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Any feedback would be welcome and can be sent to me at this email address: [email protected] Alicia Becomes a Bridesmaid By Paula Hanson March 1998 Chapter 1 The small girl was rolling on the floor at the bottom of the stairs clutching her right leg wailing her heart out. Her bother, ran down the stairs after her looking concerned. Her mother also ran out of the kitchen to see what all the crying was about. The mother immediately bent down to console her daughter. 'What happened?' she asked looking at the boy. 'I don't know. It wasn't me, it wasn't!' he replied indignantly. 'I wasn't accusing you of anything Alan, I just wanted to know what happened. Anna, are you okay, what's wrong... have you hurt something?' she stroked her daughters blond hair and cradled the sobbing figure in her arms. 'Look Alan, don't just stand there, come down here and be there in case I need you. Anna, what is it... have you hurt your leg?' The girl tried to stifle her sobbing to reply and the words came out in a staccato series interspaced with intakes of breath. 'He... he... he push... ed me... ee.' 'I didn't I didn't, she's lying Mom, she is!' the boy had tears swelling up in his eyes too now. 'Did... did too!' the girl said again. 'Stop it you two!' the mother barked. 'Just leave who did what to who until later. Now can you stand up Anna?' The girl tried but was not able to put any weight on her right leg. She crumpled back to the floor again. 'This could be serious, I had better phone for an ambulance. Stay with your sister Alan and don't touch her. Just call me if she needs anything.' The mother walked into the living room where the phone was placed and telephoned for an ambulance. Alan looked at his sister with daggers coming from his eyes. 'I'll get you for that you liar.' Anna looked back at him just as steely, 'Bet you don't.' as she managed to stem the flow of tears. It was fifteen minutes before the ambulance arrived. The mother managed to cover Anna with a blanket to keep her warm and also phoned her husband Richard to tell him the news. It looked like more than a sprain or bruising according to the ambulancemen and they took Anna to the casualty unit of the local hospital. The mother and Alan also rode in the ambulance with her, Alan in particular was excited about riding in an ambulance and he made sirenlike noises all the way there. It was another hour before Anna was eventually seen by the doctor after some routine X-rays had been taken. 'I'm afraid that Anna has a broken tibia Mrs Dawson, but luckily the bone hasn't displaced. We just need to plaster the leg up and give her some crutches and then you can go home again. She'll need to keep her weight off the leg completely for a couple of days of course, but children's bones heal very quickly and she should be okay again with say 3 to 4 weeks.' 'Three to four weeks, but she is bridesmaid at my eldest daughters wedding next Saturday. Is there any chance she could still do that?' Mrs Dawson asked. 'I wouldn't recommend it Mrs Dawson. Long periods of standing will only aggravate the situation. I would suggest that your other daughter find a replacement and Anna just watches from the pews.' 'Anna will be so disappointed. She was really looking forward to being a bridesmaid and Rebecca, my other daughter won't be too happy either. With only a week to go, it will be hard for her to find a replacement as well.' 'Sorry dear.' Mrs Dawson said turning to Anna, 'I think the Doctor's right. Its better that you get some rest for the moment, you can still go to the wedding, and there'll be other chances to be a bridesmaid too.' Anna was disappointed. Chapter 2 'And just how the hell did this happen Mary?' Mr Dawson had come home that evening to find the house in bedlam with accusations again flying about who did what and Rebecca upset and panicking over where to find a replacement bridesmaid. 'I don't know Richard. Anna says that Alan pushed her down the stairs, but Alan denies it. I don't know who to believe. It's possible that Anna fell, you know how she tears around the house, always running about. Then again, ever since Becky chose her as bridesmaid she has got a bit pigheaded too and teasing Alan that she is playing a part in the wedding and he isn't. So maybe he just got jealous. I don't know.' 'Never mind what happened Mum, Dad, but what am I going to do now. I have rung all my friends up and asked them whether they or their younger sisters can help me out. No one can at this short notice. And even if they could, we still have to get the dress modified and ooohhhh its all going wrong...' Becky started to sob and Mary put her arms around her daughter giving her a consoling hug. She had always been particularly fond of Becky who was her daughter from her first marriage. That marriage had been a disaster, she had married far too young, but Becky was the one good thing that had come out of it. She was concerned now that Becky was making the same mistake as she did, marrying at just nineteen years of age, but accepted that Becky had to make her own decisions as she had done those years before. She had raised Becky on her own for the first ten years after her first husband had walked out on her for another woman. Then she met Richard. He was a different sort of man. Reasonable and rational. Rarely losing his temper and always finding solutions to the family problems. They had two children in quick succession. First Alan, who was into his eighth year and then Anna who was six and a half. Eventually some order was restored to the house. Anna was put to bed just after six o'clock. She was tired and the pain killers she had been given were wearing off. Alan was then sent up to bed at his normal bedtime of seven-thirty for lights out at eight. With some peace and quiet established again downstairs, the adults turned their attention to what could be done for Rebecca's wedding. The family went through the phone book looking at various possibilities, but for one reason or another each possibility was rejected, due to family politics or practical reasons. 'Can't you just hire bridesmaids?' Richard asked in the end desperately, 'You know you could give them a specification of which height, colour, age, hair colour etc and then they would just look through their books and find the right model and bingo there she is. I thought every little girl wanted to be a bridesmaid. There must be a market for this!' Everyone laughed. Richard had managed to get some humour back into the situation since that was the best way he knew how to handle times of crisis. Although he was a calm and rational person, he was also very sensitive and hated to see others unhappy, especially when he couldn't help them. 'So Dad.' Rebecca always called him Dad even though he wasn't her biological father. She considered him to be the Dad that she never had. 'You always come up with solutions to our problems with your cold rational logic... so how about now. What choices do we have?' Richard was a scientist and very good at being able to separate his emotions away from practical considerations when solving problems. Having identified the solution, then he went back and tried to address the emotional aspects later. 'Well there are only two options that I can see at this stage. The first is that you simply don't have a bridesmaid.' 'Aww come on Dad, that's not a solution, that's a cop-out.' Rebecca smiled at him. She knew he was trying his best but she didn't want to let him off the hook. 'Well you didn't quite let me finish. I was going to add that you don't have a bridesmaid, but you have a pageboy. I am sure we can get Alan to agree to that role.' 'Sorry Dad, there wouldn't be enough time to get another costume made up and you know how Alan has said that he doesn't want to get his haircut, JUST, for my wedding, the kind considerate boy that he is. So what's the other option?' 