---

 
Chapter 1

Just when I had at last decided that my ambitions of becoming a famous jockey were unlikely to work out and I needed to look for something different to do with my life, a new and unexpected opportunity presented itself.

One day during the late spring of 2018 I had a temporary job looking after several horses that were going to be used on a film location in the West of England . I had just finished exercising and grooming Moonbeam a fine looking bay New Forest pony and was sweeping out the next stall ready for the expected arival of further horses. The production company had rented a large barn that had been converted into a temporary stable for the duration of the filming. A small party of smartly dressed men and women entered: one or two of them were carrying tablet computers. They walked over to the next stall to inspect the horse but I doubt whether most of the group even noticed me’

‘This is ‘Moonbeam’; you’ll be riding her next week, Amy’ said Frank Wilson, whom I recognised as the director. ‘I’m told that she has a placid temperament and is quite used to being filmed.’

I also recognised the attractive young woman with long shining raven black hair that he was addressing. It was Amy O’Donnell the youngest member of the group. Although she was barely twenty, she’d made quite a name for herself on television recently, initially as a popular child actress in a soap opera followed by a successful pop recording and a stint on a celebrity reality show. I’d read somewhere that she was now hoping to begin a career in films. Amy walked over and stroked the horse’s neck.

‘She’s rather big for a pony, isn’t she?’ she said a little anxiously. ‘The ponies that I used to ride as a girl weren’t nearly as big as that.

Frank Wilson, noticed that I was listening to the conversation, on the periphery of the group.

‘Hey! You there!’ Is that right?’

‘She’s fourteen and a half hands, which is a little on the large side, but she’s still within the recognised range for a pony,’ I replied. Then I added as an afterthought: ‘she needs to be fairly sturdy to be able to carry Miss O’Donnell when she’s riding side-saddle.’

Amy turned to look at me.

‘Are you suggesting that I need a big horse to carry my weight?‘ she said, in mock outrage.

She knew perfectly well that she was not overweight, quite the opposite in fact. I’m sure she wasn’t being serious in her comment but I blushed at my faux pas, all the same.

‘Oh no, I didn’t mean that at all, Miss O’Donnell, it’s just that when you ride side saddle your weight is on one side of the pony’s back rather than in the centre and so you need a stronger animal.’

‘No-one said anything to me about my riding side-saddle!’ continued Amy, this time addressing the assembled group. ‘Why can’t I ride astride, as normal?’

‘The film is set in the 1860s when all aristocratic young women would have ridden side-saddle,’ said Frank patiently.

Amy had been offered the part of Lucy Robarts, the young love interest in Anthony Trollope’s Framley Parsonage. It would be a good debut role for her film career except that Lucy was described in the book as ‘a bold and accomplished horsewoman’ and so there had been one scene added to the script where she took part in a foxhunt. However, it was now obvious that an acquaintance with English literature or an understanding of nineteenth century horsewomanship were both lacking in the education of Amy or her agent.’

‘You didn’t specify in the contract that Amy would be required to ride side-saddle,’ said her agent.

‘We discussed this matter at some length with your personal assistant; she assured us that you were an accomplished horse rider and had no need of a stand-in,’ said Joan Weaver, the assistant director, addressing both Amy and the agent.

‘Lorna, my P.A. left me for another job ten days ago, so we cannot check on what she told you,’ said Amy.

‘The fee that we agreed took that into account,’ added Joan.

‘I would be petrified to be riding side saddle on that brute, I assumed you would have stand-ins for this kind of work,’ said Amy.

‘You’ve had the final script for several weeks now and have had plenty of time to raise any issues before you signed the contract,’ added Joan in frustration.
‘We’re due to begin filming the equestrian scenes in two days’ time. I doubt if I would be able to get a qualified horsewoman on set in that time, especially one who is the same age and build as you are.’

I coughed politely, as if asking permission to speak. The group turned to look at me.

‘Yes?’ said Frank.

‘Side-saddle riding is not so difficult once you get used to it. I’ve been riding that way for the last fortnight so that Moonbeam would get used to the idea. I could give Miss O’Donnell a lesson in how it’s done if that would be of help.’

‘And will you be there to catch me when I fall off?’ Amy asked.

I guess that she had noticed that I was no taller or much stronger than she was.

‘I’m sure that someone will always be around to make sure that you’re seated correctly and that Moonbeam is nice and calm,’ I replied.

‘What’s your name?’ asked Amy.

‘Nick Stevens.’

'Very well, Nick Stevens, I have a couple of hours to spare before my costume fitting this afternoon, I’ll come back at 2.00 o’clock for a lesson from you and see how I get on.’

I looked across to Frank and he nodded to confirm that it was alright.
Amy then added as an afterthought, ‘and you can stop calling me Miss O’Donnell; call me Amy.’

I nodded and went bright red. The party moved on to look at other features of the location, and I returned to tending the remaining animals.

‘Moonbeam isn’t a brute, she’s one of the gentlest ponies I’ve known,’ I thought to myself, but at the same time I felt quite in awe at having spoken to the famous Amy O’Donnell. What is more I would soon be giving her a riding lesson. That would be something to tell the two guys that I shared a room with when I got home later that evening.

At 4.15 pm I was about to start unsaddling Moonbeam, when Frank Wilson and his assistant came back in, this time without the rest of their entourage.

‘Well Nick, how did Amy get on this afternoon?’ he asked.

‘She left half an hour ago, as she had to go for a costume fitting,’ I replied.

‘Yes, I know that, but how did she manage on the horse?’

‘Well I wouldn’t describe her as a natural horsewoman, but I showed her how to grip the saddle with her thighs. She should be safe enough so long as she can stick to a gentle trot.’

‘What do you think, Joan?’ he asked his assistant.

‘There is the hunt scene where her horse will be required to canter, to keep up with the other riders. We weren’t planning to have any daredevil shots of her leaping over bushes or ditches or anything like that, but she will need to be in shot at the beginning and end of the scene,’ she replied.

‘When does that scene appear in the schedule?’

‘Wednesday or Thursday of next week, if all goes to plan.’

In that case, we might think about looking for a stand-in for those two scenes, but we’ll deduct the additional cost from her fee,’ Frank continued.

‘I’ll try but I’m not sure where I’m going to get a stunt double at such short notice? This is Amy’s first film, so we can’t go to Spotlight and look at the pictures of half a dozen look-alikes for Amy O’Donnell.’

‘Maybe we could re-organise the schedule to give us a few more days before she’s expected to do anything too energetic.’

‘We can delay for one day, if absolutely necessary, but after that it is going to be costly if I have to reschedule the extras. I’ll do my best to find someone, but it isn’t going to be easy. I just wish that they’d raised this issue before now.’

‘That’s young actors for you. You can see that she lacks experience of these matters, but her assistant should have pointed out her commitment to her.’

Frank then turned to me once again. ‘Look Nick, I’ll have a word with your boss, I want you to concentrate on Moonbeam and be available whenever Amy is filming over the next two weeks. There’s a lot of money a stake on this film and we can’t afford to have the whole crew waiting around for Amy O’Donnell.’

‘What about the other horses?’ I asked.

‘I’m hoping that one of your colleagues will be able to look after them. You just concentrate on making sure that Amy is happy and doesn’t fall off her horse.’

‘I’ll do my best, Mr Wilson, Moonbeam is a favourite of mine, and I also found that Amy was nice once you get her on her own.’

Frank smiled at the comparison and the couple were about to leave, when, almost exactly on cue, a very angry looking Amy O’Donnell, re-appeared in the stables followed by Sue Evans, the Costume and Makeup Supervisor. She was looking even more beautiful than before, now dressed in a royal blue silk Victorian riding habit with a matching Porkpie hat, sporting a purple ribbon. The outfit had a voluminous long skirt split at the back, a matching long-sleeved silk jacket and a white lace blouse. Her cheeks were flushed and her lovely long black hair hung down her back. She came straight over to me, ignoring the presence of the director and his assistant.

‘If you’re so clever, Mr Nick Stevens, perhaps you’ll explain to me how I’m expected to ride side saddle whilst having to wear this ridiculous outfit.’

I hesitated, not sure how to answer her.

‘It isn’t a ridiculous outfit; it’s a Victorian ladies’ riding habit. That’s what they wore to go riding in the 1860s, and 1870s’ interposed Sue Evans. ‘It is specially designed to enable the wearer to ride side-saddle.’

‘You hook your legs around the two pommels, as I showed you earlier,’ I said.

‘Alright, you put on the skirt and show me,’ she said beginning to unbutton it.
I looked around unsure what to do.

‘Go on then, take off your trousers and put this on,’ she demanded.

I had no idea whether to obey her instruction.

‘Would you mind giving us a demonstration, please Nick, so we can judge for ourselves?’ asked Frank.

I reluctantly took off my trousers and handed them to Sue and took the offered skirt from Amy, leaving her in a long white petticoat. Fortunately, I had roughly the same height and waist measurements as she did and so had no difficulty putting on the skirt. We both now looked absurd, like one of those children’s picture books where you can turn half the page to create incongruous top and bottom halves. There was a brown warehouse coat hanging on a hook in the stall.

‘Would you like to put this on? I said to her.

Sue took it and handed it to Amy in exchange for the riding jacket and pork-pie hat.

‘Here you’d better put this on as well, whilst you are at it,’ said Sue, handing me the jacket and then helping me to put it on.

I felt very self-conscious, dressed in a Victorian lady’s riding habit, as I led the pony out of her stall and into the yard. I noticed that we’d attracted a few interested glances from other members of the film crew who were working on various wiring and construction jobs nearby. I brought over a mounting block and placed it next Moonbeam.

‘I’m going to need someone to help me up on to the saddle,’ I said.

Frank helped me to mount, whilst Amy held the bridle and calmed the pony. Frank placed my left foot in the single stirrup and I put my right leg over one of the two pommels that would enable me to maintain a firm grip on the saddle. Sue arranged part of the voluminous skirt to cover the saddle and let the remainder of it fall to cover my legs. Amy handed me the reins, and as soon as I was seated securely, I gave a slight tug and Moonbeam began to walk then trot around the stable yard whilst the others looked on. Having completed a couple of circuits, I returned to the little group of spectators.

‘You see, it’s just a question of practice,’ I said to Amy. ‘You can maintain a good grip on the saddle with your legs and it is no more dangerous than riding astride. She’s a lovely pony to ride. Would you like to try?’

‘She may be a lovely pony but I’m still not so sure,’ said Amy.

‘Can somebody help me to dismount now please?’ I asked.

‘No, please stay where you are for the time being,’ said Frank. ‘Would you be able to manage to ride at a canter whilst you’re wearing that skirt?’

‘Not in the yard, but it ought to be easy enough to do so in the field outside,’ I replied.

‘Will you show us, please, Nick?’

Before I started again, Amy handed me the ladies’ pork-pie hat with the ribbon that she had previously been wearing.

‘Here, put this on as well, you’ll look great wearing it,’ she said, with a smile and a wink.

I instructed Moonbeam to ‘walk on’ until we reached the entrance to the yard, followed by a growing group of interested spectators. As soon as we were beyond the farm buildings Moonbeam began to accelerate, first to a trot and then a canter. She seemed willing to go faster still, if I had allowed her to do so. There was no doubt that she was a steady and well-behaved pony who was happy to be ridden side-saddle and I had no difficulty in maintaining my seat.

As soon as we reached the far end of the field, I turned her round and let her accelerate to a full-gallop across the length of the field with my long blue skirt billowing in the wind as we did so. Moonbeam leapt over a small drainage ditch in the middle of the field and the hat went flying but she landed well. It must have appeared quite impressive and the performance elicited some applause and a couple of wolf whistles from members of the crew, who had come to watch, until Frank became aware of the additional onlookers. He asked one to go and retrieve the hat and instructed the remainder to get on with whatever they had been doing.

Eventually, Moonbeam and I returned to the stables and I was at last helped to dismount.

‘Sorry about the hat,’ I said grinning cheekily.

Amy was the first to respond.

‘You can sue me if you like, but there’s no way that I'm going to risk my neck by riding like that,’ she said, addressing Frank.

He didn’t respond to her but rather turned to talk to his assistant and Sue Evans, the Costume and Makeup Supervisor.

‘Sue, is there any way that your people could get this guy to resemble Amy enough for him to be able to stand-in for her during the equestrian scenes?’

 

---

 I will endeavour to publish one chapter of about this length each week. I have never worked on a film set or ridden side saddle so if there are any glaring errors please let me know either in the comments or by personal message.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 2

Sue Evans, the costume and makeup supervisor, did not seem to be surprised by the director’s question to her whether it might be realistic for me to serve as a temporary body-double for Amy O’Donnell.

‘When are the equestrian scenes due to be shot?’ she asked.

Joan now answered, looking at the schedule on her clip board.

‘There are some general equestrian scenes, with dialogue in front of the house, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week and then the main hunt scene in the countryside will be over two days the week after.’

Sue looked at me for a moment before replying to Frank’s question.

‘I suppose they are roughly the same height and general build. He has broader shoulders and narrower hips than Amy, and is lacking the boobs, of course. However, the sleeves of the riding jacket should disguise the shoulders and we can always add a little padding for the hips and boobs. Fortunately, we have brought a spare riding costume with us in case of accidents.‘

‘So, do you think that it could be done?’ asked Joan who was beginning to realise what her boss had in mind.

‘He won’t be the first guy that we have turned into a stunt double for an actress. The main problem will be with his hair,’ Sue continued, thinking aloud. ‘Amy is well=known for her long thick and naturally black hair so we haven’t prepared any wigs for her but we intend to style her own hair each morning. We would therefore have to dye his hair to match hers and put in extensions. The clip-on ones aren’t going to be secure enough if he’s going to be riding like that so I think the best answer will be for us to use the micro ring type.’

‘What’s wrong with that?’ asked Frank.

‘Nothing, but it isn’t the sort of task that we would be able to do on the set each morning. We are going to have our work cut out to ensure that their costumes and makeup are identical, as it is. If you want to proceed with your plan we would have to sort out the hair extensions tomorrow, and then he’ll have to keep them in place for the duration of the filming.’

‘But it could be done?’ re-iterated Frank.

‘I don’t see why not.’

‘What do you think Joan?’

‘There have been a number of successful male stand-ins for actresses in the past, even ones who are a lot more macho looking than Nick is. I think we could probably get away with it, and it would certainly save us a deal of trouble and expense in looking for someone else to fill the gap.’

Frank now turned to address the young starlet in a serious voice.

‘Now listen, young lady, it looks as if this guy here may be able to help avert a disaster for both your career and my reputation, but if we do so we’re going to need your willing co-operation over the next two weeks.’

Amy did not flare up at being spoken to in this way, but merely looked relieved by the news.

‘Yes, I can see that. I’ll co-operate in any way I can.’

‘Good! For a start it seems as if he’s going to need to have the same hair style as you for the next ten days or so.’

Amy turned one of her sweet smiles to me.

‘In that case, he should look quite cute.’

The one person who hadn’t been consulted in all this exchange was me, still standing next to Moonbeam and dressed in Amy’s riding habit. I naturally overheard the discussions that were going on around me but had been too shy to contribute to the conversation. However, I at last plucked up sufficient courage to speak out.

‘Hang on a minute; what about me? Don’t I get a say in the matter? I asked.

Frank looked up at me in surprise.

‘What’s the trouble? Don’t you want to take part in a movie?’ he said.

‘Well, maybe, I wouldn’t object to the horse riding but there is no way that I’d be able to go back to my lodgings with long black hair every night for the next fortnight.’

‘Why not? I do,’ said Amy with a mischievous grin.

‘Where are you staying at the moment, Nick?’ Frank asked.

‘I share a room in the village with two other guys who look after the horses. Goodness knows what they’ll think of me when they find out that I’m going to be standing in for Amy O’Donnell.’

‘I expect they’ll be most envious of you, especially when they discover that we will be paying you as an extra for the next two weeks that you are filming which is probably more than double what you are currently earning,’ said Frank.

I took a moment to think about the implications of the offer. Meanwhile Amy and her manager were having a whispered conversation together. At last she turned to speak to the director.

‘Frank, I don’t want this story getting into the press if we can avoid it, so I don’t want a guy with my hair style wandering to and from the village each day. I have a spare bedroom in my caravan since my personal assistant has left and I haven’t yet had a chance to appoint a replacement. He can probably use that if he promises to behave himself.’

‘So, Nick, would you be willing to act as Miss O’Donnell’s body-double for the next two weeks whenever she is scheduled to be riding?’ asked Frank.

Like all the other members of the crew I had sometimes wondered what it would be like to cross the line and appear in front of the camera, but the idea of standing-in for a budding starlet had never entered my mind. On the other hand, I enjoyed riding Moonbeam and knew that I was probably capable of doing everything that they would require of me.

‘Come on Nick, it’ll be good fun,’ said Amy with an encouraging smile.

I was going to need some extra money when the job was over and I could hardly refuse that smile and a direct invitation from Amy.

‘Alright, so long as the story can be kept out of the press.’

‘I couldn’t agree more,’ she replied.

There seemed to be a feeling of relief among most of the spectators, although there were also some lingering doubts on my part of the wisdom of the idea.

‘Joan, can you make the necessary arrangements and sort out a contract. Nick, I suggest that you now give Moonbeam a rub-down and see her settled for the night and then get yourself ready to move to your new accommodation first thing tomorrow morning,’ said Frank.

‘OK, but may I have my trousers back first please.’

Sue, who had been holding my trousers for me during the demonstration, handed them to me. I took off the skirt, jacket and hat and handed them back to Amy and put on my trousers.

‘Will you both come to the hairdressing caravan tomorrow morning at 8.30 and we can make a start on sorting out Nick’s hair?’ said Sue.

‘I guess so,’ I replied.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning then Nick, or maybe it should be Nicola for the next two weeks,’ said Amy giving me another mischievous wink.

My only response was to blush.

I was right when I foresaw that I would come in for a combination of incredulity and ribald comments when I told my two colleagues about the job offer made to me, later that evening.

‘I‘d heard from one of the electricians that you’d been riding Moonbeam, dressed in a long skirt and with a fancy hat,’ said Alan, one of my two room-mates; ‘but I assumed he was winding me up.’

I couldn’t stop myself from blushing but it was now too late for me to deny anything.

‘No, it is true. Amy O’Donnell was worried about riding side-saddle and so I’ve been given the chance of riding in her place.’

‘Dressed as a girl?’ he asked.

‘Yes, of course, there would be no point, otherwise.’

‘No, I suppose not.’

‘It will only be for the long shots, she’ll take my place for any close-ups or when there is any dialogue involved.’

‘Where did you learn to ride side-saddle?’ asked Joe, my second flat-mate.

‘I’ve taught myself over the last couple of weeks. I knew that Moonbeam was intended for this role and so I’ve been helping her to get used to the idea.’

‘Aren’t you worried about what people might think of you?’ he asked.

‘What people do you mean?’

He shrugged.

‘Your colleagues, your family.’

I shrugged my shoulders.

‘My mother lives hundreds of miles away and I’ve no idea where my dad is. As far as my colleagues are concerned, why should it matter to me what they think, after a couple of weeks I won’t see any of them again?’

‘I suppose you will at least be able to claim that you ‘got into Amy O’Donnell’s knickers,’ even if it isn’t perhaps in the same way that most guys would have in mind,’ added Alan.

I was beginning to get irritated with the way the conversation was going so decided not to prolong it.

‘I found her to be quite friendly when I was giving her a riding lesson.’

‘That’s because she saw you as no threat, dressed the way you were.’

‘Actually, the lesson took place before there was any suggestion that I might act as a stand-in for her,’ I replied.

‘Ooh, hark at her!’ said Alan in an exaggeratedly camp voice.

As Frank had predicted, my flat mates were rather envious of me and so I thought it best not to mention that I would be expected to retain the long hair for the duration of the filming. No doubt they would find out soon enough but by then I would have moved on.

‘I am going to need to live on location to get ready each morning,’ I announced.

‘We have already handed over the rent until the end of the shoot and so I doubt if you’ll get a refund,’ said Joe.

‘I realise that, but it will be ok as I’ve been offered somewhere to stay on set.;

I didn’t bother to mention, however, that henceforth I would be staying in Amy’s caravan. Soon afterward I began to packing my things ready to move out the following morning.

The one thing that anyone working on a film set quickly learns is punctuality, since it is both unprofessional and costly to keep other members of the cast and crew waiting. Thus, when I turned up at the makeup caravan at the appointed time, the following morning, I found that Sue and her two assistants were already there chatting with Amy.

‘Good morning, I hope I’m not late,’ I said putting down my canvas bag in a corner of the caravan, out of the way.

‘No, you’re bang on time, we were all a few minutes early,’ said Amy with a smile.

It was a Sunday and so there was no other filming taking place on the set and no other artists for them to get ready, although there was a certain amount of scenery erection and set dressing going on in preparation for the next day’s filming schedule.

Sue made a start by addressing me.

‘OK Nick, my instructions are to turn you into as convincing a twin of Amy as is possible without resorting to surgery. I’m afraid that is going to involve both hair extensions and false boobs that will have to remain in place for the duration of filming. But don’t worry we won’t be causing you any permanent injury.’

‘But that doesn’t rule out temporary injury?’ I observed.

She smiled.

‘I’m sure there won’t be any injury, unless you count plucking your eyebrows and piercing your ears. We may need to make a few, shall we say, ‘adjustments’ to your looks although nothing which won’t grow back or be put right after a couple of weeks, although you are inevitably going to look a little more, shall we say, ‘feminine’, for the next week or two.’

‘But I thought they only planned to film me from the back, or in long shot.’

‘That’s probably all the footage that will make it into the finished film, but they want to play safe, so we will do as convincing a job as we can, just in case.’

‘In case of what?’ I asked.

‘Now then Nick, don’t argue with the lady, after all, I don’t want someone who looks like a guy standing in for me,’ Amy said, giving me another of her nicest smiles.

I didn’t respond, thinking that since I’d come this far there was probably not a lot I could do to object. Sue appeared to take this lack of response as my agreement to her plans.

‘Before we start on your hair we will need to take a series of photographs of the two of you, both standing and sitting next to one another, full-face and in profile, she continued. ‘We will include several close ups of your faces, so we can see exactly what needs to be done to turn Nick into a passable double for Amy this morning. We are only going to need you for about half an hour, Amy, but we would also like to compare the two of you in costume this afternoon. Would you be able come back at about three o’clock, please?’

‘That’ll suit me fine, I’ve some shopping that I need to do in Salisbury later this morning, but I’ll make sure that I’m back by two o’clock.’

Over the next half an hour Sue took a dozen or more digital photos of the pair of us in full-face, profile and even from the back. Amy was used to being photographed, me much less so. I attempted to copy her poses as much as I could. Once Sue had finished and was satisfied, she proceeded to download them to a tablet computer and displayed them next to one another on the screen so they could easily be compared.

‘It’s surprising, you two aren’t so dramatically different in stature, apart from the boobs, of course,’ commented Sandra, one of the two assistants.

I couldn’t help but notice that Amy was quite well endowed in that respect, and I wondered whether she’d had some enhancement.

‘Their eye colouring is also the same, which will save us having to worry about tinted contact lenses. However, we’ll need to make some adjustments to the shape of Nick’s eyebrows and dye his hair, although makeup should take care of the rest,’ added Sue, talking to her two assistants.

‘At least he has a slim neck and no trace of an Adam’s Apple,’ said Frances, the second assistant.

‘Me neither,’ added Amy, smiling.

‘What shoe size do you take, Nick?’ asked Sue.

‘Six and a half, I’ve always had fairly small feet,’ I answered, blushing a little.

‘That’s almost the same size as me. Maybe you should have been a girl, after all,’ said Amy with a wicked grin.

‘Maybe you should have been a boy,’ I responded at last beginning to regain a little of my self-confidence.

Amy shrugged her shoulders, ‘I’ve always been conscious of having feet that are a little on the large size but at least my boobs are the real thing.’

‘The actual physical differences between the sexes are never as clear cut as some people assume, and they tend to be on a spectrum rather than at the opposite poles,’ commented Sue. ‘That’s why we tend to use costume design, hairstyles and makeup to enhance some features or disguise others. I think we should be able to turn Nick into an attractive looking young lady, but equally we could have turned Amy into a convincing young man, if it had been required.’

‘Alright Amy, we’ve now finished with you until this afternoon,’ said Sue

‘Before you go, Amy, may we take a small sample of your hair to do a colour match, when we come to dye Nick’s hair and the extensions,’ said Sandra. ‘We’ll take it from where it won’t show.’

‘No problem.’

As Amy was getting ready to leave us, she noticed my bag in the corner.

‘Would you like me to take your bags back to my caravan Nick?’ she asked.

‘Yes please, if you don’t mind,’ I replied.

‘OK I’ll now leave you in the hands of these two but expect to see a beautiful young lady when I return.”

 

---

 

Many thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming. I hope to submit Chapter 3 next Friday.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 3

Chapter 3

As soon as Amy had left us, I was invited to strip and put on a pair of knickers followed by some control briefs with some padding already sewn in.

‘Try these for today – they will give a better shape to your hips and buttocks that we are looking for. We won’t expect you to wear them all the time, just when you are in costume, said Sue.

I followed her instructions.

‘Before Sandra makes a start on your hair, I’d like Frances to wax your legs and arms and use some depilatory cream on your armpits.’

‘Is that really necessary, after all they aren’t going to be visible under the costume?’

‘Nick, you have agreed to go ahead with this and are being paid extra to do so, so please don’t question our decisions. Just be assured that anything we do today can either be undone or else will grow back within a short time of you finishing work.’

‘Sorry, I promise not to ask any more questions.’

‘By all means, ask us to explain what we are doing, but please accept that we both know what we are doing. If we do a good job today, you are likely to be more useful not only when they are actually filming but during lighting rehearsals or when they are planning shots’

‘Of course, you’re the professionals, so go ahead and do your worst.’

She smiled.

‘No we’ll do our best to turn you into a suitable stand-in for Amy.

The body waxing was not as bad as I had expected and once it was over I was surprised to discover that it felt quite pleasant to have smooth arms and legs.

‘Unfortunately, we aren’t going to have time to prepare you some tailored prosthetic breasts but we have some silicone forms which are of the right size and weight. I’m afraid we’ll need to glue them in place so they don’t become dislodged whilst you’re riding, but we’ll take them off at the end of each week of filming and replace them later. Now lie down on this couch.’

I didn’t say anything whilst Sue carefully affixed the two forms and disguised the joins with concealer. I merely watched in fascination.

‘How long can they stay in place?’ I eventually asked

‘Probably for a week or more unless they begin to feel sore before then. You should be able to wear them in the shower but you will have to learn how to disguise the joins for yourself afterwards.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

‘OK I should like you to hold each breast in place and sit up for a minute or two whilst the glue cures properly.’

I followed her instructions, but eventually was told I could let them go. The two breasts flopped down and appeared to grow in size as they did so, creating a respectable looking cleavage. I got up and walked over to examine my new appendages in the full-length mirror, feeling them wobble as I did so. It was just as well I’d been offered alternative accommodation and wouldn’t be required to return to my digs in the village after work each evening.

‘So what do you think of your new boobs young lady?’ asked Sue, looking over my shoulder.

Sue had said the words ‘young lady’ quite unconsciously as if she was now beginning to think of me in that way.

‘I don’t know what to say. I’ve not really had much experience with breasts before either as a participant or as an onlooker’ I replied.

She smiled at my choice of words.

‘Well they look pretty realistic to me although we’ll have to check on them next weekend. Here, you can put this on for the time being as it will help to keep them in place and under control,’ she said handing me a bra.

‘I’m not sure how to put a bra on’; I admitted shamefacedly.

She smiled again, but not in an nasty way.

‘You have led a sheltered life! There are several different ways of doing so. I put my arm through each of the arm holes and the straps on my shoulders, then insert each breast into the relevant cup, lean forward a little and reach back and insert the relevant hooks into the eyes.’

I did my best to follow her instructions, but it was rather fiddly doing so.

‘Is that alright?’ I asked.

‘Not quite, you have not lined up the right hook with each eye,’ she said correcting my mistake, and then adjusting the straps so that they provided me with the necessary support.

‘Other women do it up at the back first and then put their arms in the straps. You’ll soon get the hang of putting it on,’ she said.

‘Will I have to wear a bra when I’m filming?’ I asked.

‘No that would be an anachronism, bras were patented in 1914 but weren’t widely used until the 1920s, prior to that women wore stays to support their breasts. However, I would like you to wear one when you are not in costume to avoid putting a strain on the adhesive that is holding your boobs in place. We’ll provide you with a set of underclothes from the costume stores and of course whatever you need to wear when you’re filming, but after that your clothing will be your own responsibility.’

I did not respond, unsure what to think.

‘So how does it feel to have a woman’s body, above the waist?’ she asked.

‘It feels a little unusual to have something pressing on my chest, but I can see that it does provide support and helps to keep the boobs under control.’

Sue now handed me a pink satin dressing gown.

‘You can wear this whilst my two colleagues make some further amendments to your appearance. I have to go now but I’ll look in again at lunch time to see how you are getting on. Remember what I said before; they do know what they are doing.'

I took the garment and put it on, admiring myself in the mirror as I did so.

Over the next three and a half hours Sandra washed, trimmed and dyed my already longish hair. Before it was entirely dry she began to comb a parting at the rear of my head, which she held in place with some grips. She then separated several groups of strands of my natural hair using a plastic shield to hold them in place. From a packet, she pulled out several swatches of long black hair each of which had a nylon loop attached to a metal bead with a nylon lining. She slid the loop over each group of strands of hair and pulled one end until my hair was inserted into the bead, which was then slid to near my scalp. Once it was in place, Sandra flattened the bead using a pair of pliers. The swatch was now securely attached to the strands. She gradually worked her way across the back of my head inserting eight or nine swatches in a row, before removing the grips and my hair fell back into place entirely covering the joins.

‘These may feel a little uncomfortable at first as your hair begins to dry, but they should be alright by the time you begin filming tomorrow. It is important for us to get the braids as tight to your scalp as possible so that the extensions will be more secure,’ Sandra commented.

