Why is it always teenage girls and horses?

For the last few summers, only girls had been on the Riding School courses. Was Jack going to be an exception?

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My name is Jenny. I help my parents with the local riding school. I liked Jackie the first time we met. I was slaving away as usual at the stables, getting ready for the new summer season when she bicycled in that first day. I had the list of names on the clipboard and I was allocating the ponies to the different girls. My best friend, Alison, was helping me while Laura was round the back of the stables finishing with the mucking-out.

All I could see was the expected jodhpurs, t-shirt and helmet. I called out, "Come on over and see me, please." As she came over, I could see that she was about the same size as Alison - about five foot three - and quite slim. I find it quite irritating how jodhpurs make your bum look so big, but both Alison and this new girl had nothing to worry about. Horribly slim.

She took her hat off as she same up and I realized that she would never be mixed up with Alison. The new girl had short mouse-brown hair, almost boyish while Ali's sandy-blonde tresses were almost long enough for her to sit on. I waited a moment for her to speak then began myself. "I've got to guess that you're the only new name on this list - it says Jack in the little box so I guess that's short for Jackie. There's going to be nine of us on the course and I'm really glad that for another year we're all girls. This means that we can keep the same rules for the whole gang as for the previous five years."

I noticed a frown and that Jack was about to say something but Laura shouted for me to come and sort something out at once, so I dropped everything and ran off to help. As I left I yelled, "Ali, you sort out things with Jackie. Show her where everything is."

So I left the two alone. I didn't get back for ages. When I did there was a message saying, "Had to scoot off to help Jackie get some things for the first day. May not be round until about 9.30 tomorrow instead of 9.00. Ring if this is going to cause chaos." Ali's note was over the top as usual. Half an hour wasn't going to matter this early in the season. I did wonder what Jackie was missing, and why it needed two of them to sort it out. Oh well. Time would tell. I'd wait until tomorrow.

I suppose the real story belongs to Ali so I'll let her tell all about that summer from her point of view. It took ages before I knew what was happening, but then I've had that happen to me before.

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Golly, Jenny is so dim. I couldn't believe that she saw Jack walk up to her and then go bright red when Dimbo started warbling about 'how nice it was that the whole class was going to be full of girls for another year'. I saw Jack's eyes and ears go on stalks like nobody's business. It was so obvious that one of the people listening to this fandango wasn't in total agreement. Then Jenny had to run off burbling like the March Hare about 'so much to do, so little time to do it'. I turned to the person beside me who was stood there resembling a traffic light stuck on red.

"What we going to do about this, then - Jackie?" I emphasised the ending. "Do we have a class of only girls or what?"

"Heck, I dunno. I've never been mistaken for a girl before. What do you recommend?"

It was my turn to be speechless. This was a cool cookie for a mere boy aged about 14. I wouldn't have had the style to deal with an offer that strange as if it was an everyday thing. "Um, er. You heard her. She thinks you're a girl. I'm rather certain that you are not. But, since you'll be wearing those ultimately unisex jodhpurs just like the rest of us - we've got a gorgeous opportunity to get our fuhreress beautifully wound up. Are you game?"

"What do you mean? Am I game? I'm not at all sure what you're offering - let alone whether I should accept what I think I think you're offering."

I grabbed his arm and dragged him to a corner of the yard. "Yes, I'm giving you the chance to learn more about girls in one summer - from the inside - than you'll ever get in your life. Jenny thinks you're a girl, so she'll tell all the others. At the moment, I know you're a boy, but, if you trust me, we can cover that up quite easily. You have no hair on your face, you'll be wearing these ultra-non-sexy jodhpurs, just like the rest of us. If we can make your face and general appearance fit, then you'll be 'one of the girls'. I think it would be a real giggle, what about you?"

Jack pondered for a moment. "If you really believe we can get away with it, I'm game. It'd be a laugh. I shall tell myself that tho' I'm a rough, tough 15 year old and so, of course, too macho to want to be mistaken for a girl, on the other hand since it's just a subtle ploy so that I will understand them better and be more, erm, friendly with them then that's good tactics."

"Good thinking. That sounds neat. I'll give you all the subtlety you desire." I was a bit annoyed at his clear intention to learn enough so that he could score with other girls - I'd give him ploys and tactics. So he didn't want to be mistaken for a girl. I'd fix that too. And my guess that he was only 14 showed that he was lagging behind in the puberty and growth stakes - a definite advantage for me and only a potential disadvantage for him (if he ever realized.) It was only when I looked back a long time later that I realized that much of the impetus for actually making Jackie into a girl, rather than just learning about girls for a while, came from that first angry response.

I decided that we couldn't begin this exciting game in the publicity of the stable-yard. Tomorrow, I would bring back a much improved Jackie to meet the rest of the Riding Gang. "Okay, come with me and we'll decide how to begin this so-called subtle ploy of yours."

Jack followed eagerly as we disappeared off to my parents' house. Mum was out but Dad saw us disappear upstairs. "When you're finished gossiping with the girls in your bedroom, come down. I need to ask you a few things, young lady."

"Uh, oh. That means I'm in a small trouble. At least, if he only calls me young lady, I know I can worm my way out of it. It's funny that he thought you were another of the girls. I suppose it's the clothes mostly."

We zoomed into the bedroom and I told Jack what I was going to do. "First off, you're absolutely safe in riding clothes - so that just leaves your face and hair. Your hair is very short so we can't do much with it except a tiny trim here and there. Then we let it grow out for a couple of weeks."

Jack interrupted, "What, you reckon we'll be able to keep this going for the whole summer?"

"What did you think. This isn't just so you can have a day of 'learning about the girls' and then we all have a laugh. This has to be done as well as you possibly can. From this minute, you are a girl for the summer. At least at the riding school anyway." I already had a few plans of my own to keep Jack in disguise for much more than just at the school. At that moment, I really wasn't planning anything beyond the summer break. Truly.

"So, we can't yet do much with the hair. The face is more difficult. You're an ordinary teenage girl - so you can't wear makeup in the daytime, or at least not so that anyone will notice. However, we've got to give you a little emphasis. I might just use a tiny bit of eye-lash mascara. You've got lovely long lashes but it would help if we made them more visible. Calling you Jackie is obvious too. That's a perfectly ordinary girl's name - hey, it gave us both the idea didn't it. I saw Jenny's list - you're shown as Jack squiggle - so she just guessed. You'll have to learn some new catchphrases. If you eliminate 'magic', 'yukky' and any boy-type words and use 'pretty' and 'lovely' instead. You know, what you'd call girly words. That'll help you be more convincing. What do you think, Jackie girl? You still keen?"

"I think so. After all, you can't do much without my parents getting some pretty strange ideas."

"Don't be silly. It would be awful if anyone else got involved. This is a game just for us girls at the riding school." Ho, ho, just a little lie, Pinocchio.

I spent a while combing Jackie's hair this way and that way. Nothing made much difference and, as she said, her parents mustn't notice. I was making an effort to use 'she' and 'her' so that I wouldn't make a mistake. I did try the mascara too. Jackie pulled faces and muttered, "Careful you don't stick that thing in my eye. I hope you know what you're doing."

"Don't be so silly. How many girls have you ever heard of who blinded themselves doing their makeup. Don't be so daft. Anyway, you'll be able to do it yourself after a couple of practices. I'll get you a stick tomorrow."

"Don't be silly, yourself. How am I going to explain makeup in my own bedroom?"

"Yeah, s'pose that would be a giveaway. Oh well, we can find some way of keeping you looking pretty. I've got an idea though. Since we've knocked off for the afternoon, let's sit you in front of the mirror and give you a proper makeup treatment - just so you can see how pretty I could make you."

"Why not. If I'm going to be called Jackie all summer, then I ought to know what Jackie looks like. But don't do anything silly."

I spent quite a while with my limited set of paints and potions. I was just finishing when Dad shouted from downstairs, "Hey, where have you been all afternoon. I still want a word with you. You two come down. Your friend can go into the garden while we have a little chat."

This sounded worse. I grabbed Jackie and we ran downstairs. I was about to push her into the garden when Billy Goat Gruff said, "Well introduce me to your friend before you push her out. I can see you've been practising with your makeup, she looks very elegant for a little lady." I didn't think much of this cumbersome flattery.

I sneaked a glance at Jackie. She wasn't keen on her first exposure as a girl. "Come off it, Daddy. This is Jackie, She's just joined the riding school so I was telling her about some of the fun times we've had in previous years and then she wanted some tips on makeup."

"Hello, Jackie. Pleased to meet you. I don't reckon you need many tips - you already look much too pretty to need makeup." and the giant held out it's paw.

Jackie smiled and murmured, "Thank you, Alison's been jolly helpful. I'll go out now."

Dad smiled. "There's something about that lass. She reminds me of someone. Well, I hope she helps keeps you in order. I want to speak to you about going out with boys till all hours, wasting hours on my phone and generally not doing your share around the house. I don't mind you spending time with the riding girls - but that's enough for the moment. I'm going to be much happier if you stay with ponies, saddles, crops, reins and barrows full of muck for at least one more summer. If this Jackie can get you spending more time with that, then I'll be able to relax a bit. You've no idea how much anguish a busy young teenager can cause an ordinary parent. And you, young lady, are going to be a lot less busy, please."

Dad didn't often say please like that. It meant something special in our family language. I suppose I had been a bit over the top in the last few months. But Robert and Jim had been fun. "Okay, Dad. I'll try to spend more time with Jackie and the other girls. Even though she's new, I think she'll fit right in." Only Jackie and I knew how 'new' she actually was. I scuttled into the garden. Jackie was sitting on the swing and I had a quick memory of the photo by my bed of me on the same swing - although I was wearing a pretty white cotton dress instead of jodhpurs. I'd use my own subtle ploys to fix this boyish figure. I liked the idea of having a matching photo of him in the same dress. Meanwhile I sat on the grass and we talked about the next day.

"Daddy's right, Jackie. You do look pretty and he's right too that you don't need much makeup. You've got a good strong cheekbone. Mind you, that does prove how easy this whole job is going to be. If you can fool my Dad at arms' length, it should be easy from the top of a horse."

"In the morning, you come over here first. Then we can both stroll down to the stables. I need to check you over and give you a few hints. And I can tell you about some of the other girls too. But, for now, you'd better scoot upstairs so that I can get off that makeup, then you must beetle off home."

That was it until the next morning. About 8.30, there was a knock on the door and Jackie's standing there. Fully kitted out in standard riding gear. I sped upstairs with her in tow. I had got a couple of things ready. "First, to embellish your new self, here's my most feminine necklace. There's a bracelet to go with it but you can have that some other time. I don't want muck and straw all over it. And here's a little carry-can of deodorant. It's called Pretty Pink, so it will suit your new image better than your typical 'Boy Washed Yesterday' stuff. If I can think of anything else then we'll add it later."

Jackie said, "I've been thinking too. What is it that makes the difference between a young teenage boy and a young teenage girl? Clothes and necklaces are the most obvious, but there must be more. You say that my hair is too short and I can't use makeup. I'd feel more confident if I was being reminded that I'm not a boy when I'm at the stables. What do you think?"

"Yes, we can try ribbons as well as the necklace. Your hair may be short but we can still give you that as a bonus. Ain't no way a boy has a ribbon. We can use it as a sweat-band sort-of-thing but it will make you look much more definite."