'Well the other possibility is that I don't really have one. Although maybe, but I don't quite know how to put this. Let me just clarify what you want!' 'Oh boy, Dad's got his Doctor Spock head on now.' Becky teased him. 'Okay shoot.' 'Well, as I understand it, you want a bridesmaid that will be available next Saturday afternoon, someone who is about the same size as Anna so the dress doesn't need much if any altering. Is that right?' 'Yep, got it in one. Any suggestions then?'' 'And someone who has reasonable length hair, maybe someone who hasn't got it cut in a while?' 'Yes Dad, sooooo...' Rebecca was looking confused, but Mary could begin to see what her husband was saying. 'Surely you're not thinking...' she interjected. 'Why not?' Richard asked. 'What Mum, Dad, thinking what?' Rebecca was beginning to feel left out of some important secret. 'Dad is suggesting that your sweet little brother Alan, who won't get his hair cut for the wedding to look smart for you, could be your replacement bridesmaid.' Mary said matter of factly. 'That's it. Yes of course. It's so obvious. Thanks Dad, you're a lifesaver.' Rebecca gave him a big hug and kiss. 'Wait, wait.' Mary said, 'You know, maybe your brother may not agree to this yet. In fact I am pretty certain that he won't.' Mr Dawson nodded too in agreement. Rebecca slumped back down into her chair looking crestfallen. 'I think we could get him to agree if we offer the right incentive.' Mr Dawson finally added. 'We can discuss this tomorrow with him and see how he feels. Leave the initial negotiations to me first and then I'll let you two ladies fill in the finer points.' It was agreed. Chapter 3 'No way Dad. I am not dressing up as a sissy girl for anyone. No, no, no.' 'But Son, it would mean so much to your sister. And mother even. Becky just won't find anyone else at this short notice. I did suggest you could be her pageboy, but since you don't want to get your haircut for it, well you would just look too scruffy for that role.' Richard was silent for a moment. 'I know your quite young Alan, but I also know that you are a fairly bright boy and mature. You're not a selfish person either, but if we could perhaps make some arrangement... in other words, if you agree to this, then we do something for you, take you somewhere, buy you something that would mean a lot to you... that's how agreements are made in the real world between adults see. Its something called compromise.' 'I don't think there is anything you could give me Dad that would get me to dress up in Anna's clothes.' Alan shook his head for good measure, but waited to see how far his Dad would go. 'On the other hand I could of course just make you do this. I can order you to do it and offer you nothing. Remember that Anna says that you pushed her down the stairs deliberately. This would be a fitting punishment.' Richard looked hard at his younger son. He was manipulating him here. Offering him something of dreams and then removing it in an instant. The potential of getting nothing. Then he would make his offer. 'But she's lying Dad. I didn't. You gotta believe me. Please.' 'I do Son. Say, d'you know, there are those computers that you really liked up for sale at Harvey-J's in town. I can just imagine you with one of those in your room.' 'A computer, in my own room.' The boy repeated. His own room, the thought ran through his head. He had always had to share the same room with Anna so far. 'Sure. With Becky moving out when she gets married, I think we could arrange for you to move into her room. And of course, if you make a compromise with me, just one thing for one day, then I'm prepared to get you that computer.' 'So what's the catch Dad? What exactly have I got to do, to get this?' 'Just agree to do whatever you Sister Becky and mother ask you to do until Saturday evening. Have we got a deal?' 'My own computer and my own bedroom. And Anna doesn't get to use the computer unless I say so.' Richard nodded agreement. 'Okay I'll do it.' Chapter 4 'So this is what we call a contract Son. Here, I'll read it to you. It says, that I, Alan Dawson, and you sign here, do agree in the presence of witnesses that I will be bridesmaid at the wedding of my sister Rebecca Dawson on Saturday 15 April. I also agree that between now, Sunday 9 April and the aforesaid Saturday, that I will agree to do anything that my said sister or mother, Mary Dawson, tell me to do if it relates to being a bridesmaid. In exchange for this service, I will receive from my father, Richard Dawson, one Ultrabrand 200 PC for my own use, unless I agree otherwise, and in addition I will also be allowed to have my own bedroom, which is the one currently used by the said Rebecca Dawson. So Son, you sign here... I sign here... and your mother and sister Becky sign here. That's it then, we all have an agreement and there is no backing out now okay!' Richard sighed with relief. The only problem he now had was to find the money to buy the computer, having just paid the expense of his daughter's wedding as well. Still he thought, everyone is happy again at last. Apart from Anna that is. 'It's not fair!' she bawled. 'Not only do I not get to be bridesmaid, but I was going to have Becky's room.' 'Please Anna, not now. Look, you have still got your own room out of this. And the Doctor said that you couldn't be bridesmaid because of your leg, not us. It's a shame, but these things happen some time. Now please don't upset Becky or your mother at the moment. They are very happy, and they have a lot of work to do I think to get Alan ready before next Saturday.' Richard sat by his daughter. He realised that there was one other person whose feelings he hadn't accounted for. Emotions, they were so difficult to deal with. Meanwhile Rebecca and Mary were already making plans with Alan. 'C'mon then Alan, we need to try the dress on you first to make sure that it does fit, or to see what adjustments need doing. And then we have to decide what to do with your hair. Oh this is so exciting. It's going to be a lot of fun don't you think?' Rebecca was getting all excited again. 'Just wait until I tell Graham as well.' Graham was her fiancee. 'He will be so surprised!' she was almost crackling with joy. Chapter 5 'But what's the rush...' Alan nervously asked as he was being chased up the stairs by Rebecca. 'The wedding isn't until Saturday. Can't I just get changed then?' 'Of course not silly.' Rebecca replied. 'Those few days will go really quickly.' she said as she steered me towards her room. 'It's best to be ready well in advance. Anyway we have to check whether the bridesmaids gown fits you or not, in case it needs alterations. And also we need to see how you're going to look. We will have plenty to do on Saturday getting me ready without worrying about you too. And of course you'll need some training.' 'Training, what's that, why?' 'In how to be a bridesmaid silly. And of course how to act like a girl.' 'But I'm not a girl!' Alan said. 'Maybe not, but you don't want everyone to know that you are a boy dressed up as a bridesmaid do you?' 'No...' Alan answered assuredly. 'Then trust your big sister.' Rebecca put her hand on his shoulder. 'I'll look after you.' They entered her room. In the far corner hanging up on a temporary clothes rail were a series of dresses and other garments. Rebecca sorted through them and then pulled one out by its hangar. 'Take your clothes off then,' she said to Alan 'and then put this on. I'll help you.' Alan took his shoes off first, then unbuttoned his shirt and then removed his trousers. He stood in front of Rebecca just in his underpants and socks. 