Francis to Frances

"They might be ugly manly legs," Martha suggested.

"Or not," May agreed, "Frances," she shouted, "Can you put your shorts on please?"

I didn't answer, I had white shorts for my sports kit so I changed from my jeans to shorts and set about putting my clothes away.

"Tea!" Martha announced so I went downstairs, they had laid out a high tea of sandwiches and a pot of tea with buttered scones with raspberry jam, my heart sank.

"Oh she has very pretty knees Martha!" May insisted.

"And so smooth!" Martha added.

"Ok, so I can pass for a girl," I said, "Big deal!"

"It is a big deal to us," May insisted, "We have a standing in this community, in our church and don't you belittle us!"

"Look, I'm sorry, I'm very grateful ok?" I agreed, "I'll work something out," I said as I sat down to eat.

"Good, eat up!" May insisted.

The tiny sandwiches and scones wouldn't have kept a fly alive, I was hungrier after I ate than I was before.

I went upstairs after for a lie down, May came up a while later, "You ought to come to church tomorrow," she said.

"Sure, ok, I always go church," I agreed.

She paused a moment and added, "Pastor Taylour doesn't approve of shorts or jeans, he thinks girls should wear skirts."

"Oh no, no way!" I protested, "That is a step too far!"

"But it's no different to wearing shorts," May insisted, "Don't you see?"

"No!" I replied.

"Look, I've an old Tennis skirt, see," May explained as she produced a starched white skirt, "Just slip it over your shorts and see," she said as she handed the skirt to me.

"Hell," I said and I stood up and pulled the skirt around me, "Happy!" I asked, it was just like wearing shorts, no big deal.

"Yes," she said, "So if we pad your bra a bit?"