.

“Only when I’m out socially” I replied and declined she took one out and lit up.

We stood outside in silence as she finished her cigarette and coffee,

“I better be off the, some other calls to make, nice to meet you,” she said handing me the cup and walking back inside she picked up her case and walked back to the door.

“Tell George I popped buy and I’ll call him, we can go out this weekend, if you change your mind remember come along” she said with another forced smile.

“I will” I replied as I slid the door shut and she walked off.

Back inside I sat down and drank the last of luke warm coffee and then it hit me in full, what the hell have I done George will go mad when I tell him and how do I explain this I thought looking down at the denim skirt and my tan coloured legs. More importantly how can I go back now that I’ve met Amanda?