'I think you should take off those as well,' Rebecca said 'wait there.' She disappeared for a couple of moments and then came back in. Alan was now completely naked, but at least not yet at an age where he was too embarrassed by this. 'Here put these on first.' Rebecca handed him a pair of Anna's white cotton panties and a pair of ankle stockings. 'But these are Anna's' Alan said. 'They're for girls, not boys.' 'That's right. And bridesmaids ARE girls Alan aren't they. So put them on. Remember you agreed to do whatever I told you. It's important that we do everything correctly from the start.' Alan pulled the panties on first and found them much lighter and softer than what he was used to. He then pulled on the stockings. Next, Rebecca told him to raise his arms up in the air and she eased the bridesmaids dress over him and then manoeuvred his arms through. The dress was pale pink with a lace trim around the hemline and the scoop neck opening. The arms were also a lace lined and came to about half way to his elbow. 'That looks a pretty good fit actually.' Rebecca said to no one in particular. 'Stand up straight!' she barked at Alan, 'I need to see how it hangs on you.' Just then Mary also came into the room. 'My, she does look sweet doesn't she?' 'Mum, its me Alan your Son, remember me, I'm not a she.' Alan was beginning to tire already of these female references. 'I'm sorry dear,' Mary apologised sincerely, 'but you really do like lovely in that dress and anyway we will have to call you miss on the day so you had better get used to it. In fact, maybe we should treat you like a daughter all week to get you prepared...' 'No way, please mum... I won't do it. What about school?' 'You've signed an agreement dear saying that you will do what we say...' Mary reminded him. 'I think it will be okay mum.' Rebecca came to Alan's rescue. 'I think as long as he practises properly all the time he is at home he will be okay. I don't think we need to send him to school like this, unless he misbehaves of course.' 'I won't, I promise.' Alan said eagerly trying to please his sister. 'Okay I think that this seems to be fine. Only a very slight adjustment is needed just around the shoulders here,' Rebecca showed her mother. 'but other than that Alan and Anna seem to be a very similar size.' 'And shoes?' Mary asked her daughter. Rebecca passed some matching pink flat shoes to Alan. 'Put these on as well.' she told him. He did so, and they also fitted. 'Great,' she said 'this is going more easily than I thought it would. Let's do his hair now and see what we can do for that.' She helped Alan back out of the dress again and then took him into the bathroom. There she proceeded to wash and rinse his hair and then wrapped it into a towel and took him back to her room. She sat him down in front of her dressing table and towelled off his hair slightly. 'It's a good job you didn't get your haircut in the end.' Rebecca commented as she looked at Alan through the mirror. 'I think we may have enough length to work with here.' Mary nodded agreement as she stood up from sitting on the bed and rejoined Rebecca's side. 'So what do you think mum?' 'Well how were you going to do Anna's hair before?' 'Well as you know, I have booked the bridesmaids and myself into Karen's salon for Saturday morning, but we have had a couple of dry runs now with everyone. Initially Karen was just going to give Anna a very curly style, with lots of ringlets, and she even talked about giving her a perm, but in the end we decided to go for some curls on the front and a few at the sides and a French plait from the crown down the back.' 'Oh that sounds lovely... a very classic type of style.' 'Yes, that's what Karen thought. We looked through lots of magazines to find the right styles.' 'Why don't you try that on Alan first then. I mean just keep the same style.' Alan looked up at both of them turning his head around slightly straining to see them. 'Yes I could,' Rebecca said, 'of course, we need to get Alan booked in with Karen as soon we can during the week so she can practice on his hair too before Saturday. I can arrange that tomorrow, but in the meantime you're right, we can see whether what we planned for Anna will suit Alan or not.' 'Okay I'd better start lunch, so I'll leave you to it and see how it comes out when you both come back downstairs.' With that Mary left Rebecca and Alan alone again. Rebecca then rummaged around one of the drawers in her dressing table and pulled out a large plastic sandwich box, then a smaller plastic box and then a comb. Next she went back into the bathroom and returned holding a small bottle of some liquid, which she put down onto the dressing table. She took the comb and started to detangle Alan's hair. It was long overdue for a cut and was fairly raggedy in places. His mother had been threatening to take him for a cut for a couple of months now, but he always complained and then something else seemed to crop up. As Rebecca combed it through thoroughly, she saw that it was a few inches below collar length. 'It's a little uneven for rolling actually, but I am sure that Karen can tidy it up a bit for us before Saturday. It'll be best if I leave it for her to do, rather than me do it now and then have her take some more off. I think we want to keep as much length as we can, although your hair may actually be slightly longer than Anna's - hers just looks longer because of the cut she has!' Having combed Alan's hair through thoroughly, Rebecca then took the bottle of solution and opened it. She then poured the liquid over the front section of hair and combed it back through the rest from the roots to the tips making sure that it was evenly applied throughout. 'What's that for?' Alan asked. 'It's called setting lotion. It just helps hold the curls that I am going to put into your hair in place. Don't worry, it will wash out again next time someone washes your hair.' 'Do I have to have curls in my hair?' Alan asked again. 'Yes... if you want to look like a pretty bridesmaid for me you do have to...' Rebecca said firmly. She carried on while talking and had opened both boxes, the larger one containing plastic mesh rollers and the other containing a range of bobby pins and clips. She handed Alan the box containing the rollers and asked him to hand her one at a time. She then put some of the bobby pins into her mouth and proceeded with the winding process. Firstly she combed all the hair back through once more. She then made a parting across the crown from ear to ear. Then working on just the front section first, she combed out a section of hair about an inch deep and half an inch shorter than the roller. She then placed the roller next to the strand of hair, rolling it down to the scalp, and placed a bobby pin at the base of the roller to hold it in place. The sensation of the bobby pin sliding along Alan's scalp made him cry 'ouch'. However, Rebecca just ignored his pleadings and carried on winding his hair onto rollers all over that front section of hair. She continued to work backwards setting his hair into a brick pattern. However, once she reached the parting she had made, she stopped. Next Rebecca combed through the unrolled hair and divided it into three sections. She then started pulling the strands together and working it into a French braid, skilfully interweaving Alan's hair at a rapid pace. Alan became mesmerised watching her working, and although he could not see what she was doing, the sensation of the gentle pulling sensations on his hair from both the rollers and Rebecca's fingers felt unusual to him. At one point Rebecca cursed the unevenness in his cut, which was making life fairly complicated for her. Once Rebecca had completed the braid, she held her breath in case it all popped out and she would have to start again. She quickly took a handful of bobby pins and positioned them throughout the braid to hold it in place. Once she was satisfied that it was fairly secure, she then proceeded to weave in several dark red ribbons, with which she wrapped the ends of his hair and then tied into a bow. She then finally finished off by adding a couple more rollers to his hair, which had not been taken up into the newly formed braid. 