Another Side of My Life
Chapter 2
by Julie D Cole

I suddenly realized I was helpless. I couldn’t run after him even if I wanted to in heels since I was only new to walking in them. In any case he’d probably be dangerous and I am no fighter.
I seemed to fre
eze for a while and people were moving in slow motions around me whilst I tried to bring my thoughts together. What should I do? At least I still had my suitcase. But what use was that since my new purse, wallet and my mobile phone were in the shoulder and even my make-up and my return ticket home.

I was still clutching the underground ticket so at least I could escape from this dungeon. I thought I’d be safer outside and at least I might be able to figure out what to do. I hoped London was full of nicer people than this and even full of streets of gold.

I took care to see who was around me as I went up the escalators and through the barriers. Why didn’t I take a taxi? If it hadn’t have been for me trying to save money I’d be OK.

As I arrived outside to the street it was busy with lots of tourists and local workers.

Everybody seemed to ignore me yet here I was helpless. What to do? Fortunately it was Thursday afternoon and the rush hour hadn’t started so I needed to find somewhere quiet. I needed the toilet so I found the Ladies since I had become Julie. My first real challenge.

It wasn’t a pleasant experience and I was bursting yet I had to wait in a line. How degrading for women. Why can’t they build them twice as big. I didn’t look at anybody but at least when I looked in the mirror I still had enough make up to look decent and I clearly had no problem to pass a girl.

I headed for the public telephones and called the operator to ask if I could make a reverse charge call home. It was an Indian call centre so she couldn’t understand my English very well and for sure hers wasn’t very clear. I found myself shouting a bit and as my voice got louder the pitch got higher.

I could laugh at myself later as it attracted attention but at least nobody pointed fingers at me and said ‘Ughh look at him!’ She said nobody was answering and she wouldn’t put me through to leave a message so I decided to try again later and hopefully I’d be able to communicate.

I had thought about calling work but this operator had a job on to understand that I was stranded in London so I didn’t think it would matter who I tried to call. That had to be a back stop plan and just hope that Jane on reception would accept a reverse charge call.

I was supposed to be here for a week so it was better anyway if mum could arrange something. I thought she might have gone to see Gran and hoped she wasn’t staying over. I never asked I just left the house that morning with as little interchange as possible. 'Oh what a tangled web we weave if first we practice to deceive.'

I thought about it. Wait I’m not deceiving anybody. I am free to be who I like when I like. I’m me and I decided to stand up and face this stupid challenge. Nobody knows me anyway so here I had no pressure except to decide what to do.

I decided I should find the local police station to report the robbery.

Well that was an experience since I daren’t say much as I’d have to file a report and give my name and address. I chickened out as I started to pass over my details and just said my bag had been stolen but it wasn’t expensive and nothing much in it. I got the feeling I was wasting the officers time and after a few minutes I left.

I got the feeling they weren’t interested in the robbery but if they’d realized I was a man then the whole police station would have surrounded me and there would be flashing blue lights everywhere.

In any case most residents in UK feel the police are under too much pressure to fund themselves and petty crime gets in the way. It s not high on the priority list of the British Police Force since probably most of the officers were assigned to look for motorists who had exceeded the speed limit or not stopped at a traffic light that brings in cash from fines. No reward for them if they recover my bag.

Whilst I was talking I remembered that I had fifty pounds inside my suitcase but the keys to the case were in my shoulder bag. How stupid that I put everything in one bag. How to open the case. I should have asked the policeman but I was frightened of causing too much fuss and being trapped in the police station whist they interrogated me.

I couldn’t even remember the hotel name that I’d booked since the details were on my phone. That was another thing to take care of or the phone bills would be massive with someone calling their relatives overseas. I couldn’t afford to call my Ant Ally in Oz or Aunt Dee in the States but this culprit might be ringing his cousin in Jamaica right now and racking up a big bill for me. How to stop him? Vodafone will be licking their lips.

I wondered up and down the High Street with my case that was beginning to annoy me. Walking 50 metres is OK in heels but being lost in London and dragging a case up and down these streets is no fun. Right at that moment all the gloss of being outside as Julie had disappeared.

I decided to ask for help at a hotel to open my bag and there was a really nice looking one that was a big Victorian style white building. Not too grand for a Northern girl but nice enough to be friendly I thought. I was nervous as I approached the desk. No Londoners working here all from Overseas and a Lady assistant Manager attended to me thinking I was checking in. When she realized I just needed help she wasn’t so pleasant.

So that idea was a waste of time since she probably thought I’d stolen the case and wouldn’t help. I decided to try elsewhere and I picked up the case down the steps at the front of the hotel the barman from the bar off the side of the lobby who’d been watching me waved me over to him.

The bar was separate to the hotel but had access from the main foyer so he picked up the case and took it through whilst I followed him. He produced a small key and fiddled with the lock and within seconds the case was open.

I was most grateful and I thanked him as he introduced himself. His name was Jack and the bar was his sole responsibility and he took a share of the profits. It had several tables outside on the raised pavement area as well as about 10 or 12 inside.

So it was a big bar area with a lot of potential. The food came from the hotel and he asked if I was hungry. I said no thanks because I shouldn’t accept charity but he just laughed and said ‘OK you can earn your supper if you like since the regular waitress wasn’t reliable and may not turn up.

He invited me to have a drink whilst we chatted and since he’d just opened up it was quiet. Since he was paying I accepted a white wine and soda so it was at least a long drink.

He seemed nice and he was sympathetic to hear more details about my story of the robbery and asked if I needed somewhere to stay but as tempted as I was I decided to decline. I thought I’d better use the fifty pounds in my suitcase to buy a ticket home and decided if I caught the 8pm train I might get a cheap ticket. I found the envelope with the fifty pounds but he wouldn’t let me pay for the drink.

He seemed to accept me as Julie and he looked at the engagement ring on my finger and asked if I was promised to someone or available for a good looking guy from south London. He made me smile with his cheeky style and I liked to be treated like this that hadn’t exactly been my idea of what I’d be doing in London.

The bar started to fill up since it was Happy Hour and Jack was soon showing his charm and skills to serve quickly and efficiently. I asked why he had no assistance and he said he’d have to use one of the girls from the hotel and pay through the nose. Then he asked if I was interested to help him for 20 pounds plus whatever tips I got. I declined but then he said that one good turn deserved another so I changed my mind. He took my suitcase to a room behind the bar and he found me a notepad and a white apron like his.

I said OK as long as he gave me five minutes to go over to the Boots chemist shop at the underground station. He kept my bag and I went to buy some replacement cosmetics out of my fifty pounds. I bought the minimum that I could but it still cost me ten pounds. At least I could tidy up and reduce the risk of being detected.

Jack laughed when he saw what I’d done and said I must have money to burn and I didn’t need make up. What did he mean by that? Did he know I was really a boy? He just shrugged his shoulders and said to hurry up so I tidied up in the hotel ladies room. Little Miss Snotty at reception gave be a dirty look but I just walked past her and focused on freshening up that gave me back all my confidence.

Fresh make-up is just like a new face. Mmm a slightly deeper shade of lipstick and not so expensive as the one I lost. What will the robber do with mine. Wrong shade for him I thought.

The bar quickly filled up and soon I was rushing around. It seemed like a popular spot for an after work drink and maybe Jack was the reason that a few ladies also called in. He was quite a charmer and knew most clients by name. He had a nice selection of music and asked me to distribute a few potato crisps and salted peanuts so that it made people more thirsty.

I hadn’t had fun like this for a long time and Jack seemed to accept me. I wasn’t sure if he knew or not or if he knew and didn’t care. Whatever he winked at me a few times saying I was attracting extra trade and most punters were staying for second and third drinks.

I took this as a bit of his sales charm and stuck out my tongue. Whatever Jack thought as far as the customers were concerned I wasn’t challenged and there was no sign of whispers behind hands. So I focused on trying my best to be feminine and to act like I thought a woman should act whilst helping Jack. I was really enjoying myself. To think I’d arrived in London expecting to hide in a hotel room and just spend the days shopping.

Before I realized the time had reached 8pm so no chance to take the train home tonight and I realized hadn’t rung mum either. Now I had cash at least to call her but Jack told me to use the bar phone. Mum still wasn’t in so I left a message to say I’d call her the following day.

At 9pm there was a lull in trade as the early drinkers headed home. Jack gave me fifty pounds and said we’d earned 30 pounds of tips each because of one big investment bank group who had money to burn and had been admiring me all night.I admitted to myself that I had tried to flirt a bit that must have workd.

At least now I could afford a room for the night in a small hotel. But Jack didn’t want me to leave until he closed the bar and offered to sort out a room at a hotel close to his flat if I trusted him. I just nodded and said OK. Then he arranged something by telephone.

I had to use the bathroom again a couple of times that evening and that meant going through the hotel reception where I had more suspicious looks but if they still weren’t sure about me they chose not to say anything. I think Jack may have vouched for me.

Jack bought me a plate of pasta with prawns that I’d been eyeing as I served some customers and sat me at a table with a glass of wine. ‘On the House Julie. You and me make a great team.’

I just smiled and said thanks to him for helping me.

His retort was ‘OK how about tomorrow evening? Are you available?’

To be continued……

Another Side of My Life
Chapter3
by Julie D Cole

His retort was ‘OK how about tomorrow evening? Are you available?’
………………………………………….
I thought about it for a few minutes and just said let me think about it please and perhaps I can let you know in the morning after I know what I’m doing.

I must admit that I was tempted. I already liked Jack because he was kind and also he just accepted me and believed me. But did he realise that I wasn’t a woman or not. I had seen him looking at me a number of times with a searching expression.

He hadn’t pre-judged me and nervous as I was when I first talked to him I’d gradually gained in confidence working with him and I had really liked the interchanges with him and the rapport with his regular customers. I think the tips came because they liked the ambience of the bar.

He teased me and said I’d been hired to work the punters and he told me to pretend I was on a stage with an audience and to ensure I looked around all of the audience so they all felt special. It did seem to work and it made me less nervous to think I was acting. I liked the experience of being a waitress for the evening and to follow Jacks instructions.

Two of the female investment bankers in the Group did seem a bit aloof at first but after a couple of large glasses of sparkling wine followed by shots they became more friendly. One of them made a comment about my Northern accent and the pitch of my voice but they still seemed to treat me as a woman. I tried to lift the pitch a little but in the end decided that sounded too false. Let’s face it lots of girls have slightly deeper husky voices and some men on the news channels sound more female than male these days.

But what the heck this is London.

I liked being on stage like this since it was much more fun that hiding in hotel rooms or walking around the shops trying to behave inconspicuously.

I told him that if I accepted then it would only be on the basis that he didn’t sack his regular waitress and it would be as a favour because of his kindness. Also he’d have to accept that I was supposed to be on vacation and whilst I was now short of funds I still wanted to see some of the sights.

He had a big smile on his face. Really I didn’t want to encourage him and I fully intended to say no but the words came out differently to what I was actually thinking.

By now the bar was fairly quiet apart from some hotel residents and Jack said they usually just come in for a nightcap. One guy was a bit frisky because they’d been to a bar with dancing girls earlier and he made some stupid remarks to me that made me embarrassed. He was inferring that I should show some cleavage and wear a skirt because I had a nice bum. He tried to touch me but I resisted his grope.
I tried to put him off saying that I was engaged and that my fiancé was collecting me shortly but that seemed to make him worse. I suppose since he’d been paying dancers he thought that every girl was easy prey.

Jack cut in and asked him to quieten down and ushered me to the back of the bar to clean glasses whilst he tidied up around the bar and took the drink orders. This guy kept staring at me and then he shouted that he’d pay me twenty pounds if I showed him my tits. I had no idea how to respond and must have been as red as a beetroot.

Jack apologised to me and said this was unavoidable because the guy had drunk too much but then he told them it was last drinks since they wouldn’t behave and that he was closing the bar early. They argued a bit but then decided to leave and go to a pub around the corner from the hotel.

I felt awkward now but Jack said not to worry he would stay open another hour now they’d gone. It gave us chance to talk a little bit and the bar was better with just two couples coming in for a quiet drink after a London show.

Jack asked me why I was wearing a ring on my engagement finger and I told him that it was obvious wasn’t it. He looked at me and said he wouldn’t let me go to London alone if he was engaged to me and that he didn’t see me as the marrying type. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that and tried to pass it off. He just smiled.

He decided to close up at around 11-30 pm and apologised to keep me so late. I didn’t really mind since despite the incident in the underground I’d had my longest experience as a girl and I didn’t want it to end. I’d had a couple more drinks and I was feeling quite relaxed.

We took a taxi to Jacks apartment building because I had a suitcase and he thought I’d had enough experience of the underground for one day. The streets were very busy even though it was quite late and it only took 20 minutes. The cabby knew Jack so they laughed and joked a bit and he made some comments about Jack having pulled at last. I just blurted out no I’m engaged and we just met. He just winked and said Jack was a good catch and the best available in London now Kate had caught Prince Edward.

As we dropped off Jack pointed to the small hotel he’d recommended and said it was run by a nice Asian family but if I wanted to save the money I could stay at his place. He insisted that he’d be on best behaviour and that I’d nothing to fear. I did feel that it would be better to stay with him than to turn up late at night at a strange hotel but on the downside how could I keep my secret safe and I’d need to shave the next day to avoid any risk of stubble on my chin.

He was very insistent that at least I looked at his place so I finally accepted to have a look. It wasn’t all that big and it had been nicely decorated. The lounge area was very spacious with a small bar area of course plus a large red sofa and a giant screen TV. He had a surround sound music system and lots of photos and pictures along with two towers of CD’s and a giant marble coffee table strewn with magazines and boy toys. There was a very beautiful girl in a picture frame on a table at the side of his reading chair. I wished I could look like her.

He showed me the bedroom and bathroom that was alongside but no guestroom. Just one very large king size bed. He insisted I use it and he would sleep on his sofa and he said I could lock the door from the inside if it made me more comfortable. Then he said I had 3 seconds to make up my mind and he’d go open some wine.

I accepted of course but decided I’d better freshen up.

As I looked in the mirror I was surprised at how soft my skin looked and I’d expected to see my boy face and a dirty scruffy person after an evening of toil in the bar. I was quite surprised as if spending the day as a girl had caused some natural changes. I tidied up my make up but really I wanted a shower. But first I joined Jack for a glass of wine and it was great to take off my shoes and curl my toes. I sat at one end of his big sofa and he sat in his reading chair. He’d put on some Westlife music to relax even though it was not his CD.

I had to ask if it was his girlfriends CD and pointed to the photo in the frame. He laughed and said she was his sister and yes it was her CD. She was coming down to London for the weekend with two of her friends to see a show called ‘The Jersey Boys’ and staying in the hotel that owned his bar so if I helped him out I could meet them.

I just said ‘Let’s see.’

He offered me first use of the bathroom to take a shower so I accepted whilst he busied himself putting some fresh bed linen on the bed. I was impressed.

I gathered my night things and was glad I’d packed a silk dressing gown and some slippers as well as the new leopard print nightdress. At least I could cover myself to avoid showing the lack of bust.

I couldn’t put on any make-up so I was scared. At least the lighting in the lounge was soft and I settled back on the sofa with my legs underneath me whilst he showered.

He had very little shyness and came out with a twel around his shoulders rubbing his black hair but with a nice pair of Calvin Klein jogger bottoms. He had strong arms and a nice six pack and I thought he must work out. Not much body hair but a body that any girl might kill for.
This time he sat at the other end of the sofa and emptied the last of the wine into his glass having taken care to ensure my glass had sufficient left.

Then he turned to me and said ‘Since I told you this is my sister Debbie and not some girlfriend how about you tell me a bit about this fiancé of yours?’

To be continued ……………………

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 4
by Julie D Cole
Then he turned to me and said ‘Since I told you this is my sister Debbie and not some girlfriend how about you tell me a bit about this fiancé of yours?’
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
He took me back a bit and I must have looked surprised. So he followed up and asked how long I’d been engaged. I just said the first thing that came into my head and told him ‘ 3 months.’

‘Really? Not so long then? I doubt the shine has worn off yet in that case.’

I didn’t know for sure what he meant. I decided he was probably testing my reaction.
Was he interested in me? Was I coming over as available to him because I’d agreed to stay at his place?

I nervously said ‘ Well we’ve known each other a long time and our friends are engaged. His name is Chris and we’ve been close friends for years since. In fact we were in early school together. ’

I was panicking so I thought about a friend who I had known since early school and at least I had the basis of an explanation. In fact we are still friends even though we don’t see each other much nowadays. But he wouldn’t let go.

‘What’s he like then this lucky fellow?’

I tried to keep the story going as best as I could and wished he would change the subject.
‘Well we were friends but he didn’t take much notice of me because he was more interested hanging around with his gang of boys. They all grew up together and I was just on the fringe since I wasn’t one of the guys.’ Mmm that was true in fact. I wasn’t one of the regular guys as much as I’d tried.

‘Does that mean you chased him rather than hang around with the girls then?’ There was some truth in that since I was trying to ensure Chris stayed as my friend and the girls at school weren’t unfriendly. They weren’t cruel to me like the boys were at least.

‘Well I liked him because he was good at everything he did and he was respected by everybody. I think he tested his jokes out on me and sought my opinion on what he was wearing or how well he’d played. He tried to include me but his friends would tease him if he spend time alone with me. Most of the girls fancied him.’

He stood up and reached over me to top up my wine glass. He put his finger under my chin and lifted my face and smiled.

‘Poor little Julie. You had the hots for him then? A bit of a looker is he?’

I tried not to look in his eyes but he didn’t remove his finger until I looked up at him. Jack had wonderful eyes and a more rugged look than Chris. He had a slightly crooked nose that gave him a tougher appearance that might have been the result of a fight sometime. He looked like he hadn’t shaved for a few days but maybe that was deliberate. For a few moments I was unable to move and I must have looked a little bit helpless because he suddenly said sorry. Then he moved his hand away and stepped back and returned to his seat.

I spoke again because he was staring at me with a very inquisitive look on his face.
‘He’s fashionable and he is not big headed or vain so I grew to like him a lot.’
‘Mmm I can see what finally attracted his attention. You have a different look to the girls I normally meet and a sexy husky voice. I wish I’d met you before you were engaged just to give him some competition.’

I felt embarrassed and my face was burning so I looked to the ground and then excused myself to visit the bathroom. My legs were like jelly as I walked and I felt awkward in case he was staring. Should I leave now in case he tried to get fresh with me. I’d never really appreciated how scary, yet exiting it was for someone to come on to you.

I closed the bathroom door and locked it. I looked at the window wondering if I should try to climb out and escape. I looked in the mirror and I was very flushed but I was sure he still thought I was a girl despite my lack of experience and my nervous responses to his questions.

I thought about Chris and then about Jack. I hoped Chris never find out I was talking like this about him. I doubted that Jack would try to take advantage of me but if he did and he found out my secret I wondered how he might react.

He was not so good looking as Chris but no doubt they were both very popular and I guess I did start to wonder about myself standing in front of the mirror comparing two men. I did like the attention I’d received from both of them but Chris was just a friend who took care of me.

I freshed up a little and tried to make my hair less dishevelled. It would be great to have it styled properly because it still looked quite boyish. Was that why Jack liked me because I looked boyish? Was he attracted to me because of my husky masculine voice and because I might have a boy/girl appearance.

I plucked up the courage to return and took a sip of wine remembering to lick the edge of my glass to avoid leaving lippy smudges.

Jack spoke again and said he’d been thinking. ‘Is he your man then through thick or thin to spend the rest of your life with?’

This wasn’t a conversation I’d expected to be having during this trip and how on earth had I gotten into this situation? How to unfold it and return to my plan of some shopping and sightseeing and some freedom to walk and breathe as Julie?

‘I guess I aren’t so sure yet to be perfectly honest.’

Oh my God why did I have to say such a stupid thing. He would surely get the wrong impression now. I might end up being beaten and left in a backstreet somewhere. How could I be so stupid.

‘Well at least your honest and perhaps you aren’t ready for marriage. How come he hasn’t called you and how come you haven’t tried to call him.’

I had to distract him away from his fixation about Chris.

‘Well Jack in truth we had an argument last weekend over one of his former girlfriends so I told him I needed to get away for a while. I almost gave him back his ring but a friend told me it was mine whatever happened.

Luckily the phone rang and Jack excused himself and answered it. I was relieved and felt this was my chance to say I wanted to get ready for bed. He chatted for a while and I stood up as he came back.

‘It’s sis making arrangements for the weekend. She’d love to meet you and said she was delighted that I’d finally found a girlfriend. She asked if we had a steady relationship.’
‘I hope you didn’t tell her we had.’

‘Of course I didn’t. I ignored the question to keep her guessing.’

It was my change to go to bed and Jack apologised for all the nosey questions but he felt that he’d like to know more about me.’

I cleared away the glasses and the empty wine bottle and cleaned them and put them to dry.
He thanked me for helping him and said it must have been his lucky day. I was grateful to him for helping me so I just said ‘You’re very welcome.’
He showed me to my bedroom and then as I turned to say goodnight he shocked me by holding my hand and squeezing it gently.
I turned to him and as we looked at each other neither of us seemed to want to move. He didn’t kiss me as I thought he was going to do but he did put his forehead gently to mine as a sign of affection and just said goodnight.

As I closed the bedroom door I leaned back against it. Phew that was close. I had to be careful and maybe I should leave early before he woke up and just leave him a note. But if so then how to get past him with my suitcase?

I waited until I thought he might have gone from the otherside of the door and then used the bathroom before changing into a nightdress that I’d been longing to wear. I had a matching dressing gown and some slippers that I’d bought the weekend before. I laid the gown on the bed and slipped in underneath the duvee. I turned off the light and then wondered if I needed to lock the door. I decided not to and closed my eyes to try to go to sleep.

What a day that had been. I wondered how long I could keep up this appearance and then all I could think of was first Jack and then Chris. Was I gay or something? What had happened to me?

Chris had found a steady girlfriend so we didn’t see much of each other. I was a bit envious of her since he took her everywhere with him and he spoiled her a lot. I’d given up calling him after a while because he was always at her home .So I guess we had drifted apart and I never really had other friends because all his friends weren’t so keen on me because I was too quiet.

I was upset a lot at the time because I’d always admired Chris because he was fun to be with and he’d been asked to watch out for me by his mum who I really liked. Our parents knew each other since before we were born. Chris didn’t mind at first but then I started to get in the way a bit and would stop him from doing stupid things with his other friends.

Finally he’d really hurt me by telling me to get out of his face and stop acting like his girlfriend. I remember it was such a shock that I’d locked myself in a cubicle in the bathroom crying. I was still obviously very upset when I arrived home but I wouldn’t tell mum what had happened. The next few days I’d tried to avoid him but eventually he cornered me in the locker room apologised. I forgave him of course.

On the other hand Jack was nothing like Chris. He was a mans man for sure but with a touch of femininity and I did wonder if he might have been attracted to me because he had no partner or steady girlfriend or if he was the type of guy who regularly picked up girls and wouldn’t commit.

It seemed like whenever I thought about Jack I had a butterfly feeling in my stomach. Why was he so interested? I was getting nervous so what if he crept into my room in the middle of the night. I decided to get out of bed and move a chair behind the door like in the old films. Not much of a barrier but at least a few seconds early warning if he did.

I couldn’t fall to sleep easily. The curtains were thin and some lights were flashing.
I decided not to be so stupid and got out of the bed to put the chair back where it had been.

It must have been an hour at least before I fell to sleep. I found myself thinking about how much I’d enjoyed myself working with Jack and decided I’d stay and help him. Hopefully I’d meet his sister anyway and that might mean I could feel more safe.

To be continued ……………..

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 5
by Julie D Cole

It must have been an hour at least before I fell to sleep. I found myself thinking about how much I’d enjoyed myself working with Jack and decided I’d stay and help him. Hopefully I’d meet his sister anyway and that might mean I could feel more safe.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I must have a deep sleep because I never heard a thing all night and the bed was hardly disturbed when I was awakened by the sound of Jack running the shower. I looked around to gather my thoughts and the room looked quite tidy and was very clean and well decorated. I wondered if Jack had some female companion or cleaner to help him.

I put on my dressing gown and slippers since I needed to sprint to the bathroom the minute I heard Jack come out. He seemed to take an age and he was singing away to himself.
I poked my head around the bedroom door and made as much noise as I could hoping that he’d hear that I was up. My hair was a bit dishevelled and luckily no rough patches on my face from soft beard or moustache growth overnight so I didn’t have to hide until he was out of the way. “Come on Jack.”

At last the door opened. Steam was everywhere and Jack was grinning and said good morning asking if I’d slept well.

