Forward

Children's adventure stories such as Nancy Drew or the Famous Five all revolve around a similar theme. That theme is usually about the child, or children, confronting adversity and triumphing in the end.

The story that follows will be the fifth in this series and is a variation on that theme as viewed from a different perspective. Our little tale takes place a short while after our hero's escapades in "The Case of the Clumsy Ballerina" and the upcoming "The Fairies' Conundrum." In this adventure we find Tony co-opted by his cousin Shirley to help track down a saboteur who is threatening to disrupt the opening of a charity fashion show. She provides him with the perfect disguise and he finds himself masquerading as a trainee journalist. True to form however, Tony finds himself in the most vexing of predicaments ....

This story is written to depict a young boy's first innocent encounters with cross-dressing and his subsequent feelings. If the reader is seeking descriptions of explicit or adult sex then they will be disappointed because this sort of thing is not included here.

 

Chapter One - An Ominous Beginning

 

"How do you feel about going to a fashion show with me this weekend?"

Tony's ears pricked up as he heard the question and he felt a slight shiver as his cousin Shirley sat down beside him. On holiday from school, the eleven year old boy was staying at his cousin's house for a few days while his mother was away on business. He was busy watching the afternoon football highlights on television and had been a million miles away when the question was posed to him; it wasn't just the words, but the tone in her voice that warned him that she was up to something.

"Why would I want to go to fashion show?" he asked. "That sounds pretty boring. A group of girls running around and acting silly ... not my idea of fun."

"Well, that may be true, but I know how much you like hanging around us silly girls sometimes. Besides, there's a mystery to be solved and I figured you'd want to be in on the adventure of it."

"A mystery?" Tony turned away from the television and gave his thirteen year old cousin his undivided attention. "What kind of mystery could there be about a fashion show?"

"Someone's trying to sabotage it. And I'm going to find out who it is. Are you interested in helping me?"

Tony felt the bottom of his stomach drop. Sabotage? At a fashion show? This was a mystery! Yes, of course, he was interested, most definitely! But he knew that meant ... well, let's put it this way: he knew that if his cousin had her way, he would be asked to go beyond the call of duty before anything could ever be solved.

"What do I have to do?" he asked warily. The last few times he'd got involved with helping his cousin out, his dignity - not to mention his safety - had been severely compromised.

"Well, I really could use an extra set of eyes and ears around," the older girl said coyly. "Plus, if we find out who the culprit is, I'm not going to be able to catch him all by myself."

"I see. But that doesn't answer my question. What exactly am I going to have to do?"

"Whatever do you mean? Like what, for instance?"

"Oh, you know what I mean. Am I going to have to ...." Tony gave a heavy sigh and blushed ever so slightly. "Am I going to have to dress up like a girl? Again?"

Shirley shrugged her shoulders and smiled. "Well, it sure would be a lot easier for a girl to sneak around a fashion show than a boy. You don't see many boys hanging around a place like that, you know." She gave her cousin a teasing sidelong glance and paused. "It would only be for a day or two at the most. You don't have to do it ... I just thought you might want to help ...."

The wary pre-teen thought for a moment before nodding his head. Though he was reluctant to admit it, he really didn't mind some of the dress up games that his cousin had subjected him to in the past, and this sounded like a perfect opportunity to help solve a mystery ... and satisfy his own curiosity as well. He was also very much aware that his emotions had the habit of being turned upside down whenever he had agreed to Shirley's schemes and he couldn't quite come to terms with it all. And now, faced with his cousin's pleading face, her eyes saying more than words ever could, he was faced with a dilemma.

Who knows? he thought to himself as he nodded his head a bit more vigorously, this might actually turn out to be fun.

"Okay ... I'll help. What do you want me to do ...?"

Savoring a quiet moment of victory, Shirley quickly told her cousin all the pertinent details. It seemed that her school was holding a fashion show at the village shopping centre that very weekend, the proceeds from which would be used to purchase books for the school library. Besides the girls from the school, a dozen or so parents had volunteered their time and several businesses had donated clothing to be modeled by the students. Donations would be collected during the show, and a raffle was to be held for several of the outfits, along with gift certificates to the sponsoring stores.

The problems began only a couple of days prior to the show, when an anonymous letter to the school headmistress warned the organizers to shut the event down, or else!

"What did the note say?" Tony asked, his eyes wide with curiosity. This was indeed a mystery! he thought.

"I only got a glance at it," Shirley continued, her voice breathless as she added a bit of drama to her story. She knew her cousin was hooked, judging from the look on his face, and she wanted to make sure he stayed that way. "But it looked very professional. The letters were cut out individually, like from a newspaper or a magazine, and pasted in, just like in a film. The message said 'Shut down the fashion show or pay the price!' The headmistress tried to keep things quiet, but it's difficult to keep anything a secret with all those girls around. It's got everyone at the school upset, and some people are talking about not even going."

"Gosh, what do they think is going to happen?" The youngster's curiosity was definitely piqued, and his mind was racing as he tried to imagine what kind of scenario he and his cousin might have to deal with.

"No one knows for sure, but whoever is behind all this seems pretty determined to stop us. This morning some workmen were supposed to show up to put together the stage, but they never arrived. When our headmistress, Mrs. Gilkey, telephoned to find out why they were late, she was told someone had called and cancelled the work order."

"They cancelled the work order? Do they think it was the same person who wrote the note?"

"It has to be! I mean, who else would do such a thing? That was almost enough to ruin the show, but fortunately Mrs. Gilkey was able to straighten things out and get the stage crew to come to the right place. Everyone's down at the auditorium helping set everything up right now. And that's where we need to be."

"Okay, but what are we going to be doing?" Tony was definitely interested in helping solve the case, but he had some questions as to how he could be any help. "I mean, what can you and I do?"

"Well, for one thing, the more eyes we have watching things, the less chance something bad is going to happen. And if something does happen, maybe just by being there we can put a stop to it before it goes too far. We've been lucky before, you know."

All that made sense to the boy detective, and in light of this latest news, he reaffirmed his commitment to doing whatever he could to make sure the show went on.

Even if it meant disguising himself as a girl!

 

Chapter Two - Nancy Dawson, Girl Reporter

 

The first thing the two cousins had to do, of course, was put together a suitable disguise for Tony. Shirley already had figured out what to do, as usual, and the eleven year old boy listened patiently as he heard her plan.

"I thought you could go as a student reporter from another school," she said. "We'll tell everyone you're my pen pal from London and you can borrow my mum's camera to use as a prop and carry a notebook and everything. It's pretty common to see one of the girls doing stuff like that, and it'll be a perfect cover story for you. You can take make notes about anyone or thing you think is suspicious and even take pictures, too!"

Tony swallowed and nodded. "Can't I just do that as a boy? I mean, that way I won't have to dress up or anything."

"No, I think that would raise a lot more questions than if another girl just showed up. Just how many boy reporters would be interested in covering a fashion show? Besides, dressed as a girl, you can go anywhere, even the dressing rooms, and no one will think it odd. Remember, the idea is to blend in and not call attention to yourself so you can snoop around."

"But what if someone figures out who I am?"

Shirley laughed and shook her head. "After all you've been through as Antonia? I don't think we have anything to worry about, trust me. As long as you relax and act like a girl, no one will have the slightest idea who you are. Believe me, there's no reason to be concerned about that!"

"I guess." Tony blushed and smiled weakly. As much as he hated to admit it, his cousin made sense. Her plan was a good one, all right. And if she was confident he could pull it off, then who was he to argue? The funny thing was, he was kind of looking forward to helping out.

This might be fun after all! he thought to himself.

The next little while was spent figuring out what he would need to act out his cousin's plan. Since the show was geared toward girls in their teens, Shirley suggested that Tony dress in something more mature than he did during his earlier escapades.

"Here, we need to make a list," she said as she wrote in a small notebook. "You'll need something for when we go down and watch them set up this afternoon, something cute for the show tomorrow and Sunday ... and, of course, the big party tomorrow night."

"The party ... tomorrow night?" Tony blinked. "What kind of party?"

"Oh, it's just a little party they're holding at the youth centre. It's for everyone who's helping with the fashion show, so it won't be a big deal or anything. Don't worry about it. It'll be fun." She gave the list one final look and nodded before putting it away.

The two children looked through some clothes Shirley laid out and Tony grimaced. As he nervously picked at the things that lay before him, he conceded that at least he wasn't facing having to look like a little girl. Everything his cousin presented to him shouted teenager! and he felt a familiar tingling deep inside as he thought about what he was going to look like in his new clothes.

At least I won't have to wear anything too stupid, he thought hopefully.

The pair finally agreed on his wardrobe for the day, a school uniform, complete with the necessary panties, knee socks, shoes and miscellaneous items that he'd need to complete his disguise. This, Shirley insisted, would give credence to his cover story as a girl reporter. She then turned her back and told him to get dressed.

"We really do need to get going. They're down at the mall this afternoon setting up the stage and dressing areas. Maybe we can find out something if we go down and look around for a little while. Do you need any help getting ready?"

"I can manage," the boy said quietly.

It didn't take long before Tony was standing in front of his cousin, his face red and his eyes downcast. You'd have thought that all he'd been through in his previous adventures that he'd be used to wearing girlish things, but the truth of it was that he felt just as self-conscious as he did the very first time he'd dressed up.

"Very cute," Shirley said as the cross-dressed boy turned around a few times, giving her a good look at his new clothes. "You could almost pass for one of my classmates without adding another thing."

Although Shirley was considerably taller than her cousin, the uniform she'd loaned him was one of her old ones, and it fit him just right. The regulation length pleated skirt and plain blouse hung in proper proportions, and the blazer gave the red-faced detective a sharp, snappy schoolgirl look. White knee socks and shiny black ankle strap flats completed the package. Tony fidgeted a bit, tugging at the material of his skirt, trying to adjust the elastic in both his panties and the waistband of his half-slip without appearing too immodest.

"What about your friends, you know, from when we went to the manor?" Tony had been thinking about all the things that could go wrong and, quite naturally, he'd come up with one that could seriously ruin their well thought out plans. "Are any of them going to be attending this thing? If they do and they see me dressed like this, aren't they going to wonder why Antonia is wearing a high school uniform?"

Shirley gave her cousin a smug smile. "Oh, that's the least of your worries. The only one who's involved in the show is Ann, but she won't say anything, even if she recognizes you. If she does, I'll just tell her that you - my sweet little cousin Antonia - is helping me with the case and that you're in disguise. I doubt she'll even notice who you are, though ... at least not when I get through with you."

"When you get through with me ....?"

"Oh, sure. See, I've got this idea for your hair," Shirley said, her eyes bright with mischief. "We could do it up like we've done before, but instead I'd rather experiment with something else that'll make you look just adorable."

"I don't want to look adorable," the boy in the skirt said sullenly. "I thought the idea was just to give me a disguise and that's all."

"Well, it is a disguise, but it's going to make you adorable anyway. What's wrong with that? Here, sit down in front of the vanity and close your eyes. This will only take a second."

Tony did as he was told, though he wasn't too crazy about closing his eyes. His cousin was really getting into all this, and he dreaded whatever she had in store for him.

"Now hold perfectly still," she instructed as a mother would to an unruly child.

First Tony felt her brush his locks and tug and pull at them for a bit, using something to pin them up from his ears and neck. The next thing he knew, it felt like she was slipping a stocking cap on his head. Warning him not to move and to keep his eyes closed, Shirley again tugged and pulled and fussed for a few minutes ... and then she was done. Almost. Tony felt a bit more tugging and pulling - Will it never end? - as though someone was combing his hair ... but not quite. At long last his cousin told him to open his eyes.

 

He couldn't believe it! Across from him, reflected in the mirror opposite him, stared a cute, blond-haired girl! And not a run of the mill mousy blond, either, but a bright, flaxen blond, the kind that turned heads and sparked smiles ... and melted hearts.

What the heck was going on here?

Tony blinked a couple of times and watched as the child in the looking glass did the same. He shook his head and she mirrored his movements exactly, the full blond head of hair swaying from left to right, tickling the back of his neck in a way he'd never before felt. Turning his head slightly sideways, he gave the fair-headed girl a sidelong glance and then sighed.

A wig, he thought to himself. I'm wearing a wig!

Shirley was beside herself with glee; this was one of the best plans she'd come up with yet! "Isn't it the coolest thing? I knew you'd like it. You don't look anything at all like yourself, or Antonia, for that matter. I doubt that my mom, or even your mom, would know you to see you like this. Isn't it grand?"

Tony wasn't sure what to think. He reached up and touched the shiny blond hair with his fingertips and smiled. The wig was made of fine, silky human hair, cut in a clean, crisp pageboy style that reached just below the blushing boy's ears, with bangs brushing his eyelashes. Looking at his reflection again, he brushed his fringe from his eyes and frowned as they fell back into place.

"This is going to take some getting used to," he said quietly. "Where did you get this? Aren't they expensive?"

"Oh, I got it on loan." Shirley stepped behind the (now) blond-headed boy and began playing with his hair. "I knew we'd need something to help hide who you really are, so I made some inquiries. The best thing about it is, we can keep it for however long we need. Hey, you never did say whether you liked it."

Tony blew a puff of air and shivered as his fringe tickled his eyebrows. "It's okay, I guess." He knew he didn't dare tell her what he really thought. He'd never hear the end of it if he did.

"Well, don't get too comfortable. I'm not through with you yet. Here, try these on, too."

Tony was handed a pair of glasses, which he studied for a moment before putting on. Yep, they were definitely girl's glasses, all right, with pinkish-red translucent frames and rose-tinted lenses. Not exactly the kind of thing he'd wear to a soccer match with his buddies. To his surprise, they fitted him pretty well and his vision wasn't impaired at all because they were plain glass.

"What's with these? I don't need glasses."

"Sure you do, silly! They're part of your disguise. Between those glasses and your new hairdo, and maybe a little makeup, no one will have the slightest idea who you are! You'll be able to come and go as you please. See what I mean?"

Tony continued looking at himself in the mirror and thought about what he saw. He hadn't taken his eyes from his reflection from the moment he'd donned the blond wig - a fact his cousin had diligently noted - and behind those pink lenses his mind was racing a thousand miles an hour. Not only did he not look like any boy he'd ever seen, he didn't look a thing like he did when he'd ever dressed up as Antonia. This was new territory for him and he felt a familiar tingling sensation deep inside his body as he admired the blond girl before him. As strange as he felt, he knew his cousin was right. He wasn't sure if he should be happy or upset.

Oh, well ....

