Queen of the May Pt One

By Jacquimac
Thanks To Stanman63 For Editing!!

Synopsis:After suffering from an accident, a young man learns that he has been voted to be the Queen of the May by his fellow students.

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It never seems to rain, but it pours, or so the old saying goes. At least I can go home today after 2 weeks stuck in hospital again. Don`t get me wrong, the doctors and nurse are OK, it`s just that they talk a lot of gobbledygook when you ask them whats wrong. And on top that it`s so booooring.

Dad tried to explain why I`m in here, but I still didn't understand. So, in the end, they just said it was more tests and I had to accept that. At least this time they didn't cut me open, But getting stuck full of needles is no fun for a 10 year old, at least it`s the last of blood tests or so the doctor said.

Dad arrived to me pick me up and I was already dressed and waiting, he entered the ward and smiled as I ran towards him as best I could wearing leg braces. He picked me and took me down to another clinic were they were going to remove the braces. After we got in the car he told me there was a special letter waiting at home for me. A letter for me? Who would write to me? I wondered what family we had who lived close by so it wouldn't be any of them. Oh well, just have to wait and see what it says.

Before we left town, we stopped at a burger bar I hadn't had any junk food while I was in hospital, and we all know kids have to have their junk food fix ha ha. We eventually arrived home and Mum was waiting on the doorstep, along with my headmaster, teacher and somebody from the parish council.

We live in a village about 3 miles from the town. Everybody welcomed me home and dad carried me into the house as we had to be careful because my legs were still a bit weak from 2 years in braces.

Christmas was on its way, so school would be breaking up for 2 weeks. So until my legs improved, it was decided I would be taught at home with a PT teacher coming to make sure I did the strengthening exercises on my legs.

Great! After 2 weeks of torture, I was going to get it at home as well. Not to matter, though, at least I wouldn't be stuck in bed all the time. My teacher Ms Platt said, "You have missed the election for next years Queen of May."

I just said, "That's OK, they`ll have picked someone real pretty this year."

She just smiled.

The Queen of May or May Queen was voted on by the kids in the village to name their choice of one of the 11 or 12 year old girls as village Queen for a whole year. The Headmaster Mr Brooks cleared his throat, "I don'`t think you would like who has been picked."

"Why wouldn't I like whoever,? I liked everyone and they liked me."

Mum handed me the letter she had been holding not saying anything, Dad had crept out of the room along with councilor waiting for the explosion.

I had a bit of trouble opening the envelope, so Ms Platt opened it for me and handed me the letter to read, I read it twice and couldn't believe what it said.

I looked at everybody stunned,"Is this a joke?"

All I got was shaking of heads. After a few minutes, I read the letter again and said, "Come on! Who`s the joker?"

Ms Platt said, "It was no joke."

I told them there was a major problem, well 2, actually: 1) I wasn't a girl 2) I was only 10.

Dad and the councilor walked back in, everyone said that was okay that: a) there were no girls aged between 11 or 12 for this years contest, b) I would be 11 at the time of the crowning, c) all the boys and girls at school voted for me because they liked me and thought I would make real pretty Queen of May.

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"Everyone will laugh at me!"

I was assured that nobody would laugh or make fun at me. I sat thinking of a way out, but Mum and Dad told me I was doing it and no arguments as it was great honour to be selected by all the children. It didn't matter how much I protested, I was stuck, every time I though of a reason to get out of it, they found a way to beat me.

I was then told as I had to behave in a lady like manner and as soon as Christmas was over, I would start dressing and learning to be a girl.

Mum asked, "What`s the problem? you play with the girls most of time."

I couldn't deny that.

Dad, the headmaster and the councilor all left, leaving me with mum and Ms Platt, my four older brothers were at school. Mum was looking forward to teaching me to be a girl.

Ms Platt was everyone's favourite teacher, she always had a smile on her face and was always pleasant to everyone. I never knew her to lose her temper even when some off them played up in class. Mum handed me my walking sticks and we left to go to the village shops taking our time, well I couldn`t run. My parents had decided that we wouldn't wait till Christmas to get me into a dress, but hadn't told me, so the first stop was the dress shop.

As soon as we entered, everyone came rushing towards me, oohing and ahhing.Before I knew what happening I was stripped naked, boy was I embarrassed. A couple of hours later we left the shop with me all made up and dressed in the frilliest clothes they had.

The dress was pink satin with lots of lace and a pearl design on it, I kept saying it was too short and that my panties kept showing. The panties matched the dress with rows of lace across the back. I didn't know at the time, "Princess" embroidered in white.

We went to the hairdressers and spent an hour there leaving with me having my hair in ringlets, my ears pierced and toe and finger nails varnished pink.

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End Of Part One

To Be Continued In Part Two

Queen of the May Pt Two

By Jacquimac
Thanks To Stanman63 For Editing!!

Synopsis:After suffering from an accident, a young man learns that he has been voted to be the Queen of the May by his fellow students.

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Of course, we had to go to go for a walk round village. Well, in my case, I was being carried as my legs were getting tired, after which we returned home. Ms Platt would let the headmaster know how everything went and she would see us tomorrow.

Just after 4:PM. my brothers came running into house, all excited and were told to wait in the lounge quietly by Dad, he and Mum would be in to talk to them shortly. Dad came back into the kitchen to collect some soft drinks and with Mum carrying me, we went to join the boys.

Mum sat me in one of arm chairs making sure that my dress was lying flat and I was decent. Me, I was waiting for my brothers to start laughing, but they just stared at me.

After a couple of minutes, Bill the eldest came over kissed me on the cheek and said, "Welcome home sis."

He was followed by the twins: Peter and Jim who gave me a hug. I was just about make a comment, but saw Mum glaring at me, so said,"Thanks, brothers."

It was a bit unnerving with the boys looking at me all the time. They've always wanted a sister, but Mum and Dad stopped when she went through menopause.

Mum and Dad decided to go get dinner from the local fish and chip shop, leaving me alone with my brothers. After they left, Tom started to explain how I got elected as next years Queen of the May.

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The student council had asked that the election not be held until I was back in hospital and the school agreed. When the headmaster asked why the students chairman said they wanted to hold a meeting with all the students first, but I wasn't to attend.

It all stemmed back to the summer holidays, it had been an unusually wet summer and the rivers and streams were swollen and fast running, somehow a toddler fell into the river and was being swept away. I was a bit downstream and jumped in after her and somehow got her close to the bank where we were both pulled onto the bank. How I managed it in leg braces even I didn't know. We were taken to hospital where she was kept in overnight and went home the next day with a clean bill of health.

I was to spend the next six weeks in hospital. At first, I had a bit of breathing difficulty which after a few days turned to pneumonia. Thanks to me being allergic to antibiotics, I almost died. The village had tried to do something special for me as a thank you, but I refused, saying it was no big deal. I thought that was end of it.

Anyway, the students took it into their own hands to honor my rescue, and it was voted unanimously that I would be next years Queen of the May.

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"Why didn't they just get me a book token?"

My brothers just laughed.

I started to get angry, "Thanks a bunch! Because of a stupid idea, I was stuck in dresses for over a year!"

Bill said, "Calm down, it was a great honour."

Honour a ten year boy by sticking him in dresses for almost 17 months is no honour.

Mum and Dad came in with our meal. After we finished, the boys wanted to take me out for a walk. I started laughing at that, I wouldn't get ten yards. I forgot my wheelchair was still under the stairs until Peter dragged it out.

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I was placed in the chair strapped in and off we went. We went to the cafe where a lot of kids hung out after school. We entered the cafe and found a empty corner table. Almost immediately, the girls swamped me and before I knew what was happening, they were putting makeup on me.

There was no laughter, snide comments or anything, everybody made me welcome, definitely not what I expected. Everybody was having a great time and making a fuss over me, even the boys. I started to relax until I needed to use the toilets. Yes, I was taken into ladies where I was made to do it like a girl.

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We got home around 7:P.M. and I was bathed and put into bed. My legs were tired and aching a bit. I fell asleep, wondering what tomorrow would bring, surely it couldn't be worse than today.

It was about 9:A.M. when Mum got me out of bed and into the bath. It being Saturday, school was closed, and Dad was taking the boys to the watch the local football team. Once I was dressed, fed and watered, it was back into my wheelchair and into town where we were to make a day of it.

First stop was the village seamstress where they took all my measurements, I still wasn't happy about it all, but had been told not to make a fuss about it. Then it was to the city once we picked up a couple of the neighbours.

As luck would have it, somebody has a van that was fitted out for a wheelchair and Mum had borrowed it, she wasn't the best of drivers, so took her time. Me, I was glad to be out of those braces. Even though I in a wheelchair, I was looking forward to being able to walk again.