I had no time for morning talk and pushed past him locking the door as quickly as I could.
I sat down rather than stand that in the circumstances that didn’t seem very becoming. I couldn’t see myself anyway for the fog that Jack had created and the mirror was covered in condensation. What a relief. Pity I didn’t have the capacity that most women seem to have.

Or maybe they know how to hold on longer. I wouldn’t want to wait in a queue and it made me realise I’d have to avoid last minute dives into the ladies bathroom when I was out.

Eventually the steam disappeared and I went back to the room for my make up bag and toiletries and I heard Jack shout good morning again as he was doing something in the kitchen. I just said ‘Morning’ and closed the door.

Thirty minutes later I felt like I could meet the world and looked refreshed from a good sleep. Jack laughed and said he’d thrown away my morning cup of tea that was now cold. He made me a fresh cup and I apologised for being a bit grumpy.’I’m not a morning person.’
He made some toast and I had some cornflakes and a yoghurt whilst I was waiting.

He said that he’d thought about going for a run but wondered if I’d still be here when he came back so he hadn’t chanced it. I was sorry he felt like that so I told him I’d help him again in his bar that evening. I added that it was really because it was Friday night that would be good tips and also if he let me stay again I’d like to meet his sister and her friends.

‘I’ve got good news for you Julie. One of Maggies friends can’t make it so there is a ticket going spare and you can either stay here or share a room to split the cost with Maggie.’

‘Oh’

‘Oh what? Don’t you want to see ‘Jersey Boys?’

‘Yes I’d love to but I never met them and they are strangers so it doesn’t seem right to share a room.’

‘Come on you didn’t know me 24 hours ago so I didn’t bite you did I.’

I’m very happy if you stay here anyway. It’s up to you.’

‘Can I think about it?’

‘Well that’s progress. I expected flat rejection.’

‘Why? I’m sorry if I’m too hesitant but it’s not like I’ve ever been in this situation before.’

‘Welcome to London.’

‘Ok I’d prefer to stay with you but I am also conscious that your sister would be happy if I paid my way.’

‘But you don’t have money yet do you and so your options may be restricted It may depend how much you wiggle your little bum tonight or if you flutter your eyelids.’

‘Jack. I’m not like that.I never wiggled my bum and it’s the first time I ever served in a bar.’

‘Well we either put it down to beginners luck or you are a born bargirl.’

‘Thanks mum will be proud of me after 3 years at university. A born bargirl. Mm’

‘So will you ring your mum soon to find out if she can help you? You might be able to escape from my liar and my evil clutches then.’

‘Thanks. And thanks for being so kind to me. I might have ended up sleeping rough.’
‘My pleasure. I like you and especially your husky little voice. You are certainly a little bit different to other girls I’ve allowed to sleep here.’

‘Is it the first time you had to sleep on the couch?’

‘Oh are you feeling left out then.’

‘No I’m sorry I didn’t mean to say that.’

‘Come on then tell me that you are proud of me that I didn’t come a knocking on your door and I didn’t try it on.’

‘Well thanks but I felt I could trust you from the moment we met.’

‘Oh that makes me feel so bad. Now I have to behave if you think I’m so good.’

‘Well you might be disappointed and I wouldn’t like you to dislike me.’

‘Yeh Yeh. But you forget that I’m not your average Joe. Well not your average Jack.’

He looked at me and his eyes were locked to mine and I felt I couldn’t move.

‘Jack stop it. You are trying to hypnotise me.’

‘HaHa yes you are under my spell.’

‘So what are you doing today since I don’t want to be in the way.’

‘Well I’m meeting sis and her friends about noon and taking them to lunch before I open the bar at 4pm. Wanna come?’

‘Well if I can call mum and then decide I’d love to come with you. I might have to find a bank if she can help me.’

‘Ok it’s a date. I’m just going out for a while and I’ll come back about 11 am to give you chance to sort things out. Leave your gear here if you like.’

‘Thanks you’re so sweet.’

‘Yes that’s me. Sweet enough to eat.’

I washed the breakfast things whilst he tidied himself up to go out. As he left I jumped back a bit as he patted my bum and kissed me on the cheek.

‘Sorry Jules but I told you already that you have a nice wiggle and I couldn’t resist.’

He went out and so I finally got through to mum who was a bit upset she hadn’t been around to help. But she didn’t know that I had arrived in London dressed as Julie and I was relieved that Jack wasn’t around so that I didn’t need to disguise my voice. Not that it was all that deep.

We argued a little bit because she said I shouldn’t have gone on the underground and neither should I have travelled alone. She thinks I’m still her little boy in short trousers and if she saw me now I don’t know what she’d think.

She located my file with all my credit card details and I wrote them all down so I could call them to notify them of the theft. Also I got my bank details.

After an hour I had everything sorted out. Somebody had tried to use my cards but had been blocked because they needed pin numbers. The bank were helpful and arranged for me to go to their branch near to Euston Station. OMG how was I going to convince them who I was and here I was dressed as a girl. How to go there as myself and how to manage the situation with Jack and his sister when she arrived?

I made a decision to dress down a bit and wear jeans and a blouse that wasn’t too feminine and to meet Jack at Kings Cross that would give me chance to apply make up and style my hair before I met him. I put my bra and my bust enhancers in my bag and found a plastic carrier bag to put the bag in and tried to look as much like a boy as I could. I wore my trainers but they did have pink edgings that were obviously not boys shoes.

I ended looking up a bit androgynous and had to tie back my hair. I was still too effeminate but that would have to do since I was out of time. I scribbled a note for Jack ans arranged to meet him at noon near the arrivals notice board.

As I arrived in the bank the security doorman stopped me and said ‘Excuse me miss.’

OMG that was all I needed. ‘ It’s sir not miss.’

‘Oh sorry young man but I wasn’t wearing my glasses.’

I had to wait to meet an assistant and as I was sitting there I tried to sit as casually as I could rather than cross my legs as I seemed to do automatically these days.

OMG I’d forgotten about my nail polish and it was impossible to hide my hands. Especially if I shook hands or had to sign any documents.

The assistant came through and smiled and escorted me through to an interview room. A stroke of luck at last he could have been a woman but his name was James and he was obviously gay and he seemed to be attracted to me immediately.

‘Good morning dear I understand you’ve had a little problem and I’ve been talking to your bank this morning who’ve explained the situation. Are you alright. Did he hurt you? Was it a serious attack?

I sat down and at least I needn’t worry about my fingernails now which he admired and commented on. He had small hands like me and no real strength in his grip as we shook hands. He smelled of expensive perfume so I asked what it was. He was pleased that I’d noticed so after that it was downhill all the way.

He matched me against a security photograph on the screen and then he skyped my bank. OMG Nadine was at the other end and she’d see me. She smiled and was very helpful confirming it was me. She just said that I looked very nice and hoped that I was OK after the attack. She knew my mother very well so now I had the risk that she’d say something to mum because I appeared ‘different today’ as she put it.

I was given 500 pounds in cash that I signed for and it was taken from my account. Nobody had tried to use my card so far but they suspended it anyway and arranged to post a replacement with a different issue date and validity.

Well 500pounds should be enough especially if I could earn some more money working with Jack tonight and perhaps another night. Better still if I stayed at his place.

I left the bank but it was already 11-45am so I had to rush. I got rid of the plastic bag and went into the ladies bathroom to freshen up. No time for full make up. I just had to do my best and brush my hair out removing the pony tail.

I ran as best I could to Kings Cross and arrived flustered bang on noon. Jack was there already and so was his sister and friends. They’d caught an earlier train.

Jack waived and put his arm around my waist as I arrived and shook hands one by one.
There were 5 of them and each one looked me up and down before smiling. They were all very excited and ready for lunch . Jack suggested 2 taxis and to check in at the hotel. I shared a cab with Jane and Laura who were sharing a room together and had been friends since school.

I sat on one of the pull down seats and then Laura looked at me and said.

‘Excuse me but are you Jacks girlfriend or are you his boyfriend perhaps?’

To be continued……..

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 6
by Julie D Cole

I sat on one of the pull down seats and then Laura looked at me and said.
‘Excuse me but are you Jacks girlfriend or are you his boyfriend perhaps?’
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

I was surprised for a moment before replying ‘Sorry, what do you mean?’
Laura looked at me and paused herself.

‘Well you look a little boyish and not Jacks type. So I was wondering what the attraction was for him. Usually he goes for the bimbo flashy look with boobs hanging out.’

I thought ‘You madam. That’s a bit rude and uncalled for, especially since you don’t know me from Adam. Or Eve I suppose.’

Jane intervened. ’ Take no notice Julie, she’s just laying a marker down since she has the hots for him.’

‘Do not, don’t be rotten, I’ve known Jack since we were fifteen and we finished a long time ago. I finished with him.’

She looked a little bit embarrassed now and it seemed obvious that she still had a thing for Jack. I thought I’d have been better not to get involved but I found myself automatically responding. I couldn’t stop my mouth.

‘I’m sorry but I hardly know Jack. We only met yesterday and he was sweet enough to help me after my handbag was stolen so I’d panicked and just turned up at the hotel next to his bar.’

‘Well you seem to have already caught his eye and that’s not Jacks style to help ladies in distress. He’s more the type to look the other way.’

‘Really I find that difficult to believe and I found him very charming and courteous.’ I was getting irritated by now and felt like smacking her face.

Jane smiled ‘I think she’s just a bit jealous and she’s just drawing a line in the sand.’
‘Am not. I don’t have a problem if they have something going together’

‘HaHa you should have seen your face then when Debbie told us that Jacks girlfriend would like to take the spare ticket that Maggie had.’

‘I didn’t care since Jack never called me after we split up.’

I thought about what I was about to say since I seemed to be getting innocently being dragged into an argument with one of Jacks ex girlfriends. But I was a boy. Why was I acting so strangely? I needed to shut up and calm down. So I crossed my legs and hung on to the door handle as the driver swung around the corner into Kensington High Street towards the hotel.

That was helpful because we were passing Kensington Palace where Princess Di had lived with Charles. Jane was trying to help and diverted attention saying she wanted to visit since it was close by the hotel and that she wanted to buy something in memory of Di.

I thought about poor Princess Di and how much jealousy she must have had to face. There must have been lot’s of situations like this like I was having now with Laura I suppose, especially when she faced the dragon that had now married Charles.

If ever there was a woman that made me feel I wanted to be beautiful and try to feminise myself it was Di. She was a beautiful butterfly created from an awkward young girl. I’d read all about her in the book ‘Diana’ and cried a lot. How sad she had been trapped in that stupid marriage.

Then I came back to my senses as we approached the Rules Hotel where they were staying and the bar alongside that was Jacks kingdom where we’d laughed together the night before. I decided I should speak again.

‘Look I’m really sorry Laura but rest assured there is nothing to worry about since I’m in a relationship and there’s absolutely nothing between Jack and me.’

I was shocked at these words that seemed to just fall from my tongue. My reaction was who the hell does she think she is to interfere if Jack and I have something going? Then I realised I was acting a bit jealously myself yet I did hardly know Jack. Surely I wasn’t declaring interest in him. What was I doing? What had happened to me?

I nervously adjusted my position on the uncomfortable seat since I was trying to be as feminine as I could after Laura had suggested I might be a boy. Did I look like a boy I needed to look and find out as soon as I could get to a bathroom.

For the journey I had tried to sit properly with my knees together like Laura and Jane did naturally and whilst it wasn’t too difficult I was conscious that I needed to err on the safe side. I was glad the journey from Kings Cross Station had been short because it had been quite an experience and I felt like I was under a spotlight. As the taxi stopped Linda and Jane climbed down out of the cab first.

Then to my surprise Jane reached out and held my hand as I stepped out onto the pavement. It was unusual to be helped like this rather than me helping a girl. Jane smiled and whispered ‘Sorry just ignore her.’

Jack came over with Debbie and Maggie and paid for the cab and we gathered up the bags and suitcases and climbed the steps to enter the hotel to register.

Jack had got a discounted rate for all three rooms without breakfast and I nervously tried to intervene to ensure the rooms had single beds if I was to share. No answer from the bitchy girl who I’d talked to the day before. She just ignored me. I’d have much preferred to stay at Jacks place in the circumstances. I’d already had two scares that day and maybe third time unlucky if my roommate spotted me.

I excused myself to use the bathroom. I needed to check my face to see if I did actually look more boy than girl. Jane came with me and after we relieved ourselves I was first to the mirror. I didn’t look too bad but with hardly any make up it was true that I might have a problem so I dipped into my handbag for my lippy and some eye shadow.

Jane laughed and said ‘Putting on your war paint for Laura or is it for Jack.’
‘No No I just wanted to freshen up and Laura was a bit cruel.’

‘So what she is just jealous of your looks. I can see why Jack might be attracted. He isn’t a bimbo fan at all.’

‘I’m not doing this for Jack it’s just me I don’t like to go out without my face on and I was in a rush this morning.’

‘Oh he kept you up late then?’

‘No no he didn’t. We were just late back to his place and we were chatting for ages.’

‘Ok I believe you although thousands wouldn’t. Come on let’s see what the others are doing.’
As we approached Maggie who was the organiser Laura cut in. ‘Sarah got the short straw and is sharing with you.’

I thought Little Bitch I’m glad it’s not you.

Sarah was a little taller than me and probably the plainest of all of the group freckles so that she did look a bit out of place. She was very slim with hardly any bust and dressed plainly in a jacket with slim fit jeans showing her long legs. No heels and she was still quite tall. At least she was very friendly and I was relieved.

Jack disappeared whilst we went up to the rooms to take a look and settle in. Poor Jane and Laura got a side room that would make Laura even more jealous because Sarah and I got upgraded to a de-luxe room looking out over the street. The rooms were small and aghhh no single beds. OMG dare I share a double with Sarah?

She didn’t give me much choice as she pulled me into the room and dragged me onto the bed with her bouncing up and down. ‘Julie this is a gorgeous room and a comfy bed. Which side do you like to sleep? Do you mind if I sleep window side so you have the door in case of burglars?’

‘Errr, it’s ok no problem. No burglars here in a hotel anyway.’ I thought I need to be bathroom side anyway and even door side in case I had to escape if Sarah found out and started screaming.

So here I was. Another fine mess I got myself into.

‘Do you mind if we meet the others Sarah since I need to see Jack. Are you coming downstairs or staying here.’

‘I’ll stay here for a while if that’s OK. I might show Debbie and Maggie our room and I should show Laura of course. She’ll be dead jealous.’

I found Jack. He was sat reading a newspaper on a sofa in reception. The bar was open but a girl was running it until 4pm when Jack would take over.

He smiled and asked what was wrong since he saw my expression of concern I suppose. Mum says I can’t hide my feelings very well.

‘Jack, I can’t share a bed with a stranger even though it’s a friend of your sister. It’s not right.’

‘Why what’s wrong I thought girls loved slumber parties and liked to share beds.Didn’t you have parties with your friends or share on school trips?’

‘Well that’s not the same thing.’

Why not?’

‘Well at school we all knew each other.’

Mmm I’d shared with boys but always in dormitories. I was always one of the shy ones who changed in the shower rooms or toilets rather than expose myself. I did get teased a lot for this and bullied a bit.

Then Debbie arrived with Maggie.

‘Where’s your case Julie? Aren’t you staying.’

‘Oh it’s at Jacks place and he said he’d go back for it later since he was supposed to bring it for me. I said I’d work in the bar with him anyway.’

‘Yes I’m not surprised he forgot since he is so absent minded. We were hoping you’d like to come with us to look around Kensington Palace and then we could all walk in the park along to the Royal Albert Hall. It’s a great day for photos.’

‘Oh Oh the site seeing would be great but photos might be tricky.’

‘Mmm I’d love to but to be honest I don’t like letting Jack down. You need me to help you set up don’t you Jack?’

‘Err no. You should go enjoy yourself it’s your vacation.’

‘But Jack you have no assistant and I promised.’

‘Hu Hu. Julie it’s fine.’

I wanted him to help me escape but he wouldn’t catch on. Or was he teasing me?” I stuck out my tongue a little bit to him and scrunched my nose because he was smirking. ‘OK what time do you need me back?’

‘Why don’t you all come back about 6pm and then have a few drinks for Happy Hour. It’s buy one get one free.’ I’ll arrange for you all to eat at an Italian restaurant close by.’

I thought. A bit and eventually gave up. He fixed my afternoon for me and as long as he would collect my suitcase I couldn’t really argue. I turned to Debbie and Maggie.

‘OK if you really don’t mind I’d love to go to Kensington Palace but I do need my case later if you don’t mind. Otherwise my feet will be killing me and I’d like to change to flats if I’m helping in the bar after walking around all afternoon.’ That was going to be my biggest challenge walking around Kensington Palace and through Kensington Park in heels.
Jack piped up. ‘OK then go for it girls. Take advantage of the sunshine.’

As we gathered together in reception half an hour later I sat with Debbie. She whispered to me.‘Excuse me Julie. Are you and Jack together?’ Looking at my ring she said ‘He hasn’t secretly proposed has he?’ ‘Sarah says that Laura is worried to death.’

To be continued…………………

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 7
by Julie D Cole

As we gathered together in reception half an hour later I sat with Debbie. She whispered to me.‘Excuse me Julie. Are you and Jack together?’ Looking at my ring she said ‘He hasn’t secretly proposed has he?’ ‘Sarah says that Laura is worried to death.’
……………………………………………………………………………………………
‘Sarah is crazy. I honestly never met Jack until yesterday. He helped me when I was in trouble.’
Debbie looked closely at me.

‘Julie, there is something about you that I can’t quite put my finger on. I don’t mean to be rude when I say that it’s just that you seem different. Maybe you don’t realise it.’

‘It’s OK I’ve always been different and I don’t usually fit in very well so it’s kind of you to invite me to join you and to get the chance for your spare ticket. I just hope that I don’t spoil your weekend.’

‘No don’t say that please Julie. I wasn’t meaning that you are strange or anything like that. Really I meant that you seem to have an androgynous look that I’m quite jealous of. You have a little bit of a boy/girl look that I think might make people look at you twice and I think that’s what Jack probably noticed.’

‘But I thought he liked the bimbo look.’

‘No that’s just how he used to try to distract Laura. She knew she didn’t fit the bill but then she tried and it put him right off her.’

‘Well I know that sometimes I look a little boyish but I never expected that would attract anybody, least of all Jack.’
‘Mmm you’d be surprised. He likes the boy/girl look and his favourite actresses and singers were always the ones with the husky voices.’

‘Thanks for the advice. Do you think I should stay clear of him incase I mislead him. I’ve agreed to work in the bar again.’

‘No No don’t do that for heavens sake. He’ll kill me if he ever finds out what I’ve said to you. I just want him to be happy. I can see you made him happy because he called me last night and he sent me a few text messages.’

‘Are you joking me?’

‘No I’m not. Honestly I’m telling the truth. I know you only just met Jack and you hardly know each other but you would make a great couple.’

‘Debbie I haven’t led Jack on at all and I am engaged to someone else. He’d kill me if he knew somebody fancied me.’
‘Oh I’m sorry….but I’m only telling the truth and I do want my brother to find someone nice because he needs to settle down and find himself a proper job.’

‘Debbie you have flattered me and I do appreciate how much you love each other. He is very lucky to have a sister like you.’

‘Yes and I am more lucky to have him as my brother. Look at him flirting over there. He’s a great catch.’

‘Mmm he does make everybody smile.’

‘Don’t you think he is good looking. Much better than my man?

‘I suppose he’s OK.’

‘OK very much I’d say. I hope you both stay friends. I’d love to have you as a family friend and to have a sister to talk to and to shop with. Boys are OK but they don’t know how to shop till they drop.’

‘I guess that’s true. If I were a boy I suppose I’d be the same.’

‘I’m sorry that you aren’t Jacks girlfriend. I won’t say any more about it. He’s looking at us and wondering what I’m saying to you. I can tell he’s worried I’m telling his secrets.’

‘What do you mean?’
‘I’ll tell you later, the others are here. Maybe we can chat more if you don’t mind. We confide in each other a lot so I know him better than anyone. I think you two were made for each other.’

'Debbie, please.’

‘I’ll tell you later, I promise.’

Maggie dragged us up from our seats and so that was the end of the conversation for now at least. Sarah was looking at a map and planning the route but in truth we didn’t need any map since it was a direct 15 minutes walk up to the park entrance. Well 15 minutes with no distractions so it actually took us 45 minutes.

What a wonderful location for our hotel. No wonder Kensington is such an expensive area to live. It was alive with people but most of all the buildings and the whole ambience was so exiting. Sarah must have taken 50 photographs at least before we reached the Park gates.

As we crossed the road I looked over the park towards the Palace. A magic place fit for a Queen. Poor Di. How I wished I could have had just one night there but not with Charlie boy of course. How could she marry him?

Laura ran across the road and through the park gates taking off her shoes to run on the grass. She ran in circles like a small child squealing how wonderful it was to feel free. Jane was next to remove her shoes and then Maggie and then Debbie who grabbed me by the hand so I was included. I had no choice but to do the same and then I realised how wonderful to free my toes and run in the grass.

It was like we were 8 or 9 years old and try as I did I couldn’t stop myself from joining in the fun.

The park was full of all types of people from joggers to dads with young sons kicking footballs and mums pushing babies in pushchairs. It was like a magic moment that I’d never experienced before. Ahead of us a wide pathway over the brow of a hill that stretched all the way across the park and to the left the beautiful Palace ringed with high brick walls and iron fences and no wonder this was the prime choice of residence for the Royal Family.

Maggie took charge. ‘Come on gang it’s the Palace first and then let’s walk across the park and maybe we can find Notting Hill and see the bookshop from the film or the garden gate that Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts climbed.’

‘I loved that film and how two opposites found each other and had such fun doing simple things.’ It would be magic to find the travel bookshop and to meet Hugh Grant.’

‘Oops had I gone too far saying that?’

Debbie intervened. You’ve enough on with Jack never mind Hugh Grant. He’s surely not your type.’
Maggie said she thought we might all like exploring Notting Hill and maybe we should leave the Royal Albert Hall till Saturday or Sunday.

Laura piped up. ‘It’s a no brainer. Who want to see an old theatre when we can go to Notting Hill and find a book shop and maybe a wine bar. Let’s try to get Julie fixed up with Hugh Grant.’

That comment wasn’t missed by Debbie who smiled and whispered. ‘She’s trying to get you distracted away from Jack.’
Maggie said ‘OK it goes to the vote.’ It was unanimous. Which way did I vote? Did I have a choice? Of course I wanted to relive Julia Roberts climbing the gate rather than Hugh Grant but I hardly dare say that.

So we set off across the grass for the direct route to the Palace entrance. We were all laughing and chatting about other Hugh Grant films and especially about Four Weddings and a Funeral. How I’d wished he’d married Kristen Scott Thomas. Oh now if I only could look like her I’d be in dreamland forever. I often used to feel that’s how I’d be as a girl. Always missing out and only the bridesmaid and never the bride.

Well none of us wanted to be inside since it was such a sunny afternoon so the visit to the Palace of a 10 minutes tour. We poked our noses inside. Then we had a 30 minutes photo session, with lots of silliness and 15 minutes the gift shop just to prove we’d been. Luckily there was a coffee shop where we could sit still. But then once again I was bursting and I learned why the bathroom break takes so long for girls. I was in agony by the time it was my turn.

It was now after 4pm so we headed out of the North exit of the park to head towards Notting Hill.

It wasn’t quite like the film but who cares. Here I was walking with a gaggle of girls behaving as if they’d had their first trip away from home. I was accepted and it didn’t seem like anybody stared at me so I can’t have looked that boyish like Debbie has said.

Maggie had decided she was to be first over the gate so she was always at the front and Sarah tended to lag behind stopping to look at paintings fastened to the fence of the park that vedors were trying to sell.

We never found the gate or the little park that they went inside so concluded it wasn’t actually in Notting Hill. Somehow the streets didn’t look like they did in the film and we looked everywhere for the book shop but concluded it must have been a travel agents that they’d converted to look like a quaint London bookshop.

Still we had a lot of fun before we turned around and headed back the way we came.

We decided to go back to the High Street to look at a few shops rather than walk to the Victoria & Albert monument that was a bit sad of us really since the culture was tossed aside for some retail therapy.

It was the first time I’d gone into fashion shops without feeling like everybody was staring at me. Probably it was because I was with the gaggle and I could pick things up without feeling guilty.

Sarah wasn’t quite so interested since she obviously wasn’t a shopper and it was Laura and Debbie that were spending.
When we went into Zaras where I was finally persuaded to try something on. OMG here I go again digging more holes for myself as we entered the changing room.. If I got caught now I’d be in real trouble and goodness knows how I’d explain it at work or to mum.

There were only curtains for privacy and a large area with seats and big mirrors with 2 or 3 girls parading in various stages of dress or undress. So I was really nervous as Debbie sat outside patiently waiting for me to appear so she could comment. She had selected a little black dress that was only size 14 so it was going to be tight. However it fitted and I was very surprised how it fitted under the bust and my false boobs felt real.