'There, that's finished now. I am just going to put this hairnet over you and we can let it dry naturally, and then see how it looks later on.' She placed the hairnet over his head tying it securely at the back into a bow. 'And no fiddling with it in the meantime either!' she chided to him. 'But I have to stay like this now. For how long?' Alan asked her. 'Oh a few hours, maybe three or four. We can take it all out after lunch perhaps and see how it looks then.' 'But the others will see me like this, I mean Dad and Anna.' 'Well unless you want to stay up here on your own - then yes. What I thought was that we could all go back downstairs together so that they could see you with your new do.' Rebecca tried not to sound too churlish. 'Anyway you need to put something on first. I took the dress off so we didn't get it wet, but I don't want you to ruin it today. We can put that one on again later, when your hair is finished so everyone can see how nice you look. In the meantime I think we'll just find one of Anna's old knockabouts...' 'Can't I put my own clothes back on?' Alan asked. 'We'll I don't think so. You need to get used to wearing dresses at the moment and with your hair like that anyway, it would be more sensible for you to wear a dress than a shirt and jeans. Stay there and I will find something.' Rebecca returned a few minutes later with a petticoat dress of Anna's. 'Here I'll help you slip this on for now.' With the light blue dress on, Alan followed Rebecca back down stairs to rejoin the rest of the family. Chapter 6 Rebecca went into the family room and called out 'Ta- daaaa...' raising both arms and pointing theatrically at Alan as he trudged into the room. 'That's amazing.' Richard said dumbfounded. Mary came out of the kitchen to see what the fuss was and was also overwhelmed. 'He looks so sweet' she said, 'I wish he looked as presentable as that most of the other times.' Only Anna wasn't happy with the image presented before her. 'He's got my dress on. That's one of my favourites, why do you have to wear that one. It's not fair. If you ruin it I'll get you back for it...' 'Now, now Anna, calm down. I'm sure Alan won't ruin your dress will you Alan.' said Mary. Alan shook his head looking down at the ground. 'I mean, he's not going out playing football with the other lads is he dressed like that.' Rebecca added, trying to lighten up the situation, but not actually helping it. Anna reluctantly accepted the situation mumbling that maybe Alan should have his own girl's clothes to wear and not have to borrow hers. However, after a little while, she cheered up and started accepting Alan in his new regale. She was especially fascinated by his hair and the impression of the braid at the back, which was partly covered by the net. She liked the fact that Alan had had his hair done in the same way she was going to wear it. Maybe it was like she was going to be a bridesmaid after all, but Alan was just standing in for her. It was around 11:30, and Alan and Anna were playing a board game when the telephone rang. Rebecca picked the phone up and after a short conversation called out, 'Mum... it's Auntie Joy. She got your message about Anna late last night and wants to come round to see her. She's asked if she can come around this afternoon.' 'Of course she can. In fact tell her she can come for lunch if she wants.' Mary called back. 'Okay, I'll tell her.' and Rebecca spoke for a couple of minutes more and then put the phone down. 'That'll be nice Anna, she's bringing Katie as well so you can play with her for a while. Oh... I just realised Alan, that will be great for you too, since Katie is my other bridesmaid.' Alan's heart sank. He had not realised that his older cousin was also a bridesmaid. In fact he hadn't really thought about any of his relatives seeing him dress up apart from those in the living room today. 'Oh no... can't I get changed back into my normal clothes and you can put my hair back to normal too?' Alan pleaded. 'Oh don't be silly Alan. Your hair isn't dry yet and Katie is going to see you in a dress next Saturday anyway, so you both might as well get used to it.' Rebecca wasn't in a compromising mood today. Thirty minutes later the doorbell rang. Richard answered it and Aunt Joy and Katie walked into the room. Katie spotted Alan immediately and said, 'Anna. I thought you had a broken leg. So it's not true, you will be able to be bridesmaid after all. See mum I told you!' the girl said turning around to her mother. 'Hee-haw!' Rebecca giggled. 'Sorry to disappoint you Katie, but that isn't Anna. That's Alan. Anna's over there in the chair with her leg in plaster.' The girl blushed, but probably not as much as Alan had. She peered around the crowding of bodies and saw Anna in the chair. She then looked backed at Alan and started laughing at him. 'Mummy, mummy look, Alan is wearing Anna's clothes and is dressed up like a girl. He's a sissy boy, you're a sissy boy!' she taunted him endlessly. 'Stop that instantly!' Aunt Joy ordered. 'I'm sure there is a perfectly simple explanation for this, but I have to admit that I am dying to hear it.' Rebecca and Richard told Joy the full story, while Katie sat with Anna and listened in. Alan sat on his own in the corner of the room still feeling sorry for himself. At the end of the explanation Aunt Joy said to Katie, 'I think you owe Alan a big apology Miss. What he is doing for his sister is very kind and brave and he deserves a big hug from his Auntie Joy.' as she leant over and kissed him on the forehead. 'I think Alan should go and play with Anna and Katie, and Katie you be nice to him. That's an order.' Alan walked over to where the girls were sitting and joined them, sitting on the floor. Anna warning him as he did so to be careful with her dress. Alan was mesmerised by Katie and had often been before. She was three years older than him, a young lady of ten years. She was a good six inches taller than him, with an already developing figure. Her long dark hair rested on her back, reaching below the shoulders. She also had a dominant personality and could be quite cruel when she wanted to be. Rebecca, Richard and Joy continued to talk about the forthcoming wedding and Anna's accident. Eventually the conversation turned back to Alan again. 'So what are you going to call him, or should I say her on Saturday then?' Joy asked. 'What do you mean?' Richard asked. 'Well, I mean that you can't go around calling him Alan dressed up as a bridesmaid and hope that he will pass off as a girl no matter how convincing he looks.' 'I take your point.' Richard replied. 'What do you think Rebecca?' 'I think Auntie Joy's right Dad. But what to call him. Ummm... I know what about something like Alice... or Alicia. Yes I like Alicia.' Everyone else liked that too and Rebecca called out, 'Alan, we've decided that you're going to have to have a girl's name while you are dressed up like a girl, so we've picked out Alicia for you. Now you remember that, if anyone calls out Alicia, then they're talking to you, okay? And you two girls, you've got to call Alan Alicia for the rest of today and on Saturday.' The girls cooed with excitement and got into their drill practice at every opportunity. 'So Alicia what are you doing today! Alicia can you pass me the... Alicia do you like your pretty dress and hair in rollers.' and so it went on. Alan became more and more irritated by this and wondered if it would ever end. Eventually, Mary called out that lunch was ready and everyone went to the table. 