Having completed the first row she created three further rows at the back and sides of my head and attached a swatch to each strand and fixed it into place. I just sat and watched, wondering what I had let myself in for, and gradually over the next couple of hours I felt the increased weight of long hair which now reached down to my breasts.

‘How easy is it going to be to take these out?’ I asked.

‘Don’t worry about that, we will sort you out once you have finished filming.’

Whilst Sandra was doing her work, Frances manicured and put clear polish on to my fingernails but decided against fitting extensions as my nails were already reasonably long for a guy and, in any event, I was going to be wearing riding gloves during the equestrian scenes.

‘I’m afraid I am now going to pierce your ears, Nick, but it doesn’t hurt.’

I wondered whether my ears would be visible beneath these new long tresses but then remembered that Amy had her hair tied back when she wore her riding habit.

‘Go ahead, I have been warned.’

‘We shall insert some studs which will enable us to attach earrings, if necessary.’

She took out a spring-loaded gun and I felt a slight pinching session in each ear and the job was done.

‘Your ears may feel a little uncomfortable tonight, and you will need to swab them with antiseptic each night and morning for the next week, but the holes will quickly close up again once we take out the studs when we have finished filming.’

By this time, Sandra had finished her work putting in my hair extensions and gave my new hair style a final trim, referring as she did so to the close-up pictures of Amy’s hair. She then put in some heated rollers.

‘I’ll make the last few finishing touches to your hair when Amy comes in after lunch. How does it feel to have long hair?’

‘My scalp feels slightly uncomfortable but it is a nice feeling to have long hair,’ I commented as I looked at myself in the mirror.

‘The discomfort will disappear after a few hours, but you’re going to have to learn how to look after your hair, especially at night, otherwise it will get tangled and will be difficult to deal with in the mornings. Ask Amy if she’ll show you what she does to her own hair each night before going to bed and when she gets up. Ideally you should do the same.’

‘Alright then.’

Whilst all this was going on, Joan, the assistant producer came in to check on progress and to bring a couple of release forms and a new contract for me to sign.

‘Wow, you’re really beginning to look like a girl, much more attractive than I feared,’ she commented.

‘I suppose I should thank you for that compliment,’ I replied, ‘even if it does mean that I will look most odd when I am not filming.

‘OK Nick we are offering you two weeks of work as an extra starting from today. You will receive double your existing salary, which does mean that we can call upon you as necessary during that period even on those days when you will not be filming.’

‘How many days will I be needed on set?’

‘I can’t say for sure at the moment. It will depend on how we get on with the filming, but I would imagine it will be eight or nine.’

‘Alright where do I sign?’ I asked.

I signed the contract ‘N. Stevens,’ and handed it back.

‘I will also issue you with a new photo id, this time in the name of Nicola Stevens so you shouldn’t have any difficulty with security personnel,’ she said taking a head and shoulders picture of the new me with her phone.

Sue returned at quarter to one bringing us some sandwiches from the catering caravan, and so we stopped to have lunch together.

‘How’s it going?’ she asked me.

‘Not too bad I guess, my scalp and my ear lobes are uncomfortable but your colleagues assure me that I should be alright by tomorrow.’

‘How about your boobs?’

‘They feel fine, a little bit strange but not uncomfortable.’

‘Try to avoid getting them wet this evening, if you can, until the glue is completely dry. After that they should be safe enough in the shower.’

‘I usually shower at night but I guess having a wash tonight and showering tomorrow morning instead won’t do me any harm for once.’

‘Good, but make sure you wear a shower cap tomorrow morning we don’t want your new long hair to get wet otherwise we may not be able to get it dry in time.’

‘What else needs to be done?’ Sue asked Sandra.

‘We have two hours to reshape his brows to correspond with Amy and put in some lash extensions, before a final check on his hair as soon as Amy comes back.’

‘How long will it take for my eyebrows to grow back afterwards?’ I asked Sandra.

‘We’re not intending to shave them off, just pluck a few stray hairs to give a more feminine shape to your brow. It usually takes between eight and sixteen weeks for them to grow back fully.

‘I hope I don’t end up looking too girly or I may have difficulty in finding another job afterwards.’

‘There should be some regrowth after about four weeks which you will be able to enhance by using an eyebrow pencil.’

‘What are lash extensions?’ I asked Sue.

‘We will glue synthetic hairs to a proportion of your eyelashes to create the effect of your having longer and fuller lashes, like Amy. It will save us time each morning as we will no longer need to fit you with false eyelashes.’

I guess she could see from my face that I was a little anxious about the prospect.

‘Don’t worry, Nick, there’s no discomfort involved and they will gradually fall out over the next three to four weeks as your existing lashes are naturally replaced.

‘Will they affect my eyes in any way?’ he asked.

‘They shouldn’t do so. You may find that your eyes flutter a little more to begin with but you’ll quickly get used to them. You will need to keep your eyes dry for the first 24 hours otherwise there is a danger that the glue will become tacky and your lashes will start to clump together.’

‘How am I going to do that?’

‘We will loan you some swimming goggles to wear when you wash tonight and shower tomorrow morning, after that they should be alright.’

I found the process of having my eyes ‘adjusted’ to involve a mixture of pain and pleasure as I lay back on the couch with one assistant working on each eye. Sandra worked on shaping my eyebrows, periodically referring to a close-up shot of Amy’s eyes and giving periodic sharp tugs to remove stray hairs. I'd no idea that they would wish to go into such detail.

‘Amy has darker hair colouring than you, and so I’ll have to darken your brows to match hers,’ she commented.

At the same time, Frances got on with the fiddly task of gluing tiny black lash extension on to my existing lashes. This was entirely a pleasurable experience involving no discomfort as she first covered my lower lashes with a cotton pad to enable her to work on the upper ones and afterwards reversed the procedure.

‘I’ll provide you with an eyelash brush to use each morning and evening to help keep them straight and separated,’ she said. ‘If you want to use any makeup at other times, please avoid using a mascara that is oil-based as that can affect the glue.’

‘I wasn’t planning on wearing makeup at any other times,’ I replied, slightly surprised.

‘That’s a pity, because I think you would look pretty good as a twenty-first century girl,’ suggested Frances with a smile.

I did not reply as I was unsure what I thought about that comment.

 

---

 
Next week: Amy’s plans for me!

Thanks for the comments and corrections, everyone. Please feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 4

As promised, Amy arrived back at three o'clock, dressed in her riding costume, accompanied by Frank and Joan, his personal Assistant. Amybrought with her a couple of plastic carrier bags which she put down on the floor in one corner of the caravan.

‘How’s the patient doing?’ she asked.

‘Take a look for yourself,’ replied Frances, indicating me as I was just being helped by Sandra to put on the finishing touches to the spare riding costume and examining their efforts in the full-length mirror. I think everyone (including me) was astounded at how convincing I now looked. I was not an exact double of Amy but there was a marked similarity in our appearance in terms of build, clothing and hairstyle. I didn’t doubt that I would be able to be mistaken for Amy in all but closeups.’

‘Wow just look at you, Nicola, you could almost be my sister,’ Amy said with a smile.

I blushed slightly not knowing what to say in reply.

Frank turned to Sue and her two assistants, 'I think you three have done a very good job, I think she looks wonderful.’

It appeared that I would have to get used to everyone referring to me in this, although Frank noticed my embarrassment.

‘I hope you won’t mind if we call you ‘Nicola’ and refer to you as ‘she’ from now on when you’re dressed like that. It will be less embarrassing for all concerned,’ he said.

‘I guess not,’ I replied tentatively, ‘so long as you go back to referring to me as ‘Nick’ and ‘he’ once again when I am wearing my guys’ clothes once again.’

Amy and Sandra exchanged glances but no-one else appeared to notice,

‘Yes, of course, but it will make everyone’s life a lot less complicated to think of you as ‘she’ when you are on set, continued Frank. ‘I’ll be speaking to the crew and the other performers to ensure that there are no snide jokes about you, derogatory comments or mis-gendering when you arrive on set tomorrow morning.’

‘Thanks, that would probably make life less embarrassing for me’ I said.

‘You certainly look the part, but how does it feel to be dressed as a Victorian lady?’ asked Joan.

I shrugged.

‘My hair extensions and ears are a little bit uncomfortable, but I’m told that will soon wear off. Having these boobs also feels a little odd, but I guess I’ll eventually get used to them together with these clothes,’ I replied.

‘Well at least you won’t have to wear the ridiculous long dresses and corsets that I’ll be expected to wear in some of the indoor scenes,’ commented Amy.

‘Looking the way she does, we may yet wish to employ Nicola services as a stand-in in other scenes, assuming she can learn how to display the right gestures and body language,’ muttered Frank to Joan.

I was not sure whether or not I was intended to overhear that comment.

Frank then turned to the group ‘I think that it’s now time that Nicola gave us a further demonstration of her horse-riding skills to prove that all this trouble and expense has been worthwhile.’

Our party made its way over to the stables, where Alan had been told to saddle and prepare Moonbeam. He took one look at me, and another at Amy, and his mouth dropped open in utter disbelief. He did not dare to say anything in front of the Director and one of the main stars, though.

‘Would you get the mounting block and help this young lady into the saddle,’ said Frank gesturing to me.

Alan did as he was instructed and helped me to mount Moonbeam and get securely seated. He then handed me the reins. I smiled and thanked him before starting to ride, initially in the yard and then in the adjoining field.

Over the next quarter of an hour or so I proved that my ability to ride side saddle at different speeds was quite unaffected by the clothes that I was wearing. Once again, I demonstrated that I could retain my seat whilst galloping at full speed and this time jumping over a low hedge.

‘That riding looks pretty impressive, maybe we could change the shooting schedule to incorporate some more shots of Lucy Robarts into hunt scene at the editing stage,’ commented Frank.

‘I’ll talk to the Director of Photography and make sure that we have a variety of action shots in the can, for the final edit,’ replied Joan.

‘When are we planning to begin filming the hunt scene?’ he asked

She consulted her clip board.

‘In ten days from now assuming that everything has gone to plan.’

‘That should give him plenty of time to make any necessary alterations to the schedule.’

Eventually I returned to the group, was helped to dismount by Alan and once again thanked him with a smile. I also gave a gentle pat to Moonbeam before leaving him with Alan and walking over to join the group of onlookers, now feeling far more confident than before.

‘Well done, young lady. So that seems to be another problem solved,’ said Frank, then turning to Joan, 'What time will we need them both on set tomorrow?’

She consulted her schedule.

‘We’re planning to begin a lighting rehearsal at 8.00am so we could really do with the actors by 8.30am.

‘That will mean a 7.00am start in costume and makeup, I’m afraid. At least until we are used to dealing with the two of you together,’ said Sue.

Frank and Joan moved on to deal with other problems elsewhere on the set and Alan led Moonbeam back to the stables wondering just what had happened to his former roommate. The remainder of the group made its way back to the makeup and costume trailer to enable Amy and I to change out of their costumes. As we were walking back Amy turned towards me

‘Thanks, for everything, Nicola. You don’t know how relieved I am that I won’t now be expected to ride side-saddle.’

‘I’m sure you would have been alright with a little more practice, but I’m also pleased to be able to help,’ I replied.

‘As soon as we’re both changed out of costume you can move your stuff to my caravan before we go and get ourselves some dinner,

I was both surprised and pleased to be addressed in this friendly way by such a famous person. Amy appeared to be both willing to offer me accommodation and also happy to spend time with me.

Amy smiled and walked on, seemingly unsure what she was going to say next. It wasn’t until we were both back at the costume and makeup caravan and were about to begin changing out of our costumes that she made up her mind to speak again.

‘When Sue and her assistants explained to me what they were planning to do with you, this morning, I realised that it wasn’t going to be practicable for you to change back into boy mode at the end of each day’s filming. I’ve therefore bought a few clothes in Salisbury for you to wear when you’re not on the set. Don’t worry, I haven’t bought anything too girly, just some smart casual clothes for you to wear around the caravan or if we’re seen outside together.’

‘Nobody said anything to me yesterday about dressing as a girl when I wasn’t filming,’ I replied anxiously.

‘I know that, but be realistic; with that long hair, those boobs and your lovely long eyelashes, you can hardly avoid looking like a girl, whatever clothes you choose to wear off set. Also, as Frank said, you're going to need to learn to adopt female mannerisms and gestures. I shan’t be expecting you to wear high-heels or frilly dresses or anything like that, but it will be a lot less embarrassing for me if the press or other visitors to the set don’t start asking why Amy O’Donnell’s stand-in is always dressed in men’s clothes.’

I hesitated unsure what to say in reply. I was still somewhat in awe of Amy and didn’t want to argue outright. Once she saw that I was not going to argue every point she continued talking.

‘I’ve bought a nice dark red trouser suit with a pink silk blouse which should be just right for you. I’ve also got a pair of low- heeled sling-backs for you to wear in the evenings. I’ve brought them with me,’ she said pointing to the plastic bag that she’d brought to the caravan, earlier.

‘Would you at least like to try them on once after we’ve changed out of our costumes?’

‘But how did you know what size to get?’

Amy laughed.

‘Because you’re the same size as me, that was the whole point of employing you.’

‘I won’t be able to afford to repay you for them,’ I replied.

‘I realise that, but as it was partly due to my mistake that you’re now having to look like a girl for the next fortnight; the least I can do is to provide you with a few clothes to wear in the evenings.’

Again, I did not reply immediately as I was turning over in my mind the implications of what she was suggesting. Amy therefore turned to the costume manager who was standing behind her.

‘What do you think, Sue?’ she asked.

‘Well, I suppose it’s up to Nick or Nicola what he or she chooses to wear when not on set, but I can see your point, Amy’.

Sue then turned to me: ‘it would be a shame to waste the money that Amy has spent. Why not at least try them on, and then make your decision? We’ll let you know whether they look alright, on you.’

‘Very well then,’ I replied.

‘Good!’ said Amy. ‘And what’s more, if you do decide to wear the outfit this evening, I’ll treat you to dinner in a local restaurant. There is rather a nice country pub that serves meals, only a couple of miles away.’

Half an hour later we returned to Amy’s caravan, with me now dressed in the trouser suit and sling-backs and carrying the clothes that Nick had worn earlier that morning in the plastic carrier bag. Amy was carrying another bag containing the various cleansers and moisturisers, a bristle hairbrush, and a shower cap which had all been provided by the makeup girls for me to use.

‘This is where you’re going to be living for the next fortnight,’ said Amy opening the door to a small bedroom. You’ll see that I’ve also bought three different outfits for you and several sets of underclothes for those times when you aren’t filming,’ she said opening the wardrobe.

‘Amy, I’m still not sure about all this.’

‘Why? Don’t you like them?’

‘No, it’s not that. I think they’re all fine, but you seem to want to treat me as a girl.’

Amy sighed.

‘It is nothing personal, but it is going to make life a lot less complicated for us both if I do so. If I were to treat you as a guy I would be anxious that I was giving you, or other people for that matter, the wrong impression. On the other hand, if I think of you as a girl then we can be friends. You can stay in my caravan and we can go out to dinner together without my worrying what people are thinking, or what is going to appear in the gossip columns the next day.’

‘I really don’t believe I would have got the wrong impression,’ I said.

‘Maybe not, but my boyfriend in London would undoubtedly have done so. Also, the gutter press are always on the lookout for a new story to write about me.’

‘I suppose so.’

‘In any event, it is going to be quite difficult for me to think of you as a guy, looking the way you do at the moment,’ she said, smiling.

I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn’t disagree, but I was still unsure about what to do.

‘It’s just that I don’t think that I ought to accept them as I can’t afford to pay you for them.’

‘I’ve already explained that they are a gift – between friends. But if it is really worrying you then I’m sure there will be one or two things you will be able do for me, by way of repayment, especially as Lorna my P.A. is no longer around.’

‘What sort of things?’

‘She used to go through my fan mail for me and in the evenings would go through my scripts with me to help me to learn my lines. You could also give me one or two additional riding lessons when we’re not both required on set.’

‘I should be happy to do that.’

‘Good, so are we agreed that I can put Nick’s belongings into store for the next fortnight?’

I sighed, but now appeared to have lost some of my earlier resolve.

‘Yes, I suppose so.’

‘Great. Now how would you feel about getting ourselves some dinner in the village?’

‘I don’t mind, but nowhere too expensive, if that’s ok with you.’

‘Don’t worry I’ll be putting tonight’s meal down on my expense account.’

‘Thanks.’

‘One thing though, I won’t be expecting you to wear makeup as a rule, but you would look a lot better in that outfit with a little lipstick and some eye shadow. Will you at least do that for me since we are going out together?’

‘I’m afraid I don’t have any makeup, and in any event, Frances told me not to use oil-based mascara.’

Amy smiled and went to her handbag.

‘Don’t worry I bought some suitable colours to match when I purchased the outfit this morning and you don’t need to use mascara on those false eyelashes.’

‘In that case, you had better show me how to put on the lipstick and eye shadow.’

‘Sit down at the mirror and I’ll give you your first ever makeup lesson.’

‘Alright then,’ I said now resigned to accepting whatever she had in store for me.

There aren’t that many people who can claim that their first makeup lesson was given to them by a famous actress. Amy was a competent instructor and within fifteen minutes I was admiring myself in the bedroom mirror, whilst she quickly finished her own face. I had seen myself in the Victorian riding costume but there was no doubt I now looked like a convincing and attractive twenty-first century young lady. I was pleased that I had allowed myself to be persuaded into spending the remainder of the day as Nicola.

Shortly afterwards Amy appeared at my bedroom door and smiled as she noticed me admiring myself.

‘It has turned a little chilly outside, so I’ll loan you a light coat to wear and you had better borrow one of my handbags to carry but I’ll want them both back in due course.’

‘Alright, thanks but what do I need to put in the handbag?’

‘Oh just the usual, your wallet, your keys, some tissues. Maybe you had better also take the lipstick and face powder that I bought for you in case you need to repair your makeup.’

As we were leaving Amy's caravan she handed me a twenty-pound note.

‘I hope you don’t mind but I’ve booked the taxi in your name so please will you pay the driver. It will save any complications if I am recognised. I accepted the money.

‘But what if he recognises me as a guy?’

She smiled. ‘He shouldn’t do so from your looks but try and raise the pitch of your voice a little.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

Amy got out of the taxi first and as I was paying the driver he asked.

‘Excuse me miss, but is that Amy O’Donnell, the tv star that you are travelling with?’

I smiled and confirmed that it was. Nobody had ever referred to me as ‘miss’ before.

 

---

 

Next week: Dinner with Amy!

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 5

Amy was right about the pleasant country pub which was not too busy with only three or four tables of diners. We sat in a corner and I discovered that on her own she could be both friendly and amusing company. Although a famous star, she now treated me as if I were one of her friends. We were of a similar age but from entirely different backgrounds and so much of the meal was spent explaining to one another how they’d come to find themselves on a film set in Wiltshire during the summer of 2018.

‘My mother was determined to turn me into a star and made me have acting and singing lessons when I was a young kid. That’s how I got signed up for those television commercials and before I knew it, I’d become quite famous.’

‘Did you enjoy it?

‘Yes and no. Sometimes I wish I’d had a more normal upbringing. Mum even once even tried to enter me in a children’s beauty pageant, but I put my foot down and fortunately Dad took my side and so that never happened again.’

‘But you are happy now?’’

‘I guess so,’ she replied not sounding entirely convinced by her own answer. ‘It is the only life I’ve known.’

Things went quiet for a moment, but then Amy seemed determined to change the subject.

'So how about you, Nicola? What sort of childhood have you had?’

‘I suppose I was happy until I was about six or seven, but then Mum decided that she might have done better with somebody else. She did everything possible to drive Dad out of the house and prevent him from seeing me, even to the extent of making false claims of cruelty. She had some lawyer who got a legal-aid cheque every time she made up a new story, whilst Dad had to pay for his own legal fees, hold down a job, pay for some new accommodation and give her child support. It isn’t surprising that he eventually got disheartened with the whole legal system, left the area and started a new family. We’ve had no contact since then.’

‘But couldn’t you have said something to stop it from happening?

‘Not when you’re so young and don’t really understand what’s happening to you. The family courts always tend to side with the mother and believe her story, especially if she is the only one that is being legally represented. Nobody seemed to be interested in listening to what I thought about things.’

‘And what did you think?’

‘I just wanted things to go back to how they were before, but I gradually realised that was never going to happen. Mum has since had two further guys in tow and had another child with each one. She still gets dissatisfied after a few years. She’s on her own at present, looking after my two half-brothers, but it would never surprise me to find that she has shacked up with yet another guy. The last time I saw her we had an almighty row and so I am currently persona non grata as far as she is concerned.

‘What happened to you after your Dad left home?’

‘The courts decided that I should stay with my mother in the family house. I once had ambitions of becoming a jockey as I was always slightly built and loved horses. I left home and school as soon as I could and went to work in a riding stable. I enjoyed the work but I now think it was probably a mistake and that I should have continued with my education.’

‘Why was it a mistake?’

‘I am a good rider but over the last year I’ve come to realise that I probably won’t make the grade as a jockey. The prospect of remaining as a hired hand in those circumstances does not have too many attractions. I love riding horses but mucking them out and grooming them for other people to ride is not so attractive. Thus, the opportunity to help look after some horses on a film set for a few weeks was at least something of a change of scene for me whilst I decided what I’m going to do with the rest of my life.’

‘Will it affect your job if you take two weeks off to go filming?’

‘I didn’t tell Frank, but I’ve already handed in my notice with my employers. I was just planning to check that Moonbeam was looked after alright during the filming and then I’m off to look for a new job.’

‘Well good luck in finding one.’

Our conversation then turned to other matters.

‘So have you enjoyed your first day as Nicola?’ Amy asked as we were sipping our coffee at the end of our meal.

I smiled.

‘I guess so. I don’t have a sister and I went to an all boys school so everything has been a new experience to me.’

‘I thought so. You are going to need a crash course in how to be a girl.’

‘It has been quite interesting to learn about costume and makeup although I have found it a little bit stressful to be out in a public place dressed the way I am.

‘It would be a lot more embarrassing for us both if you’d come out dressed in Nick’s clothes with your long hair and those eyelashes,’ she replied.

‘I suppose so. I’m gradually getting used to having the hair and wearing different clothes, but I’m conscious that people seem to be staring at us a lot, then look away if I return a glance. I just wonder if I am being 'read', ’and they know that I’m really a guy.

Amy laughed.

‘I hate to tell you but they are probably staring at me and not you. Being stared at in public is one of the penalties of being famous. It happens to me all the time. Most of the time I don’t notice them unless they come up and ask me for an autograph.’

‘The taxi driver did ask me whether or not it was you, but maybe he was too old to collect autographs,’ I replied.

“If people are staring at us, I would guess it is because they are trying to work out which one of us is the real Amy O’Donnell.’

I blushed.

‘I don’t think that is very likely. Your face is too well known.’

‘When people see Amy O’Donnell on the screen, or in magazines she is dressed in nice clothes and is wearing makeup with nicely styled hair. Tonight we both have the same hair style, are dressed fairly casually and neither of us is wearing that much makeup. Why shouldn’t they wonder whether you are Amy and I’m your assistant?’

‘But t isn’t just a question of how you look, but how you walk, talk and gesture as well.’

‘Maybe so, but that will all come when you’ve had a little more practice.’

‘I suppose so, although I only have a fortnight to find out.

‘I’ll have a bet with you, Nicola. In a fortnight’s time, when you’ve finished the filming, I’ll book a table for us for a posh restaurant in Salisbury. Next time you can dress up smartly and I’ll dress fairly casually. I’ll be willing to bet you the price of the meal that by the end of the evening you are being mistaken for me.’

‘No thanks. I wouldn’t have anything to wear and, in any event, I think I would be far too scared to appear in public wearing a dress and makeup, pretending to be a film star.’

Amy looked a little discouraged.

‘That’s odd. If you aren’t scared of wearing a long skirt and galloping side-saddle in front of a film crew and eventually in front of hundreds of thousands of filmgoers, why would you be scared of going to a restaurant in a dress?’

I didn’t answer but looked embarrassed.

‘Oh well, please yourself,’ Amy continued, sounding not exactly annoyed so much as a little disappointed in me. ‘I have to visit the ladies.’

As soon as she did so our waitress approached with the bill.

‘Excuse me, madam, but is that Amy O’Donnell?’

I confirmed it with a smile.

‘Do you think she would mind if my friend and I took a selfie with her?’

‘I don’t know her that well, so you will have to ask her yourself, but she seems to be quite friendly.’

The waitress disappeared to tell her colleagues. Amy returned.

‘I’ll pay the bill with my credit card, but would you organise the taxi,’ she said handing me a note to cover the fare.’

‘Thanks for the meal. I feel guilty about letting you pay for everything.’

‘Well don’t, the meal and the taxis will go on my expenses and the clothes are there to enable you to keep me company. Just go ahead and book the taxi.’

I did so.

‘It should be here in ten minutes, I announced.

‘Are you going to need to use the toilets before we leave?’ she asked.

‘The ladies?’

‘Well I trust you aren’t planning to use the gents, looking the way you do, that would cause a stir.’

‘No, I can manage to hold on until we get back. I would be too worried that someone might come in.’

‘Don’t be such a wimp, of course you must go to the ladies, and be sure you refresh your lipstick and powder your nose once you are finished.’

This was more of an instruction than a suggestion, so I picked up the handbag that Amy had loaned to me which contained the necessary cosmetics.

Upon my return I found Amy in the lobby happily chatting to our waitress and two of the kitchen staff, all of whom had taken selfies with her. I was impressed by the easy and friendly way in which she dealt with her fans.

‘Now will you take a picture of me and my friend, please,’ she said to our waitress handing over her own phone.

The waitress did as she was bid and then the little group dispersed.

‘See what I mean, it wasn’t until after I’d paid the bill that they were sure which one of us to approach.’

‘No, I think they had worked out who was the real Amy O’Donnell and who was the stand-in before then. May I have a copy of that photograph although I am not sure to whom I will ever be able to show .it.

‘Of course, let me have your phone and I will send it via Bluetooth.

During the taxi ride home I asked myself what it was that was preventing me from accepting my new situation and immersing myself in my new role, but was unsure of the answer.

‘So what do you plan to do when you finish filming?’ asked Amy, to break the silence.

‘I’ll be looking for a new job in London,’ but I want to make sure that Moonbeam is well treated whilst I’m still able to do so.’

‘I’m sure you’ll be able to find some work in London. Whether or not you can find somewhere reasonably priced to live is a different matter, of course.’

The taxi arrived back at Amy’s caravan and I paid the driver and she signed an autograph for his daughter.

‘There’s going to be an early start tomorrow so we'd better go in so I can show you how to get yourself ready for the morning. If you are going to stand in for me you’ll have to learn how to look after your hair otherwise it will get tangled during the night and look awful the following morning.’

‘Yes, of course,’ I replied, but would it be alright if I quickly check on Moonbeam first, I don’t want her to think that I’ve abandoned her?’ I asked.

‘OK then, I’ll come with you, if you like.’

We made our way to the stables and looked in on the horse – she was fine, but I stayed to stroke her for a few minutes.

‘You really love that pony, don’t you?’ said Amy.

‘Perhaps, but I’ll only be able to do so until the filming has been completed. She’ll then be going back to her stables in Ireland and I won’t be going with her.’

We both became thoughtful and didn’t say much else to one another until we reached the door of Amy’s caravan.

‘Amy, I hope I haven’t sounded ungrateful for everything that you’ve done for me over the last couple of days; it is just that it has all happened so quickly. I want to do as good a job as I can of being your stand-in over the next fortnight and so I hope you’ll continue to show me what I need to do and what I need to wear.’

Amy smiled.

‘Does that mean that we can put Nick into storage for the next fortnight together with his clothes?’

‘Yes, if you think it necessary for me to do a good job, as long as your promise to let him out afterwards.’

She smiled and kissed me on the cheek.

“We’ll have to see how Nicola gets on. We can begin by losing those ‘guy’ pyjamas that you were planning to wear tonight. I’ll find you a satin pair of mine and a satin pillow case, which will be better for your hair. Whilst I’m doing so, I’d like you to gather your hair into a loose pony tail and put on a two or three of these soft scrunchies to hold it in position,’ she said, showing exactly how to do it.’

I did as I was told, and Amy returned with a pair of pink satin pyjamas and a matching silk scarf.

‘I’ll show you how to tie up your pony-tail using the scarf, so that it doesn’t come adrift whilst you’re asleep. Don’t tie it too tightly or you’ll wake up with a headache.’

‘I’d no idea there was going to be so much involved in looking after long hair, but I promise to do my best,’ I said.

‘Good! You’ll notice the benefit of doing so in the morning. But tying up your hair each night is nothing compared to washing it and getting it dry, afterwards. Fortunately, we won’t have to worry about that for tonight so please be sure to put on a cap when you take a shower.’

‘The makeup girls have asked me not to use the shower until tomorrow morning because of my new boobs.’

‘In that case, you can wash your body in the sink before you change into the pyjamas but leave your face until afterwards. When you are ready, come through to my room bringing those cleansers and moisturisers that you have been given. I’ll show you what else you need to do before going to bed.

‘When do you think I’ll need to wash my hair?’

‘It looks fine for now, we will have to be guided by the makeup staff as it is important that our hair stays as similar to one another as possible..’

A few minutes later I knocked on Amy’s bedroom door and went in.

‘It is important for you to cleanse and moisturize your skin each night if you’ve been wearing makeup, otherwise it is going to look a mess and could cause you to break out in pimples. Watch what I do and then do the same for yourself.’

Amy went through the process of cleaning her skin with a general cleanser, then using a special cream on her eyes.

‘Frances told me to be very careful with my eyes until the glue on my lashes has fully set,’ I said.

‘In that case, I’ll clean them for you for tonight, but you’re going to have to learn how to look after yourself in future.’

‘Thanks, if you don’t mind.’

‘I’m happy to oblige. I was brought up with three brothers, I would have loved to have had a sister.’

‘Me too, although I was an only child for most of my life.’

‘Now you have cleansed your skin we should put on some moisturiser.’