"Okay, what have you got," she said and we dived into my wardrobe to see. All of a sudden, I realized that I was letting a boy rummage through my most intimate stuff and it seemed completely ordinary. I watched as Jack pushed my bras and panties to one side. "Hey, don't do that. If those get crumpled, I'll have to iron them again. Just because you've never had the chance to rifle through a girl's panties. You may be Jackie for the summer but that doesn't mean you can rumple and crumple mine like it was boy's stuff."

"Ooops, sorry, Ali. I'll be more careful."

I noticed that she didn't stop fingering my things.

"Here's a good one," I said. "It's a lovely pink, it just matches your cheeks when you blush." As I said this, Jackie did blush - confirming the accuracy of the comment.

The transformation was remarkable - just by adding a necklace and a ribbon, there was so much more Jackie than Jack. I added a small squirt of perfume too. Jackie complained about this but I said, "It'll remind you now and then that you are a girl."

We ambled down to the stables, talking about how much riding we had each done, where and when, who we had met, ordinary riding chatter. The stables were less than a mile away so we soon got there. Jenny was already there, of course, with Emma, Jane and June, the tiresome twins and Sandy. That meant that only Laura, Michelle, Anna, Pam and Pat were missing.

I introduced Jackie to the gang and we went through all the usual rigmarole. "How long have you lived round here?" "Are you a good rider?" "Do you have a pony of your own?" and so on. No one had any idea that the person beside me was anything but a pony-mad girl. Stage one - passed with flying colours.

For the rest of the day, we slaved away getting the stables ready for the summer hordes. We'd do our share every morning so that we could have as many afternoons riding in the hills. Like the rest of the horse-mad world, we would swap hours of work for free rides. Jackie fitted in easily. For the morning, she worked with me. In the afternoon, she was with Pat and Pam. They weren't there every day like the rest of us. They were sisters, aged about 15 and 13. Their parents took them off on jaunts around the local area. Sometimes one or two of us would get invited too.

Jackie came home with me at the end of the day. Neither of us had done much more than warm up a few horses and practice a few gymnastics in the saddle - but we'd both worked hard. For the first day of the season, we were quite tired. As we walked home, Jackie talked about her day.

"It was fine with you, but Pam and Pat just kept talking. They went on about the best place to buy saddles and this for horses and that for horses. Once they exhausted the topic, they went onto ordinary clothes. Did I prefer cotton for summer wear, how many dresses they had and how many did I have. What was my favourite colour and on and on and on. Then Pam started talking about bodies. How the other girls at school teased her for having the largest breasts - I absolutely know that I was bright pink. After spending far too long on the topic, she then started talking about how hard it was to find a bra that kept its shape after a few washes. Then it got worse, and she started asking if I was just a late developer and whether my Mum had small breasts, was it hereditary or what. I didn't know what to say. I just grinned and said, "No hurry."

Pam giggled and agreed, "Yes, that's true, Once you've got them they're not going to fade away are they. And, too, if you don't react to being teased then most of the girls stop after a bit."

I couldn't tell her that my tits were the special non-existent variety used by boys, could I. I kept on with the 'grin and bear it' routine. After a while Pat said, "Is that all you do, smile and mumble. Pam loves a good listener, you'd better run while the going's good."

I grinned again. "No, I do speak sometimes. I'm just learning who's who, y' know."

"Okay, then. But you'll have to put up with Pam and her constant boasting about having the biggest tits in class. She says she's embarrassed about them and then never shuts up. I'd call it boasting if I wasn't her baby sister." She smiled as she said this to show that she actually didn't mind. "Though she is right. So far I'm so flat-chested, I don't even need a training bra yet, and I can't wait for something to happen. The boys tease me, the girls tease me and my Mum just says, 'wait and see'. It drives me potty. Are you the same?"

"Well, you can see that I've got nothing to put in a bra either." I was finding that if I spoke quietly and used a faint lisp, I could feel my voice sounding higher and more girlish.

"That's alright then. We can gang up on Pam if we have to." With that, she leant over and kissed me on the cheek. "Ooh, I like that perfume, what is it?"

I had to think for a moment before I remembered. "Ali lent it to me, I think it's called Pretty Pink." That was about it for the day then. Pam bullied us into doing yet more leather polishing so we sat in the sun to do that. Then you came along and dragged me away. Well, I don't really mean dragged. I've had a lot of fun. I had no idea girls talked about things like that in such a casual way. It's lovely, gorgeous, pretty, delightful, whatever other words you want me to use. I'm having fun. And Pat said my ribbon suited me too."

I was pleased both at how Jackie was making such an effort to use a more sensible vocabulary and at how she was proving to have an almost feminine ability to skip from subject to subject. Her throwaway comment about Pat liking her ribbon was a definite proof that she was enjoying the masquerade. "I thought you'd have fun. We've got weeks and months to go now. What do you want to do for tomorrow. We'll have a chance for a good long hack along the top of the hills. Hey, I've got an idea. It's late night shopping tonight - shall we go out and get you some ribbons and things of your own. I don't have enough of my own. We can keep them at my place so that your parents don't find out (too quickly')" - I added to myself.

"I don't have much cash with me. But if it's only ribbons, I should have enough."

Jack might only have enough for ribbons on this trip, but he would be spending a lot more over the next few weeks. After all, there was the end of summer Ball and I was going to get Jackie into a dress for that if it was the last thing I did. I carefully said nothing.

It was fun going shopping with Jackie that first time. At my house, we both changed into jeans and t-shirt. Yes, she borrowed some of my clothes. There was no deliberate effort to avoid stripping off in front of each other even though she was a boy and I was a new friend. Somehow, it worked out that neither of us were embarrassed. She had a shower while I made the drinks, then she tidied up downstairs while I got dressed.

When we were both ready I could see her looking at me in the mirror. Once more, we looked like sisters. We were wearing identical clothes but one of us had a full chest, the other was flat. One of us had long hair, but it was the same colour for both and both of us had only a smidgin of makeup. My nails had some polish still showing despite two days at the stables. Jackie's nails were plain, of course. I didn't complicate things with lipstick or anything but I did put another ribbon in her hair.

It had been so obvious that simple accessories were a key to the Jack/Jackie transformation that I was determined to get more. We zoomed around the shops getting the most deliberately feminine jingles and jangles that I could find. We didn't spend much but Jackie had a pocketful of necklaces, bracelets and so on as well as one pair of clip-on earrings. The other pair were in use, the long hoops dangling from her lobes, clinking and tinkling as she walked along.

"Wearing things like we've just got you, no one is going to see anything but a pretty girl. You'll do fine with that. But I do have one or two questions for you."

"Whaaat. Don't think I like the sound of that," said the nervous sort-of girl beside me.

"Nothing special, but I did see the pleasure you got in rummaging and scrummaging through my undies. My question is - If I buy you your own undies, will that stop you from wanting mine."

"Guggugug, y' what ?"

"I said, I could tell that you were fascinated by my undies so did you want some for yourself." I was deliberately twisting the poor dear's actions - but was it fair to let a pretty girl like her spend in summer wearing boy's boxer shorts. I'd seen them in the shops and they didn't look nearly as comfortable or nearly as pretty as what I wore. "I'm offering to buy you some panties of your own so that you can see how much nicer they are. Nobody will know. You wear jodhpurs or jeans all day. I can put them through with my washing. I'll even iron them for you, if you ask me prettily."

"I wasn't even thinking about it. Not even when we stopped in the lingerie department or whatever it's called, so that you could look at the sale specials." The poor girl pronounced it 'lingery' instead of the lanjerie. Had she learnt no French at school. There was so much to teach her.

"I wasn't looking for me, dear. I was looking for you - and you must have been thinking about something the way your hands were caressing and stroking some of the things. If you want to admit that you have a, shall we say, interest in wearing panties like mine, then I'll buy you your very own."

"You're a bully, you are - and a snoop."

"Don't be daft, you weren't trying that hard to hide it."

"That's not fair. What am I supposed to do when you tell me to look for a ribbon in a drawer full of underwear. Tho' I did notice that they were much softer and slinkier than my ordinary pants – but why you need all those frilly bits and lace and stuff, I can’t guess.”

"Well of course they’re prettier and softer. They're designed for girls instead of boys. We are expected to like, if not deserve, attractive clothes in gorgeous materials and a wide range of colours. We can be like birds of paradise instead of drab and dull animals like you boys. So that includes frills and lace – and silks, and satins and, oooh, oh so slinky and sexy when you get older."

"Come off it. If you're going to treat me like a boy some of the time and like a girl at others, that's not what we agreed. You said I was to pretend to be a girl at the riding school. I agreed to that and only that. Now you're trying to get me to be a girl much more of the time."

"Now Jackie, be sensible. What I said was that it would be fun to have you as one of the Riding Gang. You said 'Yes'. Since we are all girls, you therefore agreed to become a girl when you are with us. I didn't say anything about 'pretending' and I certainly wouldn't have said 'just at the riding school'. What on earth did you expect? That when we go out as a gang in the evenings, that you could turn back into being a boy? As far as I'm concerned, you agreed to be a girl for a very large part of the summer. I'm trying to make this easier for you. As an example, I think that having panties of your own will give you an extra and necessary insight into being a girl. After all, that was your motive for agreeing."

"Yer, um, I'd forgotten that. I'm sure you're twisting things a bit though. But, alright then, let's go and buy me some pretty panties. But we'll have to find a way for you to wash them and so on."

"I think you'll enjoy wearing panties every day. I've never worn boy's pants but they look much heavier, much coarser, just horrible in fact. I saw the prettiest pair in the sale. They're white with a lovely bright red scallop stitch all along the hem. Would you like to have something like that?" I smiled as she tried to hide the pleasure in her eyes.

When we searched through the sale racks, we found much more than we expected. We grabbed the last two pairs of the scallop-edge panties but then I found matching knickers, a short petticoat and a bra. Jackie went scarlet when we found the last item. When I insisted several times that it might be necessary for her to wear one at some time in the summer, she eventually agreed to the purchase. I could tell that she saw this as one of the biggest steps she had taken in the last two days. As we left, I also noticed that there was a gorgeous body-form in the identical pattern. I didn't dare make Jackie buy anything else yet, so I just noted it as a possibility for some future expedition.

"What sort of shoes do you wear? Have you got anything faintly unisex? You know, moccasins or canvas sailing shoes, or even some flat style sandals. Do you want to try on some new shoes for your new image? You can't wear riding boots all day." We looked down at her chunky trainers. "You can't wear those every evening."

"What, you mean we'll be going out in the evening sometimes?"

"Of course we do. We're not hermits. The Riding Gang try to go out at least one or two evenings a week. There's not that much to do because we're all very underage - but there's a few events to go to over the summer."

"You're going to have to teach me an awful lot of things, you know."

"If you learn fast enough, I'll try to teach you what I can. I think it'll be fun."

"Come on, let's go back to your place. You can show me how to put on that silly contraption. I may have nothing to put in it, but I suppose I'll have to get used to the thing."

"Yeah, let's go. I'm quite looking forward to helping my friend Jackie put on her very first bra and panties. I think I'll introduce you to stockings as well, would you like that?"

"I refuse to answer on the grounds that I might incriminate myself."

"Is that so, well, wipe the silly smirk off your face then."

"Don't be so mean. How can I help it if I'm enjoying parts of this game so much."

We got back to the house quite soon. As far as I could tell, nobody else was around. We ran upstairs and Jackie calmly stripped off when I told her to. She left on her pants so I told her to flip them off and put on her new panties. She turned her back while she did so. I was pleased that she was so easy about it. I was quite prepared for a hasty scuttle into the bathroom or some panicky excuse. I made it clear that I didn't have a problem so Jackie took the same approach.

