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 is the sixth in this series and is a variation on that theme as viewed from a different perspective. Our little tale takes place with our hero spending two weeks on a work placement scheme organised by his school. He spends his time at an old isolated house where he is required to perform as a general household help instead of the original plan where he was to work in a sports shop. While he may not be under the direct influence of his cousin Shirley on this occasion, fate lends a hand and Tony finds himself back wearing a dress. This time, however, no one is under any illusion that he is nothing but a boy wearing girls clothing...

This story is written to depict a young boy's innocent encounters with cross-dressing and the subsequent exploration of his sexuality. 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 1 - Prologue

 

Vanessa Heart quietly opened the door of her Grandmother's bedroom. Seeing that the old lady was already awake she laid the tea tray she was carrying on the bedside table.

"Did you sleep well?" the teenage girl enquired, her voice filled with concern.

"No, not really. I heard those tapping noises again." The elder Heart winced as she sat up painfully and took a sip of tea. "You don't think that there is something seriously wrong with the house do you? I mean we didn't hear those noises before the cellar wall was repaired a few months ago."

"I don't think that there's anything wrong with the house," replied Vanessa as she sought to reassure the frail old lady. "When we had the cellar repaired the builder said that there was nothing structurally wrong with the building. There have always been stories about the house being haunted so maybe when the repairs were done the builders disturbed the resting place of someone who died here many years ago. Whoever it was might be unable to go back to rest so their ghost has decided to come back and haunt us."

"You're making fun of me," said the old lady. "You know I don't believe in ghosts."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to tease, but I can't explain the strange noises," said the elegant girl. "All I know is that there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the house. Now come along, I'll help you get dressed when you've finished your tea."

There was a light knock on the door and a girl dressed in a black maid's uniform came in.

"I'll see to my grandmother today, Margaret," Vanessa addressed to newcomer. "After all I'll have to do it when you go on your holiday. It's in two weeks isn't it?"

"Yes, miss," the girl replied. "Have you arranged for someone to stand in for me?"

"We have made enquiries, but we haven't decided yet," replied Vanessa. "The problem is that all the agencies are so expensive. Still, I did make a call yesterday which may answer our problems. But if that doesn't work out we'll just have to manage by ourselves."

Seeing that her services were not required, Margaret excused herself and left the room. The old lady groaned a little as she eased herself slowly out of bed.

"I'm so sorry that I need so much help nowadays," Mrs. Heart said to her granddaughter. "I don't want to be such an encumbrance."

"Nonsense," replied Vanessa. "I'll do everything I can to help you. After all, you're all I have left since Mother and Father died, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Now come along and let's get you ready to face the day ahead."

 

Chapter 2 -Tony Gets a Job

 

Tony was in such hurry! Something important had come up at school that day, and he couldn't wait to see his cousin Shirley. The excited eleven year old - "I'm almost twelve!" he kept reminding his cousin - headed off straight to her house as soon as classes let out for the day.

"Hi, little cousin," the teenaged girl said on answering the door. Tony hated her addressing him like this. He didn't like to think of himself as little, but he had to admit that while she was growing into a beautiful young lady, he was hardly growing at all. To his regret, he was still almost the same height and build as he was when he had started his adventures as his alter ego "Antonia" almost a year before.

"You'll catch u pet," his mother had assured him more than once. "Some of us just take a little longer than others."

Tony greeted his cousin and then settled down to tell her his news. "The Head called me in this afternoon and told me that my work placement at the sports shop had been cancelled without reason."

"So you won't be going on the work placement scheme then?" replied Shirley.

"Well, it seems that I will anyway. There was an opening to work as some sort of general helper at a large house situated ten miles the other side of town. I thought that I might as well take it so as not to let the school down."

This story takes place before the introduction of the National Work Experience Scheme in the U.K. This is a scheme where all children attending upper schools have the opportunity to spend a few weeks working at local companies or establishments as part of their education. As a precursor to the national system, some local authorities set up their own local schemes, and in the case of the cousins' authority, a few children from each age group in every school in the area were selected to spend two weeks at work at the end of each school year.

The idea was that the children selected to participate in the scheme were those who had earned the privilege and, as such, it was looked upon as something of an honour to be selected. Each pupil selected would be expected to pass certain standards during their two week secondment and they would be required to write up a brief report on their experiences on their return to school. They would then be required to set up question and answer sessions with their peers. Both Tony and Shirley had been selected on this occasion. Shirley was to spend the time working at the local newspaper office and Tony's original assignment had been to work at a sports shop.

"What sort of duties are they?" asked Shirley.

"Oh, from what the Head told me, just being on hand to help out," said Tony. "Apparently their regular helper is going on holiday and they need someone as a temporary replacement. The Head said it wasn't the sort of thing they would normally accept for work placement, but with the sports shop pulling out at such short notice he asked me if I was interested and I agreed."

"Sounds like a piece of cake," said Shirley.

"Well I don't know about that," said Tony. "The only thing is that I'll have to live in due to the location of the place. Still, it'll be a change from the routine of school and it would be a pity if I hadn't been able to go on a placement. I'll give it all I've got because our school have never had a bad report on anyone since the scheme started."

"I've an idea. Why don't you stay for tea?" Shirley suggested. "Mum's out and I haven't got anything planned for this evening."

Tony agreed, and after calling home to explain where he was, the two cousins set about preparing something to eat. After they had eaten they settled down to watch some TV before Tony went home. Shirley, however, felt a mischievous mood coming on.

"We haven't seen much of 'Antonia' lately," she hinted. She grinned with delight as her cousin coloured up every time the name of his alter ego was mentioned. "I was just thinking the other day when I was sorting out my wardrobe, I've a most lovely dress which I've outgrown which would really suit her."

Tony refused to take the bait, keeping silent as he sat there supposedly engrossed in the television program. Wary of his cousin's traps, he was still confused about his ventures en femme as he still couldn't completely come to terms with his own emotions. Needless to say, it was a very complex issue, especially for one so young: on the one hand he had doubts about his being a boy and taking on the guise of a girl so completely; while on the other he had to secretly admit that he very much enjoyed his experiences - probably a lot more than any real boy had the right!

One other thing that worried the young cross-dresser was, well, the manner in which his body involuntarily reacted to dressing up. More than couple of times he'd developed a rather strong - and somewhat exciting! - physical response to wearing feminine things, in the presence of both girls and boys, and the resulting feelings worried him as much as they pleased him.

Over the past few months, however, Tony found himself a little more comfortable with his feminine side, especially since his mother and aunt became involved. Mrs. Green and her sister both had helped the little boy come to terms with his feelings and, on several occasion even encouraged him to dress as a girl. Mrs. Green in particular had enjoyed one or two wonderful times together with him en femme (see The Petticoat Detective Squad: "The Fairies' Conundrum") and once in a while she would suggest that they spend some quality "mother-daughter" time together. And so it was with the patience and understanding of his family that Tony had put together a rather complete wardrobe of girl's outfits, not to mention an arsenal of feminine skills, all of which had been obtained during his previous outings as "Antonia."

While the little pre-teen boy was still very reluctant to become "Antonia" completely voluntarily - he hardly ever dressed up without some sort of prompting - the thing that still mystified him and others close to him was the way he seemed to completely transform into a girl just by putting on female clothes. His mother and her sister - his Aunt Mary - were both most impressed when the young boy would parade about in a borrowed dress, stop before a mirror, and then arrange his hair or straighten out his seams in a most girlish manner. Fascinated by the little things he would do as he moved, they would watch his every gesture as he primped and posed as though this was the most natural thing in the world for him to do.

"It's so hard for me to believe this is the same little boy who was blocking shots from that huge forward at the last football match," Mrs. Green told her sister on such an occasion. "He looks so delicate and fragile dressed as a girl!"

Likewise, Tony's cousin Shirley especially loved to see her cousin play dress up; in fact, she was literally enraptured by the almost magical transformations he went through, and she was always wanting to see more of them. To see a boy like Tony go from soccer goalie and pesky little cousin to a coquettish pixie with a penchant for lipstick and panties was remarkable indeed! Experience had taught her, however, that she must not push him too far too fast; being a resourceful person, she was not averse to creating situations which would require him to adopt his female personae. And so it was that particular evening in front of the television set.

"Come on, you can't pretend that you're not the least bit interested in seeing the dress," she continued to tease him. She put her hand up to her ear and pretended to be listening to something in the distance. "Hear that? It's the dress! It's calling out to you from upstairs in the closet. It's saying 'Come put me on, Antonia ... I'll make you look so pretty!' You better get up there. It's waiting for you!"

Tony coloured up even more. "Please give it a rest, Shirley. I'll have a look at it after the work placement scheme is over. I really don't want to get involved with 'Antonia' at the moment."

He didn't sound too convincing about his feelings but Shirley knew that she shouldn't continue to goad him into it at that moment. Time was on her side.

 

Chapter 3 - The Haunted House

 

The following Monday afternoon found our hero alighting from a train onto the deserted and open platform of an isolated railway halt several miles from town.

The landscape was typical of this part of the coast, being very flat with few trees. It had been artificially drained in Victorian times and was now rich farmland. The area was fairly inaccessible due to the lack of adequate roads, but the Victorians had ensured that the main railway line looped right through the area ensuring a continual link with the rest of the county. From his vantage point on the platform on an embankment high above the surrounding countryside the young detective could see a group of buildings in the distance. He guessed that they must form part of a farm and also he could see another building which was further away which was probably his destination.

Tony walked down the steps from the platform and was greeted by a man standing next to a Land Rover. "Are you the person going to Lodge House?" the gentleman asked pleasantly.

"Yes," replied the boy. He felt relieved that transport had been laid on.

"Well, hop in. It'll take us a few minutes to get there." The man loaded Tony's case into the back of the vehicle. When they were both inside he set off down the straight and narrow road in the direction of the distant buildings.

Tony chatted with the driver as they rolled down the narrow lane and found out that he lived and worked on the farm which was owned by the people he was going to spend the next two weeks with.

"I don't really know the people at Lodge House," the driver confessed. "The farm is run by a manager so we don't see much of them. I was just asked to go to the station to pick you up and deliver you to the house. We do have a girl who is a family relative working at the farm at the moment. Apparently she is doing a farm management course at college and she's getting some first-hand experience here. Do you know the people at the house?"

"No, I'm staying there for a couple of weeks doing work experience," replied Tony.

The car rounded a curve in the road and suddenly there it was, the place where he would spend the next two weeks. He didn't like the look of the place at all and the friendly driver sensed his unease.

"Apparently it's very nice inside," he said reassuringly. "It's not as old as it looks because it was burnt to the ground in late Victorian times and was completely rebuilt around the turn of the century. They do say that it's haunted, but I don't pay any heed to those sorts of stories. Some people only have to see an old building and start to say things about ghosts and such."

The car pulled through the entrance to the short driveway and pulled up alongside the main front door. The driver helped the child retrieve his case, and after saying goodbye he drove off in the direction of the distant farm buildings.

Tony looked at the forbidding looking house. This wasn't what he had expected. It was set all alone seemingly in middle of nowhere, reminding him of an abandoned prison. It was built of red brick and was surrounded by a rather unkempt formal garden, which was bordered by a high stone wall. The style was that of a small Victorian country manor house, but it's proportions had been somewhat spoiled by the addition of some modern extensions and outbuildings.

With some trepidation the eleven-year-old boy rang the bell which was set into a stone pillar adjacent to the large oak front door. He was just about to ring again after he thought that no one had heard when suddenly the door slowly opened to reveal a very attractive girl. She looked to be about two or three years his senior. Her deportment made her seem older however, and she looked him up and down in a rather aloof manner before she spoke.

"Well, what can I do for you?" The way she spoke seemed to infer that she was speaking to someone of a far lower social status than her own. Tony explained who he was and the reason he was there, at which point she looked a little puzzled. She hesitated before she spoke again.

"I think that there has been a mistake. True, we were expecting someone to fill in while our daily helper is away, but we weren't expecting someone quite like you."

"But I was told to report to a Mrs. Heart," the boy replied. "Is that your grandmother?"

"Yes, but I really don't think that she will approve of any of this." The girl sighed impatiently. "Still, I suppose you'll probably have to spend the night here as there is no return train until the morning. Well, you'd better bring your case inside while I go and talk to Grandmother."

With that she motioned the bemused boy to follow her inside and instructed him to sit on a small wooden chair which was situated in the huge entrance hall. She sniffed disdainfully at his muddy shoes and told him to remove them before he trailed mud onto the carpets. As she exited the room he could hear her muttering something about not wanting "scruffy little boys" around the house.

Tired and frustrated, Tony sat on the chair for quite some while, thinking that he didn't like this place one bit. He was just getting bored with sitting there when the girl appeared from one of the many doors lining the hallway.

"Grandmother says that she will see you now," she said, looking down her nose at him. "I've explained to her that I don't think that you are suitable, but she says that she will speak to you all the same."

The aloof girl led the way back through the door she had just appeared from. Once inside Tony marvelled at the sumptuous furnishings in the huge airy room. He noticed an elderly but very aristocratic lady seated on a large armchair situated in the bay window. She was obviously somewhat disabled as he noticed two walking sticks propped up beside her. The girl went over to sit on an identical chair next to her grandmother and told Tony to sit on a small stool which faced them. The lady spent a few long moments looking at him before she started speaking in very precise clipped syllables.