Tony continued staring at himself as he listened to his cousin brief him on his cover story. His name was to be Nancy Dawson, thirteen years old and a second year pupil at a girl's high school in London. He was covering the fashion show as part of a journalism project and he had permission from Mrs. Gilkey to go and do whatever he needed to complete his assignment. As she talked, Shirley even typed up an official looking card with his cover name and title - "PRESS" - and slipped it in a plastic sleeve with a clip for him to use as a pass.

Before leaving the house, a couple of things were added to Tony's costume. First was Aunt Mary's camera, a heavy monstrous gadget with a huge lens and flash attachment, just like a real reporter would carry. Then came a handbag on a long strap; inside was a notepad and pen, some extra film, a lace handkerchief and, of course, a bottle of perfume. Shirley insisted on spraying "just a squirt" of the perfume on her cousin, as well as applying a touch of lip gloss to his mouth.

"We're not supposed to wear lipstick in our uniforms, but it would look suspicious if a girl as cute as you look didn't at least wear a bit of gloss. Here, put this in your handbag so you can do a touch up later." She then went to write a note to her mother about where they were going.

The bus ride to the village center was unremarkable, except for Tony's nervousness. It had been a while since he'd worn anything feminine, and between juggling his camera and handbag about and worrying about his hemline and wig, he was in a state of quiet panic. He would be the last one to admit it to anyone but the delicious cool feeling of freedom that wearing a skirt gave him made him feel wonderful, it was a sensation that he had almost forgotten about.

I wish boys could wear skirts, he thought with a blush. They feel so nice.

To make things more complicated, Tony ended up sitting with a large woman with a bag of groceries and plenty of compliments on the young boy's blond hairdo. He felt so awkward, having to answer all sorts of questions about who he was and why he had such a big camera and what school he attended and such; the good news was that by the time he got off the bus, he had his cover story down to perfection.

Once they were in the village proper, Tony realized that he didn't have too much to worry about. Located in the middle of an indoor strip of stores and shops, the auditorium was busy with people going every which way, setting up chairs, hanging decorations, arranging flowers and adjusting lights. Just as Shirley predicted, there were hardly any boys present; he could see only one or two who were helping their fathers with the electric cables and chairs.

The first thing they did was meet with Mrs. Gilkey, headmistress for Shirley's school and director of the show. Tall, gracious and brimming with a quiet professionalism, she directed the goings-on as a maestro might conduct an orchestra. She smiled brightly upon seeing the two children, and took the time to greet Tony as she would one of her own students.

"It's very nice to meet you, Nancy," she said brightly. "I hope you enjoy yourself over the next couple of days. This should be a great subject for your little project. I'd like to see your pictures when you get done. It looks like you really know what you're doing." She nodded to the camera in the skirted boy's hands.

"Uh, yes, Mrs. Gilkey. I'm not very good, but I'll be glad to give you what I've got."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll be just fine. I'll pay you for your efforts, so take plenty of shots!"

Shirley sent "Nancy" to take some pictures while she and Mrs. Gilkey talked for a bit. Tony was on his fourth frame when she came over and whispered in his ear.

"So far, so good. Mrs. Gilkey said that nothing has happened today, so maybe our letter writer has given up."

"Does that mean we can go home?" Tony was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable around so many people while wearing his cousin's skirt, and he was still worried about someone seeing through his disguise.

"No way. We're going through with this until it's all over. If nothing happens, then that's great. We'll just have fun and that'll be it. But if something does happen ...."

"Okay, okay, I get it. I'll just stand around and look pretty and take some pictures"

"Well, you're doing a good job." Shirley nodded toward the stage area. "It looks like you've got at least one admirer."

Sure enough, one of the boys helping with the sound system had stopped what he was doing and was looking right at Tony. At first the cross-dressed boy couldn't figure out what the suspicious boy was looking at, then he felt a tickle along the side of his cheek.

Darn it, he thought as he brushed back a stray blond lock. It's probably this stupid wig.

He then adjusted his glasses, and the scent of perfume where Shirley had sprayed his wrist wafted across his nostrils, sparking a familiar tingle down below. Suddenly, a crazy thought hit him, and as he squirmed in his skirt and panties, he came to a terrifying revelation.

Oh, no! It's not just the wig! It's ... it's ...

Me!

 

Chapter Three - The Cast of Characters

 

Much to Tony's discomfort, the two cousins hung around the auditorium for a couple of hours, watching as everyone worked and chatted and got everything ready for the next day's show. Shirley jumped right in, helping her classmates with the decorations, while the reluctant detective stayed in the background. Occasionally he'd be called over and be introduced to whomever his cousin was talking with. The eleven year old would smile and nod and politely answer questions about who he was and what his project was about, and then he'd slowly move back to his station, pretending to take pictures and notes like a good girl reporter.

"I just love your hair, Nancy," one of the girls told the blushing boy. Shirley introduced her as Molly, who'd be modeling for the show. "I want to have mine done in that same exact colour, but my mum won't let me. Do you do anything with it?"

With her boyishly short, dark hair and brown, piercing eyes, Molly cast a mischievous gaze into Tony's eyes, and he felt like she knew something about him that even he didn't know. The nervous boy licked his painted lips and shook his head; his blond fringe tickled his eyelashes as he did.

"Uh, no. I just wash it and keep it brushed. It's always been like this." As far he knew that was the literal truth of the matter.

"Well, I am certainly jealous! It should be against the law to have such pretty hair. It's just not fair. You're so cute, I can't stand it!"

Tony grinned goofily as his new friend gave him a quick hug and Shirley winked at him as he struggled to think of a proper response. "Thanks," was all he could come up with, and it seemed to be just the right thing to say.  

His cousin took him aside afterward and held his hand warmly. "You're quite the popular one," she said brightly. "Everyone thinks you're so sweet and extremely smart. I told you there wouldn't be any problems. You make a great teenaged girl!"

Tony squirmed in his skirt and smiled shyly. "I suppose so. I thought the less I say the less chance I have of fouling up. I really don't want anybody figuring out I'm a boy."

"Well, there's little chance of that happening, that's for sure. Now, have you noticed anything weird or strange going on? I've been so busy working I haven't had time to do any snooping."

The detective nodded toward the boy he noticed before. "Only that boy over there. He finished his work a while ago and it's obvious there's nothing else for him to do. But he's still here. Maybe that's something."

Shirley brushed her hair back and stole a glance at the boy her cousin was talking about. Grinning broadly, she raised one eyebrow and stifled a giggle.

"Oh, that's Rosalyn's boyfriend, Michael. Rosalyn wanted to be the star of the show 'cause she's been to modeling school and her mother is one of the sponsors. Michael was recruited to help with the sound system. He's a really sweet boy, so I don't think he's the culprit."

"Then why is he hanging around, then? He keeps looking over here and then pretending he's not. He's been doing that ever since I've been here. That seems awful suspicious to me."

"You don't know? Isn't it obvious?" Shirley looked at her cousin for a moment and then laughed. "You know, sometimes I have to remind myself you're not a real girl. A real girl would know why a boy would be hanging around like that."

Tony shot an irritated glance in the direction of the stage area and shrugged his shoulders. "Okay, then, I'm not a real girl and I don't know. You tell me ... why is he still here?"

"You silly! He's here 'cause he's watching you!"

The instant she said that Tony knew it was the truth. He'd probably known it all along, but something inside wouldn't let him admit it. A boy - another guy? - was watching him? Boy, this was getting weird! he thought. But, then again, he looked down at himself and sighed, a boy running around town in a skirt and lipstick wasn't?

Tony peeked over his cousin's shoulder and confirmed what she'd said. Michael was pretending to fiddle with the stereo system, but every now and then he'd look up and stare right at the cross-dressed boy. Tony blushed bright red as he realized that the two were looking right at each other, and he probably hesitated a bit too long before ducking his head.

"You don't think he knows who I ..."

"Don't even say it! No, he does not know you're a boy. Trust me. Nobody does. He's watching you because he thinks he knows you're a girl. He probably even noticed that you've been watching him! Like it or not, Nancy, someone is in love with you! You better watch out. Rosalyn gets jealous pretty fast. Isn't that hilarious?!"

No, it's not hilarious! Tony thought to himself. This wasn't at all what he had expected. He thought he was supposed to be looking for clues, and here he was being looked at himself! And by a boy, yet! What in the world was going to happen next?

"Oh, look, here's Rosalyn's mother now. Hello, Mrs. Cartwright!"

Tony turned to see a short, plump woman with too much makeup approaching them. He steeled himself in preparation for the usual questions and compliments, but nothing could have prepared him for what came next.

"Hello, girls ... Shirley, how are you?" the woman said loudly. She then dropped her voice to just above a whisper. "Everything seems to be going just fine so far. Have you discovered anything yet? Oh, and this must be your cousin Tony. Hi, I'm Helen Cartwright ... I've heard so much about you. Don't you just love your new hair! It looks so real! Excuse me a moment." She then turned and gave some instructions to one a girl who was walking by.

Tony blinked in disbelief and tried to figure out what was going on. Cousin Tony? Heard about? New hair ... looks real? Surely she couldn't know who I am ... !!!

Oh, no!!!!

"Yes, she knows all about what we're doing," Shirley declared before her cousin could say anything. "Where do you think I got that wig? I sure couldn't go out and buy something like that with what little money I've got."

Tony's face paled and his lower lip quivered as Mrs. Cartwright turned her attention back to him. She took him by the shoulders and spun him around. Humming and clucking her tongue, she nodded most satisfactorily as she gave him an inspection that would have done a sergeant major proud.

"Well, who would have thought it?" she finally said. "I always thought boys looked cute in dresses, but ... like I said, who would have thought one your age would look so adorable? If I hadn't recognized the wig, I'd never known he wasn't one of your little schoolgirl friends. I swear, sweetie, you're almost as cute as my Rosalyn."

Stunned, Tony could barely manage to squeak out "Thank you."

"Oh, don't thank me. Thank you for helping out with our little problem. I just hope we can find out what's going on before something really bad happens. Now, if you need anything else for your ... disguise ..." she gave Tony a conspiratorial wink, "just let me know. Anything to help the cause."

''As a matter of fact, Mrs. Cartwright," Shirley produced her notebook and tore out the page she'd written in earlier, "we do need a couple of things. I can take care of tomorrow afternoon, but I don't have anything for tomorrow night."

The plump woman read the list, nodded, clucked her tongue and then looked at the blushing boy. "Well, honey, I think we can do something. I'm overstocked on all kinds of outfits, and then there are the returns. This won't be a problem at all." She gave Tony a long look from toe to head and then back again. "In fact, I think I know just the thing, the perfect party dress for someone with your colouring ... and in just your size ...."

The eleven year old averted his eyes and wished he was dead.

Mrs. Cartwright talked with the "girls" for a bit longer, thanking them once again for keeping an eye on things and wishing them luck in their investigation. She then took off in the direction of the stage, muttering something about "If you want something done right, you've got to do it yourself ...."

The blood started returning to Tony's face and he stood quietly as Shirley told him how Mrs. Cartwright - who just happened to be the owner of one of the most popular dress shops in the centre, not to mention an important sponsor of the fashion show - had asked her to help out with making sure the show wasn't ruined. When the teenaged girl realized just how serious the danger was, she'd confided in Mrs. Cartwright that she knew exactly the person to help solve this crime, but she needed some things to put together a disguise or two. The eager woman was tickled to death when she heard that Shirley's accomplice was a boy, and that he was willing to go to such great lengths to help out. She more than happy to offer whatever assistance they would need.

"But did you have to tell her who I was? I mean, did she have to know I was really a boy?"

"It's not like she wasn't already aware of that, silly. She knew. Our mothers told her all about the kidnapping we got involved in at the manor last summer, as well as our Florida adventure. She doesn't want the police involved in case it's one of the children, and so when she remembered about us rescuing Anthea and Melvyn, she asked us to help."

"Aunt Mary ... and my mum ... told her about ... the manor? About Anthea ... and Mel ... and me?"

"Oh, yes. They've all been the best of friends for years. They tell each other everything!"

Oh, great! Tony thought. They tell each other everything! I wonder who else knows about me wearing girls' clothes...?

"Uh, Mrs. Cartwright didn't tell anybody else about me and ... uh, Antonia, did she? I mean, she didn't tell Michael and, what's her name? Rosalyn?"

"No way, silly! She wouldn't do that. It's a secret, remember?"

A secret? How could you tell? Tony just cast his eyes down at his patent leather covered toes and sighed. How in the world I get myself in these situations? he wondered.

Before leaving the auditorium, Tony had a serious decision to make. It had been hours since he'd last gone to the bathroom and he was about to die. With Shirley's encouragement, he slipped quietly into the girl's restroom to take care of business.

While he was sitting on the toilet - panties down around his knees and his skirt and slip gathered up about his waist - the cross-dressed detective listened quietly as someone entered the room. He held his breath, fearful that the door would suddenly open up and his awful secret would be given away.

"She's cute, that's for sure. And that head of hair! Have you ever seen someone so blond?"

"Well, she doesn't act like a blond. I talked with her and she seemed too nice, almost shy. I bet she doesn't even have a boyfriend."

"Oh, I'm sure she does. With that hair and those eyes ... she's probably got two or three calling her at home all the time."

There was some giggling, and for a moment Tony wondered whom the owners of the voices were talking about.

"And what about that Rosalyn? Isn't she terrible? Throwing a fit like that with her mum. I'd give anything if my parents owned a dress shop ... I wouldn't have to be the star of the show or anything."

"Oh, that's just her way. Ever since she went to that charm school, she's little Miss Perfect. I like her, but sometimes she just carries things too far."

Tony listened as he heard someone tinkle and then flush. Looking down at his bare knees, he blushed as he realized the irony of his situation. How do I get in these predicaments? he thought, holding his breath.

"Well, I'll be glad when this is all over with," one of the other girls said. "It's a lot of fun so far, and I'm really looking forward to the show, but I just don't like it when Rosalyn acts like this. It almost ruins everything."

"Oh, don't carry on. She'll be fine. I'm more worried about me. I've never been out in front of so many people before. I'll be so scared, I might pee in my pants ...."

There was a burst of girlish laughter, and with that the room was empty, except for the boy on the toilet with the skirt up around his waist. Tony sat there for a few minutes, pondering what he'd heard. Something is going on, he thought. I wonder .... It wasn't until Shirley knocked on the door looking for him that he remembered to pull up his panties and get going. It would be a long bus ride home and they had a full day a head of them tomorrow.

 

Chapter Four - The Saboteur Strikes!

 

The next morning the two children rose extra early, ate a quick breakfast and got dressed before Aunt Mary had finished her morning shower.

"Mum, I'm going to the village with Tony," Shirley called as they headed for the front door. "We'll be there most of the day helping out at the fashion show."