When it came to playmates I usually ended up playing with the girls, I`ll admit that I couldn't play hopscotch or skipping etc, so it was usually boardgames or dolls. But if I was on my own, I usually went for a bit of a walk or read a book. I had been wearing braces for 2 years after a tree fell on top of me after a bad storm and I ended up with shattered leg bones and muscle damage.

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End Of Part Two

To Be Continued In Part Three

Queen of the May Pt Three

By Jacquimac
Thanks To Stanman63 For Editing!!

Synopsis:After suffering from an accident, a young man learns that he has been voted to be the Queen of the May by his fellow students.

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We went from shop to shop with me trying on lots of different dresses, skirts and assorted tops. I asked for some shorts or slacks, but was told NO and not to ask again.

Panties, shoes cami tops, slips etc were all bought, after they were all put in the van, shopping continued. They had my ears pierced and bought me some jewelry, then it was to the big toy store. Yep, you got it, dolls of all kinds, a dolls pram, dolls house and other girly toys were paid for and would be delivered during next week.

At last we stopped and went to cafe for a drink and something to eat, every time I made a move, I was in the wrong: I wasn't lady enough in my mannerism or a lady would do it this way, hell did they expect me to lady like overnight? I was glad when they eventually decided that we could go home.

Dad and the boys were playing football when we got home. I saw that a few of village craftsmen were packing up tools getting ready to leave. I didn't know they were going to be there or what they doing, but one of them told Mum that everything was finished, but the paint was still a bit wet.

The shopping was unloaded from the van into a cupboard for the time being, Mum and her friends were having a cup of tea, not bothering with me. No, they were whispering to each other and no matter what I tried, I couldn't make out what they were up to. But I knew that they were talking about me and that had me worried.

A couple of hours later, the rest of family arrived home and we had our evening meal. Dad went upstairs and looked at the workmen had done, when he came down he told Mum the paint was dry, then she disappeared up stairs.

My brothers started to empty the cupboard of all the bags of clothes we got in the city and took them upstairs while I was left watching TV. Eventually, Mum came down and helped me upstairs.

I started to go towards the room I shared with two of my brothers, but Mum stopped me, "You now have my own room."

""Why?"

"Girls and boys don`t share rooms."

Wow my own room, seems like being a girl has some good things.

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She took me to what had been of the guestrooms and opened the door. Oh no! Everything was painted pink and white, the bed had a canopy and all the bedding was pink with white frills.

"Where are my toys?"

"They won`t be delivered till Monday at the earliest."

They had got me a new computer, a music centre and a flatscreen TV, there was a shelf full of books and when I looked at them, found they were girls books.

"Mum, wasn't going a bit over the top?"

"She just smiled,"No, one way or another I would be taught to be a lady."

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She showed were she put everything, all my underwear, sock,...etc were neatly folded in the dresser, all my tops, skirts dresses, jackets and coats were hung up in the wardrobe, and I was told to keep everything clean and tidy, my room was out of bounds to boys.

So far, they must have spent a packet on everything they bought and the work on the room, but it turned out that the village had set up a fund, and according to Mum we had only just started.

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Sunday was Church Day, everybody got dressed up. Dad and the boys wore their best suits, Mum and I wore matching dresses. One thing that Mum forgot to buy for me was a handbag, so she found a small black one for me to carry with: tissues, lipstick, hairbrush and a small matching purse inside it. She was going all out on the way I looked.

Thankfully, the church wasn`t far away so I didn`t need the wheelchair, I just toddled along on my crutches, we got there without me falling over.

As soon as we entered, all eyes turned in my direction, everyone was smiling and then the clapping started. I just blushed or it may been due to the effort of walking to the church.

Once the service finished, the vicar came over to speak to me while my parents and brothers went to talk to their friends. After asking how I was, the vicar said he knew how hard the next year and a bit were going to be, but just to go with the flow. We chatted for a while, then I was told to stay with the vicar and his wife as they had invited me for lunch and everyone went home.

Most of kids my age had already had they`re first communion, but I had missed out due to constant hospitalization, so the vicar wanted to do it after the Christmas festivities were over, a date for the new had been organized.

The vicars wife told me I would stay at the vicarage the night before and be presented to the congregation the following morning.

When I brought up that I would be dressing as girl full time, they told me that wasn`t a problem and my communion dress and veil was to be made by the vicars wife.

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By Wednesday, I was getting bored staying at home all the time and asked if I could go back to school.

Mum phoned the doctor who came round and checked me over, he said, "It should be OK as long as I didn`t do anything silly and that I could attend in the mornings only as long as I was taken by car."

I knew it would diffcult to handle the wheelchair on the icy roads and no way could I attempt to walk with crutches in case of a bad fall, last thing I wanted was to spend Christmas in hospital, so Mum phoned the school and they agreed. What lessons I didn`t attend in the afternoons I could take home and do them there.

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End Of Part Three

To Be Continued In Part Four

Queen of the May Pt Four

By Jacquimac
Thanks To Stanman63 For Editing!!

Synopsis:After suffering from an accident, a young man learns that he has been voted to be the Queen of the May by his fellow students.

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Wednesday morning arrived and I woke up at 6:30A.M. to get ready for school. Today I was to join the gymslip brigade. Oh boy! I could hardly wait! Mum dressed me in my new school uniform, except for the cold round the legs, it was pretty comfortable.

After breakfast, Mum drove us to the school and I was quickly dragged away by a posse of the bigger girls into the warmth of the school. I was taken to the headmasters office where he welcomed me back. I was told I would be excused from Morning Assembly, just to go to my classroom. I was also reminded that I had to use the girls facilities.

I had been given a locker in the girls locker room where I could keep everything instead of my usual practice of carrying everything round all day. That made things a lot easier as crutches and a pile of books don`t mix very well. I finally got to the classroom just as assembly was starting and found an empty desk at the back of room. it would be about 20 minutes before everyone else arrived.

Eventually the rest of the class started to arrive and take their seats, Ms Platt came in shut the door and said hello to the class as she did every morning. As soon as she saw me sitting at the back, she had me move nearer the front on the girls side of room. The boy that sat at the desk in front of me grabbed my books and bag and moved it to an empty desk while I hobbled over.

Class then started with the calling of register, as it was the last week of term there wasn't a lot to do, all exams had been done the week before which I knew as they brought the exam papers to the hospital for me to complete.

When she got my name on the register she stopped a said I needed another name as Jack wasn't a girls name.

I protested, "I am not a girl!"

"For next for few months I was."

"Well, I don't have a girl's name," I huffed.

"Class, we need a girl's name for our new girl. Please help her to come up with one."

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Eventually the blackboard was full of names to pick from, it was decided that my first name was Jacqueline as that was similar to Jack which left a middle name so they started through the names crossing out ones that didn't get a big enough show of hands. I ended up as Jacqueline Marie McConnell instead of simply Jack McConnell. Of course the headmaster was informed and he announced over the school tannoy system so it wouldn't belong before it got around the village.

The weather service announced a snow storm over the next few hours, so the headmaster got us all into the Assembly Hall and told us that just in case it was a really bad storm, he was closing the school at lunch time until after Christmas and that parents were being notified so that those that required transport wouldn't be hanging around waiting.

Well, that certainly got a cheer form everyone, an extra week off school. After the announcement, I was taken by Ms Platt to the headmasters office where a meeting was being held with the Student Council. Oh good! I wanted to speak to that bunch.

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Before I could get a word in, Kathy the leader said "Before you start to say anything, I`ll tell you why you were picked for Queen of May: 1) Your the most popular kid in the village, 2) You help anyone that needs it when and if your able, 3) You were the only choice from all the kids, 4) Your size, build and looks scream girl, 5) We didn't want you to be left out of the festival and being Queen was the only thing that didn't require much physical effort, 6) We talked to your family, they agreed with everything, so you don`t have a choice."

I sat there like a fish out of water after hearing her.

She came over and put her arm around me and said, "Don`t worry, everyone will help and if anybody started teasing or anything, they would be taken care of."

After that, I saw I that didn't have a choice, so surrendered to the inevitable. So Jacqueline Marie McConnell was born.

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At lunch time, I waited until most of kids had left in case I got knocked down in the rush, then went with my brothers went looking for Mum's car. When we got home and had lunch, the board games came out that afternoon. Although there was the usual arguments, it was pretty quiet.

During the night, a lot of snow fell and the roads were blocked, it would take some time before the snowplows got round to clearing the villages. Dad and the boys went and joined the other men and boys to clear the footpaths, especially around the homes of elderly or disabled.

After I was dressed and had breakfast, Mum got out her knitting and sewing bags when a couple of the woman who lived nearby arrived with their knitting and sewing bags. After they had a cup of tea, they started to teach me to sew during the morning and knit in the afternoon, this went on for the rest of week.