I was just helping Jackie into her first bra when the damn door opened! My mother barged in to find me helping another girl get dressed. At least, she had the decency to apologise. "Sorry, dear. I just came in to pick up your duvet cover for the washing. I've got time for an extra load. Who's your new friend?"

"Mum, this is Jackie. She's just joined the Riding Gang. We were having some fun swapping clothes and stuff."

"Don't worry dear, I won't interrupt and I wouldn't dream of interfering. Nice to meet you, Jackie." With that, she departed and we both drew a deep breath.

"Golly, that was bad timing. What was she doing in the house? I thought you said the place was empty?"

"I dunno. The car isn't there so I assumed she was out too. Sorry, Jackie. Let's get on with this. Lift up your arms, swing them round a bit, there that looks okay. It's a real shame that you won't ever have your own tits and there'll never be any need for you to wear a bra for real. Perhaps for now, we can invent something else. After all, I've seen girls at school filling their bras with cotton wool, tissues, anything. Why should our Jackie be any different?"

"What d'you mean. Are you going to stick things in that bra. It'd be gross. What on earth am I going to do?"

"Look, Jackie, you're a girl for the summer. All the others are going to expect a girl and a girl has breasts. If a teenager like you doesn't have any then it is absolutely standard practice to add a little pretence. In your case, there is just a lot more pretend than my other friends - but they won't know that will they?"

Once I had padded out the bra with some foam rubber wrapped in some old pop-socks, Jackie looked much better. She stared down at her new frontage with a puzzled expression. "It feels really strange. I can't even see my feet now without leaning forward. I'll never get used to this."

"You will, dearie, you will. After a little while you might even get to like it that way."

"No way."

"Let's wait and see," I thought to myself - and maybe not for the first time. I didn't nag Jackie about trying on a bra again, well not for a couple of days anyway.

A few weeks into the extra-long summer holiday things got more complicated. Jackie and I spent hours working out a plan to deal with it. Finally, I took a deep breath and just asked my parents straight out. "Jackie's dad has just had this wonderful offer to go to Iceland for a short contract, and of course, he's taking his wife for the trip. But they can't take Jackie with them except for a week at the end of August. Would it be alright if we offered to put Jackie up for the rest of the summer?"

"Of course, dear. Is this what you've been building up to ask. I could see that something was bothering you for the last day or so. Of course you can have friends to stay - I know this is going to be more than just a weekend - but I can't see a problem. You weren't worried about the money or anything were you. You girls only eat like sparrows anyway. I'll just ask Jackie to keep a note of anything large - like competition fees and so on. I think it'd be alright to ask her parents to look after things like that. Perhaps they'll leave her a small amount of cash. Well, I can sort that out with her parents."

I wasn't keen on the way the conversation was going but fortunately Jackie and I were already a step ahead. "Mum, there won't be time, they leave tomorrow. I was more worried about the short notice they gave us than anything else, and they are leaving Jackie some dosh to pay for special extras. I think they almost expected Jackie to be paying some rent or something."

"Like I say, I'll only ask for help if she needs something unusual. If she's on a diet of lobster and steak - that might be too much for my wallet. But I can easily feed an extra sparrow on more breadcrumbs. Alright, dear, you seem to have it already sorted. I'm not very happy that there won't be time to talk to Jackie's parents before they go - but that's history now."

Jackie and I were both very happy that she wasn't going to talk to her parents. This game was getting more and more complicated but so far we were both enjoying it. The end of summer was still ages away. We'd cross that bridge when we came to it. Introducing the parents to each other would set fire to the bridge long before we were ready to cross it.

Jackie had been much more worried than me about her parents getting involved. In fact, she'd been so worried that she hadn't worked out some of the effects of coming to stay with me.

"Are you telling me that I have to wear girl's clothes even when I'm not at the riding school?"

I hadn't actually said anything of the sort, but I wasn't going to miss an opportunity like this. "Sure looks that way. Mum and Dad have only met you as Jackie. They'll flip if they find out that you're a boy. I think you're in a bit of a fix and the only way out is pink and frilly."

Jackie took a deep breath. I noted the way her meagre temporary frontage rose and fell as she sighed. "I can't argue much, can I. If I'm staying with you I'll have to spend even more time as a girl. I really can't be a boy at all if I'm staying here. I'm not sure this is a good idea, 'tho at least I'll be able to stop changing clothes so many times a day. Every cloud has a silver lining."

"In your case every cloud'll have a pink and frilly lining. You'll soon get used to it."

"That's what worries me. It sure as socks isn't what I was planning to do this summer."

"Stop complaining - and you should now be talking about tights and stockings instead of socks, silly. Didn't I tell you that you'd learn a lot about girls this summer. You've learnt that we're really pretty similar to boys - we worry about the same petty things, we misunderstand each other's motives, actions and reactions. That's a pretty amazing thing to find out about for both of us. I know you haven't been, in quotes, going out with a girlfriend - but you've actually done better than that haven't you. Well, say something."

"What y’ getting all scratchy about - I can't disagree with you. And a lot of it has been fun. It's just the all day every day thing. But I can't avoid it, can I, so I'd better get going."

It was fun with Jackie. Gradually I introduced her to more and more feminine garb. Since it had started with those extremely unisex jodhpurs and moved on to jeans and shirts, it took quite a while to get her into a dress. It was no problem getting her to wear a nightie. Conveniently, when I unpacked her suitcase I couldn't find any pyjamas so I had to lend her something - and, of course, I only had pretty nighties. She said much later that she was certain that I had deliberately lost her pyjamas and I denied this in my best Pinocchio fashion. Actually, her suitcase had contained almost nothing except riding clothes and jeans. She couldn't bring any shirts because they all buttoned the wrong way - or the right way - depends on your point of view. She had the panties and things that we had bought together - but those were already in the house. To all intents and purposes, she 'hadn't got a thing to wear'. So she had to borrow quite a lot of my stuff at first.

Mum commented on this after a few days. "Doesn't Jackie have anything of her own to wear except riding clothes. I seem to recognise almost everything that she wears the rest of the time."

We had a quick excuse for this. Jackie hesitated so I answered for her, "Well, it's summer and she's grown so much in the last few months. She didn't ask her parents for anything new because she knew she'd be at the stables almost every day. If she's still growing it'd be a waste of money."

"That's remarkably thoughtful of you, Jackie dear, and generous of you, Ali. But I think we should be able to get you a few things for the summer. Are you still growing? I haven't seen much change in the last month. Anyway, I think we can stretch to a buying a few new things for you when we next take Ali on a shopping trip. Will you be able to tear yourselves away from the horses for a day out sometime soon? I'd love to see you both in something new for the summer."

It was fun that first trip. Jackie tried as hard as possible not to be interested and excited. But it was too hard for her since we were all having such fun. It was a chance for Mum to spend a day doing things with me, which didn't really happen often enough. It was a chance for me to buy a few things I had been eyeing up in the shops for the last few months and it was a chance to get Jackie deeply entwined in the delights of lace and cotton, light summer dresses and swirly skirts and the whole wide and delightful world of feminine clothing.

We didn't empty the shops but we had a good try. The full bags and the empty wallet eventually called a halt to the proceedings - but I had some really lovely new things and Jackie had a complete wardrobe at last.

But getting her into her first dress was a major step. She had been staying with me for almost a week when Mum said, "Are you never going to get out of jeans and tomboy clothes, Jackie. I thought you were a good influence on this daughter of mine. There's people coming for tea and you could make a bit of an effort. After all, we did buy you several pretty things last week. I know you refused that lovely green and white summer frock but it would be nice if you did dress up once in a while."

I leapt at the opportunity. "I'll wear a dress if you do too. Come on Jackie, since Mum insists, we've got to get changed."

Jackie stormed up the stairs after me. "How could you," she hissed. "You've stitched me up properly. Now I've got no choice. Alright, then I'll wear that pink flowery dress of yours." She must have known that this would annoy me as that was about the only really feminine dress I was willing to wear.

Once the big step had been taken and she had let me slip the dress over her shoulders and then do the back-zip, she was much happier. "I wasn't going to volunteer to put on a dress but I'm almost glad that you've forced me. I actually rather like the feel of the built-in petticoats and the way they swish against my stockings. These bouffant arms are rather fun too. I'm not surprised you like this dress - if it makes me feel more feminine then it has to do the same to you."

"Well, you do look awfully good in that. Your waist is smaller than mine after all so it fits better. I suppose the top needs a bit of filling out.”

Jackie blushed.

"Oh, does that interest you? You've worn a bra a few times now, but Mum has commented how unlucky you are to have nothing chestwise. Would you like to see how you feel with a little more padding? It'll make such a difference."

Jackie swung round and hugged me tight. "I've been waiting for you to say something. I knew that a decently filled bra and my first dress were steps I would have to take sometime - but I wasn't going to ask. I couldn't find the words and I didn't want you to guess how exciting I'm finding all this."

"Are you really enjoying this now?"

"Ooh yes. Every day in every way I enjoy being more of a girl. It was getting so difficult at home. It was beginning to feel wrong when I couldn't put on nice soft panties. I'm almost glad that my folks have had to go away. It is just so much fun being a girl. And your help is almost the best bit."

"What d'y mean - almost the best bit. Alright then, Miss, you'd better give me a satisfactory answer about what you actually do think is the best bit. Chop, chop. You've obviously been thinking about this a lot.

"Not consciously. It's been just over four weeks now since this all began. There's several things which all make up the best bit. I'm getting to be more and more comfortable with wearing pretty clothes. They’re so soft and the feel of them against my skin compared with the roughness of what I’m used to – well, it’s a sort of constant woo lovely. I realize more and more how dull and boring my old things were. I love being with all the girls in the gang. I even enjoy talking with them about the boys we meet. It's rather strange, when I'm with the gang I now look at boys completely differently. I don't mean that I fancy any of them - but, I can't explain it properly. I love wearing stockings and feeling the pull and stretch of the suspenders you insist I use. I'm sure that tights would be easier - but now I'm used to the things, I do enjoy them. I love the crinkly feeling of the makeup and I adore lipstick. I feel all wriggly when I've put on some extra-glossy evening colour. When I sip my drink and see the marks, my marks, on the glass - I love it. You've watched me every step for the last few weeks. You can probably tell me things that you've seen me enjoy."

"Oh, I have, darling, oh I have. You may say that you've got no interest in the boys, but I've seen you flick your hair and fiddle with your earrings when we're in the cafe and some of the boys come in. You may have started by copying me and Michelle, but you've learnt pretty fast how to flirt and preen. It's rather fun actually. Now that you're willing to dress up a bit more thoroughly we can have a lot more fun. You do want to, don't you? You're not going to back out after admitting that you're having 'such fun'."

"Can't really, can I. I mean, even though you can't say much without revealing your part in the dastardly deed, I can say even less. Oh, let's get on with it. I want to see how different I feel with a decent-sized chestful. What are you going to use - there must be something better than a rolled up pair of panties."

"Oh, there is. I asked around. Paula had a pair of foam rubber cutouts - but her friend Sal said that a bag full of liquid is even better. It gives a bouncy sort of effect that's much more realistic. I've had these sitting in my drawer for three days ready for you to say you're willing. So, let's try them. Let's get that dress off, you can put it back on in a moment. Sit down and I'll drop them in." Pause. "Oh yes, I can tell from your expression that you like the feeling. Now stand up and you can put the dress back on. Don't flutter your hands like that, of course I'll be careful not to muss your hair. Now, stand up in front of the mirror - don't you look so much better. I think you look wonderful. Let's go downstairs and show Mum."

