“See you.” I said as he trotted off towards where his brother was playing. He also wore a rara skirt, but his was cotton with flowers on. He also wore a pair of black tights, flat black ballet pumps and a blue top with a white lacy collar and long see-through sleeves. I said nothing as Mum and I walked the rest of the way to our house.
“Are you not tempted to try a skirt or frock now that your friends are wearing them?” Mum asked as we put the shopping away.
“Nah.” I replied in an instant. “Anyway, Andrew’s only wearing his because he’s been grounded.” I said, “For giving Patrick Thistle that black eye.” I added.
Mum thought for a moment before saying “I suppose it is a bit mean if that is the case.” She looked at me and smiled. I agreed that it is a bit mean. “Still, he looked happy enough… as did his brother and his brother’s friend.” Mum suggested. “I might buy you one of those nighties.” she said to my horror.
“They were horrible!” I insisted. “All pink and prissy and… yuk!”
“They weren’t all pink and prissy.” Mum replied. “They had loads of boyish ones.” she reminded me, before listing: Ben-10, Iron Man, Spider Man, Star Wars, Pirates, Football, Racing Cars, etc.
“They weren’t too bad.” I admitted. “But I’m too old for Ben-10 and Star Wars.” I reminded her. Mum smiled at me. I sensed she was only teasing me, or testing the water. “Anyway, they’re still girl’s nighties even if they have boyish stuff on them.” I added, just to make sure.
“They’re not girl’s nighties Peter.” she stated. “And for the record, I liked the pink and prissy ones best of all.” she grinned.
“It wasn’t all that long ago you and Auntie Helen said it was ‘scandalous’.” I reminded her.
Mum reminded me that it was only she who’d thought it scandalous. “Your Auntie Helen was all for it.”
“So why do you keep going on about it if you think it’s scandalous?”
“I don’t keep going on about it, and yes I did think it was scandalous…” Mum replied. “…at first.” she added. “I quite like it now I’ve got used to it.” she grinned.