“How’s the fit?” the shop clerk asks me as I smooth the long, flowing dress over my narrow waist and smooth, curved hips.

“Be honest, Laura,” mum advises. “If there are any problems, you need to let us know now as there won’t be another chance before Saturday, and you’ll be in that dress for a long-“

“I know, I know,” I interrupt. “It’s still pinching a bit around my armpits…”

“Okay, we can do something about that,” the clerk says. “Are there any other places it’s too tight?”

“Nope,” I reply, smirking as I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

Nancy helps Sandy start the journey to self-understanding.

Photo by Wilson Vitorino from Pexels
 

Part 24 of 29

Saturday, October 26, 2013
Dress shopping with Eve and Mary Ann. I'm getting a real kick out of being a bridesmaid, something I never aspired to in my wildest dreams. Some of the girls I know on campus are addicted to something called Say Yes To The Dress and can go on for hours about finding the perfect wedding gown. Hey - I love wearing dresses and enjoy shopping on my rather limited budget, but really! I just can't get into gushing about this neckline or that train or who knows what else.

When I came in the next day Josie asked, "So am I right in thinking that
you have made up your mind, you are going to join us in the project?"

"I am still thinking about it and think it's probably the best thing for
me but what's difficult is I don't know if I want to become a girl
permanently."

"So what's holding you back?" she asked.

Part 4

I was being held by Mario as I blubbed and then felt the weight of Francesca against my back. There I was, being sandwiched between two people who both had the opportunity to kill me but had refrained. As I sobbed I felt a sense of being someone who meant something to these people.

CHAPTER 20
The bike ran sweetly as we swept over the Severn Bridge, that wind once more surprising me by its absence, Kim sitting in a far more relaxed way on the pillion, and then we were pulling up behind what was now our house. Luggage in, a quick shower each, using both bathrooms, and then I pulled the tent out of its bag to hang from the shower head to dry out. All of our used clothing went into the washing machine, and then we walked the short distance to Ruth’s place for something nice.

“Special tonight is sausage and mash, girls. How was the camping?”

Kim grinned.

“Magic! I don’t think my legs will be working properly for a few days, though!”

[At the party that is being held at an Hotel in Muswell Hill]

“Come on Mum! Why don’t you want to say some words to all your friends? They have taken a lot of trouble to be here today.” said her eldest daughter Janice.
Her voice was rather strained as if she was pleading with her mother.

Vivienne grunted.

“Why won’t you do it? Jan and I spent a lot of time and money setting up this party in your honour,” said her other daughter Suzanne.

Appearing on a game show seemed to be a way out of my financial woes.

Michael thinks he knows his heart's desire. Unfortunately for him, the demon he summoned seems convinced she knows better.