I did as she showed me, and she smiled.

‘I think it is going to be fun having you stay with me for the next two weeks, Nicola.’

‘I hope so. Goodnight Amy and thanks for all your help today.’

By this time I’d given up worrying what other people might think of me and had determined to accept my new identity, at least for the next fortnight. However I was still a little anxious about how I would get on in front of the cameras.

 

---

 

Next week: My first day on set

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 6

We were due on set first thing the following morning and would require an early start. I set my alarm and at six o’clock took a shower as Nicola for the first time. Following Frances’ instructions I wore a shower cap to keep my long hair dry and did my best not to get too much water on my eyelashes, although she had assured me that after the first twenty-four hours I would no longer need to worry and the extensions would remain fixed until each eyelash grew out. My breast forms also now seemed to be attached quite securely and no doubt would be quite fiddly to remove when I changed back to Nick. I dressed in the underclothes bought for me by Amy the previous day and had a slight problem doing up and adjusting the new bra, but eventually managed to do so. I chose a pair of fitted jeans and a crop top from the wardrobe in my room, knowing that I would soon be getting changed into my film costume. I then made us both some coffee and toast whilst Amy took her shower.

‘You appear to have managed with your long hair quite well, Nicola,’ commented Amy over coffee.

‘Thanks, I’m gradually learning how to cope with it.

‘You won’t need to put on any makeup in the mornings when you are due on set as the makeup assistants prefer to start with a blank canvas,’

‘I wasn’t planning on doing so.’

‘But at other times it might be worth your learning the basics, as you will then look so much more convincing.’

At first, I was unsure how to reply. The previous evening, before we went out, Amy had said that she would not normally expect me to wear makeup, but then I remembered how much I’d enjoyed our meal together and my resolution from the previous evening.

‘Alright if you don’t mind giving me another lesson this evening.’

Amy smiled.

‘Great and you can help me to learn my lines.’

At seven-thirty we presented ourselves at the costume and makeup caravan as we were both due on set at the same time.

‘Good morning ladies, please come in,’ announced Sue. ‘Chloe, our costume assistant, will help to dress you both to ensure continuity. As soon as she has finished Frances can help Amy with her hair and do her make up, and Sandra will do the same for you, Nicola. I have to go and check what’s happening in the men’s caravan.’

‘At least we don’t have to wear corsets with these riding costumes,’ said Amy to me as she took off her clothes and donned her costume, without being at all concerned about my presence.

‘No, wearing a corset would not be a good idea when riding a horse,’ I replied.

‘You should see what they expect me to wear at other times,’ added Amy.

‘All of your costumes are correct for the period,’ said Chloe, thinking that she needed to stand up for the good name of the costume department.

‘I am sure that is the case, but I should have done some more research into what women used to wear before agreeing to take this part.’

When she was finished with Amy, Chloe helped me into a duplicate costume ensuring that all the details were the same as for Amy.

‘Don’t look so embarrassed, Nicola, I have had to dress lots of guys in women’s costumes before now, although I must say that you are one of the more convincing examples that I’ve had to deal with so far.

‘Sorry, I am determined not to argue and will do my best as a girl, but I can’t help feeling a little self-conscious about the way I look in front of everybody.’

‘You had better soon get used to it,’ commented Amy, ‘because you will shortly be appearing in front of dozens of the cast and crew, and ultimately in front of millions of filmgoers.’

‘I’m hoping that latter group won’t know anything about it,’ I commented.

‘That’s why we are taking so much trouble with your costume and makeup,’ said Chloe.

She now seemed satisfied with us both and handed us over to the hair and makeup assistants.

‘Good luck with the filming Nicola, I am sure you will do well,’ she said as she left us to dress others of the female performers in another caravan.

‘What about me?' asked Amy with a smile.’

‘We already know that you will do well,’ replied Chloe.

Frances asked us to sit in two adjacent seats, each one in front of a dressing table with a large illuminated mirror. She and her colleague, Sandra, proceeded to use their expertise to prepare us both for outdoor filming on this occasion. Now that I knew what to expect I could sit back and enjoy the process as they began to apply makeup suitable for the period. It was a relaxing and pleasurable sensation and gradually I began to feel less self-conscious. The ice began to melt and within a quarter of an hour the four of us were chatting together quite happily.

‘I’m pleased to see that you’ve been looking after your hair, Nicola,’ commented Sandra. ‘If you can continue to do so it will make life easier for us each morning.’

‘Amy showed me everything that I need to do to brush it and tie it up,’ I replied.

‘I am going to show Nicola how to wash and set her hair tonight,’ said Amy.

‘We would rather you left it until the weekend, or we will have the continuity staff complaining that your hair looks different from the previous day’s filming.’

At a quarter past eight Amy and I made our way over towards the yard outside stables, where the crew had already set up lights and additional props and were preparing for the day’s filming. As we approached the yard Amy received a phone call on her mobile.

‘I’d better take this, Nikki, as it’s my manager calling about the arrangements for next weekend. I am going to be attending an awards ceremony on Saturday night. You had better go ahead without me.’

I did as I was told and had just entered the yard when I was approached by a young production assistant with a clipboard.

‘Excuse me, Miss O’Donnell, but we’re going to need your stand-in first this morning. Do you know what has happened to her?’

I smiled.

‘I am the stand-in; Amy is just taking a call and will be along in a couple of minutes.’

‘Oh, I’m so sorry, you look just like Miss O’Donnell,’ the girl said blushing.

‘No problem, I suppose in some respects that ought to be quite reassuring as the makeup staff would appear to have done a good job,’ I replied, feeling that perhaps Amy had been right in her conversation in the restaurant the previous evening.

‘By the way, I’m Jenny and I understand that we are to address you as Nicola or Ms. Stevens, is that alright?’

‘Yes, but please call me Nicola or Nikki.’

‘In that case, Nikki, would you mind coming over to the stable yard, Frank wants to introduce you to the crew and the other members of the cast.’

By the time that Amy arrived to join the group Frank was giving a few well-chosen words to the others explaining that I had stepped in at the last minute and was saving them all time and trouble so he hoped that everyone would be respectful and as helpful to me as possible. He then gave an indication of what he hoped to achieve during the morning. For this scene we would not need to ride the horses, although they would be used as props in the background handled by the stable staff working as extras. I went over to pat Moonbeam, who was standing with several other horses. As I did so Alan emerged from the stable, dressed as a Victorian groom.

‘You look really great today, Nic … ola’ he said, this time without a trace of mockery.

‘Thank you,’ I replied, this time with a more confident smile. ‘You don’t look bad yourself.’

‘Good luck with the filming today.’ he said

I smiled and nodded to him before rejoining Jenny, the assistant director, and the other actors.

Jenny began by explaining to me the difference between a stand-in, a body-double, and an extra: in fact my proposed employment would encompass elements of all three roles – so they clearly wanted to get their money’s worth for the trouble taken to turn me into Nicola.

‘Stand-ins allow the crew to set up and light scenes without the main actors being present. They may need to go through the dialogue for the scene, so the crew can decide where to switch camera angles. A body-double is used to replace the actor or actress for scenes that require an element of specialized skills -such as horse riding. They may also deputize for one of the principal members of cast where they are on the periphery of a scene or seen from behind. An ‘extra’ plays minor usually non-speaking parts in the background or in crowd scenes. Remember that the directors will often shoot several takes of the same shot to give editors as many options as possible during post-production.’

‘I understand,’ I replied.

‘Your main role over the next fortnight will be to save Amy from having to ride a horse, but since we are paying you for the fortnight we may also use you as a stand-in when we block out some of her internal scenes. The Extras department are also sometimes on the look-out for young female extras so once or twice you may find yourself playing a housemaid, although in that case we’ll have to make sure that your face remains out of shot and we disguise your long hair under a cap.’

‘So, what do you want me to do today?’ I asked.

‘We won’t need you in the saddle until tomorrow, but as you are in costume the director of photography wants to see how you will work out in those shots where Amy’s character is seen from behind or on the edge of the scene, there will be no dialogue involved.’

‘Just tell me when and where you want me to go and what you need me to be doing,’ I replied.

My first morning filming was straightforward and only involved me standing in the background of the stable yard quietly conversing with another female character while the two male leads, Mark Robarts and Lord Lufton, had a conversation in the foreground. As soon as Robarts sought to introduce his sister, and the cameras turned towards us, Amy took over from me and I stood out of camera shot and watched as she demonstrated her considerable skills as an actress. She appeared to slip in to character effortlessly using her voice, facial expression and body language to convey so much more information than just the words in the script. I could see right away why she had been chosen for the part despite her inexperience. She was a natural screen actress.

For the actors and extras involved, working on a film set often includes long periods of sitting or standing around whilst specific scenes or shots are set up and lit. These will be followed by short intervals of intense activity and concentration during the actual filming. Alternatively once the filming had been completed that actors had to wait around whilst the daily rushes were checked to ensure that everything was in focus, continuity preserved and nothing untoward or anachronistic had found its way into the shot, in which case parts would need to be reshot. Previously I’d occasionally been an onlooker to the whole process but now I became an active participant.

The first day of filming seemed to pass very quickly although it involved long hours of work. More accurately, it involved substantial periods of sitting or standing around chatting to Amy or to other members of the cast whilst waiting for all the members of the technical crew to be happy with their preparations. This would be followed by a few minutes of intense concentration during the actual filming of the scene. It did not matter much to me, though, as it was all quite new but I could see that some of the other participants had brought something to occupy themselves with during these periods of inactivity or else just gossiped together. I sometimes wondered whether I might be the subject of such gossip, but maybe I was just being paranoid.

Eventually, at about 6.00pm the crew had completed the shooting for the day and the cast and extras returned to the costume and makeup caravans to get changed.

‘So how did the filming go?’ asked Frances as she helped Amy to get changed out of her costume and remove the film makeup that she’d been wearing.

‘Alright, I think, the director seemed to be reasonably happy with the way that things went today, but they are just checking the daily rushes,’ Amy replied.

‘Were they happy with your part in the proceedings, Nicola?’ asked Sandra.

‘Nicola was fine, doing exactly what was required of her,’ added Amy in the next chair.

‘The cast all seemed very nice. I was a little worried that I might receive some snide comments as a former member of the crew, although everyone seemed to accept me in my new role.’

‘Of course, they did, why ever not. After all, everyone is there to do a professional job and it won’t be the first time that they’ve worked with actors who were cross-dressed,’ said Sandra.

‘No, I suppose not, but in most other cases the performer will have changed back at the end of each day.’ I thought to myself

I changed back into the trouser suit that Amy had bought for me, but it was too late to go anywhere outside for an evening meal. Amy suggested that we should get something to eat from the catering marquee. There were several of the crew present who acknowledged us both with a smile or a nod but otherwise said nothing. I wondered whether Amy’s presence was shielding me from any impertinent questions or comments by my former colleagues, but maybe I was being paranoid. Amy took out her iPhone and began scrolling through the screen.

‘I have been taking a fair amount of flak from some of my Twitter followers over appearing in a movie that includes a hunt scene – did you know that foxhunting could be really barbaric? Anyone who was hunting for the first time would have the foxes blood smeared on their cheeks and forehead.’’

‘Yes, I gather that the kill could get quite bloody, but that will all be staged. It’s now illegal to hunt any animals using dogs,’ I replied.

‘But what about the horses?’

‘The rental company will ensure that no harm comes to any of the horses or the dogs for that matter – they represent quite an investment. In any event, it would be bad publicity for the studio if any animals were injured during filming.’

She continued reading the messages on her screen.

‘But it wasn’t just foxes, stags were hunted as well and otters were almost driven to extinction in some areas. Then there were the game birds reared specifically so they could be blasted out of the sky.’

‘Yes, I know and I’m not seeking to condone the past but slaughtering the local wildlife was a way of life for the occupants of these large houses in the countryside, for centuries. A fair amount of eighteenth and nineteenth century literature includes foxhunting scenes including several famous films. In any event, foxes can vicious and arbitrary killers of small animals and need to be controlled in the countryside. Also, some stags need to be culled for the good of the herd.’

‘But does that mean they have to be torn to pieces by dogs in the process and what harm did otters ever do?’

‘The excuse for otter hunting was to protect fish stocks for anglers, although their fur was valued.’

‘As I am just beginning to appear in films, I have to take any role that is offered, but another time I would prefer not to have my name associated with hunting.’

‘At least you will now be able to tell your followers that you will be taking no part in the hunt scene, and it will be your stand-in doing so.’

Shortly after we sat down, Alison, one of the assistant directors asked whether she might join us.

‘Of course, please take a seat,’ said Amy

I think we were both pleased to have an excuse to change the subject.

 

---

 

Next week: A critique of my performance

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 

Alison had just come from checking the daily rushes with the director and cinematographer when she joined us.

‘So, was all ok with today’s shoot?’ asked Amy.

‘Not too bad, we’re just about back on schedule, which is the most important thing in keeping our costs under control,’ she replied. ‘With such a large cast and crew any delay can significantly add to the budget.’

Amy then asked the one question that had been on my mind, but I was too afraid to ask.

‘So how did Nicola get on?’

‘That’s what I wanted to talk to you both about. Nicola, you were fine during those initial shots this morning where we were shooting over your shoulder at Matthew talking and you did everything that was required of you. (Matthew Richards was the actor playing Mark Robarts, Lucy’s ambitious elder brother). However, you did lapse slightly later in the day during some of the wider shots, when you were standing on the periphery,’ said Alison.

‘What was the problem? Did I look like a guy?’ I asked.

‘No, not exactly, but your body language wasn’t quite right. There are one or two shots that we won’t be able to use. It isn’t a disaster as there are quite a few others that will be fine, but the more choice we can give to the film editors the better. Try and keep a closer look at how Amy walks, stands and uses her hands. I’m sure all will be fine again tomorrow especially as you will be spending much of the day in the saddle but the more you can become proficient at the little details the more likely that we will want to employ you as a stand-in or body-double on other occasions. ‘

‘I’ll do my best, but when I agreed to take this job, I’d no idea that anyone would want to use me other than to do the riding for you.’

‘I know, but once Frank saw what a good job the costume and makeup staff had done on you, he began to get other ideas,’ she replied.

‘Don’t worry, Alison, once we’ve finished our dinner, we’ll be going back to my caravan and Nikki can practice her female voice and posture, as she goes through tomorrow’s scripts with me,’ said Amy.

‘That’s why we’re so pleased that she will be staying with you. The more help you can give her the better.

‘It seems that I am not as good at standing-in for you as I’d previously imagined, ‘I said as we entered Amy’s caravan.

‘That’s not so,’ protested Amy. ‘Just think, only four days ago you were a rather non-descript looking young man with a dead-end job, but now you‘re an attractive young woman in an interesting job, who just needs a few rough edges to be smoothed off.’

‘An interesting job that will last for precisely two weeks,’ I corrected.

‘Well, you never know, if you make that extra effort to practice your female presentation and voice there may be other opportunities for you.’

‘I didn’t even know that I had a female sounding voice although I realised that it is a little higher-pitched than many guys because of my short stature.’

‘I would say that your voice is pitched somewhere between a typical man and a typical woman, and it shouldn’t be too difficult to raise it slightly. But it isn’t just a question of pitch with voices, there is also the questions of tone and the content of what you say – the words you use. For example. girls tend to adopt a more questioning tone and use more encouraging gestures and speech patterns to keep the conversation going.

‘Do I sound like a guy then?’

‘No, not exactly, but at times you do sound a little, shall we say, indeterminant although because you look like a girl, most listeners would take it for granted that you are one. However, if you really want more work as my stand-in, it might be better for you to make more of an effort to sound like me.’

‘I’ll do my best to copy your style.’

‘Good, let’s now go through my lines for tomorrow together and see how you get on,’

In the end it was good fun as I did my best to copy Amy’s speech patterns and gestures as we went through her script.

‘See,’ she said at one point, ‘you can tell that these lines were written by a guy, no woman would be so dogmatic in this situation or give a monosyllabic response to such a question.’

Clearly Amy was not such an airhead as she sometimes liked to make out.

‘What are you going do about it, suggest a rewrite to the director?’ I asked.

‘No, I don’t want to get the reputation of being a ‘difficult’ actress. The fault can be partially rectified by tone of voice and body language although I’ll probably make a subtle change without telling anyone, and hope the director thinks it was accidental and then he can decide it was his own doing.’

Preparations for the second day of filming very much followed the same pattern as the first day with Chloe Sandra and Frances helping us both to get ready. By this time, I’d lost any previous self-consciousness and chatted happily with them while trying to adopt a more female tone of voice and copying some of Amy’s hand gestures. Nobody commented, even if they did notice. I was just accepted by them as Nicola, one more member of the cast.

I was going to be much more centre stage on this occasion as the scene depicted a Good Friday Hunt Meet in front of the great house, where refreshments were being served to the riders in advance of the hunt setting out. Lucy Robarts was to be the only female main character although there were also a couple of female extras on the periphery both of whom had been hired sometime before as accomplished riders. Thus, I spent quite a few hours in the saddle although on this occasion with relatively little time riding. Most of the time we sat around on horseback with the Assistant Directors or Production Assistants staging the scene or planning the shots. Jenny or one of the other P.A.s used storyboards to explain to each of the main characters exactly where we had to be and what we needed to do. For those few occasions when Lucy Robarts had any lines, Amy would take my place at the last moment.

I noted that, as discussed, the previous night, Amy made a subtle change to the script at one point but nobody made any objection since it was clearly an improvement. It was also interesting to see how an apparently two-dimensional and uninteresting conversation in the script could be brought to life in the hands of a competent actress such as Amy. There was clearly more to acting than just following instructions.

All the horses had come from stable in Ireland specializing in supplying animals to TV and film companies. They had been chosen for their even easygoing temperaments and most had been used in films before. Filming with horses can be problematic: they can’t be expected to understand why the same action might need to be repeated several times to get different shots or camera angles. Fortunately, there wasn’t going to be gunfire or other loud noises going off which can spook an inexperienced horse. Nevertheless, the presence of the lights and so many people rushing around can make them nervous. Moonbeam began to get a little restless towards the end of the morning as she was unused to standing around for hours on end with a rider on her back. There was no danger involved but she needed to be re-assured by someone who understood her temperament. Thus, as soon as the crew broke for lunch, I asked permission to give her a quick run in the next field to calm her down and stretch her legs, before handing her over to my former colleagues to be unsaddled and given a rub down.

‘I can now see why Frank chose to employ you as Amy’s stand-in. Well done!’ commented Alison upon my return to the set.

‘There was no great problem but young horses can sometimes tell if their rider is feeling nervous. Moonbeam just needed a little re-assurance,’ I replied.

‘I really will have to get in some more practice at riding side-saddle, for the future’ said Amy who had just joined us.

‘Maybe I could give you another lesson tomorrow after we’ve finished filming for the day if nobody has any objection.’ I suggested.

‘Take great care if you do, the last thing we want is for Amy to be injured,’ said Alison.

‘Yes of course, we’ll take care. Was everything ok with today’s rushes?’ I asked.

‘Yes, as far as I know, there was nothing that we won’t be able to use so you have clearly been taking my advice. We’ll just have to finish the Meet scene tomorrow, and then you should be free until early next week, Nicola, unless you are needed as an extra.’

‘No problem, I’ll do whatever is required.’

Amy and I had our evening meal on set with other members of the cast and gossiped about the events of the day. I was pleased to see that I was gradually becoming accepted by the other members of the cast and once again I was congratulated about the way I’d handled Moonbeam. Afterwards Amy and I retired to her caravan.

‘Will you need any help learning your lines for tomorrow,’ I asked.

‘No thanks, there aren’t many lines so I should be ok. Tonight, I have to deal with a pile of fan mail.’

‘What does that involve?’

‘In most cases I send a ready-made publicity photograph with a printed message on the back, which I have already signed. Lorna, my personal assistant used to do this for me, and only pass on those letters that needed a personal reply. She even drafted and signed some of these letters for me at times, but since she has left, I’ve rather got behind with them, and they do tend to pile up,’ she admitted.

‘Can I help you with anything?’ I asked.

‘Yes please. I’ll sign some more photos and put them in envelopes, if you wouldn’t mind typing their names and addresses into this label printing programme, and then stick on an address label,’

‘Of course, I should be happy to do so.’

‘Great and we can chat together and you can practice your girly voice as we go through them.’

‘Alright then.’

Over the next hour-and-a-half we began to make inroads into the pile until Amy appeared to have had enough.

‘Thanks, Nikki, you’re a real star and your voice training is coming along nicely.

‘I should be happy to help you anytime that I can, to pay you back for everything you have done for me,’ I said in the most feminine voice I could manage.

‘I know it isn’t the most exciting job, but if we could spend an hour doing them each evening, we’ll soon get them all done.’

The filming went so well on the Wednesday morning that all agreed that they had satisfactorily finished the equestrian scenes involving Amy by lunchtime. This time, Moonbeam was better behaved and was more used to the strange and slightly chaotic atmosphere on the film set. Nevertheless, I took her for a short run during the lunch break before handing her back to Alan to feed and groom. I had just joined Amy back on set when Alison came over having just checked the daily rushes with Frank.

‘I’m sorry ladies, but we are going to need to do a couple of retakes tomorrow morning. There are a couple of shots involving Nicola that are a little out of focus and another scene with Amy where there is a brief glimpse of a microphone boom. It isn’t either of your faults but these things do happen. I’m fairly sure that you’ll both be free by lunchtime tomorrow,’ she said as we were both getting changed.

‘So, I should be clear for the weekend afterwards?’ asked Amy.

Alison looked a little awkward.

‘Les Worth, the Director of Photography, is hoping to move forward a couple of your outdoor scenes in the stable yard that are scheduled to be shot early next week, to this Friday and Saturday. It will make things much easier for him to prepare for the large-scale hunting scenes next week, if he can do so.’

‘I shall be ok for Friday, but I’d already agreed with Frank some time ago that I’ll be attending a TV award ceremony in London on Saturday evening, although I’ll be back on set by Sunday evening. Can Les work round that?’

‘I’ll have to speak to him.’

Then turning to me she said. ‘Once we’re finished with you tomorrow, Nicola, all that remains for you to do will be the hunting scenes, scheduled for next Tuesday to Thursday. ‘

‘Does that mean I can revert to being a young man in the intervening period?’ I asked.

‘Not if you want to continue staying with me,’ said Amy abruptly.

I don’t even know what made me say that as it was not what I wanted to do.

‘No, it would be easier for you to remain as you are, we wouldn’t want to give costume and makeup even more work next week as they will be dealing with many extras. In any event we may want to use you as an extra on Friday or Saturday.’

Later that night I offered to go through Amy’s lines for the retake with her.

‘There’s no real need, thanks, the scene that I’m due to re-shoot tomorrow is quite straightforward.’

‘In that case can I help with the backlog of your fan mail?’

‘Alright then, I suppose so.’

Amy didn’t sound too enthusiastic but we did so for about an hour when she sighed and seemed to be bored with the task.

‘It looks as if we’re both going to be free from filming tomorrow afternoon, and Moonbeam is still available, would you like that riding lesson that I promised you?’ I asked seeking to make conversation.

‘We would have to get changed out of our costumes first,’ she replied.

‘Yes, of course. Do you have a pair riding breeches that you can wear’?

‘Yes, but I haven’t said that I agree yet, and in any event, I thought you wanted to show me how to ride side-saddle.’

‘I do, but it’ll still be best for you to wear breeches to begin with as an ordinary skirt could get caught up with the side-saddle if you lost your balance.’

‘That’s what I was worried about.’

‘You should be ok as long as you don’t try to go too fast.’

Amy seemed to be turning things over in her mind.

‘If we do go out riding together what will you wear?’

‘I’ll be riding one of the other horses astride and so I’ll need to wear my jeans, but don’t worry with this hair and these boobs I’ll still look like a girl.’

‘Alright Nikki, I’ll agree to have a riding lesson with you tomorrow afternoon, if you agree to let me give you another advanced makeup lesson.’

‘When?’

‘There’s no time like the present, I’ve had enough of dealing with this fan mail for one night.’

‘But you’ve already shown me how to put on lipstick and eye-shadow when we went out together last Sunday evening.’

‘Those are just the basics; I want to see what you look like in full-slap and wearing a glamorous twenty-first-century dress.’

Amy appeared quite enthused with her idea. I hesitated but then shrugged my shoulders.

‘Alright, so long as you don’t expect me to go out wearing it afterwards.’

Amy gave one of her wicked smiles that I’d previously found so attractive.

‘Alright, on this occasion it can be a rehearsal, but I warn you that I’m determined to take you out for the evening in full girly girl mode one day before we finish filming, although maybe you need to practice your voice and presentation a little more first,’

 

---

 

Next week: Another riding lesson

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 8

I cleared away the fan mail, while Amy went to her dressing table and extracted various bottles, jars, plastic tubes and brushes

‘Now come in and take a seat in front of the mirror, young lady. I’ve been wanting to do this ever since that first occasion when you wore my long riding skirt and proceeded to show me up in front of everybody,’ she said with a smile.

I shrugged my shoulders, sat down as instructed and let her have her fun. Amy was a proficient makeup artist and hair stylist so an hour and a half later she was satisfied with her efforts. My long black hair was arranged in a low chignon bun and I sported silver and diamond pendant earrings. She went to her wardrobe and took out a three-quarter length black, backless, halter necked dress, beautifully embellished in silver detailing across the waistline.

‘Now slip out of your things and put this on.’

‘Wow, that does look nice,' I replied.

‘Yes, it’s a dress that I wore to an awards ceremony last year which received several complimentary comments in the press. I think it should look good on you as well.’

She helped me to put on the dress, and zip it up.

‘There’s also a matching pair of high-heeled black sandals with an ankle strap embellished in silver to go with the dress, if they will fit you.’

‘I’ll try them on if you don’t mind. I’ve always had relatively small feet for a guy.’

‘Yes, I’d noticed.'

The dress and the shoes fitted me and felt great to wear.

‘Next time we will have to do something about your hands and fingernails, but I’m afraid we won’t have time to do so tonight,’ said Amy.

‘That’s ok,’ I replied.

She finished arranging my hair and stood back to admire her efforts.

‘Wow! I always knew that you would look good dressed as a girl, but I’d no idea that you would turn out to be quite such a beauty,’ commented Amy.

She sounded as if she really meant it. She stepped to one side so that I could see myself in her full-length mirror. I said nothing, just stared at myself in the mirror, not knowing what to think, except that I felt great.

‘Do you mind if I take some more pictures of you, Nikki?’ Amy asked after a minute or so of stunned silence on my part.

‘Yes, so long as you promise not to post them on your Instagram or Twitter accounts, or anywhere else on the internet,’ I said at last finding my voice.

‘Don’t worry, Nikki, I won’t do that,’ she replied.

She went to her handbag and to took out her phone and proceeded to take several pictures of me in different poses.

‘Would you like me to share them with your phone as well?’

‘Yes please.’

A few minutes later we were both examining the results on our respective phones.

‘I don’t look too bad, do I?’ I commented, with a smug grin.

‘Not too bad, my foot, you look stunning,’ she replied.

I didn’t reply although I had to agree with her.

The following morning the crew quickly set up and reshot the scenes involving Amy and myself and we were finished soon after eleven o’clock. Jenny and Les Worth then approached Amy and handed her a revised schedule and began to go through the details with her.

‘Okay tomorrow, we’re going to make a start on the exterior scenes with you and Ray, and then the crew will set up and do as much as we can on Saturday without you, ready to finish off with you in place on next Monday morning.’

‘Remember you can always use Nicola here to stand in for me tomorrow and on Saturday morning to help you block the scenes or during the camera and lighting set up? She might even serve as a body-double for some of those early shots before we begin our conversation. I would finish any of the shots involving dialogue on Monday morning.’

Les thought for a moment before turning to me.

‘What’s your schedule over the next couple of days, Nicola?’ he asked.

I shrugged.

‘At present I’ve nothing more to do until next Tuesday.’

‘What does your contract specify?’

‘It doesn’t really specify my duties, I’m just employed as a dogsbody, to be used as required.’

‘I object to my stand-in describing herself as a dogsbody – that reflects on me,’ said Amy smiling.

‘Sorry, I never thought,’ I replied.

‘But would you be able to come in tomorrow and maybe on Saturday, if necessary?’

‘Yes, I suppose so.’

‘In that case, Jenny, can you book Nicola as a stand-in tomorrow whilst Amy is getting ready for the shoot. That should save us some time.

‘What about her costume?’ asked Jenny.

‘We’ll just be planning shots and lighting so she can come in everyday clothes.’

‘What about Saturday morning?’ Jenny asked.

‘At the moment, I’m not sure whether or not it is going to be practicable to use her on Saturday, but we’ll see how we get on tomorrow.’

Amy and I had Thursday afternoon free of commitments, so we had arranged for me to give her a second riding lesson. As soon we had changed out of our costumes we returned to her caravan where she donned a pair of riding breeches and loaned me a pair of her jeans and a plain blouse to wear. She refused outright to let me retrieve my own from storage, determined that I would not be seen in her company wearing male trousers.

Riding was the one thing that I was pretty good at and for once in our relationship I was the acknowledged expert. I again went through the basics of riding side-saddle and she practiced, initially in the yard and then later in the adjoining fields. We took care, and after an hour or so she’d gained enough confidence to progress from a walk to a gentle trot.

‘I still don’t really see the point in riding side-saddle,’ she said once we had successfully completed a circuit without mishap.

‘You never know when it might come in handy for future film or tv work,’ I suggested.

‘But why were women expected to ride side-saddle in the first place?’ she asked.

‘Strictly speaking, it’s known as ‘riding aside’ rather than ‘astride’, and it was 'fine ladies’ rather than ordinary ‘women’ who rode that way, I answered primly, deftly avoiding the question.

‘Ooh, I stand corrected, I’d no idea you were such a pedant, Miss Schoolma'am,’ she said, mocking my reply. ‘But there must have been a reason for the practice or was it just because of the clothes they wore?’

I blushed.

‘In the past, there was a widespread believe that a young lady might lose her virginity while riding astride. Once that idea got into circulation it was considered vulgar for any lady to ride astride, whether she was a virgin or otherwise.’