By the weekend, the snowplows finally cleared the roads in and around the village so people could get out and about a bit more. I didn't get out much, but with the exercises I had to do, my legs were starting to get stronger. But I was kept busy helping with the housework. It had been decided that I would help mum with the housework as well knitting and sewing lessons

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End Of Part Four

To Be Continued In Part Five

Queen of the May Pt 5

Christmas week arrived so we started to get things ready, the menfolk doing their thing and Mum and me were in the kitchen cooking and baking. When we weren't doing that, it was more knitting and sewing, Yep, Mum was enjoying having a daughter and making the most of it.

Come Christmas Eve Day, Dad and boys were told to disappear for the day while we cleaned the house from top to bottom, and all the other little jobs that had to be done. We also had the neighbours and their daughters dropping in form time to time bringing and receiving gifts to and from our family.

Christmas dawned, and we kids knew not to get out of bed to early or wake our parents by making too much noise. That was fair enough, after all, they do work all week and don`t get many lie in days. It didn't bother us kids that much as we didn't open presents until the afternoon.

To be honest, I was starting to wonder what lay in store. After Christmas Dinner, Dad and the boys went into the lounge while we cleaned up, then we joined them. Present started to get passed round and opened. The boys got everything they had asked for, toys, computer games, books and clothing. I didn't get a thing I asked for, instead, I got Barbie dolls, more dresses, underwear, and jewelry.

Then I was taken out to garage where I found a new bike. It was pink with Barbie all over it. I was a bit disappointed but didn't show it and thanked everyone.

On Boxing Day, we went to my grandparents houses. Of course they had been told what was happening, so were expecting their new granddaughter. And of course, some of my cousins were there with their parents.

When the snide comments and teasing started. my grandparents soon put a stop to that and eventually everyone enjoyed themselves. The rest of Christmas period was spent either visiting someone or more knitting, sewing and housework along with lesson on how a lady sits, walks etc. Although there were some criticism, it wasn't done in a harsh way.

As soon as everything started to get back to normal, I told Mum that I needed to go to the bank to deposit my Christmas money. I had just over ï¿¡300 to put into my account, so we went and got that done as well some shopping for bread and milk.

Before long, it was back to school, I had an appointment with the physiotherapist who told me I could get rid of my crutches as long as I didn't over do things and continued with my exercises, I could go back to school full time. But I had to use a walking stick until I was sure of myself.

School wasn't too bad, although I couldn't take part in PT or dancing. Instead, they had me doing my exercises, the boys did woodwork or metal work as a craft lesson, but I had to do sewing and what they call domestic science.

In our history lesson, we learned that our village was 1000 years old this year and was mentioned in the Doomsday book. I and I suppose the other kids always wondered about teams of people that came every summer and dug holes all over the place. Now we knew they were looking for the old Saxon ruins and had found a few.

We also found out that the village population hadn't changed much over all those years. 1000years ago, the population was 250 and today it was 235, with 2 more due to born soon. Some of families could be traced back to the original villagers.

It`s amazing what you can find out these days. Queen of the May has been celebrated for 500 years in the village and the way the nearby town is growing, the village would be swallowed up in a few years time.

We had been back at school for 2 weeks when it announced I would be given my communion the following Sunday, except for the congregation, it was going solo event. The girls asked if I had tried walking in heels yet and I said "Don`t be daft! I've just gotten to where around to where I am getting around without crutches!"

But they all insisted I should get a very low heel and try. Yep I thought a very low heel, how about flat? Of course they started to come to the house now that the snow was starting to disappear and made the heels suggestion to Mum.

Damn it! She agreed with them, so she got me a 1 inch heel. Every night that week I had to wear them around the house, and she was a drill sergeant in disguise.

The next day, when I got to class, Ms Platt told me to take off my shoes. Once I had them off, they were snatched away and I was given a pair of black shoes with a 1 inch heel. I was told that i would be wearing them inside school and I could get my school shoes back at the end of each day.

Just to make sure that I didn't accidentally forget to bring them with me each day, I was to give them to Ms Platt.

Damn it! They think of everything. So, with the exception of getting to and from school, I would be wearing heels all the time.

On Saturday afternoon, I was picked up by the Vicars wife and taken to the vicarage were I was staying overnight. They are a nice couple and totally down to earth. If they disagreed with you, they told you so and didn't beat about the bush. They always made time to visit the old, handicapped and the sick, and would listen to all our troubles.

It was quiet night, they didn't act as I expected and talk about religion, we had a meal in the evening and watched TV or Videos, I quite enjoyed the peace and quiet and around 9:P.M. went to bed.

I lay there thinking for a while and all things considering I was quiet enjoying wearing girls clothes. OK, it took longer to to get ready, but they were a lot nicer than drab boys clothes I was used to. The only thing I hated was the cold around my legs.

When we got up Sunday morning, it was still dark outside. I was bathed in lavender smelling bubble bath and went to breakfast wearing my dressing gown. After breakfast my hair was done in plaits. I was dressed in a white camisole top and frilly panty, white ankle socks and white shoes with 1 inch heels, then told to put on my dreesing gown.

There was an ajoining door from the vicarage to the church and once there, I was taken in to a room just inside the main doors of the church. I knew it wouldn`t be long before the church started to fill with people and there I was in my underwear.

A couple of minutes later, some of the other women entered the room and before I knew it, had me in layers of petticoats over which they placed a white dress with even more frills.

I was glad they weren`t going to put makeup on me. They did put a veil on me, attaching it with clips to my hair. They spent the next 10 minutes making sure everything was perfect. I was then then left on my own while the morning service got under way.

I was left on my own while the morning service got under way. I had been told that someone would come and get me and not get messed up. About 20 minutes later, the choirmistress came to get me and stood me just inside in the doors and handed me a small bouquet of flowers to hold in front of me.

The Organ started to play and I was nudged forward, the long walk started and seemed like miles. I could see everyone looking at me and smiling, but I knew that I had to continue walking. Eventually, I reached the communion rail and knelt down. The vicar went through the ceremony which took about 20 minutes and when he finished, I had to turn round and go and let everyone welcome me into the church family.

What a fuss everybody made! I always hated being the center of attention, but couldn`t avoid it, today.

Eventually, the veil was removed and handed to my mother, an elderly woman came over and taking my right hand, placed a ring on one of fingers. She told me it had been handed down through her family for over 100 years and it was called a virgins ring.

As she had no family, she had presented it to me, saying that I should pass it on to eldest girl in my family. I didn`t know what to say, so I gave her hug and kiss.

Once everybody had left, I was taken back to vicarage to change.The vicars wife, seeing the ring, told me I was a very lucky girl and said someting about about the ring that I didn`t understand other than it was a very old tradition that wasn`t used anymore and that the ring was very valuable historically, and that I should carry out the old lady`s wish.

Once I was changed and Sunday lunch was over, I was taken home, the veil and dress was handed to my mother. My family hadn`t come near me in the church, but kept to the side lines. Mum took some perfumed sachets and put them between the layers of dressm and after wrapping it up with the veil, placed it in a box.

She said, "A momento of her daughters first communion, it would never see the light of day until it was needed for my own daughters first communion."

The rest of the day I spent quietly in my room until dinner, I had a lot to think about, was starting to think that everything was getting out of hand. What would happen when my year as Queen of the May was over, would I be able to go back to being the boy I was or was I stuck as a girl for the rest of life ?

I felt I had no control over my life anymore, everything was being decided for me. Everytime I got an answer to a question, even more questions arose.

OK, I had eventually agreed to accept that I would be a gir until my year as queen was over live totally as a girl. Everyone was very helpful, there no intentional humiliation. Was it me or is there something more to all of this than appears on the suface, where was all this leading?

I started to ask questions about everything and sometimes got answers that were meaningless or avoided the original question. I had asked my parents, my teachers and the vicar. I was told don`t worry, everything would work out. What did that mean?

Days passed, and my wardrobe was added to all the time, I was being fully immersed in the activities that girls did. When my legs eventually regained they`re strength, I had to start dance lessons again, but this time, I was learning the girls steps. Mum had enrolled me in ballet classes.

For a sport, I was given a choice between hockey or netball. After all the pros and cons were seen, I ended up playing netball. Not that I expected to play for the school, due to me wearing spectacles.

When I turned up for my ballet class, I was the only one wearing a pink leotard, all the other girls wore black. I had pink ballet slippers the rest had white.

The first lesson seemed difficult, doing exercises on the bar, but I was told it would get easier once I got used to it. You could have fooled me. I was moving as if I was about 100 years old.

Well, as the weeks by it did get easier and turned out to be a lot of fun. Netball was another matter. I was useless, at times the game moved so fast that I couldn`t see the ball so that I couldn`t keep up. In the end, I just sat on the side lines and watched.