Aunt Mary appeared at the top of the stairs in her bathrobe, her hair wrapped in a towel. "That's fine, dear. Oh, hello, dear ... and just who might you be ...?"

Tony looked up at his aunt through his girlish spectacles and smiled. "Aunt Mary, it's m- ...." Shirley grabbed the eleven year old by the hand and pulled him along behind her.

"Come along, Nancy. Tony's probably waiting for us at the bus stop. We'll be back this afternoon, Mummy. Bye!"

The front door then slammed shut, leaving the bewildered woman standing at the top of the staircase with a questioning look on her face.

Who in the world was that?

She thought about the pretty blond girl Shirley dragged out of the door and she turned to head back into the bathroom. It wasn't until she looked in the mirror that she realised there were no girls named Nancy in her daughter's circle of friends. Remembering that she hadn't seen Tony all morning, something clicked.

Oh, no, not again!

She thought about her little nephew who had been known to wear girls' clothes, especially when Shirley had some scheme or other to involve him in. She shook her head in wonder and laughed aloud as she went back to her chores.

Oh, well ... it's too late now. Those children! ....

The two cousins almost missed their bus because Tony was fumbling around with his camera and handbag, juggling between the two items with all the grace of a newborn kitten. It didn't help that he felt extremely vulnerable in the clothes his cousin picked out for him to wear that day. This ensemble was very stylish and very feminine. The wide necked sweater was made of a pink, puffy material that looked like candy floss and was as soft as down; Shirley said it was angora, whatever that was. Tony squirmed in the girlish garment, feeling as though it was a bit skimpy in contrast to what he thought it should be; the thin sleeves stopped just above his elbows, and the bottom hem just hardly reached his waist, leaving his bare belly well exposed.

The pre-teen boy also wore a soft white wool skirt with sharp creased pleats that swayed back and forth constantly, accentuating his every movement. The hem was well above his knees, and he was grateful he'd learned early on how to move in such clothes without exposing his underwear; it was going to be hard to do much at all without worrying about embarrassing himself any more than he had to.

 

Soft coral tights - with the cutest flower print panties underneath! - and a pair of shiny white leather sandals with two inch heels complemented his outfit. Shirley had supervised him as he pulled on the tights, making sure that he didn't ruin them in the process and helping him straighten out the waistband. When they were done he was the perfect picture of a teen girl.

Well, except for his hair, naturally. Again, he found himself wearing his new wig, this time decorated with a bright pink ribbon tying the light flaxen tresses back in a fresh, innocent look. Adding a bit more color to his appearance were the crimson gloss that coated his lips and red polish on his finger nails. And just the slightest touch of rouge.

Oh, and Nancy wouldn't be Nancy without her glasses, would she?

Probably the most embarrassing thing Tony wore - aside from the skirt and tights - was the padded bra that was evident beneath the candy floss sweater. Shirley had insisted on it, saying that no thirteen year old girl - no matter how flat-chested she was - would neglect to wear at least some sort of brassiere. Tony only wished that she hadn't chosen one that gave everyone so much to look at; before allowing him to leave the house, his cousin had produced a pair of small foam forms and slipped one inside each of the cups that embraced his boyish breasts. The mortified boy felt like a prisoner in a straight jacket.

"Sometimes a girl has to cheat," she said with a rueful grin. Clasping her hands with glee, she stood the blushing child before the mirror and fawned over his budding developments. Tony squirmed uncomfortably as he studied his reflection, feeling extremely self-conscious as he looked at the curves that showed through his girlish sweater.

As they waited for the bus, the skirted boy glanced down at himself, sighed and then scrunched his shoulders together in an attempt to make his figure less noticeable. Seeing that his effort was in vain, he picked at the red nail polish - a perfect match for his lipstick, of course - that decorated his fingers and played with the rings and bracelets that adorned his hands. He felt like such a ... a sissy, decked out in such a fashion, but his cousin had insisted, saying that the other girls would get suspicious if he wasn't properly done up.

"Oh, don't be such a fusspot," Shirley told him before leaving the house. "You said you wanted to dress up more like an older girl. Well, this is all part of the territory, you know."

Well, it could be worse, Tony thought. At least I don't have to carry that stupid doll.

The one item that Tony felt like he had any control over was the tiny fairy pendant he wore on a fine gold chain about his neck. He'd worn it on some adventures since his beloved Anthea presented him with it oh, so many months before. Just putting it on made him feel complete and safe whenever he ventured into the world in a girlish guise; a pair of smaller fairies clipped to his earlobes and a small gold charm bracelet - both acquired during his most recent adventure - added to the illusion ... and his peace of mind. Little did the feminine boy realize, however, that resting just below the hollow of his throat, the glittering necklace accentuated the blossoming swells of his improvised figure.

Dressed in a pair of snug jeans and blue short-sleeved top, Shirley was in perfect contrast with the cross-dressed boy as they climbed aboard the bus. With her face and nails done up in similar fashion to her cousin, she sat down next to him and as girls often do with each other, adjusted the fit of his sweater so that it was just right. She'd been watching him closely as they'd walked down to the bus stop and noted with a smile how well he'd adapted to wearing his new heels; they were only a couple of inches high, but that was enough to make a big difference in the way he walked. She also noticed that he tended to keep his legs together more than before, even as he took his seat on the bus. That was probably due to wearing tights; she'd heard that girls' hosiery had a powerful affect on boys, and judging from the way Tony was moving, there was some merit to that theory. For some reason that made her smile.

"Tony ... you look really nice today. I mean, I think you make just as good looking a teenager as you do a little girl. The boys won't be able to keep their eyes off of you, that's for sure!"

"The boys ...? What boys?" Tony felt a shiver of apprehension sweep over his slender body.

"Oh, you know, the boys!!! The opposite sex from what you're supposed to be? I mean, we are out in public, you know. Just wait 'til Michael gets a look at you. He won't be able to stand it!" It was all Shirley could do to keep from touching her cousin and primping his clothes and hair. She was so proud and excited about how cute he looked dressed as Nancy, she was about to burst. Being with him like this made her feel like a big sister.

"I don't know that I'm going to be able to stand it. What if I mess up?"

"Oh, you're doing fine. I can tell you don't hate this as much as you pretend. In fact, I think you have got a thing for Michael."

Tony's eyes went wide with shock and he looked around to see if anyone heard what his cousin had just said. "Are you crazy? I don't have a thing for ... him! He's a boy! I'm a boy ... and boys don't ...."

"You don't look anything like a boy to me," Shirley interjected with a smile. She playfully flipped up the hem of Tony's skirt, exposing the tops of his tights just long enough to put the youngster in a panic. She then took his hand and squeezed it affectionately.

"Oh, don't be so serious! I know you're a boy, dummy. I was just teasing you a little. You're going to have to get used to this if you're going to run around in dresses and help solve these crimes, you know. It doesn't mean anything. It's just part of the role you've got to play if we're going to do this right, that's all."

Tony wasn't so sure about all that. He wasn't so sure about his ability to do as well as his cousin said he should, and he definitely had doubts about how to act around boys. The idea of being attractive like that made him extremely nervous, scared almost. Running around and pretending to be a girl was fun all right, but this was treading on strange new ground, and he had no idea at all where it was going to take him.

The children got to the indoor shopping centre just as the stores were opening up, and after discovering they had arrived before any of the fashion show crew, they wandered about a bit, window shopping and talking and carrying on like any other pair of teenaged girls you might see in such a place. Shirley dragged her cousin into as many women's wear shops as possible, mostly because she enjoyed the shade of red his face would turn whenever one of the assistants asked him if he'd like to try on anything. Though they didn't have much time for that, they did pick up a few things and hold them up in front of the dressing mirror and pose and giggle like the children they were.

Tony felt exhilarated by the experience, and he found himself falling into his role a little more with each passing moment, trading cute remarks with his older cousin and even picking out a few outfits and pretending to be interested in buying them. He spent a lot of time in front of the triple paned dressing mirrors, marveling at the strange girl that stood before him. He might get to actually like her, he eventually decided ... a lot! From the pink ribbon atop her flaxen pageboy haircut, to the pale pink nylons at the crimson tips of her painted toes, she was as cute and perky looking as any young teen had the right to be. It amazed Tony that underneath that sweet veneer hid a soccer goalie and aspiring detective.

Around ten o'clock they arrived back at the auditorium, just in time to find Mrs. Gilkey and Mrs. Cartwright in a panic. Something was obviously wrong as the smiles of the day before were replaced with frowns and worried looks. The two detectives hurried to find out what was the matter.

What they saw was a complete and utter mess!

Someone had turned on one of the water spouts that fed the flower display and either by neglect or malice had positioned the hose so that the water completely covered the stage! It was everywhere, and it was time for everyone to start getting dressed for the show!

Mrs. Gilkey saved the day, as usual. Organizing the children and adults - along with several sympathetic bystanders - into teams, she had all the decorations removed, clearing the water-soaked floor so they could begin cleaning up. Mrs. Cartwright called the auditorium management office and within minutes armloads of mops, towels and buckets arrived. Volunteers grabbed whatever they could, and in no time the floor was dry - not to mention a bit cleaner than before. By the time the props were replaced and arranged in their proper order, a half-hour delay was all that was needed.

The show was going to go on!

 

 

Chapter Five - A Time to Panic!

 

"That was no accident!" Shirley said, her face red with anger. "We were here earlier and everything was perfect. Someone did that while we were shopping. I mean, we were just a couple of minutes away, and they deliberately tried to ruin the show! Ohhhh, that makes me so mad ....!"

Tony nodded in agreement. His cousin was right. They were only gone about half an hour or less, and the saboteur was brazen enough to strike as people were passing by? That was pretty amazing! The boy detective wondered who could be so bold to do something so mean.

Shirley left Tony to take some more pictures and snoop around while she met with Mrs. Gilkey and Mrs. Cartwright. He was finishing up the roll when she returned, a letter-sized envelope in her hand.

"Here, look at this. Can you believe it? This guy is just awful!"

Tony looked at the note inside the envelope. Just like in the movies, it had letters cut out of a magazine or newspaper pasted to form a message. "You were warned!" it said. Stop this show!" The eleven year old looked up at his older cousin with wide eyes.

"Hey! This is pretty scary."

"No, it's not scary. It's stupid." Shirley frowned and looked at the letter. "I can't believe someone is going to all this trouble to ruin our show. I mean, we're not hurting anyone or anything. Why do it, then?"

"Maybe they're just being mean." Tony brushed back a stray lock of blond hair from his eyes and thought for a moment. With his pretend glasses on, he looked very serious indeed.

"No, I don't think so. I think if that was the case, they wouldn't leave a note. They'd just make a mess or tear something up and be done with it."

"Okay ... then there must be a reason, right? I mean, even if it only makes sense to them."

"I guess. Mrs. Gilkey doesn't seem to have the slightest idea who it is or why they're doing it. She's pretty worried about it. She stayed here until really late last night and then came by before the shops opened to make sure everything was okay. She said if anything else happens, she might have to shut down 'cause she doesn't want anybody to get hurt."

"Who discovered the mess?"

"Well, Rosalyn did. She got here a little while after you and I did and found it. She went to her mum's shop and told her and then they called Mrs. Gilkey."

"Hmmm." The petticoated boy thought for a moment. "I wonder who the last person to check on everything was? I mean, did anyone else come by this morning after we did?"

"Well, Michael said he came in and checked the sound system. Then he went to get something to eat. That was about the time we were down at that swimsuit shop, I think." Shirley shook her head. "He said if the water had got into the cables, someone might have been electrocuted. That's why Mrs. Gilkey is so upset."

To everyone's surprise and relief, the show went on without a hitch. For nearly an hour the girls paraded a huge inventory of sportswear, casual attire and even swimsuits for a growing crowd of customers. Tony busied himself taking as many pictures of the girls as he could, and was embarrassed when he realised he'd run out of film. Nonetheless, he was amazed to see everyone working so smoothly together. The show had all the appearance of a professional affair, and it looked as though everyone was thoroughly impressed with the girls' performance.

Backstage the pre-teen boy found himself privy to things he never thought he'd ever see in his lifetime. Half-dressed girls were everywhere, flinging clothes about, giggling and chatting and having the most wonderful time as they prepared to go on stage. Quietly wandering between those who were undressing and those who were dressing, the skirted child tried not to be obvious as he watched the proceedings, amazed at how no one seemed to pay any attention to the fact that a boy was in their midst. Between glimpses of pretty girls in their underthings, the smell of perfume and hairspray and sounds of laughter, he was in heaven! That familiar tingling sensation coursed through his body, and he was afraid for a moment that his excitement might betray his true identity.

"Why aren't you in the show?" one of the girls asked him. Tony almost panicked when he recognized her; it was Ann, his cousin's friend. The last time he'd seen her he was posing as "Antonia," running around the old manor in a little dress and playing with a doll.

"I'm, uh, the photographer," the cross-dressed boy said, his face pale with fear. He forced himself to smile and held up his aunt's monstrous camera. "I'm not too good in front of crowds."

"Oh, but you're so cute!" Ann said as she pulled a dress over her head and adjusted her bra through the material. "With that figure and those legs, you really should be in front of the camera. I bet you'd be just great!"

Tony grinned shyly and shrugged his shoulders. When in doubt, he always chose to say as few words as possible. "Thanks," he said.

"Do I know you? I bet we've met somewhere."

"I ... well, we might have ...."

"Ann! Hurry up ... they're ready for you!"

The teenager rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, that's my cue. See you later," she said as she shook her head and ran her fingers through her hair. Tony let go a sigh of relief as she disappeared through the curtain.

His respite was short-lived, however. He was busy trying not to be noticed when someone behind him slipped their hands on either side of his bare waist and whispered in his ear, "Having fun, cutie?" Startled beyond words, the shaken boy turned to see a set of dark piercing eyes and a bright smile. It was his friend Molly, from the day before.

"Oh, gosh!" he put his hand to his breast as though to clutch his heart. "You nearly scared me to death!"

"Guilty conscience," the dark complected teenager said, flashing a smile that caused the youngster to blush. "Have you taken any good pictures? I'd love to see them when you're done."

"Oh, sure. I've taken plenty. Well, not in here, of course. Out on stage ... where they're holding the show, I mean."

"I know what you mean. Now, where did they put that ...?" Molly slipped out of her dress and stood before the wide-eyed boy in her bra and panties as she tried to decide what she was supposed to put on next. She glance coyly at the boy in the skirt. "What ... what's the matter? You're looking at me awfully funny. Haven't you seen a girl in her underwear before?"