"Well, young man, we normally hire some temporary help every year when our permanent assistant takes her holiday. This year is the first time that we have approached the education people and they appear to have, regrettably, made a mistake. We did stipulate on the application that we required a girl, but they appear to have ignored that and sent you along instead." Then turning to her granddaughter she spoke. "No, I don't think he will do at all. Do you, Vanessa?"

The girl looked down her nose at him as though he was some form of lower life. "Not at all, Grandmother. I don't think that we want a boy running around the house."

They both then looked in his direction as though they hoped that he would disappear. Tony was getting a little tired of being treated in this manner decided it was time to fight back. As much as he disliked his hostess, he most assuredly did not want to lose his job after coming so far.

"I'm sure I can do whatever tasks you want performed to your complete satisfaction," he said with feigned confidence. After the words had left his mouth he noticed a smirk appear on Vanessa's face.

"Do you indeed?" replied the old lady. She hesitated again before continuing. "Well, whatever happens, it would appear that you will have to spend the night with us as I'm sure Vanessa has already informed you that there is no train until the morning. It's too bad as we will not be able to arrange another substitute at such short notice. You would think that your people would take notice of our requirements."

She was interrupted at this point by Vanessa. "I don't think that we want a boy around here anyway. And I know that we're most certainly not equipped for one!" She gave him another one of those rather unpleasant smirks again which so annoyed him.

Tony took a deep breath and smiled in as pleasant a manner possible. "As I said, miss, I'm sure I would be able to perform any task to your satisfaction. If only you would give me the chance. You'll not be sorry, I promise you that." He was getting more and more annoyed at the way they seemed to think that they were so superior to him; it was because of this that he was resolved to convince them of his abilities.

The lady looked to her daughter, nodded, and then turned back to face him. "I see. Well, you seem very determined. If you'll wait outside I'll discuss it with my granddaughter in private." With a dismissive wave of her hand she indicated that he leave them alone.

The youngster was seething with anger as he resumed his seat in the hallway.

Who do they think they are, treating me as some lower class serf! I'll show them! I don't care how hard they think this job is, I'm going to do it!

Tony waited for a long time. Finally, Vanessa reappeared to indicate that his presence was required in the sitting room again. Once they had all resumed their previous positions the aristocratic lady started to speak again.

"Your appearance today has created something of a problem for us," she said. "Not only were we expecting a girl but we now have the problem of getting a substitute. You have indicated that you would be willing to undertake any task that we may put your way and I am gratified by your enthusiasm. However, this does not get away from the fact that our requirement was for a girl. If we were to give you the position are you absolutely sure that you could do everything that we require in the exact manner we would expect?"

"I'm positive that I could," replied Tony. Beneath his smile his teeth ground together in determination.

"I see. One of the tasks would be to act as a companion to Vanessa when she goes out, so would you be able to do that to her satisfaction? Also, you will be required to assist me in moving about as well. When you are in the house you will remain permanently on duty and be available at all times. You will also be required to wear the appropriate uniform for a person acting as our servant as well. Before we agree you must be tell us that you are willing to do all these things."

Tony was more resolute than before to prove that he was the equal of anyone, and so he said with a determined tone, "I agree to all your conditions."

"In that case you can start immediately. Vanessa will show you to your room and explain a few things to you. I will speak to you again at five o'clock when you have settled in." With a dismissive wave the interview was terminated.

The frustrated boy followed Vanessa out into the hallway and retrieved his suitcase. As he followed her up the wide staircase he admired her aristocratic manner and the way she carried off the simple plain blue dress that she was wearing. Despite her appearance, he hated her manners and the way that she treated him; it was as though she thought he was beneath contempt. He wasn't going to admit defeat, however, and be the first from his school to fail a work experience project without giving it all he could.

After all, it's only for two weeks, he thought to himself. What's the worst thing that could happen?

They had just reached the landing when the front door burst open and another girl, whom Tony guessed was around the same age as Vanessa, came running up the stairs. She stopped when she reached them and looking enquiringly at Tony.

"Megan, this is Tony. He's taking on some of Margaret's duties while she's on holiday" explained Vanessa. "Really, I wish you wouldn't rush around like that. It's so undignified and you know that grandmother doesn't approve." Turning to Tony she said, "This is my cousin Megan. She's staying with us for a few weeks."

Dressed in riding gear, the red-faced newcomer cast a warm smile at him and said breathlessly, "Hi Tony. I'm doing a college project here at the farm. I'm sure I'll see you around." Then with a questioning tone she turned to her cousin. "I thought you and Grandmother wanted a girl?"

Vanessa sighed. "Tony was sent to us by mistake, but he has agreed to act as a suitable replacement, so I expect you to help him if necessary. Now I must show him to his room, so off you go. And for goodness' sake, please tidy yourself up."

"You mean he's agreed?" asked Megan looking rather amazed. "This I've got to see! Well, Tony, the best of luck. If I can give you any help just ask. I've got a feeling you'll need it."

Vanessa seethed at her cousin's attentions toward the young boy. "I don't see that it's any of your business, so please run along!" Turning back to Tony she continued. "Come on, then."

The bewildered boy followed his employer up another flight of stairs and into a large airy room which she said was to be his bedroom for the whole of his stay. She then told him to sit down while she outlined his duties and responsibilities while he was with them. He couldn't help noticing that the ever-present smirk on her face was becoming more pronounced.

I really could take a huge dislike to this girl he decided, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

"Before I detail your duties do you have any questions for me?" she asked.

"Not really. I expect you'll tell me everything I need to know," said Tony. "Just one thing though. This Margaret whom I'm replacing, how long has she been with you and how old is she?"

"Not that it really concerns you," Vanessa snapped, " but if it helps you feel any easier she is eighteen and she's been with us for a couple of years."

"Thanks, I was just wondering," said Tony.

"Now as for a few details of your duties." The older girl was obviously getting impatient. "As well as acting as my companion when I go out, you will be expected to do quite a few other things. There is a small sitting room downstairs which you will use as your base when you're not involved in other tasks. As you probably noticed, my grandmother mother is partly crippled and it is one of your main tasks to help her when needed. If she rings for tea or coffee you will provide it and if she needs help of any kind you will be on hand to provide assistance. You will also be required to answer the telephone, take messages and answer the front door. In other words make yourself generally useful."

Tony shuffled his feet. "I can do all that."

Vanessa smiled. "That's not all. We do have a live in housekeeper who keeps the place clean and cooks our meals. In your free time you'll be required to help her with some of the household chores as well. I'll introduce you to her later but all you need to know about her at the moment is that her name is Isabel and that she's French. Is that clear so far?"

"Yes," replied Tony still resenting her tone.

"You will rise at six each morning and be on duty by seven. You will take your meals in the kitchen with Isabel and you shall not retire until grandmother, myself and Megan have indicated that you are no longer needed. Do you understand?"

The boy nodded. This might be more than I bargained for, he thought ruefully.

"Good. Now, listen carefully, for this is very important. My grandmother and I have always thought that people should always be properly attired for the purpose of the job that they do. It is for this reason that always, while on duty in this house, you will wear a uniform which will identify your purpose. Not only that, but at those times when you are out with me you will dress in a manner and style of which I will personally approve. This will be without exception. Do you understand?"

Tony shrugged his shoulders. "Sure."

The elegant girl smiled an evil smile. "We'll see. It is almost four, so I will leave you to get ready. I will meet you in my room at four-thirty at which time I will show you around the rest of the house before we go to meet my Grandmother again at five. Your uniform together with the instructions for it's care and use is in the wardrobe. Everything should be your size because the education people sent your measurements to us. My room is the first one you come to at the bottom of these stairs, so don't keep me waiting."

 

Chapter 4 - Maid for the Job

 

With that the cold-hearted Vanessa left Tony alone thinking what a bad-mannered and overly domineering person she was.

Too bad ... she's such a pretty girl, too, he thought sadly

Before he started to get changed into whatever the uniform consisted of he decided to take a look around his room. He looked out through one of the two windows and saw that the view through the front one was a vast improvement than the view looking towards it. He could see for miles over the flat landscape and in the distance he could just see the sea. The other window at the back overlooked a collection of extensions to the house plus a few outbuildings which formed a sort of courtyard. The view beyond these buildings was much the same as that from the other window, which was miles and miles of farmland.

Except for my employers, the frowning youngster thought, life here might not be so bad!

Thinking that he should get ready to meet with Vanessa, Tony realised he didn't want to give her the satisfaction of complaining that he was late. He wandered over and opened the door of the large heavy wooden wardrobe. The little pre-teen boy stood back in amazement when the open door revealed his uniform. He hadn't quite known what to expect, but he most certainly wasn't prepared for what he saw hanging there!

What the ...!!!???

Instead of the shirt, jacket and trousers he'd been expecting, the stunned boy was faced with three black cotton long-sleeved dresses with white lace collars and cuffs. Hanging next to the dresses were several white aprons trimmed with matching lace. On the back of the door were detailed instructions on the way the uniform should be worn, along with instructions for laundering and daily care. The dresses and accessories were of the style worn by maids in movies and old photographs he'd seen, hardly what he had been expecting. He just stood taking it all in, wondering just what in the world he had got himself in to.

There's got to be some mistake! This can't be!

After searching the room to make sure he was looking in the right place, Tony just stood for a good four or five minutes and pondered his plight.

This can't be! I thought I was going to get away from this sort of thing for a while.

Wide-eyed and confused, he thought for a moment about calling his mother and having her come take him home. Then he calmed down a bit and thought about Shirley and his friends at school and how he'd boasted to them how lucky he was to obtain a work assignment. Then he thought about Vanessa and the old lady in the darkened drawing room. The last image is what did it.

Well, I'm not going to let that snobbish, arrogant pair get the better of me, he said to himself. If they want me to be a maid running around in a frilly dress, then that's exactly what they'll get! For a little while, at least. They'll see just how ridiculous a notion that is and then drop all this nonsense. It shouldn't take long, a few minutes at most. And besides, it's not as though it's the first time that I've worn a dress ...

Tony suspected that the increase in Vanessa's smirk had been mainly due to the fact that she knew just what he would be required to wear as a uniform. He also suspected that she fully expected him to refuse to co-operate and thus give her the satisfaction of sending him away.

Well, I'll wipe that smirk right off her face! the determined boy vowed. Instead of embarrassing me, I'll embarrass her!

He unpacked his case and carefully laid the little wooden box of special 'treasures' he took with him wherever he went on the table beside his bed. He then proceeded to undress in readiness for his transformation to that of helper and maid.

Naked and shivering, the little pre-teen boy again read the detailed instructions affixed to the wardrobe door, which were complete with a detailed diagram of what the finished effect would be. He then took a deep breath and started to sort out the supplied items of clothing which were to comprise his appearance. The underwear comprised of lace-ruffled panties and a stiff multi-layered petticoat which was elasticated at the waist. As he slid into these garments he felt himself tremble as the cool, almost sensuous, feel of the material re-awakened certain feelings normally forbidden to a boyish mind.

Why do I always get these feelings? I'm not supposed to enjoy this sort of thing, am I? Other boys surely don't, I mean. Good thing this is only for a few minutes. I'd surely hate it if I had to stay like this for the entire two weeks!

The chagrined boy then pulled the black dress over his head and proceeded to struggle with the many buttons at the back. However, thanks to a little coaching by his mother during his last adventure he managed to fasten them all ... just barely.

Mum would be really proud if she saw me, he thought for a moment. Then he thought about the mean-spirited Vanessa and her cruel smirk. Well, then again, maybe not.

 

When this task had been accomplished he took stock of his appearance. The skirt of the dress was very full and only fell to mid-thigh leaving quite a lot of his legs exposed. The net petticoat had been designed to reveal its lace edges just below the hem of the skirt and he supposed that this was to help his employers to ensure that all was clean and tidy.

Tony then pulled on a pair of white knee length socks. He was secretly pleased to see how they flattered his legs and feet, emphasising their delicate lines. At the bottom of the wardrobe were several pairs of shiny patent leather shoes, all with a heel considerably higher than he was used to. The cross-dressed boy rummaged through them until he found a couple of pair his size. He actually wished he hadn't, however, as his prior experience with high heeled shoes proved as uncomfortable as it was intimidating. After fastening the straps across the top of his foot, the little boy maid noticed with irritation that the shoes made a distinctive "click-clack" sound on the hard wood floor.

Oh, great, he thought sadly. They'll hear me coming for miles!

The whole outfit was completed with the addition of a very frilly white lace apron, which tied in a bow with a wide pair of tapes at the back of his waist, and a pair of white cotton gloves.

The pre-teen boy then examined the complete effect in a full-length mirror and, not for the first time, he was amazed at what he saw. On this occasion he had not bothered to disguise the fact that he was nothing but a boy in a dress, but the reflection showed a convincing little girl in a miniature maid's uniform. Even with his dark brown hair as short as it was, he might easily be mistaken for a typical servant girl.

He sighed and thought deeply to himself. How come I always look so convincing? You'd think someone who's been to the regional football championship wouldn't look quite so ... cute!

Tony then examined his appearance a little closer; the skirt of the dress offered little in the way of modesty being supported by the stiff net petticoat. He realised that if he did little more than stand upright he risked exposing his ruffled panties. The white lace of the petticoats, panties, apron and gloves was obviously designed to ensure that the wearer was clean and tidy at all times. He sighed again

I always end up in situations like this! And my mum or even my cousin Shirley aren't even remotely responsible this time!