I just loved the way it fitted around my waist and I liked the feel of the material against my newly shaven legs. But the problem had been how to fasten the zipper at the back.

Who invented this? They must have been double jointed I think.

I must have looked funny trying to stretch my fingers to the limit to push the zipper so I could reach it from over my shoulder. Somehow by hitching the dress and pulling it so I could push the zipper a little further I managed to just reach it over my shoulder so I could pull it the last 2 inches. Wow now I really felt like I was Julie.

I just loved the feeling as I swirled in front of the mirror admiring it. I think it was the most wonderful feeling that I’ve ever felt and perhaps it was also due to the circumstances but it was a feeling that I can never really ever properly explain.

By now Debbie was up pulling at the curtain and shock horror she pulled it back and looked at me.

‘Wow that looks great. So let’s see what Jack makes of you in that. We should get you some stockings and a suspender belt. What do you think?’

‘No no you can’t since I can’t afford the dress anyway it’s ninety pounds. I’ve never spent that on a dress in my life.’
Well that bit was perfectly true. Mostly I buy from M&S or Asda where I don’t get too many questions asked.

‘Come on Julie, surely he’s worh it.’

‘No No I can’t afford it.Remember I lost my purse and my credit cards and only have the cash advance from the bank.’
‘Well I’ll lend it to you so you can put it on my credit card. I want to see the look on Jacks face. Not forgetting Laura of course. Wait whilst she sees you.’

As if by magic she appeared in the dressing room with Maggie and I don’t think I ever saw such green eyes in my life. I was in trouble now for sure.

Maggie urged us to hurry up since we’d spent too long shopping and with one final twist of my arm Debbie managed to convince me to accept her kind offer. We found 2 pairs of stockings and luckily they didn’t need a suspender belt so that at least saved some money.I had some black panties and a black bra in my suitcase if Jack had remembered to collect it.

Mmmm now I was sub consciously planning to show the outfit to Jack and I was supposed to have a fiancé. But I really did want him to see how I looked.

Everybody had bought something by the time we were half way down the High Street and we were just thinking about flagging down a taxi when Laura spotted a Spanish Tapas bar down a small side street. We didn’t need any persuading to join her. We found a chair for all the shopping bags and sat at a table on the pavement so that Jane could sneak a cigarette.

I guess we were all ready to enjoy a drink so we ordered a bottle of Rioja and that soon disappeared. The next one arrived at the same time as a plate of calamari and some Spanish ham and cheese.

Then the snacks kept coming as we each selected something. Some were disappointing like the olives but the spicey sausage more than made up for it. The most popular dish was the garlic mushrooms followed closely by the asparagus and then the prawns that I had selected. So only third place. But no medals anyway.

What an afternoon. It was perhaps the best afternoon of my life even though it had been a long walk and my heels were causing me some trouble by now.

The others laughed at me because I wanted to go back to the park to run in the grass. Jane said if I thought grass was wonderful she’d treat me to a foot spa over the weekend in the hotel.

I was ready now but I daren’t admit it.

Anyway we had to get back if I was working and I needed to get my case since I wanted some more comfortable shoes.
Had Jack remembered? I decided to call him.

He picked up immediately and asked if we were having fun. ‘Yes Jack. It’s great and I’m so grateful that you persuaded me to join them.’

‘OK Jules. I’ll chalk it to your account.’

That made me smile and in fact I felt myself giggling a bit and so I stood up and walked away from the others so I could talk to him with nobody ear wigging.’

‘Hows the bar is it busy?’

‘No we need someone to attract the punters like last night or the till will be rusting up.’
‘Oh really. Hasn’t she turned up again?’

‘Well I’ve looked all over the place for her but she’s gone AWOL. Probably forgotten all about me.’

‘Oh poor Jack.’

‘Yes poor Jack.’

‘Are you lonely?’

‘Well put it like this I’d have rather been outside in the sunshine than stuck inside this place’

‘Do you still want me to help you tonight.’

‘Is the Pope Catholic? Of course I do girl. Why are you having second thoughts now you’ve got money.’

‘No I just thought I’d ask in case you found someone to replace me.’

‘Ha Ha ….it’s your job to lose now after you’ve said that. I’ll not bother advertising then.’
‘You wish. I am on vacation you know.’

‘Yes I know. I’m soon forgotten now you have money again.’

‘OK you aren’t forgotten. How can I repay a good Samaritan who came to my rescue.’

‘I’d better not answer that just now. How long will you all be?’

‘How about if I’m there for six is that OK for you?’

‘I’ll just have time to lay out the red carpet.’

As we walked back to the hotel Debbie linked arms with me and said she’d be happy to explain a little more about what she’d said earlier.’

We all shared the bill and then set off with Debbie and I trailing behind by about 20 yards so we could chat in quiet.

To be continued……………

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 8
By Julie D Cole

Thanks to Holly for reminding me that I never finished this story. My Sony computer fell to pieces.
I intend to complete it in a few chapters. So sorry.
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Here I am on a week-long vacation in London having decided to live a dream and spend the whole time as Julie site seeing and interacting with people. Unfortunately, on arrival in London I was attacked and robbed with no idea of my hotel, no credit cards, no return ticket home and no mobile phone. I was helped by a barman who took pity on me and came to my rescue. His sister and her friends had come to London for a long weekend and I was taken under their wings for a while with an offer to take up a spare place due to a last minute cancellation.

Chapter 8

I hardly had chance to get to know any of the girls yet they seemed to have adopted me and Debbie was especially kind just like her brother. I figured that they must have been raised very well as two good Samaritans. I was brought up in the same way, yet this was the first time I’d ever been the one on the receiving end of kindness.

I smiled back at Debbie, ‘It’s OK Debs you don’t have to explain anything. Really you don’t. Jack has been so kind and I don’t know what I’d have done without his help.’

‘Yes, Jack is a special type of person. He always has been and it’s wonderful to see him so happy at last. He loves his life away from home and people who knew us. He is a people person and he has looked out for me as we grew up even though we are twins. He was always a leader. I have some great memories even though he would spend most of time with the boys. You did know that we are twins didn’t you?’

‘I wasn’t sure since Jack didn’t say. He just showed me a framed photograph of you and I can see the resemblance but you don’t seem to be identical twins even though you have similar features. You seem to have changed a bit if you don’t mind me saying. Now you have softer features.’

‘Well make-up helps. We were totally identical as young children growing up until he decided to shave off his hair and when he was 12 or 13 he insisted to do exercises to try to bulk himself up like other boys at our school. I hope he doesn’t get too attached to you too quickly because he soon falls in love and he has had a few relationships. He is different and he gets frustrated with himself because he can be a bit full on. He’s been hurt a couple of times.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that but he doesn’t seem the type to get hurt he seems very confident and outgoing. I like his sense of humour and he looks as if he works out a bit. He has strong arms and a slim waist. I trusted him and felt safe. He was a total gentleman last night. I do like him. He is very nice.’

‘I’m not trying to steer you clear of him and I can tell he is very fond of you and not every girl is accepting of his mood swings as he’s realised to his cost.’

‘I didn’t see any sign of mood swings but anyway I’m… I’m not looking for a relationship. Perhaps it’s just that I would like to repay the debt I owe. He gave me chance to calm down and think a bit to work things out and he was so sweet.’

‘But you have an engagement ring. That’s another problem. Sometimes he seems to want to compete just to prove himself. I have told him not to panic. Laura was seen on him but she was frustrated and she lost patience. She wanted to move in with him but he rejected her and he walked away.’

‘Did she give in and forget him then? She seems bitter.’

‘Sort of. He just created a situation where she lost her temper and made it clear they’d never had sex as she liked to suggest. She was totally embarrassed and she gave up on him. I did my best not to interfere even though Laura did ask me to get involved. I couldn’t.’
‘I guess they weren’t meant to be. But he seems happy.’

‘Yes he is happier than I’ve ever seen him just now. He likes the job but it’s a bit beneath him really. He gave up university because of social abuse but please don’t say anything. He had a friend at University who lived in London so he moved down here then he found this current job. He has done OK for money because our Gran helped us.’
‘Oh what happened to his friend?’
‘She met someone else. Another girl. If you two ever get it together I’m sure he’ll tell you but really It’s better I leave it at that. Just don’t hurt him please.’

‘Debs I promise I won’t hurt him I’m not expecting to be his girlfriend or to have much contact. Other than re-paying him of course. I’m just on vacation and there is no relationship to hurt.’

‘Let’s see. Just remember that I know him better than anybody.’

What a strange conversation. Not only was I being accepted as Julie but I was considered as a catch for Jack and Debs felt he liked me a lot. Since arriving in London I barely had chance to breathe. This was the longest spell I’d ever had as Julie. I’d had a day out on a couple of occasions and an overnight stay in a low budget hotel where I’d checked in and out as Julie but no more than that. That was my test run. Now it was like I was thinking and acting like a girl and so far, I hadn’t slipped up. How to calm down and not get over-confident. How to anticipate and avoid embarrassing situations problems before I get to like it?’

We caught the others up at the entrance to the park and we walked together as a group chatting. I removed my heels to walk on the grass and Jane joined me and took my hand. It was her excuse to chat and I tried to match her stride taking smaller steps than usual. Laura made some sarcastic remark about Debs and I becoming new best friends and that they all wanted to know more about me, especially since I was due to share a room and a bed with Sarah. On reflection I thought that I ought to have spent another night with Jack but in view of what Debs had said I felt a night with Sarah might be the lesser risk. I could feel myself thinking more and more about Jack. I had to deal with it. I liked him and I wanted to help him get over his difficulties with women.

How could I? I was no expert and I could hardly let him get too friendly. In less than a week I needed to head home and revert to my less exciting life and my job.

Walking across the park the girls decided to take up Jacks offer of a meal at an Italian restaurant, but I felt it was not appropriate to join them since I had agreed to help Jack in the bar. I felt obliged because he’d been very kind and it was Friday night and I expected that the bar was going to be busy. Lots of business people would head home early from work to start the weekend but there was likely to be lots of weekend visitors to London and the Rules hotel was fully booked along with several other hotels in South Kensington according to Jack. Added to that there were concerts at the Royal Albert Hall which was just a stone’s throw away.

The other 4 girls went to freshen up whilst Debs and I met Jack. He was pleased to see us and he said that he had a gift for me. It wasn’t wrapped in gift paper just in a plain plastic bag. I opened it to find a mobile phone.

‘Jack, you shouldn’t have done. You’ve been kind enough already. It’s very kind of you. Wow it’s an i-phone. This is too much Jack. You didn’t need to do this. Please let me pay you for it.’

‘Look Jules it’s fine really it is. Anyway, this will help me keep track of you and as a bonus you can now call your mum to let her know I haven’t attacked you.’

He explained that it was his old phone but it still looked new to me and he’d obviously replaced the cover with a new pink one. I might need to get a clutch or a handbag to keep it safe and out of sight. He’d bought me a sim card with £30 of call credit to cover initial calls. I felt awkward at his generosity but I was too polite to refuse and I said I didn’t know how to thank him and I needed to pay him back.

‘No rush Jules your smile is enough. We can always sort it later.’

Then he stepped forward and leaned forward to kiss me. I must have blushed, but I didn’t turn away and it was no more than a friendly kiss even though it was on the lips.

‘At least you have a contact number again whilst you are in London. Really you are welcome to keep the phone as a gift from me.’

But it’s an i-phone. You can sell this on e-bay surely. It must be worth a lot.’

‘OK you can just loan it then as an alternative option. As long as you promise to keep in touch and bring it back personally if and when you replace your own or if you need a break in London without being attacked. I’d meet you next time and I’d be happy to be your guide.’

‘ Jack, I’m on a contract with Vodafone and my phone is insured so I’m sure I’ll get a new one soon.’

‘Good then the sooner you will come back. You can stay with me anytime.’

‘Thanks maybe I can sort a phone out with Vodafone at the shop on the High Street sometime tomorrow.’

‘You don’t want to visit me then? Refused again but remember I am still keeping the bar assistant post open in case you think I’m getting a bit fresh.’

‘Let me think about it. A weekend working behind a bar sounds very attractive.’

It’s not the bar that’s attractive it’s the bar manager.’

‘Well if you say so. But why do you need a waitress then to tickle the wallets?’

‘OK you win, you’re hired.’

I had to smile because he made me feel so special. A new feeling for me that I liked. Debs was trying her best to ignore us but eventually she coughed to remind us she was there.

‘OK lend me an apron then and I’ll help to clear some of these tables. I can start my shift now if you like Mr Manager.’

Debs smiled and asked about the dinner arrangements and said that I wouldn’t be joining them so they’d come back to the bar later to have a nightcap and I could at least spend some time with Sarah. Jack told me that he had collected my suitcase and brought it to the bar and I was glad I’d packed it and closed it before I left.

I still had mixed views about whether it was safer to sleep at Jacks place or to share a bed with Sarah. I’d never expected anything like this when I made my plan to visit London and I was going to have to pay for my no show at the hotel unless I could remember the name. Mum might know so I would ask when I called as soon as we finished tidying.

‘Jules you didn’t have to do this you know. I was going to arrange for one of the hotel staff to help out.’

‘It’s the least I can do and anyway I’ve been nibbling all day and I don’t want much to eat. Maybe a sandwich later.’

I took the opportunity to store my afternoon purchases with my suitcase and then freshened up my make-up. I asked Jack if I looked ok for the bar or if I should change. He just winked and smiled. Imagine if my friends at work could see me now. I’d never live this down but being free to dress as I like at last was amazing. I was getting the chance to mix with customers again and to interact that was building my confidence. I could never have planned this even if I’d tried.

Jack kept glancing across as he served some new customers who were staying at the hotel and our eyes met quite a few times. He was wearing a black shirt and a waistcoat with tight black trousers that displayed his package and it was difficult to avert my eyes. What was coming over me? How could I be attracted to another guy?

I busied myself washing a few glasses on the shelves since we just had a few customers since it was early. Jack squeezed past me quite deliberately and put his hands on my hips to ensure our bodies were apart.

‘Mmm, you smell nice Jules. Did your fiancé buy you that?’

‘No, we were trying some samples from the cosmetics counter and Debs recommended this.’

‘Yes she knows it’s my favourite. Paco Robanne isn’t it?’

‘How did you guess. It’s their Olympea perfume, I like it.’

‘That’s your Christmas present sorted then?’

‘Ha Ha, what makes you think we’ll be buying Christmas presents for each other? I don’t think Chris would be too happy.’

‘He won’t be wearing it will he so you can just wear it to remind you of me. Your knight in shining armour who came to your rescue.’

Luckily a guest came to the bar to distract us and asked if I’d bring some bar snack menus to their table. I liked Jack. He had a nice humour and liked to flirt and pay complements and I was less conscious of who I really was and I was enjoying myself immensely. Girls seem to have more fun and I wanted this week to last forever.

After half an hour of quiet the bar started to get busy so I had chance to serve customers and interact. My more feminine voice and mannerisms were becoming second nature.

The girls arrived and stood at the bar chatting to Jack whilst they decided what to drink.

Then Laura spoke.’ Can you send the drinks over to our table please Jack with your pretty little bargirl.’
‘Of course I will Miss. You just rest your legs. As you can see working tables is good for exercise and firms the butt. You should try it sometime.’

The look I received was ice cold and I felt the daggers.

Debs changed the subject and said they’d come back later and we could have a drink together before going to our rooms. She wanted to check that I was taking the spare ticket for the show the following evening and if Jack was giving me the night off. Jack smiled as he pulled a pint of lager.

‘We’ll try to manage but maybe she’d like to help out after the show when we will probably be busy.’

‘Jack, she doesn’t work here you know. She’s on vacation.’

‘ Debs really I don’t mind if Jack needs help. We are coming back here anyway and it’s been fun. I’ve got the rest of the week to do other things.’

Promise to continue.

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 9
By Julie D Cole

Jack prepared the drinks whilst I opened some potato chips to place on the tray with some serviettes. I was glad I wasn’t joining them for dinner to keep at arms-length from Laura. She didn’t look at me as I delivered the drinks even though the others chatted and laughed about events of the afternoon.

They’d arranged for the meal reservation to be delayed until 9pm that was a bit late for me so I was happy to stay helping Jack. The girls intended having a drinking session before they left the bar and it seemed that is was Laura who was encouraging the others. Sarah was already struggling to keep pace so I asked Jack to dilute her drinks. I almost changed my mind to go with them to stop her being bullied into trying to save face and drinking for the sake of it. I hoped Debbie would take control and keep them on best behavior.

The girls in the office are just as bad when they get together and sometimes they’ve dragged me along despite my resistance and all my excuses to decline. So I hoped these girls were more restrained. I’m not sure I could have fitted in anyway since they were all wearing the shortest of skirts to display maximum thigh. I could never have avoided displaying everything with my lack of experience. Not that any of them seemed too worried. Jack was right about Laura. She wasn’t likely to be knocked over easily.

Trust Laura to delight on me waiting table and running backwards and forwards with their drinks and then more ice, more lemon and more potato chips. No wonder she wasn’t Jacks type. I was sure her aim was to keep Jack and I apart to avoid us chatting. I managed fine since I’d changed out of my heels and flats were more comfortable for this job even though Jack said he preferred me in heels because I was then at eye level.

The bar seemed a lot quieter once they’d left but still busy enough to keep us going and tips coming in. I had a few nice chats with customers who commented on my efficient service so I was feeling proud of myself. One kind older gentleman even said Jack should look after me and give me a raise. He responded by saying I was just a trainee, but that I’d picked things up quickly. It didn’t deserve a comment and when I saw him smiling I just stuck out my tongue.

Spending time with Jack in the bar wasn’t like working at all. He seemed like he enjoyed my company as much as I was enjoying his. I couldn’t imagine him ever being depressed or falling out with his shadow. He was the type of guy I would have liked to have as a best friend at home. How come he was single? He made me feel like I wanted to move down to London and stay like this. That was not going to happen but I could dream couldn’t I?

There was some brief contact between us from time to time as the evening passed and each time it felt like it lasted much longer than it did. He was a touchy feely sort of a person but not in a bad way, so I didn’t feel embarrassed or even in danger of him suspecting anything if he came up close. I didn’t have large rough hands so I didn’t have to hide them or pull away when he led me down to the end of the bar to show me where he kept fresh packs of napkins.

It seemed no time at all before I heard the chatter and laughter of the girls arriving back from dinner. There were two young men with them and Laura and Jane seemed to be dragging them into the bar for a nightcap. Jack tried to calm them down a bit since there were still a few hotel guests enjoying a drink before bed. Laura looked as if she’d won the lottery as she introduced her new beau to Jack, totally ignoring me of course. At least Sarah, Maggie and Debbie looked in control of themselves and they waved me over to order some drinks. They decided to sit apart from the two couples.

I organised their drinks quickly before responding to Lauras crooked finger. ‘Yes Ma’am can I take your order?’

‘This is Jacks new bitch guys. She can twist him around her little finger so I reckon he’s on a promise like you guys.’

I ignored her and just asked what they wanted to order from the bar and explained it was last orders at 11-30pm except for residents.

‘They are residents tonight girl in our room. They missed their train so we are going to top and tail. Should be fun. We might take a bottle of something to our room to keep us company.’

‘Whatever but I’m not sure you’ll get past the front desk with two guests in tow.’

‘Leave that to us missy. We might see you at breakfast. You enjoy yourself snuggled up with Sarah. Unless Jack is in the middle.’

Jack was in earshot so he came around the bar and quietly told Laura to behave herself or no drinks and they had to leave. They stayed half an hour and disappeared after paying their bill.

Maggie was annoyed and said this was the last time she’d invite Laura along and Jane should no better. Sarah was a little upset and hoped I would take no notice of what Laura said. I sat on a stool and held her hand and said not to worry since it was alcohol talk.

At 11-30 the three of them decided to head upstairs and Jack insisted he would finish clearing up and look after the other guests. He wouldn’t accept my offer to stay and undid my apron and removed it.

‘I’ll get the night porter to take your case and bags up. He’s a nice guy. You rest those little toes for tomorrow. Message me when you’ve had breakfast. Thanks for doing a great job again.’

I caught up with the girls before they reached the lift and Sarah was as chatty as I’d seen her all day. She had really enjoyed herself and it was apparent from the ride up in the lift and the mass of information she relayed to us that she didn’t go out much at home. She worked for a supermarket chain in their financial office so she tended to be locked away for security. Not much chance for work relationships since she didn’t have chance to interact with male staff for chance of romance.

By the time Sarah and I opened the door to our room she had finished her chatter obviously respecting other residents. She opened the door and headed straight for the bathroom closing the door behind her. I hoped she wasn’t going to be ill. I drew the curtains and sat on the end of the bed looking at myself in the large mirror over the fitted unit that ran the length of the room. I still looked ok even if I was a bit nervous. How to keep my privacy? I would have to change in the bathroom and wear my silk dressing gown. For safety I decided to sleep in my bra,

My bags were delivered and placed on my side of the bed. I removed what I needed and was pleased that Sarah wasn’t ill. I boiled the kettle to make a drink and then changed removing my make-up and checked for signs of beard growth. I’d be OK overnight but I need to be first to the bathroom when we woke up.

I laid on the bed and switched on the tv to see if there was anything on to send us to sleep. Sarah had made tea and then she shocked me by undressing at the side of the bed with her back towards me. She was slim with a much better figure than I expected with milky white skin and she let her blond hair fall down her back. She wanted to take a shower before bed and she put on one of the soft dressing gowns laid on her side of the bed. I tried to look away but it was difficult. Sarah wasn’t as shy as I thought, certainly not in front of other women. What was I thinking?

I felt guilty for not showering but the risk was too high. At least I’d cleaned my teeth.

I feigned tiredness and snuggled under the duvet before Sarah came out of the bathroom after switching off the tv and my bedside lamp.

Sarah was wearing a shortie nightdress and matching panties and she did a little twirl as she passed me to her side of the bed. She deserved a nice boyfriend and I hoped that day would come soon for her sake. I wasn’t sure if she’d be my type and based on events taking place here in London I was beginning to think I may never be the same again.

Sarah said goodnight and turned off her bedside light. I felt she was feeling a bit envious of her two friends going head to tail in their room. I was nervous and stayed as still as possible hoping she would soon fall asleep. I turned onto my side facing the bathroom wall and thought about what I needed to do to find the hotel I’d supposed to have been staying in. With a no show my credit card would be charged. Then I realised I’d lost it. That might have solved the problem so I could at least sleep more easily.

I closed my eyes and reflected on my 2 days. What an experience so far arriving full of excitement and anticipating a quiet time to myself yet I’d had no time to myself at all. Here I was inches away from a complete stranger and too scared to move.

I must have drifted off to sleep quickly and been a lot more tired than I thought. When I opened my eyes I could see daylight around the curtain edges. Then I realised I was not alone and I felt a warm body against me. Sarah had snuggled up closely and her arm was wrapped around my waist. I panicked and checked to ensure my nightdress was covering my bits and that my inserts were still intact. If anything had happened then I didn’t know much about it.

I moved her arm away hoping I didn’t wake her but she just seemed to snuggle up closer and I could feel her breasts in my back. She gave a small sigh so she was obviously stirring. I needed the bathroom to relieve myself and I could sense my morning stiffness inside my panties. At least he wasn’t a big boy nor was he very active.

Sarah didn’t seem to want to wake up so I managed to get out of bed without waking her. She turned over onto her other side so I took the chance to pick up my gown from the floor and put it on. It was still very subdued light due to the heavy curtains so I was able to reach the bathroom and close the door without further disturbance. What a relief in more ways than one.
I quickly showered and dried myself wrapping the large white towel around my body. It almost reached the floor. I quickly removed the early shoots of hair from my chin and tidied my hair. It really needed washing so maybe a wash and style would be on my agenda for the day before we went to the theatre. Always assuming Jane and Laura were in a fit state and nobody had driven a stake through Laura’s heart.

I really wanted to put make up on to face Sarah but what girl does that at 7am in a morning. I had needed a clean bra and panties from my suitcase so I hoped that I could get them before Sarah woke up. Luckily she was still sleeping despite me having made a noise running the shower. I guess she wasn’t used to alcohol. I popped in my inserts and fastened the robe. No point getting dressed until after I’d put on my face so I washed our mugs and boiled the kettle to make tea.

The mug of tea was just what was needed to stir Sarah from her slumber and she managed a good morning and sat up as I placed it beside her with a shortbread biscuit. I partially opened the curtains.

‘Hi Julie, I hope I didn’t disturb you last night. The alcohol lay heavy in my tummy so I needed the loo. Then I opened the fridge and drank the two bottles of water.’

‘No I never heard a thing and I was obviously whacked out with being on my feet most of the day.’