‘It sounds more likely that it was as an excuse used by young ladies who had already lost their virginity with one of the stable lads,’ commented Amy with a grin.

‘I really couldn’t say, but how about you do one more circuit of the field at a trot, and then next time we can proceeded to a canter.’

In the end we stayed out for nearly two hours with Amy on Moonbeam and me riding Cinderella, a slightly more spirited mare. Amy was getting the hang of gripping the saddle using the pommel and gently issuing instructions to the horse using a short riding whip rather than her legs. Eventually though we had to return to the stables so that the grooms would have enough time to unsaddle, groom and feed the horses before they finished their shift.

‘May I help you down from there, Miss O’Donnell?’ asked Alan as she returned to the stable.

‘That won’t be necessary, you just hold the bridle, I think I’m getting the hang of things now,’ she replied as she lifted her leg over the pommel and slid off the saddle.

Her confidence was a little misplaced because her slide continued after her feet hit the muddy floor and she landed heavily on her backside, with her right arm breaking the fall. She looked so ridiculous that both Alan and I were hard put not to laugh.

‘Are you alright?’ asked Alan as he helped her to get up.

‘I think I may have sprained my wrist when I broke my fall.’

‘You had better get that wrist checked by the paramedic, Miss O’Donnell,’ said Alan, ‘we are expected to report any accidents relating to the horses, I would take you there myself but I’m afraid I can’t leave the horses.’

‘Don’t worry Alan, I’ll go with her,’ I said.

The paramedic on the set checked that she hadn’t broken any bones and confirmed that she had not done any serious damage to her hand. He gave her a couple of anti-inflammatory tablets, bandaged her wrist and fitted her lower arm with a plastic splint.

‘Just keep it strapped up like that for a couple of days and it should be alright, Miss O’Donnell,’ he said. ‘Come back if it is still painful after the weekend,’

‘But I’m supposed to be filming tomorrow and then attending an awards ceremony on Saturday evening.’

‘Filming tomorrow is going to be out of the question, I’m afraid. But if you can keep the splint in place until Saturday afternoon you should be alright to go out without it in the evening, so long as you don’t try to use it in the meantime.’

‘Oh dear, I can’t see Frank being happy when he finds out. I guess we’d better find him and explain,’ said Amy.

She was right, Frank wasn’t at all happy with either of us.

‘Bringing forward that scene was going to help us with scheduling problems over the next three weeks,’ he sighed. ‘Nicola, this is partly your fault, the whole point of employing you was so that Amy did not need to go near the horses. There are to be no more riding lessons and you are only to ride them when you are required to do so.

‘I am sorry,’ I replied.

‘It was my fault,’ said Amy coming to my defence. ‘I asked Nikki to teach me how to ride side-saddle. But maybe I could turn up on set tomorrow and take off the splint whenever you need to film me.’

‘No, I’m not going to go against medical advice, and get sued for it afterwards. We won’t be using you until next Monday but I’m definitely going to need you on set all day tomorrow, Nicola, and probably now on Saturday as well.’

‘What about a costume?’ I asked.

‘That won’t be necessary for tomorrow, you can wear ‘everyday clothes’,' he replied. ‘On Saturday we will have to see whether you can wear the costume that was made for Amy.’

As we walked back towards the caravan, Amy and I began discussing what I would wear the following day.

‘Good luck with my costume on Saturday, just wait and see what they have in store for you to wear Nikki,’ said Amy, with a wicked smile.

‘What do you mean?’

‘A voluminous silk dress over a hooped crinoline petticoat and that dreaded whalebone corset, so you’d better leave plenty of time for the costume department to get you ready.’

‘Will it be uncomfortable to wear?’

‘Yes, at first but like all the female cast you’ll just have to get used to it.’

‘Amy. I’ve been told to come in my ‘everyday clothes' tomorrow morning, but I’ve run out of clean things to wear and I was planning to do my laundry tomorrow. Will it be alright if I hang on to your jeans and this blouse to wear tomorrow?’

‘I don’t think that’s a good idea especially if you want to show to the directors and crew that you can make a convincing stand-in for me. I’ll loan you one of my own dresses to wear on set tomorrow and first thing on Saturday, to help you stay in character. What about Sunday?’

‘The clothes that you bought for me last week will be clean and dry by then.’

‘Good.

‘Alright, I’ll make sure that everything is washed and ironed by the time you get back on Sunday night. I’ll also be free on Sunday if there is anything I can do to repay you?’

‘I suppose you could type some more of those address labels for my fan mail if you have time over the weekend. I won’t be able to sign them with my arm strapped up like this, but I should be in a position to do so next week.’

Once we had reached the caravan, Amy opened her wardrobe and after a minute or so extracted one of her pretty light blue summer dresses which she held up in front of me. It was quite feminine looking, in contrast to the rather androgynous clothes that I’d previously been wearing in the evenings.

‘Come over and look at yourself in the mirror and let me know what you think?’.

I followed her instructions.

‘So much for your promise that I wouldn’t be expected to wear anything too girly,’ I thought to myself, but I did look nice and I had no wish to argue with her choice.

‘Thanks, that will be fine,’ I said.’

‘There are some matching beads and earrings to go with this dress and you can wear my white open-toed high heels.’

‘I’ve not had much practice wearing heels.’

‘In that case it is time you did so.’

‘Alright, I’ll make sure that everything has been washed and ironed before I return them to you,’ I replied.

‘Now what are you planning to do about makeup?’ Amy asked.

‘Will I need to wear some? We haven’t put on makeup at other times’

‘That was only because the makeup staff fixed it for us. Tomorrow you’re going to be on set without a formal costume, so you will need to show them that you can present as a convincing girl.’

‘I’ve got the lipstick, face powder and the eyeshadow that you bought for me last Sunday and those products that you gave me on Wednesday night. So I think I should be ok.’

‘Alright, that should do, but remember what I taught you yesterday evening. I’ll check up on you before you go on set first thing tomorrow morning but after that you’ll be on your own.’

‘Thanks Amy.’

Later that evening Amy went through the following day’s schedule with me so I would know what to expect.

‘Pay attention and do whatever the Assistant Director tells you tomorrow and keep any opinions to yourself. That way, they may even get to keep you on for a few more days of filming.’

‘I wouldn’t dream of arguing with the director.’

‘Also, make sure you use your girl voice at all times and although you seem to have made great progress over the last couple of days, remember what I’ve told you about being conscious of your body language and hand gestures.’

I sighed.

‘Yes, I promise to do my best, but there seems to be so much for me to remember.’

Amy smiled.

‘I think that you will probably be good enough as a stand-in for me.’

 

---

 

Next week:Weekend social activities

Thanks for the comments and corrections, everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 9

As suggested by Amy, I wore her summer dress and shoes on Friday morning and she professed herself satisfied with my hair and makeup before I went on set. Frank smiled and wished me good morning and so yesterday’s incident involving Amy’s fall appeared to have been forgiven. I spent most of the morning working with the assistant directors and crew in blocking the next few scenes, followed by lighting and camera rehearsals. The bulk of the cast had been released to go away and learn their lines, but I and one or two extras, who were not directly involved with the dialogue, were used as stand-ins so that the camera crew and sound recordists could check on camera angles and the placement of the lights and the boom. Amy called in to see how things were going shortly before our lunch break as she was due to leave for her weekend in London. As usual, she looked stunning, apart for the plastic splint that she still wore on her arm. Frank saw her arrive and decided to break for lunch.

‘That’s great for now, ladies and gentlemen.’

Then turning to his assistant, he said: ‘Joan, can you make sure the remainder of the cast know that we’ll be making a start on shooting the yard scene at 1.30 and will be continuing tomorrow morning. We should be able to finish off once we have Amy back on Monday morning.’

As the others started to leave he turned to Amy.

‘How’s your arm this morning?’

‘It’s OK, I think. I’m still wearing the splint for now, but the paramedic says that I can take it off for tomorrow evening, and as long as I don’t try to lift anything heavy or use it too much my arm should be fine by Monday.’

‘Good, enjoy your weekend but please make sure that you don’t do anything to make it worse.’

He then turned to me.

‘Nicola, there are going to be a couple of shots this afternoon where Lucy Robarts will feature on the edge of the action, so I’d like you to be available in costume by three thirty and ready to take Amy’s place. There are no lines for you to learn. It also now looks as if we are going need you in costume again first thing tomorrow morning.’

‘Yes, of course,’ I replied.

‘I’d no idea that they would expect me to be in costume today,’ I said to Amy as we were leaving the set together.

‘They’ve obviously made more progress this morning than they expected, but that’s a good sign that they seem to be happy to use you as my stand-in. Make sure you leave the costume and makeup staff plenty of time to get you ready.'

‘Actually, I quite enjoy those days when I’m required for filming.’

Amy thought for a while and then smiled.

‘So I’ve noticed.’

By this time, we had reached the caravan where Amy’s limo driver was waiting to take her London.

‘Goodbye then Nikki and have a great time over the weekend. I’ll see you on Sunday evening,’ she said giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

‘Goodbye Amy, thanks for everything that you’ve done for me this week and good luck with the award ceremony tomorrow.’

The young starlet smiled and waved as they drove off.

Amy was right in her prediction and it took the costume and makeup departments nearly an hour and a half to get me ready for the afternoon shoot. The lacing on the corset took my breath away but created a trim waist, a heaving bosom and a most impressive cleavage. The crinoline petticoat and accompanying dress were not exactly practical to wear and needed some practice to negotiate through doors etc. although there was no doubt that I looked nice. Only the low-heeled silk-topped shoes were at all comfortable to wear compared to their twenty-first century counterparts.

‘How on earth did Victorian ladies manage having to wear these clothes?’ I asked Chloe, as she was dressing me.

‘With difficulty, but it wasn’t just fine ladies, all women were expected to wear corsets which severely limited what they could do.

’But why did they put up with it?’

She shrugged.

‘That’s why the Rational Dress Society was formed in the 1880s.

Once Chloe was finished with me, Sue took several digital photographs so that they would be able to match Amy’s costume when it came to her doing the shots involving dialogue on the following Monday.

‘By the end of next week, I’ll have a folder of pictures of you in different costumes. Would you like copies to add to your acting portfolio?’ she asked.

‘I don’t have an acting portfolio.’

‘In that case maybe you should think of compiling one.’

I felt incredibly conspicuous as I walked on set but was relieved to discover that several other members of the female cast were wearing similar voluminous dresses and that I would be able to blend into the background without too much trouble. It was only later in the scene that they would be focusing in on my character and then Amy would take my place. Thus, we finished shooting relatively early and by six thirty I had changed back into the dress that I’d previously worn.

‘Would you like to join me for an evening meal in the catering tent?’ said Sue as she and her staff were now ready to pack up for the day.

‘Alright then, thanks,’ I replied, always happy to eat in company.

As we were queueing for our food Sue continued to make conversation.

‘How have you been finding life as Nicola?’

‘Does that include having to wear that awful corset and crinoline this afternoon?‘

She smiled.

‘It’s all part of the job.’

I smiled and nodded, then after a moment’s reflection, I added: ‘actually I have been enjoying myself and have learned a lot.’

‘So Amy’s little project to turn you into a girl for a fortnight appears to have been quite successful.’

I blushed slightly.

‘I would never have got such an interesting job working as a guy.’

‘But did you need to be Nicola full-time?’

‘It was you who suggested sewing in my hair extensions. In any event Amy didn’t want to be seen to be sharing her accommodation with a guy in case it got into the newspapers. In fact, she has been very kind to me.'

‘OK. As long as you are happy but be careful. Amy can be quite wild at times. She used to have a personal assistant who kept her on the ‘straight and narrow’ for a while but she got fed up and left.’

‘Yes, I’d heard.’

‘So don’t let her get you into any trouble.’

‘I don’t think that’s likely. She’s gone up to London for the weekend and I’ve only got one more week of filming with her.’

‘I suppose Amy’s more likely to get herself into trouble in London than down here in Wiltshire.’

I didn’t answer.

‘So, are you planning to remain on location as Nicola on Sunday?’

‘With this long hair and these boobs, I don’t really have much choice, but Amy is letting me use her caravan whilst she’s away, so I won’t have to go out.’

‘We’re organising a bowls match for the crew and the cast members who will be on location this weekend. We are going to hold it at the pub in the village on Sunday afternoon. We’re a little short of ladies from the cast at present, so I don’t suppose you’d be interested in joining us?’

‘Won’t the others think it odd if I play for the ladies’ team?’

‘They’ll think it even odder if you try to play in the gents’ team with your long hair and boobs. In any event, the teams are going to be mixed and we are trying to keep roughly equal numbers of men and women, cast and crew in each team. So, would you like to come?’

‘The only snag is that I’ll have run out of clothes to wear by tomorrow. I was planning to devote my spare time this weekend to washing and ironing. I doubt if I’ll have anything suitable that is ready to wear by Sunday.'

Sue smiled.

‘I’m sure we’ll be able to find you something suitable to wear from the costume store. Remind me tomorrow.’

‘I’ll come, if you think it will be alright with the others involved.’

‘You’re a member of the cast now, just like any other, so of course it will be alright.'

‘Would you mind if I accompanied you to the pub as I would be a little nervous to just turn up on my own.’

‘I suggest that you should come to the makeup caravan at one thirty on Sunday and we’ll make our way there together.’

That night I took all the clothes that Amy had bought for me and one or two other items that she had loaned to me to the launderette facilities that had been set up at the location and then hung them on the clothes dryer in Amy’s caravan. Whilst that was happening, I made a start on addressing Amy’s fan mail and made good progress with the backlog.

On Saturday morning, I was up early to be fitted with the corset and crinoline dress required for the scene before joining the other cast members on the set. The costume was uncomfortable to wear and difficult to sit down in, but I must admit that I looked the part. Once on set, I was pleased to discover that I was being accepted in my new gender role by everyone on set without any awkwardness, and I did not need Amy’s company to shield me. As before, my day involved longish periods of standing around chatting to the other female cast members present complaining about the inconvenience of our costumes compared to those of the men, followed by short bursts of action. For most of the scenes I was in the background or else shot from behind, but there were a couple of shots taken where I was in full view and speaking dialogue. It was left to the film editors whether these would eventually be used with Amy’s voice over-dubbed or else would be replaced with others once Amy returned on Monday.

At four o’clock on Saturday afternoon filming was finished for the week. I returned to the caravan where Sue and Sandra were on duty.

‘Did everything go alright for you Nicola?’ asked Sue as she helped me to change out of my costume.

‘Yes, I think so, once I’d got used to wearing the Victorian costume.’

‘We’d better take off those breast forms to examine your skin underneath,’ she said once the costume was safely stowed away and I’d changed back into the twenty-first century.

‘Alright, but please peel them off gently as they appear to be stuck on quite firmly.’

She did so and cleaned the area underneath with an antiseptic wipe.

‘There doesn’t seem to be any problems with your skin. Would you like to leave them off for tonight or are you happy for me to put them straight back?’

‘You may as well put them back. I’ve got used to my new shape over the last week and it will feel odd to be without them.’

Sue smiled and carefully glued them back in place. Once again, I was required to hold them in place until the glue cured.

‘There you are, they should be alright now until we finish filming next week. You can get dressed again.’

‘Thanks. I feel more confident having them securely in place, especially if I am playing bowls tomorrow afternoon.’

‘Yes, it looks as if it is going to be a fine day for the bowls match, so I’ve found you this dress to wear. You are welcome to borrow it,’ she said pointing to a light pink floral printed dress with a fitted bodice, and a box pleated midi skirt, that was hanging on a hook.

‘Would you like to try it on?’

‘Alright, thanks.’

‘It will be too hot to wear tights tomorrow, so you’ll need to make sure that your legs are nice and smooth,’ she added as she zipped up the dress for me

‘Frances waxed them for me last weekend and there’s not much sign of any regrowth, but I’ll go over them with my electric razor tonight.’

I looked at myself in the mirror. It was a very feminine but attractive style and the colouring seemed to suit me. Sue and her staff clearly knew their job.

‘Thank you,’ I said, about to change back.

‘What about some shoes to go with the dress?’ asked Sue

‘Amy bought a pair of low- heeled sling-backs for me to wear last week.’

‘What colour are they?’

‘They’re black’.

She shook her head.

‘What about the heels that you’ve been wearing?’ she asked.

‘They belong to Amy, she loaned them to me for the weekend.’

‘They would look better with the dress, but If you’re going to wear sandals with bare legs, you’ll need to paint your toenails.’

‘I don’t have any nail varnish and won’t be able to get hold of any by Sunday.’

Sue turned to Sandra, who had been looking on during our conversation.

‘Do we have a nail varnish to suit this dress, and maybe a matching lipstick as well.

Sandra sorted through her supplies and brought two items over.

‘Thank you.’

Sandra looked at her watch/

‘I’ve an hour free before I’m due to finish work today and there’s no-one else that needs my help, I could give Nicola a manicure and pedicure, if it is ok with you, Sue?’

‘What do you think, Nicola?’ Sue asked.

‘Alright, if you don’t mind. I’ve never worn nail varnish before.

Sandra trimmed and painted my toenails and let them dry using foam toe separators.

‘It’s always easier to have help with painting your toes. Now let me have a look at your fingers.

I held them out for her to inspect.

‘Your fingernails aren’t too bad, but they could do with some gel tips so that we can shape them nicely.’

‘Alright but nothing too long that might impede my riding.’

‘Leave it to me.’

Forty-five minutes later I came away with elegantly extended and shaped fingernails covered with several coats of pink lacquer expertly applied.

‘What do you think?’ asked Sandra.

‘They look very nice, especially with this dress, but won’t it all have to come off before I start filming again on Tuesday.’

‘Not necessarily, there are kid-gloves and riding boots to go with your outfit,’ said Sue.

‘I have to go off shift now but make sure your nails are fully dry before you attempt to change out of that the dress and sandals,' said Sandra.

‘Don’t worry, I’ll help her to get changed so she doesn’t spoil her lovely nails,’ said Sue with a smile.

Later that evening, as I worked on Amy’s fan mail, I speculated whether the costume and makeup staff were part of a conspiracy to keep me looking so good as a young woman over the weekend. I even half wondered whether Amy might have put them up to it. But if so why, and what did it matter to anyone other than me? The main thing though was that I was enjoying my life as Nicola.

As promised by the weather forecast, Sunday morning proved to be a bright sunny day with no clouds in the sky. I showered and washed my hair and spent much of the morning getting myself ready to go out. I ensured that there was no trace of unwanted hair on my legs, arms and armpits. This was the first occasion that I was responsible for my dress, hair and makeup as Nicola, entirely on my own, without Amy or one of the costume staff looking on. I took extra care, to achieve a look that was appropriate to the occasion, remembering everything that I’d been told on different occasions. Using a combination of concealer, foundation and face powder that Amy had given me. I achieved a flawless skin tone but without going over the top. My eyebrows and lashes were already in pretty good shape, thanks to the previous ministrations of the makeup staff. I therefore concentrated on the eyelids and brow bones to create a subtle smoky effect. Sandra had been right in her choice of colour of the lipstick and nail varnish so that my hands, feet and lips now picked out the principal colour of the dress I would be wearing. The dress and the shoes fitted perfectly and looked good. I finished off the look with a discrete necklace and pair of earrings that Amy had loaned to me the previous weekend when we went out for a meal together.

I took one last glance at myself in the mirror and approved of what I saw, before making my way to the makeup caravan, where Sue, Frances and Sandra were waiting for me.

‘You look great Nikki, I can see that you’re a fast learner,’ said Sue.

‘So, you think I look alright?’ I asked tentatively.

‘More than alright, you look lovely. I knew that dress and those shoes would be just right for you.’

The other two nodded in agreement.

I smiled and blushed simultaneously, as we made our way to the village.

 

---

 

Next week: Amy's return

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 10

The bowling match in the beer garden at the Swan Inn in the village proved to be a great success at bringing together those members of the cast and crew remaining on location. All concerned seemed to have had a great time, myself included. I was not aware of anyone present treating me with disrespect and I even noticed one or two admiring glances from both men and women. Frank, who was in the same team as me, looked approvingly at me at one point although he said nothing beyond a smile and polite greeting. In the event, it turned out that although the high-heeled sandals suggested by Sue looked good, they were not the correct shoes to wear for a match on a bowling green, but several other ladies had made the same mistake. It was quite acceptable for us to slip off our shoes and bowl barefoot when it was our turn to go, and I was pleased that Sandra had painted my toenails for me. But apart from this one minor gaffe I thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Thus, I soon grew in confidence, and was pleased to have been invited. I was not particularly good at playing bowls but was nowhere near the worst and so did not let my side down.

‘Will you be coming to join us for a drink in the bar to celebrate our victory, Nikki?’ asked Jenny once the match was over.

‘Alright, but only for one drink, if you don’t mind. I promised to finish some secretarial work for Amy before she gets back from London tonight.’

‘I trust that she will be paying you,’ she said.

‘No, but she has been really good to me over the last week, it will be a means of my repaying her.’

‘So what would you like to drink?’

‘A white wine and soda, please.’

A few minutes later Jenny and I were in conversation.

‘I was looking at the rushes for Friday and Saturday this morning. You really have done well over the last few days, everyone there commented about how well you have adapted to your new gender role,’ she began. ‘Amy will have to watch her step or you will be taking over from her.’

I smiled politely, knowing that she this last comment was not serious.

‘I thought you had reservations about my body language.’

‘That was just a minor hiccup on your first day. Ever since you’ve been fine and there has been nothing that we can’t use. In fact, the scenes with you on horseback impressed Frank so much that he’s talking about adding to the shooting schedule next Thursday to try and get in some more action shots focussing on you and Guy Lemon.’

(Guy Lemon was the actor playing Lord Lufton, the male second lead, who was also an accomplished horseman.)

‘Really? He hasn’t said anything to me.’

‘I know but he never says much to the actors when all is going well. You would know soon enough if he was unhappy.’

At that point we were joined by Sue and several others and I was pleased that our conversation moved on to other more general topics. The talk was relaxed and friendly and I was happy to stay for a while although conscious that I’d promised to do some work for Amy. After half an hour or so at the bar I was about offer to buy the others a drink before I left, but Frank got in before me and offered to buy a round. Sue and I politely declined as we were just about to leave.

‘How did it go this afternoon, Nikki?’ asked Sue as we were walking back to the set.

‘Alright thanks, our team came second.’

She smiled.

‘I was asking how you got on. Have you enjoyed yourself this afternoon?’

‘Yes, I think so. It was fun. For the first time as a girl I felt that I was not in Amy’s shadow or hiding behind her and personality.

‘I’m glad to hear that. Now remember what I told you earlier and be your own person.'

I returned to Amy’s caravan where I finished typing the address labels and practised her handwriting and signature on a few spare ones. I concluded that, if she wanted me to do so I might be able to sign and respond to her fan mail, just as her personal assistant had done in the past. I suppose I might have changed into a more comfortable dress or the trouser suit, as I now had plenty of clean clothes to choose from but I felt so good about the way I looked and felt that I was unwilling to break the spell. I was also looking forward to Amy’s reaction upon seeing me..

Soon after eleven o’clock I heard a sports car draw up outside the caravan, followed by voices, a car door closing and the car driving away again at speed. A minute or two later Amy appeared at the door of the caravan looking flushed but quite elated.

‘Hi Amy, how did the TV awards go?’ I asked.

‘I didn’t win, but it was useful publicity for me to be shortlisted and I’m only twenty so there will always be another time to win.’

‘I’m sorry about that.’

‘No problem, the main thing was that I was photographed and interviewed on the red carpet, and there was a great party afterwards. ‘

‘Maybe the present film will get you noticed once it is released.’

She smiled.

‘We’ll have to see.’

‘So how is your sprained wrist?’

‘I think it has pretty well healed now, thanks Nikki,’ she said, ‘although maybe you could give me a hand lifting my case on to the rack in my room.’

I stood up from the desk where I had been sitting ready to give her a hand.

‘Are you sure you are ok, you appear to be perspiring,’ I commented.

‘Oh that’s nothing, just a runny nose due to my hay fever, I’ll be fine in the morning.’

She seemed to want to change the subject.

‘Well, I must say Miss Stevens, you’ve made great strides with your appearance over the last week. I remember last Sunday evening it was a struggle to get you to wear a dress, let alone heels, but just look at you now! You look great.’

I blushed but I also felt pleased with her comment.

‘Thank you’.

‘Have you been out on a date or found yourself an admirer while I’ve been away?’ she asked.

Before I could answer, she threw in another question.

‘And where did the lovely outfit come from?’

‘Sue, the costume supervisor loaned it to me so I could go out for a bowls match this afternoon. I’ll have to return everything at the end of this week.’

‘And who did your hair and makeup?’

‘Sandra did my nails for me, I said holding out my fingers for inspection, ‘but everything else is due to my own efforts.’

‘Very smart. I think you’d better come through to my room and tell me what has been going on while I’ve been away, whilst I unpack my case.’

Amy seemed quite restless and not at all inclined to go to bed, so over the next half an hour or so I explained everything that had happened on set since the Friday.

‘So, they seem to have made good progress with filming whilst I’ve been away. But you still haven’t told me the details of why you are wearing that lovely dress.’

‘As I said, this afternoon Sue and her staff arranged for some social activities between those members of the cast and crew who were remaining on set for the weekend. It was a bowls match followed by a drink in the local pub. They were short of lady members of the cast so she loaned me this dress from the Costume Store as otherwise I would have had nothing to wear.’

‘I’m now sorry to have missed the fun, particularly with you looking the way you do. Although maybe it is just as well as I might have been overshadowed by my own stand-in,’ said Amy with a grin.

I blushed and changed the subject by showing her the pile of addressed letters and cards now waiting for her signature.

‘Thank you so much for doing these, I’ll try and get them all signed tomorrow evening and then we can post them.’

‘I did try one or two examples where I have attempted to copy your handwriting for the greeting and signature. If you’re happy with the idea I have no commitments tomorrow and probably won’t be needed on set. I could perhaps sign them all for you.’

I handed Amy a couple of examples of my forgeries.

‘Nikki, you’re an angel! Yes please,’ she replied, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

‘There’s one other thing I wanted to ask you.’

‘What’s that?’ replied Amy.

‘When will you be returning to London?’ ! asked.

‘We are scheduled to finish on Friday afternoon. I’ve arranged a car for Saturday afternoon to give me time to pack. But I will be back on location somewhere in Hertfordshire two weeks later.;

‘I’m due to finish my filming commitments on Thursday evening but have been asked to be on stand-by on Friday just in case of any retakes or I am needed as an extra by the second unit. So they won’t be changing me back into Nicholas until Saturday morning. Friday is going to be my twentieth birthday and so I wondered whether we could perhaps have dinner together at the local pub, since it will be my last full-day as Nicola.’

I would not have dared to ask Amy out when I was Nicholas, but somehow as Nicola it seemed to be alright. After all, I wasn’t asking her out on a date or anything like that, merely to join in my birthday celebration.

‘Do they provide meals there?’

‘Yes, I checked this afternoon. It will be my treat. I could even wear this dress again if you wanted me to. I don’t need to return it to Sue until the following day.

After a moment’s consideration, she smiled.

‘Yes, alright, I’d be happy to go out with you for dinner on Friday. It’s not exactly the ‘girls’ night’ out’ I had in mind for our last night together, but it will be better than staying in. I should be finished by about six thirty and so we can take a walk down there as soon as I’m changed.’

‘Thanks. I’ll now go and get that dress that you loaned to me before you left. It’s washed and ironed.’

‘No, that’s alright, you can hang on to it for the time being and maybe you could wear it on set tomorrow.’

‘But the other clothes that you bought for me last week are all now clean, and in any event, I don’t think I’m going to be needed on set tomorrow.’

‘Some of the clothes I bought for you last week were a little bit dull, but now that everyone has seen how good you look wearing a dress and makeup, I think you should continue to do so, even though you may not be working. The more practice you get before our meal on Thursday evening, the better.’

‘Alright then,’ I replied with a smile.

I went to bed but I heard Amy moving around the caravan for some time afterwards.

The following day Amy appeared to have recovered from both her hay-fever and her sprained wrist so she left early to go to costume and makeup prior to filming the missing shots with the second unit. In the meanwhile, I followed her advice and wore her dress and put on some makeup before appearing on set to check that I wasn’t going to be needed that day. The first person I came across was Joan, who seemed quite pleased to see me.

‘Good morning, Nikki, I was just coming to find you. Frank is arranging a briefing at eleven o’clock in the marquee for everyone involved with the hunt scenes.

‘No problem, I’ll be there.

‘Some of the meeting will be technical and only involve the crew but he wants you and Guy to attend for the first twenty minutes or so.’

‘Fine, is there anything else I’m needed for?’

‘Not as far as I’m concerned.’

Two hours later I attended the briefing, which mainly concerned the technical crew and those who would be organising the hunt. Joe Stanley, the locations manager begun the proceedings.

‘As you know, the hunt sequence is going to be a drag hunt, where the dogs will follow a deliberately laid scent-trail. No animals will be hunted or killed during the proceedings, although we will be adding some stock shots of a running fox at the editing stage. The last thing we want is to be accused of animal cruelty or illegal hunting in the press. It will be up to the whips to keep the pack together and prevent the hounds from rioting or chasing after any other quarry. This should ensure that the hunt follows a predictable course where the cameras are ready and that no wild animals are killed in the process.’

Frank went through the shooting schedule for the next three days.

‘Tuesday will be largely devoted to wide aerial shots, taken by a combination of crane shots, drones and a helicopter hired for the purpose. The whole hunt sequence is going to be expensive to stage so the aim will be to get as much footage as possible to give the editors a good choice for the final cut. There will be plenty of room so make sure that you don’t foul one another’s shots.’

‘Where would you like Nikki and I to be for these scenes?’ asked Guy.

‘You will just join the other riders for tomorrow, the Assistant Directors will show you exactly where they want you to be. Then on Wednesday we aim to get various medium full and full shots from static cameras at good locations and also using cameras mounted on a couple of off-road buggies. These will attempt to keep up with the horses and dogs. We are going to need some shots with you and Nikki in frame together, so please try and stick together as much as possible in the gallop.’