Mum smiled when she saw us coming down the stairs. "Oh, that's so much nicer. You both look lovely. You especially, Jackie. I know it's a bit rude to comment but it's only us girls here; you do look so much better with a bit more chest. Don't you like the feeling? When I was a girl, I was so desperate for a bit of cleavage. I think that looks just right for you. You looked almost boyish before and that would never do, would it?"

Jackie's face was in flames and I wasn't much better. "Hush, Mummy. Don't be so awful."

There was a short silence. "Don't be silly dears, I was just enjoying remembering when I was young and these things were as important to me. You must realize that every generation has most of the same problems. Do I look nice in this dress? Does this hairstyle suit me? Did that handsome boy notice me, and so on. You're not the first and you won't be the last."

Mum chose that night to come along to my room while Jackie was having a bath and getting ready for bed. I froze at her opening words - "Jackie isn't quite what we thought, is she? Though she does look wonderful. In fact, I can only think of her as Jackie, anything else would be completely false. Whose idea was it, yours or hers. I think she's one of the most beautiful young 'girls' I've ever seen." Her voice put quotes around the word.

After a moment I got my breath back enough to gasp, "Mother. I don't believe it. You don't mean that you know about this sort of thing. But it's only a game."

"My little pet, you may think that this is a game, it may have begun as a game - but Jackie doesn't think it's a game any more. You can see in the way she walks, the way she talks. You might even say the sway she walks. This is not a game any more." The strength of feeling behind her words and the emphasis she used made me realize how much she meant what she was saying.

"I suppose I hadn't thought about it much. It was fun when it started - it's still fun. But I hadn't thought about the long term at all. Do you really think that Jackie no longer sees it as a game. I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do. What am I going to say to Jackie when she finds out you know. When she finds out you knew. Oh, Mummy," and I, tough young maiden, burst into tears.

She hugged me tight and I felt her heartbeat against my cheek. "If you want, I'll tell Jackie myself. I'm sure that I can tell her without any drama or theatrics. Are you willing to let me do it my way? Not that I'm actually giving you a choice."

"I don't know what to say to you, so I haven't a clue what to say to her. Mum. You won't tease her or embarrass her. She's one of my best friends. I've really enjoyed this summer, more than last year in fact. I couldn't bear it if you hurt my Jackie."

"That's part of the problem, dear. She's not your Jackie. She's just Jackie. No one belongs to anyone else and you have to learn that lesson. She may be your best friend now. If you're both lucky, you'll be friends for many years. But you need your beauty sleep. I'll just pop next door and tuck Jackie in. Then I'll go downstairs and sort out a few things. I don't want you popping next door and spending hours whispering secrets to each other. I may be decades older than you two - but my ears and eyes still work. I've noticed you two - so tonight, get a good night's sleep. I'll say the same to Jackie. Fortunately you both look more tired than usual - so I expect you to behave. By which I mean, until I have made some decisions – you will not be sleeping together."

I gasped, “Mummy, we’ve never …. I mean, how can you suggest … I mean ….”

My protests trailed off as she put her finger to my lips. “I’m not worried and I haven’t been worried. I just need you to be more aware. And by that I mean you’ve got to do some actual grown-up thinking for a change. But don’t worry – I’ll help you. I’ll help you both. You're too involved already. But you have to realize that it has gone far beyond a game, don't you. And you and me and especially Jackie and then her parents have to face up to it and deal with it."

With that, she kissed me again and flowed away through the door, her lovely gown sweeping behind her. A faint trail of perfume lingered. Despite a residual frown, I fell asleep almost at once. I expected to dream that night. But I remembered nothing. No dream of Jackie in a beautiful dress or doing girly things with me. No nightmares of Jackie in a dress and it all going wrong. No remembered dreams.

But I woke with a frown.

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Next (and last) part coming soon. AP

Why is it always teenage girls & horses?

Horse for courses - Jackie’s going along for the ride. How far will she go.

---

"Morning, Jackie dear. What are your plans for today if you're not going riding? I would so like to take you and Ali shopping again. I expect your mother remembers what fun it is shopping for a daughter with your elder sister - but I only get the chance to shop with Ali. It would be so much fun for me to take you out and buy some finery for the two of you. Ali says there's the County Riding Club Ball next weekend, I'd be so proud to help you buy your first evening dress. Please accept my offer and say you'll come shopping."

"I don't know what to say."

"Say yes, then."

"If you really would like to help us shop, I won't argue. I've got the money my parents left, but buying a dress might be more than the budget can take."

"Now, hush, Jackie. I offered, so I'll be paying. I can't wait to get you into a good dress, and to give you the pleasure of expensive underwear as well. It'll be such fun. It's not the same with Ali as she's had so much more practice at being frilly and feminine - she wasn't always mad about horses. She has spent some time without jodhpurs. Just from being my daughter for fifteen years and going shopping regularly, she knows what she's expected to wear and when. I think it’s time to help you learn what to wear and when. I'm sure this summer has been fun with you being a girl so much of the time, but it must have been hard work at times too – and so much to learn, eh? Yes? Did you say something, Ali?"

I knew that Mum was going to deal with Jackie - but I wasn't expecting it at breakfast.

Jackie was simultaneously bright red and stark white. She stammered something meaningless.

"What did you say, Jackie?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, Mrs. Longley."

"Don't be shy, dear. I've worked in schools for years. I've met several lucky girls like you. I didn't know how to get you to ask for help. Actually, I soon saw that you didn't need any help except what Ali was giving. But then I looked ahead to the end of the holidays, and I knew that my duty was to help you come to a decision about the future. It's getting serious, dear. After all, when your parents get back and ask how you've been getting on, they'll expect to speak to me. And I'm going to say what a wonderful girl you are, how well you get on with Ali, how sweet you look in a dress and so on. They really won't know how to deal with that. We have to prepare for the event. You and Ali don't have the knowledge or experience - so you'll have to ask someone for help. I'm volunteering."

"Bububut, do you mean that you've known all along? I feel awful." Jackie was almost speechless with shock. She was quite pale and her eyes were wide. I rushed over and squeezed her tight. Her hand clamped mine almost painfully.

"Don't be so worried, dear. Of course I didn't know at once. Once I did realize, well, if I'd been at all concerned I'd have nipped it in the bud at once. But you looked so perfect almost from the first afternoon when I saw you with your hair in ribbons, I've not had any worries at all. I worked it out after about a week. I'm actually very proud of you, I’m actually proud of you both. Now go and get ready. I'm not taking no as an answer. We're going shopping as soon as you're ready. I want to take two beautiful girls around the shops and dress them in gorgeous lacy frills or whatever they want. We can resume this discussion later. We've got more important things to decide - like what you are going to wear at the Ball."

I left Jackie and went across the kitchen and kissed my mum, then hugged her. "Sometimes you're too observant, Mum. I had no idea that you had noticed a thing. I'm not sure that your timing is that decent - but if the secret is out I'd love to help you go shopping for my darling Jackie. Come on, Jackie, say something. Come and join the hug. I’m certain you need one."

Jackie wobbled over, the shock making her unsteady in her new shoes. She almost fell into the hug and we all squeezed each other; we all shed a tear or two as well.

"Oh, Mrs. Longley, .."

"Now, you've been here for a week or more, isn't it time to stop calling me that. You can call me Dot if you want, you can call me Auntie if you want, but I will not accept one more 'Mrs. Longley'. I don't think it feels right. Come on, girl."

"Well, it has been hard work trying to be a girl, but I have tried as hard as I could. I feel horrid now I find you knew all along."

"Sometime, when you're ready for it, I'll tell you how I do know enough to see beneath your gorgeous complexion to the not-really tomboy beneath. I don't have time now and it wouldn't be helpful just yet. Just say you're still happy and you want to come shopping. And Ali and I will do our best to give you even more of the real-girl lessons that you're going to need. But bear in mind that I'm not going to do anything that will pressure you. It's you that's going to have to be open with your parents when they get back. It's you that's going to have to make the decision."

"Yes," whispered my friend, the pretty boy-girl. "But I do so enjoy my dresses now."

"That's a big step to take, dearie. But at some point you're going to have to consider the whole issue of how do you want to live the rest of your life. I've listened to others in your situation. Mostly a little older than you are. So they had got some idea of their sexual preference and the sort of body they wanted to have and how it compared with their inner self. They had talked with doctors and specialists and psychiatrists too. A statement like you've just made 'I enjoy my dresses' is perhaps very different from 'I want to be a girl' or even 'I am a girl' which is what others may say. I know or rather I hope that sex has not reared its head. I can guess from your expressions that I'm right - but you are, for my judgement, still far too young to be, er, doing it and I'd better not catch you experimenting more than a kiss and a cuddle. Yes."

I think from the flaming scarlet blush that both Jackie and myself were showing that we had little choice but to agree!

After that dreadful embarrassment, we had a wonderful time shopping that day. Mum made sure that I wasn't left out but we were both getting a thrill out of Jackie's enjoyment. It was like seeing a butterfly emerge. Even though it was only twenty-four hours since we last went shopping, this second time she was much more relaxed. She actually had a fabulous eye for colour co-ordination, accessories and everything like that. She would pick a dress and then spend ages deciding if this or that item went with it. By mid-afternoon we'd only demolished about four shops and Jackie had only bought a few knick-knacks. Eventually, Mum decided to call a halt while we sat down and made a few decisions. Unfortunately for Jackie, we were beside Mum's favourite hairdressers when she decided this. "Let's stop here for a while girls. Jackie can have a proper trim and so on while I look through a few magazines and make some plans.

Jackie wasn't keen on getting her hair done properly. Eventually, to make it a joint project, Mum insisted that I get mine done too, so we sat next to each other getting our hair washed and coloured and brushed and combed and twisted and tangled and stuff. Jackie still only had short hair but they made it look super. The girls only added a tiny streak or two as the sun had done most of the work, but they shaded her eyebrows and plucked them a little too. Jackie hated that and her frantic yelps of pain made everyone smile. I didn't smile as much because I thought it made it obvious that she was a boy. I felt better when my stylist murmured, "I made far more noise the first time my eyebrows were plucked. It's always rather humorous watching a lass get tweezered for the first time. She's a pretty little thing but she'll look much better when her hair's longer."

I relaxed. If a professional couldn't detect the masquerade at close range, Jackie was safe. Idiot. Hadn't Mum implied that she knew more than me.

As a final item, the girls gave Jackie a full makeup on her eyes. I heard them saying, "You've got lovely long lashes, they'll look wonderful with a touch of mascara in the evenings. You've got lovely eyes, you only need to do a little enhancement to make them stunning. They're your best feature so you need to use them." I watched Jackie squirm with boyish horror at the obvious enjoyment of the assistants. As they finished she saw me watching in the mirror and gave a feeble grin. When she stood up and turned around, Mum and I were almost speechless. It had been difficult to see clearly in the mirror but the girls were absolutely right. She had wonderful eyes, the makeup was quite subtle - we were both only just fifteen after all - but they had done a great job. We hugged her tight and said how beautiful she was.