'Mum, mum, Rebecca has given Alan a new name, a girl's name... its Alicia.' Anna beamed at her mother. 'Or Ali for short.' Rebecca added. 'That's nice dear. And does Alicia like her new name?' she asked turning to Alan. Alan was silent and shook his head. 'Oh that is a shame, still I am sure it will grow on you. Alicia is a pretty name. Maybe if you had been born a girl we could have picked that one for you.' During the meal Alan remained the centre of attention for the girls and Aunt Joy. 'No, don't eat your food like that Alicia. You need to take much more dainty bites, like Katie and Anna. Just like a small girl of your age.' In the end Alan cracked, 'But I'm not a small girl, I'm not. I'm a boy. I don't want to do this anymore. You're all calling me girl's names and making fun of me. I hate you, all of you.' Alan ran off and out of the room. Mary rose to chase after him, but Rebecca stopped her and said that she would talk to him. She found Alan sobbing by the front door. Sitting on the floor, his head buried deep into his knees, tears streaming down his face and into the lap of the blue dress. 'We're sorry Alan. Honest we are. But we are just trying to do the best for you. You know, it really means a lot to me that you agreed to do what you did, and we just don't want you to get found out on Saturday. I mean, we know and Auntie Joy and Katie know, and I suppose I will have to tell Graham, but no one else will know and I don't think we should tell them. All we want to do is just get you through the day with everyone else thinking your a girl, so it doesn't bring any more attention on yourself. Which do you think would be worse Alan? Dressing up as a girl for the day and being called Alicia, or dressing up as a girl and someone finding out that you're a boy.' Rebecca let it sink in. 'Come on, please come back. I will ask everyone to be kinder to you. But please try to make the effort as well.' Eventually Alan agreed with what she said and Rebecca took him by the hand and led him back into the room. True to her word, she asked everyone to pay a little more attention to Alicia's feeling, since she had only had a few hours so far to adjust to being a girl and was finding it a little difficult. The family finished their lunch and Katie, Anna and Alan went back into the living room to play. The phone rang again, about forty minutes after the meal had been completed. Rebecca answered the phone again and spoke excitedly for a few minutes before hanging up. She dashed out into the hall and then came back slipping on her denim jacket at the same time. 'Mum, Dad, Aunt Joy... that was Graham on the phone... I'm going round to his place for a while... a few things have come up that we need to sort out. I'll be back later... byeee.' 'But, Sis... wait, what about me, my hair.' Alan had run after her into the hall. 'Sorry Ali... I've gotta dash for now, but I'll do it tonight when I get back. Promise.' she kissed him on the forehead and then rushed out of the front door. For the rest of the afternoon Alan continued to play with the two other girls. However, at 6:00, Aunt Joy and Katie had to leave. 'See you on Saturday, Ali...' Katie called to Alan as they left the house. It got to 7:30 and there was still no sign of Rebecca to comb out Alan's hair. Finally his mother told him to have his bath and get ready for bed. 'But my hair mum. Can't you do it? I don't want to sleep like this all night.' 'Sorry dear, I think Becky wants to comb it out herself so she can see how it looks. I don't think I really know what she wants to do. I'm afraid that she'll just have to do it in the morning, if she doesn't get back in the next 30 minutes.' Alan had his bath. His mothered had insisted that he make sure he didn't get his hair wet while he took it. However, as a special treat, she had poured in some of her own scented bubble bath, just as a treat for her 'new little girl'. Not that Alan was particularly grateful for this extra bit of attention, but as he was beginning to learn, there was no point arguing with anyone. Chapter 7 'C'mon sleepy head... rise and shine... its nearly 8:00 and you've got school today, unlike Anna here of course who has to stay at home all day.' Rebecca shook Alan's leg for added measure. He gave a large yawn and stretched. 'Come on hurry up. I've still got to get those rollers out of your hair yet and get you looking okay for school, unless you want to go in looking like that!' Alan had forgotten about the rollers and touched the top of his head. They were still there. He jumped out of bed and followed Rebecca into her bedroom and sat down at her dressing table again. 'Oh Sis, I had forgotten. Hurry up please. Get me back to normal.' Rebecca carefully removed the net first, making sure she didn't snag on any of the rollers. She then removed each roller one at a time. Alan watched as she did this, and noticed the small coils of hair that loosely fell down the sides of his face as she continued. He took a deep breath in. 'Oh God, can't you do something with that. Pleaseee...' 'Shush.' she told him. 'I just need to see how its going to look first for Saturday and then I can brush it all out.' She carefully rearranged the curls around his face and teased and pulled at them with a tail comb. Finally satisfied, she called downstairs to Mary. 'Mum, come up for a minute and have a look at Ali's hair.' Mary appeared a couple of minutes later and lavished praise on her daughter's abilities. 'Actually, its not quite as good as I hoped,' she said somewhat self critically. 'You see the braid, isn't holding too well because of the unevenness in the cut and Ali's hair is a bit fine to hold the set all day. Remember that these rollers were in all night as well, so it should have been really well formed curls.' 'Maybe Karen can do something more with it.' Mary offered. 'Hope so.' Rebecca said. 'I'm calling her this morning to make an appointment in the week after school for Alan so she can have a play with it before Saturday.' Meanwhile Alan was getting impatient. 'Please Sis, I've got school in less than thirty minutes and I don't want to go like this.' Reluctantly Rebecca started to de-construct the style that she had worked hard to achieve. First, she took down Alan's braid and began combing it out. However because his hair had been braided wet, and with setting lotion too, it now looked as if it had been given a spiral perm at the back and his hair appeared considerably shorter. She combed it through harder, but it just seemed to generate more frizz. She then tried to brush out the curl on top. However, in this case, the effect of backcombing the style just generated more volume and height. Soon Alan looked like he had a giant coiffured football on the top of his head. 'Oh dear.' Rebecca said 'Becky! What have you done to me!' Alan cried. 'Please. I can't go out like this. Wash it out. You said it would wash out.' 'I'm sorry Alan, there isn't time to wash your hair this morning. Mum wouldn't let you go to school with wet hair, and I have to leave for work in ten minutes anyway.' Rebecca thought for a moment. 'I have an idea.' she said and rummaged around the drawer of her dressing table again. 'Ah got it. I could braid it again, but it might be better just to brush it back and tie it into a ponytail. I've got a plain coloured hair band here.' she lifted it up to show Alan. 'Aw-no, not a ponytail. Only girls go to school with ponytails. Everyone will laugh at me.' 'That's not true Alan. A lot of older boys wear their hair in ponytails. Admittedly in their senior schools. But you can say that your just more grown up than the other boys and want to be fashionable.' She started brushing his hair back and smoothing it down at the same time. Eventually having gathered all the hair into her left hand at the back of his head, she twisted the ponytail band around a couple of times and then pulled the ponytail so it tightened. 