‘Thursday will be reserved for a series of medium action shots taken by static cameras at specific locations where there are water jumps. These will centre on Guy and Nikki together with several of the extras in the background.

Guy turned to me and whispered with a smile.

‘This is all your fault, Nikki, they have added an extra day to the schedule, when they discovered that they had a competent lady rider to stand in for Amy.’

‘I’m sorry about that.’

‘That’s all right in fact I am quite looking forward to it.’

Nikki, you will be wearing a veil so it ought to be possible for the cameras to get in close without giving away that we are using a stand in for Amy.’

’

The remainder of the meeting was quite technical and concerned such things as camera angles, bridging shots, axis of action or available light. Thus, Guy and I were excused for the rest of the day. I asked and was granted, permission to take Moonbeam out on one further practice run before filming. I quickly put on the 1850s riding habit and feathered hat, but this time also added the veil which many women of the time wore to protect their faces. Riding side saddle dressed in Victorian ladies’ costume certainly provided challenges. quite apart from that of maintaining my seat. For example, the side saddle rider is unable to give directions to the horse using the pressure of her right thigh and must therefore gently use a whip which she holds in her right hand, which the horse needs to get used to. However, Moonbeam was a well-behaved horse and after a couple of hours of practice riding in both the woods and open fields. I returned her to the stables, satisfied that we would probably be alright.

 

---

 

Next week: Filming th hunt scenes

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 11

I returned to Amy’s caravan where I continued signing her photographs and had just about finished the backlog by the time Amy returned from the set at about six thirty after a full day of filming.

‘How did it go?‘ I asked.

‘Fine, we’re back on schedule and I think we are both forgiven for the accident last week. Are they all set now for the hunt sequence tomorrow?’ she asked.

‘I believe so, I’m due at costume and makeup at 7.30am. Will you be required on set tomorrow?’

‘I’ll need to retake a few shots tomorrow morning using the second crew but after than I’ve nothing to do in the afternoon and for the whole of Wednesday, thanks to you. I’ve been asked to be available on standby on Thursday afternoon as they're planning to rewrite one outdoor scene where I’ll substitute for you at one point and deliver some dialogue. It also now looks as if Friday is going to be a long day of filming as Guy Lemon has other commitments from the weekend onwards.’

‘All of this rescheduling was due to them deciding to extend the time allocated to the hunt scenes by one day.'

‘So I understand – your fault again,’ she said with a grin.

‘I’m sorry about that.’

‘Don’t worry, it has worked out fine for me. I met this cool guy called Rob Singleton at the ‘after-show party’ on Saturday night and he drove me back here on Sunday night. He called me and is now planning to drive back on Tuesday night to take me out to dinner in a Michelin starred restaurant near Chippenham.’

‘That sounds quite expensive. What does he do for a living?’ I asked.

‘I’m not absolutely sure but money doesn’t seem to be a problem for him. Normally you have to make a reservation at this restaurant weeks in advance, so he must have bribed someone.’

‘But what happened about the last guy you were going out with?’

‘Joe Rogers? He’s gay but still in the closet. We went out together for the sake of both our careers – to give the press something to write about.’

‘Oh, I see. I hope you have a good time tomorrow night.’

‘Thanks, and don’t wait up for me.’

She then changed the subject.

‘Talking of posh meals, Frank wants to have a talk with both of us on Friday after we finish shooting. I explained that it was your birthday and we were planning to get away promptly and have dinner together at the local pub but he was adamant that he wanted to speak to us both together, and it was the only time he has free. However, he has offered to treat us both to dinner in an expensive restaurant in Salisbury instead; would that be alright with you?’

‘I suppose so,’ I replied. ‘You can’t exactly refuse an invitation from ‘The Director' of the film, but what does he want to talk to us about?’

‘I’ve no idea.’

‘He does realise that I will be going as Nicola?’

‘Yes, I reminded him that you’d still be in girl mode until Saturday morning, but he said that since you looked great as Nicola it wouldn’t be a problem.’

‘Alright, in that case I’ll wear the dress that Sue loaned me last Sunday, or do you think that it’s a bit too girly?’

‘No, I don’t think it’s too girly, but since it’s your birthday on Friday and Frank is paying the bill, I suggest that we should both dress up for the occasion. I’ll wear the dress that I wore to the awards last week. You could wear my black and silver outfit, the one you tried on last Wednesday and which looked so good on you. I’ll arrange to pay Sandra to stay on and do our hair and makeup for us before we leave so we can both look our best and impress Frank.’

‘Isn’t that rather going over the top?’

‘Not at all! As it’s also going to be your last full day as Nicola, so I think we should both allow ourselves a small celebration.’

‘Alright then, if you don’t mind lending me your dress and you think it will look alright on me,’ I replied.

‘Leave it to me and I’ll make the necessary arrangements while you’re filming over the next couple of days.

In the event, the filming the hunt scene went smoothly given the numbers of cast crew and extras involved. This was largely due to the detailed planning involved, as a single paragraph in the script, had to be translated into three whole days of filming and broken down into nearly ninety storyboards. On the first day I was on set in costume and makeup by 8.30 am and walked towards the stables.

‘Good morning Nikki, no hunting costume?’ said Guy, who was dressed in a traditional black hunting jacket and fawn waistcoat.

I was dressed in the royal blue riding habit designed for Amy, whereas everyone else was wearing black hunt coats.

‘No, it was a deliberate choice by the directors and costume designers. They’d decided that the character of Lucy Robarts, would not have been able to afford a separate hunting costume. That way I’ll be readily recognisable in any long shots.’

‘As always, you look very nice.’

‘Thank you, kind sir.’

We went to collect our respective mounts. Alan had Moonbeam ready saddled and helped me to mount and passed me the whip.

‘Good luck, Nikki, and take care of Moonbeam for us. I will be on set behind the cameras in case there are any issues with the horses. We should get a good view of the gallop without fouling any of the camera angles.’

‘I trust there will also be a paramedic on hand as well in case there are any issues with the riders,’ I said with a grin. ‘But don’t worry, I promise not to let any harm come to Moonbeam. You should be able to pick the two of us out during the gallop without too much difficulty.’

Although I’ve never been a particular fan of the idea hunting foxes with dogs and I would never have been able to afford to take part in a drag hunt, I have ridden astride in several steeplechases whilst working as a stable lad and there is no denying ‘the thrill of the chase’ in such circumstances. Only Guy and I from the main cast were going to be present for the hunt scenes, all the other riders, including a couple of women were experienced horse-riders employed as extras. This inevitably meant that I, and to a lesser extent Guy, were very much the centre of attention when planning the different shots. This was even more so as I was riding side-saddle, and there were helicopters and drones flying overhead. Nonetheless, Moonbeam and the other horses involved behaved impeccably. Inevitably there were occasions when the horses had to be reined in so that the same shots could be repeated several times to provide a range of footage from different angles, but there were also times when the horses were given ‘free rein’ to follow the dogs for a mile or more at full gallop before they needed to be rested.

We continued filming for as long as the light held but eventually returned the horses to be fed and groomed.

‘That was most impressive riding, especially in that costume,’ said Joe, one of my former flatmates, as he helped me to dismount. ‘I was watching the gallop from that hill over there.’

‘Thanks Joe., we’ll now have to see how she behaves tomorrow when we are being chased by a couple of off-road vehicles,’ I said giving Moonbeam a friendly pat before she was led away to be given a rub-down and fed.

I hadn’t seen Amy all day. She had still been asleep when I left the caravan to go to costume and makeup that morning and then she had been filming indoors with the second unit for the remainder of the morning. There was no sign of her when I eventually returned feeling exhausted but elated after a day’s riding; she had presumably left to go on her date. I therefore took a shower and went to bed early. I was awakened by the sound of her boyfriend’s sports car drive up and looking at my phone I noticed it was 4.30 a.m. It was just as well she was not required for filming on Wednesday as well. Amy went quietly to bed, but I was now fully awake and unable to get back to sleep again. My mind was racing, remembering everything that had happened to me during the last ten days and wondering what I was going to do once we finished filming and I had to revert to my male persona.

As far as I was concerned, the time so far spent as Nicola had been one of the most interesting and enjoyable periods in my life. This was not only because of the novelty of filming or the horse riding but primarily because I got to experience life in a new gender. It wasn’t just a question of having long hair and eyelashes, or wearing different clothes and makeup, or sharing a caravan with a starlet. It was rather about being accepted and appreciated. But unfortunately, I only had three days of filming left before having to revert to being a boy and would have to leave to find a new job and somewhere to live. I then got to wondering whether there was any capacity in which I might continue as Nicola for a while. It seemed most unlikely but perhaps I could ask Frank when I saw him on Friday?

Sue, the Assistant Director, and Guy, were waiting for me when I arrived on set after costume and makeup on Wednesday morning. She handed us both a revised schedule

‘The shoot went pretty well yesterday but we are going to need to record some more soundtrack of the hunt at full gallop for use with the drone and helicopter footage.’

‘Will you need Guy and me for that?’ I asked.

‘No, we can probably make do with the other riders to provide us with the necessary soundtrack, but we will need you both on set until about 11.00 a.m. That’s when we’ll begin filming from the two off-road vehicles and we have to ensure that you are both in a good line of sight for the cameras.’

‘I trust that there’ll be no danger of them crashing into the riders,’ said Guy.

‘I don’t think so, as long as you both can control your mounts. The production designers have chosen the location carefully and the drivers are very experienced. It may be a bit hairy for the cameramen, though.’

‘Amy mentioned that you are also planning some changes on Thursday afternoon,’ I said.

‘Yes, we would now like you to take a fall after one of the jumps, but don’t worry we’ll ensure that you have a soft landing and that Moonbeam isn’t spooked during the filming. Guy will ride up and dismount, and then we’ll have Amy come in and deliver a couple of lines. After that Guy will help you to remount.’

‘Alright so long as it is a soft landing.’ I said.

Sue smiled, as if to say ‘she hoped so too’ but then walked away to talk to the camera team.

‘As we are not going to be needed for an hour or so shall we get ourselves some breakfast, Nikki?' asked Guy. ‘There’s something I would like to talk to you about.’

‘Okay, but I’ll just have a coffee, if that’s alright’ I replied, pleased to be invited.

I was puzzled by Guy’s invitation and wondered what he might wish to say to me. He was good looking, in his late twenties and at last beginning to make a name for himself as an actor, having progressed within a few films from secondary roles, to the deuteragonist (second lead) and at last to the protagonist or main lead. The character of Lucy Robarts would be his ‘love interest’ in the story. Any girl would have been happy to be seen having a coffee with him and for the next few days, at least, I included myself in that category. Yet Guy was also known to be happily married with two young children, so there was no danger of any dalliance with cast members. Of course, he knew all about my background but had always treated me with politeness and respect. Thus, we chatted inconsequentially for ten minutes or so whilst we ordered our coffees and took them to an empty table. He then turned to the subject on his mind.

‘So, where’s our leading lady today?’ he asked.

‘She was still sleeping when I left the caravan,’ I replied. ‘She went out on a hot date last night and came back quite late.’

‘Hmm, Amy is a talented young actress, but she needs to watch her step if she wants to have a long-term career. There are plenty of guys out there, intent on seducing young starlets.’

‘I’m sure Amy can look after herself, we may be dressed as if we are living in the mid-nineteenth century, but we are living in the twenty-first century,’ I replied.

‘Maybe, but it isn’t just a question of her losing her unsullied reputation. A friend saw her at a showbiz party last weekend snorting coke ‘like there was no tomorrow’. The man she was with is also a well-known dealer. Someone should have a word with her before it gets in the press or she gets arrested for possession or even drug-dealing. That’s quite apart from what it’ll ultimately do to her appearance.’

‘In that case why don’t you speak to her?’

‘I’m not sure she would take it from me, I’m seven years her senior and married, and I wouldn’t want to shop her to Frank or the production company. But she may be more willing to take advice from you as you are of a similar age.’

‘I’m just her stand-in, I can’t tell her what or what not to do. In any event, after Saturday, I won’t have any dealings with her.’

‘That’s a pity. I should hate to see her career ruined through her own stupidity.’

‘Perhaps you could have a word with her manager?’ I suggested.

‘I doubt if I’ll get the chance. I’ll be finishing here on Friday and I’m then going to the States for several weeks for my next film.’

I didn’t answer, not knowing what to do. Finally, he broke the silence.

‘We had better collect our horses and re-join the main group of riders in good time to begin today’s filming.’

Wednesday proved to be the most exciting of the three days devoted to the hunt as the mobile cameras were now much closer to the riders, especially to Guy and myself. Fortunately, our horses did not pay too much attention to the 4x4 with camera crew running a few feet away from them. Amy came on set towards the end of the afternoon, presumably having spent much of the rest of the day catching up with her sleep. We had just finished filming for the day and one of the stable lads had taken Moonbeam to be rubbed down. She joined me as I walked back towards the ladies’ costume and makeup caravan. I wondered whether I should say something about what I had learned from Guy, but what could I say? In any event she now looked a picture of health.

‘How did you get on Tuesday night?’

‘It was great, we had a wonderful meal,’ she replied, but she didn’t seem willing to elaborate, especially as to what they were doing until 4.30 a.m.

She then changed the subject.

‘By the way, I’ve made all the necessary arrangements for our joint date with Frank on Friday evening. We’ll meet him at the restaurant and I’ve ordered a taxi for seven thirty. You should be free during the afternoon so Sandra can fix your hair and makeup first whilst I finish my filming. Then she can be free to help me get ready.’

I decided that it was not my place to comment on her actions the previous Saturday.

 

---

 

Next week:

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 
Chapter 12

Thursday involved filming a number of medium-close-up and close-up inserts of Guy and myself together with a few other riders in the background. These were to be interposed between the longer hunt scenes to give more variety. The inserts were taken from static cameras although they did involve a degree of horsemanship, (or perhaps in my case horsewomanship) leaping over hedges or across brooks.

The planned ‘fall’ sequence proved to be totally without danger either to myself or to Moonbeam, indeed the horse seemed to enjoy the game as we had to repeat the exercise several times so that it could be filmed from several different angles. I was, encouraged by Frank to use my ‘inner thespian skills’ and let out a little girlish cry before launching myself onto a pile of mattresses placed just out of shot. Amy, dressed in the duplicate costume, then took over from me so she could stare lovingly into Guy’s eyes and exchange a few breathless words with him. Then, I took over once again so that Guy could help me regain my mount and ride off to re-join the hunt. At that point we stopped for coffee from flasks whilst the crew set up the next shot.

‘Do you think that last scene will be ok. It somehow seemed a bit artificial and staged to me?’ I asked Alison, one of the Assistant Directors.

‘Of course it seems staged, that’s what we do when we make movies. Once the film editors have got hold of the footage and some appropriate mood music has been added to the soundtrack, it’ll probably prove to be one of the most memorable scenes in the film.’

Over the last ten days I had learned so much about the fascinating process of creating a convincing visual representation out of the ideas in some guy’s head written down more than a century and a half ago. I would love to continue to be a part of this process, if I could, although in what capacity wasn’t then clear to me.

The final sequence of the day only required Guy and the Master of the Hunt so I was released early to take Moonbeam back to the stables, where I managed to dismount without assistance.

‘Well, old girl, we’ve certainly had some interesting times together over the last fortnight,’ I said whilst stroking the pony’s forehead.

The horse stirred, seeming to appreciate the attention shown to her.

‘I’m going to miss you, Moonbeam, but it’s now time for me to look for another job.’

As I was speaking to the horse, Alan, my former flat mate, and Jerry Ruderman the owner of the company providing the horses, came into the stable yard. This time I didn’t feel in the least self-conscious about the way I was dressed.

‘We saw you on Moonbeam during that gallop scene yesterday morning, it was most impressive, said Jerry. ‘Thank you for taking such good care of Moonbeam..

‘It’s been my pleasure,’ I replied with a smile. ‘When will you be taking the horses back to Ireland?’

‘Tomorrow. The horse transporters will be arriving first thing and we have an afternoon ferry crossing to Rosslare.’

‘How about yourself? What plans do you have?’ asked Alan.

‘I’m due to change back to my old self first thing on Saturday and then I’ll have look for another job, probably in London.’

‘Will you look for a job in films?’

‘It would be a nice idea, but I don’t think this kind of opportunity comes up more than once in a single lifetime.’

‘No, I suppose not. Well good luck,’ he continued.

‘Thank you and the same to yourselves. Please take care of Moonbeam for me.’

‘We will,’ Alan replied.

With a final farewell pat on the horse’s forehead, I left the stable and made my way to the costume and makeup caravan to change out of my riding costume for the last time. Amy was there having already changed and was talking to Sue, who now turned to address me.

‘Ah Nikki, tomorrow we will be filming Amy and Guy together with a few extras. We will require your services to stand-in for Amy during the lighting set-up and camera rehearsals whilst they are getting ready. You won’t need to be in costume and should be finished by midday.’

‘Will there be anything else during the afternoon?’ I asked.

‘No, that’ll be it for the time being, but I’m sure that Frank will want to thank you for your services. They have helped us a lot.’

After dinner, Amy and I spent an hour or so going through her lines ready for the next day and then a further hour addressing envelopes for the photographs that I’d signed on her behalf, before going to bed.

The following morning, I was to be responsible for my own dress and makeup. The weather was fine and sunny so I put on the summer dress that had been loaned to me for the bowling match and was just finishing my makeup when Amy came into my room carrying a cardboard box with a pink ribbon and bow, together with a pink birthday card.

‘Happy birthday, Nicola,’ she said handing the card to me as she kissed me on the cheek.

I opened the card, it was endorsed ‘To my good friend Nicola, my beautiful Stand-in. With love from Amy xx.’

Before I could respond she handed me the box.

‘These are for you to wear this evening, I wanted you to have something special to go with my dress.’

I opened the box. Inside was an expensive looking lingerie set in light grey satin with a lace trim. There was a matching bra, panties, chemise, suspender belt and basque together with a matching pair of stockings.

‘Thank you, Amy,’ I answered, stunned, ‘I wasn’t expecting anything like this.’

‘Well those clothes I bought for you at the beginning were not exactly feminine and you have been so good at embracing your new persona that I thought you deserved to have something luxurious to wear on your birthday.’

‘I don’t know what to say,’ I replied blushing.

‘The ‘thank you’ will be enough; now I will have to leave you to go to costume and you are due on set in ten minutes. You will find I have laid both our dresses for tonight on my bed together with a couple of clutch bags, the shoes and some jewellery for us to wear. We’ll also need a couple of shawls in case it gets cold tonight. Would you mind taking my things over to the costume department for me this afternoon so I can get changed into them as soon as I come off set.’

‘Yes of course. Are you sure that you don’t mind me borrowing your clothes to wear?’

‘You are welcome, although I’ll be wanting them back - except of course for the lingerie and the clothes I bought for you a fortnight ago – they are yours to keep.’

‘My duties on Friday morning were not particularly arduous. A young rigger and I were required to stand in for Amy and Guy while the remainder of the crew worked out the lighting and camera angles, but this proved to be a little more time consuming than normal. Then, just as they finished; a bulb in one of the spotlights blew, which set everyone back for nearly half an hour whilst a replacement was found. Thus, the crew were nearly an hour behind schedule before they could start filming and I could see Amy and Guy waiting impatiently off-camera.

‘Make sure you’re ready and everything is ready for me by the time I come off set,’ Amy said as we exchanged places.

‘Don’t worry, everything you need will be waiting for you,’ I replied.

I took an early lunch and then made my way to Amy’s caravan where I had a shower and washed my hair. Whilst waiting for it to dry I put on the luxurious underwear that Amy had bought for me. By this time, I’d worn a variety of female costumes from both the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries but I’d never before worn a basque, a suspender belt or stockings which took me some time to get right. Once I’d finished, I stared at my image in the mirror for some time, unsure what to think. I didn’t want to create too much of a spectacle so I put on the dress I’d been wearing and decided to take our clothes for the evening to the costume and makeup caravan and get dressed there. In any event, Sandra liked to work with a clean slate so I did not renew my makeup after my shower.

I went into Amy’s bedroom to collect the items she had left out for us to wear that evening. The two dresses lay on her bed with a shopping bag containing two dainty pairs of high-heeled shoes each one intended to co-ordinate with one of the dresses, two embroidered shawls neatly folded, and a plastic box containing various items of jewellery. I checked this to see what she had chosen for me to wear. There were two expensive looking necklaces, two bracelets and two pairs of diamond earrings, except that one of the earrings was missing. I opened the drawer in her dressing table where she usually kept her jewellery and soon found the misplaced earring, but in doing so I noticed a blue plastic bag containing several grams of a fine, white, crystalline powder. The powder had a sweet floral scent, but with chemical undertones. I was not well acquainted with the drug scene, but I knew enough to be able to identify cocaine, and to realise that Guy’s information source had been correct.

I sat on the bed and pondered what to do. Amy had been so good to me and there was no way that I was willing to spoil be our last evening together by confronting her with my discoveries. I would not even speak of them to anyone else in case the story should get into the press, However, her recent reckless behaviour suggested it would be only a matter of time before it did so.

I turned up at the costume and makeup caravan just after three bringing with me everything that Amy and I were going to wear. Chloe and Sandra were just finishing a coffee as this was their quiet period whilst the performers were working on set.

‘Hi Nikki, we’ve plenty of time before Amy is due to finish. So we may as well make a start on your hair and makeup, said Sandra.

‘Slip out of the dress you’re wearing whilst I find you a dressing gown to put on,’ suggested Chloe. ‘You can hang the others on the rack over there.’

I did as she instructed.

‘Wow, just look at you,’ said Sandra admiring my new underwear.

‘They were a birthday present from Amy,’ I said blushing. ‘This is going to be my last night as Nicola.’

‘In that case I’ll have to make sure the birthday girl looks her best for the evening.’

I took the offered dressing gown.

‘Before we start, which is that the dress that you are planning to wear tonight?’ she asked.

I took it from the rack and held it up in front of me.

‘Amy is lending it to me, what do you think?’

‘It’s a lovely dress, I think I’ve seen Amy on television wearing it before now.’

‘So you don’t think it is over the top for me?’

‘Not at all, I’m sure you'll look stunning. I would love to have the opportunity of wearing a dress like that.’

Sandra was an expert at her job and over the next two hours I had the pleasurable experience of sitting back in my chair whilst she carefully shaped my eyebrows, trimmed and styled my hair and made up my face. As she did so we chatted to one another and she explained to me what cosmetic colours and textures she was using and the effect she hoped to achieve.

‘I’d no idea there was such a science to what you do.’

‘Oh yes it involves both art and psychology. People wear makeup for two main reasons, seduction and disguise.’

‘I’m not planning on seducing anybody tonight, so I suppose it is for purposes of disguise. But I admit that I do feel more confident when I’m wearing makeup.’

‘Do you mean more confident than as Nicholas, or as Nicola without makeup.’

I thought for a while before replying.

‘Both, I guess. Nicholas never felt entirely comfortable in his skin or sure of what he should be doing with his life.’

‘And Nicola?’

‘Nicola has so far had a great time, but it has only been for a fortnight and it will all be finishing tomorrow.’

So what plans do you have Nikki, now that the horses have left us?’

‘I’ve really no idea. I suppose you will be finishing here tomorrow?’ I said.

‘Yes, as far as this location is concerned, then we have a fortnight in the studio. We are due on location again in Hertfordshire in July.

Once she was finished with my hair and face, Sandra helped me into Amy’s dress and the shoes that went with it. Whilst we waited for Amy to arrive I put on the jewellry and inserted the earrings into the holes in my ears, which had now settled down. I then stood in front of the full-length mirror.

‘You look so lovely in that outfit, and though I say it myself, I think I’ve done a pretty good job on the birthday girl,’ Sandra commented.

‘Thank you,’ I replied, unable to think of anything more intelligent to say.

At that point Sue entered the caravan.

‘Wow, Nikki you look great,’ she said.

‘Thanks,’ was all I could think to say as I was still captivated by my reflection.

However, I was eventually able to gather my thoughts.

‘But whatever has happened to Amy?’ I asked.

‘That’s what I’m here to tell you. They’re running nearly an hour behind schedule, and they must finish filming tonight.’

She left us to re-join the set.

‘Whilst we are waiting for Amy why don’t I replace your nail extensions?’ suggested Sandra.

‘But you only put them on for me a week ago?’

‘I know, but I could do a better job. I held back last weekend as it wouldn’t have been practical to have long nails when you were filming or horse riding, but you have finished now.’

Are you sure? They look alright to me,’ I said examining my nails.

‘Amy has already paid me for my time and I have nothing else to do whilst we wait for her.’

‘Alright then go ahead.’

Sandra had just put a second coat of varnish onto my newly extended and shaped fingernails, when Amy arrived, in costume and looking flustered.

‘I’m so sorry to be so late, everyone, but they were determined to finish the scene as Guy was not going to be available from tomorrow onwards.’

‘No problem,’ said Chloe who helped her to change out of her costume and store it away safely whilst Sandra helped her clean off her film make up. Amy then took the briefest of showers before emerging dressed in her underclothes.

‘I’ve got just over half an hour before our taxi is due to arrive and I’d rather not keep him waiting. Will you do what you can for me please?’

‘OK I’ll do my best for you,’ Sandra replied.

‘Is there anything I can do to help?’ I asked.

‘Not really, thanks. Just sit over there and let your nail varnish dry under the UV drier. I wouldn’t have time to do it again if you mess it up.’

Inevitably the taxi arrived ten minutes early.

‘We could ask the driver to come back in half an hour if you are not quite ready?‘ I suggested.

‘No. we’d better not keep Frank waiting too long. Go out and have quick word to say we’ll be ready in ten minutes.’

I returned after a few minutes.

‘The driver doesn’t mind waiting, but I’m afraid he mistook me for you and called me Miss O’Donnell. I didn’t have the heart to correct him.’

Amy grinned.

‘Well you are my stand-in after all. I suggest we swap bags for the journey. Then you can give him a decent tip and one of the photographs of me that you signed.’

Amy always looked good, but Sandra had only half an hour to do her hair and makeup compared to the two and a half hours she had spent on me. Amy looked perfectly presentable but I looked stunning and felt both guilty and self-conscious as she first looked in the mirror and then at me.

‘Ah well, I suppose it isn’t your fault I was late, and it is your birthday today, Nikki,’ she commented in a resigned voice.

She gave me a squirt of her expensive perfume.

‘Let’s have you smelling as good as you look and then we’ll go and find out what Frank wants to talk to us about.’

 

---

 

Next week: Dinner with Frank

This is the delayed chapter from last Friday. I will publish Chapter 13 over the weekend and then try and get back to the normal Friday postings. Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 

Chapter 13

Frank was waiting for us in the car park when our taxi drew up only a few minutes late. He too was looking very smart in an evening suit. I paid the driver and presented him with a signed photograph, as instructed by Amy before joining the others. We then exchanged our clutch bags.

Frank was too much of a gentleman to say anything in front of Amy, but I could see from his expression just how surprised and impressed he was by the way I looked.

‘I understand it’s your birthday today, young lady, may I offer my congratulations.’

I thanked him and blushed in a very lady-like manner. Amy looked on and smiled.

The waiter took our shawls, showed us to our table and helped Amy and me to our seats. I smiled and murmured my thanks, unused to such attention, but enjoyed it, nonetheless. I couldn’t help but notice occasional glances by other diners towards our table and guessed that they were recognizing Amy and perhaps, Frank as well. They seemed oblivious to the glances, which I assumed must come with being famous. As soon as we were settled the waiter passed round the menus, with Frank making small talk whilst we selected our dishes. At last we’d placed our orders and the waiter disappeared. We moved on to discussing the progress of the film and I decided that it would be best for me to listen and leave most of the conversation to my companions. After a few minutes Amy became bored with this conversation.

‘So what did you want to see us about, Frank?’ Amy asked.

‘First of all, I want to thank you both for everything you’ve done over the last fortnight. We’re back on schedule, which has saved us money, despite the added cost of employing Nicola here at short notice. We will also now have a much more memorable hunt scene thanks to her riding skills.’

I blushed and averted my gaze.

‘I’m just relieved that I wasn’t expected to gallop on that damned horse. I’ll be checking the wording of my contracts much more carefully, next time,’ Amy replied.

‘We’ll also make sure that the cast are fully aware of the implications of what we are expecting of them,’ he replied.

It was now time for Amy to blush a little and she did not seek to respond, so Frank continued this time seeming to address us both.

‘As you both know, we’ve also found it useful to have Nicola available as a stand-in at other times. In fact, Les Worth has asked whether we might continue the present arrangement when we shoot the remaining interior scenes at Hatfield in a fortnight’s time. Would you be available to work for fifteen day’s from the third of July onwards, Nicola?’

Nobody had discussed the possibility of any work during the last remaining location shoot before filming was finished.

‘I guess so, I’ve no other work commitments. But would that be alright with you Amy?’

‘I’ll say! It’s been fun having you around. You can continue to stay with me in my caravan if you like.’

‘When does your existing contract finish?’ he asked.

‘Tomorrow! I have an appointment with the costume department to turn me back into Nick.’

‘We’d pay you the usual Screen Actors Guild rates for stand-ins, but this time we’ll expect you to be available on set and ready in costume whenever you are needed.’

‘It’ll be more corsets and crinolines next time, I’m afraid, Nikki,’ said Amy with a smile.

‘We won’t always need you when we are dressing the set, but you must be ready to get changed into costume at short notice. Sue Evans has arranged to provide duplicates of Amy’s costumes so that, if necessary, you can both be on set at the same time,’ continued Frank.

‘I understand.’

‘So is it a deal?’

I was on the point of agreeing to these terms, but before I could do so, the waiter returned and started pouring our drinks. As soon as he was gone Amy butted in.

‘Since Nikki is going to be spending two more weeks in girl mode, she’s going to need some more clothes to wear when she isn’t filming.’

‘How have you managed over the last fortnight?’ Frank asked me.

‘Amy has been very kind and has either bought a few things for me to wear or else loaned me some of her own clothes including the dress I’m wearing tonight.’

