“You worry too much. They probably see loads of boys… some shopping with mother, some buying gifts, some buying for themselves. They probably wouldn’t bat an eyelid if you asked to try a dress on.”
“You reckon?” I asked. I couldn’t see it myself.
“People are generally a lot more tolerant than you might think Peter.”
“Yeah maybe… I still don’t like the idea of going ‘can I try this on?‘ though.” I said. “Not in a department store anyway.”
“What about one of those little boutiques in Afflecks?” she asked. “I got the feeling they were more to your taste.”
I pondered for a moment before saying “Nah… some of the clothes were cool but I still couldn’t go and buy some.”
“What did you like?”
“Those dungarees with the skulls on.” I replied.
“That surprises me.” Mum replied. “They were very girlie.” she said. From a distance, the fabric is white with black hearts and a peppering of pink bows printed on it. It’s only on closer inspection the the hearts are revealed to be the eye sockets of numerous human skulls. Yes, the pattern is girlie, but in a way that challenges the ‘cute’ stereotype in such a cool way. “You should have said.” Mum said.
“Nah… I’d have had to try ’em on.”
“I could have just held them against you.”
“That would have been just as embarrassing as trying.” I said. “Any way you’ve spent loads today.” I added.
“Not that much.” Mum shrugged.
“You didn’t buy yourself anything.”
“I wasn’t really looking for myself.” she replied. “I’ve got enough clothes already.”
The train finally left the suburbs and we were in open countryside once more, meaning we’ll soon be at our stop. The sun is sinking below the horizon as we climb the hill from the station to our house. “You’re not going to tell Dad that you’ve bought me loads of knickers are you?” I shyly ask as we turn on to Leafield Avenue.