"I ... I'm sorry. I just never ...." Tony blinked and swallowed. He'd been caught staring at his new friend, and there was no denying it. That tingling sensation was causing him to tremble just enough that he had to clench his fist to hide it. He thought for a second and then forced himself to look directly into Molly's shining eyes. "I just never saw such cute undies," he said in his best 'girlfriend' voice. He tried hard to sound enthusiastic as he spoke and he felt silly saying the things he did. "What a great bra and panty set! Where did you get them?"

Slipping into a short hip-hugging skirt and a very short tee-shirt that showed off her belly, Molly adjusted herself and looked in the mirror. "From Rosalyn's mum ... she gives all of us a nice discount for helping out in the show. She's pretty nice, for a grownup, of course. Well, what do you think?"

Tony nodded his approval of his new friend's transformation, and was rewarded with another flashing smile. The teenager touched up her dark purple lipstick and blew a kiss at him, giggling wildly as she did so.

"Be sure and take plenty of pics of me out there." Tony blushed as the older girl poked playfully at his bare belly again. She then slipped her feet into a pair of platform shoes and struck a campy pose. "Everybody knows I'm crazy about pictures of myself, darling."

I think she's just plain crazy, period! the young boy thought as he watched Molly head for the stage.

Two significant events happened during the show, well, significant to the cross-dressed detective, that is. The first had to do with Rosalyn, Mrs. Cartwright's daughter. Tony was standing quietly in the main dressing area, innocently watching the dozen or so girls as they came and went and changed their clothes, when from behind one of the curtains he overheard Mrs. Cartwright fussing softly.

"Sweetheart, you can't be the center of attention all the time. You've got to learn to share the spotlight with your friends, too, you know."

"I don't have any friends," the voice of the younger Cartwright whined. "Besides, it's not fair! You're the sponsor of this .. thing! Why can't I be the star? It's just not fair!"

"Rosalyn, really! I don't have time for this. You can either be a part of it or not. You're not the only child in this show, you know. Just as I'm not the only sponsor. Please don't act like this."

"I don't want to talk about it anymore. I've got a headache. Leave me alone!"

Tony was surprised to hear Mrs. Cartwright being talked to in such a manner, especially since she was so nice and sweet. Some people don't deserve what they have, the disgusted boy thought to himself.

The other incident had more to do with Tony - well, "Nancy," actually - than the fashion show. Tony was standing around during the intermission when he felt someone touch him on the shoulder. Thinking that it was either Shirley or his friend Molly, the eleven year old boy turned and smiled and started to say something cute.

He found himself facing the last person on earth he wanted to see: it was Michael!

"Uh, hi," the older boy said. He waited a second for Tony to say something, but the younger child was too scared to respond at all. "I, uh, was wondering .. is that one of those new Nikons?"

With her face white with panic and knees buckling with fear, "Nancy" forced herself to smile and looked down at the gadget in her hands. "Yeah, it's my aunt's ... I mean, it belongs to Shirley's mum. She's letting me borrow it for the show."

"Those are pretty good ... and expensive. You look like you really know what you're doing with it, though. Are you going to bring it to the party tonight?"

"I .. I suppose so." Tony's face went from white to red in less than a second. He's going to be at the party? Oh, that's just great ....

"Maybe I can play with it then, do you think? You know, just to see how it works?"

"Yes ... why not?"

"Great!" Michael gave the blushing boy a bright smile. "Right, then. Well, they're getting started up again. I better go. I'll see you tonight, okay?"

The second hour went as smoothly as the first, maybe even more so. Mrs. Cartwright brought Tony a couple of more rolls of film and asked him to shoot at many pictures of the girls as possible. That kept him so busy that he almost forgot why he was there and how he was dressed.

It was all over by two o'clock, and Shirley and Tony stayed around to help Mrs. Gilkey and Mrs. Cartwright wrap things up. Everyone was relieved that nothing else bad had happened, and they all agreed that the next day's show should be even better!

By the time they got home, both children were worn out. Tony was particularly tired, having spent the entire day in a pair of uncomfortable shoes and carrying his aunt's heavy camera around. He was about to go upstairs and take a rest when his aunt called out from the kitchen.

"Oh, there you two are. Where in the world have you ... my, oh my ... Tony? Is that really you? My gosh, sweetheart, I wouldn't have recognized you if I hadn't known who you were. What have you done with your hair?"

Shirley mercifully injected herself into the conversation, telling her mother all about the mysterious notes and the sabotaged fashion show and everything. When she got to the part about borrowing the wig from Mrs. Cartwright, Aunt Mary couldn't help smiling.

"Well, that sounds like something Helen Cartwright would do! That woman ... she knew very well who your cousin Tony was and what you were going to do with that hairpiece, didn't she?"

"Yes, mummy. You're not mad are you?"

Aunt Mary gave her daughter a hard look, and then she gave the same look to her nephew. Tony's mouth turned dry as he stood there helplessly before his aunt, feeling ever so foolish in his tights, skirt and wig. He tried to clear his throat so he could say how sorry he was, but his aunt interrupted him.

"No, I'm not mad. I just wish you children would tell me these things. I mean, I could not figure out for my life who in the world Nancy was, and I never was really sure that Tony was with you when you left for the village. Do me a favor, please, 'girls.' If you're going on one of these adventures in the future, at least let me know something about it. Preferably in advance."

Both children eagerly agreed, and Aunt Mary got hugs all around for her patience. She then turned to the boy in the skirt and clucked her tongue.

"Well, Nancy, I must say, you're about the cutest girl I've ever seen in this house. Is it true what they say about blondes having more fun?"

 

"Aunt Mary!" Tony wasn't sure what she meant by that, but from the way she kept looking at him, he figured it was aimed at his boyish dignity.

"Oh, I'm just having a little fun, dear. You look very nice. Really, that sweater is just perfect on you and I love that cute little skirt. I noticed how your outfit shows off your belly button, and you're even wearing the little earrings your mother gave you! What a teenager you've become!"

Shirley joined in her mother's observations, pointing out her cousin's tights. "They really make his legs look great, don't they. I told him he looked just exactly like a teenaged girl, but he didn't believe me."

After basking in the teasing praises of his relatives for a little while longer, Tony climbed the stairs and went to his cousin's room to undress. He spend an inordinate amount of time in front of her dressing mirror, lingering as long as he could as he took off his borrowed clothes. Standing there in his bra, panties and hose, he stared at his reflection, shaking his head from left to right, swinging the blond wig about as he would his own hair.

Even in my underwear ... I look like a girl! Oh my ....

Shirley stopped at the door and smiled to herself as she watched the panty-clad boy posing and primping in front of her mirror. What a sweetheart, she thought to herself before knocking and entering the room. Too bad he doesn't dress like this more often.

Tony's cousin called him over and helped him remove his wig and told him to place it on the form that sat on her dressing table. After he removed his makeup, she suggested that he might want to take a nap before going to the big party later in the evening. She was pleased to see that he chose to leave his bra and panties on as he curled up on her bed and buried his face in her pillow; the poor boy was so tired from his adventure he didn't even bother pulling up the covers. If only I had my camera, she thought as she left her cousin dozing in her room.

 

Chapter Six - A Secret Exposed!

 

"Come on, Tony, pass us the ball! Quick, before they get in position!"

Tony held the football tightly in his hands and looked for an opening. Robert Downs, his mate from school and life long chum, was open and ready for the pass. All the eleven year old goalie had to do was toss it to him and he could get it back in play and perhaps even help score one for the team. It was up to him.

"Oh, Antonia, give me the ball instead. You don't want to get hurt, do you, little girl?"

The youngster blinked. Opposite him was one of the other players, a girl from the looks of it. He tried to place the face and ... then he remembered. It was Tracey, Tracey Walters ... one of his cousin Shirley's classmates. He remembered now; he'd met her at the old manor when he and his cousin rescued Anthea. He was wearing that silly ballerina-style party dress and she was teasing him about it and ....

 

He looked down. Sure enough, there it was. To his horror, Tony was wearing the very same party dress his cousin had dressed him in that night at the manor. Only he wasn't in disguise as Antonia. He was still Tony, freckle-faced, tousled hair Tony the goalie, all ninety-five pounds of him, a vision in pink and white and taffeta and lace ... and all of his classmates were there to see him in his pantied glory!

"Oh, To-o-o-o-n-e-e-e-e-e ...! Robert called out in a cruel, sing-song voice. "Don't fall down! You might show us your knickers!" His taunts were followed by another boy's, and soon all of the boys on the field were calling out to the tearful child in the dress, chiding him for showing up for a soccer game in such a ridiculous outfit.

Blinded by his tears, Tony tried to kick the ball, but he stumbled in his girlish shoes and fell flat on his face. The resulting cheers and jeers were more than he could stand and he started crying.

Why did I do this? the trembling boy lamented to himself. Sitting out in the middle of the football field in his girlish party clothes, he covered his face with his hands. Why did I ever put on this stupid dress ....?

Why can't people just let me do what I want ...?

"Tony, sweetheart, wake up. You've got company, darling."

The eleven year old boy opened his eyes. For a moment he just laid there, afraid to move, unsure of where he was or what he was supposed to be doing. Unsure, in fact, of who he was even supposed to be. He blinked a couple of times, shifted his legs, and then sniffed. No football, no voices, no Tracey and no taffeta dress.

He'd been dreaming.

Whew!

Of course, waking up into his current situation was something of an eye-opening experience in itself, so to speak. The sleepy-eyed boy stretched and yawned and sat on the edge of the bed, only to discover that his impromptu performance had been observed not only by his Aunt Mary, but a delighted Mrs. Cartwright as well. And there he was in his matching bra and panties, in full view of a most appreciative audience.

"Gosh, Aunt Mary!" Tony crossed his arms across his bra and burned bright red, from his face to his toes. His neck was particularly blotchy, which both women were quick to notice.

"Good afternoon, sleepyhead," Mrs. Cartwright said. She handed him a saucer and cup, her face bright with pleasure. "You look like you could use a cup of tea."

Tony's aunt nodded to her friend. "Mrs. Cartwright came by to visit a bit. She's been saying some very nice things about you, sweetie. You've apparently made a very good impression."

Still half-asleep and more than a little bewildered, the young boy could only blush and say, "Thanks."

Mrs. Cartwright wrinkled her nose and giggled like a little girl. "Oh, don't thank me, dearie. I'm just telling it as I see it. You're being such a big help, I just had to tell your aunt all about everything. There aren't many boys like you around and I wanted to make sure she knew just how special you are."

Tony gave a helpless grin and tried in vain to think of something to say. With his hands full - cup in one, saucer in another - the panty-clad youngster had little recourse but to sit there on the edge of the bed exposed for everyone to see, and suffer accordingly. The two women paid his discomfort little attention, and they carried on as though seeing an eleven year old boy in girlish lingerie was the most natural thing in the world.

I hate it when this kind of thing happens, he lamented silently.

The feminine boy tried to be nonchalant as he sipped his tea, but looking down and seeing his boyishness stirring beneath the dainty panties, he figured any attempt at dignity would be better than none. Shifting awkwardly about, he crossed his legs in an attempt to at least appear modest. The resulting pose was decidedly obvious, not to mention effeminate, which didn't escape the attention of the two women.

Oh, well, dressed like a girl, act like a girl ....

Nursing his tea, Tony listened with great interest as his Aunt Mary and Mrs. Cartwright chatted at length about the success of the fashion show's first day and how smoothly everything went. He was surprised to learn that even with the morning's attempted sabotage they'd earned a great deal of money for the school library. Not only that, but the local news had called about covering the final show the following afternoon. And best yet, there had been no further problems from their mysterious saboteur. Mrs. Cartwright was understandably excited.

"Everyone has been wonderful. I can't say enough about the girls and how professional they've all been," she said proudly. "Aside from one or two minor squabbles, I couldn't have asked more from any of them."

As the older woman took another sip, Tony noticed a subtle, yet evident sadness pass through eyes, as though something was bothering her. After an instant, she saw that he was watching her and she gave him a flirtatious wink and sloughed off whatever was wrong. Within seconds the two women were gossiping and laughing as before.

As they chatted, Tony was embarrassed to have garnered more than a little praise from the dress shop owner for not only his willingness to help out with the show's problems, but his performance as "Nancy" as well.

"Really, I don't know many children, boy or girl, who are as selfless as that child right there," the large woman gushed enthusiastically. "He was right in the middle of things, helping with the cleaning up, taking pictures, and looking extremely smashing in the process." Smiling broadly, she gave the red-faced boy a wink.

"Tony has always been very helpful," Aunt Mary conceded. "Sometimes I wonder if he's not a bit too helpful, though." She gave the lingerie-clad lad a stern look, prompting a weak smile in return.

Mrs. Cartwright guffawed at her friend's remark. "Oh, don't be so hard on the poor dear. He's just a curious boy, that's all. And who can blame him? Girls and girls' things are one of the great mysteries of life. Ask any man. I just think it's wonderful that he's so willing to experiment, especially at such a tender age. There are so many wonderful things to find out and try. What a grand experience for any young boy to have! Especially a little sweetheart like your Tony! I'd be proud to have such a pretty nephew!"

The eleven year old boy gave a silly grin and pretended to study his tea.

"I suppose. We just have to be careful that we don't go too far, or that the wrong people don't find out. Not everyone is so understanding." Aunt Mary cast another look toward her hapless nephew.

"Oh, what can happen? A childish prank, a bit of dressing up and some harmless play, that's all very understandable at his age. And as much fun as he's obviously having," - Tony blushed fiercely at this - "and as sweet as he acts, I don't see any problems. I wish my own child was as thoughtful." She paused for a moment and then sipped the remainder of her tea in silence.

Being the centre of so much attention had a powerful affect on the pre-teen and he found himself shifting uneasily in his panties and padded bra. He tugged and wrestled with a shoulder strap that was irritating him, looking for all to see just like a teenaged girl adjusting herself. The two women watched as the silent boy wriggled about in his feminine underthings, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. Even worse, his panties were doing a terrible job concealing his growing excitement and he had no idea what to do about the little "tent" that had formed down there. A knowing glance and a smile exchanged between the adults conveyed everything that needed to be said.

As he finished up his tea, the youngster pondered his situation. It was a good thing his mates couldn't see him now, sitting in the middle of such a feminine room, keeping company with his aunt and her ladyfriend, all the while dressed in a girl's panty and bra. He'd never hear the end of it! Maybe his aunt was right; perhaps he was going a bit too far.

There's no telling what is going to happen next, he thought.

He didn't have long to wait as his aunt took his cup and bade him to stand up. She grinned to see him cover himself with his hands and trying to be nonchalant about his excited boyishness.

"Well, sweetie, why don't you come downstairs for a bite to eat. After that, we can take a look at some things Mrs. Cartwright brought over for you to wear to the party tonight. You need to try them on before making any decisions."