‘Yes, I’d noticed; I must say you look very good in it,’ he replied, smiling.

‘Thank you,’ I said blushing slightly. 'I’m also currently borrowing a contemporary dress and a pair of shoes from the Costume Department.’

‘I’ll talk to Sue Evans in the morning to see if she can loan you some other modern clothes to wear when you aren’t filming.

‘Don’t be so mean, Frank, you’ve already said that employing Nikki has saved you money,’ said Amy.

‘So you’re acting as her agent now?’

‘Well she will need somebody to stand up for her interests.’

Frank sighed.

‘Alright I’ll throw in a clothing allowance of £100 for each week that she’s actually filming.’

‘So that’s £200 for the two weeks she’s just finished and another £200 for the July filming,’ said Amy.

‘Your agent here strikes a very hard bargain,’ said Frank to me, ‘but, alright I’ll agree.’

Amy looked across at me and nodded.

‘In that case I accept,’ I said.

‘Good. I’ll send Joan to see you tomorrow morning to sort out the details of your new contract and I’ll see you both again on location in Hatfield on Saturday fortnight.’

‘That should give us plenty of opportunity to go out and get you some more clothes,’ commented Amy to me.

Our dishes arrived before I had the chance to reply. It appeared that my minor role in the movies had been judged a success and was set to continue in a fortnight's time. I wondered whether Amy had played a part in the decision to keep me on, although she had professed ignorance of the fact. On the other hand, I don’t think Frank would have agreed to the proposal unless he felt I would be able to contribute to the success of the production.

Once the main business of the evening had been decided, we settled down to an enjoyable meal together. No further reference was made to the current film or to my background. Frank was good company and had plenty of interesting stories to tell about other projects that he’d worked on, and the stars with whom he’d worked. I got the impression that he was enjoying his evening. As a middle-aged man he seemed to be relishing the kudos of entertaining two attractive young ladies. Once we had finished the main course and were waiting for the dessert Amy got up and excused herself to go to the ‘Ladies’.

‘So how have you found sharing a caravan with our starlet?’ asked Frank.

‘Amy’s been very good to me, but as you’ve just seen, she can be a little bit bossy at times,’ I replied.

He smiled.

‘Yes, I've noticed that, but from what I’ve seen you’ve had an enjoyable time working with us over the last fortnight?’

‘Oh yes! I’ve had a wonderful time.’

‘I suspected as much, and I meant what I said about how much we appreciated your stepping in to save the day.’

‘I'm glad to have been able to help,’ I said looking down at the table and noticing my lovely manicured nails and wondering whether I dared to ask about possible openings for Nicola in the longer term. But this was not the time to ask. I now had the offer of two more weeks work so it might be better to wait until that was done.

‘One other thing, Nicola,’ Frank added.

I looked up.

‘Keep practicing your girly voice and female mannerisms. You never know but they may come in handy to you sometime.’

I smiled and blushed a little in response.

As Amy was about to return to the table she was approached by a young woman and spent a few moments talking to her, at one point looking over towards our table. Then she returned, chuckling to herself.

‘What’s the joke?’ asked Frank.

‘That girl asked me whether it was Amy O’Donnell sitting at our table, as she’d heard that she was filming locally. She said she wasn’t sure but she thought she recognised the dress you were wearing, Nikki. She must have assumed that I was your personal assistant.’

‘So what did you say to her?’ I asked.

‘I confirmed that it was Amy O’Donnell and the famous film director Frank Wilson.

‘I don’t see how she could have made that mistake since your face is so well known.’

As I explained to you last week, hair and makeup can make all the difference. The fact that she mistook you for me shows that it was a good idea to employ you as my stand-in.’

Frank smiled and I blushed. Amy continued with a wicked grin on her face, addressing me.

‘I advised her not to interrupt you while you were having your meal but suggested that if she waited until we were leaving I felt sure that you’d be happy to sign an autograph for her.

‘I can’t pretend to be you and sign your autographs,’ I said.

‘I don’t see why not, you have signed loads of them for me over the last few days. Also, you now know enough about me and what I’ve been doing recently to be able to say a few words to her.’

Amy extracted a small pile of publicity photographs from her handbag.

‘Here, take these, and let’s see how you get on as my stand-in in real life. After all, that’s what you are being employed to do.’

‘I thought I was excused duties tonight, althoughI suppose it will be an opportunity to practice my girly voice,’ I said to Frank.

He smiled.

As we left the restaurant half an hour later I was approached by a small group of excited youngsters, whilst Amy and Frank looked on as amused spectators. I did my best to play the part of a starlet, although apologising for what I described as a small dose of laryngitis to explain why my voice sounded different. Eventually the group went away satisfied, several of them with signed photographs.

‘You really dropped me in it there,’ I commented to Amy as Frank went to collect his car to take us back to the set.

‘I know. That’ll teach you not to look more glamorous than I do when we go out together.’

She noticed that I was looking embarrassed.

‘I was only joking,' she said with a chuckle. 'But you do look so lovely, that I’ve been feeling quite envious of you all evening.’

Frank drove us back to Amy’s caravan and gallantly helped us both out of the car.

‘Thanks for the meal tonight, I’ve had a wonderful time,’ I said.
He smiled and bowed to us both before making his way to his hotel.

‘I don’t feel like putting an end to the evening yet, would you like a nightcap?’ asked Amy.

‘Alright then.’

She poured us two glasses of wine.’

‘So, Nikki you seemed to have enjoyed your birthday?’

‘Yes, of course, and I am just sorry you had so little time to get ready.’

‘Don’t worry, I’m pleased you have had the opportunity to experience what it is like to go out for the evening looking so good.’

I didn’t respond for a moment or two, not knowing what to say, but then thought it best to change the subject.

‘Amy do you think I have a female voice?’ I asked.

She seemed a little surprised by my question.

‘Your voice was perfectly acceptable this evening as you were clearly making an effort although it can sometimes sound a little low pitched for a girl. I’m not saying you sound like a guy but you could make it sound more like a girl, with practice, if you wanted to. There are no end of voice training videos on You Tube.’

‘What about by gestures and mannerisms?’

‘I think you’re gradually getting there. I was quite impressed with the way you handled those fans earlier this evening and I don’t think the crew would have wanted to employ you as a stand-in me at the next shoot unless you were fairly convincing. But why do you ask?’

‘Frank suggested that I should practice them both and that the skills might come in useful sometime.’

‘I can see that I’ll have to watch out for my job, if I’m not careful,’ she said with a smile.

I looked down at the floor, blushing slightly.

‘I was just wondering if there might be any longer-term opportunities for me to work as a stand-in.’

‘As a girl?’

‘I don’t really have the physique to stand-in as a guy.’

‘That’ll be up to Frank to decide but I think that you have played your part splendidly over the last fortnight, much better than any of us could have imagined.’

‘Thank you for all your help and encouragement also for this evening. It was the last thing I ever dreamed of doing on my birthday, but somehow it seemed so right’

Amy got up and kissed me on the cheek.

‘You are most welcome. I shall look forward to helping you to resurrect Nicola in a fortnight’s time. We’ll need to make a list of the additional clothes you are going to need and spend some of the allowance that I negotiated for you. Are you willing to let me go and buy them for you or can we arrange to meet up to go shopping? At least this time we won’t need to avoid pretty, feminine, things,’ she said.

‘You always seem to want me to wear girly clothes when I am not on set’

‘Don’t struggle against your inner self. It’s been obvious to everyone that you’ve been enjoying yourself as Nicola over this last fortnight and you looked so beautiful this evening, so it is time you accepted the fact.’

'In that case I’d better leave the shopping to you as it will be embarrassing for me to go shopping for pretty feminine things dressed as Nick'.

‘You won’t be able to try them on unless we resurrected Nicola for the day.

‘What would I do about my hair?’

‘I could lend you a wig for a day. Just let me know when you’re likely to be free over the next fortnight for us to do some shopping?'

'I'm not sure what I'll be doing after tomorrow, I’ll have to find myself somewhere to stay until we begin filming at Hatfield once again. But at least I’ll have some savings to pay the rent on a hostel.’

‘I assumed that you would be staying with your mother?’

‘No, my mother lives in Manchester and I don’t get on with her latest boyfriend. The last time I was there we had a row which is going to take some time for both of us to forget. I would prefer to find a hostel to stay in the London area, even though it will be more expensive for me than returning home.’

‘Have you considered remaining as Nicola until we start filming again?’

I smiled.

‘It is a nice idea, but I don’t think I would be confident enough to live as a girl on my own. Someone would be bound to find out.’

‘In that case why don’t you come and stay in the spare room of my London flat for the next fortnight. Then we could go out shopping together for some clothes. It’ll would give you the opportunity for some more practice talking and acting like a girl, as Frank suggested. I won’t always be there to keep you company, but you would be no worse off than living in a hostel.’

‘But I’ve an appointment tomorrow morning with Sue and her staff who are going to turn me back into a guy.’

‘You’ll just have to explain to her that your plans have changed and that you will be staying as you are for the next few weeks. I’m sure she isn’t going to object.’

Amy sound increasingly enthusiastic about her idea. Her offer would certainly save me a lot of trouble and expense, even if it did involve my remaining as Nicola. On the other hand, I could not but remember Sue Evans’ warning about not letting her get me into trouble, or the information I’d learned from Guy Lemon confirmed by what I’d found in her jewellery drawer. But would I have the courage to confront her about it.?

‘That’s very kind of you, Amy, but ..’ I began to answer hesitantly.

‘But what? We get on well together, don’t we?’

‘Yes, I suppose we do.’

‘And you’re now quite used to living in girl mode whenever I’m around.’

‘Yes, but you've already been very good to me, and I would feel that I was imposing on your hospitality.'

'No you wouldn’t. It’s just my way of thanking you for getting me out of riding that horse.'

I thought for a while about the implications of her offer until she began to lose patience.

'Well, what are you going to do? Nikki.'

‘I suppose there could be advantages if I didn’t have to go through changes of gender tomorrow morning and again in a fortnight’s time,’ I said tentatively.

‘My thoughts exactly.’

‘Can I think about your offer overnight and let you know first thing tomorrow morning?’

‘Alright, if you really need to do so, but remember my offer is being made to Nicola and that is not subject to negotiation. ' Nick’s clothes can stay where they are in the locker. You aren’t going to need them again until after we’ve finished filming. I couldn't afford the publicity of having a young man staying with me who was not my boyfriend and in any event, it’s Nicola who is my friend.’

‘I understand, that’s what I need to think carefully about.’

 

---

 

Next week: My last day on set

I will try and get back to the normal Friday morning (UK time) postings. Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 

Chapter 14

After our wonderful evening out, I was reluctant to change out of Amy’s lovely dress, take off my borrowed jewellery or to clean off Sandra’s expertly applied makeup. I sat in front of the dressing table mirror for an hour or more admiring my image and thinking about the remarkable changes that had taken place in my life over the last fortnight. I had gone from being a temporary stable lad with no direction to my life and no prospects, to having an interesting, albeit unusual, job on a film set. I also now had the offer of some further work in a week or two. During that time, I’d become friends with a famous tv star. Above all, though. I’d sampled life in a different gender role and had to admit to myself that I’d enjoyed every minute of my time as Nicola. But what about the future? What I was going to do over the next fortnight? Did I continue living as Nicola, as Amy had just suggested, or revert to my usual male self as I’d previously intended? I knew which of these options appealed most to me, but at the same time, I asked myself whether it was right, whether it was even natural for me to feel the way I did. I couldn’t immediately convince myself, one way or another, although I knew that throughout our evening at the restaurant. I had felt good about the way I looked and the way that others reacted to me.

I eventually got undressed, went to bed and slept soundly dreaming of beautiful long dresses and dainty high-heeled shoes. I woke earlier than usual, at six thirty, with the sun shining directly into my room. I sat up: it was now crunch time – there could be no more procastinating - I had to decide how I was going to spend the next fortnight. Should I ask Amy to give me access to Nick’s clothes, currently in her storage locker and keep my appointment to revert to my male life, or should I accept her offer and remain as Nicola, staying in her flat for the next fortnight? The latter course of action seemed to be the most straightforward - but was this just putting off making a long-term decision about my future? After all, I was going have to become Nicola again once we re-started filming, so would it really matter if I continued to live as a girl for the next fortnight and gain the experience that Frank seemed to encourage me to do? All these questions went through my head.

Amy also seemed to want to encourage me to continue to develop my alter ego, but what was her motivation – was it just friendship or was there some other reason? What would other people think of me if I continued to live as a girl after I no longer needed to do so for work? Most people on the film set knew the story of how Nick had come to be Nicola and nobody had said anything untoward. Would that still be the case once there was no longer a good reason for me to continue as I was? I knew that my mother and her latest boyfriend wouldn’t approve. But were they likely to find out and, for that matter, did I care what they thought of me? It was this question, more than any other, which made me determine my decision. I enjoyed spending my time living and working as Nicola and if I did so, it was no-one else’s business but my own. I would accept Amy’s offer although there was still the question of deciding what, if anything, I should do or say about use of recreational drugs and indeed whether it was any of my business.

I got up, took a shower, and found some clean underclothes and a dress to wear. I then sat at my dressing table to fix my hair and makeup, pleased that I was now able to do it quite proficiently. At eight o’clock there was a knock on my bedroom door and Amy entered still wearing her night clothes. She took one look at me and realised that I’d made my decision.

‘Well young lady, you seem to be making a good job with your hair and makeup this morning.’

‘Sandra showed me a few techniques as she was fixing my makeup yesterday.’ I replied.

‘I don’t know, you’ve only been living as a girl for a couple of weeks; it took me months to become as competent as you are.’

‘Does that mean that you regard me as a girl?’ I asked.

‘Of course I do. I’ve considered you to be my girlfriend ever since you rode that horse wearing my costume. I hope to continue to do so.’

I didn’t respond but continued applying mascara to my still full eyelashes.

‘I take it that you’ve made your decision about where you are going to live for the next fortnight?’ she continued.

‘If I accept your offer, is there any way that I can repay you for your hospitality and kindness?’ I asked

‘I suppose there may be some clerical and secretarial jobs that you will be able to help me with now that I no longer have a personal assistant, if you want to do so. However, as I made it clear last night, there must be no arguments about who you are and what you’re going to wear during your stay with me. I can’t afford the risk of having you staying with me in ‘guy’ or even in ‘butch girl’ mode just in case my boyfriend or the paparazzi should turn up. Is that agreed, Nicola?’

‘Yes, I guess so, I’ll continue to live as a girl so long as you’re willing to come shopping with me sometime and advise me about my appearance and presentation.’

Amy smiled.

‘It’s a deal and I’m sure it’s going to be fun,’ she said kissing me on the cheek. ‘I have a few commitments over the next fortnight but there will be plenty of opportunities for us to go out shopping and get you some nice clothes.’

I kept my 9.30 appointment at the Costume and Makeup caravan on Saturday morning, to find thar both Sue Evans and Joan, Frank’s secretary, were waiting for me.

‘Hi. Nicola, I’ve got two copies a new contract for you to sign, began Joan.

‘That was quick, I only knew myself last night,’ I commented.

‘Actually, it was drawn up yesterday, but Frank first needed to confirm that you were interested in an extension.’

I signed where required and she took one copy.

‘There’s also a bank transfer of £200 clothing allowance for the work that you have already done due to you. It will be in your account this afternoon. The remainder will come with your salary next month.’

‘Thanks,’ I said.

‘So, you’ve been offered an extension to your contract, congratulations!’ said Sue after Joan had left us. ‘I was wondering why you appear to have made such an effort with your appearance this morning.’

‘As you are going to have to turn me back into a girl at the beginning of July, would there be a problem with me remaining as I am until then?’ I asked, blushing slightly.

At first it was difficult to gauge Sue’s reaction to my request.

‘Are you saying that you want to retain the hair extensions and breast forms?’ she asked.

‘Yes, I suppose so.’

‘Will you be able to manage alright as Nicola on your own for the next fortnight?’

‘I got myself ready this morning. It will also give me more useful practice as a girl before we start filming again. What do you think?’

‘It would undoubtedly save me a lot of time today, so I’m hardly going to refuse your request, if that’s what you want. But we will need to check on you once again before we begin location filming.'

‘Yes, of course.’

‘Your hair extensions were sewn in quite securely so they should be good for at least another few weeks, perhaps even longer. May I just quickly check them?’

I sat down in the chair and allowed her to do so.

‘You appear to have looked after your hair quite well when you weren’t filming.’

‘I’ve enjoyed having long hair,’ I admitted

‘In that case they may as well stay as they are for the next fortnight, but I’ll need to check that they are still ok before we next start filming. ‘What about your eyelash extensions?’

‘I think one or two may have fallen out.’

She peered into my eyes.

‘Most of them are still alright. We will have to renew them on your return but that is all part of the usual maintenance regime.’

‘What about my breast forms, can I hang on to them?’ I asked.

‘As long as you bring them back undamaged. ‘Perhaps I should just check that they are still ok, and that they are not causing you any soreness. Unbutton your dress and take off your bra, it will only take twenty minutes or so.

I did as instructed.

Sue and I chatted happily whilst she removed and checked each breast form.

‘Will you be standing in for Amy again next time?’

‘Yes, when they’re setting up the shots or when taken from behind, but this time it will all be interior scenes, no more horse riding.

‘In that case we will have to make sure there are duplicates of all her costumes.’

‘I guess so.’

‘What about your clothes when you’re not on set?’

‘I can use the clothes that Amy bought me a fortnight ago but next time I’ll also have a dress allowance to buy myself some more.’

‘What about the next fortnight?’

‘I should have enough clothes to last me for the next few days. By the way, I left the pink dress and the shoes that you loaned me last week for the bowls match on the rack over there last night. Would you like me to wash and iron the dress before I return it.’

‘Well, since you seem to have saved us a lot of time this morning, I think I can probably find a way to write those items off as damaged stock, so that you can keep them. It sounds as if you’re going to need to have some more things to wear over the next few weeks.’

‘Thank you, as long as you’re sure it would be ok.’

By this time Sue had finished her inspection.

‘I think your boobs should now be ok for the next fortnight. We’ll check everything again once you come back on location. What will you do about make up.’

‘Amy bought me one or two products and I expect I’ll be able to buy myself some more.’

Sue went to a drawer and handed me a sponge bag with my name on it.

‘These are the products that Sandra used on you last night. You may as well take them with you.’

‘Thanks,’ I said as I took the sponge bag.

She noticed my left hand and held it up to examine my manicured fingernails.

‘I must say, Sandra made a good job with your hair and nails yesterday. I saw you as you were leaving with Amy and was most impressed.’

I blushed slightly but was pleased that she’d noticed.

‘That’s why I thought it would be a shame to undo all of her good work straight away.’

‘Of course, long painted nails would be anachronistic in Victorian times. They only became fashionable in the 1920s and 1930s, but we won’t need to worry about them for now. We can easily sort them out once we start filming again. I’ve plenty of other things to do this morning as it is. In any event, it would be a pity to remove them now as they look so nice and you’re planning to live as a twenty-first century young lady for the next fortnight.’

I was just collecting everything ready to leave when Sue asked: ‘How will your family react when they meet Nicola for the first time?’

‘They won’t be meeting her. My mother lives in Greater Manchester and I’ve no idea where my father lives. Amy has offered to let me stay in a spare room in her flat until we begin filming on location again.’

Sue’s manner changed almost imperceptibly.

‘Well remember my warning from last Sunday and don’t let her get you into any trouble with her schemes.’

‘Don’t worry I doubt if we will be going out together other than to do some shopping over the next fortnight. I intend to stay at home and practice my speech and presentation.’

‘In that case I’ll see you again in a fortnight’s time. ‘I hope you have a good time in the meanwhile, Nicola.’

‘Thanks to you and your staff for everything you have done for me.’

When I returned to the caravan Amy was busy packing her own clothes in an expensive set of matchings suitcases.

‘So how did it go with Sue?’ she asked

‘Fine, there was no problem, I get to keep my long hair and other adornments for the next fortnight, but they’ll need to do some maintenance once we return to Hatfield. Sue’s even letting me keep the pink dress and shoes that she loaned me.’

‘That’s good; the more clothes for Nicola that you’ve got to choose from, the better. I’ve arranged for a car to pick us up after lunch. Pack everything that you are going to need into a suitcase – I assume you do have a suitcase available.’

‘No just the canvas bag with Nick’s clothes.’

‘In that case I’ll loan you one of mine.’

‘What should I do about Nick’s clothes?’

‘Your canvas bag can be locked in the outside storage compartment of the caravan. It’ll be quite safe there until we return.’

‘But then the contents won’t be assessible for the next fortnight.’

‘No they won’t; remember our agreement.’

‘Alright but there are a couple of important documents in that bag that I might need. I can also add the clothes that Nick was wearing the Sunday before last - when you insisted on turning him into Nicola full time. They’ve all been washed and ironed.’

‘Go ahead and sort out whatever you are going to need, and then we can lock away all remaining traces of Nick for the next month.

‘Alright then.'

She walked over to one of her drawers and took out a capacious and expensive looking black handbag and handed it to me.’

‘Here, you’d better start learning to use this to hold your wallet and makeup and things. You may keep it, if you like, I doubt if I’ll use it again.’

It was made of soft leather with straps that could serve as a shoulder bag or handbag. There was an Italian brand name that I did not recognise.

‘But it looks almost new.’

‘It was given to me, but I already have plenty of handbags and I would rather you had it.’

‘Thank you, Amy, but why are you doing all this for me?’

‘I always wanted a sister to look after and boss around, ever since I was a little girl.’

‘Hmmm. A sister may want to make up her own mind about how to live her life.’

‘I know, but she’ll also need a little help and advice at the outset.

Half an hour later the car arrived and the driver packed Amy’s three large suitcases and the one she had loaned to me into the boot.

‘Don’t worry, Nikki, as soon as you’ve moved in and unpacked we’ll make a list of everything else you’re likely to need over the next month and perhaps we can go shopping on Monday.'

‘I’m look forward to it,’ I replied.

The driver of the rental car helped us both into the back seat of the car. I smiled and murmured my thanks even though, by this time, I was perfectly capable of elegantly negotiating myself while wearing heels and a dress.

‘I think the next fortnight may be an adventure for both of us,’ commented Amy as we set off.

‘I hope so,’ I replied.

 

---

 

Next week: Nicola goes to London

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 

Chapter 15

We arrived at Amy’s three-bedroomed flat in Battersea at about four thirty on Saturday afternoon. The driver parked in Amy’s unused parking place in the basement and began to unload the cases. Amy and I offered to carry up one of the suitcases, but he insisted that he would carry all four of them up taking two journeys. In the meanwhile, Amy showed me around. It was quite spacious and expensively furnished flat with a large living/dining room and a balcony looking out across the river Thames towards Chelsea and Victoria Station. This was one of the benefits of having a successful tv career. She took me first to the bedroom that would be mine for the next fortnight.

‘No river views, I’m afraid but there’s plenty of space for your clothes. You will be much more comfortable here than staying in my caravan or in a grotty hotel for that matter.’

There was no arguing with that. The room had a double bed, a large fitted wardrobe and chest of drawers plus a dressing table with illuminated mirrors. The soft furnishings were plush and reflected Amy’s taste rather than my own, but I was hardly going to say anything about that.

‘It is a wonderful room, thank you very much,’ I said putting down my new handbag on the dressing table.

‘Your bathroom and shower are through that door,’ she said, continuing with her tour. ‘I have en-suite facilities in my bedroom. You’ll find plenty of clean towels in the cupboard. Feel free to use any of the shampoos and skin-care products that you wish.’

‘OK if you are sure.’

‘How are you off for cosmetics?’

‘I think I’ve everything that I’m likely to need, there are the items you bought for me a fortnight ago and some products that the girls in makeup department have given to me.’

‘Alright but every month I receive a dozen or more free samples of cosmetic products of every kind. Feel free to take anything you fancy. Later we will make a list of everything you’re likely to need over the next fortnight and what decide we need to buy for you.

She took me through to the kitchen. Once again it was fitted out with cupboards and furnished with modern appliances including fridge freezer, dishwasher, food processor etc.

There’s also a washing machine in the utility room in the basement. I have a cleaner who comes in two mornings a week, but otherwise I will expect you to keep the flat tidy.”

“Yes of course. I’ve brought my tablet computer as there are plenty of advice videos on voice training on You Tube so I hope to improve my presentation.’

‘You will find the wi-fi password next to the router, and you’re welcome to borrow my laptop if you wish. However, don’t get too carried away with the exercises your voice and presentation are pretty good as they are.’

At that point the driver arrived carrying the last two suitcases, so we changed the topic of conversation. Amy gave him a respectable tip and he thanked us both and went on his way.

‘See, Nikki, I don’t think he had any doubts about your sex, or at least he certainly didn’t show them if he did.’

‘I think he was too smitten to be driving you, so he didn’t pay much attention to me.’

She smiled and decided to change the subject.

'Before we unpack our suitcases, I’ll show you how to operate the door locks and entry phone and give you a key. Also, I suggest that we walk over to the supermarket across the road to get some bread, milk, and other perishables.'

‘Alright but you must let me pay for them as my contribution’ I said.

‘And how will you do that when your bank card identifies you as Nicholas Stevens?’ she asked.

‘I can still get some cash from a cash dispenser.’

‘No. Nikki you’re my guest for the next fortnight, I’ll pay. However, I won’t object if you offer to do the cooking on those occasions when I am around.’

‘I should be very happy to do so. I’m quite used to cooking for myself.’

‘Remember that I won’t be around for all of the time and when I’m not, you’ll have to fend for yourself.

‘Don’t worry about me, Amy, I’ll have plenty to do and will also be happy to stay in and help with any clerical work you may have for me.’

‘Alright perhaps you can have a look through my fan mail if you wish but don’t spend more than a couple of hours each day; I’m not a slave driver. You should also go out and get some exercise and practice at being a girl out in public. There’s Battersea Park across the road and Ranelagh Gardens just over the river from here.’

‘Do you think I’ll be able to pass ok as a girl on my own?’

‘I don’t see why not. I suggest you stick to wearing high-heels if you go out for a walk and take care to walk putting one foot in front of the other – that will give you more of a feminine looking gait. Also, if you sit down make sure that you keep knees together. I don’t think you’ve ever been guilty of ‘manspreading’, like some guys I know, but it is not ladylike to have your legs open, especially if you are wearing a dress.’

‘Alright, but what if someone should want to talk to me?’

‘You can take one of my fashion magazines with you to read if you like. That will tend to discourage conversation. If you cannot avoid speaking, don’t be frightened of making eye-contact with them. Remember you have nice feminine looking eyes and long lashes.’

‘That’s nice of you to say so,’ I said blushing slightly.

‘Your normal speaking voice isn’t too bad, although you can work on raising the pitch and softening the tone slightly, but don’t try and speak in a falsetto voice. It will sound odd.’

‘I’ll do my best.’

It turned into a marathon shopping trip with Amy constantly adding items to the trolley, but at least I managed to stop her from buying expensive "ready meals" in favour of fresh fruit and vegetables.

‘You’re welcome to use anything that you find in the store cupboards or in the freezer,’ she said as we unloaded the shopping.’

‘OK, maybe I can fix dinner for the two of us this evening.’

‘Yes please, but I have promised my parents to spend the day with them tomorrow.’

Whilst I made us both dinner, Amy went to her room where she unpacked her suitcases. She emerged after forty-five minutes or so.

‘Nikki, I’ve been looking through my wardrobe. There are several outfits that I no longer wear, that may be alright for you to wear. Come through and have a look to see what you think.’

I did as she said. There were six or seven outfits laying on her bed including two rather pretty summer dresses a couple of skirts and pairs of ladies’ trousers. There were also a couple of pairs of shoes. Everything appeared almost new and virtually unused.

‘If you’re happy with these, we can use the dress allowance from Frank to get you one nice outfit of your choice on Monday together with some more underwear.

‘Amy, I can’t keep accepting your things, and in any event, I’ll never be able to wear all these and the ones I already have.’

‘Believe me, Nikki, I didn’t pay for most of them. Manufacturers often send their products free to celebrities in the hopes that they will be photographed wearing them. There’s plenty of room in your wardrobe, so put them in and then you can choose what to put on each morning according to your mood. That way you can choose what you want to take when we go to Hatfield and what to leave behind.’

‘Very well, I’ll move them through to my room and then the dinner should be ready.’

During the meal Amy took a call on her mobile phone. I quickly realised it was from Amy’s new boyfriend, Rob Singleton and attempted not to listen.

‘Yes, I’m back in London. I have my friend Nikki staying, the one I mentioned. She’s going to do some work for me as I no longer have Lorna available.’

There was a pause when I couldn’t hear what was being said.

‘Yes of course she’s ok, remember she’s been acting as my stand-in for the last fortnight.’

There was another pause.

‘Wait, I’ll ask her.’

She then pressed the mute button in her phone and addressed me.

‘Rob wants to take me out clubbing tomorrow night. He says he can fix you up with a blind date if you’re interested.’

‘No Amy, absolutely not. It’s all I can cope with to get used to living as a girl as it is without going out dancing with some guy.’

Amy took her finger of the mute button.

‘Sorry Rob, it’s no go, Nikki has to wash her hair, but I’ll be happy to go out with you. You can pick me up at my flat about 10.00pm tomorrow night.

I spent virtually the whole of Sunday on my own as Amy took a taxi first thing to spend the day visiting her parents in North London and wasn’t planning to return until the evening. Nevertheless, I had a good time sorting out my new wardrobe and eventually settled on wearing one of the summer dresses Amy had given to me the night before. I also had to do some handwashing as I was beginning to run out of clean underwear and made a mental note to buy myself some more tights when I next visited the supermarket. After breakfast I spent a couple of hours watching You-tube videos about female speech and general presentation including various voice exercises to improve my pitch and resonance. I even started to record my voice, so I’d be able to chart my progress each day.