'There you are... all done. That will be okay for school today and mum can wash your hair out when you got home later.' Alan moved his head around trying to see himself in the mirror and felt the swishing motion of the ponytail as he moved his head. His heart sank. He knew it was either this, or going to school with a head full of curls. He didn't know which was worse. He went back to his room and started to change into clothes for school. Anna was still in her bed and taunted him. 'So you're going to school as Alicia then. Maybe you should put on another one of my dresses, sister.' 'Shut up Anna. I'm not actually. Becky says that older boys wear their hair in ponytails all the time. I am just being fash... fashion... neble.' 'You still look like a girl to me.' Anna said not being swayed. Alan finished getting changed and ran downstairs for breakfast. Mary saw him next and said how cute he looked in his ponytail. She hoped that his friends would like it too. He doubted it very much, but knew he would find out soon and ate his cereal quickly. Finally, Richard Dawson entered the kitchen wearing his suit ready for work. He double-took Alan, 'You're not going to school like that are you Alan?' he asked. Alan nodded and Mary asked, 'Why not? He looks very sweet.' 'But he looks like a girl with his hair like that. I mean, I know we have to do what we have to do for Saturday. But I don't want us changing Alan into a girl permanently. I mean, at home before the wedding, he needs to get used to it. But his friends at school, he still has to be able to face them as... as a boy.' Alan shifted consciously on his chair. 'But it's okay Dad, Becky told me that lots of older boys wear their hair like this. Its something called fashionable.' 'Humpphh.' Richard snorted. 'Long haired hooligans and timewasters in my view.' 'Oh Richard lighten up dear. He looks okay and that's the main thing. You've never let his longish hair bother you before, and it's a good job too. Anyway, Karen may be able to do something more stylish with it later this week. Now you go off to school honey and you go off to work lover- boy, I have enough to do here with Anna for the day without you two taking more of my time up.' Alan picked up his bag and left for school. During the morning, he did get some teasing from both the boys and girls about his hair. However, after the morning break, their attention started to change to other things and during lunchtime a few of the girls even began to take more interest in him than normal. He decided that maybe Rebecca had been right after all and the girls were noticing him because he looked like an older boy with his hair tied up. Near the end of the lunchtime break, Melanie, one of the girls in his class, came up to him and asked if she could braid his hair. Alan got all shy and said no, not today anyway, but maybe some other time. Melanie was a little disappointed but said that she understood. However she also warned him that she would hold him to his promise. After returning from school, Mary washed his hair out and gave it a quick blow dry. Alan asked if she could tie it back into the ponytail again because he liked the look and feel of it, and also because it made him feel like an older boy. Anna thought it was funny that Alan liked his hair in ponytails, but Mary did as he asked. Chapter 8 Alan went into school the next morning with his hair as normal again and the same on the Wednesday. However, at lunchtime, Melanie approached Alan in the playground. 'Hi Alan. I see that your hair is down again today. That's a shame, I really thought it looked nice when you had the pony.' Alan smiled at her. 'Can I sit down by you?' she asked. 'Sure, if you want.' Alan said, again pleased that Melanie wanted to talk to him, even when he just looked like his normal self. Melanie and Alan talked a little bit about their homes and families and the games they liked to play. Melanie asked Alan, 'Alan, do you ever play fancy dress?' He nodded. 'Do you ever dress up as a girl?' she pressed further. 'No... of course not.' he squawked. 'Why... why do you think that?' 'Oh, I just wondered when you had your hair up that's all. Did you like your hair in the ponytail Alan?' Melanie was still being probing with her questions, but she was doing it in a kind way Alan thought. 'Yeh. It made me feel more grown up.' he replied confidently and truthfully. 'Would you let me do your hair Alan?' Melanie started to stand up again. 'Ummm, I don't know. What here in school...' Alan got a bit nervous. On the one hand he did like the idea of Melanie doing his hair, but on the other hand he didn't want everyone to see her playing with his hair. But neither did he want to disappoint her and she looked a little sad that he wasn't saying yes. 'Oh, okay then, but not here. Can we go somewhere quieter if you want to do it now. But I'm not wearing it in class okay. You understand that.' 'Its a deal.' Melanie beamed. 'In fact I wasn't going to do it here. I think I know somewhere better where no one else usually plays. Follow me.' Alan got up and followed her. They went behind the main school building and then near the bike sheds. Beside that was an old boiler room and there was a space in between and behind the two constructions. 'In here.' she said indicating the space. 'Isn't that off limits?' Alan asked. 'Yes, but that way no-one will see us and that is what you want isn't it.' Alan agreed and followed her into the space. She told him to sit down on a large concrete slab and kneeled just behind him. She then took out some hair bands from her dress pocket and put them on the floor next to Alan. Next she gathered his hair with her hands and started smoothing it back into a ponytail. She then took one of the bands and pulled it around the hair and then pulled the ponytail tight to secure it. Alan flushed with excitement again. 'That's nice,' Melanie said, 'but lets try something different now.' She removed the hairband again and this time, using her hands she divided Alan's hair almost into a centre part and then gathered hair on just one side of Alan's head again securing it with one of the hair bands. She then repeated the other side leaving him with two dangling pigtails. She laughed a little and told him how cute he looked. 'Maybe I could braid those now?' she said. 'Would you like that?' Alan was a little unsure, but his pause meant that he wasn't saying no. Just then though, there was a sound near the boiler room. Alan and Melanie turned around, but it was too late there was someone there. They could hear voices approaching, but they weren't adult voices. Then three other girls appeared through the gap. 'Hi Melanie... so you did it then. Doesn't he look cute with his pigtails then girls!' it was Clarissa Jones. Alan hated Clarissa Jones, who was a well known school bully. She was one of the oldest girls in the school and also one of the biggest pupils and she used her size and age to good effect. The other two girls behind her giggled. Clarissa knelt down and looked Alan in the eye. 'Hello Alan, or should I say Alicia. I saw your cousin Katie on Monday evening at baton practice. She told me about your little dressing up games at home and how you like to dress up as a girl. I didn't believe her at first, but then I remembered you coming into school with your hair all up in a cute little ponytail on Monday and it all made sense. So we asked Melanie here to help us reel you in.' Melanie blushed at the mention of her name. She looked sadly at Alan and said, 'I'm sorry Alan. I didn't really have a choice, Clarissa said they would beat me up if I didn't help them. But I did like your hair in a ponytail, I didn't lie to you.' 