We were know in April and things really started to move fast. I was taken to be measured for my costume, rehearsals were being done, and more lessons on deportment.

I was taken to the beauty salon, so they were trying different types of makeup on me and I got lessons on how to put it on. Putting on dresses, etc, was now second nature, the only time I had a problem was when a new article of clothing or accessory was given to me.

During cold weather, I wore thick tights like the other girls my agem but now that the weather getting warmer, the tights that I now wore were almost invisible when I put them on. I had to be very careful that I didn`t put a run in them.

Message flagged Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 2:52

All of my nails were get manicured and varnished, and they pierced my ears where gold studs had been fitted. A matching set of jewelry had been ordered for the big day. Yeah, everything thing was going to plan, their plans of course, not mine.

I was no nearer to finding answers to my questions and that worried me a bit, but there wasn't much I could do but see it out to the end and see what would happen then.

During the week leading up to the festival, the village and the houses were decorated with bunting, flags and flowers. The Floats were gotten ready for the procession, even the road sweepers were busy cleaning the streets. So far, there hadn't been any major problems, just little ones that were soon fixed.

The mood in village was one of joy and great expectations, everyone was busy and having a great time, the parish council were everywhere chivying people along and making sure everything was being done and completed on time. One of women on the parish council was with me all day, she was forever finding fault with me and it came to head after 3 days when she was told off by Mum and the ladies in the village.

Finally, the day of festival dawned and after breakfast, I was taken to village hall to be gotten ready for the big day. The women were making a fuss of getting me ready when I suddenly burst out laughing, everyone just stopped and looked at me. When I stopped laughing they asked me what was funny.

So, I told them it was funny that the 500th Queen of the May was a boy because they couldn't find a girl of the right age. I was relieved when they saw the funny side of it. Eventually, all that needed doing was to do my makeup and put on my gown. So, before that, we stopped for a bite to eat, it was going to be a very long day.

My gown was put on over the layers of petticoats I had on, they then put a plastic cape on me so they could do my makeup. Once I was ready, it was a case of waiting until I was announced. Eventually, I was announced and following the flower girls. I was led onto a platform were I was to be crowned by the leader of the parish council. Cameras were clicking all around me their was also a photographer from the local newspaper.

Once the crowing ceremony was done, I was placed on the throne which was lifted and carried to the lead float and fastened in place. I was glad of the concealed strap that held me in place so I didn`t fall off.

The procession wasn't very long, just around the outskirts of the village. I was glad that the flower girls were on the float with me to give me a bit of company. I felt very conspicuous sitting there where everyone could see me and was glad when i could get down off of the float.

The next thing I had to do was declare the festivities open, and everyone apart from our little group descended on the playing fields where the fairground and displays were. There were also vintage tractor engines and various competitions, races, sheepdog trials etc.

I wanted to get changed so I could join in the fun, but was told that I had to present the prizes as various events and races finished. So I had to stay in my gown, not much fun for me.

At the end of day, I was tired out and hungry. Although I did get a few snacks during the day, they just kept the edge of my hunger. When I eventually got home, a couple of ladies were there to get me out of my gown and accessories which were then packed to be taken away to be cleaned and got ready for my debut.

After a meal, I watched TV for a while before having a bath and going to bed. It had been a busy and to me a boring day, but everyone else seemed to enjoy themselves. Oh well, the fairground would be still be there tomorrow so I might yet get to go on some of rides.

The following day, after breakfast, I wanted to go to the fairground, but I didn`t know that there was an itinerary for me to carry out for the rest of year. So before I was allowed out we had to through that. The list seemed endless. There were contests I was entered in, pageants I had to be in and various other events.

This meant that I would have to be fitted out with several costumes complete with accessories. I never realised what the village queen went through. I thought it was just the village festival and one or two other village events. Now it seemed that just about every weekend was taken up with some sort of activity. With school and other activities, I would have very little free time.

Once a week I had moisturizing cream massage into my skin and after a couple of months, told Mum I thought I was starting to get a reaction from it. She had a look at my chest and gave me an antihistamine cream to stop the itching and it worked. That evening, I overheard Mum saying to Dad "I think it`s started."

And dad saying, "I will make an appointment with the specialist."

I didn`t hear the rest as one of my brothers came in, so I just went upstairs. It set me thinking again, what`s started? were they referring to me or something else?

I know I wasn't seeing a specialist anymore as I had been discharged from hospital care, although they were still taking blood samples every three months. I came to the conclusion that they must have been talking about something else. I was sent to hospital for a CAT scam by the family GP after having severe abdominal pains, the pains went away after a while. X rays were also taken form the waist down before I was allowed home.
　

Message flagged Wednesday, 25 May 2011, 11:10

The itching stopped as long as I continued to put the cream on my chest, but after a while, I noticed my chest had swollen slightly At first, I didn`t think anything about it but, after a while my chest kept getting bigger, then I started to worry.

I spoke to the school nurse about it and she said it might be or might not be male breasts. She suggested I get my mum to take me to see the doctor, but not to worry as they usually disappear, after a while. She also reminded me that I had been in hospital and with the continuing blood tests, if anything serious was wrong, it would have been picked up before now.

So far, I had taken part in 3 pageants and 4 beauty contests and came first in all of them, was I so convincing that everyone actually believed I was a girl?

Mum took me to see the doctor, more blood tests were done and we now had to wait for the results. I now had a Saturday job modelling dresses for Mrs Jackson who owned a dress shop in the city, all her dressed were designed and handmade by herself and her daughters, it wasn't a big shop, but she was a family friend and I was volunteered by Mum to be their model. Actually, I was starting to have fun and was getting into the spirit of things.

I had come to like the feel of the clothing that I wore and the freedom they gave, it was starting to worry me. For several months now, I had dressed, behaved and been treated as if I had been born female. What was happening to me? I was doing well with the ballet and had been in the show they had put on in March.

I actually enjoyed sewing, knitting and embroidery and was getting quite good. I could do the laundry, ironing and housework.

Only a three months left to go of my time as queen, hopefully, I could get back to normal. But I had a feeling that I wouldn't`be to allowed or even would want to return to being a boy. They had held the election for next years Queen of the May, but hadn't as yet announced who had been selected, and after this year I felt sorry for who was selected. I know knew what it entailed and it was a hard year.

March arrived and my 12th birthday is next week, I've been told that it was to be a very special day and there was some news from all the tests that have been done over the past year. I`m now wearing a 32c bra and I don`t think I have gynecomastia, I think I've developed female breast.

My penis seems very small for my size and I don`t get an erection like a boy should. Am I turning in a girl after all? What`s happening to me? I gave up asking questions because I could never get an answer. I've got another beauty contest this weekend, so more dress fittings this week. All of these costumes must be costing somebody a small fortune and I know it isn't my parents who are paying.

The week passes slowly with school during the day and various activities including more dress fittings during the week. I did catch a virus and was finding it difficult to control my bladder. This caused a bit of embarrassment for me as I had to wear nappies and plastic panties, which meant I missed school, but I still had the competition on Sunday and the judges had to be told about the slight change in my costume. It didn`t matter though, I won, but I wet myself on stage. At least I didn`t leave a puddle on floor or that would have really been embarrassing.

My trophy case was starting to get full, 8 trophies for pageants etc, and 8 or 9 for my needlework and knitting, I was really doing well, also on display with each trophy was a photograph of me in full costume holding the award, or in the case if my crafts the piece that won. It seems that I`m better female skills and crafts than I was doing boy stuff.

My birthday finally arrived and it being on a Saturday, and having no competitions that week meant I could relax and enjoy myself. I was 12 years old and the party was a village affair, everyone attended. I did notice a specialist from the hospital talking with Mum and Dad in the lounge when I finally got out of bed, but just went into the kitchen and had breakfast. Once I had eaten, Mum told me to come and join them in the lounge. It was then I remembered they were going to tell me the results of all of the blood tests that I`d had. The doctor wished me a happy birthday and handed me a package to be opened later at the party, then he opened his briefcase and took out some papers.

He went through the various test results, but I understood very little of what he said. Apparently the body produces boy and girl chemicals called hormones and for some reason my body has stopped producing the boy hormones and I starting to turn into a girl, although I would need an operation to finish everything off when I was older. He explained that it happened very rarely and couldn't be stopped. He apologized for it, but I couldn't understand why, after all it wasn't his fault my body was changing.

He also told me that when tree smashed my legs, a branch had pierced my abdomen and caused damage to my internal sex organs, I thanked him for being honest with me and telling me himself instead of in a letter and surprised myself by asking him to come to my party in the village hall, which he actually accepted.

I turned to Mum and Dad, looking them in the eyes asked them to be honest with me. They agreed and my brothers entered the room. I asked if the voting for Queen of the May had been decided by the adults and not the students and was told no, it hadn't been.