The petticoated boy was about to go and see Vanessa when he had a thought. Before I go down to present myself I'll make sure that she can't criticise even the smallest detail of my appearance. That way there is no way she will be able to send me away. I bet she expects me to refuse to wear girl's things, and she's probably already decided to send me on my way for refusing to wear such a silly uniform. Won't she be surprised!

He took a few minutes to make some fine adjustments to his outfit, ensuring that his petticoat revealed exactly half an inch of lace edging all round the hem of his skirt. He also made sure that his white socks were pulled up to exactly even heights, that the large bow holding his apron in place at the back of his waist was precisely symmetrical. Then, satisfied that his tormentor would be unable to find even the slightest fault in his appearance, he set off to present himself to her.

Once outside on the upper landing that strangely familiar feeling of vulnerability, which happened to him whenever he wore a skirt, returned. "Click-clacking" his way down the stairs, the skirted boy walked slowly and paused outside the door to Vanessa's room. He checked his watch.

Two minutes to go. I'll wait until it's exactly four-thirty so that she can't criticise me for not being punctual. I just have to be careful and not make it obvious that I've worn this sort of thing before.

At exactly four-thirty the little petticoated 'maid' knocked on the door. This was answered by a voice from inside instructing him to come in. With one last check on his appearance he opened the door and walked nervously inside. The room was very large and it obviously doubled as both a bedroom and sitting room. There was an armchair positioned at the far end of the room, which provided a view over the garden. A small TV set stood on a table set to one side of the window.

Vanessa didn't turn round immediately when Tony entered; instead, she was seated at a table which was set up as writing desk. She was writing something onto a large pad and ignored his presence for several minutes while she completed her task. It was obvious to Tony that she had already decided what his reaction to the uniform would be because she started to speak to him before she turned around to face him.

"Well, now, I did explain that you must follow our requirements exactly so I'm afraid..." her voice trailed off as she turned to face him. Her face showed surprise for a fleeting moment, but she wasn't about to betray her breeding. Quick as lightning, she recovered her composure. The look of contempt returned to her face mixed with that arrogant smirk which Tony so disliked.

"Hmmm ... I see that you decided to accept our conditions. Very well. Come over here so that I can inspect you."

Tony walked towards her and stood still while she closely inspected his appearance. He cringed each time she touched him on the pretext of making some minor adjustment, but he knew that she wouldn't be able to make any justifiable criticism.

He was wrong.

"What is this?" the tall girl said rudely. She took the frustrated boy's hand and held it up high. "That watch is not part of the uniform. Get rid of it!"

Tony bit his lip and did as he was told. Well? Why aren't you laughing? Why aren't you sending me to change my clothes?

Much to Tony's consternation, Vanessa seemed to approve of his appearance, which was the last thing he'd expected. The arrogant girl smirked as she gave him a final look over.

"That's much better. Good. It would appear that everything fits, so I will show you around the rest of the house before we go and see grandmother."

Tony couldn't help but smile as he followed the teenaged girl. Boy, was she surprised! I bet she never thought a boy would do something like this. Just wait 'til her grandmother sees how silly I look. She'll send me down to change clothes in no time at all, and then I can just do my job. Not to worry.

Vanessa showed him round the ground floor of the house and explained that most of the rooms were unused and, as such, were closed off. For the first time Tony noticed that the whole place, although very grand, was in dire need of attention. There were areas of paintwork which required touching in and the carpets in one or two places were badly worn. It was almost as though the whole place was subject to gradual genteel decay.

The petticoated detective frowned. Did this mean that these people were not as well off as they first appear?

Tony was then introduced to Isabel in the kitchen situated at the rear of the house. She was a very large lady who, as well as being French, was slightly hard of hearing. He worried about how she would react when she saw him in his dress but he needn't have bothered because she just smiled and waved as she acknowledged his introduction. He guessed that she automatically took him for a girl and for the time being he wasn't about to disillusion her.

Vanessa then showed him the sitting room that was to be his base during his on-duty hours. It was a small but comfortably appointed room with a tiny kitchen area behind a partition at the rear. The room contained a sofa and armchair plus a small old fashioned TV set and radio. A large sewing basket could be seen next to the armchair, along with a rack filled with magazines. There was also a telephone, which Vanessa instructed him not to use for personal calls. On one wall was an indicator board which lit up whenever a bell was pressed and this would enable him to see if there were callers at the front or back doors or if his services were required elsewhere in the house. He also noticed one of those out-dated speaking tube affairs, which would allow him to get instructions from Vanessa or her Grandmother.

It was then suggested that he be shown the whereabouts of Vanessa's Grandmother and Isabel's rooms, so they both started to climb the stairs. Tony noticed that Vanessa waited until he was a good way up before she followed him up. He realised that the reason for this was to enable her to see up his skirt.

How rude! She's probably checking to see that I'm wearing the correct underwear, the young boy thought.

This angered him, especially because the insufferable leer had returned to her face when they reached the top landing. Vanessa then pointed to the location of the rooms and ordered him to accompany her back to her own room. Once they were both inside she turned to look at him and stood there gazing for a few minutes making the little petticoated boy feel uncomfortable.

 

 "Do you know that you look just like a girl in that outfit?" She smirked at his obvious discomfiture. "I've never seen a boy in a dress before, but when Isabel just assumed that you were a girl when we saw her, it made me think. I was wondering how I would be able to use you in public if you were dressed in girl's clothes. In fact, I thought the whole idea ridiculous. But after seeing how well you manage yourself, I realise now that I shan't have to worry."

The mocking tone in her voice was beginning to annoy him, but she continued. "Does it bother you that you look so much like a girl? It shouldn't. You make a much better girl than you do a boy, you know. And as long as you act like a proper girl, then we should have no problems. All right?" Without waiting for his reply she walked over to her dressing table and dug through a drawer. "Here, this should complete the illusion," and with that she affixed atop his head a black plastic hair-band decorated with a bit of lace. She then rearranged his hair. "Now you really do look cute, almost as sweet as Margaret. I expect you to wear that all the time."

"Okay," the seething boy replied. For a little while, perhaps, he thought furiously.

Vanessa smiled. "No, that won't do. While you are working for us you will say, 'yes, miss' and 'no, miss' each time you address myself, and 'yes, madam' and 'no madam' when you address my grandmother. You shouldn't have need to say anything else, as we don't make a practice of conversing with the hired help."

The young boy bit his tongue and nodded. "Yes, miss," he said with faint enthusiasm.

"That's much better," the girl said with a smile.

Tony was burning with anger but said nothing else as he followed Vanessa to see her Grandmother at the appointed time. As before she made him wait outside while she went in to see the old lady, leaving him to stand in the uncomfortable shoes for what seemed like forever.

As he stood there he realised that Vanessa had called his bluff, acting as though she actually expected him to comply fully with her grandmother's terms of agreement. Squirming about in his borrowed clothes, the youngster decided that things would go his way ... eventually.

She thinks she so superior, keeping me dressed like this! We'll see just how long this goes on, he thought vehemently. Mrs. Heart will take one look at me and say otherwise, no doubt!

At long last the smiling teen beckoned for him to enter. If the old lady was surprised to see him dressed like he was she didn't show it. She did, however, look him up and down with a studious expression, as though she was conducting an inspection. He felt foolish as he stood in front of her with his hands clasped together in the folds of his skirt. Something was terribly wrong.

"Very good. Vanessa tells me that she has explained everything to you, and that you still agree to our terms." She fixed him with an arrogant stare. "Fine, then. We will give you a trial to see if you perform satisfactorily. Now it's time for our meal, so off you go and see Isabel for yours. By the way, we can't very well call you Anthony while you're dressed in that fashion. What shall we do, dearest?"

This was the first time she had even indicated that he was wearing a dress, much less that she approved. Tony was stunned! He'd thought for sure his employers would see how silly it was to have a boy running around dressed as a maid; at the very least he'd assumed the Old Lady would put a stop to such nonsense. But he was wrong! His plan had backfired, and it appeared that unless he backed down he was going to be stuck in petticoats for the next two weeks.

Vanessa - her smirk even more biting than before - nodded in agreement with her grandmother. "No, Grandmother. We certainly can't call him 'Tony,' either. That would be quite silly."

"True, it would be silly. No, while you're here you'll be known as, well, let's see. We have a French cook, so why not a French maid? What do you think of 'Antoinette'? Yes, I like that. Little Antoinette. Such a pretty name for such a pretty boy."

Antoinette? Tony thought. I'd almost rather be called Antonia ... or Shirley, for that matter!!! Antoinette! What an utterly ridiculous name to have to answer to!!

A dismissive wave signalled that the interview was at an end, and Vanessa guided "Antoinette" out of the sitting room, sending "her" off towards the kitchen.

Isabel was busy loading food for Vanessa and her Grandmother onto a trolley. With a bright smile she pointed at the meal she had laid out for Tony, then she went out pushing the trolley.

The petticoated boy ate in silence. Disappointed in himself for allowing himself to get trapped in such a ridiculous situation, and despondent over the very real possibility that he'd let his school down, he fought back his tears and chewed his food slowly. He had a lot of thinking to do about what to do next, that was for certain!

After he had eaten he went off to his sitting room and turned on the TV. It was a rather old black and white model but it was better than nothing. As he sat down on the sofa he automatically began arranging his skirts.

Why do I do this sort of thing without thinking? he wondered. Stupid! No wonder you get into these kinds of predicaments!

He wouldn't have admitted the fact to anyone - especially not his cousin Shirley! - but he was rather enjoying the feel of wearing a dress again. He was just getting interested in a TV program when a piercing whistle made him jump. It was the from the speaking tube and when he answered it was Vanessa, who informed him that they would both be retiring for the night in half an hour or so. She told him that when Megan had come back his services would not be required again the remainder of that night.

The little petticoated boy watched the TV for a while. Finally bored with the program, he went over to a rack containing piles of magazines. They were obviously put there by Margaret and were all either women's or girl's publications. He selected a couple which he thought might be of interest and was just about to sit down again when there was a knock on the door.

He didn't know whom to expect and so he turned to face the door. "Come in," he said in a hoarse voice. The door slowly opening to reveal Megan, obviously just back from the farm if the state of her grubby jeans was anything to go by. "Er, hello," was all he could say as he sensed her carefully examining his feminine outfit, not to mention the girl's magazines in his hand. "Would you like to come and sit down?"

"No, I really can't stop. There's a cow calving at the farm and I only popped back to get my waterproofs." She was looking at him closely. "The main reasons I knocked were to find out if they had taken you on and if they had, I wanted to say hello properly. Vanessa can be so rude whenever she is in the presence of someone who she considers to be inferior to her." The dishevelled teenager smiled. "I really didn't think that you would agree when it came to wearing that silly uniform. I know Margaret does, but that's obviously different. I think you're very brave to wear a dress just because they think it's proper attire for their precious maid servants."

"Oh, it's not really brave," replied Tony feeling even sillier standing there in his frilly uniform with his hands once again clasped in that familiar girlish fashion. "I just didn't want to let the program down." His face burned bright red as he thought of how ridiculous that sounded. He wondered what she'd think if he told her he was turning in his dress and going home.

"Well I think you're courageous just the same. I can't think of many boys who would subject themselves to wearing a dress, especially one as fussy as that. By the way, how old are you?"

"Thirteen, er, nearly fourteen" lied Tony in an attempt to make himself appear a little more mature. He'd passed for thirteen once before, and in this case the circumstances seemed just as worthwhile.

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Er, yes," replied Tony. His face turned even more red as he thought about "Antonia's" many exploits. He hoped she didn't ask about boys!

"Hmmm ... Well, you look very young for your age, you know. I'll tell you what. I used to call on Margaret for a chat in the evenings sometimes. How about I call in on you tomorrow and we'll get to know each other better? Life can get pretty boring around here and I really don't have anything in common with the odious Vanessa."

"Don't you like her then?"

"Well, despite being related, my parents don't really see much of them at all. My dad reckons that they should sell up this house, the farm and their flat in London and live somewhere more suitable. The trouble is that they are both living in the past and they still imagine that they should live like the lords of the manor." Megan shook her head. "I'll say one thing in Vanessa's favour though. Ever since her parents were killed she's been devoted to the old girl. Taking care of her and making sure that she wants for nothing. It's a pity that she's such an insufferable snob. My dad figures that, despite living like this, they're really broke. I'm only here because it's convenient for my college course. Well I really must get back to the farm. See you tomorrow evening."

And with that she was gone.

Tony sat and thought for a while. He really would like to make friends with that girl with her pleasant bubbly personality and pretty smile. But there was one problem. Why is it that whenever I meet a really nice girl I'm always wearing something stupid? Well, at least this time she knows that I'm a boy, dress or no dress, plus she didn't out and out laugh at me. That may make things a bit easier.

He then decided that it was time for bed, as he had to be up and ready at seven o'clock the following morning.

He was going to stay!

 

Chapter 5 - The Haunting

 

The tired pre-teen boy went up to his room and removed his uniform. He then washed and pulled on his pyjamas. At least I can go to bed in this strange place dressed like a boy.

Going into detective mode, the yawning youngster also had an idea on how he could find out more about this peculiar household. Shirley was doing her work placement with the local newspaper, so if he telephoned her surely she would be able to dig out something about them. He decided that he would try to contact her as soon as possible the next day.