‘Well you look refreshed. You have colour in your cheeks that is more than I have. Just look at me I need a hot shower or a bath to help me recover.’

‘It’s a nice deep bath and we are not in a hurry. I can’t see Laura and Jane making breakfast. They might prefer something else. Any messages from Debbie or Maggie.’

‘No, I suggested we meet at 8-30 to 9am for breakfast so we don’t waste the day.’

‘Fine by me and thanks for the tea and the biscuit. You are so sweet.’

‘I guess I try my best. My mum trained me well.’

‘Have you heard from your fiancé by the way?’

‘No not at all. I should contact him really to let him know I’m OK. Mum might have told him about me being robbed.’

‘Have you had an argument or something. Sorry I don’t mean to pry.’

Of course Chris was just a male friend I’d used as an excuse to Jack so I’d obviously given the impression we weren’t speaking. What girl would take a vacation to London on her own and leave her fiancé at home?’

‘So what about Jack? You seem well suited. He seems like a good catch to me.’

‘Yes what about Jack? He is great fun and he was my knight in shining armour. I like him and maybe in another time and another place I could get to know him better but it’s a bit complicated.’

‘Well no use consulting me. I am no expert on men like you.’

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 10
By Julie D Cole

We finished getting ready and I did my best to be discreet avoiding staring at Sarah parading around the room in bra and panties. For such a quiet girl she wasn’t as shy as I’d thought. She seemed completely at ease walking around half naked whilst she sought my opinion on what she should wear. I’d almost choked on my morning tea.

I’d dressed discreetly in the bathroom and ensured I had enough make-up on to be able to pass undetected in daylight. I was almost confident enough to apply it without a mirror by now so that didn’t take long. Sarah didn’t seem interested in glamming up. A touch of lippy now and then.

We were first to the breakfast room and neither of us expected to see Laura and Jane anyway thank goodness. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see Laura ever again since she was so rude and jealous of my friendship with Jack. If they did turn up for breakfast and the boys had stayed all night I doubted that they would be in any state to eat or go out. If they did turn up I’d decided to give find an excuse to give hanging out together a miss. I just needed a polite excuse.

We selected a table for six people anyway and we sat side by side eating our fruit and cereal. Then Debbie and Maggie appeared and they joined us. They looked fresh since they’d been out for a walk before breakfast. I wish I’d done the same since it was a beautiful day. They were both very polite and they came around our side of the table to greet us both with a kiss. I liked the opportunity to feel like a friend rather than a stranger who’d never met any of them before.

Maggie spoke ‘Have you guys any thought on what you’d like to do today?’

Sarah responded to say we hadn’t discussed it and we were open to suggestions. Then Debs looked over my shoulder and smiled. ‘Here is a friend of yours Jules. I’ve never known him to be an early riser.’

I turned to see Jack who greeted everybody and asked if he could join us since he was just passing. Debs insisted he sat alongside me and gave up the seat she’d taken. Jack bent down before I could stand up and gave me a light kiss on the lips.

‘Er, Morning Jack this is a surprise. I was just expecting a message not you in person.’

‘Well don’t be so disappointed. I woke up early thinking about you. I know I was going to text but I realised I was starving and I should make an effort to see my sister.’

Debs was quick.’ Oh yeah like you expect us to believe such a story.’

Jack just smiled and took my hand under the table squeezing it slightly. Then he moved it to my knee thigh and left it there for a few moments until the waitress took coffee and tea orders. I whispered to him.

‘Thanks for coming. I’m sure Debs is happy but I am so now I can relax.’

‘You’re welcome. I feel responsible for Lauras behaviour and I though you needed saving again.’

I took his hand and squeezed it and I he was so thoughtful and kind that I didn’t want to let go. What on earth was happening to me? This was the first time I’d ever felt like this about another person. I was scared of getting too close to anybody, boy or girl at school and it was the same at work. It wasn’t like I needed protection because I wasn’t scared of Laura. I’d faced bigger bullies than her growing up and just ignored them. In the end it was them that showed themselves up both boys and girls. At work I had a female supervisor who hated men but somehow I’d won her round.

As far as Laura was concerned and her obvious jealousy it wasn’t like Jack and I were any more than friends although I didn’t know what she’d think about him turning up out of the blue and sitting close to me for breakfast. Still she might be past breakfast if she’d carried on drinking and enjoying a night of passion. I didn’t know what Jack ever saw in her and anyway it wasn’t like anything could happen between us. I’d be a distant memory in a weeks time and it wasn’t like I was likely to fall in love with him.

The girls came back with huge plates of English breakfast and Maggie and Debs had fruit and yoghurts as well just to be healthy. The chefs seemed to be extra generous because Jack was with us so he and I took our turns after I poured tea for both of us. It’s amazing what can be done with one hand.

Jack introduced me to all the serving staff as his new assistant from up North who was interested in a job in the hospitality industry. He winked of course and then said he was doing a favour for a friend of his who was my fiancé. I just managed to kick him but not too hard.

I resisted the Full Monty of fried food since it looked too much and I ordered the Classic Eggs Benedict. I don’t get chance for English Muffins very often and I told Jack that my ambition was to sample this breakfast in New York one day.

‘Sounds a great idea. I hope I will get invited. New York is on my Bucket List along with Chicago and Boston.’

I smiled at him and said it was my idea for a honeymoon but Chris wouldn’t be happy.

‘Chris who? By the way where is your ring today?’

‘OMG I’ve left it in our room at the side of the bed I took it off last night to remove my make-up.’

‘I suppose I can take it as a sign. Girl finds her dream man and removes the shackles that hold her back,’

‘Funny Mr Barman. I just hope it’s there when I go back upstairs.’

‘Don’t worry this is the Rules Hotel in Kensington not some shady B&B down a backstreet in East London. We are very careful who we employ. We tend to handpick our staff. You did tick all the right boxes for an assist behind the bar.’

‘You mean I can wash beer glasses?’

‘No we have a machine for that. You have a nice smile and beautiful legs.’

‘That’s sexist isn’t it? Nobody can see my legs anyway when I’m behind the bar.’

‘I can so my job is to give you tasks that keep your calves in shape.’

‘Mm. Like working tables I suppose? Is that in the job description?’

‘No, I added that when I realised your potential. You’re being fast tracked to the top.’

‘Yes, Mr Barman you are a fast mover.’

‘A mover and a shaker of course. Remember that I have to be to prepare cocktails.’

‘Ha, ha. I must remember to keep a safe distance when you’re shaking all about.’

Breakfast was delicious and the good thing was that we were able to relax and chat with no deadlines to meet and nothing planned. It was fun listening to Debs and Jack reminiscing. They had a few stories to tell about their lives growing up together. Jack seemed like he was just as protective with Debs growing up as he had been with me to date. I had no siblings to look after me and just girls as cousins who I visited from time to time in school holidays. That was when I had my first experience of wearing girls clothes. Well it started with knickers one hot summer afternoon in their paddling pool. I had no costume with me and it had been my elder cousins suggestion. I couldn’t tell that story nor the others that followed as we did shows for our parents. It was a relief when Maggie interjected to make a few suggestions for the day that totally changed the subject.

The decision was unanimous and since Jack wasn’t on duty until 5-30 pm he could spend most of the day with us. I much preferred his company than that of Laura and hopefully she’d be too occupied to try to meet up until closer to showtime.

Since it was going to be warm the girls decided to change into shorts and Jack had some in his locker that he could wear. I hadn’t brought any but then Sarah said she had a spare pair that I could use if we went up to the room and changed. I accepted and luckily they were denim and I could match them with a top and wear sandals that I’d brought.

I tried them on after turning my back to Sarah and I was delighted to find that they fitted. I guess I was lucky that Sarah had boyish hips and wasn’t as broad across the butt as Maggie, Jane and Laura. Debs was slim like her brother but Sarah had benefited from athletics training in her school years. She had square shoulders wider than mine and a firm bust that had attracted my attention earlier.

The shorts fitted snugly and I decided I’d invest in a similar pair as soon as I had chance to go shopping again. Luckily I had a small bag to wear across my body that I’d brought to match the sandals so I transferred my money and my new phone plus some lippy and mascara. My perfume had to stay back due to lack of space although I had thought about putting my phone in a rear pocket but on second thoughts that would be asking for trouble. The strap of my bag rested nicely between my breasts and I liked the look.

Just before we left the room I had an extra squirt of perfume regretting it wasn’t an expensive brand or the one Jack had liked from the day before. Maybe we would visit a store later and I could persuade a salesgirl to let me try it again.

Just before we left the room I picked up my ring and as I put it on my finger I decided against it and put it in a pocket inside my bag. I didn’t want to wear it today since I was with friends and they’d all accepted me as Julie. I had no need to use it for protection or to stop quizzing eyes who might question my real gender. My confidence was now sky high.

I looked at my image in the tall mirror at the side of the lifts as we waited. Sarah said the shorts looked better on me than her and I turned around as best I could to get a view from the rear. She smiled so I thanked her for the complement and then she said I was welcome to keep them. I hugged her for her generosity and accepted.

I hoped that the good weather would last all week so I could tan my legs but they were OK I supposed and no different from the rest of the girls. At least here in London the sun shines most days through summer much like most parts of the continent. If it wasn’t so expensive to live here I’d like to take a job here and enjoy life. Events had already made me more cautious. Attacks and stabbings seemed to be reported every day and there had been a few terrorist incidents. The LGBT community seemed vulnerable so I couldn’t take the risk of living permanently as Julie unless I was absolutely certain I was devoid of any doubts about my sexuality.

Maggie, Debs and Jack were waiting on some sofas in the reception area as we exited the lift and they got to their feet as we approached.
Debs spoke up. ‘Nice outfit Jules. Down Jack down.’

Jack laughed and pretended to pant like a dog so we all ended up smiling. He winked at me to let me know he approved of the change of outfit and I said it was thanks to Sarah so I needed to treat her. Maggie had decided we should walk down the High Street towards the tube station and call for ‘coffees to go’ at a Swiss Coffee Shop on the way. We bought day rover tickets that gave us travel all around the central zone whilst Jack had his monthly travel card. We headed for Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street aiming to spend the afternoon in Covent Garden. We would leave Jack to let him go back to work and meet up with Laura and Jane for pre show nibbles close to the theatre.

As we went down the escalator Jack and I stood together and he put his arm around my waist to protect me from another attack. I appreciated the gesture and whispered my thanks. I wanted to snuggle up close but we reached the bottom before I had chance. The three girls walked ahead of us and Jack took hold of my hand.

‘No ring Jules. Did you forget again or was it stolen.’

‘It’s in my bag for safety. I didn’t want to risk anybody cutting off my finger to steal it.’

‘Well it suits you to go ‘au naturel’. Let your finger breathe a bit and avoid a sun line.’

‘ Well it is safe in my bag so as long as I hang onto that I suppose it’s the same as wearing it.’

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 11
By Julie D Cole

Maggie was in charge as usual, so she led to way directing us all the way to the platform for the Circle Line where we were to take a tube train to our next destination. She informed us that in case we got separated we were to alight at Westminster that was just a few stops. Jack couldn’t resist a leg pull ‘Unless you point us to the wrong platform and we end up going the way around the circle.’

‘That’s why you are with us Jack. Local Knowledge.’

The underground was busy but not as manic as during the midweek rush-hour periods. It seemed to be crowds of visitors and site-seers with lots of groups with tour guides. Jack suggested it would have been safer if Maggie had a sign or an umbrella like their guides had.’

We boarded the nearest carriage that had a few empty seats but as the doors were closing somebody held them open. Through one door down the carriage a crowd of Japanese tourists entered. Then a crowd of guys about our age entered through the nearest doors to where were grouped together. They were all very excitable and boisterous laughing and pushing each other to be first through the doors. As they found space by handrails one stood on my toe causing me to cry out. It wasn’t a shriek but more of my normal more masculine cry. Oops.

‘Sorry Miss it was him what did, it he pushed me.’ I recognised the Northern accent and the football scarves. It seemed that there was a soccer game in town and they had travelled down for the match. It was my home town club but I didn’t follow the sport so I had no idea about the game or the venue. A few were carrying cans of beer and they were enjoying themselves and they were down for the day. They were lively but not offensive but for safety I stood closer to Jack who put one arm around my waist.

The guy who had stepped on my foot whispered something to me to apologise again and he was openly staring at me and smiling. His face seemed familiar. He repeated what he had said but a little louder. ‘Excuse me love but do I know you.’

‘Sorry I don’t think so.’ It was my best feminine voice whilst trying to disguise my accent. I looked into his face and I did feel I might know him from somewhere. I hoped he wouldn’t persevere and get back to laughing and joking with his friends. If my true identity was exposed now I’d just die.
Luckily Maggie, Debs and Sarah tried to deflect their attention and engage Jack and I in conversation. I felt really awkward not having experience of close encounters like this with groups of guys so I put on my sunglasses hoping the guy would stop staring. Jack tried to position himself between me and the group and I wished I’d taken a spare seat before the carriage filled with the Japanese tourists.

The guy then introduced himself and started chatting in a friendly to Jack offering his apologies again for standing on my toe. He didn’t seem an aggressive type and was genuine in his apology. I realised that all there group looked like sportsmen and they towered over Jack, Debs and I.

Whilst things calmed for me Sarah seemed to be a bit uncomfortable with the male bodies encircling us. She was trying to move away from one of their party who was a brute of a guy and he was a good 6” taller than his friends. The comical thing was that Maggie stepped in between them to confront him using every inch of her 5’-4” to try to look him in the eye. It caused him to burst out laughing and he crouched as best he could and feigned fear. He apologised for the misunderstanding and said he just thought Sarah was beautiful and didn’t mean any harm. All was calm as we pulled up at the next stop that caused us all to surge forward a bit and he caught Sarah to stop her falling into his group. They looked at each other and she said thank you and smiled. He shook her hand and introduced himself as Jeremy or Jez to his friends. I knew a Jeremy from schooldays but he wasn’t a giant like this guy. He did look familiar though. They all started chatting with us on the way to the next stop that was our destination and we all disembarked.

Man mountain slowed to walk alongside Sarah and they talked all the way to street level where Jez passed his phone number to Sarah and asked her to message him sometime. She put the piece of paper in her bag and gave an encouraging smile. I was so pleased for her since she’d appeared so shy and disappointed at the lack of a man in her life. Maggie and Debs were full of encouragement and pressed her to send him a text later. Jacks assessment was that it seemed safe and they weren’t a bad bunch as far as he could see. Then he took my hand as we looked around for landmarks. It was weird since there I was holding hands with another guy and 3 girls were without the security.

When I recalled the Jeremy I knew from school I realised that I might have known some of this group from my schooldays. I never mixed much with the boys in my class since I was a loner but I did hang around with two of the girls who lived in the same street as me. I was only allowed to participate in certain activities so I was more like a fly on the wall all through early school years. I guess the two girls, Amy and Joanne did first introduce me to crossdressing that eventually became an obsession and a part of my life that I kept secret from anybody.

‘Earth to Jules, Earth to Jules come in please.’ Jack brought me out of my deep thoughts and I apologised. What a life I’d had through school. Some bullying but nothing severe enough to report and inferences that I was gay as I reached my teen years that I always denied. Strange because now I was becoming attracted to Jack and I knew nothing about him. This group had adopted me as if I’d known them all my life.

I had been nervous on the tube in case any of them got fresh or saw through my make-up. I’d kept my sun glasses on that wasn’t the brightest thing to do since that I realised had attracted attention but in hindsight it seemed to have worked out well for Sarah. Who knows this might turn into a life-long relationship. But for me all I could see ahead was a return to my mundane lifestyle and my boring job. Still I decided I was going to enjoy the rest of the weekend and then sort out what I did for the remainder of the week the following day.

Maggie and Debs then took charge again and they pointed to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. They wanted some group photographs to show to family and friends to prove they’d been to London and met up with Jack and I. Debs insisted that Jack and I had a photo together to send to her mum and as well as her own photos since I seemed reluctant to join in she also took shots of us with my i-phone. Luckily after the first two photos I managed to retrieve my sunglasses from my bag that I hoped would serve as a disguise.

Jack was smiling. ‘ OK that might work but it’s probably best to keep your new phone away from Chris or he’ll be asking too many questions.’ I punched his arm and accused him of colluding with Debs whilst Sarah and I were getting ready. It was a good job there was no fiancé.

We looked around for a while then Debs and Maggie burst into hysterics and squealed with delight. It suddenly became clear where we were really going, not Big Ben at all but a more modern landmark. There across the river was The London Eye. It had been on my list of things to do this week that I’d mentioned to Jack in the bar on our first night. He probably suggested it to Debs and asked to join us.

Debs remarked it would test our stomachs after last nights drinking session but in truth it wasn’t moving fast it was just high up. It was an impressive sight as we crossed Westminster Bridge stopping from time to time for more shots. Jack always seemed to be in shot and he was keen to be next to me. We were all excited as we got closer and closer and with luck we’d all be in the same pod.

En-route there were lots more photos from all angles. It was scaring me a bit since I had no doubt most would be posted on the girls Instagram and Facebook sites and I’d be outed to social media with a risk of somebody asking questions about my sexuality. I was being encouraged to do the same and post my photos. Eek I just had the one account as Julian so I kept stalling to think how to avoid giving them my contact details. As soon as possible I needed to register another side of my life as Julie and set up a new e-mail address and twitter and Facebook accounts.

We stopped on the bridge to look back at the Houses of Parliament and I had Jack take some close-up shots of me hoping my make-up looked ok. I might then be able to use one of them on a new facebook page as Julie. Luckily the photos worked out fine and with sunglasses I didn’t look like the guy who left home.

I realised that these guys were not going to let me just melt back into the background when they left London and neither was Jack. I had no idea how I was going to deal with future calls on Zoom other than to find time and a place to dress in privacy and fix dates and times. I couldn’t think how I could keep a relationship with Jack at arms-length. I didn’t want to hurt him after his kindness, but I was getting to like him so much that I needed to be in contact with him daily and constantly for now. He was more than just a mate. I never meant for this to happen nor did I ever dream it. I was supposed to be just fulfilling a fantasy like scratching an itch not lancing a boil.

Jack made sure I didn’t get too lost in my thoughts and also that I included Sarah. She was no longer the quiet one that listened more than chatted and I felt she’d be the sort of girlfriend my mum expected me to take home one day. I liked her but my feelings seemed to be changing. It was a lot more fun to be spoiled and treated as female and I had noticed how Jack behaved around women that attracted them. He was a little cocky with ability to put women completely at ease so they didn’t feel threatened. He seemed to understand women far better than me and I liked being one of them.

By the time we reached The Eye we were all thirsty so Jack bought refreshments whilst we queued. We could have pre-booked on-line but instead of queuing we managed to get tickets from a guy that Jack found. Somebody had cancelled so we had a pod to ourselves. It was worth waiting for and there was plenty of space for 5 of us. It was a wonderful experience with great views over London. It just didn’t last long enough.

After we got our feet back on the ground the next venue on the M&D itinerary was a visit Borough Market. I’d never heard of it so I assumed it was a shopping venue. We took a black cab and somehow I found myself on the rear seat in between Jack and Sarah. I did my best to sit with my knees together and fortunately I was wearing shorts. Jack sneaked his arm into a position where his hand touched my knee and I froze a little at first but then my shorts were getting a bit tight as something stirred.

Luckily Debs was watching and she decided to come to my aid by explaining that it was a traditional London open market but with a lot of fast food options but lots of shops and restaurants. The target was a nice seafood bar that had a good reputation. Seafood seemed a good idea since it was light and we’d hardly had chance to digest breakfast.

It was a great choice with a wide variety of fish and seafood. Jack suggested a sharing plate that did look appetising so we followed his recommendation and we all tucked in. We had a great time together and our waitress convinced us to share a bottle of white wine. This fun and I could never have imagined being in such good company. The waitress was very friendly and did a round of photos using our phones. Even Sarah was chatty by now and she even told us a few anecdotes. It was me now who was the listener.

How could I tell stories without the risk of slipping up? I was going to have to try before too long or be viewed as miserable. I so wanted to join in and make these my close friends for life.

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 12
By Julie D Cole
Strange how I found myself wanting to join in conversation yet before I left home I hardly spoke to anybody even at work. Mum was always complaining that I locked myself in my room instead of going out and socialising. She often asked me about my work colleagues and if there was anybody who I might be interested in. It was difficult deflecting her when she had me cornered at breakfast or dinner and wanted me to be happy and meet a soulmate like she had done. Clearly she wanted to be a grandmother but she stopped short of admitting it.

Jack was kind enough to deflect attention when I felt I needed to chip in since he had lots of stories from his time in London behind the bar. He seemed to sense that I was a private person but I was sure he didn’t know my secret. If he did have doubts, I think he’d have said something since he was a direct person. He said since he came to London he’d changed a lot and Debs smiled and said that was an understatement. I saw the look and the smile between the two of them that made me wish I’d had a sibling.

Debs told us that she felt Jack was wasting his talents behind a bar that he quickly dismissed even though it was more of a passing comment rather than a criticism. He said he was very happy because he needed the time to find himself and as well as the annoying customers he met some very interesting people who gave him ideas on what he’d like to do in the future. He looked at me and said there were other benefits as well and he winked. I was sure that I blushed and looked down towards my feet. I never expected that I’d fall into this feminine persona whilst taking this holiday. I expected to be spotted and embarrassed at some point. I wished the girls were staying all week since I felt like people looked at us as a group rather than me as an individual.

The bigger problem I was having was that Jack seemed to want a relationship and I wasn’t pushing him away enough. I was enjoying the attention and his affection towards me. How could I keep this friendship without him becoming angry and feeling I was a fraud? He was sensitive and kind and I was already more comfortable in his presence than when he’d invited me to stay at his place the first night. I realised how lucky I’d been to meet him and he’d not taken any liberties. I would have definitely fallen for him if circumstances were different.

Once we were ready to pay the bill I was feeling uncomfortable and I needed a comfort break. I’d managed to visit the Ladies bathrooms without embarrassment before coming to London so I joined Sarah when she went to freshen up. I touched up my make-up as she did hers and she said she really wanted to keep in touch with me and was so happy we’d met. We traded mobile numbers and she asked if we could chat regularly. Then she asked if I’d be spending more time with Jack the rest of the week.

I don’t know what came over me I just responded without thinking for once and said ‘I hope so.’

Sarah smiled and said she hoped things would work out for us so I must keep her updated. She hoped she’d learn a lesson from me about how to attract male attention. I was speechless and said I hadn’t flirted or anything and it was just a casual friendship.

‘Yes but Julie you play hard to get but at the same time your eyes give you away. ‘

‘Don’t put yourself down Sarah and I assure you that I’ve never had a boyfriend so don’t model yourself on me. I’ve never even snogged.’

‘I find that hard to believe but if you say so.’

We joined the others and headed off to our next destination, Covent Garden, that was closer to the West End where our evening show was taking place. Jack decided to stay with us until 5pm and then he had to leave to go to work. He never left my side en-route and Debs made reference to it as we reached the exit of Covent Garden Tube station. He pointed out a few landmarks before suggesting we had a coffee and watched some amateur performances in a bar in the centre of the market area. We watched a pair of singers perform a little light opera that sounded special because of the acoustics.

Whilst wandering around the stalls and small shops Jack insisted we look at jewelry. He wanted to buy me something so that I’d remember him and my visit to London. I tried to resist since it was best we let this be just a memory and nothing else. I couldn’t let him know my deceit and upset him after his kindness and better he remembered me as who I liked to be rather than who I really was. Then he spotted a silver bracelet that was quite delicate that he said he really liked and he wanted to buy for me. It had a small heart pendant on it and he said that was so I could think of him when I wore it. I was a bit taken aback and mumbled that he was too kind and he shouldn’t waste his hard earned money on me.

‘It’s a gift from me so it’s not wasted at all. It’s meant to be worn around the ankle so it’s discreet if you want to wear it when your man is around.’

‘It’s too expensive look it’s real silver.’

‘Well we don’t want it leaving marks on your soft skin do we. I think you’ll find it’s less prominent around London so less chance of being seen by any thieves if you come across anymore whilst you are here.’

As I looked more closely at it the girls saw us and came over. They all liked it and urged me to buy it. When I told them Jack was insisting to buy it for me they made sure I showed my gratitude. I nodded looked at it then looked at Jack and said thankyou.

Debs spoke up ‘Is that the best you can do.’ Maggie nudged me a little and I had little choice but to lean forward to kiss Jack on the cheek. He smiled and returned the favour but since I was motionless he planted a soft kiss on my lips. I closed my eyes automatically thinking I might be imagining it and opened them again looking into his blue eyes and whispered ‘Thank you Jack I won’t forget you ever.’