Tom the eldest of my brothers told me that after the first blood test results came in, and I had been admitted to hospital, Mum and Dad had told them what might be happening to me, and that if the all the results came out the same, I would have to start learning to be a girl.

He being on the student council told the committee what was happening and suggested a special meeting with all the kids once I was in hospital. At the meeting, it was Billy Noble who suggested that if they picked me for queen I would have no choice but to start dressing and learning to be a girl, it was put to everyone and they all agreed and that was how I came to be elected.

They could have chosen one of the 10 or 13 year old girls, but seeing as I was well liked and was going to a lot help, the kids decided this would be the best chance to get my new life moving. The student council had a meeting with the school, parish council and my parents and told them what they wanted to do and everyone agreed.

They even had village meeting and everyone agreed to help. Well, I now had the answers to my questions, I might not have liked them, but had to accept them. After thinking for a while I could see now that everyone had been trying to help me adjust to a new life.

Queen of the May Pt Nine

I finally realised that everyone in the village had been helping "ME". They could have refused to do what the kids wanted, but didn`t. As a community, they went all out to help and support each other. The whole project was paid for Mrs Clegg, the biggest landowner in the area and an active member of most of the village committees and she was well liked by everyone.

Not for what she had, but for the person she was: kind, loving, gentle also very clever. She was the type of person that called a spade a spade. Although you might agree with her on some things you couldn't help not admiring her for her convictions.

I went to my room and started to get ready for the afternoon party, I had a lot to think about. I finally got the answers I had been looking for. I now knew that I would spend the rest of my life in dresses, but at least I now had some of the basic skills that I would need as a girl.

But I could now look to the future and the past, like dad said: now that I knew something about being a boy and girl and it would make me a better person.

Putting my thoughts in order, I continued to get ready and then I realised I would have to thank everyone in the village for what they'd done for me the past 15 months, not only for the money it all cost, but for the kindness and support they had given me.

When I was finally ready, I went down to lounge and found dad reading the newspaper, I asked him, "Can we talk?"

He put his paper away, after pulling me on to his knee he asked, "Is what the doctor told you, bothering you?"

"Although I didn`t understand most of what had been said, I now understood why the everything had happened when I came home from hospital. I accepted I would have to be girl for the rest of my life and had actually got used to wearing dresses. What I want to ask is how can I thank everybody?"

He looked at me and simply said "You`ll find a way."

Once we were all ready, we walked down to the village hall, the village itself was like a ghost town, all shops closed and nobody on the streets. We entered the hall and were met by Mrs Clegg and Ms Platt, they led us to a central table. The place was packed out with all the tables full.

As I was led to the table everyone stood up and there was a thunderous applause and everyone singing "Happy Birthday".

Once the song was over, I asked if I speak to everyone, I was led onto the stage and the microphone lowered. Then everybody went silent and I paused for a few moments, looking round the room before I started speaking.

"I would first of all like to thank everybody for coming to my party today. I would also like to thank everyone for all their hard work over the past few months. I know it wasn't easy for everyone and it was especially difficult for me.

"Today, everything was explained to me and now I can see what you were all trying to do. I apologize to anybody I upset with my attitude, I know I was bad tempered at times and sometimes wouldn't cooperate with you at all. I now realize that I`m going to have to keep living as a female as my body is changing form male to female.

"I know that it wasn't anyone's fault, that it just happened. I can`t really explain what is happening inside of me as I didn`t understand most of what I was told; too many big words.

"I would especially like to thank my family, Ms Platt and Mrs Clegg for all the patience that they had, and Mrs Clegg for everything she did. I've been told she funded everything. I`ll try to get round and thank everyone in person. I hope I haven`t let you all down over the last year. Thank you all, once again."

I went and sat down and dad hugged me and said how proud he was of me for my speech. There were a few other speakers, Ms Platt said she enjoyed helping me and that I was a better person and student than I had ever been, and that although my body was changing, I was still the same kind person I had always been.

Mrs Clegg said, "The expense didn`t matter and I was glad to help." Then, she called me back on stage and gave an envelope saying, "Just before you went into hospital the last time, you phoned the fire brigade and told then my barn was on fire."

"Yes, I did.

"Inside the barn there were several vehicles worth several hundred thousand pounds that had been delivered that day and that if it hadn't been for making that call they would have been lost."

I have spent several months trying to find out who made the call and until someone at the telephone exchange heard and recognized your voice, the mystery caller would have gone unrewarded."

"Jacqueline, we all know you and know you don`t look for rewards, you just carry on as if it nothing had happened. The people of our little community have notice you helping the old folk with their gardens and running to the shops for them, but not only the old folk.

"You help everyone just by being who you are, you`re always cheerful, polite and considerate. Everyone in the village knows how hard it`s been for you since your return from hospital. It was the kids of village that came up with the idea of you being Queen of May to help you with life and to thank you for being you."

She bent down and kissed me on the cheek and led me back to our table, I gave Mum the unopened envelope and she put it in her handbag. We sat down to eat our meal, and after it ended, the tables were moved out, chairs put against the walls and the dancing began.

Everyone was really enjoying themselves, especially when they started holding dance competitions with spot prizes for the younger kids. Several of the student council sat with me and we started talking.

Billy Noble came over and asked," Are you annoyed with me?"

"No, I'm not. Thanks for coming up with the idea in the first place," I gave him a hug and a kiss and all the kids cheered when they saw us.

I went round and spent a few minutes with each group of people thanking them and admitted it had been fun over the last year, although I felt embarrassed at first, it was hugs and kisses all round that day.

Just as the evening came to the end, the chairman of the parish council along with the vicar got on the stage to announce who the next year's Queen of May was to be. As usual, the pleasantry`s were got out of way and the with a flourish that made everyone laugh, the vicar produced an envelope.

He looked at me and asked, "Have you enjoyed the last year?"

"Yes, I have."

I was lifted on to the stage and was placed between the two men, the envelope was opened and I was asked," Once again,Jacqueline, are you sure that you have enjoyed this last year"

"Yes, I have. Why ask me again?"

They both looked down at me smiling, Mrs Clegg came back on stage and taking the envelope, opened it and said, "I`m glad you enjoyed yourself."

"Please, hurry up! My legs are getting cold! I am not wearing thick tights!"

Then a slip of paper with a name on it was taken from the envelope, "It is with great pleasure that next years Queen of the May is...." she paused looking at me, " Miss Jacqueline Marie McConnell."

I was shocked, I fully expected a riot, but instead, got a huge applause and everyone was smiling. The kids jumping up and down cheering. It was explained that although there were girls of right age this year, the village decided that for my first year as an official girl I was to be the 501th Queen of the May.

According to the rules, you could only do it once, but a special rule was brought in so I could be selected again and once again all the kids agreed 100%. Oh no! Another year of contests and pageants, at least I already had the outfits for it, I thought, but I had thought wrong.

Arrangements were being made for more dress fittings. Everyone came over and congratulated me, my parents told me not to worry about it and just go with the flow.

Queen of the May Pt Ten

We finally reached home around 10:P.M. and Dad took me into his work room. Piled in a corner was a huge pile of parcels, "Jacqueline, these are birthday presents from the villagers. When do you want to open them?"

"Tomorrow, Daddy. I'm too tired, now."

When we went back into the lounge, I was handed the presents from my family which I opened, as luck would have it there was no clothing. There was a makeup kit complete with brushes and applicators and jewelry. Of course, there was the traditional doll, but it was a collectors doll and not for playing with. I thanked my family and Mum fetched out a cake with a single candle in the centre.

Dad handed me an envelope, "Open it."

Inside was a new birth certificated with my new name and sex on it. It had been back dated one year.

Mum said,"That is the reason for the single candle."

I had to think what she meant and then I figured it out, as a girl i was one year old.

Dad told me, "It had been very difficult to get it, but his lawyers and the doctors found a way."

I guess it wasn't cheap either. I blew out the candle, cut the cake and we had a piece, I told them all. "I loved you all so much. I can`t remember telling you that before, and I mean it! I now realize what they had been going through. Although you never showed it it, must have been hard on you."

Mum and Dad, of course, were over the moon. They finally got the daughter they wanted so much, and I knew I would be spoiled rotten, but I loved them all.

The morning was spent opening all the presents, loads of toys, clothing, jewelry and makeup. But I now had a problem, where was I going to to put it all? My wardrobe was full to bursting as it was, all the shelf space was full and every drawer was full.

I didn't know it, but plans were afoot to remedy my lack of space. In the afternoon, we got in the car and we went to a seaside resort to spend a couple days away, somewhere I wasn't under any pressure and could relax.

When we returned home, I went to my room where I found a new doorway had been knocked through into an adjoining room to be used as my play/study room. My old wardrobes was replaced with new wardrobes fitted along one wall along with a new dressing table. I had plenty of room now.