There was no bedside lamp in the room so he had to turn off the light using the main switch situated by the door. As he turned out the light prior to getting into bed he decided to look out of the window to view the landscape by night. It was a clear moonlit night and looking from the front bedroom window Tony could see the flat farmland quite clearly. He could also just make out the lights from the farm and the moon glinting on the distant sea. Going to the back window he saw that the moonlight picked out a lane which connected the rear entrance and courtyard to the road.

He was just studying the layout when a movement near to the gateway drew his attention. Because of the light he couldn't quite make it out, but it looked like a shadowy figure coming towards the house. His view of the figure was momentarily blocked when it moved behind the gable end on the roof and Tony expected it to reappear seconds later as it continued traversing the courtyard near to the house. He was puzzled when there was no reappearance because he was sure that there was no way into the house from there. Furthermore, he couldn't understand what anyone was doing wandering around out there at this time of the night. His puzzlement increased when he caught sight of another figure coming from exactly the same direction as the first. This one also disappeared behind the gable end, never to reappear.

Were they actually people? And if so where did they go? Maybe they were ghosts!

He laughed to himself at this thought and climbed into bed. Before he could drift off to sleep, however, he kept thinking about crazy situation he was in. Suddenly he was aware of a faint but rhythmic tapping noise interspersed with a scraping sound. It seemed to be coming from the very fabric of the building and could almost have been taken for the footsteps of some unseen person dragging something along the floor. This regular faint noise together with the shadowy nocturnal figures he had seen out side set him thinking ...

... Maybe the house is haunted after all!

All these thoughts didn't prevent him from falling into a deep sleep. The day's events had exhausted him and he had to be ready for duty at seven in the morning.

The alarm woke him at six and the eleven-year-old stumbled out of bed and went to the bathroom to prepare himself for his duties of the day. After washing he went to the wardrobe and took out a clean uniform as per instructions. He sighed as he examined the frills and he still felt guilty at the almost sensuous feeling he got as he started to dress.

After tugging on his gloves he had just two more things to do: one was to put the hair-band that Vanessa had given him into his hair. The other was to put on the fairy necklace that Anthea had given him all those months ago (see The Petticoat Detective Squad: "The Mystery of the Girl in the Garden"). He had made it a habit to always wear this whenever he wore a dress and no one would know about it if he tucked it inside the uniform dress he was now wearing.

Once that was done, he fluffed out his hair in an effort to arrange it in a suitable style for the hair-band. He then went over to the large mirror to inspect himself. His feelings were, as always, mixed when he saw himself in this feminine apparel. On one hand he secretly enjoyed dressing like this, but on the other hand he wasn't sure that he should enjoy it at all.

Other boys don't put up with this kind of stuff, he lamented. Why am I always the one who ends up wearing panties?

Sighing to himself he went out to find Isabel and breakfast and to start the day.

While he ate the breakfast Isabel had prepared for him he attempted to ask her about the noises that he had heard during the night but because of her accent and hearing difficulties, conversation was impossible. Besides she was preoccupied with preparing breakfast trays for Megan, Vanessa and her Grandmother. All Tony could get out of her was, "Ah, Antoinette, vous êtes une si jolie petite fille," which the youngster translated out to mean something about him being a "very pretty little girl."

As Isabel made it obvious that she thought that he was a girl, there weren't any problems on that score. The little feminised boy finished his breakfast, deposited yesterday's uniform with the laundry and retired to his sitting room to await instructions.

He wasn't there long before a whistle from the speaking tube summoned him. "Antoinette, come up to my room will you?" It was Vanessa, and the mocking tone in her voice when she said "Antoinette" made him seethe; however, in keeping with his commitment to his job, he made his way quickly up the stairs.

The feminised boy paused outside her door and made some fine adjustments to his uniform as he had the previous day; he also primped his hair using the highly polished surface of the door panel as a makeshift mirror. Confident that his young mistress wouldn't be able to find any fault in his appearance, he knocked at her door.

Vanessa was still in her dressing gown when he entered the room, "Ah, Antoinette, you finally made it. You really need to move more quickly. Grandmother might not appreciate you dawdling about like a lazy boy."

Tony started to argue, but he bit his tongue. The mocking tone to her voice when she said his feminised name made him squirm enough as it was.

"Yes, miss," he said softly.

"Well, let's take a look at you, pretty boy. We can't afford to let standards slip, can we?" The arrogant teen sat and looked him up and down, and then ordered him to turn around so that she could see his back. "Hmm, not bad, I see you've styled your hair. Very sweet. It makes you look even more like a girl. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Yes, you'll do I suppose."

Vanessa seemed disappointed at not being able to find a fault with his appearance, but her sneer betrayed a newly found game she was beginning to enjoy.

"Just one thing though. You wouldn't be cheating when it comes to your underwear would you? I take it that you are wearing the regulation underwear, but I must be sure that you're not wearing a pair of boyish shorts or anything. That wouldn't do at all."

"No, miss," Tony said, his face burning brightly with embarrassment. "I mean, yes, miss."

 

Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "Hmmm ... I think I need to see for myself. Lift up your skirt so that I can make sure everything is as it should be."

"Pardon?" said Tony, not believing what he just heard.

"It's quite simple, boy. Lift up your skirt so that I can inspect your underwear."

Tony blushed violently did as he was ordered and lifted his short skirt and petticoats so that the smirking Vanessa could see his lace ruffled panties. He knew that she was just doing this to pile on his indignity but he didn't say anything. He bit his tongue for the second time in the space of a few seconds.

"Very good," she said in an increased mocking tone. "You can let it fall now. Was everything in your room to your satisfaction?"

"Yes, miss," answered the still-blushing boy. "I did hear some strange tapping noises in the night though."

"Well this house is very old and old houses do make strange noises sometimes," Vanessa retorted. Tony thought she didn't sound convinced about her answer, but he let it go. "Now I want to discuss today's duties with you. This morning you will be on hand to help out whenever needed by my grandmother. This afternoon I have an old friend of my mother's coming to help me with my schooling. She will be bringing her seven-year-old son with her and I will expect you to keep him occupied and out of mischief while his mother and I are busy. Do you think you can manage that? He can be quite lively at times."

"Yes, miss," replied the little boy maid.

"We'll see about that," came the predictable retort. With a dismissive wave of her hand the interview was terminated and Tony retired to the privacy of his sitting room.

 

Chapter 6 - All In A Day's Work?

 

Tony's first morning was spent with him supplying cups of tea to Vanessa and her Grandmother whenever they were required. Megan, having gone off to work on the farm, required no help at all. The flustered boy also had to help Mrs. Heart get about, as she was rather unsteady on her feet; this resulted in him spending a great deal of his time sitting on that uncomfortable stool at the Old Lady's elbow. These tasks interspersed with answering the telephone and the doorbell kept him occupied and the morning passed quite quickly.

When Vanessa and the Old Lady were having lunch Tony seized on the opportunity to flop down in a chair - in a rather unladylike manner, mind you! - and contact Shirley on the telephone. He was lucky as he was put straight through to her by switchboard at the paper.

"Hi, little cousin," she said when she realised who was calling. "How's it going?"

"Fine," he replied. He then went on to ask her if she would be able to find out anything about the people he was staying with. He omitted to tell her everything that was going on, of course, for fear of her making fun of the situation regarding his uniform.

"Well, I think you've come to the right place," she said. "Phone back tomorrow and I'll let you know what I've found out. You're making it sound very mysterious though."

After a little chat about things in general Tony ended the call being mindful of his instructions on not using the telephone.

A few minutes later he answered a ring on the front doorbell and was greeted by a rather pleasant lady who was accompanied by a little boy. She introduced herself as Irene West and said that little boy's name was Daniel. Tony showed them into the library as he had been instructed and Vanessa joined them almost immediately.

The library was a huge room with its walls lined with bookshelves. Vanessa and Irene settled at a table situated in the bay window and Tony took Daniel to the other end of the room so as not to disturb them. Daniel had come with a bag containing some toys, but it soon became obvious that he was more interested in creating mayhem rather than play with them. He was very small for his age with blond curly hair and huge appealing blue eyes. If his appearance gave the impression of a nice little boy the reality was quite the reverse. Every time Tony took his eyes off his little blond haired charge he was either pulling books off the shelves or picking up one of the expensive looking ornaments.

At last the two women looked like they were about to finish and Tony took Daniel over towards them. He only took his eyes from Daniel for a second when the next thing he saw was a porcelain figurine heading towards the floor after the little blond had knocked it off a table. As if by instinct Tony dived full length and caught the figurine an inch before it hit the floor with what would have been the obvious result. His football mates would have been proud.

As Tony lay there with his petticoats up around his waist he heard Irene shout, "Oh, my! Well held!" She then started to remonstrate with the little boy, who in turn didn't appear to take the slightest bit of notice.

Tony attempted to recover his modesty as Vanessa started to address him in her usual haughty tone. "Now that you're done showing off your pretties, Antoinette ... I had planned for you to accompany me into town tomorrow afternoon, but it seems Irene has a more pressing need. She has some important business to attend to then, so I've arranged to drop you off at her house when I go into town. You can look after Daniel for the afternoon while Irene is busy."

"If it's a nice day I'll drop you both off at the park," said Irene. "Don't worry I'll make sure the he behaves himself."

Tony picked himself up from the floor and smoothed his skirts. He didn't say anything, but just nodded in agreement. How in the world will she manage that? he wondered.

In all candour, the petticoated boy was quite looking forward to getting away from the house and the odious Vanessa even if it was just for the afternoon. He considered his situation and decided that he preferred the unpredictable behaviour of the blond haired brat Daniel to her any day.

After the mother and her son had departed Tony had his tea with Isabel. Then, after helping the old lady upstairs to her room he went back to the sanctuary of his sitting room. Vanessa had also retired to her room, but she had not told him that his services had finished for the day, so he remained on the alert. He wondered what sort of outfit he would be wearing to accompany Vanessa on the following afternoon.

Surely I wouldn't be required to go in this? he thought, looking down at his frilly uniform. Surely they can't be that mean!

He watched TV for a while and was beginning to wonder if Megan would indeed be coming for a chat when there was a knock on the door. To his relief, it was her! "Hi, there. I've just got back. I'll just go and clean myself up then I'll come down for our chat. Is that okay?"

"Fine," answered Tony. He looked at Megan in her scruffy jeans with her blond hair tied tightly back in a pony tail and smiled. "I've been looking forward to it."

"Okay, I'll see you in about half an hour then," and with that she was gone.

He'd hoped to be released from duty by that time and allowed to change into his boy clothes, but instead he was summoned to get the Old Lady a cup of coffee. The skirted boy had only just returned when a knock at the door announced Megan's return. She had changed into some cream coloured trousers teamed with a white silk blouse. Her long blond hair had been freed from the restrictions on the ponytail and cascaded over her shoulders. Her face showed the subtle signs of make up, and it was the first time that Tony had appreciated just how beautiful she was.

"Sorry. Have I kept you waiting?" she said. "I needed to get rid of any lingering traces from the farm."

"Oh, you didn't keep me waiting," replied Tony who was trying to work out her age. He settled on fifteen or sixteen. He explained about having to take coffee to the Old Lady.

"Typical," retorted Megan. "They do that sort of thing to Margaret. I think that it's just to make sure you're still there and available. I shouldn't think that they'll trouble you again this evening, though. But you never can tell."

"Did you hear any funny noises last night?" Tony asked. He thought it best not to mention the shadowy figures he'd seen outside.

"Oh, they happen most nights for an hour or so. Vanessa says that they're nothing to worry about. I think that it's either a ghost or, what's more likely, the old place is falling down. Well, how are you getting on in your job here?"

"Well I think I can manage to keep going for the two weeks," replied Tony. "I don't have too much to do but Vanessa and her Grandmother are a bit weird."

"I shouldn't let them get to you. What have you been up to today?"

Tony explained about Irene's visit and the problems he had with Daniel.

"The blond brat," said Megan, confirming that the little boy's reputation was well known. "Irene was a very good friend of Vanessa's mother. Unfortunately, a boy like that needs a father's steadying hand. The problem is that their marriage broke down two or three years ago, and I believe her husband moved abroad."

"Well, I'm supposed to be looking after him tomorrow," said Tony.

"The best of luck," laughed Megan. "I'll bring you some rope from the farm then you'll be able to tie him up and get a bit of peace. Now, for the real question ... Why in the world did you agree to wear that silly frock?"

Tony rolled his eyes. "I told you before, I didn't want to let my school down."

"I don't know if I believe that. I'd think most boys would rather do anything but wear a dress. Especially one that looks as ridiculous as that."

"Oh, having to wear a dress isn't so bad," replied Tony.

Megan looked at him a moment and blinked. "I'd never expect to hear one of my male classmates say something like that. I bet your girlfriend would love to see you right now."

Tony looked down at himself and realised that he was standing with his hands clasped in the folds of his too short skirt. He could feel the blood rushing to his cheeks.

"Please don't take this the wrong way, Tony. but you really do look like a girl. Even without any makeup, no one would ever know you weren't one for real. I wonder what you'd look like with lipstick ...?"

This made Tony blush even more. If only she knew.

Megan continued, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make fun of you, but I find it so fascinating how convincing you look. I bet the hair-band was Vanessa's idea, wasn't it?"