Tony blinked. "Do I really have to go? Maybe it isn't such a good idea."

Aunt Mary looked at him. "Why do you say that, Tony?"

"Well, everyone's older than me and I don't know any of the kids, you know, stuff like that."

Forgetting himself, the slender youth shifted into a coquettish pose with his hands behind his back, looked down and dug his bare toe into the plush carpet. His aunt watched in wonder at how girlish her nephew looked at that moment, and she pondered whether he realised the image he was creating.

Meanwhile, the rotund Mrs. Cartwright was quick to respond to Tony's expression of reluctance, saying that she was counting on the young detective and his cousin to attend.

 

 

"Oh, darling, you've got to come! You can't disappointment me now. You and Shirley are my good luck charms. Things have been going swimmingly since you've been involved in the show and I'm expecting you to keep things in order for me while I'm tending to the other children. Besides, it'll be fun. There'll be music and dancing and all sorts of new friends to meet ...."

Tony shuffled his bare feet. "Well, see, that's it, too. I can't dance. And even if I could, I'm not dancing with any boys!"

"Oh, nonsense!" Mrs. Cartwright fussed. Her eyes lit up as she prattled about. "Everyone can dance. Some people just move differently than others. And you don't have to dance with any old boys, either. Not unless you really want to, that is. You can dance by yourself, or with one of the other girls." 

"Dance with a girl ... dressed as a ... a girl?"

"Oh, Girls dance with each other all the time. Isn't that right, Mary?"

"Absolutely. We did that lots when I was a teenager."

"See there? Here, Mary, sweetheart, turn on Shirley's stereo. Let's get some music. I want to see what our little 'Miss Nancy' is capable of."

Tony was shocked! With a smile, Aunt Mary flipped on a tape and adjusted the volume so the room was filled with a steady rhythmic beat. It was one of Shirley's favorites. Both women began bouncing their heads in time with the music, and the plump Mrs. Cartwright did a couple of steps that caught the young boy off guard.

"I may be old, but I'm not dead yet," the dress shop owner said with a girlish laugh. She clapped her hands and spun not too clumsily around. Then, as though on cue, Aunt Mary clapped her hands and spun about with considerably more skill, sliding into some footwork that the youngster had seen on a music video.

"See, I've still got it, too," his aunt said with a laugh. She swiveled her hips in a provocative motion and smiled broadly. "I loved to dance all the time when I was younger. I used to be pretty good, in fact."

She was good, better than Tony would have ever believed. But that didn't help him deal with his embarrassment. Standing in the middle of his cousin's room, still wearing only a borrowed bra and matching panties, the blushing boy couldn't believe what was happening. To his horror, the two women each grabbed one of his hands and began helping him sway in synchronization with the music. Like it or not, he had become part of a dancing threesome ... and there was no escape in sight. 

Mrs. Cartwright pressed him to join in the fun. "That's it, sweetie, listen to the music, loosen your legs and your hips ... and just move as you feel it. I know you've watched girls dancing on the television. Just imitate what you saw them do."

Grinning ruefully, the eleven year old nodded and moved his bare feet, watching the large woman and his aunt as a reference. It took a few minutes, but soon he was making a passable attempt toward dancing like a real teenager. Not anything spectacular, of course, but enough to get him through a crowd without drawing attention to himself.

This went on for a few minutes, and as the music segued into the next song, Aunt Mary and Mrs. Cartwright stopped to catch their breath and watch the dancing child practice his moves. Whenever Tony did something particularly cute or feminine, they would point it out, tell him to do it again and clap enthusiastically as he fine tuned it to perfection. He looked especially cute as he held his arms over his head, ballerina-style, and danced across the floor on his tip-toes; it felt dumb, but the smiles he got from the two women made him feel warm. Two more songs passed, and by the time Aunt Mary turned the music down, Tony was feeling as though he might be able to get by without making a complete fool of himself after all.

As her nephew stood bashfully before her, his body swaying to the muted sound of the music, Aunt Mary couldn't help but smile with pride. To see her sister's child lose himself - if only for a few minutes - in his dancing had a delicious effect on her; she found herself glowing with the same sense of satisfaction her daughter often felt when seeing Tony acting out his girlish role. Giving the feminine boy a hug, she resolved to be a little easier on him and his little dress up games in the future.

The threesome soon gathered downstairs for some refreshments. Sitting at the kitchen table - a sheer peignoir offering scant covering for his bra and panty - Tony nibbled at a sandwich and sipped a soft drink. It suddenly occurred to him that he hadn't seen his cousin Shirley since before his nap.

"Oh, she went over to visit with one of the other girls and get ready for the party there," his aunt explained. "You'll catch up with her later this evening. I had to promise her that Mrs. Cartwright and I would help you get dressed and make sure you showed up on time."

Once he'd finished his lunch, Tony was then sent back upstairs to take his bath. After about half an hour of languishing in a tub filled with warm water and plenty of bath oil and bubbles, he was roused by his Aunt Mary, who said it was time to finish up. To his chagrin, she held his towel for him as he stepped out of the tub; he hadn't been treated this way since he was a baby, but he bit his tongue when he saw the loving smile on his aunt's face. He meekly submitted as she helped him dry off and then wrapped the towel around his body girl-style.

Tony shyly followed his aunt to her bedroom where he was irritated to find Mrs. Cartwright waiting for him. It wasn't that he didn't care for the woman; the boy in him just didn't like so many people knowing about his dressing up, much less watching as he did it.

This is getting embarrassing, he thought. I wonder if this is what Shirley's going to be like when she grows up? The thought sent shivers up his spine.

The eleven year old was somewhat confused as Mrs. Cartwright took charge of the situation, sitting the towel-clad child down on her knee and working on his hair a bit. Combing the damp locks flat, she pulled out a short knee-high stocking and began tugging it over his head.

"I've been selling hairpieces for years, so I know a lot about how they work," she said with great authority. "This is a trick ladies use whenever they wear a wig. It helps keep your hair under control, making sure no stray locks fall out of place. That might prove embarrassing, depending on the situation."

The large woman then began fitting the blond pageboy wig on Tony's head. Unlike when Shirley put it on him, Mrs. Cartwright paid a great deal of attention to detail, using hair pins in several places to hold the tresses in place. "There, that should hold up, even under the worst conditions." She tugged sharply at the shiny locks and Tony felt his head being pulled over to the side; true to her prediction, the girlish hairpiece stayed in place.

The little feminine boy felt rather odd sitting there, clad only in his bath towel and now a head full of flaxen hair, but his aunt and her friend seemed to think it only natural. Watching with a mixture of fascination and horror as the two women arranged several cosmetic items on the vanity before him, he steeled himself as he was submitted to an overly attentive makeover.

"I think between the two of us, we can make 'Nancy' into a rather convincing party girl," Mrs. Cartwright said rather nonchalantly. To hear her talk, the fact that Tony was a boy didn't even enter into the equation; instead, they focused on the application of face powder, eye shadow, mascara and lipstick. The worst part was when a pair of tweezers were produced and more than a few hairs were plucked from the bewildered boy's eyebrows. The resulting sting from each pluck caused his eyes to well up with tears involuntarily.

When they were done, Tony was handed a bottle of red nail polish and told to do his nails while the women fetched some more tea. Readjusting the towel where it had fallen loose around his chest, he sighed and did as he was ordered.

A little while later, with his face and nails painted in the manner of a very stylish teenaged girl, Tony watched as Mrs. Cartwright sat on the edge of the bed and began sorting through a small pile of pastel silks and satins. The blushing boy felt his stomach drop as she held up a pair of panties made of a transparent rose-coloured material.

"Oh, don't be shy, sweetheart." The smiling woman winked. "You're not the first boy I've seen like this. And, if the good Lord is kind to me, you won't be the last."

His face as hot as the sun, the eleven year old slipped into the panties, giving up on his towel in the middle of the process. Practically naked, he stood shyly as the two women beamed with pride. He was then faced with a white panty-like garment made of heavy elastic and lace. Silent and shy, he stepped into it one foot at a time as a cheerful Mrs. Cartwright held it out for him.

"These little panty girdles are so perfect for the dress you're going to wear," she told the flustered boy. "They can give you curves where you didn't have any before, and they make you feel so wonderful. They also help hide any ... ahem ... boyish parts." Tony's eyes were wide with embarrassment as the woman gave him another knowing wink.

Tony's aunt added to the youngster's discomfort. Holding up a small brassiere and a pair of foam forms - which were considerably larger than the ones Shirley had loaned him! - she gave him a mischievous look. "Of course, you can't wear expect to pass as a teenaged girl without these, you know. You have to have something to give the top of your dress the proper shape."

"Very true," Mrs. Cartwright agreed. Tony was confounded with her matter-of-fact manner. He wondered how many other boys she'd helped dress up as girls; he decided that was something he probably didn't need to know.

A short while passed and, well, it was worth it ... sort of. Tony turned to look at himself in the mirror and he couldn't believe his eyes; standing there before him was a creature from another planet. Or it just as well should have been, since he could barely recognise it as anything from his own.

From the purple ribbon tied atop his now blond head, to the purple dress that encased his young body to the ballet-style flats on his feet, the eleven year old was trapped in an electric dream of perfume and silk. The dress he wore was a two layer design, the first being a full circle of thin purple silk that hung by two delicate spaghetti straps, leaving his shoulders and upper arms practically naked; the hem was so short, it reached just barely past a decent length below his hips. The silken underdress was then covered by a sheer layer of lavender netting, sparkling with sequins and trimmed in lace. With a full circular cut and loose drapery, both layers easily swung outward as the young boy spun about before the mirror. A flash of his white lace panty girdle warned him to be extra careful and to not expose anything important as he moved.

Underneath the dress he wore, the strapless padded bra held Tony tightly in its grasp, squeezing his boyish breasts together, the foam padding giving him the ample curves his aunt mentioned earlier. Instead of tights, sheer mist stockings covered his pre-teen legs, enhancing his teenaged status for the evening; he'd found the old-fashioned garter clips curious little gadgets, and Mrs. Cartwright and Aunt Mary each bit their lip with delight as the feminised boy played and experimented with how such things worked.

Accompanying his evening ensemble was a pair of sheer opera-length gloves made of the same lavender netting material that covered his dress; with a fingerless design to show off his painted nails and reaching well up past his elbows, they reeked of elegance and sophistication. The young boy shivered in ecstasy each time he looked down at them. After adding his beloved fairy necklace and earrings - and the requisite pink-framed eyeglasses - the detective was ready for a night of dancing and fun ... and crime solving, too!

"One more thing," Mrs. Cartwright said, picking up the gold charm bracelet Tony brought back from Florida. "Here, sweetie, put your foot on my knee."

The cross-dressed boy did as he was told, fully aware that with his leg raised as such, the hem of his borrowed dressed was raised, exposing his entire bottom end. Mrs. Cartwright ignored his embarrassment, concentrating instead on locking the gilded chain with the tiny ballerina about his nylon-covered ankle.

"There, that makes you look so much more ..." the jolly woman gave the flustered boy a wink "... mature. It shows off your legs, too."

Tony had seen high school girls and models wearing ankle bracelets, but it never occurred to him that boys did that, too. He felt strange with a piece of jewelry in such an odd location, but it was a nice strangeness and so he left it in place.

I wonder what my mum would say if she saw me like this? he wondered silently.

"You look just scrumptious, sweetie," Aunt Mary told him. She handed him a small white beaded purse and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "It's hard to believe you're my sister's little boy. Actually, it's hard to believe you're anyone's little boy!"

Mrs. Cartwright clasped her hands together and sighed. "Well, he's not a boy tonight, that's for sure. In fact, he's more girl than most of the girls who were in the fashion show today. Why don't you wait here, Nancy, while I get the car warmed up. We're running a bit late, but that's all right. You don't want to get there too early, you know."

Tony gave Mrs. Cartwright a quizzical look. "What about Rosalyn? Aren't you going to help her get dressed? Or isn't she coming to the party, too?"

"Oh, sweetie, you're so thoughtful ...." The plump woman caressed Tony's bare shoulder and gave a sad sigh. "No, I don't have to go get her. She's made her own arrangements. She's become very independent lately." She then kissed him on the cheek and left the room.

More girl than most girls! The eleven year old worried fretfully as he waited by the front door. He studied his reflection in the full length mirror that decorated the hallway and shook his head. He felt practically naked under the flimsy frock, his young body shivering as silk caressed satin and satin touched flesh. No boy on earth should look like this! She is ... I am ... actually ... cute! I really do look like a teenaged girl! Oh, man ... this isn't good. It's not good at all.

He swallowed nervously and fidgeted with the hem of his borrowed dress, squirming as he felt that oh, so familiar tingling down between his thighs. As uncomfortable as he was, however, he found some solace in that at least he wouldn't have to worry too much about that giving him away; the tingling sensation was overwhelming him, but the elastic panty Mrs. Cartwright provided kept his excitement well hidden and in fact made him feel rather confident for a change. Cautiously, he swept his dress snug against his body with a hand on either side and smiled with relief at the sight of his blossoming figure silhouetted against the silken material. There was absolutely no sign of any boyish intentions ... only girlish curves.

Perhaps this won't be so bad after all.

 

Chapter Seven - A Night of Confusion

 

It was eight o'clock in the evening when a feminine figure was dropped off in front of the civic center in the middle of the village. Shyly, with the finesse of a rabbit approaching a fox's lair, the purple-clad child slowly walked up to the front door, opened it and went in.

Tony was practically overwhelmed by what he saw next. Instead of the quiet, relaxed get together he'd expected, the feminised boy found himself in the middle of a huge room filled with flashing lights, loud music and fifty or more children all talking and laughing at the same time. It was almost too much for the shy youngster to handle, and for an instant he thought about going back outside before his Aunt Mary and Mrs. Cartwright parked the car and having them take him home.

"It's about time you got here!" Shirley grabbed her boy cousin by the hand and gave him a quick look over. "Wow ... Mum and Mrs. Cartwright really did you good, didn't they??!!! What a cool dress ... it must have cost a fortune!"

Shirley's friend Ann stood nearby, watching the blushing boy carefully, her eyes wide and a broad smile on her face. Tony swallowed nervously and said, "Hello, Ann."

"Hi, Tony. Wow, you look great! That dress is just wonderful on you!" She took his hand in hers and pulled him close enough for her to whisper, "Don't worry ... I won't tell a soul anything. I promise!"

The cross-dressed detective backed up a bit and looked at the smiling girl. He then turned to his cousin, who had a sheepish grin on her face. An explanation was definitely in order, but very little actually needed to be said. His cover was obviously blown ... again!