After Jackie had recovered from her 'torture', we spent a quiet hour in the coffee bar. Mum smiled as she saw Jackie glance at her lipstick-smeared cup. "I still do that sometimes, dear. The sight of the pink rim seems to tickle something inside me. It's a special pleasure for us lucky girls. Are you enjoying yourself, dear."

Jackie smiled back. "I am enjoying this. I feel somehow more relaxed than before. But I am looking forward to trying on some more dresses."

I groaned, "Haven't you tried on enough yet. You're keener than I am."

"It's jolly hard work. If I'm going to this ball, as you two seem so determined, then I'm going to have to be confident. As far as I can tell, the best way to be confident as Jackie is to be comfortable as Jackie. So I want a dress that makes me feel gorgeous and lovely."

"Gertch. I've watched you picking and poking through shop after shop. Poof, to you wanting to look comfortable and confident. You ignore everything that doesn't make you look sexy. You may say that you're not be interested in the boys, but they're going to be interested in you. And I thought you were my friend. How am I going to feel if they're all clustered round you."

"Oh don't be daft. You're beautiful, you've got that gorgeous long hair, I'll never be competing with the likes of you. All I want to do is look my best."

"Stop squabbling, dears. You're both going to look wonderful. And you've each got attractions. Ali, you will always have a following with that wonderful hair and that infectious laugh, while Jackie will always have a following as soon as she aims those devastating eyes at any passerby. Don't be embarrassed by your charms - either of you. If you're dressed as a girl, then that also means you have to act and react like a girl. Even an averagely attractive girl knows how to use her assets - and you both look better than average. If we can work a little magic, by the time we leave the shops today, you'll both be ready to devastate the local population."

We spent ages in the next shop, but we did leave with a fair assortment of new things. Jackie now had bras, knickers, suspenders, stockings and panties enough to fill a suitcase on their own. She had even persuaded Mum to get us both a really delightful lacy body. I wasn't keen on the inconveniently placed buttons - but other girls buy them and wear them so why can't I. With less effort that I expected after the previous trip, she had also eventually found two rather pretty summer frocks, one quite pale but with a lovely beige, grey and pink flower pattern. The other was much the same but with a sort of greeny-grey leaf pattern. I got a lovely linen skirt and waistcoat with a thin lacy blouse. Jackie was quite envious but grinned when I offered to share it with her.

This was a new twist. By encouraging Jackie to dress as a girl I was going to have to share my new clothes with her. Well, well, well.

"Now, we're going to a friend's shop to get a little cleavage enhancement for both of you. Ali can learn how to improve what she has, while Jackie can learn to approve what she's getting." My mum does like teasing and playing with words, it's often a bit tiresome.

I was quite surprised by the shop. I obviously didn't know enough about Mum's friends. I found myself trapped in what the lady called a 'light corset'. It sure didn't feel light to me. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't walk, I couldn't stand comfortably. Then she did the same for Jackie. We stood there in acute discomfort while Mum and this Mrs. Sterling smiled.

"Now I know it may feel a little strange, if not a little uncomfortable - but totter forward to the mirror and see how much it improves your figures."

We leant on each other as we stumbled forward.

"Oh, Ali. It makes you look fantastic. Your waist is tiny and now you’ve got really much more er, er .."

"Don't be bashful, Jackie. Just tell Ali that she's got a fantastic cleavage, wonderful tits, lovely bosom. You must know all the words - you children use lots more of them at school all the time. And don't forget how good you look too. Your waist is only an inch more than Ali's and we can do a lot more to improve your upper proportions. That is, if you ask us to."

We had a wonderful time in the next six weeks. But every now and again, Jackie or I, or even my Mum, would hesitate and get a little thoughtful about what was going to happen when Jackie's parents came back from their trip. Of course, like most adolescents, Jackie and me adopted a 'wait and see' policy.

I had always liked the story of the condemned prisoner who asked to be freed for a year and a day while he taught the horse to sing; if the horse did sing then the prisoner would be free for ever. The Prince agreed and so the man began to give lessons to the horse. Partway through the year when a friend asks why he had made this bargain, he gave the answer 'Perhaps in the year I will die, perhaps the Prince will die, perhaps even the horse will die - whichever happens I am the gainer by living an extra day. On the other hand a miracle may happen and the horse will learn to sing.' For Jackie the horse would have to sing the day her parents returned.

They rang every few days to find out what was happening. Jackie always gave ordinary answers, 'I'm very happy staying with Ali. Her Mum is so helpful. We go shopping sometimes and I've learnt an awful lot in the last few weeks about horses and all sorts.' Every time we all admired how little she actually lied and how much she misled her distant parents.

In the end, all our plans fell apart because we had forgotten about Jackie's sister. Beth was much older than Jackie and had a job in the North. This allowed her to travel a lot and she flitted from country to country throughout the year. She didn't get on well with her father so she didn't come home often. Suddenly one evening, a few days before the end of the idyll, our phone rings and it's Jackie's parents asking Jackie to check out things at the house. Someone had rung to say there was a car there and it should be checked out.

Jackie hadn't been near her house for a week and we felt so guilty about it that we scooted over as soon as we could. There was a car there and we wondered what was happening. Jackie opened the door and as we went in, the living-room door opened and a tall, willowy girl I didn't know came out to see what was happening. Before anyone could day anything, Jackie opened her careless mouth.

"Oh, Beth. It's been so long since I saw you." and she rushed up to the girl and hugged her. The girl stopped stunned and pushed Jackie away, holding her at arms' length.

"What on earth is happening. The only person I know round here who calls me 'Beth' is my grubby little brother Jack. If you are Jack, what are you doing dressed as a girl? I don't mind, I think you look gorgeous. And if you're happy to see me than I'm happy to see you. Are you really Jack inside there?"

Jackie was almost in tears. After weeks of careful effort with nobody suspecting a thing, she had blown her cover in the most spectacular way. And to her sister of all people. "Yes. But I like being called Jackie now."

There was, not surprisingly, a short pause. Beth looked over Jackie's shoulder at me and raised an eyebrow. Then she turned back into the living-room taking Jackie by the arm as she went. "Well, come in and tell me all about it. I can't believe what's been happening. All I can say, until I know the whole story, is that you look absolutely convincing. Obviously Mum and Dad know nothing about this yet. Is it something to do with your friend? Is she the Alison that you've been staying with? So come on, stop crying, you'll smear your makeup. Come on, cuddle up beside me on the sofa and tell me what's turned you into a glamorous princess. You do look so good, I want to know it all. Come on Alison, you sit on the other side and fill in any gaps."

We were too surprised to argue. We settled down and Jackie began to tell the story from her point of view.

"The brief story is that I turned up at the riding school and they mistook me for a girl. Ali told me stories about what they did as an all-girl gang in the summer and, more or less, dared me into pretending to be a girl whenever I was with the gang. I thought it would be a bit of a laugh and agreed. Then, without me meaning it to happen, I found that I had to spend more and more time as a girl. It was all getting horribly complicated when Mum and Dad had to go on their trip. Ali's folks offered to let me stay with them and so I had to spend all day and every day as a girl. And now I'm used to it and I love it. I hate the idea of going back to being a boy. And they're coming back soon and I was worried that it's all going to become difficult and horrid. Then, they rang about a strange car at the house so I rushed over to check. And it was you. And now you know what's been happening and you're going to tell them and I'll have to stop."

Beth kissed the top of Jackie's head and gave us both a squeeze as she sat with one of us in each arm. "What on earth gave you the idea I was angry, or that I would tell the parents about this at once. I can see how happy you are. Why should I want to hurt my little baby brother - or rather my little darling baby sister? I can hear the pain in your voice when you talk. I can see the strain that you're under. Anything I can do to help, I'll try to find a way to do it. Obviously, one of us has to ring the parents and tell them that everything's okay. Or, rather, that the house is okay. I know I don't speak to them much but they've clearly not been getting the exact truth about your holiday pastimes from you. So, what do we do?"

I decided to add my pennyworth to the puzzle. "I won't say it's all my fault and I won't say it's not my fault. I've had a lovely time with Jackie this summer. Yes, it has got more complicated at times - but Jackie is my best friend now and I love her. Anything we can do to help her stay as a girl is fine by me. You're older than us so you know more than us, but my Mum is older than you and she already knows about Jackie. I think we've got to go and talk to her."

Beth caught one phrase. "Your mother knows; how, why, when. What's she doing about it."

"She eventually realized that Jackie has a little bit extra, you know. It was only a little while ago. She's been ever so helpful. She soon saw how much pleasure Jackie was having. She wants to help Jackie as much as I do."

"Okay, girls. Let's lock up and take a ride over."

My mother was quite confused when we came back by car. She saw the car pull up and immediately thought, as mothers do, that there had been some awful accident or something. She soon recovered only to hear that there had been an awful accident - with Beth suddenly discovering the transformation of her only brother into a pretty teenage sister.

"Well, let's sit down and have a nice cup of tea while we sort it all out," she said. Tea is a sovereign remedy for all problems in our house.

Beth was very businesslike about it - "So, we all agree on a few points. Jackie enjoys being a girl - Yes? Jackie would prefer to be a girl for real - Yes?" Jackie grinned and nodded eagerly. "Jackie has not shown this new side to her personality to her parents - Yes? And the aforementioned return in twelve days - Yes? And we all love Jackie - Yes? And we will all do as much as we can to help Jackie - Yes? Well, that seemed unanimous - so let's have your ideas, first, on how we encourage these distant parents to let Jackie continue and, second, how we introduce Jackie to them. The one is linked somewhat to the other, of course, but let's have some suggestions."

This was a day of long silent pauses. It felt a bit like being in a soap where all the strangest things kept happening but the actors could only say the most banal and clichéd comments interspersed with long pauses, deeply emotional expressions and meaningful glances.

Beth was the first to say something. "I don't understand my Dad all the time, but I know my own mother pretty well. When I first met Jackie and she leapt at me and kissed me, I was stunned, delighted and puzzled in the same moment. I think we need to surprise her the same way. If she comes off the plane and her newest daughter greets her, she'll be so happy to see her child that the costume will be, hopefully, a secondary problem. We need to arrange it so that they don't meet anywhere that will make it easy for her to create a scene. She hates scenes. And we'll have to fix it so that Dad is out of the way for a while. Do you agree, Jacks?"

Jackie was still scarlet with embarrassment. She sat curled in Beth's arm as before. "Yesss, I think so. Certainly, she hates scenes. But I think we'll have to prepare the ground a little. She can get really silly sometimes. And Dad will definitely have to be out of the way."

"Do you think we can send her a message so that she comes home a day or so before?" I offered.

"That might be a useful idea. We'll see what else comes up first."

"I think it might be helpful to start dropping a few hints in the next phone call. Y'know. After all it's quite true that the girls at the riding club haven't minded me joining their previously all-girl gang, or something like that."

"Yes, that's quite a good idea, Jacks. We need to make it sound natural though."

"And you can tell the truth about some more things too - that you haven't had your hair cut this summer and it's getting rather long. You could even say that my Ali is beginning to tease you about it."

"Yes. That's good too. Jacks, we've got to work out a whole set of suitably truthful things to tell. What else can we develop."

"We can say that you didn't recognise me - that's completely true."

"And I can say that one of the girls at the stables mistook you for a girl when you arrived. We don't need to say that she still thinks you're a girl," I giggled.

We talked for quite a time about the possible problems of the new plan. When we eventually went to bed, Jackie and I spent ages whispering new ideas to each other. Mum came up after a while and told us to stop it and get a good night's sleep. We were going shopping in the morning and Beth was joining us. Clearly the other two had done some more plotting downstairs.