"Yes," said Tony feeling rather foolish and thinking about their rather bizarre situation. Here I am wearing a frilly dress and petticoats while she's wearing trousers. Why does this have to happen to me???

"Well, come on. I can see that I've embarrassed you enough. Let's sit down and talk about something more sensible."

Tony, realising that he had been neglecting his guest said, "Would you like some tea or coffee?"

"I bet you've been running around with cups of tea and coffee all day," replied the smiling girl. "You sit down while I make us both a cup of coffee. If I know Margaret I'll bet she's got some biscuits in that cupboard so I'll get them out as well."

Tony sat down on the sofa leaving the armchair free for his guest; to his surprise, when she finished preparing the refreshments she sat down next to him instead. Due to her closeness he could smell the sweet scent of her perfume.

They drank in silence for a few minutes then Megan started to speak. "I bet you have a great time with the girls. With your small build I would think that they all want to mother you. I'll wager that you and your girlfriend have a wonderful time when you're alone together."

Chance would be a fine thing,the frustrated boy thought. Most of them think that I'm a girl.

"We get on all right," Tony replied. He was more than a little flustered by her closeness.

At that moment the little petticoated boy jiffled to get into a more comfortable position when his foot caught the little table where Megan had left the plate of biscuits. The plate fell to the floor, scattering its contents onto the carpet. Instinctively they both bent down to pick them up, causing their heads to bump gently together.

"Sorry," said Tony feeling embarrassed as they both crouched on the floor to retrieve the scattered contents of the fallen plate. Megan put the plate out of harm's way, and as they attempted to regain their previous positions on the sofa their heads came together again knocking Tony's hair-band down so that it covered his eyes. "Sorry," said Tony again, "I'm so clumsy."

"Don't keep saying sorry," said Megan. "It was as much my fault as yours, you silly." Seeing that he was trying to replace his hair-band she pulled it from his head and tossed it onto the vacant armchair. "Let's get rid of that ridiculous thing for the time being. That way I can see that I am talking to a boy, at least I can if I look you straight in the face. And take off those silly gloves, too. What if I wanted to hold hands with you?"

Tony blushed as the thin cotton gloves were slid off his hands. Megan then took one between hers and smiled. At that moment their faces were almost touching and as if by instinct Megan put her arm around Tony's shoulders and kissed him full on the lips. This was all so sudden and Tony's reaction to it was one of total confusion at being kissed without warning. His first instinctive reaction was that he should pull away, however he realised that he was enjoying it so he relaxed and started to press harder against Megan's lips.

At least a boy is not kissing me this time, or a girl who thinks that I'm also a girl. He savoured the taste of her mouth, opening his own up and allowing her curious tongue to touch his.

After a moment Megan moved away and their lips lost contact. But she kept looking intently into his eyes. Tony was starting to get aroused and felt that now familiar tingling sensation from the deepest folds of his skirt.

"Wow!" whispered Megan. "You can really kiss can't you?!!!. I bet your girlfriend can't keep away from you."

Tony didn't quite know how to react to this so he raised his eyes and looked again into hers. "She hasn't complained yet," he said, trying to get his confused mind back into focus.

"I'm afraid my boyfriend and I parted company a while back," the blond girl said, still looking at him intently. "The problem was that college and the farm got in the way."

Tony was beginning to regret not having been more truthful about his age. If he had told the truth then maybe Megan wouldn't have been quite so forward with him. He had to admit to himself however that there was something special about being so close to this very pretty girl. He also realised that if she was to keep believing him about his age then he must act as though he had been in this sort of situation before. Sure he and his friends had talked and laughed about this sort of thing, boasting about things that they had got up to with girls. Unfortunately, it was all bravado and imagination because they were all a little bit too young.

"Your mouth ... it looks so ... delicious." Megan didn't finish what she was saying, she just moved even closer to him. Wrapping her arm about his shoulders even tighter, she held him fast. "Oh, Tony, if you were just a little older, I'd love to have you as my boyfriend, even if you were wearing a dress."

Suddenly, in one movement, she kissed him again only this time it was far more lingering. At the same time the little petticoated boy felt her free hand resting on his bare leg. His automatic reaction to this was electric, he felt the stirring sensation from deep in the folds of his skirt intensify to a point which was almost too much to bear.

What's happening? I'm too young for this sort of thing, aren't I ..?

As the intensity of the kiss continued he felt Megan's hand slowly creep up his unprotected leg until it was deep inside the frilled layers of his petticoats. The kiss stopped and she looked enquiringly into his eyes. He responded with a smile; in his naivete, he didn't know how else to react. Megan interpreted his smile as a sign of acceptance because she started kissing him again and he felt her hand pulling at the elastic waist of his ruffled panties.

Oh god, she's trying to pull them off! Should I let her?

 

Tony, however was no longer in full control of his actions. He momentarily eased the weight off his bottom and with an almost skilled movement Megan flipped the panties down his thighs and about his knees. No longer obstructed, her hand resumed its previous position and started to caress the now extremely confused and excited boy's most private area. She then briefly removed her hand, grasped his free hand and after unzipping the front of her trousers she placed it onto her own intimate area before resuming her gentle fondling.

All this was going on while the passionate kiss continued. The inexperienced boy didn't know what to do. Almost as if by instinct he began gently moving his hand, exploring the mysterious region between his new friend's thighs. What he found first shocked, then fascinated him. In turn, Megan responded by pulling away from the kiss and gasping and moaning as if experiencing something wonderful. This alarmed Tony because he had never been in the situation to see a girl climax before, and for a moment he thought perhaps he'd hurt her.

The confused boy's alarm was short-lived, however; the smile on Megan's face was dreamy and mischievous, and when she renewed her kissing, he thought he was going drown in the moistness of her mouth. Even more importantly, she slid both hands beneath his skirt and took his slender boyhood between her palms and began masturbating him in an excruciatingly lingering manner. He'd never even done such a thing himself, and now he was being given a lesson in an art that would last him forever! After what seemed like an eternity of heavenly thrills, her fondling created a wonderfully intense and exquisite explosive sensation which seemed to go on and on and on. He had experienced these sorts of feelings before, but never with such overwhelming intensity! It was unspeakably wonderful!

Tony was mortified as he watched Megan clean up the mess he'd made with a tissue; she, on the other hand, giggled and winked as though what happened was completely natural. The teenager seemed to take great pleasure in the power she exhibited over her young friend, and she took her time as she doted over him and cared for him as though he was some fragile thing.

"You know, pet, you make the cutest noise when I touch you down there. It's so soft and pretty, almost as though you are singing." Megan kissed Tony on the tip of the nose. "I need to do that more often, what do you think?"

The cross-dressed boy could only blush his reply.

For nearly half an hour the two friends cuddled where they were, half laying on the sofa, not saying anything but savouring the moment. Eventually Megan re-secured her trouser zip while Tony just modestly rearranged his skirts for decency. In the confusion his panties had fallen about his ankles, which left them hopelessly entangled about his high-heeled pumps. With the finesse of a drunken monkey, he knocked off his shoes and pulled the offending underwear free, kicking them somewhere under the furniture. It didn't seem to matter if he put them back on or not, since his petticoats and dress hid his shaken modesty.

I'll find them and put them on later, he thought. After I clean myself up! Yuck!

"Tony," said Megan quietly after they had sat in silence for quite some time, "I didn't mean to come on so strong to you, but your kiss literally drove me wild. Are you sure you're only thirteen. You seem to have a lot of experience."

That's a laugh, thought Tony, I'm not yet twelve. Answering her in the only way he knew, "Well I'm certainly not older."

Megan giggled. "You know that was quite a unique occasion. Normally it's the boy who tries to get under a girl's skirt and remove her panties, and it's the girl who has to struggle with the boy's zipper. This time the roles were completely reversed. It was so wonderful being in control like that!" She kissed him again, deeply and warmly. "You remember what I said about you being my boyfriend and wearing a dress. Well, I think I would just have to keep you in skirts forever, if for no other reason but to keep the other girls away from you!"

Tony joined in her laughter while he was still trying to make sense of his emotions.

They watched a little TV for a while after that, and then Megan said goodnight, but only after promising to call in for a 'chat' again soon. When she had gone Tony went up to his own room still feeling a little light headed from his experience. He sat on his bed for a while and then decided to look out of the back window. He gave an involuntary giggle as he realised that he was still minus his panties. A mental note was made to retrieve them the following morning.

The feminine boy then turned out the light to enable him to get a better look at the courtyard, but the night was cloudy so his view was no where near as good as the previous day. However, after he had watched the courtyard for a while he again saw two shadowy figures arrive and disappear behind the roof gable, never to re-emerge.

Just what is going on and where do they disappear to?

Furrowing his brow, he decided that he would explore the courtyard at the first possible opportunity. But first things first. Taking a chance that his employers were done with him for the night, he undressed and took a long, warm bath. Exhausted by his ordeal, he fell asleep in the tub as he was trying to sort out his confused thoughts and feelings; he only woke up when he heard that rhythmic tapping and scraping again. Too tired to go investigate, he got out and dried himself off and fell in to bed, his sleep filled with dreams about his new love ... Megan ...

 

Chapter 7 - Some Mysteries Explained

 

The following morning offered Tony no chance to inspect the courtyard because he was kept busy tending to the needs of his teenaged mistress and her grandmother. He also had a phone call to make to his cousin Shirley, so as soon as the odious Vanessa and the Old Lady were safely involved in having their lunch, he went to his sitting room and dialled the number of the local newspaper.

"Hi again, little cousin!" Shirley replied as he was put through to her. "How's it going?"

"Okay, I think." I do wish she wouldn't call me little cousin, the little boy maid thought with frustration. "Did you find out anything?"

"It's amazing just what you can find out when you're working in a place like this," she replied. "Where do you want me to start?"

"Tell me anything you can."

Shirley started by explaining a bit of history concerning the Heart family. They had lived in the area for hundreds of years, and at one time they had owned all the land in the locality. There had been a scandal in late Victorian times which caused the family to split into two factions when, according to reports, the then head of the household died leaving his estate to his two sons.

Apparently the eldest brother was left the house and all the other properties, and all the father's money was to be divided equally between the two brothers.

Trouble started when the eldest brother who was living in the main house with his family made out that there was only Ј2000 in his late father's estate; hence, he passed Ј1000 on to his brother. The brother was very angry at this apparently derisory amount because he had estimated that his late father's wealth was well in excess of Ј1,000,000. However he couldn't prove anything because the old man had had always been very secretive over his financial affairs. Regardless, the cheated brother continued to take his elder sibling to task about the missing money.

Things finally came to a head when the elder brother and his family had gone on holiday to Europe. The younger brother had forced his way into the unoccupied house to search for the hidden wealth and despite searching for two whole days he didn't find any trace of it. In his anger he burnt the house to the ground, although he was very careful not to leave any proof that he had been involved. The older brother was mortified to find out what had been done and ordered the house to be rebuilt onto the foundations of the old one. Unfortunately, the stress had all been too much for him and he died shortly before the rebuilding had been completed. No trace of the vanished wealth was ever found.

"But what about the two living here today?" asked Tony.

"Patience little cousin, I'm just coming to that."

Shirley went on to explain that Vanessa's father - together with her mother - were tragically killed three years previously. This left Vanessa in the sole care of her Grandmother. Her father's business dealings had not been as successful as everyone had thought and had left the family saddled with huge debts. This together with colossal death and property taxes had left them with very little capital.

"In other words, the family you're staying with are broke."

"But what about the house, the farm and the flat in London? Surely they're worth something," insisted Tony.

"Oh, they own the house all right. But the farm has been re-mortgaged and any profit it makes barely covers the interest on the loan. The flat in London is on the point of being re-possessed due to non-payment of the existing mortgage."

"Well, thanks for finding all that out. It explains a few things."

"They sound like a pretty weird lot," said Shirley.

"They're not so bad," said Tony. The remark surprised him, considering the indignities his employers forced him to endure. "Anyhow, I'm only here until the end of next week, so I think I'll survive."

"By the way," said Shirley with a mischievous tone in her voice, "have you seen anything of Antonia? I still have that dress, you know."

"No, why?" said Tony starting to blush as he looked down at the frilly dress of his uniform. If she could see me she'd die laughing, he thought shamefully.

"Well, if you do see her, tell her that I've still got that dress. I'm sure she's going to adore it. It's even prettier than I told you! Tell her to come round to try it on just as soon as she gets back home." The giggle in her voice was inspired.

"Okay, okay ... I'll tell her," the little petticoated maid replied with a resigned tone in his voice.

"Well little cousin," - don't call me that! - "I've got to go. Us news-hounds have work to do, you know." And with that she hung up.

Tony now saw the family in a different perspective. It must have been almost impossible for the Old Lady to change her lifestyle after living all her life in pampered luxury, not wanting for anything. It would appear that Vanessa, odious though she was, had been protecting her Grandmother from being exposed to the realities of their situation.

Well, good luck to them, he said to himself. I've problems of my own, like finding the panties I lost last night!

 

 

Chapter 8 - A Trip to the Park ... With a Difference!

 

Tony did find the missing underwear, and after stashing it safely away, tended to his chores. Vanessa had told him that they would be leaving for town in the early afternoon and that she would see him in his sitting room immediately after lunch. At the appointed time Tony answered a knock at his door and opened it to reveal Vanessa carrying a small bundle.

