“No.” Mrs Postlethwaite replied. “…and you’ll never be a normal boy either.” she told him. “How does that make you feel?”
Billy gulped and thought for a moment. “I don’t know.” he replied. “I don’t really want to go back to being a boy, but I’m scared of trying to be a girl too.” he said. He looked down at the black pleated gymslip which hangs like a shapeless sack from his shoulders. “Especially when I go to the big school and they find out I’m really a boy.”
“Oh don’t worry about that Billy… the girls at Barton Road are used to boys like you.” she tells him. “Well… not boys quite like you.” she says. “You’re a good boy.” she states. Billy gulps and listens with intent, waiting for her to continue.