RELUCTANT PRESS

The following morning I was nearly sick with excitement and dread and had to force down my Post Toasties and scrambled egg.

"It's going to be fun getting dressed together," said Mom with a broad smile. "Come on, let's go and get ready."

Had the dressing up not had a slightly dreamlike quality, I think I would have funked it but as my feminisation proceeded apace I seemed to gain, confidence.

By 9:15 I was completely dressed, made-up, hatted and gloved this time.

"You look too utterly adorable like that," said Mom, also in a state of blissful euphoria. "When Doreen comes to the door this time, you can go and let her in; she'll just adore you! In the meantime make sure all the things are in your handbag that you are going to need the lipstick, and see that there is a face powder in the compact as well as a hankie and that small scent spray."

Sharp at 9:30 the doorbell rang and I opened it but it wasn't Doreen; it was Sue and her Mom.

Sue's mouth dropped open in delighted surprise. "Dugsie darling, you look completely and utterly convincing as a girl. I can hardly believe it's really you!"

"Well, young lady. aren't you going to ask us in?" said Mrs. Gilray archly. "Mmmm, let's have a look at you. Yes, you look extremely nice. I must say, Mavis has made a lovely job of your make-up, hasn't she Sue?"

"He looks so lovely I can't get over him," chimed Sue.

"I don't think we should be 'himming' him all the time. or

we could give the game away,"

Just then, the lift arrived and Doreen got out.

"Joyce," she shrilled, "how utterly, utterly convincing you look. You should have been a girl, really you should have!" "I prefer him as a boy sometimes," giggled Sue. "but I think it's good for a boy to dress up as a girl now and again; it will make them so much more appreciative."

JOYCE'S GIRLS BY JOYCE

At this point, Mom appeared on the scene from behind me. She was still in her gown which she had allowed to swing open, revealing her undies.

I had the faint feeling she did this on purpose to underscore the fact that we were all 'girls' together.

"I'm sorry I'm not even nearly ready yet but getting my new Joyce together was much more complex than making an Eve out of Adam's rib." They all laughed at Mom's droll comparison. "Come into the bedroom for a Moment, all of you."

By this time, Mom had taken her gown right off and was riffling around in her lingerie drawer for a petticoat.

"Now why don't you two," nodding in Sue's and my direction, "go on ahead and secure the five of us a table, because if we all go sailing in there at 10:30, we are just not going to be able to get one together."

"Come on, Joyce, honey, let's go," said Sue eagerly.

"And not too near the band," called out Mom as we made our way out. "We'll be there in twenty minutes."

We rang for the lift.

"And what do you think of MY stockings?" asked Sue, stretching out her high heeled foot daintily.

"You have worn them dozens of times before, haven't you?"

"Not sheers like this, I haven't I love yours and I see you have even shaved your legs; don't they feel lovely on?"

We stepped into the lift. There was an elderly couple in it already so I cut short my reply until we had got to the ground. It was quite obvious they didn't twig me ('read' me, in common TV parlance) as the man respectfully removed his hat.

"Yes, they do rather," I said honestly. "And how about one little kiss for luck?" I said archly.

"All right, but just a peck as we mustn't mess our makeup. Ooh, I do love you in make-up; you look terribly grownup..."

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