'Aww that's enough bawling Melanie. You can split now, the girls and I have a little something else to say to Alicia here in private.' Melanie looked nervously at Alan and Clarissa and then stood up to go. 'I'll be waiting for you Alan.' Clarissa sat down beside Alan. 'Now Alicia dear what are we going to do with you. Its a shame that you want to be a girl but are a boy instead.' 'But I don't. Katie is lying to you.' 'Is she? Did she see you in a dress last Sunday and with your hair all rolled up? Wasn't she told to call you Alicia? Aren't you going to be a bridesmaid this weekend at your sisters wedding?' 'Well yes. But that's why all this has happened. Dad promised to buy me a computer if I agreed and...' 'Shush, enough of your excuses. Look Alicia, I'll make a deal with you to keep quiet about this if you agree to my terms.' Alan nodded. 'Firstly, you're to give me half of your pocket money each week. Every Monday without fail. I will come and collect it on school holidays. Secondly, you're to report to me or one of the girls everyday and we will give you some task to do. Something that every girl of your age should be able to manage. You can think of it as training. Thirdly, you're to wear girly panties everyday from now on and every day one of us will inspect you to make sure that you are wearing them. Is that all understood!' Alan started sniffling and Clarissa took hold of his chin and turned it up to face her. 'I said is that understood, otherwise we will tell the whole school about you.' 'I understand.' Alan said still sobbing. 'Okay, you can go now. Oh and Alicia, I will always be calling you that from now on because that is your real name, you had better take those hair bands out. If you go into class with those pigtails, I don't think you will have any secret to hide.' Alan pulled out the hair bands and threw them on the floor running out of the space. Waiting near the bike shed was Melanie who called out after him and ran up to his side. 'Are you okay Alan? What did they do what happened?' 'Go away Melanie, this is all your fault I hate you. I thought you were my friend and now...' he started to cry again. 'I'm sorry Alan, really I am. Please tell me what they said. Why are you so upset?' Melanie held him gently like no other girl had held him before. Alan explained to her exactly what Clarissa had said. 'I am so sorry Alan. I will help in anyway I can. Whatever she tells you to do, come and find me first and I'll help you as much as I can.' 'Thanks.' Alan said as he stopped snivelling. Maybe Melanie could be a real friend after all he wondered. Chapter 9 As Alan walked across the playground away from school after class had finished, he saw Rebecca waiting for him. He walked over to her and she said, 'Hi Alan. Was school okay today?' 'No. Not really...' Alan said sulkily. 'Anyway where's mum. She normally picks me up from school and you're normally at work.' 'Well, Mum's home with Anna and I've finished early for today. Karen phoned me up to say that she has got a cancellation this afternoon and can fit you in for an appointment now if we hurry, so here I am to collect you. C'mon I've got my car just over here.' 'Oh great.' Alan thought to himself. 'Just what I need for today. A hair-do in a salon after what Clarissa had said.' Alan wondered about telling Rebecca what had happened. 'Becky... I'm...' he paused wondering if he was doing the right thing or not. Maybe if he told her, then she could sort things out with the school, but then again maybe they would just get worse. 'What is it Alan. What's wrong. You seem a bit upset today and we do need to get to the salon quickly.' 'I'm just not sure that I want to go through with all this now, the wedding and the bridesmaid thing...' 'Oh don't worry Alan. I'm sure its just nerves. All girls get nervous just before the big day, both the bride and the bridesmaids. I'm sure Katie is feeling just the same as you are right now. But you did really well on Sunday and after Karen has worked with you today, I think you will do even better.' The mention of Katie's name stabbed Alan like a knife. They travelled to the salon in Rebecca's car and the journey took about twenty minutes in heavy traffic. The salon was located on a busy road and Rebecca parked the car close by and they completed the journey on foot. As they entered the salon, an attractive woman with a dark brown chin length business bob cut, greeted them. 'Hi Becky and this must be Alan right? Hi Alan, I'm Karen your sister's hairdresser and friend I hope...' the woman chatted on at an amazing speed and Alan found that he couldn't keep his attention on her all the time. In fact his eyes began to wander around the sights and sounds of the salon. He had never been in a salon like this before. He had has his haircut in a men's only barbershop before or Rebecca had trimmed it at home. As he looked around, he saw a bank of washbasins at the back of the salon with chairs in front of them, which he thought was strange. He then saw a line of large plastic hoods against one side wall, again which had seats under them. Along the other wall was a row of mirrors and swivel chairs placed in front of these. Sitting at the chairs were two women and two other stylists were working on them. One was having her haircut and the other was having rollers wound into her hair, just as Alan had done on Sunday. He looked back around him closer to the entrance and saw a couch with a coffee table in front of it piled with magazines and folders. There was also some sort of counter with a telephone on it that Karen had been standing behind when they first entered the salon. Behind the counter was a cupboard with coats and other garments hanging in it. And then on the other side of the door was a stack of shelving piled with various products. 'Alan, Alan!' Karen was trying to attract the boy's attention again. He turned back to face her. 'I said Alan, are you looking forward to Saturday? Your sister has told me all about you're being brave enough to stand in for Anna.' Alan blushed but didn't say anything. 'I think he is getting a bit nervous actually Karen.' Rebecca said to the woman. 'Maybe after you show him how good you make him look for Saturday he will be more relaxed about it.' 'I'm sure he is getting nervous, but maybe a little excitement too, no? It's not every boy that gets a chance to fulfil a dream of so many girls is it. Alan has the best of both worlds now. Anyway, I am sure we can find something that's just right for him. So if you can give me your coat Alan, we can get started.' Alan gave the woman his coat and she helped him on with a cape in return, which she tied just behind his neck. The long blue garment almost went down to his ankles and as he walked, the movement swished it around and between his legs. Karen sat Alan down at a chair in front of one of the large mirrors and then went away for a few moments. When she returned, she was carrying a large black folder and also had another one of the stylist with her. 'Alan, this is Beth. Beth this is Alan. Beth will actually be doing your hair on Saturday Alan, along with Katie's, while I'm doing Rebecca's. I will style your hair today into something pretty for Saturday and then Beth can have a good look at it when I am finished and she can copy it then.' She nodded to Beth who agreed with the plan and then Beth went back to her other client. Beth was the one who had been rolling the woman's hair. Alan noticed that Beth was actually a lot younger than Karen, maybe she was only still in her late teens whereas Karen was in her 30's for sure. He also noticed as Beth walked back that she had beautiful long flowing hair, which fell down to the middle of her back. It was a strong copper/flame colour and shined as the sun reflected off it. Karen opened up the black folder and started turning pages showing the odd photo to Rebecca as she went through. 