This was getting out of control. I felt different and I liked the feeling. It was like I was walking on air as we wondered around the market and I was no longer the man trapped in a boring job with no friends. It was like I could breathe and smile and feel good about myself and I didn’t want to hide away. This feeling might not last long so I took hold of Jacks hand and he smiled. I reached to wipe away the lipstick on his cheek from my kiss.

The rest of the afternoon to Jacks time to leave us seemed to fly by too quickly. I thought about going back to the hotel with him to help him behind the bar but it wasn’t fair on the girls since I’d agreed to buy the spare ticket. Whilst walking around Jack asked me if I still wanted to help him for the rest of the week and if I’d thought about a hotel.

‘Of course I’ll help Jack. It’s the least I can do after what you’ve done. I’ll sort something out for a place to stay tomorrow. I’ve a few things to sort out but thanks to you I have some cash and a phone.’

‘Well I know a place that’s available it’s free because it comes with the job in the bar.’

I didn’t give an immediate response I just smiled. Then I felt I had to resist the temptation.

‘Thanks Jack that’s so sweet of you but I can’t impose and expect you to give up your bed again.’

He didn’t press me and he politely switched the subject and it wasn’t mentioned again. Soon it was time for him to break away so he hoped we’d have a good time and be sure to call in the bar to have a nightcap and tell him all about it. As he walked away I felt a sadness come over me. I smiled and waved but I felt I needed to cut and run before this went too far.

Whilst we’d enjoyed ourselves around the market Maggie said she’d finally heard from Laura and Jane who arranged to meet us in the theatre bar for pre-show drinks. As if they’d not had enough. I hoped they were in better condition than they’d been when they dragged two strangers off to their room. I would try to keep a distance to avoid punching Laura on the nose.

There was a lot of leg pulling as we meandered our way towards the theatre stopping by at Starbucks at Sarah’s request. She needed a piece of Black Forest Gateau. Well really it was a dense chocolate cake with cream and cherries that she insisted we all try. Luckily it was just the one piece to share. We weren’t made of money and it was seriously full of calories. Luckily Sarah ate most of it. How did she stay so slim?

It was a nice walk to Soho to the Piccadilly Theatre where the show was taking place. London streets were busy with commuters so ‘four girls’ together in shorts were catching glances from businessmen rushing for trains or into pubs for post work refreshments. I asked Maggie if we were ok to go to the theatre in casual clothes and she said she’d checked and it was ok. Our seats were in the stalls so we looked for the bar to find Laura and Jane.

They were there already with long drinks they said were iced tonic water with fresh limes. It was hard to believe but then they burst out laughing since both had smuggled in half bottles of vodka.

‘We aren’t paying London Theatre prices for alcohol, they think we are fools.’

I hoped they were not going to show themselves up and it was no wonder that Jack split from Laura. Maggie gave them both a lecture about their general behaviour over the weekend but it seemed to go over their heads. Laura ignored me but that was no problem for me. The four of us shared a bottle of sparkling wine saving some for the interval. They ordered 2 diet cokes to go with the rest of their vodka. Goodness knows what their stomachs would be like on the way home tomorrow after so much abuse.

The only upside was that they had at least made an effort to dress smartly since they intended going to Soho after the show to see some life. Their bedfellows had recommended a club with a drag show. I shuddered.

When we took our seats we had a good view of the stage and the show started with a bang and the music was none stop. It was amazing and we recognised all the songs even though many were from an era long before we were born. The audience were mixed age groups yet everybody was responding. By the time the interval arrived we were buzzing like everybody else and Jane and Laura emptied the rest of the vodka into their glasses. Luckily they were half bottles.
During the second period some of the audience were standing and gradually everybody in the stalls stood up clapping and people moved to the aisles to dance. What a show. No wonder it had such good reviews.

Outside the theatre the area was crowded and we headed towards Soho. I said I’d promised we’d see Jack so if the club was expensive it was better if I missed out and went back. I got some abuse from Laura but resisted getting into an argument. I sent Jack a message to let him know where we were going.

We got in the club without any problems since they were offering half price entry for females and the doormen were friendly. I’d never been in a drag club before and there I was as one of the girls. I hoped I wouldn’t be outed. The place was pretty full and some of the audience were in drag and not very pretty. We were shown to a table that became our base. Jane and Laura were quickly up dancing whilst we sorted some drinks. I wasn’t going to last long at the prices on the list and I looked around to see how I might keep safe.

Much to my relief the first show started and 3 drag artists came on the stage/ dance floor doing a rendition of ‘Girls Only Have Fun.’ They were certainly good with fabulous long legs and they looked really feminine apart from the over the top make-up and massive wigs.

Jack responded to my text and said to be careful and to keep hold of my bag. I decided to put my bracelet around my ankle in case my bag was stolen and took great care. The club seemed to have a lot of the LGBT community in attendance and yet none of the girls seemed to feel out of place. Everybody seemed friendly and just mixed and even though I’d never been out clubbing much I liked it. In the bathroom it was hard to tell who was truly female but then who was I to talk.

Time seemed to fly and the second act were outstanding too. I looked at my phone and saw it was midnight. I said I’d buy the next round and I was ordering at the bar when I was tapped on the shoulder and the barman reached past me to greet my ‘assailant.’

Another Side of My Life – Chapter 13
By Julie D Cole

‘Jackie, welcome back. Where have you been. It’s great to see you again.’

I looked in the bar mirror beyond the barman at the wide grin as they shook hands.

‘Jack, what are you doing here? Aren’t you working?’

‘Seems not. It was clear that you girls weren’t calling for a nightcap and the bar was dead tonight. Nobody buying so I called time and handed over to the night porter to serve anybody who needed a drink. We missed our chief barmaid and salesgirl I think.’

‘Well it’s a nice surprise. The girls seemed to want to carry on and I didn’t like to get into a taxi by myself.’

Another of the barmen came over to say hello to Jack admiring his ‘new look’ and how delighted they were that things were working out. It turned out that he was the manager and I left them to it whilst I took the drinks to our table. It seemed that a few customers were also pleased to see him and he was busy shaking hands and chatting so I sat down with the girls and watched.

Debs noticed the reception that Jack received and smiled before looking across at me. She leaned across and whispered. ‘This is where Jack came and worked whilst he was turning his life around after he left home. He walked out of university and argued with mum and dad. I guess these are his real friends.’

‘How long did he work here, a long time?’

‘I guess he will have been here for around 2 years and he ended up virtually running the place. We lost contact with him for about 12 months and then one day I got a message from him and I came straight down. He got his mojo back and looked happy again. He’d been in a relationship with Laura before he left home. They argued a lot and she was part of the problem I’m afraid. He was fine growing up and he never had any relationships until they met. He didn’t want to disappoint her and he couldn’t confide in her because he didn’t trust her. He felt trapped and even when he went to university, she followed him like some sort of stalker. Eventually she accepted the situation, but she’s never really gotten over him.’

I looked across at Jack. It was nice to see him laughing and joking with his friends and he seemed extremely happy amongst them and clearly he was popular. He was hugging everybody and glancing across at us to let us know he was not ignoring us. It did seem that he was flattered by the welcome he was receiving.

I smiled and shook my head a little. This seemingly quiet and soft-spoken guy I’d met casually in the hotel bar clearly had a past that was different to the one I’d ever imagined. Unlike me he was very sociable. He seemed to make friends easily, so I wondered how it was possible that he’d had problems. Maybe he’d had some sort of breakdown and if working here had helped him recover, then maybe my own solution was to leave home and find a new job. The thought was scary.

This week was just supposed to be me taking a break and enjoying a complete break from my life. The idea came to me after reading a book I’d bought on Amazon about a guy who wanted a new life as a woman and had headed to London. That was too big a step for me and I saw the difficulties the lead character had that seemed insurmountable.

I was not really surprised by Jacks popularity, but it made me wonder what on earth he had seen in me to be so kind and then take me under his wing. Whilst I was tempted to emulate the experience of Wendy Ross in the book, I doubted that she would never have visited a place like this and put herself in danger of being exposed. I’d really wanted her story to have a happy ending but sadly it didn’t so a weeks adventure was going to have to be as far as I would go. Just an extended crossdressing experience with a chance to see life for a few days as a woman. It was certainly different.

I had already allowed myself to be sucked into a far more intense experience than I ever intended and in part it was caused by my bag and money being stolen but since then I hadn’t been alone for one minute. It was like I was being swept along in a tide since the moment my feet touched the platform when I arrived in London. I was seemingly accepted by a group of girls I hardly new and a guy was hitting on me. Did this mean that I was not just a guy who liked to crossdress? I was becoming more comfortable with situation and I had a nice feeling inside when I was with Jack. Was I gay?

Debs nudged me to bring me back to earth and pointed out that some of the artistes were mingling with the crowd and that one ‘girl’ was heading our way. She introduced herself as Blair and asked if this was our first visit to the club. She made it clear that she would sit and chat if we bought drinks and Laura and Jane made a space for her to sit between them. Blair was wearing a slit lightweight skirt that allowed her to display her long shapely legs and she crossed her legs in provocative fashion. Laura seemed to want to poke fun at her but she was far too clever and obviously used to smutty remarks.

Was this the sort of behaviour I could expect from people if I ever decided to dress full time like Wendy Ross had done in the book. Blair had obviously decided to capitalise on her good looks and shapely legs but she was heavily made up and her wig was really over the top. No way did I want to ever been identified as a drag artist. I did not want to be a caricature I just felt I wanted to explore my femininity.

Jack came over at last and said hello to Blair who he’d not met before and he suggested we might buy her a drink but no rounds of shots and no private dancing either. Laura took exception and said it was nothing to do with Jack what they did and he should go sit with his girlfriend and not spoil their fun. Blair looked to Jack who just nodded and shrugged his shoulders. ‘Laura you’ve been warned. You’ll never keep pace with Blair I assure you. You’ll regret it tomorrow.’

Laura and Jane moved tables and Blair sat with them and before long another artiste was sitting with them and a tray full of drinks appeared.

Jack said to ignore them and said the ‘girls’ knew how to look after themselves and would not let Laura and Jane drink themselves senseless. They were there to encourage customers to enjoy themselves and spend money with the target to get them to return or tell people they had a good time.

‘But they are drinking with Laura and Jane. Don’t they prefer men?’

‘They like to have fun and it’s not like there is any sex involved. They might flirt a bit and lots of lesbians come in here as well as gay men and straight men and women. The girls know how to handle themselves so there might be a private dance occasionally but nothing seedy. The club would be closed down.’

‘Debs said you worked her when you first came down to London and you worked up to being in charge as manager.’

‘Not exactly. I was really just the Bar Manager.’

‘So what made you give up at university and come here?’

‘I needed some space to find myself. Lots of the people I met here were finding themselves as well. I soon realised I wasn’t alone or different.’

‘Sorry Jack. It’s none of my business. It’s just that the job at Rules is so different to here.’

‘Yes Rules is like a rest home and it’s a stepping stone towards normality. Who knows I might find the girl for me and settle down one day if I’m lucky. ‘ He winked that caused a slight flutter in my stomach. I smiled and said I was sure that would happen.

We had a chat about the show describing as best we could to Jack about how large sections of the audience were standing and joining in the songs and how some even started dancing in the aisles. He wished he’d joined us and decided to buy tickets and think about who he might invite. He then said it would be a nice excuse for me to have another few days in London if I’d like to see the show again. I couldn’t stop myself from responding ‘That would be nice.’

Then I thought of the problems that started for Wendy Ross in the book when she allowed herself to weaken when she was hit upon by one of the other residents who rented an apartment in the same property. I needed some air and to stop myself from responding like this to Jack. We had another drink together with Jack keeping an eye on Laura and Jane and the two artistes who were now squeezed in the bench seat between Laura and Jane. There were quite a few empty shot glasses on the table and suddenly Laura stood up and fell against the table knocking them everywhere and lots smashed on the floor. Laura started swearing and was clearly not in control of her legs. Or her mouth for that matter.

The crowd moved away whilst staff cleared the mess and luckily there was another performance due so Blair and her friend headed backstage. Jack took charge and helped Laura to the door to leave with Jane following and holding on. We all decided to leave and Maggie said that was the last time the pair of them would be invited on weekends or to parties. I did wonder how Maggie, Debs and Sarah put up with their behaviour. It seemed that some younger women thought they should be ladettes and behave like stupid adolescents, the sort of young guys who had bullied others at school and thought they were superior.

Jack flagged down two taxis and he got in one with Jane and Laura whilst I was ushered into the other by Maggie along with Debs and Jane. It was already past 1 am so when we arrived back at the hotel we all gathered outside the entrance and once Jack was satisfied Laura was not going to be sick and could stand up and stop her ranting we went in and went to our rooms. I thanked Jack and he said he’d be in touch before we all checked out.

Once in our room I closed and locked the door behind us. Suddenly Sarah burst into tears and she sat on her side of the bed sobbing. I couldn’t stop her and so I put my arm around her shoulder. She said she was ashamed of Laura and Jane and that she had been scared in case their behaviour led to the police being called or fighting in the bar. They had spoiled the whole weekend and been rude to me and to Jack who was so nice. She wished she had a boyfriend like him.

I found some tissues to wipe her eyes and we hugged for ages before Sarah finally looked up at me and said she loved me and she hoped I’d be one of her best friends forever. I just nodded and tried my best to smile. Then I managed to persuade her to use the bathroom first and we both got ready for bed. After I turned off my side light Sarah snuggled up close to me and asked if I minded holding her until she fell asleep like her mother used to do. I just hoped she had no other ideas and daren’t close my eyes until I was sure she was fast asleep.

Another Side of My Life – Chapter 14
By Julie D Cole

I moved as far as I could towards the edge of the bed but Sarah seemed to follow me. In the end I gave in and let her put her arms around me to spoon me. I feared that Sarah was feeling the effects of the days alcohol and letting her inhibitions go. She had been a little more friendly than I expected but I doubted she had any lesbian tendencies. She wanted a boyfriend like Jack. Maybe she was bisexual or perhaps this was the normal sort of relationship between girlfriends.

I wasn’t used to sharing a bed nor even anybody snuggling up close to me but it was nice. I could feel Sarahs breasts against my back and she pushed her groin area against my buttocks. She seemed to be moving her hips gently from side to side even though she appeared to be half asleep.

Before I left home I might have jumped at the chance to sleep with a woman like Sarah to establish once and for all if I was capable of sexual intimacy and then forming a relationship that would at last get mum off my back.

Here I was alone with Sarah who was apparently feeling amorous, but needing a man so much she was possibly masturbating against my body. If only she knew. I didn’t want her to know my secret and I was fearful that she might scream and accuse me of attempted rape if she touched me whilst I was asleep. I was able to gently coax her towards the other side of the bed and lay as still as I could until I was sure she was in a deep sleep. I wanted to go to sleep but I daren’t.

I decided to get my i-pad and moved to the small sofa to set up a separate e-mail account as Julie to give to the girls so we could keep in touch. I’d worry about a Facebook account later. Eventually when I was unable to keep my eyes open I moved back into bed and kept a safe distance and fell to sleep.

I must have been really tired because the next thing I remembered was opening one eye and seeing daylight around the shades. I had hardly stirred through the night which was unusual for me. I could see that Sarah was already awake and I could hear her in the bathroom. Then she came out dressed only in her skimpy nightdress and matching panties and she sat on the edge of the bed on myside and pushed the hair away from my face.

‘Thankyou Julie for being so sweet and tolerating my mood swings. I hope you’ll forgive me. I really hope you will stay friends with me and that we can meet up from time to time. I wish we’d met before. Will you be my bestie.’

I smiled and nodded and said they had all been very kind to me and I’d really enjoyed being with them. I did say to Sarah that once we got rid of Laura and Jane it was a lot better. It sounded bitchy but I couldn’t help myself.

Sarah responded. ‘They haven’t behaved very well. I think Laura is the bad influence and I don’t know what her parents would think of her if they knew what she’d been up to this weekend.’

‘I hope they both got back to the hotel OK. I didn’t think we should have left them at the club but there was no talking to them. What’s wrong with Laura? She seems to look for trouble as if she’s angry about something.’

‘Well something happened that really affected her and ever since she has been trying to prove something to everybody she meets.’

‘Was it to do with Jack?’

‘Yes she was always chasing after him right from schooldays and she was besotted. Then they went away for the weekend and when they came back it was obvious there had been a big bust up. Laura said she realised that he was gay.’

‘Strange. Jack doesn’t seem gay to me. Does he to you?’

‘No. Debs insisted he wasn’t gay and that Laura was exaggerating.’

‘Maybe he just didn’t fancy her. They are like chalk and cheese.’

‘Well it’s not like he forced himself on her it was her that threw herself at him, She’d bee chasing him ever since his family moved to Sheffield. Jack had enough and he didn’t like the way she spread rumours and the pressure on him. Eventually he decided to move out and he came down here to London.’

‘Oh well he seems to have put it all behind him.’

‘Yes and he is clearly smitten by you.’

‘Sarah please we hardly know each other. We have just been having fun.’

‘Do you mind if I make us a mug of tea and get back in bed for a while? It’s still quite early and we said we’d meet for breakfast about nine.’

I couldn’t say no so I decided to use the bathroom to check myself out and empty my bladder. It wasn’t like I had much of a bulge and the panties were strong enough to keep me compact. I didn’t seem to be capable of an erection these days without a lot of effort and my sacks weren’t much bigger than they’d been at junior school. I kept my pubic hair neatly trimmed so I was quite flat. I didn’t think Sarah would have reason to ask any awkward questions.

The tea was nice and I complemented her. She leaned over and took my hand and kissed it.

‘That’s a nice engagement ring. How long have you been engaged? Does Jack know?’

‘About six months I guess. I have told Jack but he doesn’t seem to believe me or even acknowledge it.’

‘Haven’t you rung your man to explain where you are and what happened.’

‘No but I told mum and she’ll have told him.’

‘Strange. Didn’t he call you? Surely he’s worried.’

‘He is too busy at work. Anyway he’s away in Germany on business at the moment.’

‘Well when the cat’s away I suppose.’

‘Sarah I’m not like that. I’ve explained to Jack.’

‘But you stayed at his place when you arrived. That must have been awkward for you.’

‘Not really. He was a gentleman. He slept on his sofa and insisted I slept in his bed.’

‘He didn’t sneak in by mistake then in the middle of the night?’

‘No. I think I was still in shock anyway and he seemed to understand.’

‘What will you do for the rest of the week? Have you found a hotel or are you staying here and taking this room?’

‘I wish. I can’t afford it on my own. I haven’t done anything yet. I was thinking it would be safer to just head home and buy a new train ticket.’

‘I think Jack will be sad. Did you tell him?’

‘No. I only really thought about it when I lay in bed last night. I thought Jack was really kind to me and I didn’t want to hurt him.’

‘Well we have to check out by 11am so I guess you’re running out of time.’

‘I know. It’s a crazy situation and things are a bit complicated at the moment.’

‘Well best to face it and be honest. He will not let you leave without trying to influence your decision.’

‘I know.’

‘Julie do you mind if I ask you something personal?’

OMG was she going to ask about my sexuality. Has she noticed anything in the night or touched me.

‘Why do you sleep in your bra? My mum used to give me hell if I did that.’

‘I guess I just had too much to drink last night and was too lazy. I don’t normally sleep with it on.’

‘Another question please if you don’t mind.’

‘OK no problem no extra fee.’

‘Do you think boys would look at me or might they think I’m gay?’

‘Why should they think that I think you are pretty.’

‘Yes but if you were a man would you look at me.’

OMG again. ‘Why not? If I was a man you wouldn’t have got much sleep last night.’

‘You fool. So as a woman do you find me attractive.’

‘Well I can’t really answer that since I’m not into the stuff we saw at the club last night. There were lots of lesbian couples and gay men. I don’t seem to be attracted to women at all. How about you?

‘Well I have to admit am not really attracted as such but some do make me interested to strike up conversation and get to know them. I guess it’s the influence of my upbringing. I went to an all-girls school and I had a couple of girls who flirted a lot with me but then this was not unusual and lots of friends had the same experience.’

‘How serious was it?’

‘Not too heavy, just touching and kissing since we were practicing and trying to experience what it would be like and how we should respond when any boys approached us.’

‘I think most girls go through that phase don’t they?’

‘Did you?’

‘Well I went to a co-ed school so I guess boys were always on tap. But boys are usually too shy to make a move. The girls at school who went through puberty first were keen to explore but not with other girls. Some preferred to coax boys to take them to the back of the cycle sheds. Most of them got scared though and chickened out.’

‘Did you ever coax anybody?’

‘No, I guess I was late through puberty and I was one of the youngest in my school year. It meant that I was shy with hardly any male friends. I was friendly with one or two girls in my class who treated me kindly. Did you hang around with boys out of school then?’

‘No. Just a group of girls including Maggie.’

‘Did you meet Debs, Laura and Jane at school then? ‘

‘Yes I met Laura and Jane at school but not Debs. She was at a different Catholic school but we were all in the same school year. We met her socially since she knew Maggie.’

‘So, you’ve known each other for a few years then?’

‘Yes we met up outside school quite a lot. Laura started going out with Jack. He was a year older and we never saw much of him for a while. He was always locked in his room hiding. Then Laura invited him to a school dance and started to coax him out. He was having some medical issues at the time. He was a bit overweight and he was bullied.’

‘Hard to imagine. He looks as if he works out.’

‘Yes I think he does but enough of him for now I am sure he will tell you himself sometime. I have a third question. Or should I say a request.’

‘OK what.’

‘Do you mind if we kiss each other then you can show me how you respond to Chris or Jack even. I am scared I will appear frigid or inexperienced when the opportunity arises.’

I nodded ‘Chris not Jack.’ It was a good thing the girls were heading home. This might get embarrassing.

Sarah pushed me back gently against the pillows and then we kissed. Her tongue pushed my teeth apart and she turned a kiss into a full-blown snog. I was a little shocked. It came from nowhere. She touched my breasts and luckily there was no attempt to explore beneath my bra. Then she bit my left ear lobe and her tongue darted around sending a shiver down my spine. Then she fumbled around trying to unclip my bra so I sat up and held her back.

‘Sarah please You don’t need any lessons. Were you joking with me?’

‘No, I never really did this before I just read about it so I wanted to try. Sorry if I came on a bit strong. Maybe you do the same to me instead if that is easier.’

‘OK but we need to get moving soon. We have to shower and get ready.’

‘Don’t be a spoilsport please.’

She lay back and I moved into position to take the lead. This was crazy. I kissed her as passionately as I dare and she responded searching for my tongue. I kissed her ears like she’d done to me and then moved to her neck. She was clearly wanting more and she took my hand to her left breast. She was aroused and her nipples were erect. This was mad.

She whispered for me to massage them gently and then to kiss them. In no time at all she was moving my hand to her groin area and pushing herself hard against it. Then she shuddered gently and released her pent up emotion. She opened her legs and gyrated whilst at the same time placing a hand behind my head pushing her tongue deep into my mouth. I’d hardly done anything yet she was ejaculating. I felt the wetness on my hand and after a further release she relaxed and smiled.

‘Thankyou. I hope I haven’t upset you. I couldn’t help myself. That was so nice.’

She took a tissue from the side of the bed and wiped my hand and smiled. ‘Now your turn if you want.’

‘No it’s ok. It’s not the best time and my nipples are sore. I don’t want to embarrass myself with an accident. You don’t mind I hope.’

I kissed her gently and then took the opportunity to go to the bathroom to take a shower.

Another Side of My Life – Chapter 15
By Julie D Cole

I decided that I should wash my hair whilst in the shower since the free bathroom products were good quality and smelled much nicer than those I’d brought from home. I didn’t lock the bathroom door as I expected privacy. I was wrong.

Sarah knocked and opened the door saying to excuse her but she was desperate to use the toilet. She didn’t seem to look directly at me and I did my best to turn towards the wall so she only had a rear view. At least the bath screen was translucent, so it gave me some privacy. She just calmly sat on the pan to empty her bladder without any sign of embarrassment and in fact she chatted as if we were at a bus stop. She told me that she had sent a text to Maggie who told her that Laura and Jane had not answered the phone in their room nor responded to calls or messages to their i-phones.

It was left that Debs was going to knock on their door to see if they were asleep or had more visitors. Fortunately Sarah finally seemed to respect my privacy and she washed and dried her hands and left the bathroom. I gave a sigh of relief and finished my shower as quickly as I could in case she decided to check that she hadn’t forgotten anything. The mirror was steamed up that may have been in my favour when Sarah was chatting whilst enthroned. I dried myself off as quickly as possible admiring my smooth hairless skin. I put on fresh panties and tucked myself in and wrapped myself in the complementary large white fluffy dressing gown that must fit somebody 7’ tall.