"Antoinette," - the mocking way that she always said his feminised name always made him cringe - "you obviously cannot go to look after Daniel dressed in your uniform. I've taken the liberty to select something more suitable from some of my own outgrown clothes. The shoes, socks and underwear you are wearing at the moment will be perfectly acceptable, so if you'll just put these things on as soon as you can we can get going as soon as the car arrives."

Tony hesitated. "You mean, I have to wear a dress when I go to town, too?"

"Of course! These were the terms to your employment. You agreed to them. Or don't you remember? How typical ...."

Tony could have kicked himself. "Yes, miss, I remember. It's just that ... I don't live too far from here and ...."

"Oh, that's right. You even go to school near here, too, don't you?" Vanessa's face belied her delight. "Oh, my ... I hope this isn't going to be an inconvenience ... or awkward for you."

The little boy maid tried to hide his apprehension, but it was difficult. "But, if I have to wear a dress ... what if any of my friends should see me? What do I tell them?"

The teenaged girl raised her eyebrows, meeting the frustrated boy's challenge. "That's not my concern. You're the one who made the agreement. Those are our terms! Of course, you can always refuse. Grandmother will be more than happy to send you home if you do, naturally. The shame will be only yours to bear, no doubt."

With that she left him to examine the bundle of clothes that she left laying on the sofa. He sighed when he saw what she had selected for him. It was a pale yellow sundress, very childish in style with a short bubble skirt and lacy shoulder straps. Also on the sofa was a very full bouffant petticoat, which he guessed would make the dress stand right out. He removed his uniform and pulled on the clothes which Vanessa had left him. As he had suspected the dress was very childish and the petticoat made the short skirt appear even shorter.

She's tying to humiliate me even more. She thinks I'll refuse to go out wearing something like this. Well I'll show her...

After adjusting himself and fixing his hair accordingly, the feminised boy went out to find Vanessa waiting in the hall. The teenaged girl did look momentarily surprised when she saw him but she restrained herself.

"Very good. You look even more like a girl than before. I'm not surprised at all. Here, something's missing. Let's try this." She dug through a drawer and produced a handful of ribbons. "Pick one." Tony looked at the selection, thought for a moment, and then pointed to a white lace affair with a plastic clip. "Well, I'm not going to put it on you! Do it yourself!" Vanessa chastised.

Tony gave a sigh and proceeded to adorn his hair with the ribbon. Standing in front of the dressing mirror, it took him a couple of minutes to position the clumsy thing just right. Once he did, he smiled for a moment in admiration of his handiwork. He was embarrassed to see Vanessa's face staring back at him from her position over his shoulder.

"You certainly seem to know what you're doing, don't you, Anthony? Oh, here, you might need this." The smirking girl handed the sheepish boy a small shiny black purse. "For your valuables, if you have any. The car has just arrived so we can get going. It's a lovely afternoon so you won't need a coat or cardigan."

Tony almost died when he saw that they were to be chauffeured by the same gentleman who picked him up at the train station only a couple of days before. Nodding silently to the puzzled driver, the petticoated boy held his skirts down about his legs as he climbed into the Land Rover.

"Afternoon, ladies," the man said, casting an odd smile in the direction of the blushing detective.

"Jacob, you know Antoinette, I assume. Antoinette, this is Jacob." Tony nodded once more and then lowered his eyes to avoid the driver's response. Vanessa's voice rang with delight. "We're going to Mrs. West's home on the other side of town. You know the route?"

"Yes, miss," the driver replied, and soon they were on their way.

The journey into town was conducted in silence; it was as though Vanessa couldn't stoop so low as to converse with someone like Tony. She did however give him a strange look when he exhibited the expert way he managed his billowing skirts and petticoats. They soon pulled up outside a smart detached house situated on the outskirts of town. While the Land Rover waited to take Vanessa on the remainder of her journey they both got out and rang the doorbell. Irene who smiled and ushered them both inside quickly answered this.

"Hello, you two," she said. Turning to Tony, she exclaimed, "Oh, goodness, darling. What a pretty dress! And I just love your hair ribbon!"

Vanessa made an ugly face. "Well, I'll leave Antoinette with you as I must get going."

"Don't worry about collecting her. I'll drive her back as soon as I've finished all my business," said Irene. "It may not be until this evening though."

"That will be fine," Vanessa replied. "Take as long as you like. I'll say goodbye now, and I'll phone you tomorrow." Without even acknowledging Tony she was gone.

"Right then. I'm just finishing getting some papers ready if you'd like to join me." Irene led the way to a spacious lounge which overlooked an immaculately kept garden. She started to sort some piles of papers into some sort of order and began to put them into a briefcase. "I do some work for a local theatrical agent. I try to keep in touch with the business because I used to dance professionally. I retired when Daniel was born."

"Where is Daniel?" Tony asked.

"The last time I saw him he was in the kitchen. I do hope he's behaving himself."

Almost as if on cue the sound of something breaking emanated from somewhere else in the house.

"Just what has he done now?" said Irene as she rushed out into the hallway and threw open a door to reveal the kitchen. Standing in the middle of the floor was the blond haired Daniel surrounded by the broken remains of what appeared to be a flower vase. "What on earth were you doing with a vase? No, don't tell me. Just go up to your room and have a wash. I'll be up as soon as I've finished with my papers to help you get ready." Then almost as an afterthought, she added, "You may as well get undressed. And for goodness sake behave yourself!"

The curly headed little boy climbed the stairs as Tony and Irene went back to the lounge.

"Just what do you make of him?" asked Irene resuming sorting her papers.

"Er, he's just an average little boy," said Tony, not knowing quite how to reply.

"Oh, don't try to be polite," said Irene. "I used to excuse his behaviour due to the lack of a father, but I've recently had to admit to myself that it just wasn't true. Let's be honest, he's a little brat who's out of control and I've let him get away with it for far too long."

"I wouldn't say that," said Tony. "He looks so angelic, with all that curly hair and those big eyes. I'm sure he's not nearly as bad as you say."

Irene considered him for a moment. "You're being sweet. Please don't try to excuse him, though. I've had to do some serious thinking over the past few days because he's starting to give me some real problems. Why only yesterday, if it hadn't been for your quick reactions there would have been an expensive ornament shattered all over the floor. Now I want to ask you a great favour if you don't mind."

"Ask away," said Tony.

"I was worried about exposing you to Daniel's unpredictable behaviour this afternoon. So, bearing this in mind, I have decided to implement a method of punishment that I read about a while back. I have been prepared to do it for some time but I realised I couldn't begin it without having someone here to help."

Tony looked a little worried about this. "Well, I'm not sure."

"Oh, don't worry. I don't mean to thrash him or inflict pain or anything horrible. I couldn't do anything like that. No, it's not going to cause him any pain or distress, just attract his attention a bit. Will you help me?"

"I suppose," replied a relieved Tony.

"Good!" The smiling lady looked delighted. "Well, I've finished here so let's go and see if he's caused any more mayhem."

Tony followed Irene upstairs and they went into Daniel's bedroom. The little blond haired boy had done as he was asked and stood there in the middle of the room wearing a dressing gown. Irene made a point of closing the door behind them and then she went over and sat on the bed facing her son.

"Now Daniel, I'm sick and tired by your continued naughtiness so I've thought of a way to make you behave. Especially this afternoon when Antoinette here looks after you when you go to the park." The boy with his blond curls said nothing and just looked sullenly back at his mother. She continued. "I've bought you something special to wear for this afternoon which should help make you behave in a more responsible manner." She went to the wardrobe and took out something pink and white. Tony's eyes went wide with surprise: it was a dress!

The cross-dressed detective looked on with amazement. It's a dress! A girl's party dress! She is actually going to make that little brat wear a real girl's dress! The irony of the situation hit him like a brick. Here he was, a boy wearing a dress and pretending to be a girl, about to take part in making another boy wear a dress. This is incredible!

Irene took the bundle of clothes she was carrying and laid them all out on the bed. Tony looked at them now fully revealed in all their splendour. As well as the pink and white party dress there was a white bouffant petticoat, matching slip and ruffled panties, some ankle socks and a pair of white open toed patent sandals. The little blond haired boy, sensing what was about to happen to him, made as if to run for the door.

Irene however had anticipated this and had positioned herself in the direct line of his escape route. "Oh, no you don't, my boy!" she said as she grasped him by the arm and steered him firmly to the bad where she made him sit down. "You'll do as you're told, or else ..."

 

"But mummy, I don't want to wear those clothes! Please don't make me." To anyone else the pleading look in those huge blue eyes would have made them agree to anything the little boy asked. However his mother was all too used to his antics and just looked at him with a stern look in her eyes. "Please don't make me wear dress! Everyone will laugh at me!"

The plea however fell on deaf ears. Irene, with a swift move pulled at the little boy's dressing gown, which fell away leaving him sitting on the bed naked. Sensing that his "punishment" was about to begin he started thrashing about with his arms and legs.

"Daniel, you will wear these clothes whether you like it or not," his mother said in a firm voice. "Now there's an easy way or a hard way and whatever way you choose the result will be the same. I've paid out quite a lot of money for all these things and I'm not going to see it wasted. Stop kicking your legs about immediately!"

Irene sat on the bed beside the unhappy little boy and placed her arm around him, restricting the movement of his thrashing arms at the same time. A sharp SLAP! on his unprotected legs made him stop kicking.

"Right! We'll start with these. Antoinette, will you give a hand?" Tony woke from his reverie to catch a pair of ruffled pink and white panties flying through the air.

At the threat of another slap the little boy stopped his struggling just long enough to enable Tony to slip the panties his little feet. As his mother eased him briefly off the bed they were deftly pulled into place. Tony felt funny as he did this; it was almost like dressing a large doll, only more ... exciting? He could sympathise with Daniel as the younger boy squirmed about in his new undies; he seemed to feel a little more secure because he was at least partially covered up albeit in a very frilly pair of girlish panties.

"Antoinette, darling, while you're down there, do you think you could manage the socks and shoes?" Irene asked while she resumed her grip on the struggling little boy. "I think we may as well then we can concentrate on his top half together."

Tony nodded and retrieved the socks and shoes from where they had been placed on the bed. He had to risk being kicked by the little blond boy's flailing legs as he struggled to pull on the pink ankle sock and shoes. After a quick warning, a second SMACK! on Daniel's bare legs ended the struggle.

The blushing pre-teen cursed his own attire as it was not the most convenient form of dress for this sort of activity; his skirts and petticoats kept getting in the way, and more than once he just knew that he'd exposed his own frilly panties as he tried to keep his balance. At last though he accomplished his mission. Then Irene stood her little son onto his feet.

Tony could see that the pantied child was fighting back the tears of frustration and embarrassment and that he was also starting to tremble.

"Now stand still!" Irene's sharp command had an immediate effect on the boy and for a brief interval he stood perfectly motionless. This interlude was just long enough for her to slip on the silky vest which she deftly tucked into ruffled panties. Then, with almost the same movement, she slipped the bouffant petticoat over his head and pulled it into place.

While all this was going on Tony held onto Daniel's hands, and with his mother holding his shoulders there was very little that the now-petticoated little boy could do. However when his mother lifted up the dress Daniel commenced struggling with renewed vigour. It was as though the sight of the dress made him realise that this was the final act of his feminisation and he wasn't about to give up without a fight. Irene, however, was not about to give in and she landed a third and even more powerful SLAP! on the little boy's all too vulnerable leg.

"If you don't stop struggling I'll make you go to school in a dress and you won't like that at all, will you?" She said this with the dress poised directly above Daniel's head.

Whether it was the slap or his mother's threat, the little boy finally stopped his struggles and he meekly allowed her to slide the dress over his head. She quickly fastened the row of tiny buttons at the back and deftly tied the sash into a large bow at his waist. Tony realised that the child must now be feeling the same things that he had felt when he was first introduced to this sort of dress. He would be feeling trapped because there was no way that he would be able to take the dress off without help.

"Now, let's have a look at you," said Irene, stepping back to inspect the final result of their labours. "Yes, everything fits perfectly." With a satisfied smile she turned to Tony and laughed. "It's very difficult buying clothes for someone without them being there for a fitting."

Tony nodded. He then looked closely at the now compliant little petticoated boy. It was as though the dress had taken all the fight out of him as he just stood there fidgeting with his hands. The older boy smiled as he remembered having exactly the same problem and looked on as Daniel finally clasped them in front in that all too typical girlish pose. Tony had to admit his little friend looked delightful in his pink and white party dress. It was trimmed with lace around the neckline and the edges of the little puffed sleeves. The extremely short skirt, supported by the bouffant petticoat, stood right out making Tony realise that the little boy would find it very difficult not to show off his matching panties. He also had to admit that with Daniel's blond curls and huge blue eyes, Irene needn't make any additions for him to be taken for a pretty little girl. He looked so adorable, just like a little doll.

Irene had not quite finished. She produced a pair of clip on ribbon bows and proceeded to place them into her son's curly hair. "Now you can see what you look like." With that she guided him over to a full-length mirror situated at the far side of the room.

The effect of seeing himself in all his girlish glory had a startling effect on the cross-dressed boy. First he stared at his reflection, his huge eyes seemingly getting even bigger and filling with tears; then his whole body seemed to convulse as he began to sob pitifully.

"Please mummy, don't make me keep this on anymore," he ran over to her begging desperately. "I'll be good, I promise."