In the morning, I heard a squeal as Jackie was woken by her sister. "Oh, Beth. How wonderful to see you. What have you got to tell me?"

"Nothing special, lovey. I just decided it would be fun to give my new sister a good morning wake-up call. I've brought some orange juice for you. So up you get and we can get set to go shopping. Oooh, I love that nightie. You look so pretty in it. I've got all sorts of ideas to do with you for the rest of the weekend."

"Oh, Beth. Are you only staying for the weekend? I thought you'd be around when they arrive."

"Don't be a silly goose. Of course I'll be there - I think maybe not beside you at the exact moment but I'll be only a few feet away. I'll just have to be away for a few days getting my business cleared away so that I can take a few days holiday."

"Sorry, I didn't understand."

"Well, think a bit harder next time. Now scrub up and get washed. I'll have a look through your wardrobe while I wait."

"But sis, you don't need to do that."

"I don't need to, I want to. I've got to know what you've got so that I can suggest what else you need. I intend my sister to be a knock-out princess when she meets her ignorant parents. After all, they're so out of touch they couldn't see that their little boy was a butterfly in hiding. I'm proud of you, I think you're turning into a sister I'm going to be happy to know. Now get moving while I snoop through your secrets."

While they had been talking, I was leaping into a dress as quick as I could, so while Jackie was in the bathroom I went to join Beth. "Morning, Beth, can I help?"

"Oh, hi, Ali. Yes, you can. I'm having a look at what Jackie has already got to wear so that I can suggest what to buy. It'd be helpful to know what she likes best. The more attractive and confident she is when she meets her mum, the easier it will be for everybody. I want there to be no spot or freckle or smidgin that suggests 'Jack' when they meet. So what can you tell me?"

"She likes wearing reds and pinks rather than blue or green, that's a big start. But her real interest is in underwear. She loves wearing slinky satin panties, and if we find a matching slip or petticoat, then she's even happier. She hates wearing tights, not that she wears stockings much in this weather either. She isn't very good at doing her own makeup and she can't get used to the feel of lipstick. I've been thinking all night about the things she does well and the things she needs to do better. Is that sort of thing going to be helpful?"

"Oh yes, it surely is. You're a treasure, Ali. Jackie doesn't deserve to have a friend as helpful as you. I want to get more of the original story from you later. I'm sure you can give me a few entertaining little insights into the events of the summer. But that's for later, for now, you can tell me a lot more about Jackie's likes and dislikes."

We spent quite a time in the shops while Beth bought new clothes for her pretty sister. We all spent a lot of time giggling and laughing. Eventually it was time to set off for the airport and we suddenly got all serious - and seriously worried too.

Jackie's mother arrived on the dot of twelve o'clock. None of the details of our planning survived the first encounter - but the overall effect somehow put all the bits together in the right pattern. She came out of the luggage hall steering a trolley with such bad wheels that she had no time to spare for anything else. All of a sudden, she was being kissed by two young women, both saying, "Hello, Mum."

She looked completely uncomprehending for a moment, then took refuge in grumbling about the trolley and asking for help. After a few moments, she pushed the group of us to the edge of the hall and asked with some puzzlement, "What's going on here. Here's Beth, who I wasn't expecting to see and here's this other girl, who looks alarmingly like my little boy, Jack, looking very composed and happy in a lovely dress. I repeat, what is going on here?"

She then paused before continuing. "Let's all get to the car before we get excited. I can see that there have been some surprising changes in the last few weeks. Obviously, I want to know more and I am not going to make any decision until I know the whole story. Come on, girls. Off to the car."

I guessed that she wasn't too upset because she had said 'girls'. Although, looking back on the event, she didn't have much choice. She could hardly say anything else. If she had said, 'come on daughter, son and friend' it wouldn't have made sense.

Once we reached the car and loaded the luggage and squeezed in - it had been several minutes from the first shock and she was clearly prepared for our story. Mrs. Berkely didn't start the engine. She turned to us and said once more, "What's been happening?" Somehow all three of us had got into the back seat so we sat there like bumps on a log as we sorted out the situation. Jackie held my hand the whole time, clutching or squeezing every now and again.

We sat in the car for a long time, just talking. It was really difficult for a while. We had to explain just everything. The first arrival at the stable; the dare; the complete acceptance of the other girls; the complications when Jackie came to stay with me; what happened when Beth came into the situation. We were exhausted by the time we finished.

Jackie's mother is a remarkable person. I had been amazed at the calm acceptance of my own mother when confronted with the existence of a boy-girl beneath her roof - but this was one step more intimate. This was a mother hearing about the transition of her only son into an imitation girl. She heard what we said without a single interruption and without much expression. Her control was amazing.

At the end, there was another of those significant silences.

"I'm amazed at all this. I had no idea that my son was such a skilled actress. (Another of those boy-girl Freudian slips). As I said earlier, she looks comfortable, confident and relaxed. I am too amazed to be angry and it's really too late already. If I was going to explode, I should have done it the instant I realized what was happening. I can't do that now. My child is obviously happy and that is all a mother ever wants. The fact that she is happier being a girl instead of a boy is something I'll have to work on. For the moment, I will agree that it would be stupid to change things now. It is the middle of the summer holidays - everyone knows Jackie as a girl so it would be daft to complicate the situation. I'll agree to Jackie staying as a girl - and learning much more about girls than Jack would ever have done - until the last week of the holidays. At that time, I expect Jack to return from his trip away and Jackie to depart."

There were meaningful glances between all three of us while she spoke. I had had no real intention of encouraging Jackie to stay on as a girl after the holidays until it became obvious that she was so happy being a girl. For the last few weeks, I had thought of her as 'a girl just like me'. Jackie was looking confused and worried at the new and surprising ways her life was being re-organised. Beth seemed to be content to 'wait and see'.

Mrs. Berkely sat in the front seat and said nothing for a while. She was clearly thinking and clearly did not want to be disturbed. The three of us sat equally silent waiting for the next step to be revealed.

"I think we must make plans to reveal Jackie to my husband." I smiled as I compared her words to the exact same phrase Beth had used about planning to reveal Jackie to her mum.

"Meanwhile, let's drive home and see what other changes have been happening. If you have changed my darling boy into a beautiful girl, perhaps you've redecorated the house as well."

By the end of summer, there had been even more changes and some funny stories too. Almost the funniest was the day after Jackie's mum first met her daughter. Jackie and I went with Beth to the stables with Jackie in a dress. Our excuse was that we were just dropping in on our way out shopping. As ever, Jenny was there organising things. Her comments were almost as incorrect and inappropriate as the first time she met Jackie and made the first suggestion that she was a girl.

"Hello, girls. My word, it's a surprise to see you in a dress, Jackie. After all the times we've gone out in the evening with you in jeans and shorts, I was almost beginning to think that you weren't a real girl. I mean, you wore a little lipstick and so on - but you never dressed up and joined in with teasing the boys."

I was almost in hysterics - but with some effort I concealed my lack of control. Jackie merely blushed bright red and couldn't say a word. Beth who had driven us down - just stood to one side with a quiet smile. That Jenny girl - she's just so dim.

Back in the car, Beth did make a few pointed remarks. "That lass Jenny not one of your observant types is she. Although, you do look so comfortable and so attractive that it is impossible now to see any residual boyness. I like my sister. Although she's only a teenager, I think I want her to stay around and learn all the benefits of being a confident girl-type teenager."

I suddenly understood from her comments that her intent too was to keep Jackie as a girl and let her grow into a permanent woman. Her brother was forgotten. Her sister was a real person. There was no going back as far as Beth was concerned.

It would be several days until Jackie's dad would get back from his trips. There was indeed a lot of planning. Sometimes Beth would get back and spend some time getting our feet back on the ground. Some of our ideas were pretty extreme, I guess.

As things turned out, we didn't need to have worried so much as we did. He was much more reasonable than we could have expected.

Towards the end of the long summer holidays, Jackie got more and more depressed whenever she remembered her mum's comments about the 'end of the holidays'. Eventually, with about three weeks to go, it got too much for her and she crept into her mum's bed early one morning sobbing and weeping her eyes out. Mrs. Berkely had realized instantly what was wrong. She hugged her little girl and smoothed her hair as she snuggled close in her satin nightdress.

"Don't worry so much, darling. I've been watching you closely all these weeks. Whenever you did something girlish, I counted it and whenever you showed a flicker of the old boy, I counted that too. Recently, you have been so totally girl that it has helped me come to a significant decision. If you tell me every morning for the next fortnight that you want to be a girl after the holidays - then I'll do my best to help. I have been making a lot of enquiries and I've been meeting some very interesting and helpful people. If you can convince me that you want this more than anything else - then I'll help you to become my proper full-time daughter. I'm going to be very cruel for the next couple of weeks with the specific intention of testing you. I'm going to ask you to do things which will test your girlishness and your boyishness to the utmost. I do not want you to tell Beth or Alison what is happening. I don't want you to ask them for advice or help. I'm sure they will pester you and that they will volunteer to help - but this next fourteen or so days will be you making your mind up about your own future.”

Jackie's face lit up with the news of this potential solution. Clearly, her mother was willing to help Jackie become a girl and, even more amazingly, she had found a way to get Jackie into the local girl's school if it was decided that was the right thing to happen.

Jackie's face got really determined and she answered, "I hear you, mummy. I really truly hear what you say. I have to be a girl for the next fortnight even when you make it hard for me to be a girl or easy for me to forget and be a boy. I truly promise that I will ask you every morning that I want to be a girl more than anything in the world."

Some of the tests were quite disagreeable to our girl. She was given jobs to do which would have been easy for a boy and some which were girlish. She had to start sewing and ironing. She had to sweep the garden and have a bonfire, cut up kindling for the fireplace, trim hedges and a whole range of outdoor jobs - the sort of tasks which the old Jack had always enjoyed. The really hard bit was that she had to do every job in such a way that she maintained the proper ladylike style which was being demanded - and watched. And this included keeping her clothes clean when there were dirty jobs; keeping her hair and makeup straight when working outdoors. You should have heard the wailing when she broke three nails in as many minutes.

In addition, apparently on the advice of some 'specialist', Jackie had to write a whole series of essays on why she wanted to be a girl, what she saw as the advantages, and the disadvantages. She had to investigate the differences between boys and girls, men and women. She even had to do one about homosexuality - which was not a concept that had ever crossed her mind even when we had teased her that girls went out with boys. She seemed to have a built-in separation of personality - when she was a girl - she was a girl; when she was a boy, she was a boy.

And I had to join in on a project on tolerance and what happened to the typical boy-to-girl teenage transperson. We had to consider the whole range from transvestite to transsexual. Some of the stories were vile. But there were quite a number of stories which were immensely encouraging. We did smile at some of the cartoons we found. There was one about the horrid business of letting transpeople into restrooms in America. The cartoonist talked instead about 'If you play hockey you go to this one, if you play waterpolo you take the other'; and the response was 'I play frisbee'. We did notice some exaggerations - there was one cartoon which said 'These politicians have been done for molesting people in public toilets and there has never been a case where a transgender person has done so'. Unfortunately, we did find some examples where men dressed as women had assaulted people. But looking harder at the stories, it seemed that their motivation was to perform the assault rather than to be in any genuine way trans. It did make us realize, without too much surprise, that both the pro and anti-groups might, on occasion, exaggerate when trying to score points.