I then spend the remainder of the morning dealing with Amy’s fan mail, that had arrived over the last week. Most of the letters from fans were declarations of affection or admiration, which could be acknowledged by sending a signed photograph. A few required a more personal acknowledgment, and I drafted a generic letter on her word processor which could be easily adapted for this purpose. A few told sob-stories and begged for money or for help in establishing a budding career. One or two were clearly from deranged individuals suffering from bizarre sexual perversions, others were just creepy or contained insults or threats. These were passed on to her management company to deal with. A fair number contained gifts such as soft toys (which were passed on to the local children’s hospital) makeup and other grooming products (which I might keep or ditch as I chose) and sweets (which were usually thrown away unless they were in their original sealed wrappers).

By lunch time, I felt that I’d probably done enough for one day. After making myself a bite to eat, I put on some makeup and a few items of jewellery before going for a walk in Battersea Park. It was a sunny day, so I also put on a pair of stylish sunglasses that had been sent to Amy but was on the pile of things that she did not wish to keep. As I walked in the park, I took care to remember the advice given in the You-tube videos about how to adopt a feminine gait and carry my handbag, although without making it too obvious. I noticed a few pairs of eyes turn towards me as I walked past, but I didn’t engage with them and I wasn’t aware that anybody was questioning my sex. On those occasions when there was no-one else within earshot, I even practised some of the voice exercises.

I was still not entirely used to walking in heels although I was gradually feeling them to be less of a strain on my calves. Thus, after half an hour or so, I took a seat on a park bench, taking care to smooth my dress before sitting and keep my knees together. I sat reading one of Amy’s fashion magazines but somehow feeling at ease with myself in a way that I’d never done before as Nicholas. The thought even passed through my mind that perhaps this was the way I ought to live, but I quickly dismissed it before it could take root and got up to return to Amy’s flat.

Amy returned soon after 8.00 pm and we had a coffee and sandwich together as we compared notes about what we’d both done during the day.

‘I’m glad to see that you decided to wear one of the dresses I gave you yesterday and are still taking trouble over your appearance. Also, your voice seems to have improved a little.’

‘Thanks, I’ve been doing some exercises from YouTube.’

‘Have, you been out at all today?’

‘Yes, I went for a walk in the park this afternoon.’

‘How did you get on?’

‘OK, I think. At least I wasn’t arrested as an afront to public decency.’

‘Whatever were you doing, attempting to sell your sexual favours?’

I blushed.

‘No, of course not, but I assume that anyone I come across can see through me and see that I was born a guy.’

Amy took my hand.

‘Of course, they can’t, and even if they could what business would it be of theirs?’ she said.

‘I suppose you’re right.’

‘Now I need to take a shower and get myself ready to go out. If you hear the entry phone, first check that it is Rob and if necessary, let him in.’

Rob arrived fifteen minutes early. It was the first time he had visited Amy’s flat and he had misjudged how easy it would be to find.

‘I’m still drying my hair and fixing my makeup, will you let him in and keep him occupied, Nikki. I’ll be as quick as I can.’

I did as she asked and could immediately see what it was about him that attracted her. He was six feet tall with fair hair, piercing blue eyes and a nice smile.

‘Come in and take a seat, Amy won’t be long.’

‘So, you’re Nicola, Amy’s stand in; with that hair you might even be her sister,’ he said with a smile and holding out his hand to shake mine.

I was pleased that my nail extensions and nail varnish from the previous Friday were still in excellent condition.

‘We’re not exactly sisters, but it’s surprising what camera tricks can be used to fool the viewers,’ I replied

‘Your voices are quite different though.’

‘I know, I’ve been doing some voice training exercises today and am a little hoarse, that’s why I’m not taking you up on your offer to go out clubbing.’

‘Another time, maybe, but since you will be missing all the fun, I’ve brought you a little present.’

He took out a small plastic bag containing white powder and placed it on the table in front of me.

‘You don’t waste any time,’ I thought to myself.

‘Thanks, but no thanks. I’d rather not,’ I replied in a neutral voice.

‘Go on, take it, you won’t find any better quality in London,’ he said pushing the bag further towards me.

‘No,’ I said, more emphatically. ‘What you and Amy choose to do is your business, but I don’t want to get involved.’

‘Suit yourself,’ he said picking up the bag and returning it to his coat pocket. ‘I was only trying to be friendly.’

His piercing blue eyes narrowed and appeared to bore directly into my soul.

‘Does he know all about me? Have I just made myself an enemy?’ I wondered.

At that point Amy emerged from her room looking fabulous wearing a silver sequined mini dress that displayed to perfection her bodily assets with co-ordinating shoes and clutch bag. Her arrival dispelled the slightly awkward atmosphere that had grown up between Rob and myself.

‘Wow, Amy, you look really hot in that dress,’ said Rob, not attempting to disguise his surprise and pleasure.

‘He’s right,’ I added, thinking to myself that I would never be able to wear such a dress without giving away my lack of genuine boobs.

If only I could one day look as beautiful as you do,’ I thought to myself.

Amy smiled at the compliments.

‘I expect we’ll be quite late so don’t wake me tomorrow morning,’ said Amy giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.’

‘Off you go and have a good time, together,’ I said.

‘It was nice to meet you, Nicola,’ said Rob as he shepherded her out of the front door.

I went to bed soon afterwards and quickly fell into a series of very pleasant dreams in which I was wearing beautiful clothes with immaculate hair and makeup and was admired by everyone I came across. That is until Amy’s voice intruded into my dreams and I felt the sensation of being gently shaken into wakefulness. I opened my eyes; dawn was just beginning to break; Amy was standing next to my bed, still wearing her shiny silver mini dress.

‘Nikki, wake-up! I’m going to need your help.

 

---

 

Next week: I re-enact my role as stand-in

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 

Chapter 16

It took a little while for me to emerge from my pleasant dreams and sit up to see Amy looking somewhat more haggard and anxious than the last time that I’d seen her.

‘Amy, whatever is the matter?’

‘Nikki, I need your help, Rob has been busted. Someone saw him snorting coke and reported it to the police. They stopped and searched us both. Thank heavens they found nothing on me, but they did find a small bag of coke in his coat pocket which he’d forgotten about. It’s not enough for him to be charged with trafficking although they clearly have their suspicions. They have taken him to Paddington Green Police Station for questioning. I have to make a statement at ten o’clock this morning. Fortunately, a friend was able to drive me home before the press got to know about the story.’

‘What are you going to say to the police?’

‘I can’t deny that Rob and I were at the club together earlier in the evening; there’ll no doubt be photographs appearing in the celebrity press, but I can deny that I had any knowledge that he was carrying that particular bag.'

‘So what do you think will happen to him?’ I asked.

‘He’s been lucky so far and has no previous convictions, so it may be just a fine or even a caution. However, he’ll have to watch his step, in future.’

‘But what about you?’

‘That’s the point, I can’t afford the publicity of being involved with drugs. I’ve already been cautioned by the police once, although, fortunately, my manager was able to keep that story out of the press.’

I really wanted to ask her why, in that case, she was so willing to put her future career at risk in return for short-term excitement, but I was too much of a coward to do so. In any event she looked suitably chastened by the events of the night.

‘So what do you want me to do?’ I asked.

‘There are half a dozen photographers waiting outside the entrance to the flats. The last thing I want is for them to be following me to the police station later this morning. Geoffrey Kelly, my manager, and one of his assistants will be arriving at nine. I would like you to wear one of my outfits and put on a pair of my sunglasses and pretend to be me. The assistant will collect you from the front entrance and drive you away somewhere. Hopefully the paparazzi will either give up or follow you. As soon as the coast is clear, Geoff and I can make our way to the police station in his car.’

‘But what if they realise it isn’t you in the car?’

‘I don’t think that is likely if you wear my sunglasses and keep your head down.’

‘Where do you want me to go and what am I to do?’

‘Go somewhere where the paps can follow but will lose interest when they realise that it is unrelated to the events of last night. I’ll phone you as soon as it is safe for you to return to my flat’

‘I don’t know London very well.’

‘I know! Ask your driver to take you clothes shopping, you are going to need some more underwear. The paps won’t bother you once they realise where you are going. You can even use my “tap and go” debit card as long as you promise not to spend more than £200. Bring back the receipts as they will provide me with evidence that I was elsewhere at the time I was supposedly making a statement to the police.’

‘Alright, but I want you to write a note giving me permission to use your debit card, just in case I’m challenged by one of the shop assistants.’

Shortly before nine, Amy’s manager pulled into Amy’s parking place in the basement and then took the lift to her flat, thereby avoiding the growing scrum of photographers and journalists waiting outside the main entrance. I was wearing a dress, shoes, coat and sunglasses that Amy chose for me as she had recently been seen wearing them. She had even arranged my hair in a style similar to hers and I carried a handbag that she had previously owned.

‘As soon as you’re ready, Nicola, I’ll make a call to Julie, my assistant who is waiting round the corner. She will pull up at the front entrance and I’ll help you into the car,' said Geoff. 'Keep your head down and don’t say anything or look at the cameras. The car has tinted windows so once you’re inside you should be able to relax. Julie will drive you out to Croydon where you can stay until we give you the all-clear. That should persuade most of those present that Amy is no longer in the flat. There may be one or two who will follow on motorbikes but if they eventually realise that you are not Amy, so be it.’

Amy looked guiltily at me.

‘Thanks for doing this for me Nikki. I’ll owe you a favour afterwards.’

‘Just don’t get me involved again,’ I replied. Then turning to Geoff, ‘Alright go ahead and make your call.’

My entry into the limousine was nicely orchestrated. Geoffrey and I waited in the locked lobby until the car pulled up directly outside the main entrance. Julie, the driver, got out and held open the passenger door, while Geoff and I made a quick dash through the throng, with his arm over my shoulder so I doubt if anyone got a good shot of me. As soon as I was seated Julie pulled away. She drove in accordance with the speed limits and traffic signals thereby giving several of the press pack the opportunity to follow us on motorbikes, while others appeared to have given up. Geoff Kelly made as if he was leaving the scene but, in reality, he returned to Amy’s flat via the basement.

‘I’ve been told to take you out shopping in Croydon for the morning. I know the area well including where we will be able to park,’ said Julie as we drove down Brixton Hill. ‘I’ll get as far as Thornton Heath and then I’ll lose those two in some side roads’, she said gesturing to the two motorcyclists that were following us.’

‘OK, I am happy to do whatever you suggest,’ I said.

‘By the way, Nicola, I do know the story of your background, although I must say that I would never have guessed if I hadn’t been told.’

‘Yes, it is a bit of an unusual story, although Amy has been very good to me. But please don’t think that I was involved with any of this nonsense with Amy,’ I replied.

Julie smiled.

‘Oh no, you’re not the first person to become involved with one of Amy’s escapades. That’s why Lorna quit her job. I think Geoff is also becoming tired of extricating her from her own stupidity.’

Julie seemed to know what she was doing for, after having lulled our pursuers into a false sense of security, she suddenly accelerated and just caught a set of lights as they were turning red as we were passing through Norbury, leaving the motorbikes in a queue of traffic waiting behind. As soon as we were out of sight of them, she took a left turn into a side-street followed by a right turn towards Thornton Heath. In no time we had driven through various side streets with no more sign of our pursuers, eventually approaching Croydon via Whitehorse Road. We then pulled into the Whitgift Centre Car Park.

‘OK Nicola, let’s go and spend some of Amy’s money to teach her a lesson not to go out with drug dealers.’

I followed my instructions and over the next hour bought enough underclothing to last me for the duration of my time as Nicola and a new pair of shoes. For each transaction I kept to the £45.00 limit for contactless purchases. By this time, I’d ditched the sunglasses as, if anything, they attracted more attention to us, especially when shopping indoors. Fortunately, no-one seemed to recognise us, although I did notice one shop assistant do a double-take when she saw the name of the debit card I’d just used, but fortunately we were just leaving the shop and she had a queue of customers to serve. In another shop there was a sale on and in the window was a pink midi length summer dress offered at half the marked price, which attracted my attention.

‘What do you think, Julie?’ I asked.

‘It’s nice but it would be beyond the limit you can spend using Amy’s debit card unless she has also given you her pin.’

‘No, but I have been given a clothing allowance so I could pay by cash from my own account.’

‘In that case, if you like it and can afford it why don’t you go in and try it on.’

In spite of the morning’s events I found that I enjoyed our shopping trip, especially trying on and subsequently, purchasing, the dress that I had chosen for myself, as opposed to one that had been bought for me or given to me by Amy. We were just returning to the car when my mobile phone rang. It was Frank Wilson; this time he sounded very angry.

‘Nick or Nicola, will you please tell me what the hell is going on. I have had the producers ring me to say that there is a report that Amy has been arrested. Neither she, nor her manager, are answering their phones. Now I discover that you are involved!’

‘I don’t think she’s been arrested. She happened to be in the company of a guy who was found to be in possession of a small quantity of cocaine. I think she’s making a statement to the police.’

‘How were you involved?’ he asked.

‘It was nothing to do with me. I wasn’t even there when it happened. But Amy has been letting me stay in her flat until we begin filming again.’

‘Well you can tell her from me that if she wants to flush her future career down the toilet that is fine by me, but not until after we have finished making my film. If either of you holds up production by so much as a single minute or gets any more bad publicity she and her manager will be hearing from my lawyers.’

He rang off before I could say anything else.

‘Here endeth any prospect of future employment for Nicola in the film industry,’ I thought to myself.

While I was on the phone to Frank, Julie received a text from her boss indicating that all was clear and we could begin to make our way back to Amy’s flat. She dropped me off at the main entrance and this time there were no journalists around. I let myself into Amy’s flat using the key she had previously given me. There was no sign of Amy, but her manager Geoff Kelly was in the sitting room taking a call on his mobile phone. It was apparently from a newspaper, as he was busy denying Amy’s involvement in the events of the previous night. He broke off talking for a moment to address me.

‘Thanks for your help this morning. I think we have successfully killed the story. Amy’s sleeping now as she was up most of the night. Can you give me a couple of minutes to finish this call, and then I’d like to have a chat.’

I took my purchases through to my bedroom where I changed out of Amy’s dress and shoes that I’d been wearing and instead tried on those that I had purchased earlier. Life as Nicola could be quite eventful, even at times upsetting, but in many respects it felt right for me. If only I could find a job and somewhere to live.

A few minutes later there was a knock at my bedroom door.

‘Hi Nicola, I’ve just made us some coffee, would you like to come through to the kitchen for a chat,’ said Geoff.

I followed his invitation.

‘Thanks again for standing-in for Amy this morning. The press didn’t get any usable photographs and nobody saw her enter the police station so there is not much of a story for them to report.’

‘I have several receipts for you which will show that she was in Croydon shopping all morning. But what happened at the police station?’ I asked.

‘She made a statement. The police know perfectly well that she had been taking drugs and told her so in no uncertain terms, but there was nothing more they could do on this occasion, although they will be watching out for her in future.’

‘What about Rob Singleton?’

‘He will be charged for possession of a small quantity of cocaine for his own use – that’s all they can prove. He was clever enough to hide his stash out of the way. The conviction will be a nuisance to him, but nothing more.’

‘That’s a pity.’

‘I’m afraid he blames you for his getting caught.’

‘Me? I never told the police!'

‘I know that, but he told Amy that he had offered you a bag as a free sample, and you had refused to take it. That was the bag they found in his pocket when they searched him’

‘I didn’t ask him to bring me dangerous drugs!’ I said.

‘He’s a typical drug dealer, giving free samples in the hope that you will become hooked. When he gets caught, he starts looking for someone else to blame.’

‘I trust that Amy isn’t going to have anything more to do with him in future.’

‘She says she won’t, but who can tell? Amy is a nice kid but she is immature and entitled. She has had everything handed to her on a plate – good looks, a nice voice, the only child of two doting and stage-struck parents. She has never had to struggle for anything in her life. She can’t see that she’s in danger of ruining her career before it even gets started. If she ever got arrested the publicity would finish her in kids tv and in advertising and probably damage it elsewhere.’

‘Yes, I can see the problem of keeping her on the straight and narrow.’

‘That’s why I was pleased to learn that you would be staying – you strike me as being a little more level-headed that she is.’

‘Level-headed! I am not even sure what sex I’m supposed to be|’ I replied sheepishly.

Geoff smiled.

‘I am sure that you will work that in due course, but in the meanwhile, Amy likes you and you are unlikely to lead her into any more trouble.’

‘I’m not sure what I feel about Amy,’ I replied. ‘I’m still a little sore about have been falsely accused about being involved.'

On the other hand, I had to admit that Amy had been good to me, and as each day passed it felt increasingly right for me to be spending my time as Nicola.

‘So what can I do to help?’. I asked.

‘Don’t be frightened of telling her what to do, and more importantly, what not to do – I think she will listen to you.’

‘Alright, I’ll do my best to keep her away from drugs and from getting arrested.

It was late in the afternoon before Amy eventually emerged from her bedroom, looking contrite.

‘Hi Nikki, you look very nice in that dress.’

‘Thank you, I bought it this morning in Croydon using the dress allowance from Frank. I’m afraid your debit card paid for the shoes.’

‘That’s alright. It was the least I could do to repay your trouble.’

I didn’t respond and there was an awkward silence.

‘I am so sorry about the events of this morning.’

‘Amy, it is your career that is at stake.’

‘I know, but I had no right to involve you in my problems.’

‘You are my friend, I was happy to help although, given a choice, I would rather not repeat the episode.’

‘Yes, I suppose that Rob and I were acting like a couple of idiots last night. Geoff made it clear this morning that we mustn’t be seen out in public together again, at least while his case is pending.’

‘You had better also ring Frank Wilson and put his mind at rest. He has heard a rumour about the events of last night and was hopping mad about it. He also assumes that I was somehow involved.’

‘Don’t worry I’ll ring him later and tell him the whole story.’

I smiled by way of thanks.

‘Would you like me to prepare us something to eat?’ I asked.

‘Alright but you had better get changed out of that new dress first.’

‘There’s something I would like to discuss with you over dinner – about my future.’

 

---

 

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 

Chapter 17

While I prepared our dinner, Amy went to her room where she telephoned Frank, presumably to apologise to him for the events of the previous night. By the time she emerged she was looking more of her usual confident self.

‘What was it that you wanted to talk to me about, Nikki?’ asked Amy as we sat down to eat.

I hesitated for a moment before replying, looking for the right words.

‘I’m not sure how to start,’ I replied.

‘Does it relate to your spending more time as Nicola, rather than Nicholas?'

I nodded

‘Are you beginning to wonder whether life may be better for you in the long term as Nicola?’

‘B-But how did you know, I’ve never discussed it with you,’ I replied.

Amy smiled.

‘I’ve suspected as much for some time, ever since I came back from that awards ceremony and discovered that you’d had a great weekend. You appear so much more at ease when you're a girl. The reason that we haven’t discussed it was that I was waiting for you to decide for yourself what was best for you.'

‘But I only decided myself this morning.’

‘So, does this mean that you would like to remain living and working as Nicola after we have finished filming?’

‘I must say the idea has its attractions, if only I were able to find a job and somewhere to stay, but at the moment, I’m not sure that would be feasible.’

‘I don’t think you will have too much difficulty regarding your appearance. With your hair. make-up and boobs in place you look convincing as a girl. Also, you now have enough clothes and your voice and presentation are improving all the time.’

‘Thank you, but I would still need to find a job.’

'Didn’t Frank imply that there might be an opening for you? He always employs lots of attractive young women as production assistants – it boosts his ego.’

‘I don’t think he would employ one who was transgendered though.’

‘He was happy enough to employ you as a stand-in for me, and that didn’t create any problems, quite the opposite.’

‘No. I suppose not. But he was not too happy with me when we last spoke.’

‘When I phoned him just over an hour ago, to make my grovelling apology, I did point out to him that you were not in any way involved in my misdemeanours, and the least he could do to make it up to you would be to give Nicola a three-month trial as a P.A.’

‘Really? What did he say?’

‘He said he would think about it once the current film was finished successfully and on budget. So, it will be up to you, Nikki, to use your best endeavours to present as a convincing and attractive young lady.’

‘I suppose so, but how did you know we would have this conversation this evening?
‘Sometimes other people have a clearer view of what is going on than those people most directly involved.’

Over the next four or five days of my stay in Amy’s flat I did my best to follow her advice, taking great care with my hair and makeup each morning and continuing with my voice training exercises and watching You Tube videos giving me advice on female deportment. It was the last week of June, with long warm evenings and so I also began to explore the area nearby. Once or twice I even became involved in conversations with female strangers in the park. My confidence increased as I found that nobody that I came across appeared to have any doubts about my sex. I found that I was able to deal with the majority of Amy’s fan mail without reference to her by spending a couple of hours each day, and I was happy to do so in recompense for her letting me stay in the flat.

Amy had various work commitments during most days and once or twice in the evenings, involving her manager or publicist, discussing new projects. However, she and I did enjoy a couple of meals together in the flat.

‘I could get used to this, having you around to cook my meals and look after my fan mail,’ she said on one occasion.

‘It’s the least I can do to thank you.’

‘Maybe, but I think you also deserve a treat. One of the publicity agencies that we use is hiring a cruise boat on the Thames on Wednesday night and they have sent me a couple of tickets. There is going to be food, a bar and a discotheque. Would you like to come as my partner?’

‘Won’t they be expecting you to bring a guy?’

‘Not these days, it will be quite acceptable to bring a girl-friend.’

Thanks, Amy but I don’t think I would have the confidence to go out dancing as a girl.’

‘Come on, Nikki, this will be an important part of your education. I will book a limo to take us there and back again, so you won’t need to worry about transport.’

‘But I don’t think I have anything suitable to wear to a disco.’

‘Don’t worry about that, I will loan you something suitable to wear for the evening, you could even wear the dress and shoes that I went out in last week.’

‘If I agree to go with you, I want you to promise me that you won't be involved in taking any coke or doing anything else illegal.’

She sighed.

‘I’ve already promised Frank and my manager that I won’t be seeing Rob or taking coke again. I will now do the same to you.’

‘Alright, in that case I’ll be happy to go with you.’

I hadn’t realised that getting ready to go out for the evening would be quite such a rigmarole for both Amy and I, although it was good fun, nonetheless. Amy laid out several possible outfits on her bed and together we discussed which one each of us would wear and what shoes and accessories that would go with them. We each then took a shower and proceeded to get ourselves ready. I had already washed my hair and de-fuzzed my arms, legs and armpits the day before and so this saved me some time. I was also by then quite competent at fixing my own makeup and doing my hair. As soon as I was satisfied with how I looked I presented myself at Amy’s room just as she was finishing her own preparations. As before, Amy looked absolutely stunning.

‘Wow! Just look at you Nikki, you look great,’ she said, smiling, as I entered her room.

‘Thank you, so do you,’ I replied.

She smiled.

‘We could even be sisters.’

‘I guess so.’

‘The limo is due to collect us at a quarter to seven so make sure you have everything you might need.’

I checked my handbag, there was lipstick, mascara, a compact, some tissues, my purse containing some money, my bank card and keys.

‘I think I have everything,’ I replied.

‘OK gal, let’s go and have some fun.’

The pleasure cruiser was one of those fitted out for evening parties which operated through the centre of London between Westminster Pier and Docklands and back again. These boats were especially popular during warm summer evenings with dancing on the open upper deck and tables on the lower deck with a buffet and a bar entirely funded by the host company. Amy’s manager, Geoff Kelly had reserved a table for his clients and their guests, including Amy and myself. Amy clearly knew several of those present and was soon exchanging gossip with them. I recognised a couple of faces, but they didn’t know me. The only person I did know was Julie, his assistant, who had driven me out to Croydon.

‘Hi Nicola, it’s nice to see you again,’ she said.

‘Hi Julie. May I join you?’ I asked’

Fortunately, there was an empty seat next to her, which I took.

‘Of course! Are you here to keep an eye on Amy.’

‘Not really, she has promised to keep out of trouble tonight, I’m just here as she had no-one else to bring.’

‘In that case would you like to join the dancers upstairs,’ she asked.

‘I’m not sure, Julie, I’ve never done that kind of dancing before.’

‘Come on, its Electronic Dance Music there are no rules, I’ll show you what to do.’

‘Alright then.’

Julie then addressed the whole table.

‘Nicola and I are going upstairs to dance, can someone please keep an eye on our bags while we are gone.’

There was a murmur of agreement from around the table and Julie led me by the hand upstairs.

 

---

In fact, the dancing on the open deck during a fine summer’s evening proved to be a lot of fun. Despite my earlier hesitation I soon found myself moving to the beat along with the other dancers, both male and female. I was now quite used to walking in heels and it didn’t take me too long to be able to dance in them as well. It wasn’t long before we were both swallowed up in the throng. After ten minutes or so I caught a glimpse of someone I recognised – it was Rob Singleton. He was some way away talking to a group on one side of the dance floor. At first I assumed I was imagining things, so I took a second look. It was certainly him and this time we exchanged glances and there was no doubt that he had also recognised me as his eyes appeared to narrow once again.

After a further ten minutes or so, Amy and several others from our table joined in the dancing. My first reaction was to look across to where I last seen Rob, but he was no longer there. Amy made her way over towards me.

‘So are you enjoying yourself, young lady?’ she asked

‘Yes, very much, thanks for inviting me,’ I replied, half truthfully.

I was still a little anxious about the appearance of Rob Singleton, although every time I looked there was no sign of him.

 

---

Having reached the Thames Barrier, just beyond the Greenwich Peninsula, the boat had to turn around and make its way back towards Westminster. By this time my calves were beginning to ache and so I asked Julie whether we might return downstairs and have a drink and a rest. She was happy to do so. We returned to our table and found it deserted of people, but with our drinks still in place and a pile of our handbags.

‘We’d better get ourselves some fresh drinks at the bar just in case someone has spiked them, while we’ve been away’ commented Julie.

‘Nobody would do that, surely,’ I said.

‘Don’t you believe it. It’s an important rule for any girl, never leave your handbag or your drink unattended – and it looks as if we have done both.’

Nevertheless, Julie and I were soon chatting happily with our new drinks and gradually other members of our table returned downstairs. The guys tended to form a little group next to the bar whilst the girls sat at the table where we were good-naturedly compared notes.

‘And did anyone try to hit on you tonight, Nicola?’ asked Amy, smiling.

‘There was one guy who offered to drive me home in his Porsche,’ I said. ‘But I smiled sweetly and explained that I had come with a group and already had a lift. He made his excuses and beat a rapid retreat. I think he must have tried his luck elsewhere.’

‘Yeah, he then tried it on with me, but I just told him to get lost,’ added another girl whose name I did not know.

Our good-natured conversation continued in a similar vein for the next half hour or so until I needed to make my way to the ladies washroom before the boat docked. Amy followed me there.

‘Have you seen Rob Singleton on the boat?’ I asked as I was repairing my makeup.

‘No, where?’ asked Amy sounding genuinely surprised.

‘I’m sure I saw him on the upper deck with a group of young women.’

‘That sounds like Rob, did he say anything to you?’

‘No, we weren’t close enough to talk, but I am sure it was him.’

‘I think it is just as well that I didn’t see him,’ she replied..

 

---

Soon after midnight the boat docked at Westminster Pier and we began to disembark. Geoffrey Kelly had offered his assistant a lift home although it was out of his way and so Amy offered her a place in the limo she had booked and which was waiting for us in Derby Gate. We were just crossing Victoria Embankment when a police car drew up.

‘Miss O’Donnell, I have reason to believe that you may be carrying illegal drugs and so under by section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 I need to examine the contents of your handbag.’

Amy sighed and then handed over her handbag.

‘You will find nothing in there. If you want to search anything else you will need to take me to a police station and involve a woman police officer.’

‘That may not be necessary,’ he said rapidly examining the contents of her bag and noticing that she was otherwise quite scantily dressed.

He then turned to Julie.

‘How about you, young lady?’

‘Am I required to show you my bag?’ she asked.

‘No, but it will save us all a lot of time if you do so, especially if you have nothing to hide.’

She handed over her bag without further comment, and he quickly examined the contents.

Finally, he turned towards me.

‘I don’t do drugs,’ I said and handed over my bag without being asked.

‘If you don’t do drugs, would you please explain what is in this,’ he said holding the corner of a plastic bag containing a white powder.

I felt a horrible sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

‘I have never seen that bag before, I did not put it there,’ I said.

‘What is your name?’

‘Nicola Stevens.’

‘And do you have any ID with you?’

‘No, I’m afraid not, I’m currently staying with Amy.’

He continued searching through my bag.

‘Can you also explain why you are in possession of a bank card in the name of Mr Nicholas Stevens.

‘It’s a long story,’ I replied.

‘Well Nicola or Nicholas Stevens, I am arresting you under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Come with us please.’

As I was led away, I turned to look at Amy and Julie both looking as if they were in a state of shock.

 

---

 Next time: Paddinton Police Station

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 

Chapter 18

I was driven to the rear of Paddington Green Police Station on the Edgware Road, and led into the custody suite. Nobody had bothered to handcuff me, but in that dress and with those heels there was no way that I could have attempted to run away.

‘Who have we here?’ asked the middle-aged custody sergeant.

‘A good question sarge, I would have said Nicola Stevens, but she is carrying ID of a Nicholas Stevens.

‘What’s the charge?’

‘Possession with intent to supply.’

‘Well young lady?’ he asked turning towards me.

‘I had no knowledge of the drugs in my handbag, they were planted there.’

‘That’s what they all say. You have been arrested for possession of a Class A drug and can be held in police custody for up to 24 hours whilst we investigate the circumstances and decide on a charge. But the first question is: Who are you?’

There was nothing I could do.

‘My name is Nicola Stevens, I am a transgendered woman. I was assigned as male at birth but now identify as female,’ I said.

The merest twitch of an eyebrow on his part indicated a flicker of surprise.

‘It looks like you will have to pull out the diversity training manual for this one sarge,’ said the young policeman who had brought me in.

The custody sergeant frowned at his colleague to show that he didn’t appreciate that comment.

‘So it is Nicola Stevens, formerly known as Nicholas,’ he said whilst entering the details onto a computer terminal.

‘Yes, that’s right.’

‘Do you hold a Gender Recognition Certificate?’

‘No.’

‘In that case is it your intention to permanently transition to your new gender?’