In all honesty my nipples were a little sore and I did have an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach that was no doubt self-inflicted so I hadn’t been totally untruthful to Sarah. As I left the bathroom there was a knock on the room door. I looked through the spyhole and saw it was Maggie so I let her in.

‘No sign of Laura and Jane. Well they aren’t answering the door or their phones. I hope they are OK and didn’t get into any trouble. It’s definitely the last time I’ll invite either of them along on a trip. They are so selfish and stupid. We have a train to catch at 1pm. I don’t know what to do. Should we just leave anyway? What if they got into some sort of trouble?’

I was surprised how Sarah spoke up. ‘It would serve the pair of them right. They are so selfish and don’t care about us. They behave like sex starved animals and give girls from the North a bad reputation.’

I tried to calm things down. ‘How about we contact Jack and ask him to call his friends at the club to see if they know what happened or what time they left.’

Maggie immediately agreed that was a good idea and her and Debs should have thought of it too. Now I guess it was my responsibility to call him since Maggie said he was more likely to pick up if he was still in bed and saw his girls number. Ha ha if only. That was impossible even though I was becoming very attracted by the idea. I had to stop thinking like that and reminded myself of the sad ending in the book I Want What I Want that had given me the idea to explore.

At least Jack was awake and much to Maggies delight he picked up immediately. I put out my tongue and explained that I was with Maggie and Sarah and would put him on loud speaker. Maggie told him they’d tried to locate Laura and Jane without luck and expressed her concerns about their safety. He tried to calm us down and said he’d come over and he’d make a few calls in the meantime. He doubted anything sinister had happened since the club had a good reputation with security staff present.

Maggie went to give Debs an update whilst Sarah and I finished getting dressed. Sarah sat and waited whilst I applied some make-up and she teased me a little asking if it was just for Jacks benefit since we weren’t going anywhere. In truth I just felt it made me feel like the woman I was trying to be and I wanted to hide any sign of masculinity.

I didn’t want to wear my shorts again so I opted for my short denim jeans skirt and a light weight leopard print top with short sleeves to disguise any sign of muscle definition. Not that there was much evidence even when I flexed my arms and I’d avoided any sports or activity that might develop them since I was around 12 years of age. It had been worth putting up with ridicule and bullying at school now I was able to appear so convincing without any challenge so far. I chose to wear flats again since I might be walking a lot and more than likely heading home later. I could go to Kings Cross station in a cab with the girls to save us struggling with luggage.

Debs and Maggie had a table in the restaurant when we arrived for breakfast and confirmed that there was still no news. Strange but in just 2 days I felt completely comfortable in their presence and was accepted as the young woman I so craved to be. Maybe I could live the rest of my life like this provided mum came to terms with it and I could find a suitable job where I was accepted.

We chatted whilst we ate and I told Debs that I was probably heading home since I needed to sort out my credit cards and lost driving license and a few other things before I went back to work. She said that Jack would be disappointed and that she hoped I’d keep in touch with him since we looked good together. I just smiled and acknowledged the complement. We were nibbling on toast and marmalade when Jack arrived and he joined us at the table for a coffee. He greeted us individually with a peck on the cheek and I was the last. I blushed as Debs produced a chair so that he sat between us.

He’d managed to contact the bar manager who re-assured him that Laura and Jane were still in the club dancing with some of the artists at around 2am and that he understood they were all heading off to an all-night party since there was no show on Sundays and they could sleep all day. He expected that they’d stayed over and all crashed out. He offered to check with a few of the artists and he’d let Jack know.

Maggie was furious. ‘They just don’t care. They are supposed to check out by 11am and their things are in the room. I’m ashamed of them and they seem to have flipped. I hope they haven’t been on Ecstasy or Speed again. They lose all control of their senses when they get drinking shots.’

Jack shook his head in disbelief. ‘We can’t seem to stamp it out in our clubs down here whatever checks we put in place. That’s why I moved on. I had enough at home and I know what Laura is like. She is easily led I’m afraid and obviously hasn’t learned her lesson.’

It went quiet after that and I sensed Debs trying to change the subject and she was looking Jack straight in the eye. He went quiet and then his phone rang.

‘Found them. They are still asleep at Blairs place. Laura was ill in the night and Blair suggests she stays in bed and forgets any idea of going home today. Jane is not as bad but she is staying with Laura so she hopes we can keep their room for another night. I’ll sort that out and if we need to move their gear into my storeroom maybe you can all help me.’

I felt we couldn’t leave this mess to Jack so I offered to help if necessary but told him I was thinking to head home. He looked disappointed but he said nothing. We went to reception and Jack had a chat with his friend the Duty Manager. The room was already booked so Jack arranged for us to settle the bill between us and Debs and Maggie were given access to pack their belongings.

We all shared the bills that made a dent in my cash that would make it awkward to do what I wanted and book a hotel for the rest of the week. My cheapest option seemed to be to head home. Then Jack pulled me aside and said it would be helpful if I stayed to help him with Laura who was likely to be abusive and rude. He offered to loan me the funds I needed to stay the rest of the week and trusted me to pay him back.

I owed him for saving my vacation and introducing me to his sister and her friends so it didn’t take me long to agree. ‘But Jack I can’t afford anything too expensive.’

‘Well how about you still helping me through the week in the evenings and that will help fund your daytime exploits.’

‘Ok if you need help then provided my hotel is not far away that sounds fair. But prices will be high if this hotel is anything to go by.’

‘Don’t worry I think you might trust me enough by now to come and stay at my place. Well I hope so at least.’

‘Jack I’m not sure. I don’t think it’s fair to inconvenience you. Sleeping on the couch can’t be very comfortable.’

‘Anything is ok for me if it helps you enjoy the rest of your visit to London. I would sleep on a bed of nails if necessary.’

‘Let me think about it but you have already been very kind.’

‘Well in truth I’ve never met anybody like you before and I’m amazed at my luck.’

Sarah linked arms with me and smiled.’ What are you waiting for Julie. I’m happy to be substitute but I don’t think I’m in the running. I also think it will make Laura even angrier when she recovers enough to get some of her senses back.’

‘That’s asking a lot. She is a fruitcake. That must be the problem she had with Jack. Was she on drugs?’

‘You’ll have to ask Jack the details but I don’t think you are far out with your guess.’

We all collected our bags and moved mine, Lauras and Janes into the storeroom. We sat on two comfy sofas in the reception area and I sat as straight as possible and crossed my legs like the others. I felt completely comfortable in the group and regretted not biting the bullet before now. Apart from a few short excursions I’d not ventured far before.

Jack did one more check to ensure that Laura and Jane had come around enough to satisfy Debs and Maggie they could travel home without conscience. Then we all hugged each other and I gave out my e-mail address and promised to set up a Facebook account so we could keep in contact.

Then the girls headed for the rail station after another round of hugs. Sarah insisted that I keep in touch and visit her soon and whispered that she loved me.

Jack turned to me and suggested we take my belongings to his apartment. Probably to ensure I didn’t change my mind. He carried my bag and we headed for the underground station on Kensington High Street and he insisted I linked arms with him.

Even with one change on the underground it didn’t take long to arrive at Jacks apartment building. It seemed like so much had happened since my first visit 3 nights ago.

Everything was tidy and it looked like Jack had gone to a lot of trouble to clean and prepare. He must have had this planned. I was nervous again but on the one hand I felt Jack was to be trusted but on the other hand I wanted him to take me in his arms and for some magic to take place that might turn me into the woman I wanted to be. I now knew how the author of the book must have felt if indeed he/she was indeed Roy pseudo Wendy Ross.

Jack took my bag into his bedroom and I sat and looked around his living room again taking more notice of his décor. He had good taste and he’d used bright colours. I focused again on the framed photograph on the table at the side of his leather chair. I walked over to it to examine it more closely and picked it up. Jack came into the room and saw me so I apologised and put it back down.

‘It’s Ok Julie you are my guest so feel free.’

‘Jack, you said this was your sister but this is not Debs. Am I right?’

Another Side of My Life – Chapter 16
By Julie D Cole

‘Did I say it was Debs? I don’t think so.’

‘I thought you did but maybe I misunderstood when I met her. I’m sure it’s not her.’

‘You are not mistaken. Just look into her face.’

‘She looks like you.’

‘Yes, but much better looking.’

‘So do you have another sister? Or is it you? The eyes are exactly the same.’

‘You are very observant. Did you say you worked in the police force Miss Holmes?’

‘Funny but sadly my job is not quite so exiting. I sit in front of a computer all day and I don’t possess a deerstalker hat and cape and I don’t smoke a pipe.’

‘You’d look cute. But I’m not sure about the pipe.’

‘So, who is she if you don’t mind me asking?’

‘I’m not sure I should tell you since we were getting on so well. I don’t want to spoil our day or you might do a Laura on me. I would hate if that happened again.’

‘I’m sorry Jack. It’s none of my business and I shouldn’t really pry into your private life. Mum is always warning me. It’s only that Debs told me how something really upset you and I hoped that I was making you happy. I don’t want to stir bad memories.’

‘ Jules, please don’t worry. I’ve moved on a lot since then and making a clean break down here was exactly what I needed. Maybe we should drop the subject completely for now and we could chat later when we are not heading off anywhere. It is not something that I’m very proud about. I’d rather we had some fun time together. I promise to behave. Then we can go find those two idiots and make sure they are fit enough to travel home.’

‘Yes I agree. I think the sooner they leave the better. I can’t believe their behaviour over this weekend. They are hooligans.’

Our conversation made me think a lot about the way I was dressed and my own behaviour. I had deliberately selected my most feminine and slightly provocative outfit. I felt ultra-feminine but it seemed that I was deceiving Jack since as far as I could tell he had no suspicion about my sexuality. Unless of course he was attracted by the idea of a man dressing in female clothing and behaving like a young woman. Afterall he’d worked in a club which was open to a wide section of the LGBT community.

Maybe he was being polite and knew from our first meeting that I wasn’t who I appeared to be. He was very smart and must have accumulated a lot of experience of reading people in his jobs in London. When I thought about it more could that have been the photo was him dressed as a girl. Did he have another sister? Had he had a sex change? My mind was all over the place and I found myself looking for signs.

I couldn’t imagine Jack dressed as a woman nor ever having been one. He might be a crossdresser but then I had no idea what one was supposed to look like. Then I looked in the mirror. There was one right before my eyes or was I really Or was I suffering from gender dysphoria rather than just desiring to experiment? Was I gay or a just a closet transvestite who wanted to step out for a while? Up until now I never considered myself as wanting to live permanently as a woman but it sure felt nice. My week exploring my feminine side had started so innocently and now it was almost out of control. I didn’t want the week to come to an end. I was experiencing another side of my life that was far more interesting than my life at home and I had easily made friendships. I wanted to spend at least 1 day shopping before I went home even if it was just a case of trying things on without buying. It was a good job my credit cards had been suspended.

‘Come on Jules snap out of it. Are you coming or not?’

‘Sorry Jack I was just thinking.’

‘About us I hope.’

‘In your dreams. But all joking apart, yes, I was actually thinking about us. I find you are interesting and very kind. I want to thank you for what you’ve done for me. I have really enjoyed every minute of the last few days with you. Apart from losing my money and credit cards of course. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you.’

‘So it is not ended yet. The bill is still racking up but no rush to repay. You are good for credit. Now we have some time to ourselves and I will take a day off so I can escort you wherever you want to go, But will you still help me run the bar this week until I find a full time assistant?’

‘Of course. I have to reduce my debt somehow.’

Jack opened the door to let me go first as we left the apartment that was a nice feeling. I stopped to look in the full-length mirror to check myself out. How could he not see Julian? Even though I was very happy with my appearance and the denim short skirt and leopard print top would fool most people I was almost the same height as him and I could see behind the make-up. Could he? He leaned over my shoulder and kissed my cheek. ‘Come on you look amazing today. I love the skirt and your toned legs. Do you work ou?’

‘No. Well I do some yoga and I jog occasionally but I don’t go to a gym or anything.’

‘You’ll have to show me some of your yoga tricks sometime. Maybe I’ll take you jogging sometime too.’

‘I left all my gear at home. I gave myself a week off.’

‘I was meaning more like the next time you visit. My door is always open for you.’

What could I say? If only. I smiled and looked into his eyes. We held the gaze for what seemed an age and then headed out.

Jack contacted his friend at the club who updated him. The arrangement was that Laura and Jane would be dropped there around 2pm that gave us plenty of time to get there. Jack suggested we stop off at Trafalgar Square en-route and enjoy the sunshine and to prove I’d visited another famous landmark. Really, he wanted to take some photographs of me surrounded by pigeons that I soon realised when he suggested that I feed them. It made him laugh and he said it was worth the high cost of the bird food.

Lots of other people were taking photographs with Nelson’s Column in the background since it was a popular tourist shot. Some passers-by were happy to take photos of Jack and I together and then he insisted that he took a few selfies too and he promised not to post them on his Facebook site to avoid embarrassing me. He winked as he said it and I told him that I wasn’t happy with some of the close-ups but then he just retorted that none of us ever are. I looked at the images of Jack and he looked much younger than his age with almost perfect features. There was a definite likeness to the photo in his apartment and some similarity to Debs especially when he smiled. I wondered what he would tell me later. Was this a sister who had died?

‘Let’s test how fit you are now Jules.’

He decided that we’d walk up The Mall to Buckingham Palace which was quite a trek. I looked would easily jog that distance at home and was tempted to offer to race Jack but I needed to take care and make it seem too far. We enjoyed the brisk stroll and Jack insisted I hold his arm. Imagine being in a carriage with thousands of admirers waving flags and cheering.

We took more photos at the Palace and then took a cab to the back door of the club. Jack messaged his friend and he let us in welcoming us and offering us a drink even though it was closed. We opted for coffee and sat at the bar. It was strange to see how bare it looked with the main lights on and it was clean and ready for another show night. A couple of performers appeared to practice their routine. No fancy outfits or make up but dancing in heels with all the mannerisms of two young women. They knew Jack so they came over to say hello. I was acknowledged but then they started whispering to Jack. They were looking at me as if I was the subject of the conversation.

After they went back to practising their routine Jack apologised for the whispering and said they’d asked if we were an item. I was sure I’d heard one of them say ‘Is she one of us or the real shilling?’

‘Oh did they think I was a drag artist?’

‘Not exactly. They were inferring that I’d changed my sexual preferences.’

‘What does that mean? I’m confused.’

Before Jack could respond there was a loud bang on the emergency exit door and some shouting. It sounded like Lauras foghorn voice. Jack went to the rear entrance to let them in along with Blair who was barely recognisable in his male clothing and without the heavy make-up.’

Laura and Jane looked past their best but seemed to have come round enough to be trusted to travel home. It didn’t take Laura long to fire the first insult. Straight from the hip. ‘Oh so you brought your slag with you? I thought they went home.’

‘No Julie is here for the rest of the week.;

‘Lucky her. She didn’t run a mile then when she found out about you?’

Jack intervened ‘Nothing to find out about and you need to behave and be grateful you didn’t end up in the gutter somewhere last night. You owe Blair and her friend.’

‘Blair and his friend. Are you blind? You mean The Gay Caballero’s’

‘Best you hush your mouth a bit Laura. You have already upset your friends with your loutish behaviour this weekend and you need to think about how you settle your debts and get home.’

‘Plenty of trains. Don’t worry your pretty little head. You get back to your barmaid job with your pretty little waitress.’

‘Are you forgetting it’s Sunday service?’

‘Well we’ll either catch the last train or sleep at Kings Cross station and go home on the first train tomorrow. It’s no big deal.’

‘Well your bags are in my storeroom and you have the girls to thank for settling the bill. A bit of politeness might help.’

‘Look Jack I need something inside me and some coffee. My mouth tastes like a birdcage bottom.’

‘It’s certainly foul enough. Julie and I are heading back soon so you make your mind up what you want to do. You can get your bags anytime up to me shutting shop tonight. After that they’ll be in the rubbish skip for disposal.’

‘We’ll be there don’t worry. Pity you couldn’t bring them with you to save us the trouble.’

‘Pity that trouble is your middle name. You need to be taught a few lessons.’

‘Well you can’t teach me anything. You had your chance and failed.’

Jacks friend intervened and politely as he could he suggested that we move on since he had work to do. We left and Laura and Jane wondered off in one direction to find a coffee shop whilst Jack steered me in the opposite direction and we headed to the tube station.

‘Jules that woman drives me nuts with her foul mouth and assertions.’

‘Ignore her she is clearly insane and hasn’t got over whatever relationship you had with her.’

‘Well she’s had it with me and I wouldn’t be surprised if Debs, Maggie and Sarah feel the same way too after this weekend. It’s a good job you came over the horizon to compensate. You are something else you know.’

‘Flattery will get you everywhere.’

‘I do hope so I’m trying my best.’

‘OK you passed. I like being with you and you have made me feel very special. I now feel the attacker did me the biggest favour that I’ve ever received. Laura must have been mad to split from you.’

‘Well I don’t think our relationship was that serious. More has been made of it than it actually was.’

I was beginning to realise that it might be a big mistake to accept Jacks offer to stay at his apartment. If this affection carried on I doubted he would hold back and I would surely hurt his feelings or even make him angry. I breathed in and held my breath to get as much oxygen as I could to try to stimulate my brain cells. What should I do? Tell the truth and shame the devil or carry on the charade and try to have as good a time as possible and then leave London and disappear forever.

Jack put his arm around me puzzled why I was suddenly so quiet and not taking notice of his chat. I concluded that I had Hobsons Choice.

Another Side of My Life – Chapter 17
By Julie D Cole

I was a little more chatty on the journey back to Kensington to ensure that Jack didn’t feel that I was ignoring him or didn’t appreciate the kindness he’d showed me.

When we arrived into the sunshine at Kensington High Street the heat hit us. Jack had a plan for a special treat that I’d never experienced before. A shake or a fruit juice at Joes Juice. I didn’t understand what he was talking about at first but it soon became clear as we approached the venue. Fresh healthy fruit juices or milk shakes with a variety of flavours. What a choice and perfect for a sunny day. I let Jack choose for me and he teased me with a ‘Sex Me Up’ that was Passion Fruit Ginger and Apple. He went for ‘The Iron Man’ that was Kiwi, Strawberry and Apple.

We chatted a lot as we sipped them and ordered sandwiches. Nothing conventional of course, a Joe’s Club for Jack and a Tunacado for me. They were scrumptious. Nothing like this in my home town and with the buzz of London and good company. If my work colleagues could see me now they’d be green with envy.

Jack knew the staff and the manageress came over to say hello. I was introduced as a new friend who had fallen out of the sky into his lap who was on a short break and had kindly offered to help him at the hotel bar. She had moved to London from Hong Kong where she’d run a similar place and she was beautiful without the need for make-up like me. Julie Ho so we shared the same name. She was much shorter than me but so confident with perfect English that put me to shame.

Jack knew quite a lot about her and her family back in Hong Kong who lived in a high-rise Apartment on the Hong Kong Island side. She’d invited Jack to visit next time she went home and I felt she would be happy to date him. I felt a slight pang of envy that was stupid. She was so kind to me as a complete stranger and invited me to join her and some friends to China town for dinner before I returned home. Jack feigned envy but of course he was invited provided it was on his night off that was Wednesday.

I could see the attraction of London and it was small wonder that Jack had settled here even though everything was so much more expensive.

We stayed for an hour enjoying a complementary juice sent over by Julie. Jack attempted to find out a little more about me and my job and if I had any siblings. I played down my job and it appeared as if I was some sort of office gofor and general dogsbody. In truth I was a team leader without any authority. My team was 4 females and 1 male. My line manager was female and our Division had a woman in charge. I felt sorry for my male colleague but for me I felt at ease and perhaps this was why I wanted to explore a little. It would be so much easier to be a girl amongst girls at work rather than to move departments but that was just a dream.

I did admit to Jack that I’d have liked to have a sister or a brother. He was sympathetic but I noticed a sadness in his eyes as he looked at me. He hasd a good relationship with Debs so I asked him why the sad face.

‘It’s complicated I’m afraid. You know you asked about the photograph in my apartment well you were right it’s not a photo of Debs.’

‘Well there is a resemblance.’
‘Well when I was in my early teens I had a terrible time at school because I didn’t fit in with the crowd. I was bullied a lot because I was small and shy. I was embarrassed because I was not developing like other boys. I thought that I was gay and my voice hadn’t broken.’

‘But you are fine now. You seem fit and you are quite muscular. You don’t seem to fit the mantra of a gay guy. Not when I’m around anyway.’

‘Well I did have a spell where I was confused about my sexuality My voice hadn’t broken and I couldn’t gain weight whatever I ate. I was the same height and weight as Debs even though I am 2 years older. We played a lot together since I was at a disadvantage against the boys who were neighbours and those in my year at school. Even now as you see I’m no taller than you Debs and Sarah.’

‘But you are quite muscular.’

‘Yes I’ve had to work at that but in my mid-teen years because I had no close friends I was encouraged to dress in Debs clothes so I could be included. I like the attention and she treated me like her sister. Mum and dad didn’t know.’

‘Was this regular then and did it excite you?’

‘It was occasional and we had a lot of fun together. I got to know Maggie and Laura who christened me Jacqueline or Jackie for short. At weekends I would dress like them in leggings and tops or jeans and sweaters when it was cold. We’d sneak out of the house past my mum and dad and we’d go out to shopping malls or to the cinema. At least I was socialising and I even got a job for a while at a Starbucks coffee shop. Laura encouraged me more than Debs did and I think she liked to boss me around knowing that I couldn’t complain. Mum knew I had a casual job but she never really quizzed me and luckily she never saw me. The tips were good so I carried on.’

‘So that is a surprise. Is the photo of you?’

‘Sort of yes.’

‘What do you mean sort of? That seems strange.’

‘Yes, it was me during that particular period of my life and Debs gave it to me framed as a gift. But I’ve changed. I was around 16 years of age when it was taken but it’s not me now. That phase lasted a few years until something happened and I had a bust up with Laura. She decided to broadcast it to everybody so then mum and dad confronted me. They were surprised and disappointed because they thought Laura and I were seriously dating.’

‘What surely not. Were they happy with Laura?’

‘Laura can turn the charm on when she wants don’t worry. She was kind enough to me at first, but she started losing her cool when I refused to have sex with her. She tried all sorts of tricks to entice me into bed with her but I just wasn’t interested.’

‘I thought you liked girls.’

‘I do like girls. Especially girls like you. I just didn’t like her and she couldn’t believe it. She said she felt insulted and I’d humiliated her. The problem was that she’d boasted that I was in love with her and the weekend when we went away together was supposed to be when I asked to marry her. That was her plan not mine. She’d told all her friends in confidence, except Debs and Maggie who she thought might leak out the secret. She persuaded her parents to arrange a surprise party for about 100 people that was booked for our return from the short break.’

‘Hadn’t you even discussed it then?’

‘She had hinted that that is what she wanted because her friends had been having engagement parties even though most of them were no older than 17 or 18. I never let the conversation go too far and just said we should wait. She finally told me after we checked into our hotel. She said it was time we moved in together and that if she was engaged her parents would agree. She’d ordered an engagement ring for collection on our way home to show off at the party.’

‘She seems like the type of girl who is used to getting what she wants.’

‘Yes exactly. When I said I wasn’t ready for marriage she went berserk. She harped on about me being sexually inadequate and she had to make all the moves. She ridiculed me saying that I couldn’t keep it up and she said that I must be gay. I resisted even more so then she threatened to tell all our friends as well as my parents and work colleagues. She actually did that with announcements on the internet and she sent emails to work colleagues. By the time we arrived home everybody seemed to know that I was gay and dressed in womens clothes. She even posted photos she’d taken.’

‘That must have been awful.’

‘Yes it was. My parents confronted both Debs and I and at the end of the lecture they told me that they were ashamed of me and both of us were grounded. Some of our friends were OK about it because they knew what Laura was like but others shunned me. At work I was treated like I had the plague. My boss found out.’

‘So did all this cause a breakdown?’

‘Of sorts but I guess I exaggerated. It gave me an excuse to take extreme action. I thought the best solution was to resign at work and pack up and leave. I just walked out and left a note. I headed for London and stayed with a cousin in her flat. Then I found the bar job at the Drag Club and camped it up a bit to fit in. I earned quite a bit of money since we all shared tips and I soon worked my way up to Bar Manager effectively running it.’

‘What about your cousin?’

‘Her father was paying for the flat to give her privacy whilst she was at university. She is very bright and she graduated the following year. She headed home because she had a boyfriend and she found a job at a law firm. She is still training. It’s a long haul.’

‘Did she know about the rumours that Laura spread?’

‘Yes, I told her everything before I moved in and she said it made no difference. She was glad to have me around although we didn’t see much of each other because of the late nights that came with my job.’

‘So did you carry on dressing here in London and at the club.’