Over the past 15 months, although it been a bust time, I had been eased in to the world of femininity. Now there was no turning back. Although Jack no longer existed, he was still part of me and I had those experiences to build on. My past was every bit as important to me as was my future and the people of the village will see both Jack and Jacqueline when I am in the village.

For a few days, when I had some spare time, I would go off on my own, just to think and to get used to the new me. At first, people started to worry that I might do something drastic, if I wasn't handling things well.

I was walking through the woods when Mrs Clegg came and took me to her home, she asked, "Child, why are you spending so much time alone?"

"I just need some time to be alone so that I can be myself."

"Are you worried that you can't be a girl?"

"I am happy and content with life and just needed to be alone sometimes just to think."

She was happy with my answer, OK, if anything troubles you, you can always talk to me about it."

Eventually, I spent more and more time playing with the girls and didn't seek solitude as much and everyone stopped worrying. Of course I had to start getting ready for the next Year as Queen of May.

This year wasn't as busy as last year's Queen of the May Celebration. We had been celebrating 1000 years since the founding of the village, so a lot of extra stuff had been done. This year a lot of those events wouldn't be needed, so my work load decreased.

I did have all the Pageants and other Contests to take part in, though. Ms Platt is getting married later in the year and has asked me to be her a bridesmaid and I'd agreed.

She`s getting married to the village policeman and she`s still going to continue teaching at the school. That will be an all village affair, I've already seem to that (giggle). They were both born in the village and are staying here to follow their chosen careers, as they said " there`s no place like home". Wasn't that a quote from some old film?

Billy Noble has started taking me to the village dances, everyone says we look a cute couple (yeah I bet we do), for our age group we are the smallest and have always been teamed together at school. I still do my crafts and am now a member of a ladies sewing circle which meets every Wednesday evening.

Mondays is ironing night at home and both Mum and myself spend a couple of hours in the kitchen at our iron boards, she`s showing me how to do the dedicates like our lingerie, I enjoy our time together. We often go out wearing mother and daughter dresses, but they still won`t allow me to wear jeans or slacks.

Winter is freezing in skirts and all the other girls wear slacks and jeans to school at other times. It`s only the cold that annoys me. I love my dresses now, although you wouldn't`t think it last year when I tried anything not to wear them.
　

I still do the modelling on the occassional Saturdays when I`m free, but what sets me laughing is when one of the young women come and ask me to help with their makeup. I`ve become pretty good at using cosmetics over the past year. The first time I was asked and burst out laughing, I was asked what the joke was.

I apologised and said, "You've been a girl all your life and I`ve only been a girl for a year, and yet I get asked to help the girls put on their makeup."

The woman started laughing herself as she also saw the funny side of it, but help her I did and she was so impressed that word soon spread round the village. The gossip trail is faster than the speed of light round here I reckon.

I don`t think I`ve ever said 'no' when I was asked to do help someone out, not even as Jack. I was and still am ready to give what help I can to anybody thats need it. The letter that Mrs Clegg gave me on my birthday was about a trust fund that had been set up for me. So far there was ten thousand pounds which would be added to every year, but I couldn`t gain access to it till I was 21.

Mrs Clegg has no family, she was only child herself, She and her husband were unable to have children, so I have been made the sole beneficiary in her will, what ever that means. I`m only 12 and I`m expected to know what all these big legal and medical terms mean. I`ve been told not to worry and it will become clear in a few years times, that I`ll never need money.

Mrs Clegg, or Aunt Julia as I am now to call her, has adopted me as her niece, so my family has gotten bigger. Now, I spend a couple of evenings a week her at her home where I am being taught to ride a horse she has bought for me. I`m to learn to ride astride a horse and to ride side saddle. She insists that I learn to ride as befitting a young lady.

So now I am learning to ride a horse in a long skirt and it isn't easy, especially over the jumps. The horse has a long name, but we just call her 'Snow' because she`s white, although they call the colour gray.

What a funny year it has been, and the fun starts all over again next week! I've had so many dress fitting that I am beginning to think they've bought out Marks and Spencers. I've even had my head measured as some of the costumes need a hat. I've not seem them, yet, but I hope they don`t look stupid or have fruit and vegetables on the brim as I've seen on some.

A new crown has been made, I was allowed to keep the other one, we placed it in a special display case in the village hall because of it`s 200 years old and very valuable. I felt it should stay in the village, that nobody should own it as it is a very important piece of Village History.

One stipulation was made however, that if the village was eventually swallowed up by the encroachment of civilization, that it was to be returned to a surviving member of our family and can never be sold.

It`s going to be a busy week, so all my hobbies are going to go by the board. Saturday is the day I get crowned as Queen of the May for my second year, but this year I was allowed to picked my four flower girls.

Everybody thought I had already picked them, but I asked the school for the best four girls in the lower classes. They might not be the prettiest, but they had to show they were working hard at school. The headmaster and teachers thought it was a good idea and supported my idea fully.

Well, not everyone was pleased with four that were selected, but at least everybody agreed it was fair to reward the top students. They usually picked girls of roughly the same height and this year there was about 9 inches between the smallest and tallest, and on top of that, they were popular girls at school and around the village.

The throne and the Queens float were redesigned, they still kept to Ye Olde England style, but it was easier and safer to carry and used lighter materials, not everyone is a budding Geoff Capes.

As the week went on, everything started to come together. All the old bunting, flags and decorations were replaced with new ones, gardens were cleaned, and the local nurseries provided cheap plants to fill in any bare patches.

"The whole place was buzzing like a bee hive," as the old saying goes, The last 500 festivals were successful, we should build on that and we did.

Summer was the worst time for pageants as they were held in the open air, all the village Queens were competing and you couldn't compete in your own village pageant. After all, it wouldn't be fair would it? Last year, I won a few, and a few beauty contests. Everyone wanted me to do as well this year and everyone pitched in to try and make it happen. Me? I wasn't too bothered, I still was a bit uncomfortable though, being in the public eye.

This year, there was an added twist to everything, someone came up with idea of having the Queen having a King alongside her, I was asked if I had a preference and, with an evil glint in my eye chose Billy Noble.

All the girls said with a laugh that I was wicked and went off to grab the luckless Billy. I had seen his costume and knew that he would hate it. It was made out of silk and satin with plenty of lace ruffs at the throat and cuffs. It consisted of of white silk shirt, Blue pantaloons that came to just below the knees, a 3/4 length jacket, white stockings and black patent leather shoes with a gold buckle, and 2 extremely thin garters that went around the bottom of the pantaloons. We got the costume idea from watching an old film about the 18th century.

When we saw Billy dressed up, he looked really good. He wasn't happy by a long shot! All the women were making a fuss of him and telling him how handsome he looked. He protested and said, "I feel like idiot!:

But there was more to come, he already pierced ears as did most boys, but he was going to wear blue crystal earrings, and his hair would be styled to look like would in the 18th century.

Yes, he was going to look like a palace courtier, make up and all. The only thing different about the costume were the shoes, a courtiers shoes has heels, but we selected flats for his. I doubt we could have got him into heels.

He asked, "Who chose me?"

Everyone pointed at me.

He asked me, "Why?"

'I am rewarding you as you'd done for me, the year before."

Anyway, he did look cute, especially with the lace ruffles.

I couldn't wait to see him after he was finished at the beauty salon on Saturday. To tell the truth, I liked Billy a lot and I wanted him to share the day with me, although neither of us knew he would accompany me to all the Pageants as my escort.

Saturday arrived, and the morning was spent getting hair and make up done. Billy was strapped down for this part, his dad told him to behave and let the women finish.

I had spoken with Billy`s dad earlier in the week and told him what was planned, he was OK with it and would sure Billy behaved himself.

We were finally dressed and ready about 15 minutes before the start, Billy looked gorgeous in his costume especially now with his hair done and make up on. I took him over to mirror so he could what we looked like, side by side. He was amazed at how different he looked and started strutting around a peacock.

The coronation took place and we were placed on the float for the procession, Billy whispered. "I am enjoying myself, after all. Thanks for picking me."

Although we didn`t get to walk around much, we enjoyed ourselves and in the end, the village had another very successful day.
　

When we saw the local newspaper on Monday evening, there on the front page was a full blown picture of Billy and me in our costumes. Mum bought a copy of the photo and hung it on the wall, Billy`s parents did the same, but hung their`s over the fireplace for all to see. They were proud of their son.

The village had attracted more visitors this year, and everyone was very pleased that all the hard work had paid off. Billy was the new school hero and reveled in it, although we all knew it would be short lived. He was bit annoyed that he wasn't allowed to get back to his original hairstyle and had to take make up lessons. He did get teased a bit, but it good natured teasing, not vindictive.