Irene almost gave in at that moment, but she remembered all the broken promises of the past and stood firm. "Oh, no you don't, young man! You'll go out with Antoinette wearing your dress and you'll like it ... or else! I haven't gone to all these measures without a good deal of thought so you'll stay as you are for the rest of the day. If you give Antoinette the least bit of trouble, or if she doesn't report that you've been behaving like a perfect little lady when I pick you up later, then you'll be wearing dresses from now on! Do you understand?"

The little feminised boy stopped sobbing and nodded, although his eyes stayed firmly looking down at his little skirt.

Irene turned to Tony and smiled. "Here, take this. If he gives you any trouble at all, use it."

The puzzled boy looked down and saw a small bottle of pink nail polish in his hand. He blinked, and then he looked up at the grinning woman. "What do you mean?"

Irene laughed. "I mean, use it. You see how much he hates wearing a dress. If he acts up or misbehaves in any way at all, tell him you'll paint his nails pink. He'll hate it, I guarantee it."

Tony thought for an instant. As much as he hated to admit it, that was actually a pretty good idea. In fact, he thought, it sounds like something Shirley might do to me if I didn't go along with her little dress up games. He shivered at the thought.

"Now, we had better get going." Irene led the two petticoated boys downstairs where she gave Tony some money to buy both himself and Daniel a treat or two. "But only if he behaves himself," she insisted.

Tony put the money into his little handbag, and the trio went outside get into Irene's car. He was surprised to feel Daniel grip his hand as though his life depended on it when they first stepped outside; the poor child didn't let go until they were all safely inside the automobile.

A short while later Irene deposited the two "girls" at the park gates, saying that she would collect them both at six o'clock. She promised take them both out for a little treat at a local burger restaurant before she drove Tony back to the old house.

Once Irene had driven off, Tony felt Daniel once more gripping his hand. It was actually a pleasant sensation, and the cross-dressed pre-teen started feeling protective toward the frightened boy. Tony knew only too well what Daniel was feeling and he shared the boy's apprehension.

Gosh, this is the park where some of my friends hang out! What in the world will I do if someone recognises me?

Tony put on a courageous face as they wandered about a bit, doing his best to keep his own emotions under control as well as give Daniel some reassurances that things would be fine. At first the little boy seemed as jumpy as a scared rabbit as the pair walked around the park. He watched shyly as Tony fed the ducks and pigeons, but he wouldn't have anything to do with them. And when they eventually arrived at the playground the little feminised boy refused to go on any of the rides, whispering his concern about his little spreading skirt.

"Don't worry about that," the more experienced cross-dresser said nonchalantly. "I ride swings all the time, and I don't fret about my skirt. Let me tell you a little secret. If you just pretend you're in disguise, like a spy on a secret mission, everything will be more fun for you." The skirted boy then set the example by climbing on a swing and powering up for a high arc.

It took a bit of persuasion, but Tony finally managed to get the curly headed child onto a swing, and soon the two were swinging and giggling and having a pleasant time. After that the little boy maid talked Daniel into riding the roundabout with two little girls who were also dressed in party dresses. The petticoated child giggled nervously as he came off the ride, whispering proudly how "They didn't recognise my disguise!"

Tony was quite pleased with his little friend as he gradually came to terms with his feminised appearance. The height of Daniel's bravery was when he agreed to ride in a boat filled with other children across the small lake where they fed goldfish and birds. Still, he hardly said a word except "Please" and "Thank you" when Tony offered to buy him a treat afterward.

At one point a group of boys showed up and gathered in a field to kick a ball around. Tony watched them for a moment and a shiver of fear pierced him as he wondered if they were anyone he knew. He wanted so badly to call out to them, to yell for help in getting out of the terrible mess he'd created, but he knew that wasn't possible. There wasn't much he could say that would cause them to ignore the yellow dress and lace bow he wore at the moment.

 

To take his mind off his troubles, Tony made a nest of sorts under a willow tree. There he entertained Daniel with stories and games Shirley had taught him when he was younger. The littler boy warmed up to his guardian quite well, and at one point even allowed him to paint his nails with the pink polish, but only after Tony did his first.

 I do the dumbest things sometimes, the pre-teen boy mused ruefully as he waited for his nails to dry. 

The two boys ended up having quite a wonderful time, and for a while they could have been mistaken for two loving sisters on a holiday outing.

Daniel's exposure to the outside world of the park eventually drew to a close as they waited by the gates for Irene to collect them. Right on time her car came into view and as the two 'girls' clambered in she asked, "Well, has Daniel behaved himself?"

"Yes, just like the perfect little gir- ... er, child," replied Tony, stopping short of referring to Daniel as a little girl.

Daniel's mother smiled and then ruffled the curly haired boy's locks affectionately. "Good! I see you had to use the pink polish." The blushing pre-teen explained that was something they did "just for fun." The woman considered him for a moment, and then she laughed. "Well, I would never have thought, but if you say so, sweetie. Since the two of you got along so well, I guess we'll have to stop for a special treat at the burger restaurant before we go home."

Tony fretted as the trio went into one of the restaurants that was located near his school. Fortunately, it wasn't very busy and Irene sent him with Daniel to find a seat while she ordered their food. The petticoated detective sought out a quiet booth that was relatively hidden from where the children usually sat, and this made things a little more relaxed as far as he was concerned.

All through their meal and on the way back to Irene's house Daniel hardly said a word. It wasn't until he was in the safety of his own home did he say anything of substance. Irene wanted to make a couple of phone calls before she drove Tony back and this suited him because he was quite enjoying being out of that oppressive place. She suggested that Daniel go and play with his toys before it was time to take Tony back. It was then the little boy finally spoke.

"Mummy, can I get changed now? I don't like this dress," he said plaintively.

"No, you're to keep it on until bedtime," said Irene firmly.

Daniel went off to his room looking miserable and Tony settled down to peruse a fashion magazine prior to being transported back to the house. It was only a few minutes before Irene came back saying that she had made her calls.

"Are you in a hurry to get back?" she said, "or do you have the time for a cup of coffee?"

Tony gratefully accepted the offer of coffee and waited while Irene went off to the kitchen.

"I'm really grateful for your help today," said Irene on her return. "I know that I shouldn't have really involved a comparative stranger with my little scheme but I was getting desperate. Daniel was getting really out of hand and I had to do something. I read about that form of discipline a few months ago and I've had the clothes for weeks, but I really needed someone to help me for the first time. I really am in your debt for all your assistance."

"Oh, that's all right," said Tony. "It was nothing really."

"Don't underestimate your contribution," she replied. "I don't think I could have gone through with it without you being here. Besides, Daniel seems quite taken with you."

"Well, I like him, too."

Then slightly changing the subject, Irene grinned. "He does look cute in his frilly frock though, don't you think? I know my mother would be ecstatic if she saw him. I think I'll make him wear it next time we go and see her. What do you think?"

"He does make a very pretty little girl," replied Tony. He shuffled uneasily in his own ruffled panties, not knowing really how to respond.

"I just hope I haven't gone too far," said Irene. "I wouldn't want to cause him too much distress."

"I'm sure you won't do that," replied Tony. "I think you're doing it for his own good. He did seem to enjoy himself a bit once he got used to it."

"I do hope so," she replied and turned to look at him. "Wearing dresses doesn't appear to have done you any harm."

This last remark hit Tony like a bombshell; he didn't know how to react or what to say. All he could do when he had recovered from the initial shock was stammer "I, uh ... I don't know what you mean."

Irene looked him directly in the eyes and smiled. "Oh, I think you do."

The cross-dressed boy sighed. She knew; he could tell by her expression. Why does this always happen to me?!

"You know, don't you. How did you?... Did Vanessa?..."

"No Vanessa didn't tell me," said Irene. She took the feminised boy gently by the hand. "Just let's say that I can tell. But don't worry. I doubt if anyone else would ever guess. You see, I have been connected with the theatre all my life and there are not many disguises that can fool me for long. I must say that you fooled me completely at first."

"When did you guess? What made you suspect?" asked a still shocked Tony.

"Mmmm, I first had my suspicions yesterday," said Irene.

"Was it that obvious?"

"Oh no, don't worry. As I said, you had me completely fooled at first," replied Irene trying to reassure him. "I won't tell you exactly what made me suspicious, but I will tell you that during my time I've seen more than one boy dressed as a girl in the theatre. There are things however, that are very difficult to disguise completely. If you're going to be completely discrete you shouldn't wear skirts like that."

Tony looked down at his own frilly skirt. "What do you mean...?"

"Well, my suspicions were aroused when you did your heroic leap to save that flying ornament. First of all, I don't know of any girl who would have done something like that. Plus, no one could keep really decent when landing on the floor like you did. Not and keep their panties from being exposed to the world to see."

Tony blushed as he realised what she was saying. "I see."

"And then my suspicions were confirmed today while we were struggling with Daniel. Again, you couldn't possibly keep your modesty intact while doing something like that in the type of dress you're wearing. You really shouldn't wear such short skirts, darling! Girls don't have as much to hide as boys!"

Tony wanted to die as his hostess tried in vain to suppress a laugh. "I'm sorry, but it is funny if you think about it. Tell me ... Anthony, is it? How on earth did you get involved in dressing like that in the first place?"

The feminised boy explained about the conditions which were set by Vanessa and her Grandmother when he first arrived and the fact that he wanted to get a good report for his school. He didn't however mention anything about his other exploits en femme in the past.

"Well, I know that they have some rather old fashioned views back there," said Irene studying him closely. "I applaud your sense of duty but I don't think that you've told me the whole story. You're much too at ease with your feminised appearance. There are too many little things you do that a boy would never think of. But, I won't pry any further as it is none of my business. Unless you want to tell me sometime, of course." Tony just blushed and smiled a sheepish smile. Irene grinned back. "Well, I'm a very good listener, in case you change your mind. Now I really must get you back to the house because it will soon be time for Daniel to go to bed."

Irene went to the bottom of the stairs and called out to her son to tell him that they were going to return Antoinette to the house. The little blond haired boy came walking down the stairs looking miserable in his frilly party dress. He pleaded with his mother about being allowed to change but she wouldn't hear of it. She then mentioned something that she had forgotten and after delving into a cupboard she produced a camera which she pointed at Daniel.

"Please mummy, don't take a photo of me like this!" The little petticoated boy was horrified about there being some pictorial proof of him wearing his dress. His pleas were in vain because Irene asked Tony to stand with her son, and she then took two photographs before either of the boys knew what was happening.

"Just wait a minute," said Irene. "They're Polaroid so they will develop quite quickly."

Tony could see the images appearing on the two pieces of photo paper even as she spoke and after she had examined the final result the smiling woman giggled with satisfaction.

"Here, have a souvenir of today." She passed one of the photos to a surprised Tony, who carefully placed it into his handbag after giving is a bemused glance.

During the drive back to the old house Daniel sat very quietly in the back seat of the car. The little boy was still very unhappy about being made to wear a party dress and was fiddling with the hem of his skirt. Suddenly he spoke to his mother in a very plaintive manner. "Mummy, will I have to wear this dress again?"

"That depends entirely on your behaviour from now," replied Irene concentrating on the road ahead.

"But mummy I don't ever want to wear girls clothes again so you won't make me, will you?"

"Well, I had thought about you wearing your dress when we visit your grandmother next week."

"Oh no, please don't," wailed the little boy. "Please don't make me go to Gran's in it, please don't!"

"Well, as I said, it all depends on whether you behave yourself or not. If you misbehave you'll find yourself put back into a dress. If you continue I'll send you to school in one." Irene cast a sidelong glance at Tony and winked girlishly.

The little boy said nothing at this; he was probably having horrible visions of himself at school in a dress with all his friends taunting him. Seeing how badly Daniel was taking things, Tony felt obliged to ease the child's mind.

"Daniel, remember what I said earlier today? About being a spy on a secret mission? Remember, you're just playing pretend, right? That's a fun thing to do. Those little girls didn't laugh at you this afternoon because they didn't know you were a boy. That was because you tricked them, right? They didn't make fun of you because you made them think you were a girl!"

The seven year old sniffed and then smiled at his new friend. "I remember," he said. He then went back to fiddling with his dress. A childish song soon filled the air.

Irene glanced back at her son. She then looked at Tony. "That was very nice advice. Tell me, Antoinette, is that what you do? Do you play pretend?"

The pre-teen boy shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. Sometimes, I guess."

Irene gave him a warm smile and nodded. "I see," she said.

The journey was over very soon and Tony was dropped off at the front door of the old house. He went inside wondering if anyone was still about when he saw a light under the library door. He knocked and gently pushed the door open, inside he saw Vanessa reading some important looking documents and frowning.

"Ah Antoinette, you're back." Vanessa grinned as she made it quite obvious that she was enjoying making the poor boy feel humiliated. "I trust you had a pleasant day. You won't be required anymore today so you can amuse yourself by doing whatever you want."

Tony however needed some information. "Excuse me, what do you want me to do with this dress?"

The irritating smirk became even more pronounced as she answered. "Well, I'll never wear it again so just put it in the laundry with the other things. Or you can keep it. You never know when you might need a dress in the future, and it does fit you perfectly, you must admit. Who knows, you might want to wear it to town again in the next few days."

"Yes, miss." Tony seethed, but he kept his opinion to himself.