I suddenly found myself having to make decisions about my future that I’d not even considered before this.

‘Yes.’

‘So, you wish to be treated as female for the purposes of intimate searches.’

‘Yes, although you had better warn the WPCs concerned what they might find.’

There was a stifled snigger from the arresting officer standing behind me.

‘Don’t you worry love the WPCs will have seen much worse than anything you have to offer.’

‘Shall we deal with this case in a professional manner, Constable Roberts?’ said the custody sergeant, this time in a sterner voice.

They finished processing me and gave me a receipt for my handbag and its contents, which I was told would be tested for fingerprints and cocaine residues. I asked to consult the Duty Solicitor and was told that it would be arranged. I was taken to be fingerprinted, photographed and given two mouth swabs, one to record my DNA and the other to check for recent cocaine use. I also voluntarily gave a hair sample which would indicate longer-term cocaine use. Finally, I was taken to a cell by a WPC where I was given some makeup remover pads to clean my face and told to take off my clothes while she conducted an intimate body search, to our mutual embarrassment, although without any clever comments on her part.

‘Your clothes will be retained for evidentiary purposes. You can put these on in the meanwhile,’ she said handing me paper underwear, a unisex pair of jogging pants, a sweatshirt, socks and slippers.

‘When do I get to see the Duty Solicitor?’ I asked as soon as I was dressed.

‘I’ll go and check for you,’ she said.

Five minutes later, she returned.

‘You won’t now be seeing the Duty Solicitor; we have had a phone call to say that your own solicitor will be arriving in about an hour.’

 

---

‘My solicitor ‘proved to be a rather nice-looking guy in his late twenties who introduced himself as Richard Matthewson.

‘Good morning Ms Stevens, I’ve been retained to act on your behalf.’

‘But who has retained you?’ I asked.

‘It will probably be best for you not to ask me that question, although please be assured that you are my client and I am here to represent your interests, even if someone else will ultimately pay my fee.’

We then sat down for an hour during which I went through the story of how I came to London and the events of the previous evening in detail, while he took notes.

‘So you are not guilty of the charge and have no knowledge of where the drugs came from?’

I nodded.

‘You will be asked to make a statement shortly. I suggest you should tell the truth about the events of last night but don’t volunteer other information if you can help it. Afterwards, you will be interviewed by the investigating officers although, before they start, I will be questioning the basis for their arrest.’

 

---

It was only seven o’clock when we were taken into an interview room, and I was required to make a factual statement, taken down by a uniformed officer concerning the events of the previous evening. We were then left, watched over by another officer.

‘That was clear and to the point. Try not to worry,’ said my solicitor with a smile.

‘That’s easier said than done'; was my rueful reply.

After half an hour or so, we were joined by a male and a female plain-clothes officer who sat opposite us at the table, whilst the uniformed officer stood by the door. A tape recorder was turned on and introductions made, followed by the usual warning about anything I said would be recorded and used in evidence. My solicitor began the proceedings.

‘Before you interview my client, I want to ask the basis of your stop and search of my client.’

The female office referred to her notes.

‘We were following up an anonymous tip-off that Amy O’Donnell or her companions may be in possession of illegal drugs. Given the events involving Miss O’Donnell last week the arresting officers felt that they had ‘reasonable grounds’ to believe that she been involved in a crime, as covered by section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.’

‘And what was the basis of their search of my client?’

‘Your client and the other lady concerned were not ‘stopped and searched’ as such – they both volunteered to have their handbag examined.’

‘Didn’t the officers consider it odd that someone who was knowingly carrying illegal drugs would volunteer their handbag to be examined.

‘We are here to ask the questions,’ said the male interrogator.

Then turning to me he said:

'The cocaine that was retrieved from your bag is just over the five gram limit and so warrants a charge of possession with intent to supply. However, if you are willing to co-operate with the investigation and tell us where you obtained the drugs, we may be willing to reduce the charge to one of simple possession which could result in a police caution for a first offender.’

‘As you will see from my statement, I am unable to co-operate with the police on this matter since I had no knowledge that the drugs were in my bag or where they may have come from,’ I said in a frustrated voice

The officer sighed.

'In that case you are looking at a six-month prison sentence and a fine of up to £5,000 for a first offence.’'

‘When you check the plastic bag for fingerprints, you will find that I have never even touched it. As I said the drugs were placed in my bag without my knowledge.’

‘We have already tested it and there are no fingerprints on the bag, but you could have used rubber gloves,’ commented the woman.

‘Also, your tests will show that I’ve never taken cocaine.’

‘Not every drug dealer uses the drugs that he or she deals in. You must realise that we are investigating a marked increase in the distribution of cocaine in London over the last nine months.’

Richard Matthewson now intervened.

‘My client has been living in London for precisely ten days. Prior to that she was living near Salisbury. Are you really suggesting that she has managed to establish herself as a major London drug-dealer in that time?’

The two investigators looked at one another and the guy made notes, but there was no answer forthcoming.

‘If, as you say, the drugs were planted, you must have some idea as to how and why this was done,’ said the woman, again directing her questions to me.

‘Unfortunately, our handbags were left unattended whilst we were dancing on the upper deck. I have a witness who can confirm that.’

‘And why would someone want to do this to you?’

‘I suspect it may have been an act of revenge, but I do not know that for certain.’

‘Revenge by whom?’

‘There was a guy called Rob Singleton, who offered me a bag of cocaine last week, which I refused because I didn’t want anything to do with drugs. He was later found in possession of that bag, and he blames me for his getting caught.’

The two investigators exchanged glances and it was quite clear that they knew whom I was talking about.

‘Other than that, I can’t help you more than to confirm that I have never taken or supplied illegal drugs of any kind.’

‘So you have nothing further to add or amend to this statement?‘

‘No, other than that it is the truth.’

‘In that case we will suspend this interview pending further investigations,’ said the female investigator and turned off the tape recorder.

I was just about to be conducted back to my cell by the uniformed officer when I overheard my solicitor address the female officer.

‘I need to make a telephone call, but afterwards may I have a word, ‘off the record?'

 

---

I returned to my police cell feeling utterly bereft. Twenty-four hours previously I’d been feeling happy with my life, comfortable in my body, for the first time in many years. It was as if I had at last seen light at the end of the very long tunnel that I’d been travelling through. Now everything had changed; things had not merely reverted to how they were but were now so much worse. I was facing six months imprisonment, a fine, a criminal record, the loss of any chance of a career; and I hadn’t even done anything! What sort of prison would I go to? I knew that the police had improved in their treatment of transgendered prisoners in the last few years, but would they even accept me as such. I had taken no formal steps to change my gender, I had no ID in the name of Nicola, so would the authorities take my word for it, or would they insist that I served my sentence in a male prison? I was aware that there had been several recent controversies in the press regarding self-identification by trans-women and the need to ‘protect female-only spaces’. The local press would be bound to portray me as some kind of ‘sexual predator’ when the opposite was the case. Juicy news stories like that would be shared between local newspapers and would be bound to reach my mother and her boyfriend.

Up to this point I'd managed to retain my composure but now I gave way to floods of tears, not just about the events of last twelve hours, but my life in general. It was all so unfair. Just when things seemed to be getting better, something would happen to send me careering back to the beginning again, just like a game of Snakes and Ladders. I was just concluding that life was probably no longer worth living, when my solicitor entered the cell together with a WPC, who was carrying my clothes.

‘OK, Ms Stevens, you can get changed now, the police are dropping the charges against you due to a lack of evidence.’

‘But why? What has happened?’ I asked.

‘We can discuss that in my car taking you home,’ he replied.

Ten minutes later, I was dressed and waiting at the desk in the custody suite. The middle-aged sergeant handed me my handbag, minus the bag of cocaine, which I had to sign for.

‘You appear to have been extremely lucky, young lady,’ he commented.

‘I wouldn’t say that, I wasn’t guilty, in the first place,’ I said.

‘In that case, take my advice and get yourself sorted out as to who you are and then get some official ID as quickly as possible.’

‘Yes, I think I’ll do that,’ I replied.

 

---

I was still in a state of shock as Richard Mathewson drove me out of the police station on to the Edgware Road.

‘Thank you so much for your help, but what on earth happened in there?’ I asked.

‘I was authorised to offer the police two alternatives. They could devote their time and effort to prosecuting you, knowing that we would certainly defend you in court and you may well be telling the truth.’

‘What was the other alternative?’

‘If they dropped the charges against you, information would be forthcoming that would greatly assist their future investigations into drug dealing in central London.’

‘What sort of information?’ I asked.

‘The make, model and registration number of an innocent looking car that the gang use to stash their drugs, and the mobile telephone number that is used to arrange for deliveries. None of the dealers concerned risk carrying drugs in their own cars or, as a rule, on themselves. That is why Rob Singleton was so annoyed with you when he was arrested last week. He broke this cardinal rule and blamed you for it. His little act of spite last night may well have unforeseen consequences for him in the future, either from the police or perhaps from other members of the gang if they suspect he was responsible for the discovery of their scheme.’

‘But surely, as a solicitor, you’re duty bound to divulge that kind of information to the police anyway.’

‘Yes, I would be, if I knew the information, but I don’t. I merely passed on a message that such information would be forthcoming if they dropped the charges against you. The police tried to insist that you would need to testify, but I reminded them that you were an entirely innocent party and had no knowledge of any of these matters.’

‘But won’t it put the source of the information at risk of prosecution?’

‘I made it clear that the information would assist in future investigations but had no relevance to anything which may or may not have happened in the past.’

‘So who is going to divulge the information to the police?’

‘I don’t know the answer to that question and I don’t want to know. You don’t want to know either, if you know what is good for you.’

‘I see. Thank you so much for all your help.’

‘I am glad to be of assistance, but my advice to you would be to leave London for a while, just in case.’

‘Amy and I were planning to do so this coming weekend.

 

---

Richard drove me to Amy’s flat and left me outside, saying that he was now returning home to catch up on his sleep. I was relieved, there was no sign of any reporters outside, the events of last night and Amy’s involvement had presumably not been reported to the press. Inside the flat, Amy, her manager and Julie were waiting for me. Amy looked a little sheepish but didn’t say anything other than to give me a hug to welcome me home.

‘Why don’t you have a shower and change into some clothes more suited to everyday wear, whilst I go out and buy everyone some coffees and breakfast pastries?’ suggested Julie.

‘Yes, that sounds like a good idea,’ I replied.

‘Before you do so, for the sake of everyone’s future job prospects, I also think it best if we all now forget about the events of last night,’ said Geoffrey Kelly. ‘There is no reason why Frank, or anyone else needs to know.’

 

---

 

Thanks for the comments and corrections everyone. Feel free to keep them coming.
Louise

 

---

 

Chapter 19

Both Amy and I took Geoffrey Kelly at his word over the next two and a half days that we remained in London, since neither of us had any great wish to be reminded of the events of the Wednesday evening. I wasn’t sure what role Amy had played in either causing my arrest or subsequently securing my release from police custody, and in some respects, I did not want to know. She certainly appeared to have been chastened by the events of the previous week and something appeared to be worrying her as she now looked carefully at the caller display before answering any incoming telephone calls and restricted the ones that she did answer to those from her parents or her manager. Also, she didn’t venture out further than the local supermarket. For my part, I carried on with my voice and deportment lessons in my room, dealt with Amy’s fan-mail which was now virtually up to date and cooked us some more ambitious evening meals.

The arrival of a fat envelope containing Amy’s scripts for the coming fortnight and the shooting schedules for the two of us provided me with the opportunity to ask questions.

‘Why exactly have they gone to the trouble of transferring all the equipment and accommodation for the crew more than one hundred miles from Wilton to Hatfield?’ I asked. ‘It must be quite costly.’

‘That’s the way films work,’ said Amy with a shrug. ‘Wilton was fine for the exterior shots of the house and for the hunting scenes, but the interiors were not suitable. Hatfield is only ten miles north of Elstree Studios where the company is based and some other internal scenes will be shot. Most of the technical crew will be commuting from Elstree to Hatfield each day. I thought about doing so myself as it is only twenty-four miles away but was persuaded that this would be impractical given the very early starts involved and the need to get into costume each morning.’

‘So we will be sharing the same caravan again.’

‘Yes and it seems that we are both going to be needed for a costume fitting on Sunday morning, as they are planning to duplicate another of my costumes so that we can work independently using two film crews when necessary.’

‘Also, I promised to see Sue Evans to have my hair, nail and eyelash extensions renewed sometime on Sunday,’ I replied.

‘In that case, I’ll arrange with Geoffrey to have Julie drive us both to Hatfield tomorrow afternoon, so can you make sure you are packed in time?'

‘Of course, but I will need to go out and buy another suitcase as I’ve acquired quite a few more clothes over the last fortnight.’

‘Don’t worry, I have a large suitcase in the store-room in the basement, which I no longer use. You are welcome to have it if you want.’

‘That’s very generous of you, Amy.’

‘Not really, I was given a matching set of luggage by a manufacturer who wanted me to be seen with their products.'

 

---

Having Julie as our driver, who knew everything about my background at least enabled us to speak more freely during the journey, although the events of last Wednesday evening still appeared to be off-limits and we tended to stick to matters relating to the filming. No one referred to Nick during the journey, which was a relief as I’d been doing my best to forget about him for the time being and concentrate on Nicola. We also discussed Amy’s next job, which would be appearing in a television advertisement soon after we finished the present production. At one point, Amy received a phone call. She looked at the caller display, sighed and sent a busy signal. She then appeared to work through the various menus and it appeared that she had blocked the number in question, but she made no further comment and I didn’t feel in a position to ask who it was.

Eventually we arrived at the field where the equipment and the staff caravans were being parked for the duration of the shoot. Since we had arrived the day before filming was due to begin, there were no security guards to check us in, but there were plenty of the crew around installing lights or other equipment. After a little bit of searching we found where Amy’s caravan was parked.
.
‘Good luck to you both and I hope the filming goes well,’ said Julie as she helped us to unload our luggage.

‘Thanks for your help,’ said Amy.

‘Unless I hear to the contrary, I’ll collect you here in a fortnight’s time, Amy. What will your plans be Nicola?’

At the moment, I have absolutely no idea,’ I replied.

‘Oh, I forgot to mention, Frank will want to talk to you tomorrow evening,’ said Amy.

‘What about?’ I asked.

‘You’ll find out, but make sure you look smart when you go to see him.’

 

---

The following morning, after our costume fitting, I kept my appointment to see Sue Evans at the makeup caravan.

‘Hi Nicola, you look very nice again today.’

‘Thanks, I am gradually getting used to living as a girl,’ I replied

‘So how does it compare with living as a guy?’

‘I’m expected to spend a lot more time on my appearance each day, but I don’t really mind that and there are also many advantages.’

‘Really?’

‘Apart from anything else, people tend to be nicer to you.’

I wasn’t going to mention my incident with the police last week in case it got back to Frank.

‘So have you had a nice restful time over the last fortnight?’ she asked.

‘Yes thanks,’ I lied. ‘What about yourself?’

‘No rest for me, I’m afraid, I have been working at Elstree preparing for the next fortnight’s shoot. So there were no incidents involving Amy this time?’

‘Well you know Amy,’ I said with a non-commital smile.

She smiled in response and changed the subject.

‘Your voice seems to have changed, it now sounds lighter and more feminine than before.’

It was nice that she’d noticed.

‘I have been taking lessons and practising every day.’

‘Amy will have to watch her step or you will be taking over from her.’

‘I don’t think so,’ I replied. ‘There is only two weeks of filming still to do.’

‘OK, so now let’s get down to business. First of all, how are your boobs?’

‘They’re fine, I take them off to check that they are not harming me once a week, and then stick them back in place. So far they have given me no problems. In fact, I quite enjoy creating a cleavage with them.’

‘Well I must say they do look quite convincing on you.

She then proceeded to examine my micro-ring hair extensions.

‘Actually, these haven’t yet begun to show and so should be alright for the next two weeks without any further attention.’

‘Actually, Sue I was wondering whether I might keep the hair extensions after the filming is finished and look for a job as Nicola. I could probably pay for them to be kept in place

She didn’t seem particularly surprised.

‘So that is why you have been having the voice lessons.’

‘Yes, I have also acquired a reasonable female wardrobe over the last few weeks, so I should be able to manage for a while.’

‘As the hair extensions will have been used for the duration of the filming, I don’t think there will be too much problem with your keeping them. However, the breast forms that you are wearing were quite expensive, so I’ll have to check with my boss.'

‘Thank you, if necessary, I will be happy to pay you for them.’

‘I’ll tell you what, rather than me do anything to the extensions straight away, I’ll renew them in a fortnight’s time instead of removing them, so they should be good for another six weeks or so.’

‘Alright.’

‘Now I’d better check your eyelashes as I see you have lost a couple and then do the infills for your nails.

 

---

By the time I eventually got to see Frank in his temporary office it was late afternoon. Sue had finished my hair and makeup. I had a full set of eyelashes and newly polished nails. I was wearing one of the dresses that Amy had given to me and felt that I looked smart and business-like rather than glamorous, as I’d done on the last occasion I’d met Frank.

‘Come in Nicola and take a seat.’

I did as he instructed.

‘I understand from Amy that I unjustly accused you of being involved in her last escapade, and I am sorry if I jumped to the wrong conclusion.’

‘That’s ok, you weren’t to know.’

‘Amy has assured me that you weren’t involved and that neither she, nor you, will have anything to do with illegal drugs in future. We really don’t need that kind of publicity.’

‘Of course, I understand.’

‘Good, Amy also keeps nagging me to give you a trial as a Production Assistant when we have finished the current film, but it is not entirely my decision.’

‘I would love to try if you think I could do the job,’ I said.

‘Although you’ve only been employed as a stand-in, I’ve been quite impressed with everything you have done over the last few weeks. You are flexible and willing “to go the extra mile” when necessary. I know that you can ride and look after a horse, but what other relevant skills do you have?’

‘I have a driving licence although I don’t own a car.’

‘That’s not a problem. Can you work office equipment such as word processors or copiers?’

‘Yes, I have good keyboard skills. I have also helped Sandra check through the day’s rushes.’

‘It isn’t entirely my decision, but I have spoken to the Producers and they may be willing to take you on for a trial period. Sandra will be leaving us to work on another project in a fortnight’s time. I’m sure that you’ve seen the many and various duties she has to do.'

‘I believe so.’

‘As you will realise, almost everyone in the film industry works on short-term contracts and there are always plenty of candidates looking for such jobs. The company will offer you a three-month contract to be able to demonstrate what you can do. They will then decide whether or not to offer you an extension or a new contract depending upon how you get on.'

‘Yes, of course, I promise to do my best. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to show you what I can do.’

‘Well I suppose the next question I must ask you is whether we will be employing Nicola or Nicholas?’

‘Everyone on the set knows and accepts me as Nicola.’

‘I know, but remember you’ll only be working here for the next three weeks and then you will be based at Elstree or else working on other projects with people who don’t know you.’

‘I’d still like to stay as Nicola, if I may. I’ve been practising and find that I can pass as a girl quite easily and I’ve now got enough clothes to wear.’

‘Alright, if you are sure that’s what you want to do, I suppose most of the other P.A.s that we employ are girls. However, if you begin your contract working as a girl they wouldn’t want you changing back half way.'

‘I promise not to do so. In fact, I’m planning to go full-time as Nicola and regularise my position with the Department of Work and Pensions. I hope to get a new national insurance number as a transgendered woman.’

‘That would certainly make life simpler for the administrative staff if we do decide to take you on full-time, but make sure you know what you are doing before taking any irrevocable steps. Come and see my secretary after filming tomorrow and she’ll organise a new contract beginning mid-July and some new ID for you.’

‘One other thing, if I am going to be working as a Production Assistant, would there be a problem with me retaining the breast forms that were bought for me to use for the film.’

‘I don’t see why not.’

 

---

I ran over to Amy’s caravan to break the news to her.

‘Not only do I get three months working as a Production Assistant but I also get to continue living as Nicola.’

‘That’s brilliant, I’m so pleased for you,’ she said giving me a hug. ‘I might have been able to find you part-time work as my assistant, but this is going to be a much better opportunity for you. In any event, he owes you the chance to show what you can do.’

We were happily discussing the implications of my new job, and Amy assured me that I'd be welcome to come and stay with her if we both had free time.

'Let's take a selfie of the two of us,' suggested Amy.

'Alright, I'll take it and send you a copy,' I replied.

I was just in process of doing so when we heard a sports car drew up outside the caravan. It was followed by an urgent banging on the door. Amy opened it to find Rob Singleton there, looking very agitated.

‘What the hell are you doing here?’ asked Amy angrily ‘I thought I’d made it clear that I wanted nothing more to do with you.’

‘Amy, you are going to have to help me,’ he replied, ignoring my presence.

 

---

 

Sorry this chapter was posted a little later than usual – I had a hospital appointment. I will also have one next week.

Thanks to everyone (especially Bronwen) for the comments and corrections. Feel free to keep them coming.

Louise

 

---

 

Chapter 20

I had been in process of sending Amy a copy of the selfie that I’d just taken when Rob suddenly appeared at the door demanding Amy’s help. I was just able to start the sound recorder app on my phone and put it out of sight on a nearby shelf before he even noticed my presence.

‘You!’ he said looking angrily at me. ‘All of this is your fault! If you’d only accepted that bag of coke that I offered you, then none of this would have happened.’

‘You attempted to have me wrongly convicted for dealing in drugs,’ I replied barely able to contain my anger.

‘I thought I’d teach you a lesson not to be such a “goody two shoes”. It was easy enough to do since you all left your bags with a friend of mine who was open to taking a line of coke as a bribe.’

It seemed that nobody could be trusted these days.

‘As a result of your spiteful action, the police will be taking much more notice of your activities in future,’ said Amy.

‘It’s a lot worse than that. They have already intercepted one of our deliveries and some of the others suspect that I was the one responsible when I was arrested. As a result, I’ll need to disappear for a while’

‘So, what the hell are you doing here and how did you know where to come?’ asked Amy.

‘Since you wouldn’t answer any of my phone calls, I drove out to Wilton. The last few staff who were clearing the site told me where I might find you.’

‘What do you want?’

‘It isn’t you, it’s your caravan. That time I visited you at Wilton, whilst you were sleeping off the effects of the night before, I stashed two kilos of coke behind the water tank of your caravan. It was my insurance policy; just in case anything ever went wrong. But now someone seems to have locked the door to the compartment holding the water tank.’

‘I expect the transport crew would have locked that compartment before they moved the caravan over to Hatfield,’ I commented.

‘And what the hell would have happened to me if your little package had ever been found?’ Amy asked, angrily.

‘Oh, I’m sure you would have found some way to deny any knowledge of it; after all your friend here appears to have got off when she was arrested,’ he answered carelessly. ‘Now if you will kindly open that compartment for me so I can retrieve my coke, you won’t see me again.’

‘The ground crew have the key to that compartment and I wouldn’t open it for you even if had one,’ said Amy.

‘In that case you’d better find someone to open it for me or else I have some rather incriminating photos of you snorting coke which will find their way into the popular newspapers. They won’t fetch as much as my coke, but I’m sure the papers would be willing to pay me for them. We’ll see how your precious film career looks then.’

‘You bastard!’ said Amy.

‘I think I know where the spare key is kept, there is a box of keys under the sink in the kitchen,’ I said.

‘In that case you’d better find it.’

He didn’t seem to notice as I picked up my phone, as I went towards the kitchen.

I found the key quite quickly and surreptitiously moved it to one side out of the way.

‘I’m sure I’ve seen it here somewhere,’ I said as I went through a box of spare keys.

‘Here, let me look through that,' he snarled, grabbing the box out of my hand.

As he looked through, I was able to send a copy of the sound file from my phone to Amy together with another copy to my cloud storage. As soon as I’d done so I emerged from the cupboard.

‘No, I must have been wrong, there’s nothing in here.’

‘I’ll get a screwdriver from my car and force the lock.’

‘I don’t think so, I have just sent a sound recording of you admitting to several serious crimes to Amy’s phone. We will be forwarding a copy to the police unless you agree to leave us immediately.’

‘You’re bluffing.’

‘Amy, would you like to play the file that I have just sent you?’

Amy retrieved the file on her phone and played it so that we could all hear the events of the last quarter of an hour.

‘Give me that!’ said Rob attempting to grab Amy’s phone.

‘There’s no point in doing that,’ I said. ‘That is one of three copies of the file, one of which has already been sent to Amy’s agent in London. As I said, unless you leave here immediately, another copy will be sent to the Paddington Green police who are investigating cocaine dealing.’

‘You will both regret this,’ he said.

‘Not as much as you will, if any of those pictures of Amy ever get to be published,’ I said angrily. ‘There is enough evidence in that file to put you away for several years, and I wouldn’t fancy your chances in prison once some of your associates find out what happened.’

He left us without saying another word and ostentatiously drove away.

‘What a creep! Whatever attracted me to him in the first place?’ asked Amy.

‘There’s no accounting for taste,’ I said with a grin, but noticed that I was quite shaken up by recent events.

‘Did you really send a copy of that file to Geoffrey Kelly?’ she asked anxiously.

‘No, the fewer who know about today’s events the better. However, I do suggest that you make a second copy and keep it somewhere safe just in case he ever comes back in the future.’

‘Thanks for all your help, Nicola, I’m really grateful for everything you have done,’ said Amy giving me a hug.

‘I’m glad if I have offered you a little repayment for your kindness to me over the last few weeks.’

‘It has always been a pleasure to have helped you to find your true self. I don’t think Rob ever suspected your origins.’

‘No, I don’t think so either. But let’s now go and retrieve that package and dispose of it before anyone else finds it.’

‘I thought that you said we didn’t have a spare key,’ said Amy.

I went to the cupboard and retrieved the spare key from its hiding place.

‘I was hardly going to let him have his precious drugs, after what he’d tried to do to me,’ I said.

‘Good for you, Nicola.’

We went outside to investigate the hiding place. Fortunately, by this time there were relatively few workers still on site and nobody noticed as we opened the compartment and searched inside. The package, wrapped in black plastic, was where Rob had said it would be. It was unlikely to have been noticed if someone had merely been refilling the water tank, but anyone carrying out a more detailed inspection would have found it.

‘Now that we’ve found it how are we going to get rid of it?’ I asked Amy.

‘I suppose we do have to get rid of it?’ she replied.

‘Amy, hasn’t cocaine got us into enough trouble as it is?’ I replied impatiently.

‘Yes, I suppose you’re right. Maybe we should hand it in to the police?

‘Unfortunately, that will just result in a lot of questions to you, me and Rob and perhaps give rise to more unwelcome publicity.’ I said aware that I’d not yet received the contract for my new job,

‘You’re right; there’s an artificial lake in the grounds, let’s lob it into there,’ suggested Amy.

‘Won’t that poison the fish?’ I asked.

‘I don’t know, but if you’re worried, we could always flush it down the ladies’ toilet. That water will be treated before it is released to the environment.’

Later that evening we managed to dispose of all the evidence.

 

---

Amy and I were a little shaken-up by the events of Sunday evening, but nobody else had become aware of what had taken place and the filming of the remaining scenes went ahead as planned the following day. In fact, the whole production went well over the next fortnight and Frank was very pleased with progress. I did a mixture of stand-in work in costume, taking the place of Amy when she was not directly in shot and some time spent in everyday dress helping the crew plan the lighting and camera angles. My new contract arrived mid-way through the first week, dated for me to begin as soon as we had finished filming. I would be able to continue living in Amy’s caravan for the first week after filming helping to co-ordinate the strike of the set and return of equipment and props to storage. Thereafter, I would transfer to Elstree studios and would have to find my own accommodation. However, Sandra had a spare room nearby which she offered to rent to me until I could find something more permanent. Once it became known that I would shortly be taking over from Sandra as a Production Assistant, I was also given various other jobs to do on set so by the end of the fortnight I had a good idea of the duties involved.

We didn’t hear any more from Rob Singleton over the next fortnight that we were filming at Hatfield or since. A few days after his disappearance there was a newspaper report about various drug arrests that had recently taken place in London and on-going investigations. Rob’s name was not listed so he appeared to have got away with things on this occasion, although he would have been wise to keep well away from his former haunts and associates. He knew that Amy and I were holding some highly incriminating evidence about him that would ensure his future good behaviour, at least as far as Amy was concerned. I also got the impression that Amy had learned an important lesson over the six weeks that we had known one another. She was less full of her own importance and had begun to realise that her success had been as much due to good fortune as anything else, which might end at any time unless she took care.

 

---

As usual, the evening after the filming for a particular project was finished, the producers organised a drinks party in a marquee. Amy and I had finished our work by that Friday lunchtime and so we spent the afternoon together getting ourselves ready.

‘Why don’t you wear the outfit that I loaned to you when Frank took us out to dinner?’ suggested Amy.

‘Isn’t that a bit too dressy for such an occasion?’ I asked.

‘No, it will be a chance to show off to your future colleagues how good you can look.’

‘Alright if you don’t mind loaning it to me again.’

‘No I don’t mind, in fact the dress and shoes can be a parting gift, as you will be on your own after I leave tomorrow.’

‘Yes, it is going to be a new chapter in my life, so I’m inevitably a little anxious,’ I admitted.

‘I’m sure that you’ll do just fine as a production assistant. and I expect them to be renewing your contract after three months.’

‘Thanks for everything that you’ve done for me Amy, you really have changed my life.’

‘For the better, I trust.’

‘Yes, I believe so. As soon as I have a fixed postal address, I intend to take steps to secure some official ID and then begin the process of a permanent transition.’

‘Well good luck, Nicola and please let me know how you are getting on. You are welcome to come and stay with me whenever we are both free.’

‘Thanks for the offer, Amy. but I’d better steer clear of London for the next few weeks, but I do promise to keep in touch.’

‘Alright, but now you can demonstrate to me just how well you can do your hair and makeup while I find you that dress to wear.’

 

---

 
Next week:That’s it I’m afraid

Thanks to everyone (especially Bronwen) for the corrections and comments. Feel free to keep them coming. I’m taking a break for a few weeks, but I hope to post another story in the summer.
Louise