We hadn't told Billy about the rest of year yet, his mum and dad wanted to do that in private in case he got a bit rebellious. I don`t think we should have worried as he figured it out for himself and didn't put up too much of a fight. Billy continued to take me to the village dances and we now seen as an item, or as Billy called us "Me and My Shadow" as we were always together.

The year went on and in October, disaster struck the village. Foot and Mouth had started to strike the farms, we knew it was going to be hard on the farmers with them watching their livestock being slaughtered. I wanted to stop going to the beauty contests and pageants, but the farmers wouldn't let me.

Frank Maberly came to see me and told me, "The farmers had heard that I wanted to stop everything. I'd been asked to speak to you about why I wanted to stop."

"I want to help."

"What can you do that they can't?"

I couldn't answer that.

He looked me in eye and smiling said, "Look Lass, last year you, had a tough time, this year it`s our turn. Keep competing as it`s one bit of good news when they read that you've won. That's what you can do for us."

He made me promise to continue and I vowed I would try even harder to make them proud of me. Before he left he gave me a hug and said, "We`re already proud of you, Lass, just keep doing what you do best."

In reality, there wasn't anything I could do on the farms that were affected as nobody was allowed anywhere near them for fear of spreading the disease to other herds. I told Mrs Clegg what had gone on and she comforted me, saying, "It's just one of those thing that happen and nobody can stop it."

"How sad."

She went to say, "None of farmers would lose anything, she would provide financial help if it were needed and it would be all over soon."

I continued the contests with Billy as usual as my escort in his fancy costume, it seemed to catching as some of other villages were starting to provide their Queens with escorts, but none shone like Billy did.

It was almost Christmas before the Foot and Mouth was over and the land was being cleaned, it was decided to hold a Grand Christmas Ball to celebrate the villages success and to lift spirits after the outbreak.

Cost didn't matter and I suspected Mrs Clegg had thrown a lot of money into the pot. We didn't usually have Christmas Lights like they do in the big cities and towns, but this year they made an exception. A private company was brought in and the lights went up, Billy had the honour of switching them on,. It was meant to be me, but I asked that Billy do it as except for being my escort all year, there were no real honours for him, so he got the chance.

Everyone turned up for the ball, the gentleman and boys in dinner suits, the ladies and girls in evening gowns. A banquet was part of the evening, but once everyone was present, the vicar started his sermon.

We had a lot to be thankful for this year even with the out break. It was all very solemn to start with, and for a few minutes after the sermon, the hall remained deathly silent with everyone lost in their own thoughts.

Eventually, the festivities started, they started of with a few presentation with Billy looking very smart in his dinner suit, presenting the awards. After the awards were finished, Frank Maberly got on stage and asked to say a few words. He started of by thanking everyone for supporting the farmers and then looking around and spotting me made a signal to someone.

I was escorted to the stage and handed to Frank he started talking, "We all know this little lass is something special, she was ready to stop everything else to come and help on the farms during the recent outbreak, though what she could do I don`t know. We convinced her to continue with the village activities which she did, and helped keep us going and did better than last year. An outbreak like the last lowers morale on the farms, but every time she won, it gave us a bit of a boost. Well, we've had a bit chat about our special girl and decided to adopt her as our mascot. On top of that, we had a collection and it isn't much, but here's a cheque for 500 pounds for her."

He handed me a cheque and asked, "What I was going to do with it?"

I thought for a couple of minutes and looking at him said, "I would like to use the money to start a fund to help our community."

He gave me a hug and said "We certainly didn't expect that from someone as young as you, but that's what make you special to us, you always think of others before yourself".
　

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The place erupted with people people cheering and clapping, some of the men and women were crying.

I was taken back to join our group and dad said," I am very proud of you for what you did."

All night, people came over and said how proud they were to know me, of course Billy being my escort was reveling in all the attention.

One of the kids asked, "Why did you donate all that money?"

"Because other people might need help sometime, and if the fund got added to, it would help even more people."

"Why didn`t you get yourself a computer with it?"

"I`ll just have to get one another way. People were important than computers and toys."

I saw a group of adults talking in the corner and looking at me, I didn`t pay them much interest. After the Banquet, all the tables were as usual removed and the dancing began.

I`d never danced in heels and a long dress, and it would seem I wasn't the only one there that were tripping over our hems. The dance was stopped and Mrs Clegg and a few of the women with their escorts started giving us lessons on dancing, this took about a half hour and the dancing resumed.

Mrs Clegg was the most elegant lady I ever saw, always smartly dressed, made up to perfection and perfectly mannered, she wasn't a snob or thought herself better than everyone else.

I had seem the other side of her and knew how lonely she was, for all her bravado, was often scared of people opinion of her. She hadn't been born into money, but had been in an orphanage till she 18.

She had got herself a job working as a waitress in a restaurant, had put herself through college and had gone into some sort of business. I knew she owned a few stores. Eventually, she had met Mr Clegg, got married and settled down.

Then her husband who'd been active in the community, died about 10 years ago. As I already said, she had no family. She had no servants, although she employed a couple of the village women as cleaners and a couple of the men as gardeners and general handymen. No, there were no pretentiousness with Mrs Clegg, she hadn't forgotten where she'd started from. She was loved by all everyone, especially the kids and always had time to listen to people, but not everyone knew her background.

The Grand Ball was success, everyone had a good time and I don`t think it would have ended if everybody hadn't of been so tired. As the night had gone on kids, were found sleeping in side rooms and were just left where they were with someone looking in from time to time.

Our group were among the last to leave at 5:A.M. the next day. Tired we may have been, but we walked home that evening or should I say morning despite the freezing cold. Yes, it had been a successful night, it brought the whole community closer together. We had 'Met the foe at gates and repelled them.' as someone said.

We all knew that the world outside our little community was a lot different, and we all knew that someday, it would come here with a vengeance, but not today. Today let us all be content with what we have and what we are. Did I just say that?

We all grabbed a few hours sleep, got up, dressed had a meal and descended on the village hall for the clean up. What a mess there was, we all pitched in and soon it was back to it`s normal state, a rubbish skip had been hired and was now full to brim with cardboard boxes and black rubbish sacks. Once we had finished, we all sat around talking in groups while tea and coffee was brought out. Buses only run every hour on a Sunday and looking at the clock, I knew one was due through in the next few minutes.

Just at that moment, someone ran into Hall and said, "THE BUS HAD CRASHED!"

We grabbed our coats and went to the accident scene. There hadn't been many people on board, but those that were had been injured and some badly. I was sent back to get more help and alert the police, I wasn't gone long. As I went back, I saw one of the farmers tractors heading that way, he stopped and gave me a lift.

In the short time that I was gone, most of people had been taken out of the bus and placed in a nearby barn, there were still a couple of people left in the bus, including the driver who couldn't be moved due to being trapped or too badly injured. A couple of the farmers had taken tractors and used them as road block, only allowing the emergency service through.

The area was mess, the bus on it`s side with wreckage all over the road. The bus had skidded coming down the slight slope and rolled over as the driver tried to regain control.

It had luckily enough been stopped by the parapet wall from ending up in the river. The firemen cut the wreckage clear and freed those that were trapped so that the paramedics could get them treated and off to hospital.

Another team of paramedics was attending to those in the barn, and before long, all the injured were on their way to hospital. Unfortunately, there were 2 killed: the driver and Mrs Allen.

A black cloud of despair seemed to descend on the village, Mrs Allen had left 4 yr twins behind, she had lost her husband 3yrs ago to a heart attack. The villagers rallied to see that children wanted for nothing, I was told to take them home with me as we were the nearest family. I had baby sat these kids and they were used to me.

It was unusual that the twins had been left alone in bed and Mrs Allen had gone out,but apparently she was just going to drop some knitting wool of at one of nearby farms and wouldn't be long. Now she would never be coming home to young Susan and Sandra. How do you tell someone that young that their mother is dead and isn't coming back? We knew they had no other family, but the community was determined that they stay in village.

Mrs Clegg got hold of her lawyers and told them what she wanted done and they agreed to start first thing, Monday morning.

Mrs Clegg told me, "It was going to be a hard fight and costly one, but no way was Social Services getting their hands on those girls! I know what orphans went through and it wasn't happening to one of ours!"

Mrs Clegg phone round various agencies and hired a full time nurse and nanny to look after the girls who went to live with her. We packed what clothing they had and toys and they were taken as well. They had started school last summer and Mrs Johnson, formerly Ms Platt said she would tell the headmaster what had happened and that the girls wouldn't be at school for a while.

The Funeral for Mrs Allen was held the following week, school was closed for the day so that everyone could attend. It was a very sad day, the twins were kept away, being looked after by their nurse. It was felt that it would have been too much for them to have to say goodbye to their mother.