"She knows??!!! You told her ... about me? About who I am??" Tony was flabbergasted, not to mention more than a little angry. He was also terrified. "How could you? I thought this was supposed to be a secret??!! No one was supposed to know, remember??!! It was supposed to be a secret!!"

Shirley's face was red with embarrassment and she was afraid for a moment that her cousin was about to do something awful, like start crying or run away or even worse. Taking his hand, she pulled him aside and tried to explain what happened, apologizing every step of the way.

"Oh, Tony, please, forgive me! It was an accident, I swear, I really didn't mean to do it. We were just talking and I was explaining to Ann how you and I were helping Mrs. Cartwright and Mrs. Gilkey with the vandalism and all ... and I told her how Mum told Mrs. Cartwright all about us rescuing Anthea ...."

The skirted boy sighed a brief sigh of relief. "So she still thinks I'm Antonia, then, right?"

His cousin gave him a guilty smile. "Well, not exactly. That's what I meant to tell her. Unfortunately, she kind of put two and two together and ...well ...."

Tony swallowed. He looked at his cousin and then over to her friend. Ann smiled and waved. The shaken child suddenly felt extremely vulnerable in his dress and wig.

"Maybe I better go home. I don't feel very well."

"Oh, please, no, Tony! Please, stay. Ann's not going to tell anybody, I promise. She promised. I swear, your secret is still safe. She's great at secret-keeping. In fact, your secret is probably safer with her than it is with me."

"That makes me feel a lot better." The red-faced boy turned away and wiped his eyes.

A gentle touch on the youngster's shoulder prompted him to turn around, and when he did he saw that Ann was standing next to him, her eye glowing with warmth and admiration, as though they'd had always been best friends.

 

"Tony, please ... don't be mad at Shirley. She didn't mean to give you away. I sort of tricked her into it, you see. She was so excited about how the two of you were working on this mystery and she let slip about the kidnapping at the old manor. That got me kind of curious and, well, I hit her with a lot of questions. I'm actually good at that sort of thing, to be honest about it. I won't give you away, I swear."

She leaned forward and handed the tearful boy her hankie. She almost started crying herself to see him dab weakly at his tears.

"See, I think it's super what you've done. I mean, I've never, ever known a boy brave enough to put on a dress and pose as a girl, much less rescue someone from kidnappers or catch smugglers in the middle of the night like you do. Most of the guys I know could never do that".  

Tony looked at Ann in amazement. He'd never actually thought of himself as being brave when he was in his sissy clothes, but she just said he was. He studied her eyes. I think she really means it! he thought hopefully.

"It's not easy dressing up like this, you know. I mean, it's kind of fun, but if my mates back home ever knew ...." He shivered all over at the thought.

"Well, they'll never hear it from us." Shirley touched the blushing boy's cheek affectionately. "What you do takes a lot of courage, sweetie. Shirley and I know that. And now, well, I'm not about to spoil things now that I'm in on all this. I mean, I guess what I'm saying is ... I'd really like to be in on it, if only you'll let me." The dark-haired teenager gave Tony's arm an affectionate squeeze and she put her mouth up near his ear. "Please? Say you'll be my friend. Let me be on your team?"

It took a while, but after much begging and pleading, Shirley and Ann were able to convince the reluctant boy to stay for a while, long enough to at least think about what all had happened. Tony wasn't happy, but he had promised to look for whoever it was that was threatening the fashion show, and that was what he was going to do. As usual, his older cousin had a plan.

"Ann thinks Michael has something to do with it, but I don't. I think he's too nice." Shirley glanced at her friend and blushed. "Well, I do! The problem is, I don't know who else it might be, so he's our only lead. We need to find out what we can from him tonight, before he can do any more damage if it is him."

"Which means ...?" The cross-dressed detective thought he knew the answer, but he wanted someone else to say it.

Ann took the lead. "Which means someone has to talk to him, trick him into telling what he knows."

"If he knows anything," Shirley interjected.

Ann nodded. "Right, if he knows anything. Shirley and I talked about this on the way over and we think ... well, we think you're the one to do it."

Tony blinked. Oh heck, he thought wearily, Why did I know she was going to say that?

The girls argued that neither of them could approach Michael because of their relationship with Rosalyn. And besides, it was hardly a secret that Michael had been watching 'Nancy' for the last two days at the fashion show. So it was only logical that Tony take the lead and find out what he could from the teenaged boy. After a bit of an argument, during which he tried to back out of the whole operation, Tony finally gave in and agreed to at least talk to the boy before the night was done. At best he'd find out what Michael was capable of doing; at the very least he'd have made an attempt to follow up on their only lead.

For the next little while the trio entertained themselves with a bit of people watching and gossiping and giggling, exactly as you'd expect three typical teenage girls to do at a typical teenage dance. All three attracted admiration from their classmates, boys and girls alike, and all three responded accordingly, presenting bright smiles, friendly waves and - in Tony's case - bashful grins.

The sole exception, of course, was Rosalyn. Decked out in a stunning gold lamé mini-dress, the dress shop owner's daughter stopped by to greet the threesome with all the charm of a mongoose.

"Well, look at the three girlfriends. I hope you're having a wonderful time." The smug sneer on her face betrayed her words. Tony found himself extremely intimidated by the older girl's obvious ill will as she looked directly at him. "So, this is the little blond my mother has been ranting about so much. She seems to think you're quite the little helper. Well, she always did love having a little Miss Goody Two-Shoes around. It's obvious why she chose you!"

Ann was quick to step in between the two children, her stance protective of the skirted boy. "Rosalyn, leave Nancy alone. Go chase some boys or something."

"Speaking of which," the fiery eyed teenager shot Tony a fierce look, "You better stay away from Michael if you know what's good for you! You're not his type, little Miss Priss!" With that she spun about on her heel and disappeared into the crowd.

"Bitch." Tony looked at Ann with grateful eyes and giggled as he realized what the older girl had just said. He started to say something, but she just patted his bare shoulder and grinned. "Hey, you're my girlfriend now, right? I couldn't let her talk to you like that!"

Shirley nudged her younger cousin and smirked. "See, I told you she was okay." The pantied boy just blushed and grinned.

As the party progressed Tony was feeling more like his old self, and he wasn't quite so mad at his cousin any more. In fact, he found Ann to be very pleasant company and quite easy to talk with, both as Nancy and as himself. Occasionally the dark-headed girl would whisper something silly in his ear or just give him a friendly pat on the arm, as though it was the most natural thing in the world for her to do. Tony noticed this and after a while decided that it was the most natural thing in the world for her to do.

I could get used to this! he though bravely. He wondered for an instant what it would be like if he showed up as Nancy at one of his own school dances ....

 

It wasn't long before the music took over the dance hall and Tony found himself dancing a bit with his cousin and her friends. Following the other girls' lead, he performed quite convincingly, even going as far as to do a few of the moves he'd practiced earlier with his aunt and Mrs. Cartwright. He put behind him the frustration and fear he felt earlier in the evening, and he was soon laughing and giggling and in general enjoying himself as much if not more than the 'other' girls.

Suddenly the lights dimmed - just a bit - and a slow ballad was playing on the sound system. Tony felt someone tap him on the shoulder. It was Michael.

"Uh, hi." Tugging at the tie around his neck, the thirteen year old boy grinned awkwardly and shrugged. "You, uh ... look really nice."

"Thanks." Tony glanced over his shoulder to see if Rosalyn was around, but all he saw were the smiling faces of Shirley and Ann.

"You, uh, didn't bring your camera?"

Tony clutched the little purse in his hand and blushed. "I ... I forgot, I guess."

"Oh, that's all right. Do want to dance?"

The two girls nodded at the hapless Tony, and the next thing he knew, he was being led by the hand into the middle of the dance floor. As she watched the older boy step close to his flustered partner, Shirley clenched hands with her friend and fought the urge to burst, her delight was so great.

This is so unbelievable! she thought excitedly. He's actually going to dance with a real live boy! I can't believe it!

She squeezed Ann's hand and saw that her friend was just as amazed by the remarkable sight.

A warm hand slid about Tony's slender waist and drew him snug against the other boy's body. The eleven year old boy was horrified to feel that wonderful, terrible tingling sensation rock him deep inside. Leaning back as far as he could without breaking away, he found himself looking up into a pair of shiny eyes. He was trapped, like a rabbit in a snare. The only difference was ... he kind of liked it.

"I'm glad you came tonight," Michael said softly. "I really wanted to talk to you about your photography."

Tony nodded politely and looked around, trying to see if anyone had noticed that he was in the arms of another boy. It took him a second to remember that if anyone did notice, all they would see was a cute blond-headed girl dancing with a rather handsome teenager.

There's nothing unusual about that, the skirted child thought ruefully. Just two boys slow dancing together, that's all!

Forcing himself to relax a bit, Tony noticed that the other boy smelled of the same cologne that his father used. The very same cologne he himself used when he dressed up - as a boy! - to go out with his family.

"I, uh ... forgot the camera," Tony finally said. His mouth was dry and he felt that cursed tingling sensation growing even stronger; knowing what would happen if it continued, he wondered if he should go and sit down. He thought about it for a second and decided that his knees were so weak that he dare not try.

Michael grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "You said that already. Don't worry about it. It's too dark to take pictures anyway. Maybe we can find something else to talk about."

The pair had danced their way to the far corner of the dance hall, and with the lights so low, Tony felt a little comfort in the fact that his cousin and her friend could no longer see him. Nor, he reasoned, could his aunt most likely. The last time he'd seen her she was helping serve snacks at the buffet table with Mrs. Cartwright. He prayed that they were nowhere close by.

The song finally ended, but before Tony could pull away, another slow one started up, and the young boy found himself pulled even closer to his dancing partner. Soon the two youngsters were dancing hip to hip, belly to belly, and the cross-dressed detective was shocked to feel Michael's excitement through the many layers of clothing that separated their bodies.

I've got to get out of here, the cross-dressed detective thought desperately. The dreaded tingling was growing and he had to squeeze his legs together to keep from squirming. What if ... what if I give myself away. I'll get killed ... I'll get ....

Tony shivered as he felt Michael press his cheek against his own, and he forced himself to remain still, fearful that if he pulled away, he'd give away his terrible secret.

Nearby, Shirley and Ann gazed in wonder from their new hiding place as the young boy played out his role to perfection. The older cousin held her friend's hand and the two giggled nervously, wondering what was going to happen next. Their patience was soon rewarded.

For the next few songs, the two children stood hugging each other ever so slightly, their faces so close they were touching practically the entire time. Finally, Michael pulled away. He then aimed his face squarely at Tony's, so close that the two boys were nose to nose. Tony started to say something - anything! - when Michael suddenly leaned forward and bumped noses with the flustered youth. It took a second for him to get his head at the right angle, and when he did, the thirteen year old pushed on, very nearly knocking Tony's glasses off before planting his lips squarely on the young boy's mouth in an awkward, yet forceful kiss.

Not knowing what else to do, Tony just stood there for a minute - or was it two ... or three? - and let the teenaged boy have his way. The cross-dressed detective wasn't sure just how he was supposed to act. The longer he hesitated, however, the longer he was kissed, and the longer he was kissed, the more dangerous his situation ....

This is getting to be a bad habit, the young boy pondered as he contemplated his next move. First Mel, and now ... a high school boy! This can't be right ... it doesn't feel wrong, but there's no way it can be right ....

Shirley and Ann nearly squealed with delightful surprise as they watched the two boys. This was the most amazing thing they'd ever seen in their young lives, and they couldn't believe it was happening right there in the middle of the crowd! It was like being in a movie, only better. The two friends looked at each other and grinned. Solving mysteries was a lot more fun than they'd ever imagined!

The kiss lagged on a few more seconds, a wave of emotion building up to incredible intensity in the younger child. Then, suddenly, it all swept over Tony, overwhelming him, and he found himself trembling involuntarily as an electric shock paralyzed him first from the waist down, then upward; his knees buckled and he felt himself grow dizzy as a current of indescribable pleasure shot through his belly and on through his thighs. He gave in to the kiss he was receiving, and for a monumental moment he actually kissed back, mewing like a kitten in the process. He was embarrassed by the sound he made, perhaps even more than the fact that he was kissing a boy, but the power of the wave was so strong that it forced him to forget his shame and instead to return the kiss as forcefully as he could. Finally, lacking air and perspiring profusely, the youngster pulled away, looked up into a pair of dreamy eyes, and then averted his own downward.

Terrified and sickened by the realization of what he'd done, Tony struggled and broke away, running from the party into the darkness.

It was a few minutes later that he stepped out onto the veranda overlooking the village below. It was good to be outside for a bit, away from all the noise and the heat and ... from Michael. Tears of shame and confusion burned his eyes, and he wiped the teenaged boy's warm moisture from his lips and chin.

Yuck!

That wasn't the only mess he made. Squirming uncomfortably in his dress, Tony knew without checking himself that he'd ruined his panty girdle; it was that feeling again. It had happened when he kissed Fiona on the beach, it happened with Melvyn in Florida and now it happened when he kissed Michael on the dance floor. That terrible, awful ... fantastic sensation that came over him whenever he was trapped in his lipstick and dresses, that teased him and taunted him every time he put on something feminine. Ultimately, it would overwhelm him, cause him to lose control ... and make the most terrible messes.

Tony felt bad about what he'd done with Michael, but he couldn't help it. I'm a boy, he kept telling himself, and boys just don't ... do that! Looking down at himself, he gave a deep sigh. Then again, you're just playing out your role as Nancy, remember? You're supposed to be finding out who sabotaged the show, you big dummy! And if that means acting like a girl, then you've got to act like a girl.

But even if I have to kiss somebody ... and if that somebody is a boy?!!

"Nancy?"

Tony turned to see Michael standing at the doorway. Illuminated by the full moon, he made a mysterious figure in the shadows; for a moment Tony wondered if he was in the presence of the malicious letter writer who'd haunted the fashion show. His mind wandered to what had just happened between the two of them. Judging from the way the teenager was acting, he was obviously upset and Tony felt guilty about running away so suddenly. Perhaps he'd reacted a bit too strong.

"I didn't mean to make you mad," Michael said softly. "I mean, well, I just thought ... I thought you liked it. I mean, you acted like you did at first. I'm really sorry if I hurt your feelings."

Tony stood his ground as the older boy closed in on him. Part of him wanted to run away, but part of him had to know the truth.

"Nancy?"

"I ... I didn't hate it," the younger boy said truthfully.

Michael smiled. He then took one of Tony's hands in each of his own. There was an awkward silence as the two children stood in the moonlight. Tony made a couple of weak attempts to pull away, but when Michael held on to him, he gave up all too easily.