‘What do you think. I soon filled out so I no longer could pass a female to go out and about and I wasn’t into drag. I tried to put it all behind me and I don’t have any desire to do it these days.’

‘Did you go home at all?’

‘No I decided to make a clean break and bide my time. Mum and Dad over reacted but I do speak to them from time to time. They know where I am. Gradually my life settled down and I made friends here and I even made contact with some past colleagues. I found a flat in the same block and I am happy enough in a new phase of my life. Well I was until you dropped out of the sky.’

‘How come you ended up at Rules?’

‘I became bored of the club scene and decided I needed to get into better physical shape and find a job with better hours. I liked Kensington and I saw an advert in the newspaper. I got the job of course.’

‘So you ended up taking over the bar that is attached to the hotel?’

‘Yes the deal was I run it and I have a small stake in it as an incentive. I manage the accounts and they purchase the stock. No rent involved and I can set my own salary and hire and fire my own staff. But I have to make profit and we agree targets.’

‘ So boss, are you going to fire me?’

‘Only if you misbehave. Not much sign of that at the moment. You seem as if you were born for the hospitality trade.’

‘That’s me. Barmaid, waitress and Scully Maid.’

‘Well don’t knock it. It keeps you fit and you have the chat to go far.’

‘Yes all the way back North.’

‘So tell me now more about yourself since you coaxed me into full disclosure.’

I was terrified this might happen and stuttered a bit trying to think about what I should say. He did say a girl like you. Did he know? Had he guessed? Was it so obvious?

I was saved by the bell. Jacks phone bleeped. It was the hotel reception letting Jack know that 2 young women were asking after him. It gave me chance to think.

Another Side of My Life Chapter 18

By Julie D Cole

As we walked back to the hotel Jack appeared too wound up about what he would say to Laura to continue our discussion. I couldn’t blame him now I knew how awful she’d been to him and the trouble she’d caused. She was a nutcase.

As we entered the front doors of the hotel we could see Laura and Jane arguing with the hotel manager. Laura was shouting and waving her arms so she was being ushered towards the front door and we heard her threaten to call the police that made no difference. Jack stepped in to help calm her and the manager explained that the argument was about the two guys who had slept in their room and the state of the room. Apparently the hotel had made a charge to Laura’s credit card for the damage they’d caused in the room. They were told that they would be banned by the hotel group in future but Laura was undeterred.

Jack told her how ashamed he was and how stupid they’d behaved in the hotel and throughout the weekend. Laura then took aim at him but missed and fell over. A security guy stepped forward and took hold of her as she struggled to stand up and walked her backwards out of the door and down the steps to the pavement sitting her on a small wall. He kept her there standing in front of her to stop her from causing more trouble and the police were called.

Within a few minutes 2 officers arrived and this seemed to calm Laura down. The manager explained what had happened then Jack managed to persuade to let him take responsibility for escorting them to the railway station. The hotel manager who was calm and respectful throughout agreed and said she would not press charges if they left quietly.

Jack collected their luggage from his storeroom and they all left for Kings Cross in a taxi. The police left and I stayed at the hotel to avoid any excuse for Laura to raise her hackles again. As the taxi pulled away she stared at me through the window, stuck out her tongue and gave me the finger.

The manager shook her head in disbelief and then introduced herself as Christina Carter that I could see on her name tag although it said Chris rather than Christina. She wore a smart business suit that looked like designer label so I felt awkward being so casually dressed. She had a firm handshake and was slightly taller than me in her heels. She knew I was a friend of Jack and that I was helping out in the bar. Since Jack had escorted Laura and Jane she invited me to join her for tea or coffee in the business lounge. I nodded my acceptance and opted for some tea. She smoothed her skirt and sat up straight and I tried to copy her posture ensuring that I kept my knees close together. She gave the impression of confidence with an air of authority much like my boss at work but she seemed much nicer. She seemed to quickly analyse me and I was nervous in case she had quickly worked out that I wasn't female. My throat was dry since I was so nervous and it felt like I was invited to join her to be interrogated. I tried to speak in my softest voice and keep my hands on my lap. When the tea arrived she poured it.

We sat and chatted for a while and she asked me where I lived and what I did for a living. I hesitated before explaining that I had a boring job behind a computer and that every day was the same. She clearly liked her job and the opportunities that had been available to her since she had been hired from university. She said that if I'd enjoyed helping Jack that I should look at a career in the hospitality industry and if I relished a challenge that London offered lots of opportunities for people of my age. I tried to appear enthusiastic but sadly I had another life and as much as I was enjoying myself this was not a permanent arrangement. She asked me for my contact details and said that she'd be happy to let me know if she saw any opportunities pop up in the hotel group. It was a relief when she was called away to deal with a problem. She shook hands again and invited me to stay in the lounge until Jack returned.

In the conversation she let slip that it was her who had asked Jack to run the bar and persuaded her boss to give him a chance and to let him run it like a private enterprise. I liked her and as she left I looked at the way she walked and her skirt was well fitted that necessitated small steps. I doubted I could have kept pace with her had I been wearing something similar.

After I finished my tea rather than hang around I decided to go into the bar to check that everything was tidy and clean for Jacks return. I wondered what I should do for the rest of the week and how Jack might react if I told him the truth about me. He was unlikely to be rude and awful to me or aggressive but the longer this went on the more difficult it would be to maintain the friendship that I had enjoyed so much in just a few days. In truth I didn’t want it to end but I needed to get real.

I received a text message to let me know he was on his way back on the underground and that Laura had behaved herself apart from leaving him to pay the cab fare. I told him that Christina had introduced herself and we’d chatted over cups of tea and she seemed nice and was complementary about him.
‘Yes she was kind to me and she hired me to run the bar before coming up with the idea that I should run it as a small private enterprise with financial support from a Government backed scheme. I jumped at the chance. The hotel owners wanted rid.’

‘So you are pretty much tied in then?’

‘Yes I can’t walk away but hey it’s making money now and Christina is on my side and arranges back up when it’s needed until the business takes off.’

A few minutes after our call ended Jack walked through the front entrance to the hotel and spotted me. He had a look of relief on his face that broke out into a big smile.

‘Good riddance. I have spoken to Debs to let her know what happened. She was so angry that she said we should have let the police deal with it but it’s too much hassle for Christina.’

‘Let’s forget her. She is poison.’

There was an awkward moment between us and we both seemed to want to move forward towards each other but waited for each other. I inched forward and then Jack took the initiative and stepped close enough to take my hands. He stared into my eyes and leaned forward wrapping his arms around me and kissed me softly on the lips. I felt a shudder down my spine and I didn’t want to move. Jack pulled me closer and the kiss became more passionate. I couldn’t fight the feeling I had for him anymore even though we were in full view of the reception and anybody who might pass by.

My knees were like jelly and Jack took the weight of my body.

‘Sorry but I’ve wanted to do that since I first saw you. I hope I’ve not embarrassed you.’

I let out a sigh and tried not to smile. ‘No need for you to be sorry Jack. It was nice. It’s just that it’s getting complicated and I don’t want to hurt you.’

‘I’m a big boy so I promise to behave and control myself. I won’t hurt you because I am not the aggressive type. But I do think that you seem to be a bit in denial. I am not sure what you might be scared about but I promise that you can trust me whatever.’

I gulped slightly and then I took a deep breath, but no words would come out. I wasn’t proud of myself but it was like I was on a wheel or a roundabout and I couldn’t jump off because it was spinning faster and faster.

‘Come on Jules let’s focus on the bar and get some trade going and we can chat when you feel ready. Nothing is spoiling. You aren’t leaving me are you?’

‘No, I have probably decided to stay as I said that I would and I will return home as planned at the weekend.’

‘You do still have your ticket don’t you? It wasn’t with your stolen credit cards was it?’

‘No, it’s in the inside zip pocket of the jacket I was carrying. I’m sure that I checked already but I need to double check later.’

Just as soon as Jack opened the bar and started cleaning a beer pipe the first customers entered. A group of business men looking to celebrate some sort of deal so I welcomed them and gave them copies of the bar menu then took their order. They were in good spirits and since they were staying in the hotel they ran a tab. One guy seemed similar age to me and but he was the shy type. He was sitting on the fringe so I made extra fuss of him that raised a smile.

When I was called to take their next order his boss asked my name and he introduced them individually asking my name. I was extra nice to Jeremy to stop his blushing. That could so easily have been me in that seat, silent and embarrassed in front of a stranger. Now I was that stranger and I wasn’t embarrassed to speak to any of them and I quite liked to receive complements.

More customers arrived and the bar almost filled over the next few hours so we were pretty much none stop with few opportunities to chat for long and some good tips. I really enjoyed myself working in tandem with Jack and having customer interaction. It was so much more fun than staring at a computer screen all day in my job with no promotion prospects or opportunities to increase my experience. I looked across the bar at Jack as he laughed a joked with some hotel guests from Ireland who were in no hurry to go to bed. Jack would make a great boss in any job because of his personality and as I had found out earlier he was a great kisser too. I’d never actually kissed anybody with passion until this trip and Jack was certainly more skilled than Sarah. He was gentle because of his stubble and his tongue teased mine so that I was sorely tempted to allow it to push deep into my mouth.

I was obviously staring and as he looked around the bar he noticed and smiled. Suddenly I felt my knees tremble a little and I quivered as I felt a dampness in my panties. I needed the bathroom so I took my bag from under the bar and excused myself and hurried to the most convenient one in the reception area. As I examined myself I realised that the wetness was not a leak but excitement and yet I hadn’t stiffened at all. I tucked myself back into the thong that I wore to hide my bulge that I now needed to rinse through later back at Jacks place. I was down to my last 2 clean ones not having had chance to do any laundry so far.

The lighting in the bathroom was very bright and I looked at my face and considering the long day we’d had I looked OK. I was still passable and no major surgery required. I freshened my lips to replace the lost coating that Jack had enjoyed and tidied my hair. Before I left I gave myself a quick spray of fragrance trying to avoid going over the top. Just as Liz entered who was the duty receptionist. She smiled and recognised the brand immediately. In less than a week my fear of using the ladies bathroom had disappeared altogether.

Back in the bar I was welcomed like a long lost relative by the Irish customers. They had already coaxed Jack to drink with them and insisted I joined them for a nightcap since Jack was closing up soon. I was trying to think of a drink when they asked for another tumbler and asked Jack to pass the bottle of Jamesons whiskey. I tried to resist since I struggle with shorts and shots but they said to wait and trust them. They added 2 cubes of ice and a bottle of dry ginger and said to taste it and if I didn’t like it they’d finish it. I took a sip and it did taste nice.

Jack was on his second or third tumbler and I tried to resist them topping up my tumbler that was a waste of time. They were from Dublin and had enjoyed a night out after concluding a deal in the City for investment into some racing stables. Aiden was the leader and his aides were Mick and Dermot. The bottle had to be emptied before they would leave the bar.

Somehow Jack coaxed them to take their drinks to the lounge so he could close the bar but not before each of them insisted to kiss me goodnight. Luckily no groping or passionate kisses. I think I could have failed a breathalyser test even from the alcohol they transferred saying goodnight.

We said goodnight and then Jack flagged down a taxi and we headed to his apartment. He was a little drunk but not out of control. Luckily I was within my limits. Jack put his arm around me and pulled me close. He liked my fragrance and said he liked having me around and that he’d enjoyed our day together. I tried to sit properly in the skirt and could see the taxi driver checking us out in his mirror. He just smiled because Jack was slurring his speech.

I helped Jack to open the door to his apartment and as he closed the door he took hold of my hand and pulled me close to repeat the passionate kiss we’d enjoyed earlier.

‘Julie, will you sleep with me tonight? I have fallen in love with you.’

Another Side of My Life Chapter 19

By Julie D Cole

‘But Jack it’s difficult. I can’t take the risk of falling in love when I’m already engaged to Chris.’

‘Jules it’s time for you to let your true feelings out. I have seen the body language and received all the signals. I know you want more than a friendship.’

‘But Jack you’ll hate me forever. I shouldn’t have let this go so far.’

‘I’m hot for you and what’s wrong with us sleeping together if I promise to be gentle.’

‘But Jack I can never satisfy you. It’s physically impossible. I just can’t risk hurting you. Let’s calm down. It’s just the alcohol.’

‘I don’t need alcohol to release my feelings for you. If it helps then I’ll respect your space and I’ll leave it up to you whether or not you want to share my side of the bed.’

‘Jack honestly I can’t.’

‘In that case it’s probably best if you do head home tomorrow. I thought I’d found the person who I could share my life with when you accepted my help.’

I couldn’t stop the tears falling down my cheeks. Why was I so emotional? Why was I falling in love with a man? I could never be the woman he deserved. I couldn’t live like I had this last few days Even if Jack accepted me he would be ridiculed just as much as me when it leaked out. Would he accept me anyway? What would mum think? What about my job? What would Debs think and Sarah too who wanted to be my bestie?

‘Look Jules if you are so scared then maybe tonight you take the sofa and you can then leave early tomorrow before I get up. I’ll get the sheets and the spare duvee and your case.’

‘Jack please. I’m sorry I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.’

‘No neither did I. You just fell out of the sky. I thought my luck had changed when I found the bar opportunity and moved into this place. I can see that I was fooling myself. You use the bathroom first and I’ll get your stuff.’

‘OK Jack, if that’s what you want. I never meant to hurt you. I’ll be gone out of your life in the morning. I promise.’

He looked as upset as I felt but without the tears. When I entered the bathroom I looked at the mascara running down my cheeks. So much for waterproof. I used wipes to clean my face removing my lipstick as well as the mascara. I still looked feminine that pleased me. My nightgown and pyjama top and shorts were hanging where I’d left them so at least I didn’t need to go back in the lounge wrapped in a towel. I felt a little better after the shower as I cleaned my teeth.

I shouted OK as I passed Jacks bedroom door and saw Jack had made up my bed and left my suitcase alongside. I switched off the main lights and left a lamp lit that was on the side-table alongside the couch and in reach. I slipped under the duvee and lay back reflecting on what I’d just done. I heard Jack go back into his bedroom and saw the light around the edge of his door extinguish. I burst into tears again. I was totally stupid for thinking this trip to London would be fun and let me enjoy the experience. It felt like a slow torture.

I tossed and turned for an hour or so before deciding I needed a milky drink to counter the effects of the whisky and help me fall asleep. There was a container of Horlicks on the work surface and whilst I find it sickly it was better than coffee or straight milk. I sat and sipped it and glanced towards the photo of ‘Jacks sister.’ He looked so cute as a teenage girl but he’d obviously filled out. At least he had experienced what it was like to be a woman so maybe that’s why he seemed to understand them better than most men. I felt I’d learned a lot too, especially this week. I felt that it should help me a lot back at work where men were outnumbered 2 to 1.

I tried my best to sleep but I just tossed and turned. Eventually I was so frustrated that I picked up my phone and checked my list of messages. There was one from mum and another from Debs lost amongst lots of rubbish messages promoting hotel accommodation, holidays and all manner of shopping deals. The message from mum was just checking on me but Debs had been talking with Jack and she wanted a chat. I couldn’t respond to either at 2am in the morning so it would have to wait. I’d had several WeChat messages from Sarah earlier that I’d answered and she was just letting me know how much she was missing me and that they’d heard that Laura and Jane had arrived home tail between their legs.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Jack and the feeling I’d had when we kissed. I was convinced that I had been born the correct gender so I must be gay and it scared me because of the way I’d seen fellow students treated through school and college. I googled about same sex relationships and then about crossdressing and transgender issues. I definitely fell into the transgender spectrum but how far? I had liked this experience apart from the constant nervousness and fear of making a mistake and being publicly challenged. I hated myself when I thought about how I had misled Jack so far. I just wanted to stay as his friend but only if I could be Julie and for him to treat me like he had done.

This was stupid. He must know surely. I’m not a woman and I must have made hundreds of mistakes this week. He’d tried to give me chance to tell him about myself and he’d been open with me. I acted like a girl and now I’d even cried like a girl in front of him. I wondered if he was so angry that he couldn’t sleep. I looked at a site that said the 7 best questions to ask yourself to determine if you loved someone, same sex or not. I loved him and I tried to ask the same questions on his behalf. No negatives and maybe two I was not sure about.

Another 30 minutes had passed with no sign of me falling asleep. What was the worst that could happen if I was truthful? He’d hit me? No I don’t think he would. He’d shout at me? He might. He’d throw me out? No he’d just let me leave as planned so he already had in effect. He’d never speak to me again? I couldn’t bare that pain. He’d tell everybody I was a man dressing as a woman? He’d never hold me and kiss me again? Maybe there was a chance if I was truthful.

I tossed my phone to the end of the sofa and cast aside the duvee. I was so frustrated so no wonder I couldn’t sleep. I did not want to just pack up and leave. I wanted to see him not to run away. I wanted to know one way or the other if we could stay friends. I wanted to know we might at least see each other again. I couldn’t go back to my life at home and regret my rejection of an invitation to take our relationship to another level.

I decided to find out if he was having trouble sleeping so I would go to him. I tapped on his door as gently as I could that was a bit stupid really. What did I expect? No answer so I went in and even though there wasn’t much light I could see that he was fast asleep. Maybe he didn’t really care about me after all. Since he was asleep I thought I would get into his bed and see if I could sleep in the comfort of a matress. It was wide enough to keep us apart until he woke up.

I turned my back away from him facing the wall. I must have been half asleep when I turned over to sleep on my left side that is my preferred position and I sensed someone moving about. I opened one eye to see it was Jack who must have been returning from the bathroom.

‘Are you awake?’

‘Yes’

‘So you changed your mind?’

‘Yes I felt awful and I couldn’t get to sleep.’

‘Well I’m glad you did. The couch is not so comfy is it?’

‘Not really but I had too much going on in my mind.’

‘So do you want to talk about it?’

‘At this time?’

‘What better time? No interruptions here it’s just the two of us.’

‘But look it’s 4am You need your rest.’

He leaned over and propped himself up on his elbow. Even in the subdued light I could see his eyes and his lips. He made to kiss me and I tried to turn a little so he kissed my cheek rather than my lips. He reached and stopped me and his lips found mine. I couldn’t pull away so he did.

‘Just relax. I think you are beautiful and you look so innocent and a little scared. Why?’

‘I’m just ashamed of myself. I’ve let this go too far. I couldn’t stop myself. You have been so sweet to me.’

‘Shh, just relax and let me hold you. We don’t need to talk until you feel that you want to.’

He laid back and let me rest my head on his shoulder. I stretched my neck so my face was close searching for his lips and he responded and I pushed the tip of my tongue between his lips searching for his. I didn’t want us to stop. I loved him. I felt his manhood grow as he pushed towards his stomach my tummy. I reached to hold him and he wrapped his hand around mine to ensure I didn’t change my mind and withdraw. He was rock hard and I moved my hand up and down the shaft causing him to breathe heavily.

Then I didn’t know what came over me. I disappeared under the duvee and kissed him gently and took him in my mouth as far as I dare. What was driving me to do this I’d never even contemplated it before and it came so naturally. He tried to stop himself from ejaculating but I had control and he had earned his release. He just exploded and tried to capture everything in his hands. He reached for a tissue that I took from him and I cleaned him as best I could. I kissed him all over his face to make him smile and then I lay on his shoulder and we fell to sleep.

Jack was awake first and got out of bed to make some tea. I moved into his warm place and looked at his alarm clock. It was still only 8am and so plenty of time to pack up and head home. The rail tickets were cheaper in the middle of the day if I bought them on-line. I stretched out and thought about a visit to the bathroom. My thong felt damp from the night of passion but I’d not matched Jacks eruption by any means. I sat up in bed as Jack came through the door with our tea.

‘Hi Jules, the sun is shining it’s a beautiful day. I’m famished so do you fancy going out for breakfast. The whiskey is to blame. I need something in my stomach.’

‘Sounds good but last night you suggested I leave because you were fed up with me.’

‘Well I was annoyed but I’ve changed my mind since you came to my bed. I It’s true.’

‘It’s your kindness that is infectious. Not just with me but with customers and your friends at the club. Then at the hotel. Who else would get a chance to take over a hotel bar? I don’t make friends easily but when I’m with you I’m like a completely different person.’

‘So how about if I beg you to stay here with me for the rest of the week? But not sleeping on the couch. My bed is big enough for the two of us and I promise to respect your space.’

I took a deep breath. I was sure he must know my real problem. No mention anymore about my invisible fiancé. No pressure on me to tell him more about me.

'I don’t want you to leave. Anyway I’ve just had a message from Debs instructing me to handcuff you and keep you prisoner until you agree to become my girl.’

‘She’s always watching your back. She is a great sister caring so much for you. I wish I had a sister too, or a brother even. I liked Debs a lot I’m not surprised you are so close.’

‘Yes, she liked you too. She said in just a few days you’ve made me smile again.

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 20 (Final)
By Julie D Cole

I aplogise but I decided to edit and bring this story to an end. Seems interest is waning.

I extended this chapter of course.

...................................................................................................................................................

‘So is my invite to breakfast a yes or a no?’

‘It’s a yes thank you.’

‘Do I need my handcuffs to keep you here.’

‘No. Anyway just for your information I am not into the kinky stuff. I would like to stay if the invite is still open.’
‘Always open. 24/7 for you.’

He stepped towards me and wrapped his arms around me and we kissed. I felt like the woman I wanted to be and I responded. The longer we embraced the weaker my knees became and he took my weight in his arms. I could feel his manhood pressing against me and it stirred. I was reacting myself but he was unlikely to notice since I had secured myself as tightly as I could with my G string and my favourite pair of Sloggi panties.

As Jack pulled back slightly so we could look each other in the eye I asked if he’d responded to Debs yet since she’d tried to call me.

‘She knows what I’m like for communicating. She doesn’t expect me to get back to her. Will you be calling her later?‘

‘I will of course. I want to keep a close relationship with her, Sarah and Maggie. They were so nice.’

‘Good because I’ll get less pressure if she knows you are still around.’

I knew that I shouldn’t keep up the pretence because it was so unfair and I was being so selfish but none of this was deliberate and it was happening in spite of me trying to stop myself. I leaned forward and kissed him encouraging him to wrap his arms around me again. He only needed to look into my eyes and I seemed to be hypnotised into believing I was a woman.
‘Jack. Can I asked you something please?’
‘Of course you can. What do you want to know?’
‘When you first came to London did you live full time as a woman or just dress part time for your job at the club?’
‘Both. I was trying to find myself and I realised after a while that I wasn’t transgender. I just liked to wear womens clothes and make myself pretty and show off a bit.’
‘Like the drag acts?’
‘No when I dressed outside work I tried to be as feminine as I could. I had a full wardrobe. At work I wore more glamorous outfits but nothing too outlandish.’
‘Do you still like to do it?’
‘From time to time I did but it’s more difficult now since I deliberately bulked up to try to deal with it and stop myself.’
‘Do you still have all your clothes and things.’
‘I boxed it up about 6 months ago. Does it bother you?’
‘No it doesn’t but it surprised me when you told me your story and I wondered if you just grew out of it or if something had happened to make it appear grotesque or repulsive.’
‘I told you that I went through the phase of being insulted and outed and I suppose I ran away feeling embarrassed. Looking back I’m glad that I did because it brought me here and I didn’t have to hide from anybody or feel ashamed.’
‘But Debbi has supported you and so did you stop to please your mother?’
‘No. We speak but to be honest we are not as close as we should be since it’s hard to forget her initial reaction. But time is a healer and things are much better already.’
‘I’m glad. I can imagine it was a difficult time for both of you. Did she expect you to be married with children by now and to have a stable job near home?’
‘Yes she did. But she has at least admitted to being relieved that Laura and I split.’
‘Will you ever go home?’
‘No. I’m settled in London. How about you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Will you ever go home?’
‘I have to. I’m just here on vacation.’
‘So you like your life in the North and your job. I don’t get the feeling that you do.’