How can a 4 yr old understand about death when they've only just begun to live? The only thing they understood is that the person who cared for them when they sick or had been hurt themselves and that the one who'd cried and laughed with them wouldn't be coming home. It was made even more painful for everyone with Christmas only a couple of days away.

On Christmas day, the mood in village was still sad. We had been trying to think of way to make today a happy day for the twins. as we knew that it was a difficult and lonely time for them. I had spent a lot of time with them and had so far managed to take their minds of their mother, but today, they needed her and I couldn't take her place.

I arrived at Mrs Clegg's [or I should aunt Julia`s] home as the twins were having breakfast and went into the lounge. A short while later, Sue and Sandra came in hand in hand with tears in their eyes.

They were on each side of me, Sue looked at me and said, "Mums not coming back is she?"

Aunt Julia left the room and I told them, "Your Mum is in Heaven with the Angels."

"But we miss her!" said Sandra.

"She will always be with you in your hearts and memories and will always be watching over both of you."

Then the nanny came in and took them to get dressed and then I started crying, Aunt Julia came and cuddled me and told me, "What I said will be understood by them and hopefully they will start to feel better."

Usually, today would have been a family affair, but I told my family I would spend today with twins. I know they were disappointed, but they understood and said the come over in the afternoon.

Once they were dressed, we gave the twins their Christmas presents, they perked up when they opened them: new dolls, clothes, new bikes, you name it, they got it. They got much that the house was starting to look like a toy and clothing store. It was every little girls dream and they loved it, even the grown ups and myself felt a lot better. Tomorrow it might be different, but at least today they were happy, even though they missed their mum.

My parents and brothers came over just in time for Christmas dinner and were amazed when they found the twins running around giggling and enjoying themselves. Mum said "Aunt Julia must have done right with them."

But Aunt Julia shook her head and smiled and pointed at me,"Jacqueline has got a way with those two little imps."

Nobody minded the constant badgering they got from the twins who were showing them their presents, they were happy and that's what counted. The following day was Sunday and that meant church, I had stayed at Aunt Julia's last night and helped her with getting the twins ready for Church

It gladdened the hearts of the congregation to see the girls laughing. Once the service was over, the vicar asked us to join him and his wife for coffee. Me and girls were given glasses of hot chocolate.

Once we were seated he asked the twins," Are you alright?"

They just nodded.

He told them, "If either of you don't understand anything, please ask me."

But Sandra said, "That's OK, we know mum is with the angels and is watching over us."

"How do you know that?"

Sue pointed at me said, "Jacqueline told us all about it."

We sat and talked a while and saw weather was staring to get worse, so the vicar drove us home to Aunt Julia`s where I spent another night.

Monday came, and Mum rang to tell me, "Your dad was on his way to collect you, bring the twins with you and give Aunt Julia a day off."

I told Aunt Julia what mum said and she said, "I could with some quiet time."

I asked, "Are you sure?"

"Sometimes you go off alone just to be yourself and to think."

I couldn't answer that, but I didn`t want her to alone and do something silly.

When we got our house, I took the girls in while Dd garaged his 4x4 and Mum and my brothers greeted them. After they got their coats off, they had a drink and a sandwich and the fun started. Whatever they wanted to do, we did it, and so it went till bed time.

Everyday that week, they were taken over to another family where they had fun, the village took the girls into their homes and their hearts. They belonged to us and we belonged to them. They were spoiled rotten by everyone, but the other kids were not left out. Christmas that year was truly a season of goodwill, at least in our little community.

After months of legal tug of war, Aunt Julia was made guardian to the twins by the court, she fought and won. As was said, they belonged to us and nobody was going to take them away.

After Christmas break, it was back to school and the twins were back in attendance. It was also time to choose the next Queen of the May, there was no way I was going to do it again this year!

OK, I`ll admit that I enjoyed it, but I didn`t get a lot of free time to myself, and Billy would be glad as he wouldn't be king and have to wear his costume again. The girl selected was a neighbour named Natalie. I asked her to consider Sue and Sandra as two of flower girls, but she told me they were at the top of her list. I was glad about that, those imps deserved some good luck and this would be different for them.
　

The rest of the year was busy enough and I was allowed to take the twins with me to the contests. The pageants had stopped at the end of October before winter arrived, so they didn't get to see them.

When I told them about the pageants and about the Queens Flower Girls, Sue said, "Someday she might get to be a flower girl!"

We' see." 'I don't want to say anything to spoil Natalie's surprise.'

A week later, Aunt Julia brought them over and they squealed,"We've been picked as flower girls for Natalie!

"I am happy for both of you, but you two have to good and do whatever you are told."

"WE WILL!:

Aunt Julia managed to get me alone, "That was your doing wasn't it?"

"I suggested them to Natalie, but she already had them at the top of list."

Mum got one of gowns cleaned for May day. I asked her, "Mum, why wasn't I Queen after today"

"You'll have the privilege of crowning Natalie."

Somebody had come up with the idea that the outgoing Queen would crown the new Queen, I didn't mind as long as I could get changed afterwards. The dressmaker had really excelled with the dresses for the flower girls, they looked absolutely gorgeous, they would really add to Natalie's entourage.

May Day arrived and Natalie was crowned Queen of May, she looked beautiful in all her regalia and the flower girls added to beauty around her. I watched the parade with Billy, then we went and changed so we could join the fun.

It struck me as we walked back to the fairground that for first time in two years my life wasn't being decided and organized for me. I had fully adapted to my new life and was content. We strolled along the road arm in arm and found everyone waiting for us.

I started to feel that feeling again, you know the one that somethings going to happen and it involves you. I was taken to a nearby tent and changed into a gown again, my make up redone and jewelry put on.

Aunt Julia led me to the stage were I was awarded a plaque for services to the community, the twins came on stage and handed me a wrapped package and thanked me for being a sister and helping them when they needed it.

There was thunderous applause and someone called, "Three cheers for Jacqueline!"

I started crying and after while stopped and thanked everyone saying,"I only did what anyone else would do."

Someone yelled, "Maybe they would, but they aren't you, you have a special way that makes people trust you."

The local newspaper got their pictures along with everyone else's, I went over to Natalie to apologize for hijacking her day, but she just smiled at me, she knew all about it last week and had agreed to it all. We hugged each other and I stayed with her for the rest of day.

The years have passed now, the village for the most part hasn't changed much, we didn't have anymore major disasters, although there were a few scares.

Aunt Julia adopted the twins and changed her will to provide for the twins. I along with a few other went off to college, but came back home. I became a teacher at the local school. Billy didn't go to college, he did an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic and now owns the local garage.

Natalie starts college later this year, she hasn't decided what she wants to study, but she has a few options open to her. Mrs Johnson is a now a part time teacher as she has two babies of her own. The headmaster retired and moved down south to live with his widowed sister. The vicar and his wife are still with us and still making services fun for all. My brothers joined the Army and hold commissions. Dad was so proud when we went to their big parade at the academy.

The Queen of the May is still a big part in the life of village, as a community, we still pull together and support each other, the fund I started has now grown with the farmers adding a percentage of their crops value to it. Money comes in from raffles etc. and the last total is around 15 million pounds. So far, it hasn't been needed, yet, but if anybody needs help, it`s always there for them. A few days after I donated the cheque, one of local businesses presented me with a new computer in appreciation.

Since everything that has happened to me, there have been several transgendered children in the village. Now the village knows to allow the children to have all the information available, and instead of trying to steer the child one way, without knowing what is happening them, they allow them them to make their own decisions. I was the first and was forced not unkindly in the direction everyone thought was best for me and in the end, they found they were wrong.
　
Did I blame my parents or the people of our little community? No, I didn't. They didn't understand what was happening to my body and in they`re own way, tried to do what they thought was best. I didn't come to any harm and was treated as a human being and not freak.

The people of our little community are leery of outsiders and look out for each other. Maybe our little village is the exception to the rest of country and if so, then civilization should try and learn from us.
　
As for me, like I said, I`m now a qualified teacher at the village school, I still take part the village activities. Aunt Julia is taking things easier now with two young ladies to bring up and tame.. So, I am now chairwoman of the May Day Festival, I`m also on the parish council and on a couple of other committees. Not bad, considering that 15years ago, I was 10 year old boy. I had my SRS before I started college and I still live at home with my parents.

Mum and me have our girls days out and some evenings, when I`m not at some meeting or other, I`ll stay at home and watch TV, cuddling Dad. I guess I turned out to be a Daddies Girl. Oh, before I forget, I`m getting married next month to Billy. Dad says he can`t wait to take me down the aisle, although if someone had told him years ago that he would be giving me away, he would have laughed at them. If you think about it life`s a strange animal and anything can and does happen.
　
"Illegitimi non carborundum" or "Don't let the Bastards grind you down"