For her and for most of our horse-mad group, the particular problems of sex had not yet arrived. Even though many girls of my age were pretty keen on boys and the idea if not the reality of sex – we had our horses and riding to think about. Jackie had to do research on a whole range of related topics. In fact, she did so much work on the subject that it got her interested in doing the same work, more academically, at university.

There was a little party at the Berkely's on the second last Saturday of the holidays. Jackie had faithfully asked every morning and often every evening if she could be a full-time girl. She had been as much a girl as she possibly could and the tests were now over. Beth and I still didn't know about these conditions, we learnt about them much later.

We all wore our prettiest dresses. Jackie was gorgeous in a pale yellow sheer ankle-length number; Beth wore a lovely floral chiffon and I wore my old but favourite floaty lime green double-layered cotton frock. My mum was looking very elegant in a grey wool dress. We all arrived and Mrs. Berkely offered us each a small glass of champagne. Clearly this was no ordinary party. When we were all comfortable and Jackie had served us all with snacks, her mum started. "I've been doing a lot of thinking and planning in the last few days. Jackie has been doing her share as well. But I thought that we should all be part of this final step. I'm treating it as a celebration so that is why I've given you all a glass of bubbly. I want you to raise your glasses and make a toast to welcome my daughter Jackie. The new addition to the family will be joining the local school with Alison. She will also be saying farewell to her brother Jack. Every single one of his clothes is bundled up and ready to go on the bonfire outside or to the charity shop. So, are we all agreed, Goodbye Jack, Welcome darling Jackie."

We were all crying with joy by now. Jackie was just stunned with the news. I couldn't believe that Mrs. Berkely had been able to plan all this so easily and with not a word to any of us. After a moment, Jackie stumbled over to her mum, crying fit to burst with happiness. "Oh, mum. I'm so happy. I'll try to be the best daughter ever. I just love being a girl and dressing up in these lovely clothes and, oh, I just love my new life." By this time, we were all in a four-person hug, spilling over with happiness.

After a while, Beth asked, "How have you fixed the school? Wasn't there any problem with Jackie transferring to a girls-only place?"

"You don't know everything going on in this town, my girl. The headmistress, Mrs Perry, was very helpful. She made it abundantly clear that while it might look like a girls' school, in fact, there were several attendees there with exactly the same situation as your sister."

"You don't mean to say there are other new-girls in town?"

"Would I have said it if I didn't mean it. Although I don't know who they are. Actually, the head said that there was now only one such in the school at the moment. She said that there were several just a few years ago but, of course, she wasn't going to name names. To go back to the beginning - I started talking to the head and I made a silly mistake early on, so she saw the records for Jackie were clearly those of a boy. She then said that from the documents she understood that I was trying to get my son into her girls' school. She then stunned me by saying that she could see no problem. After that, our meeting was on a completely different level. It was all about how the school would help Jackie to become ever more feminine and graceful and ladylike."

The expressions on all our faces must have been a picture.

She continued, "We spent ages talking. I showed her that lovely picture in my purse of the four of us. She recognised Beth instantly as well as Alison. When she saw that picture Mrs. Perry changed the subject very suddenly. Actually I have a suspicion that the year with the several boy-girls might have been when you were there, Bethie dear. Anyway, instead Mrs. Perry started talking about medical problems and what she called augmentation. It took me a moment or two to realize what she was talking about. Can you guess already, Jackie love. Do you want to go and see the doctor? Do you want to have treatment?

I didn't exactly know what her Mum was offering but Jackie grabbed. "What can be done? Is it temporary or is it for real? I dreamt last night that I was at a ball, wearing a fantastic black beaded dress - and it was terribly low-cut - and I had breasts of my own - I felt fabulous. I was so unhappy when I woke and the dream wasn't real. Oh, please say that you're not teasing. I'll do anything necessary to become a real girl."

"Well, dear. I have made some enquiries since the meeting with Mrs. Firth. It does appear that some interesting options may, I repeat, may, be possible. Since you do seem so willing, if not eager, I'll ring up the doctor and confirm the appointment."

The four of us talked long into the night. We made Jackie model for us for several hours - checking what she looked best in. We made lots of plans about how we could give her the necessary knowledge to fit in with the other girls at school. The months at the riding school would help, if she ever got stuck she could go into horse-mad mode like so many others of her age.

It was strange at the doctor's surgery. I was allowed to go with Jackie as moral support. Although, I was also extremely interested in what was going to happen. I found myself looking at the other people in the reception room, checking to see if they could guess what we were there for while I looked at them to guess the same. There was another mother with her daughter aged about 10; and another with a girl aged about 14 - but I couldn't believe that either was a potential boy-girl. There were two young teenage lads on their own. I found that I was looking at all the others to see if they looked boyish or girlish. We had to wait quite a while before our turn and Jackie's mum told me to wait while the two of them went in. Anyway, this is what Jackie said happened.

“We went in and it was all very simple. The doc complimented me on how good I looked. She asked a few questions about how easy I found it doing my makeup and so on. We talked about hairstyles and then she started asking the more important questions. She asked me how long I had been dressing as a girl - I did exaggerate a little when I said for a couple of years. Then she asked when I first went out dressed - about a year and a half ago, last Easter, I said. Then she asked how worried was I that other people would detect me and what particularly concerned me about my appearance. I answered that I had never, so far, been detected but I did want to be more definite in my appearance. To me, this meant having a proper figure, especially breasts and cleavage. If I had real breasts then there would be no doubt about me.”

“She asked me what was so special about breasts, why wasn't padding enough? I had prepared for this one. "It is often enough, but it doesn't give me the confidence I know I would get if they were real. I suppose if all I wanted to do was dress as a girl, then that would be enough - but I want to do more than just look like a girl. I enjoy this, no, I love the new me too much, I want to actually be as much of a girl as possible. To me, that means going to school as a girl, doing everything as a girl. I never want to be a boy again. I've had to think about this a lot - and I am sure what I want. Please, Doc. If there was a magic potion, I'd take it today.”

Mum patted my hand. I squeezed back. There was a pause while the doctor sat back and checked her notes. "Well, dear, you just pop behind the screen and undress, when you're ready I'll come round and examine you. I'm fairly sure that we can do a great deal to fulfil your dream. I'm particularly pleased that you've come to me at such an early age and that you've been dressing so successfully for over a year." I felt a small pang at her acceptance of my lie, but I was too pleased to hear that she was willing to help.

I almost ran behind the screen and my pretty clothes tumbled to the floor as fast as I could. I sat on the couch and said, "I'm ready."

"Fine. If you're cold put on the gown. I'll be with you in a moment."

The murmur of voices continued for some minutes before she reappeared. "Right, let's check a few things. I'll take some measurements first - height, weight, chest, waist and hips for a start." Pause. "Well, make a note that your present statistics are 29, 27, 30 which is fine for a young lady of your age. How old are you now, dear."

"Fifteen in six weeks."

"Oh, that's nice. I think it may be possible with these new pills to give you a magic potion that will have had an effect in that time. Would you like to have a birthday party where you can wear a proper open-front dress? Would you like to tease all the others with your charms, hey?"

I almost burst, "If you could it would be my best birthday present ever. Please, let's get started. How big can you make them? Tell me, do."

"Well, if you look at your mother, heredity has a lot to do with how big they'll grow. Then the amount of boost we give you and a few other factors. Generally, you can expect to be quite satisfactory. Unless you want enormous boulders or something totally exaggerated. If you want to become an ordinary but very attractive girl then this should be well within our capabilities."

I actually started to cry with pleasure at the news. After the injection, she gave me a little hug and told me to get dressed. She would give me an injection now and a series of pills for the next month. For the rest of the summer, I must come back every fortnight for another injection.

I got dressed as fast as I could and ran round to snuggle in beside mum. "She says she'll do it and I can start today. I'm so happy," I snuffled.

"Now stop that. You're a big girl now, so to speak. Pull yourself together and say thank you to the doctor. We'll be back in a fortnight then, right. Thank you once more doctor. I'm so happy that you've been able to help my lovely new daughter."

The doctor said, "Don't worry about a thing, Mrs. Berkely. Let's see how things progress in the next weeks. I'm sure that we can help Jackie on her way. Just keep an eye on things. You can give me a ring if you need to. See you both soon."

"And that's about it. Ali, I'm so excited with the idea that I'll have my very own titties. I want them to be as big as yours. I want to be able to bounce and jiggle as I walk along instead of having this fake stuff. I'm so happy. Give me a hug and say you're happy too."

The days passed. Jackie was spending every minute of the day as a girl. She wasn't so keen on all of it, for example, her mum made her start learning some of the jobs every daughter has to do. Feminism may be the in-thing for adults but schoolgirls and schoolboys get the same training and indoctrination as they ever did. So, Jackie did the dusting, washing, ironing, sewing, and ironing that was expected of her. To my surprise, she seemed to love it. But since it was still the holidays, we probably spent most of our time together at the stables or in each other's bedrooms. We primped and posed, we dressed each other and did make-up and hairstyles for practice. It was such fun. It was a long time since I had thought of Jackie as anything other than my best girl-friend.

Sometimes, we stayed over at each other's houses. Neither of our Mums seemed to mind if we slept in the same bed. I'm not sure if they were ignoring the possibility of the two of us, er, misbehaving or if they trusted us not to. I suppose we were both pretty late developers in the sex game - but we were both horse-mad and that does seem pretty important at the time. In the end, it didn't really matter. We were two girls snuggled together whispering secrets. We loved being close with our smooth satin nighties slithering together. There were times when we would spoon together and Jackie's thing would grow and press into me - but we pretty much ignored it. I won't say always - but it seemed more important to stay as friends rather than lovers. We weren't in love with each other anyway. I loved Jackie the girl and Jackie loved learning about being a girl.

The only time we did get carried away was when I was talking about how boys would sometimes try to make it with me - and how I had learnt to make them stop. Jackie couldn't slow down when I got talking about the time Jeremy made me stroke his prick and how it had spurted all over my hands. Anyway, this one time, I could feel Jackie pressed hard against me and all of a sudden his prick spurted all over the place. It was horrid. It didn't feel right at all. This was my best friend making a sticky mess all over me and my bed. Jackie was embarrassed too. Fortunately, we got everything cleaned and washed without any fuss from my Mum. But I made sure I didn't talk about things like that for a week or so.

There were two clouds on the horizon. Mr Berkely and School. I don't know which was more upsetting. Mr Berkely had been working so hard and travelling so much for the last 10 or 12 years that Jack was not really a key part of his life. Beth had been the apple of his eye because he knew her better and had been able to spend time with her as she grew up - but Jackie had missed out as he had become more and more work-oriented. Recently, he had been away from home for all but a few days of the last eighteen months.

Mrs Berkely did manage to warn him somehow that there had been some big changes. He only stayed two nights during the summer, he was moving around so much. The first evening, Jackie came back from visiting me wearing ordinary jeans and a pale pink t-shirt. There was a comment or two by her Dad about how much he looked like a girl but Jackie just said, "These are comfortable and make me feel good. Don't worry, Daddy. I've been with Alison all day. We spent the morning at the stables and this afternoon shopping and at her house. It's all just fine. We're good friends."