'I was wondering if we could do the same as was planned for Anna,' Rebecca asked Karen. 'I had an attempt at it last Sunday which we didn't really have time to comb out properly. The braid was okay, but Alan's hair is a little uneven which made it hard for me and I wasn't sure whether the curls would last all day.' Karen ran her fingers through Alan's hair lifting it up as did so. 'So you rolled it and braided it did you?' she asked rhetorically. 'And did you mind that Alan. I mean did it bother you having that done to your hair?' 'It was okay.' Alan said not wanting to disappoint his big sister while she was standing there. Karen thought for a few minutes more and continued to examine Alan's hair, its condition and the way it laid and the lengths of the layers etc. She combed it through in a couple of different directions and then turned back to her folder again. She stopped at a page, looked at Alan, then turned another few pages and this happened a couple of times. In the end she stopped and turned to Rebecca. 'Becky, I don't think we can do exactly the same style that we had in mind for Anna.' She turned back to Alan's hair and started running her fingers through it again, then stopped holding out a couple of handfuls with her fingers spread wide apart. 'See, all these layers are very uneven and his hair is also quite fine, but has a coarse texture to it. We need to even these layers up for sure, but I think we have a couple of choices or rather better, a combo of two choices.' She held up the book and went behind Alan to show Rebecca the style she had in mind. The two women started to talk quickly and Alan struggled to understand all that they were saying. Still holding the book in one hand, Karen took hold of sections of Alan's hair in her other and moved it into a couple of different places. As they continued to speak, Alan noticed that they were using a lot of words, which were unfamiliar to him. Finally, Karen put the book down again, closed it and turned to Alan. 'Okay, I think we're ready to start. Becky, if you need to go off for a little while, I think if you come back in say two hours Alan will be nearly ready.' Two hours Alan thought, it had only ever taken around twenty minutes to have his haircut before, what was Karen going to do to him he wondered. Rebecca went off wishing Alan good luck as Karen led him to the washbasins. She put a warm thick soft pink towel around his neck and then asked him to lie back resting his head in the recess of the sink. It was a little difficult for him at his height, so Karen pushed a couple of extra cushions under him to raise his height in the chair. Next she proceeded to spray water all over his head wetting his hair thoroughly. After this, she put some shampoo onto his head and worked it into his hair using firm circular strokes. She rinsed it off and then proceeded to repeat a second time. Eventually, after a final rinse, she asked him to sit up again, which he struggled to do, and wrapped a towel around his head in a turban style. She then led him back to his chair. Karen removed the towel first and blotted Alan's hair partly dry. She then threw that towel away and replaced it with another pink fluffy one around his neck. She then combed through his hair carefully taking out any snags and knots and making sure it was all as even as possible. She then made a centre parting down the back of his head and then cut another line across from the bottom of each ear. She secured the hair of each of the upper two sections with a large butterfly clip. Then carefully she started to cut his hair. 'You're not going to cut too much off are you?' asked Alan. 'It's just that not getting it cut got me into all this in the first place, and so if you are going to cut it, then I might as well have a normal cut for a boy...' his voice trailed off. He knew that it was already too late for that at school. Things would never be the same again. 'No, don't worry Alan, I'm not going to take too much off. I just need to even up all those straggly layers a lot more and get some shape into this cut. You have very nice hair Alan, but if you want to grow it longer, you need to take more care of it and have it styled a lot more.' Karen continued the cutting process. As she finished each section, she removed the hair clips and then re-sectioned the hair, securing it back up again and then carried on cutting. Eventually, she had finished the back and was working around the sides. She made a centre parting on the crown, which allowed the longer hair to fall from the crown down the sides, and she began to even up those lengths also. Finally she finished off the style by cutting into the fringe area at the front with a slight angled motion. She then put the scissors down and combed through the style once more. 'That's a lot better Alan don't you think. Not too short, but this...' Alan looked at his reflection in the mirror and nodded. He had in fact seen this type of style on many of the girls in his school and wondered if this was another example of a style that both older boys and girls wore the same. '...bob cut is a much nicer shape and should hold your perm a lot better too.' Karen continued. Alan was lost in his own thoughts and didn't really pay attention to what Karen was saying. She talked so much and used words that he didn't understand anyway. For example what was a perm. Karen went away for a few moments and returned pushing a trolley piled with various things including the butterfly clips like she had used on Alan before, a large number of small cylinder shaped things, a box of small tissue papers and a large box with something inside, some cotton wool and a plastic bag. Alan looked at it all and wondered what she was going to do next. 'So now we've got the cut sorted out young man, we can do your perm. You should be excited by this, I didn't get my first perm until I was twice your age, and Beth has never had her hair permed.' Alan was surprised by this. What was Karen going to do that was so special to him. Next Karen combed back all of Alan's hair from his face. She then made two partings running in parallel with the sides of his head, each one separated by the width of a perm rod. Each parting ran from the front all the way back to the nape of his neck. From each parting, she combed down the side hair. She then took her tail comb and worked the tail in lifting a lock of hair at the very front of his hairline and she combed that forwards and secured it with a clip. 'We'll leave that lock straight for contrast.' she explained. She then proceeded to lift another lock of hair, which she then took hold of and pulled it taught slipping one of the end papers over the exposed end. Then taking one of the perm rods, she placed it over the end paper and started winding the rod back until it was firm against Alan's scalp. Karen then secured the perm rod with its elastic band. Once satisfied that the rod was securely in place, she proceeded to repeat the procedure, again lifting another lock of hair from that centre section and winding another rod onto it. She built up into a steady rhythm and chatted with Alan freely about whether he was looking forward to the wedding on Saturday and whether he enjoyed school. She even asked if he had a girl friend to which he replied yes. When pressed for her name he said, 'Melanie.' Alan watched the rods multiplying over his head. He noticed that they were much smaller than the ones Rebecca had used on him last Sunday and also they were secured differently, with these elastic bands. They were also much tighter against his scalp. Karen continued working through the centre section, as she started to wind the hair on the back of Alan's head. When she had put the fi