I couldn’t answer and I stayed silent. Jack didn’t press for one and suggested we headed for breakfast so we both finished getting ready. He held my hand as we walked to the corner and Jack flagged down a black cab.
‘Where are we going?’
‘I thought I’d treat you to something special.’
‘You don’t have to do that. I don’t deserve this treatment. Please let me pay.’
‘No we are going to have a special breakfast so you don’t forget me. I hope.’
‘Thanks but I feel embarrassed I’m not used to this special treatment. This last few days have been the best of my life.’
‘Well I thought I’d give you breakfast with a view. Then we can take a stroll around a market that is close by.’
‘Where is this then?’
‘There it is ahead of us. Looking over the river.’
‘The Shard?’
‘Yes we are going up to eat in the Aqua Shard for breakfast so you can look out over London and see if it entices you to stay.’
‘But that will be crazy prices. Why not just have a greasy snack in the market. We are working class not royalty.’
‘Our money is as good as anybodys and we are smart enough. We look like regular sightseers. Look there is Borough Market. It’s great fun and if you want to come back for dinner next time I have a day off it’s a great place for fresh fish.’
‘Look Jack this is not fair. I don’t deserve this treatment. I’ve been deceiving you this last few days. I can’t let keep it up any longer. I never expected any of this. I came to London to have some free time and explore a little.’
‘So I’m showing you the sights.’
‘I didn’t mean that sort of explore. I meant explore another side of me that has been trapped. You have made me think a lot. I really need to stop this before we go too far. I never expected that I’d have such feelings for anybody in just a few days you have awaked something inside me. I’ve enjoyed meeting Debbie and her friends and you were so kind to arrange that. And to top it all you have been amazing.’
‘ Well you were lost and you needed help. I just happened to be there. Perhaps it was fate. My work is not done yet is it. I think you are still a little lost. Is there something that you want to tell me?’
‘Not here in a cab. Perhaps when we arrive and before we have breakfast.’
‘OK. But don’t stress about it please. I want you to be happy and see life here is good and full of opportunities so it can be a chance for you to take a longer look and you might decide to pack in your job and give it a try. You can stay longer at my place if you can swing a few more days off work. I’d like the company and no charge if you are happy to continue to help me at the bar. You fitted in very well.’
‘It’s very tempting. Chris did say she’d tip me off if any job opportunities cropped up.’
‘So the balls in your court so let your mum know and call work before we open up the bar at eleven thirty.’
Jack paid the fare and pointed out the close proximity of Borough Market that opened from 10am. It was already busy and it looked very interesting and yet I’d never heard of it.

‘Jack please before we go any further I need to tell you something about me. It will change everything I’m afraid.’
‘Then don’t tell me. Just let’s go with the flow and enjoy a few days together. It was nice to wake up with you today. Was that something you’ve done before?’
‘Jack please it’s embarrassing. It was the first time I ever shared a bed with a man and I don’t know what came over me.’
He just smiled and took my hand so we could run across the road the the entrance of the Shard. The restaurant was on the 31st floor offering a wonderful view of London all across the river. I had dressed casually so I felt awkward but Jack said it was fine through the day and especially for breakfast or brunch. He’d not let go of my hand until we sat at our table. I could feel a dampness down below so I excused myself to visit the bathroom whilst Jack ordered. He was so kind and clearly didn’t want to take the risk of me telling him something that might affect our relationship.
When I returned I felt more comfortable and I’d decided to do as Jack suggested. I was enjoying myself so much that I didn’t want to head home and go back to work and I’d lost my reservation on the train anyway.

The breakfast was nice and it had been quite a while since I’d eaten bacon and eggs with mushrooms and black pudding and potato rosti. We tried not to rush so that we could enjoy the experience and once again I tried to pay but without success. If this was what life was like as a woman I just didn’t want it to end.
‘Jack I’ve been thinking. I don’t have enough clothes with me to last a week I might need to buy some new underwear and a couple of tops and do some laundry if I stay all week.’
‘That’s OK you can do your laundry tonight or tomorrow morning and you can pop out of the bar into Kensington High Street a bit later to get your essentials. Do you need any cash?’
‘No I am fine with my credit card. That all sounds OK so I’ll call mum and the office when we get to the hotel from your bar. I assume we’ll go straight there from the market.’
‘Yes that’s the general idea. You don’t need to go back to my apartment for anything do you?’
‘Not if I’m OK like this for bar work.’
‘Just perfect. It should help trade to have you alongside.’
We walked across to the market that was extremely busy. So much fresh food and fish on display with lots of business going on. There were several small snack places and a really nice fish restaurant that I hoped we might come back and try before I headed home at the weekend. It would have to be midweek anyway to fit with Jacks work schedule and his cover arrangements.
We were in plenty of time to get to the bar before scheduled opening so Jack suggested we took the underground and walked across London Bridge to Monument station. It was a 10 or 15 minute walk with wonderful views of the river Thames and the Tower of London. Jack pointed to the famous Golden Hinde sailing ship that was a replica of The Golden Hind ship sailed by Sir Francis Drake to South America and then Northern California where he landed and laid claim but he left without establishing a colony. Then circumnavigated the Globe before arriving back in England.

‘So we could have owned California if he’d left some of his crew there? Is that San Francisco? ’
‘No that was established 200 years later by the Spanish I think. We missed our chance I suppose.’
‘Imagine sailing all that way and back and missing the chance to own it.’
‘Lucky for them I suppose. It’s on my Butt List. Are you in?’
‘I would love to go one day.’
‘With me I hope.’
‘Maybe if you are still friends with me by then.’
The underground journey too us about 30 minutes and we had to put on our sun-shades as we exited the station to walk to the hotel. The weather seemed so much better than in the North of England. Another good reason to consider Jacks offer.
Jack opened up the bar whilst I made my calls. I told mum first since my mind was made up even if it caused a problem at work. She was relieved to hear from me and glad that I was having a good time after the bad start I’d had. She did say that I sounded different and I had to adjust the tone of my voice and I told her I’d had a bit of a summer cold. She said it was probably the exhaust gas fumes in London from all the traffic.
The next call was going to be more difficult and I had to talk to my boss rather than my supervisor and she didn’t always pick up. I was surprised that she answered.
‘Ah Julian where are you. I was told that you were due back in the office today.’
‘Well actually it’s tomorrow but I have hit a bit of a problem and I hoped to take a few more days leave. I have lots of credit.’
‘You know the rules. You have to complete a holiday request form and submit it through your line supervisor.’
‘I know Ms Harrison but I haven’t really taken any vacation all year and I’ve covered for others. I’m sure that Marie or Helen will be happy to help cover like I do for them.’
‘This is not very professional Julian. I’ve no time to be sorting out your work schedules and you were already on a warning. Not turning in today makes that 2 as far as I’m concerned and you know the rules. Three warnings and it’s instant dismissal.’
‘But that’s not fair. I do lots of extra days to cover and at short notice.’
‘Look we are over staffed anyway so why not let’s cut to the chase. Take your leave and call in Monday to pick up your belongings and your cards. I’m busy.’
With that she put the telephone down and I sat in shock. I had just lost my job. This was stupid so I needed to call HR. This woman clearly hated me and she was a bully.
I managed to calm down and call the HR Manager and I explained the situation as clearly as I could. She was sympathetic and asked me not to do anything whilst she attempted to sort things out.
….
I must have looked upset and in shock because Jack came over to me and asked if I was OK. I told him that the call with mum was fine but when I’d called the office to ask for leave they’d sacked me. I couldn’t stop myself from bursting into tears.
‘Just take a minute and calm down Julie.’
He put his arm around me and I leaned onto his shoulder. I’d never cried much before but I was so mixed up.
‘What do you mean they’ve sacked you? Do you mean there is no longer a job for you, or have you done something wrong?’
‘She said I’d broken the rules and it was a sackable offence. Others have taken vacation at short notice and I never did. They owe me lots of days holiday and I’ve always covered for others if they had an emergency. It seems like it’s only me that is supposed to give notice.’
‘Who told you that you were sacked?’
‘My boss. The main boss did. I was told to call her by my supervisor. I knew she didn’t like me.’
‘It sounds a bit strange to me. It’s not legal. Did you have any witnesses on the line or just the two of you?’
‘I wasn’t sure really since she was on hands free. There could have been somebody there.’
‘So it’s your word against hers. I suggest you write down what you think was said. The good thing on your side is that you immediately called HR.’

‘I just can’t believe she said those things or wants rid of me. I did my job and never caused trouble.’
‘So do you want to go straight home to get back to the office and sort it out?’
‘I don’t know. If they don’t want me then what’s the point of going into the office to be embarrassed? It’s a horrible job anyway. It’s not like it is my preferred career path and it was supposed to be temporary when I took it.’
‘So take advice about taking them to an industrial tribunal and stay here for a while and I’ll help you through this if I can.’
‘Thanks Jack I know you care for me and I really appreciate your support but the longer we’re together the harder things will be. This trip was supposed to be fun to give me some me time. It’s been complicated since the moment I set foot on the station platform.’
‘Maybe it felt like that at times but you seem to have had fun along the way. You fell from the sky and I think I’m falling in love with you. Seriously I think you are the person I’ve been waiting for. I think about you all my waking hours. I really want you to stay in London and hopefully you’ll feel the same way about me soon.’
‘Jack please. I already do feel the same way about you. Really I do and I don’t want to go home but I have to before both of us get hurt.’
‘OK so it’s going to have to be the handcuffs then I guess.’
‘Please Jack don’t make this any more difficult than it already is.’
‘Sorry Jules but you need to face the facts and the longer you’ve been here the more comfortable you’ve become. This is you not the person who packed a bag for a long weekend of fun. Things happen for a reason and I found my true self down here. It took time for me to find myself. I don’t think it has taken you as long.’
Jack was squeezing my hand and looking into my eyes. I tried to look away but I couldn’t.
‘Jules this is you. Why can’t you accept it. Just look what just happened. A door closed behind you so don’t try to open it. It was meant to be and my feeling is that a green light to enjoy the other side of your life. Do it with me please.’
‘Does that mean you know?’
‘Yes I know.’
‘How? Why didn’t you say something.’
‘Yes I’m really sorry about that I should have said something before now but I was falling in love with you and I didn’t want you to run away.’
‘Do I look like a man? Is it my voice? Did you touch me last night in bed?’
‘None of that. You don’t look like a man and your voice is natural. I respected you and it was you who touched me.’
‘So how then?’

‘There was a message on my answer phone this morning from the police so I called them back when you were in the bathroom. They asked you to go to the station. They arrested somebody after a robbery and when they searched his property they recovered your wallet and credit cards. The money is missing I’m sad to say.’
‘Oh Jack I’m so sorry. I never meant to deceive you or the girls.’
‘Nothing to feel sorry about. If you like we can go collect your wallet tomorrow morning although like me I think they might have difficulty understanding why a beautiful young woman uses credit cards with a mans name. I might have to help you disguise yourself as a man but I don’t think you will be very convincing. ’
‘Jack I already explained to them my circumstances and had to say I was pre-op transgender.’
‘That’s it then. You can’t admit to telling a lie can you?’
‘But what about mum? What will she say?’
‘I’m sure she’ll know she has a daughter and she’s more likely to want you to be happy and not to lose you. It just takes a little time to adjust but time is on our side don’t you think?’
‘If you say so Jack. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.’
‘I’ve only just started. Come on we have some customers waiting to be served.’
End

‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’

Another Side of My Life
Chapter 21 (Final)
By Julie D Cole

This is Chapter 20 that I tried to edit. I re-issued an extended chapter to complete the story as interest in this story seems to be in decline.

............................................................................................................................................................................

‘So is my invite to breakfast a yes or a no?’

‘It’s a yes thank you.’

‘Do I need my handcuffs to keep you here.’

‘No. Anyway just for your information I am not into the kinky stuff. I would like to stay if the invite is still open.’
‘Always open. 24/7 for you.’

He stepped towards me and wrapped his arms around me and we kissed. I felt like the woman I wanted to be and I responded. The longer we embraced the weaker my knees became and he took my weight in his arms. I could feel his manhood pressing against me and it stirred. I was reacting myself but he was unlikely to notice since I had secured myself as tightly as I could with my G string and my favourite pair of Sloggi panties.

As Jack pulled back slightly so we could look each other in the eye I asked if he’d responded to Debs yet since she’d tried to call me.

‘She knows what I’m like for communicating. She doesn’t expect me to get back to her. Will you be calling her later?‘

‘I will of course. I want to keep a close relationship with her, Sarah and Maggie. They were so nice.’

‘Good because I’ll get less pressure if she knows you are still around.’

I knew that I shouldn’t keep up the pretence because it was so unfair and I was being so selfish but none of this was deliberate and it was happening in spite of me trying to stop myself. I leaned forward and kissed him encouraging him to wrap his arms around me again. He only needed to look into my eyes and I seemed to be hypnotised into believing I was a woman.
‘Jack. Can I asked you something please?’
‘Of course you can. What do you want to know?’
‘When you first came to London did you live full time as a woman or just dress part time for your job at the club?’
‘Both. I was trying to find myself and I realised after a while that I wasn’t transgender. I just liked to wear womens clothes and make myself pretty and show off a bit.’
‘Like the drag acts?’
‘No when I dressed outside work I tried to be as feminine as I could. I had a full wardrobe. At work I wore more glamorous outfits but nothing too outlandish.’
‘Do you still like to do it?’
‘From time to time I did but it’s more difficult now since I deliberately bulked up to try to deal with it and stop myself.’
‘Do you still have all your clothes and things.’
‘I boxed it up about 6 months ago. Does it bother you?’
‘No it doesn’t but it surprised me when you told me your story and I wondered if you just grew out of it or if something had happened to make it appear grotesque or repulsive.’
‘I told you that I went through the phase of being insulted and outed and I suppose I ran away feeling embarrassed. Looking back I’m glad that I did because it brought me here and I didn’t have to hide from anybody or feel ashamed.’
‘But Debbi has supported you and so did you stop to please your mother?’
‘No. We speak but to be honest we are not as close as we should be since it’s hard to forget her initial reaction. But time is a healer and things are much better already.’
‘I’m glad. I can imagine it was a difficult time for both of you. Did she expect you to be married with children by now and to have a stable job near home?’
‘Yes she did. But she has at least admitted to being relieved that Laura and I split.’
‘Will you ever go home?’
‘No. I’m settled in London. How about you?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Will you ever go home?’
‘I have to. I’m just here on vacation.’
‘So you like your life in the North and your job. I don’t get the feeling that you do.’

I couldn’t answer and I stayed silent. Jack didn’t press for one and suggested we headed for breakfast so we both finished getting ready. He held my hand as we walked to the corner and Jack flagged down a black cab.
‘Where are we going?’
‘I thought I’d treat you to something special.’
‘You don’t have to do that. I don’t deserve this treatment. Please let me pay.’
‘No we are going to have a special breakfast so you don’t forget me. I hope.’
‘Thanks but I feel embarrassed I’m not used to this special treatment. This last few days have been the best of my life.’
‘Well I thought I’d give you breakfast with a view. Then we can take a stroll around a market that is close by.’
‘Where is this then?’
‘There it is ahead of us. Looking over the river.’
‘The Shard?’
‘Yes we are going up to eat in the Aqua Shard for breakfast so you can look out over London and see if it entices you to stay.’
‘But that will be crazy prices. Why not just have a greasy snack in the market. We are working class not royalty.’
‘Our money is as good as anybodys and we are smart enough. We look like regular sightseers. Look there is Borough Market. It’s great fun and if you want to come back for dinner next time I have a day off it’s a great place for fresh fish.’
‘Look Jack this is not fair. I don’t deserve this treatment. I’ve been deceiving you this last few days. I can’t let keep it up any longer. I never expected any of this. I came to London to have some free time and explore a little.’
‘So I’m showing you the sights.’
‘I didn’t mean that sort of explore. I meant explore another side of me that has been trapped. You have made me think a lot. I really need to stop this before we go too far. I never expected that I’d have such feelings for anybody in just a few days you have awaked something inside me. I’ve enjoyed meeting Debbie and her friends and you were so kind to arrange that. And to top it all you have been amazing.’
‘ Well you were lost and you needed help. I just happened to be there. Perhaps it was fate. My work is not done yet is it. I think you are still a little lost. Is there something that you want to tell me?’
‘Not here in a cab. Perhaps when we arrive and before we have breakfast.’
‘OK. But don’t stress about it please. I want you to be happy and see life here is good and full of opportunities so it can be a chance for you to take a longer look and you might decide to pack in your job and give it a try. You can stay longer at my place if you can swing a few more days off work. I’d like the company and no charge if you are happy to continue to help me at the bar. You fitted in very well.’
‘It’s very tempting. Chris did say she’d tip me off if any job opportunities cropped up.’
‘So the balls in your court so let your mum know and call work before we open up the bar at eleven thirty.’
Jack paid the fare and pointed out the close proximity of Borough Market that opened from 10am. It was already busy and it looked very interesting and yet I’d never heard of it.
‘Jack please before we go any further I need to tell you something about me. It will change everything I’m afraid.’
‘Then don’t tell me. Just let’s go with the flow and enjoy a few days together. It was nice to wake up with you today. Was that something you’ve done before?’
‘Jack please it’s embarrassing. It was the first time I ever shared a bed with a man and I don’t know what came over me.’
He just smiled and took my hand so we could run across the road the the entrance of the Shard. The restaurant was on the 31st floor offering a wonderful view of London all across the river. I had dressed casually so I felt awkward but Jack said it was fine through the day and especially for breakfast or brunch. He’d not let go of my hand until we sat at our table. I could feel a dampness down below so I excused myself to visit the bathroom whilst Jack ordered. He was so kind and clearly didn’t want to take the risk of me telling him something that might affect our relationship.
When I returned I felt more comfortable and I’d decided to do as Jack suggested. I was enjoying myself so much that I didn’t want to head home and go back to work and I’d lost my reservation on the train anyway.
The breakfast was nice and it had been quite a while since I’d eaten bacon and eggs with mushrooms and black pudding and potato rosti. We tried not to rush so that we could enjoy the experience and once again I tried to pay but without success. If this was what life was like as a woman I just didn’t want it to end.
‘Jack I’ve been thinking. I don’t have enough clothes with me to last a week I might need to buy some new underwear and a couple of tops and do some laundry if I stay all week.’
‘That’s OK you can do your laundry tonight or tomorrow morning and you can pop out of the bar into Kensington High Street a bit later to get your essentials. Do you need any cash?’
‘No I am fine with my credit card. That all sounds OK so I’ll call mum and the office when we get to the hotel from your bar. I assume we’ll go straight there from the market.’
‘Yes that’s the general idea. You don’t need to go back to my apartment for anything do you?’
‘Not if I’m OK like this for bar work.’
‘Just perfect. It should help trade to have you alongside.’
We walked across to the market that was extremely busy. So much fresh food and fish on display with lots of business going on. There were several small snack places and a really nice fish restaurant that I hoped we might come back and try before I headed home at the weekend. It would have to be midweek anyway to fit with Jacks work schedule and his cover arrangements.
We were in plenty of time to get to the bar before scheduled opening so Jack suggested we took the underground and walked across London Bridge to Monument station. It was a 10 or 15 minute walk with wonderful views of the river Thames and the Tower of London. Jack pointed to the famous Golden Hinde sailing ship that was a replica of The Golden Hind ship sailed by Sir Francis Drake to South America and then Northern California where he landed and laid claim but he left without establishing a colony. Then circumnavigated the Globe before arriving back in England.
‘So we could have owned California if he’d left some of his crew there? Is that San Francisco? ’
‘No that was established 200 years later by the Spanish I think. We missed our chance I suppose.’
‘Imagine sailing all that way and back and missing the chance to own it.’
‘Lucky for them I suppose. It’s on my Butt List. Are you in?’
‘I would love to go one day.’
‘With me I hope.’
‘Maybe if you are still friends with me by then.’
The underground journey too us about 30 minutes and we had to put on our sun-shades as we exited the station to walk to the hotel. The weather seemed so much better than in the North of England. Another good reason to consider Jacks offer.
Jack opened up the bar whilst I made my calls. I told mum first since my mind was made up even if it caused a problem at work. She was relieved to hear from me and glad that I was having a good time after the bad start I’d had. She did say that I sounded different and I had to adjust the tone of my voice and I told her I’d had a bit of a summer cold. She said it was probably the exhaust gas fumes in London from all the traffic.
The next call was going to be more difficult and I had to talk to my boss rather than my supervisor and she didn’t always pick up. I was surprised that she answered.
‘Ah Julian where are you. I was told that you were due back in the office today.’
‘Well actually it’s tomorrow but I have hit a bit of a problem and I hoped to take a few more days leave. I have lots of credit.’
‘You know the rules. You have to complete a holiday request form and submit it through your line supervisor.’
‘I know Ms Harrison but I haven’t really taken any vacation all year and I’ve covered for others. I’m sure that Marie or Helen will be happy to help cover like I do for them.’
‘This is not very professional Julian. I’ve no time to be sorting out your work schedules and you were already on a warning. Not turning in today makes that 2 as far as I’m concerned and you know the rules. Three warnings and it’s instant dismissal.’
‘But that’s not fair. I do lots of extra days to cover and at short notice.’
‘Look we are over staffed anyway so why not let’s cut to the chase. Take your leave and call in Monday to pick up your belongings and your cards. I’m busy.’
With that she put the telephone down and I sat in shock. I had just lost my job. This was stupid so I needed to call HR. This woman clearly hated me and she was a bully.
I managed to calm down and call the HR Manager and I explained the situation as clearly as I could. She was sympathetic and asked me not to do anything whilst she attempted to sort things out.
….
I must have looked upset and in shock because Jack came over to me and asked if I was OK. I told him that the call with mum was fine but when I’d called the office to ask for leave they’d sacked me. I couldn’t stop myself from bursting into tears.
‘Just take a minute and calm down Julie.’
He put his arm around me and I leaned onto his shoulder. I’d never cried much before but I was so mixed up.
‘What do you mean they’ve sacked you? Do you mean there is no longer a job for you, or have you done something wrong?’
‘She said I’d broken the rules and it was a sackable offence. Others have taken vacation at short notice and I never did. They owe me lots of days holiday and I’ve always covered for others if they had an emergency. It seems like it’s only me that is supposed to give notice.’
‘Who told you that you were sacked?’
‘My boss. The main boss did. I was told to call her by my supervisor. I knew she didn’t like me.’
‘It sounds a bit strange to me. It’s not legal. Did you have any witnesses on the line or just the two of you?’
‘I wasn’t sure really since she was on hands free. There could have been somebody there.’
‘So it’s your word against hers. I suggest you write down what you think was said. The good thing on your side is that you immediately called HR.’
‘I just can’t believe she said those things or wants rid of me. I did my job and never caused trouble.’
‘So do you want to go straight home to get back to the office and sort it out?’
‘I don’t know. If they don’t want me then what’s the point of going into the office to be embarrassed? It’s a horrible job anyway. It’s not like it is my preferred career path and it was supposed to be temporary when I took it.’
‘So take advice about taking them to an industrial tribunal and stay here for a while and I’ll help you through this if I can.’
‘Thanks Jack I know you care for me and I really appreciate your support but the longer we’re together the harder things will be. This trip was supposed to be fun to give me some me time. It’s been complicated since the moment I set foot on the station platform.’
‘Maybe it felt like that at times but you seem to have had fun along the way. You fell from the sky and I think I’m falling in love with you. Seriously I think you are the person I’ve been waiting for. I think about you all my waking hours. I really want you to stay in London and hopefully you’ll feel the same way about me soon.’
‘Jack please. I already do feel the same way about you. Really I do and I don’t want to go home but I have to before both of us get hurt.’
‘OK so it’s going to have to be the handcuffs then I guess.’
‘Please Jack don’t make this any more difficult than it already is.’
‘Sorry Jules but you need to face the facts and the longer you’ve been here the more comfortable you’ve become. This is you not the person who packed a bag for a long weekend of fun. Things happen for a reason and I found my true self down here. It took time for me to find myself. I don’t think it has taken you as long.’
Jack was squeezing my hand and looking into my eyes. I tried to look away but I couldn’t.
‘Jules this is you. Why can’t you accept it. Just look what just happened. A door closed behind you so don’t try to open it. It was meant to be and my feeling is that a green light to enjoy the other side of your life. Do it with me please.’
‘Does that mean you know?’
‘Yes I know.’
‘How? Why didn’t you say something.’
‘Yes I’m really sorry about that I should have said something before now but I was falling in love with you and I didn’t want you to run away.’
‘Do I look like a man? Is it my voice? Did you touch me last night in bed?’
‘None of that. You don’t look like a man and your voice is natural. I respected you and it was you who touched me.’
‘So how then?’
‘There was a message on my answer phone this morning from the police so I called them back when you were in the bathroom. They asked you to go to the station. They arrested somebody after a robbery and when they searched his property they recovered your wallet and credit cards. The money is missing I’m sad to say.’
‘Oh Jack I’m so sorry. I never meant to deceive you or the girls.’
‘Nothing to feel sorry about. If you like we can go collect your wallet tomorrow morning although like me I think they might have difficulty understanding why a beautiful young woman uses credit cards with a mans name. I might have to help you disguise yourself as a man but I don’t think you will be very convincing. ’
‘Jack I already explained to them my circumstances and had to say I was pre-op transgender.’
‘That’s it then. You can’t admit to telling a lie can you?’
‘But what about mum? What will she say?’
‘I’m sure she’ll know she has a daughter and she’s more likely to want you to be happy and not to lose you. It just takes a little time to adjust but time is on our side don’t you think?’
‘If you say so Jack. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.’
‘I’ve only just started. Come on we have some customers waiting to be served.’
‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’