"Who are you, really?" Michael looked in Tony's eyes and squinted. "You've got a secret, haven't you?"

Tony swallowed. His heart beat so fast he thought he felt faint. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, you don't act like any girl I've ever met. You're too ... well ... you're different."

"I don't act like a girl?" Tony's eyes widened with fear and he thought maybe he should run away. He thought for a moment and decided on another tact. "How does a girl act?"

"Like this." Michael smiled and pulled the trembling boy close. This time when they kissed, Tony resigned himself to the deed, trying to imagine what a real Nancy would do in his place. For his trouble he found himself being pulled tightly against the older boy, so close he could feel the warmth of his body through the silken dress. The younger boy forced himself to relax as his lips were slowly forced open. His eyes opened wide with fear as something entered his mouth.

 

Ugh! He was being French kissed!

He held on as long as he could, submitting as he felt himself being probed and explored by the older boy's curious tongue. It didn't last. That stupid tingling sensation started up again, and between the growing excitement and the fact that he couldn't breathe, the youngster had to break away. Once in one night was bad enough; he couldn't imagine the mess he'd make if he went through all that again!

Michael watched as the slender child tugged at his purple fairy-tale dress and scurried back into the building. A sad look covered his face.

Hidden in a cubicle in the girls' restroom, Tony did his best to clean himself up, struggling with the elastic girdle under that silly, flimsy dress. To say that he was confused was an understatement. What in the world is happening to me? I'm a boy, not some silly girl! I can't be feeling this way! How could I let him do that to me? What in the world is going on, anyway!

After "taking care of business," the feminised boy came out of the cubicle and attempted to touch up his damaged makeup at the vanity. That's when he heard, "Nancy, are you all right?"

Tony looked beyond his reflection to see his friend Molly standing behind him. With her short dark hair shiny with mousse and her face made up dramatically with dark lipstick and heavy eye shadow, she looked more like some exotic creature from another galaxy than a thirteen year old schoolgirl.

"Oh, Molly, it's you! I didn't hear you come in. You almost scared me to death!" The wide-eyed boy dabbed at his mouth with a tissue. His lipstick was smeared and his mouth was sore from kissing, but he tried to act as though nothing was wrong. Going into his best girlfriend mode, he reached out and touched the tiny bits of glitter in his friend's hair and on her face and bare shoulders. "Wow, you look pretty wild! I love the way you made yourself up ...."

"Like it, darling? It's my sci-fi look. You know, the girl from outer space." She struck a dramatic pose and both children laughed brightly. She then reached out and wiped a tear from the smiling boy's cheek.

"Hey, girl, I saw what happened out there on the dance floor. With that Michael, I mean. He didn't hurt you, did he?"

"Oh, no, he didn't. Really, I'm okay." Tony was filled with emotion, afraid to say anything, and at the same time afraid to say nothing.

"You're sure? 'Cause if he did hurt you, I'll sort him out." Both 'girls' laughed at the thought.

"Oh, Molly, I'm fine. Thanks anyway. I was just a little upset, that's all. I'm not used to being ... being kissed by boys." Tony never said truer words in his entire life.

Stepping closer to the shaken boy, Molly glanced about the empty restroom and then gave him that piercing gaze again. She then whispered. "Not used to boys, hmmmm ... well, what about being kissed by a girl?"

The teenager moved in closely and before Tony could react, planted a soft, lingering kiss on his lips, her dark blue lipstick a harsh contrast with the bright red the boy was wearing. After a tense second or two, Tony forced himself to relax, and he felt the tip of his friend's tongue press against his teeth. By the time he began opening his mouth, it was gone.

"Pretty nice, huh?" The grinning girl shot a long, deep wide-eyed stare into the cross-dressed detective's eyes and bumped his nose with her own; the cinnamon flavor of her chewing gum lingered in his mouth, igniting that tingling feeling again. "Let's try that one more time."

The excitement was too much for the young boy, and within milliseconds of Molly's lips touching his own, that haunting electric charge took hold of him and shook him to the roots of his soul. He opened his mouth as wide as he could, welcoming the bizarre sensations that fueled his tender emotions and submitting to the humiliating surge of passion, creating another dreaded mess in the delicate dainties beneath his fairy dress.

Molly felt the girlish boy shiver violently and she couldn't help but giggle as he made a soft cooing noise and pressed his once-reluctant mouth against her own. She pulled away, licked her lips and grinned. "Uh-oh ... and I thought you were the shy one! It looks like I was wrong. I'll tell you what ... if you're a good girl, maybe I'll do that again sometime. Then again, maybe not! You'll just have to wait and see."

His heart pounding and his knees trembling, Tony could only squirm and blush his silent reply. He never felt so helpless - and joyous! - in his entire life!!!

After another visit to the cubicle, "Nancy" let Molly help her get herself together, and the two linked arms and went back out to the dance floor, laughing and giggling along the way. Tony was never so bewitched, bothered or bewildered in his entire life ... and, strangely enough, he was having a pretty good time anyway!

I think I'm getting the hang of this, he thought as he danced carefree with his new friend. Molly winked and slyly blew him a kiss. Maybe things aren't so bad after all.

By the time the party was over, Tony was exhausted, sore, starving, dying of thirst and confused. He and Shirley and Ann were all in the same dire straits, as a matter of fact, and as soon as they got into the car the three "girls" cajoled Aunt Mary and Mrs. Cartwright into taking them out to eat. Normally Tony would have preferred to go straight home and to bed, but he was so wound up by all the dancing and partying he had to find some way to unwind.

The café they settled on offered a quiet enough environment for the quintet to compare notes and make plans for the last day of the fashion show. It was generally agreed that while there was no reason to think that the culprit would pursue his (or her) original intent, there was no reason to think he (or she) wouldn't. Tony listened and thought quietly, trying to make some sense of the evening's events as he consumed his late night snack.

"So, Mr. Man-of-a-thousand-faces," Mrs. Cartwright said playfully, "did anything happen tonight that might clue you in as to who it might be?"

Shirley and Ann glanced at each other silently. Tony shrugged his bare shoulders and dabbed daintily at his red lips with a napkin. Aunt Mary smiled silently as she watched her nephew's feminine mannerisms and she resisted the urge to give him a hug.

"Not really. I was like Ann. I kind of thought Michael might have had something to do with it, being the only boy who hung around so much, but I don't think so anymore."

"Oh, and why is that?" Shirley gave her cousin a knowing look and nudged him with her elbow. "Or don't you want to say?"

Aunt Mary shushed her daughter. "Don't be so rude. Let the poor thing be. Go on, Tony. Tell us what you were going to say."

"Well," the cross-dressed detective sighed as he adjusted the fit of his dress, "I think Shirley's right. He's really a nice boy. I mean, let's just say I've got a hunch. Call it women's intuition."

Everyone got a laugh out of that one and the adults wisely changed the subject. Little did the skirted boy know, but in addition to the girls, Mrs. Cartwright had caught a glimpse of his antics with Michael, and her heart melted to see how well the young boy was handling himself.

If only my Rosalyn acted so ladylike, she thought wistfully.

That night Tony slept fitfully, squirming in his nightie with a restlessness that betrayed his dreams. All he could remember the next morning was that he'd dreamed of kissing in the darkness, long, smothering kisses that left him dizzy with delight; who he kissed was never revealed in his dreams, but the smell of cologne and the taste of cinnamon haunted him all through the night.

 

Chapter Eight - The Villain Strikes Again!

 

When the two cousins arrived at the auditorium the next afternoon, things seemed to be going - as Mrs. Cartwright was fond of saying - "swimmingly." Michael had the sound system going full blast and the air was festive and everyone was in a grand mood. Even though it was nearly an hour before the first session, a crowd of interested onlookers was beginning to filter in from the adjoining stores. Mrs. Gilkey was especially ecstatic as the local news had called to confirm they would be there for the second session at the end of the day. Everyone agreed that things were as they should be, even a rather bewildered Tony.

Standing off to himself, the eleven year old detective was in a rather strange mood. So many things had happened to him over the past couple of days, so many ideas and sensations and emotions, he needed some time to himself to absorb it all. A good night's sleep had helped him immensely - in spite of his dreams - as had a long, warm bath that morning. Now he was just enjoying being by himself, soaking in the voices and activities around him, acting out the role of the girl reporter he pretended to be.

Clad in a very chic white sleeveless cashmere sweater dress, sheer white tights and white patent ankle boots, - all courtesy of his new friend and mentor, Mrs. Cartwright - the young boy for once felt quite comfortable portraying a girl. After all he'd been through in the last twenty-four hours, he felt he could fool most anyone he met, and that little bit of knowledge gave him the confidence he needed to see this case through. The touch of his charm bracelet against his ankle felt good, and he didn't even mind wearing the padded brassiere any longer; in fact, he actually took pleasure in looking down at his budding 'breasts.'

Playing with a stray lock of flaxen hair, he pondered his situation. As much as he hated to admit it, he was having more fun that he probably should, and he tried to imagine where this new found acceptance was taking him. He still had his doubts, of course - heaven help him if any of his schoolmates showed up! - but for the moment he had enough strength to concentrate on who he was supposed to be and what he was doing there.

It was a good thing, too. At exactly 1:30, a half hour before the first half of the show was to go on, Rosalyn made a horrible discovery: someone had stolen the clothes!

"Well, they obviously didn't take everything," Mrs. Cartwright lamented. "Just the new designer lines that I was advertising for the final show. We have enough of our regular outfits to go on, but everyone was expecting the new season's line up. Oh, dear ... and when the television news crew gets here, and I have to tell them that we don't have the new season line to show them ... oh, what am I going to do? I'll be ruined!"

Mrs. Cartwright explained that about two dozen dresses in all were missing, with a total worth of more than couple of thousand pounds. This was serious! Everyone was in a state of near panic, including many of the adults. In his guise as "Nancy," Tony took a deep breath and asked if there was anything unusual about the dressing room where the dresses had been stored. Rosalyn shot at him with her vile temper.

"What do you care? And just who are you anyway? We don't need some busybody snooping around here, especially some little Miss Blondie from London. Mother, how could you let this happen? Things wouldn't be like this if Daddy were here!"

Tony refused to back down from Rosalyn's attack this time. He adjusted his pink-framed glasses with graceful authority, and in a very calm, clear voice he asked, "All I want to know is if there was anything unusual in the dressing room?"

"I was just there and I saw empty clothes hangers scattered everywhere." Molly touched the cross-dressed detective on the arm and frowned. "It was a mess, like someone had thrown a fit or something."

Tony nodded and stepped away. As he stood and pondered the situation, he noticed that Michael was being very quiet about what happened. Slipping away from the center of activity, the feminine boy made his way to the stack of sound equipment where the teenager sat alone.

"Michael, didn't you hear what happened? It's just awful. Poor old Mrs. Cartwright is at her wit's end. I hate to see that, she's such a nice lady. There's got to be something someone can do, don't you think?"

"I don't know," the thirteen year old boy shrugged. "Some things you just can't help." He stared at the floor and fidgeted restlessly.

"You know something, don't you," Tony said softly. "I can see it in your eyes. You didn't do it, but you know who did."

Michael looked away. Steeling himself, the younger boy reached out and took the teenager's hand in his and held it tightly. For some reason it didn't seem that difficult. "Tell me, Michael. Please, before it goes too far. If the police get involved ... if the news people show up ... it'll only get worse. For Mrs. Cartwright ... and for whoever did all this."

"I ... I can't."

A thrill shot through Tony's body and soul! With those two words, he realised he'd been right! Something was up, but Michael didn't do it! The skirted boy was so excited, he took off his glasses, leaned forward and kissed his tearful friend on the cheek; the taste of salt sent a tingling sensation through his lips. It wasn't at all unpleasant, and he gave in to temptation and kissed Michael on the mouth, just lightly. That tingling sensation started up again, but this time it didn't matter. The older boy lifted his eyes and smiled a grateful smile.

"Oh, Nancy ... it was Rosalyn! I saw her do it. Well, part of it, at least. She's got a lot of problems and ... I just ... I just don't want her to get into trouble. We used to be good friends at one time ...."

Tony nodded and smiled. Giving the teenager a quick peck on the cheek, he gazed into his eyes. "She won't get in trouble, now that you told me. I'll make sure everything works out, okay? I'm pretty good at stuff like that."

"Thank you, Nancy. Thank you ever so much."

As he put back on his glasses, Tony noticed Mrs. Cartwright watching him from across the auditorium. In all the chaos that was going on, it seemed that she was the only one who noticed that he'd slipped off to talk with Michael. He wondered for an instant how much she'd seen, and judging from the heartwarming look on her face it was obvious that she'd seen enough. A cold chill shot through his spine as he walked toward her. With anyone else he would have worried about what they might have thought, seeing him kissing another boy like that, but for some reason he wasn't concerned ... not with her; something told him without even talking with her that she understood, completely and without judging him. And that made what he had to tell her all that much more painful to say.

It was all over by the time the fashion show began. Rosalyn Cartwright confessed to her mother that she'd been the one to write the note and cause all the trouble for the show. On that first day she'd called the contractors and given them the wrong instructions regarding the setting up of the stage, and she'd been the one to flood the auditorium on Saturday as well. And then, the night before, while everyone was having a wonderful time at the party, she'd slipped away and stolen the new line up, dumping clothes hangers everywhere and stuffing thousands of pounds worth of designer clothes into plastic bin bags. By simply placing the full bags by the bins along the shopping centre walkway, she'd arranged it so the cleaning service would do her dirty work for her and dispose of everything in the rubbish skip.

Michael felt bad because he thought he was responsible for what happened. It seemed that he and Rosalyn had argued during the party and she stormed out in a huff. He noticed the bin bags on his way home later that night, which roused his suspicions; a phone call to Rosalyn confirmed his fears, but he was afraid to say anything. Only when Tony drew him out were they able to go to the skip and recover everything that had been stolen.

What happened between Rosalyn and her mother was a family affair. In fact, only a handful of people would ever know that she was even involved in the matter. All that was made public was that the culprit had been foiled and was never heard from again. The only mystery that remained was why Rosalyn did what she did

"Sometimes a child goes through changes that a parent doesn't understand," Mrs. Cartwright told Tony privately during the break between shows. She caressed the smiling boy's cheek and admired how natural he looked in his borrowed cashmere dress and nylons. "Rosalyn's been angry ever since her father left us and I suppose she blamed me for everything that was going wrong with her life."

Something told Tony that the plump woman needed a hug, and he put his arms around her and pretended for a moment that he was her daughter, the one she'd lost so long ago.

"I'm really sorry Rosalyn feels that way. I think you're one of the nicest grownups I've ever met. She just doesn't know how lucky she is." Tony felt his eyes burning with tears and he hugged Mrs. Cartwright tightly. The plump woman enveloped the cross-dressed boy in her arms and pulled him to her ample bosom.