They talked a bit longer but Jackie was late for bed and went up. In the morning, Jack came down wearing some more unisex stuff, just enough to look a bit girlish but not enough to cause an upset. This was before the ear-piercing, of course. Even the most unobservant male would probably have noticed his child wearing little sleepers in each ear. At the time, Mr Berkely didn't notice anything or not enough to comment too noticeably. Mrs Berkely told us later that she mentioned how smart Jack was today - just to get a reaction. He replied, "Yeah, I guess he did look okay, but I think the word is pretty rather than smart. He's not gay or anything, is he? I mean, he spends all that time with the horses and all, but he does dress kinda girly."

As arranged, Mrs Berkely said, "I think it's just a phase. We haven't had time to go to the shops or anything. Since Jackie is spending so much time with Alison, he has borrowed a couple of her old things. It's saved a lot of fuss and neither Jackie or Alison have been too upset about it."

"What's this with calling him Jackie. He's always been Jack, hasn't he ?"

"Oh no dear. I've called him Jackie for ages. It just seemed better somehow. I got tired of mixing him and my favourite Uncle Jack."

"I suppose that's understandable. I was never sure who you were talking about sometimes. But can't you do something to keep him out of such girly looking things. It don't look right seeing a boy in such stuff."

"Apparently it's quite fashionable these days, dear. If it's alright with Jackie and Alison, then I can't do much to argue about it. But I do promise that I'll keep an eye open for the right things when I next take Jackie shopping."

That was the first evening and morning. The second evening, Mr Berkely had to spend a lot of time getting ready to go back on the road, making calls and being businesslike. But he did spend a little while talking with Jackie. He started up the stairs to Jackie's room but fortunately he accepted the old-style 'Keep out of my Room' sign which had been hurriedly put back up for his visit. He knocked and asked if Jack could spare a moment. On being told, I'll come down in about two minutes, he departed to get himself a coffee. None of wanted him to look inside the room. There was just a little too much stuff around that indicated, if not blared out, this is a girl's room.

The two of them chatted for quite a while. It was obvious that Dad was checking exactly what his son was doing, if he wasn't becoming a bit too girly, if not sissy. Jackie and the rest of us had talked about how to deflect the truth. No lies, none of us wanted Jackie to lie - but misdirection and misinformation were good enough for the Government.

Jackie talked about how hard they had to work at the stables, how much he sweated and how nice it was meeting such a nice bunch of people. Somehow his descriptions seemed to include a few boy's names. Well, a few boys did come for lessons each week. It was just that their names got used more often than was strictly correct. Jackie talked about me as his best friend and made it very clear that I was really more of a best-friend-that-happened-to-be-female, I wasn't a girlfriend or 'anything like that'. He happened to mention that since we were both the same size, we had borrowed riding clothes and suchlike from each other. It was more a matter of being 'convenient' than anything else, Jackie had said with a laugh. Alison's mum said to me 'What with Ali having such a pile of quite 'unisex' stuff, it seems silly to waste the opportunity of saving a bit of money while the two of us were both growing so fast'.

By the end of their chat, it was quite clear that Jackie's dad had no real problem with what was happening while he was away. Mrs. Berkely joined in for the last half-hour or so and showed how content she was, which might have helped too.

So after that first meeting, it seemed that Jackie's dad thought the whole thing was just 'keeping in fashion' and like all fashions, it would wear off soon. In the weeks since, it hadn't worn off at all. In fact Jackie had worn everything of mine that I was willing to lend, and a few of the more pretty things that I actually didn't want to lend until her pleading cries persuaded me. We still spent a lot of time at the stables and with the other girls, but we spent almost every spare moment shopping or dressing up. It was lovely.

The next time her Dad arrived was much more complicated. It was five weeks since Jackie's 'augmentation' had begun, but still three weeks until school began. Jackie had been taking the pills and injections so she already had small bumps on her chest. She didn't look very much like a football-playing teenage-boy. We had it all planned. Jackie was going to wear a nightshirt when her Dad arrived - and a pin in her ears. And it would all be because it was 'fashionable'. I didn't intend to be there when he arrived but he turned up a good hour before he was expected.

It was amazing. Her Dad didn't seem to mind at all. In fact, his first comment was a complete shock to Jackie and me – as mum was upstairs when Dad arrived. "Well, when I was last here I thought I had a girly sort of son. But it looks to me as if I was quite out-of-date. It looks to me like I've just gained a daughter. Is this still just 'fashion' or are we talking something more permanent. Those lumps inside that nightdress look like something extra that my son would never get. Tell me true, are you queer, Jackie ? I can’t believe it’s ‘just a phase you’re going through’ This looks too, er, deliberate, too well planned, too determined. Oh darling wife, can you come back in here and tell me what’s happening."

We waited while Mum came down. She heard Dad repeat his question and waved at Jackie to answer.

"Certainly not, Daddy. Queer means that I like boys rather than girls. Well, that's really silly. I like girls just the way I always have, just the way a proper boy should. Well, as much as I can at the age of nearly fifteen. I mean I’ve got as far as kissing and cuddling but I’ve not done any more than that. But as well as, or perhaps I mean, separate from that I just love being as much of a girl as possible. I love being a girl so much more than I ever enjoyed being a boy. I mean, it's not just that I can wear pretty dresses and swishy fabrics and none of those boring old denims and thick shirts. I feel so much more relaxed and so much happier. It's absolutely fine being a girl, in fact it's better than fine, it feels right somehow. I'm so happy every day to wake up and get into one of my dresses. I'm even helping Mum with all the housework - and I love that too. And as for these bumps, as you so rudely call them, I'm can only say that I'm really happy that Doctor Jenkins has been able to help me so quickly. I don't want to pretend to be a girl, I want to be a girl or as girly as I can be – at least that’s how I feel right now – and I do mean it. Being a boy doesn’t feel right any more. This way, I can enjoy the delights of being a girl, the colours, the ability to appreciate beauty and relax into my emotions instead of bottling them up like boys have to. And, as for being so-called queer, the only bit that should worry you is that some people might comment that I seem to like girls rather more than boys. Now that I can see might be a problem in the future. At the moment, it’s just darling being able to be a girl and when I need to be a boy – if that’s what is decided – then I can be a boy when I need to be too. As long as you don’t try to stop me being able to appreciate and understand the girl’s point of view. And in case you hadn’t guessed, Daddy dear, it’s a lot of fun from the inside.”

And with that, she skipped over and kissed him on the cheek. Unintentionally, perhaps, oh so perhaps, she left her brand glowing scarlet.

I watched as her dad considered his child's reply, "Makes me glad to know you're happy, my little. But I sure am worried about the future. It's fine dressing up at home or with a friend - but I'd guess that it's real tricky trying to be a boy sometimes and a girl at others. I have to say while I can accept a lot of this because you’re my child and I love you – there’s far too many out there who will not accept something like this which challenges what they think is right and proper. It’s not a topic I know much about but I know there’s a lot of hatred about anything touching on people’s prejudices about sex and gender.”

“They’ll give you ugly labels – queer, homosexual, pervert, weird, horrible, hateful, wrong, evil and many more. They’ll label us, me, your mum, any friends who stick with you with equally nasty labels. I’m pretty sure you have no idea what it’s like being labelled as ‘different’. When the nasties get roused they have no kindness, no generosity, all their love disappears. You have to rely only on the love of those who stick with you. It’s going to be tough. But I repeat – do not worry because we do love you and we will always love you and we will cope with all of this. You go on back to bed and I'll stay here and talk with your mum."

In the morning, he left before Jackie was up. So that was that, it seemed. Everybody now accepted Jackie as a girl. Well, everybody close to Jackie who cared about her.

The first day at school with Jackie was wonderful. She was so proud of her uniform - the grey wool skirt, the cream blouse, the grey and red-trim jacket. I was used to it and treated it with the proper disdain. Jackie had not had uniform at her previous school and liked the new image. Fortunately her previous school had a few girls there, so any references to the past were easily explained - although nobody was really interested enough to care.

I really enjoyed going home with her that first evening. I knew that there was going to be a surprise party because her dad was actually coming home again especially for the party. As I said, he had met Jackie twice already - but this was the first time he would be home for long enough to meet his new daughter properly.

On the way home, we talked about how different it was being at a school for girls instead of boys. Of course, I didn't know any different - I had never been to a boy's school. But it was interesting hearing Jackie give her views.

When we got to my house, which was on the way to Jackie's from the school, I persuaded Jackie to dress up 'real pretty' as I had hinted that there was going to be a surprise dinner. Jackie didn't suspect a thing. We got back to my place early and let ourselves in. With plenty of time before the party at Jackie's we took our time to get dressed up. I wore a fairly plain red pinafore dress - I didn't want to take the limelight away from my girl. Jackie wore the most adorable clingy jersey dress which shaded from red at the bottom to white at the top. I encouraged her to wear panties which would show just a little pantie-line and her most daring bra. She looked good enough to get any of the boys excited. I was so proud of her.

In the end, it was just wonderful. There was a whole crowd of us there, hiding, ready to burst out at her. We walked in and suddenly - it was a party. And when she realized that it was being celebrated as her 'Birthday' party and everyone had brought something extra-girlish for her, she was quite overcome. The final straw was her dad giving her a box from the big store with the most stunning silk summer-dress. It was pale cream with a delicate, almost invisible, gold and white pattern. I was really jealous. My Dad would never have had the smarts to buy me a dress that nice.

I don't think she expected the excitement of her first 'Birthday' party as a girl. We had all bought presents for her. I had found a delicious pastel yellow nightdress with the prettiest lace edging and dainty bootlace straps.

Jenny and the twins from the stable had been invited too; (to my amusement Dimbo Jenny never worked out what was so special about the party). At the end, Jackie was persuaded to go and get changed into her Dad's present and then she came into the room on his arm - as elegant a teenage girl as you would ever want to meet. It was just a lovely party.

Over the next few years, Jackie went on to university to study Social Psychology (with a special interest in gender issues). The short period of separation while Jackie was at university while I was waiting to find a job became just too painful. I became a secretary nearby so that we could continue to see each other. Soon after, we needed to be close because we had eventually become lovers as well as best friends. Our parents too had become really close friends with each other and had been very helpful with the growth of BigSisters in our area.

Did anybody find out? Yes.

Was it vile and horrid? Amazingly no.

Why? Perhaps because anyone who mattered already knew and refused to make a fuss when the nasties went on the attack.

We had a wonderful wedding. Jackie wore a cream silk dress with a simple blue beading - for a boy - while I wore a white dress in similar style with pink trimming. The congregation appeared to be significantly overpopulated by females, as you might guess.

Our mothers went berserk with happiness. The opportunity to have a full blowout wedding was taken to extremes. Flowers, cake, invitations, presents, checking, cross-checking, checking crossly - it was high drama for nearly eight months.

We had a delicious honeymoon where the only downside was being mistaken, rather often, as a pair of lesbians. Somehow this never seemed to matter. You might be asking if Jackie ever went for the chop. Well, she can’t have because I’m pregnant. Yep. And Jackie’s got a new set of pills and is planning to help with the breast-feeding.

From that you can guess that Jackie is one of the amazingly lucky new-girls who is happy with how things have turned out. And I am one of the equally amazingly lucky wives who has a husband with built-in BFF. It’s wonderful.

We moved away to the nearby city of Yorktown. Before we arrived, we had investigated the cross-dressing situation there and were confident that we could nurture an active BigSisters group. And so it has proved.

And we still go riding now and again.

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Characters
Jack/Jackie Berkely
Beth elder sister
Alison Longley same age as Jackie, tutor
Mrs & Mr Longley
Mrs Sterling proprietor of Corsetry shop
Mrs Perry headteacher
Jenny and all the other girls at the Riding Club