"Oh, Tony, you are so precious! Don't you worry about me and Rosalyn. Her father came to pick her up and we're going to get together after the final show this evening. Now that we've got all this out in the open, we can work on healing ourselves and perhaps become mother and daughter again." She wiped Tony's tears from his face and kissed him on the forehead, laughing sweetly at the bright red smear her lips left there. "I'm just grateful that you were here to help make all this happen, my pretty little friend. You'll never know what you mean to me."

And that, dear reader, was enough for young Tony.

 

Chapter Nine - The Show Goes On!

 

The final show was a grand success, of course! Another couple of hundred pounds was raised for the school library and Mrs. Gilkey lavishly praised the girls for their hard work and dedication. Not only that, but Mrs. Cartwright made a fine showing on the local news, and her business - as did the business for all the shops in the centre - did wonderfully.

The only problem was that with Rosalyn's departure, they were one model short for the final run.

"It's really easy. You just walk up and down the runway like the other girls are doing, pause and turn around a couple of time to show off your pretty clothes, and then walk back again. That's all there is to it!" Molly gave a quick demonstration, overdoing the drama as usual.

Tony blushed and squirmed as he adjusted the slinky tee-shirt he wore; with the padded bra underneath, he felt as though he was showing off curves that weren't meant to be seen. Not only that, but his arms were bare and his abdomen showed beneath the short top, leaving him feeling half-dressed. He didn't know which was worse, the skimpy top, the too-short skirt around his waist or the ridiculous platform shoes on his nylon clad feet. The dark-headed teen, on the other hand, seemed quite proud of how her "girlfriend" looked, and she was nothing if not completely encouraging.

"Watch this." The teenager spun around sharply and then struck a campy pose that ruffled up her boyish haircut. "Nothing to it. You just have to remember to look bored and not smile, like the models on television do all the time."

Molly giggled as she poked Tony in the side, prompting a wan smile from the young boy. She then took him by both hands and gave him a long, hard look.

"Oh, Nancy, you're so cute! I could just gobble you up," she said in a half-whisper. "Too bad you have to go back to your school. Maybe I can come up and visit you sometime. What do you think about that? Think your mum would mind you having a girlfriend come for a visit?"

"Uh, okay. That would be great." Tony's face and neck burned bright red and his mouth went dry. If he didn't change the subject soon he would surely embarrass himself in the most shameful way. "Are you sure this skirt isn't too short. I mean, I'm going to be up on stage, you know."

"Oh, don't worry about it. Just keep your legs together as you walk and keep calm and you'll be fine. Now, let's go get'em, tiger!"

Glancing about and seeing that the dressing room was empty, Molly gave the cross-dressed boy a lingering kiss on the lips, her hand straying along his leg near the hem of his skirt. As he was being dragged through the curtain and out onto the stage with his friend, Tony wondered what would have happened had the kiss lasted another minute. The thought both terrified and pleased him.

Much to his chagrin, Tony found himself on stage no less that three times during the final show, modeling the very clothes he'd helped recover. In addition to the baby tee and short silk skirt, he found himself adorned in a long, snug-fitting strapless silver lamé dress that reached just below his knees, causing him the worst kinds of problems when it came to just walking about. Mrs. Cartwright told him to take tiny, mincing steps and he'd be wonderful. She was, of course, exactly right, and the pre-teen boy did just fine as he joined the girls on stage and showed off his borrowed designer creation.

The final outfit he was asked to model made him blush to the point it was almost painful. It was a short babydoll dress, all pink and white, similar in style to one he'd seen on some girls in a pop group on television. It also reminded him of the yellow fairy-like party dress his aunt had bought him the previous summer, and he had to concentrate really hard to quell that annoying tingling that irritated him beneath his panties. Shirley and Ann gave the flushed boy a bit of good-natured teasing as Mrs. Cartwright fixed him up, and all he could do was stand quietly and grin helplessly.

"Oh, my, Nancy, I haven't seen you in one of those since last summer." Ann winked at Tony and laughed. "Mrs. Cartwright certainly knows what looks good on you"

Shirley couldn't help adding to her cousin's embarrassment. "I bet if you'd ask, she'd let you have that one. It's perfect, you know."

The plump dress shop owner was oblivious to the teasing tone the girls used, and she practically gushed as she appraised her handiwork. Giving the pre-teen boy a studious once-over, she pronounced him "scrumptious."

"You do look just adorable in that dress. The short length really emphasizes your legs. I swear, it's so hard for me to remember that you're not really a ..." -she looked around to make sure no one heard her and giggled - "... a real girl! Now, go on out there and have fun!"

Resigned to his fate, Tony rolled his eyes, smoothed his dress against his body, and joined the other girls as they waited for the curtain to open.

The things I do for my friends, he thought ruefully.

 

Chapter Ten - Epilogue

 

The next day Tony was in his aunt's living room watching the football highlights. Dressed in boy clothes for the first time in three days, he concentrated hard on the scores, trying to catch up on all that he'd missed. He tried hard not to think too much about all that had happened to him, mostly because some of the things he'd done made him uncomfortable in his role as a pre-teen boy. A long time ago he'd resigned himself to the idea that life wasn't simple, and the previous weekend was testament to that little fact.

Right in the middle of a replay of the previous day's championship match - which he hadn't seen because of the girls' fashion show! - the room filled with a handful of chattering, giggling teenaged girls who quickly took over. The eleven year old was somewhat annoyed as Ann and Molly plopped themselves on either side of him on the sofa, keeping up their chat as they shoved the poor boy from either side. The smell of Molly's cinnamon chewing gum triggered a wave of pleasure through Tony's body and the blushing child tried to think of something else.

To make matters worse, Shirley began changing channels without so much as an apology, giving her cousin a mischievous wink as she did.

"We just got a call from Mrs. Cartwright. There's something coming on that you've just got to see!"

The television news came up and Tony couldn't believe what he saw next.

"Brownell's Galleria was the fashionable place to be yesterday," the talking head announced, "when pupils from St. Mary's High School held a fashion show for charity. More than five hundred pounds was raised for the school's library, and everyone had a wonderful time showing off the latest in teenaged girls' fashions."

The girls cheered when the videotape of the show was played, and Tony's ears turned bright red when he saw "Nancy" walking down the runway in the short tee-shirt and skirt he'd worn less than twenty-four hours before. The camera lingered on the blond child longer than he would have thought, and then the reporter was shown interviewing Mrs. Gilkey and Mrs. Cartwright. Ann and Molly were then seen showing off with a bit of girlish posing and dancing, and for the closing shot the camera followed the feminised boy as he shyly made his way across the stage in the stylish pink babydoll dress.

The newsreader smiled and ended the story, saying, "The show was pronounced a great success by local traders, and rumour has it that more than a few modeling careers were launched in the process."

Tony shook his head and started to say something, but stopped; Ann and Shirley were looking at him with happy, shiny eyes, and for an instant he was afraid they were about to hug him. Casting his gaze downward, he wished he was dead. Before he could remember what it was he was about to say, Molly interrupted, raising the most boisterous ruckus in the process.

"Did you see that?!! That was smashing! I'm going to see if we can get a tape and we'll put it to music and sell a million copies!"

Dressed in her trademark baby tee-shirt, hip-hugger mini-skirt and platform shoes, the dark-headed teenager jumped up from the sofa, ignoring the blushing boy she'd been sitting beside.

"I thought I looked fab ... and did you see Nancy!? What a little doll! I wish she'd been here to see how great she looked. What a sweetie! I've got to send a copy of the tape to her when we get it. She'll just love it!"

Ann and Shirley listened patiently to the dark-headed girl jabber on, casting an occasional glance at the blushing Tony. Mumbling something about "silly girls," he excused himself and left the room. A burst of girlish giggling could be heard as he slipped on his baseball cap and headed out of the front door.

While he kicked his ball about in the front garden, Tony couldn't help pondering the past couple of days' events. A lot had happened while posing as "Nancy," things more fantastic than he could have ever imagined, and he wondered if he'd gone too far in playing out his girlish role. Not that he had any regrets; he could still close his eyes sometimes and think about being alone with Molly ... or even Michael ... and that exquisite tingling sensation would start up deep inside his body. Squirming about in his snug jeans, he felt his face burning hot with adolescent passion. One thing was for sure; he certainly had a better understanding of girls and everything they went through as they got older. He was just glad he wasn't one all the time.

The eleven year old boy was practicing his dribbling when someone road up on a bicycle. Thinking that it was in all likelihood another friend of Shirley's, Tony ran into the house to fetch his cousin.

"She'll be right down," the youngster said when he returned. "She's got a bunch of her girlfriends inside and they're acting silly, as usual ...."

To his horror, he found himself facing Michael.

The older boy nudged the soccer ball with his toe. "Oh, that's fine. I'm not in any hurry. Want to kick the ball about a bit while we're waiting? I'm pretty good." Michael showed off a bit by bouncing the soccer ball off his knee and he grinned a boyish challenge.

Tony pulled down his baseball cap and averted his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. "Okay," he mumbled.

The two boys bounced the ball back and forth for a little while, running and laughing as boys so often do. The longer they played, the more confident Tony felt. He even went as far as to pull his baseball cap up off his eyes, and a couple of times he snatched the ball away, surprising the older boy with his finesse. One time the struggle became so fierce they tripped over each other and fell, laughing wildly in the process.

As they lay there catching their breath, Tony began blushing. He could smell the familiar scent of the older boy's cologne, and when he looked up, he saw a pair of bright eyes only inches from his own. The eyes considered him for a moment, and then blinked.

A familiar feminine voice broke up the awkward silence. "Hey, you two! Come along. We're going to be late." It was Shirley, standing in front of the house with her bicycle; Molly and Ann were standing nearby with their bikes, giggling about something, as usual. "Michael, you can come back and play football with my little cousin later. And you, young man, your aunt wants you inside, right now!"

The two boys got up and dusted themselves off. Michael started to hand the ball to Tony, and then held on to it for a moment. He looked at the younger boy for what seemed like forever.

"Here, sport. You're pretty good. Thanks for the practice."

Tony felt his face burning and he nodded. "You're welcome," was all he could say.

Just as he was pouring himself a glass of milk in the kitchen, Shirley came bounding into the room, her eyes bright and her smile even brighter. Tony sipped his drink and looked at her suspiciously.

"I thought I'd gotten rid of the lot of you," he said.

His cousin held out her hands and nodded eagerly. "You had ... I mean, we were almost ready to leave when someone gave me this to give to you." She opened her hands to reveal a small white box with a red bow atop it.

"What's that?"

Shirley smiled. "Oh, a present ... for you. Well, for 'Nancy,' actually. Open it up, I'm dying to see what it is."

Taking the tiny box, Tony realised it was a jewelry box, much like the one he'd gotten before from Anthea and Mel. Licking his lips, the eleven year old stared at the box with all the eagerness of a mouse looking at a trap.

"Who's it from?"

"Oh, no you don't ... open it up and let's see what's inside, first. Then I'll tell you. Maybe."

Rather than argue with his cousin, Tony sighed and did as he was told. A wave of emotion swept over him as he saw the tiny golden rosebud pinned to the silken liner within the box. It was a charm. For a bracelet. A girl's charm bracelet, like the one he'd been given during his visit in the United States ... the very same one "Nancy" had worn on her ankle all through this latest adventure.

"Uh ... who gave you this ? ..."

Shirley smiled. "Well, Michael bought it, but Mrs. Cartwright, she helped pick it out. It's 'Nancy's' souvenir from her adventure this weekend. I'm supposed to make sure she gets it."

Tony's face burned bright red as he looked at the tiny flower and thought about the new friends he made. He wondered what they'd think if they saw him now. The thought made his heart beat even faster than it was at that moment.

After helping her cousin fasten the tiny charm to his ... well, "Antonia's" bracelet, Shirley rejoined her friends, leaving Tony to ponder his new present.

I guess I can't tell my mates about this one, either, he thought ruefully as he paused at the bottom of the staircase.

Upstairs in the feminine bedroom that was set aside for his visits, Aunt Mary was sorting through the laundry, separating Tony's boy clothes out from a pile of girlish things she'd just taken down from the clothesline. Next to the stack of boyish jeans and underwear was his open suitcase.

"Your mum will be here in a little while to pick you up. Did you want to take any of your pretty things with you? I think she'd like to see a little more of Antonia."

The youngster blushed shook his head no. He then paused and then nodded. "I suppose so."

"Well, you can do what you want. Pick out whatever you'd like to take and I'll put away the rest for the next time you come and visit. Your wardrobe is starting to fill out a bit. I think you've got almost as many nice things as your cousin." The smiling woman held up a pair of flowery panties, folded them neatly, and then placed them lovingly next to the suitcase. She looked at the quiet boy, watching his thoughtful face for the longest time. To his surprise, she leaned over and gave him a strong, warm hug.

"Tony, I'm very pleased with what you did this weekend. You accomplished some wonderful things, including helping out a very good friend of mine when she needed you the most. Mrs. Cartwright thinks the world of you, and she wanted me to make sure you knew that."

The blushing boy grinned sheepishly. He wasn't sure what to say. "She really does?"

"Oh, yes, she most certainly does. She even said 'Nancy' could come work at her dress shop if you wanted. She said with someone so sweet hanging about, things would undoubtedly go 'swimmingly.' She really means it, too."

Tony rolled his eyes and grinned. There was nothing he could say to top that.

Aunt Mary kissed him on top of the head. "And I also want you to know that I really am proud of you. I know it probably wasn't all fun. Shirley can be a bit pushy sometimes and she probably shouldn't have told Ann our little secret. Maybe your mum and I shouldn't have told Mrs. Cartwright, either, but things worked out quite well. In fact, I think you had a pretty good time in spite of everything." She looked him in the eye. "You did have a good time, didn't you?"

Tony nodded.

"Well, then. Good. That's all that counts, isn't it?" She gave him another hug, kissed him once more on his forehead and went back to her chores.

 After packing his bags and putting away the rest of his clothes, Tony went out on the front porch of his aunt's house to wait for his mother. Reaching inside his shirt, he fingered the tiny golden fairy pendant. Things weren't so bad. His adventure was at an end and he certainly had a lot to tell his mum.

He just wasn't sure where to start. He also wasn't sure where to stop, either.

After all, it was sort of like he'd overheard Molly telling Shirley and Ann during one of their girltalk sessions: You shouldn't tell everything you know, she said. A girl has to have her secrets! Tony nodded to himself. As crazy as she was, she was certainly right about that; he certainly wasn't about to tell his mum everything!

finis