Vanessa was about to dismiss him when she paused, reached down and took one of Tony's hands in hers and lifted it up for closer examination.

"Fingernail polish, Antoinette? My, you are a coquette, aren't you?"

"I, er ... was entertaining Daniel," the blushing boy stammered. "I guess I forgot to remove it. I'll do that immediately."

"Oh, I think not," the smirking teenager insisted. "A boy who wears nail polish. And pink yet. I am impressed. That's not something you see every day. I think you should leave it on, if for no other reason but to show my grandmother. She might find this rather amusing, I should say."

With this mocking statement ringing in his ears, Tony took himself back to his bedroom, still fuming at Vanessa's belittling manner. Exhausted, he tried blocking out the unpleasant thoughts and instead lay down on his bed and thought about all the things that had happened during the day. After giggling quietly to himself, as he looked at the photograph of himself holding hands with a thoroughly miserable Daniel. This was then placed carefully into his box of treasures.

 

Chapter 9 - Meanwhile, back at the manor ....

 

Before getting ready for bed Tony decided to watch out for the shadowy figures again as it was about the time that they normally appeared. After turning out the light and sitting for nearly an hour, he was rewarded once more with a glimpse of the shadows approaching and then disappearing from view. This sighting was again accompanied, a while later, by that rhythmic tapping and scraping sound. He thought that the two things must surely be connected but he decided to keep things to himself for the time being. The little feminised boy also decided that he must go and examine the courtyard as soon as possible for possible clues. The only problem was that the only door opening out to the courtyard was through the kitchen so he would have to wait until Isabel was absent because he didn't want her to know what he was up to.

The next day Tony was kept far too busy to venture out unseen into the courtyard. In addition to his usual routine of helping the Old Lady and waiting on Vanessa, he was given a list of chores to complete. Most of them were relatively simple, such as vacuuming the floors and dusting the endless rows of ornaments and knick-knacks that decorated the various rooms. Some, on the other hand, were downright tedious.

"I have some sewing for you to do," the Old Lady told him upon their return from the bathroom. It was one of Tony's responsibilities to get her from her chair to the toilet and back again throughout the day. This was her third trip that morning and it wasn't yet ten o'clock, thus the reason the little boy maid spent so much time sitting at his mistress' side. "You do know how to sew, don't you, Antoinette?"

"No, madam," Tony replied. Seeing the stern look on his employer's face, he bit his lip. "But I guess I can try, if it's important."

"Of course it's important! I wouldn't have told you that it needed doing if it wasn't important. Vanessa! Give our .. girl .. here the instructions. Working on the napkins will fill her time when she is with us."

The teenaged girl smirked that smirk that Tony oh, so hated. "Yes, Grandmother. Antoinette, go fetch the sewing basket from your sitting room. Then stop by the dining room and bring the stack of lace napkins you'll find on the table."

"Yes, miss," the skirted pre-teen said before click-clacking away in his uncomfortable shoes.

A little while later Tony was seated on a stool strategically placed between Vanessa and her grandmother, thread and needle in hand, practising his stitches on a spare piece of linen. Vanessa explained that several of the family's valuable heirloom napkins had become worn and ragged over the decades and that it was one of Margaret's jobs to go through them periodically and repair any torn edges or tattered hems.

"The stitches don't need to be large, or even plentiful. Just find where the lace is coming loose, pinch the edges together and then sew a couple of stitches in to hold it all together. No, not like that." The teenager inspected Tony's first attempt at sewing and she fussed at the young boy. "Those are too large! Take them out and do them again!"

On his third try Tony managed to make some progress. Vanessa looked at his handiwork and nodded.

"See there? That wasn't so hard, was it? I mean, it is so simple even a boy could do it," Vanessa said haughtily. "Of course, that means you shouldn't have any trouble, then, should you Antoinette?"

"No, miss," Tony answered. This is really getting old, he thought angrily.

 

The young boy maid was kept busy sewing and running errands all day long, and it wasn't until after tea that he was sent to his sitting room with his sewing basket.

"Tell Antoinette to have that stack done by tomorrow morning," the Old Lady said as Vanessa escorted him out of the room. "We'll have more for her to do by then, I'm sure."

The irony of the situation was that Tony really didn't mind the sewing all that much. Aside from making the day go by faster and giving him something to do with his hands, sewing actually proved interesting to him. The more he worked the faster he became, and by supper he not only finished the entire stack of napkins he'd been ordered to resuscitate, but he'd done so in a manner that it was impossible to tell the repaired seams apart from the originals.

Fortunately, the entire day wasn't a total loss, depending on your point of view. That evening after taking a long hot bath, Tony sat in vigil at his window. Oddly enough, the shadowy figures didn't come. He also noticed that the noises in the night were also absent.

So the two must be connected! he thought triumphantly.

Tony's chance to investigate the courtyard came the following afternoon. Isabel had gone to her room nursing a severe headache, or 'edeck' as she pronounced it. The vacuuming and dusting didn't take too long, and Tony repaired his new stack of napkins in record time. This gave him ample time to accomplish his detective work outside. He let himself out of the back door and carefully walked a flight of stone steps to the gravel-covered yard.

A stiff breeze had picked up and the confines of the courtyard had the effect of increasing its power. This immediately caused the petticoated boy problems because the short flirty skirt of his uniform kept on doing the most unpredictable things. He blushed as he pushed the offending garment down for the umpteenth time and hoped that his exploits were going unseen by any prying eyes.

The outside appearance of the house and courtyard only emphasised the run-down state of the rest of the place. There were great tracts of grass and weeds growing unhindered through in what was once in more affluent times carefully raked gravel. The windows of the rear extensions to the main house were, in the main, curtained off indicating that the rooms behind were unused. The several outbuildings were showing obvious signs of neglect and the large timber entrance gates were wedged open at crazy angles. This meant that anyone could gain unhindered access to the courtyard and its buildings.

The cross-dressed detective wandered out into the open and tried to gauge the place where he saw the shadowy figures from his window. He took a point of reference on his bedroom window and then walked towards the wall below the gable behind which the figures appeared to disappear. Once he was in that position he was puzzled because there was no door or window through which they could go.

Maybe they are ghosts after all and they simply disappear!

He walked closer to the wall and suddenly saw a metal trap door set into the ground, partially hidden by a large patch of weeds and grass. Located immediately against the base of the wall, it was the sort of thing used to gain access to the cellars of houses for storage and deliveries. The top of the metal cover was thick with rust and moss so Tony moved closer to inspect it in more detail.

The frustrated boy muttered as the wind whipped his skirt up yet again. This is the worst thing in the world I could be wearing at a time like this! I look ridiculous out here like this! Stupid flared skirts! And that stupid Vanessa!

Closer observation of the trap door revealed obvious signs of recent use, the hinges had been oiled and there was a new padlock securing the door closed by use of a well oiled hasp. Tony knew then that the figures that he had seen could not be ghosts at all! No ghost would use oil and they would certainly not go out and buy new padlocks!

But if they aren't ghosts, what are they doing here late at night? And, for that matter, why?

He knew that he should talk to someone about it, but who? He couldn't talk to Vanessa or her grandmother and Isabel just wouldn't understand. The only person in this strange household that he could speak to was Megan and he hadn't seen much of her since her visit to his sitting room, as she had been too busy at the farm.

As Tony approached the house he resolved that he must wait until he could discuss these strange events with Megan before telling anyone else about them. After all, he thought to himself, there may be a perfectly simple explanation.

But what could it be???

Upon his return Tony was alarmed to see Vanessa waiting for him, hands on hips, her face red and her voice tense. He'd thought she was dozing or reading when he left, but obviously he was wrong.

"And just where have you been, boy!? Grandmother has been calling for you for the past ten minutes, and then I come down here to find out why you've not responded, only to discover that you're wondering about, taking in the sights. What in the world do you think you're doing out there?"

The little boy maid's face was red; getting caught was bad enough, and having to listen to Vanessa fuss made things even worse.

"I'm sorry, miss," he said, dropping his eyes. The scowl on the girl's face was hard for him to look at, and he fiddled with the hem of his apron as he tried to think of what to say. "I was just ...."

"Oh, never mind! It doesn't matter what you were doing. You were absent from your post and negligent in your duties. Consider this your final warning. If you cannot maintain the agreement we made, then I will have to take you to Grandmother and recommend that you be sent home! Do I make myself understood?"

Tony felt truly sorry - not to mention foolish, being chastised like a little child there in his frilly dress - but the only thing he could think of to say was, "Yes, miss."

Vanessa gave a disgusted snort. "We'll see. Meantime, report to my Grandmother immediately. She wants you to re-do some of the napkins you allegedly worked on this morning. They were not at all satisfactory." Tony's teenaged tormentor sniffed as he clip-clopped up the stone steps. "You're really not very good at this, are you, Antoinette? Perhaps you should just give up."

A red-faced Tony could only shrug his shoulders and drop his eyes. A single tear ran down his cheek, which he wiped away with the back of his glove the instant Vanessa turned away. He wasn't used to such scolding and he was afraid if he said anything he might burst out crying.

The little boy maid spent all afternoon and part of the evening re-working the napkins he'd done before. Or at least to say, he thought he'd done them before. It seemed that of the entire stack, nearly half were undone or else poorly executed. He was sure that he'd done them all right before going outside, but there they were, almost every other one, looking as shabby as they were when he found them. It was almost as though someone had either switched some out or perhaps torn them on purpose.

But who would do such a thing? he wondered. He pondered that question for nearly three straight hours as he worked under the close scrutiny of the Old Lady. If he'd thought things were unpleasant before, now they were even worse; he didn't dare look up for fear of the scowling look that greeted him each time he did.

"That'll do, I suppose," the matriarch conceded when Tony presented her with his final product. She looked down through her glasses and tugged at the lace trim of several of the napkins. "See what you can do if you try, my girl? Almost as good as Margaret. You just need a woman standing over you to make sure you keep your mind on your work. We'll turn you into a first-class seamstress yet, little Antoinette." The old woman almost smiled as she said that.

 

Flexing his aching fingers, Tony felt his face flush to receive such a back-handed compliment. As he packed up his sewing basket and bid his employer good night, he reflected on the irony of his situation.

It looks like I have another feminine skill to add to my repertoire, he lamented.

Too tired to watch television or even change his clothes, Tony hung up his dress and then spent the remainder of the evening sitting at the window in his panties, slip and knee socks, thinking about all that was happening to him. Things just weren't working out the way he'd thought. Sniffing back a reluctant tear, he thought perhaps Vanessa was right. Maybe he should just give up and go home.

As though on cue, the shadowy figures arrived again at their normal time and their disappearance was followed, like clockwork, a few minutes later by that feint tapping and scraping noise. Tony forgot about his woes for the moment.

This proves it! he silently declared. Nothing at all happened last night, but now there were shadows and the mysterious noises. There's no doubt the two phenomena are connected!

He went to sleep a while later with his enthusiasm renewed and his curiosity piqued by what he'd seen. After all he'd been through, there was no way Vanessa was going to chase him off until he figured out what was going on!

The next day Tony was kept very busy all day attending to the demands of Vanessa and the Old Lady. Since he'd proved such an adept seamstress, he'd inherited the dubious honour of repairing just about everything in his employers' wardrobe. In addition to the odd button missing from this blouse and the zipper hanging loose on that jacket, there were several pairs of socks and stockings, as well as silken undergarments with lace trim coming undone or with split seams.

Tony blushed to be sitting in the presence of two very strong-willed woman, clad in his frilly little maid dress and sewing on a pair of lady's panties. Occasionally he would look up to see Vanessa smirking, or perhaps the Old Lady staring at him; whichever the case, he would smile politely and go back to work, as though this was the most natural thing in the world for him to do. As he did so, he wondered if they enjoyed having a little boy to torment. It certainly appeared so, as neither female missed the chance to correct him on the slightest mistake with each piece he turned in for inspection.

 

I wonder why they don't just buy new clothes? the little petticoated boy wondered. Are they really that desperate for money?

After tea he flopped exhausted onto the sofa in his sitting room. Vanessa and her grandmother said they were going to take a nap and would not require his services for a while, so he was sent to work on his sewing alone. Grateful and relieved, Tony spent several hours finishing up on the stack of underthings he'd been given to work on. At least here he could turn on the television, which was infinitely more desirable that the insufferable silence that filled his employer's sitting room. After supper he was called upon to fetch tea or answer some trivial question, and then it was back to his room for more sewing. He prayed that the two would retire early that night because his fingers ached and his feet were throbbing.

The wearied child was also suffering from some discomfort because Isabel had been a little overzealous when she had laundered the ruffled panties he was wearing that day. She had applied rather too much of the fabric treatment she used while she ironed the frills and this caused them to irritate the tops of his legs and his bottom. In desperation he removed the offending panties figuring that his services may not be required again that evening. Even if he was called back to duty no one would notice if he took care. He was just putting the panties into a drawer when there was a knock at the door, which opened to reveal Megan.

"Hi, Tony." She smiled at the feminised boy who was now suffering acute embarrassment, being caught sans panties. "I'm sorry I haven't been it to see you before now, but we've been very busy at the farm. I can't stay more than a couple of minutes because the vet is due to look at one of the cows. No, all I came to ask was that I've got the Sunday afternoon off, which is the day after tomorrow. I've cleared it with Vanessa before I spoke to you and I wondered if you would like to come into town with me at teatime. There's a good film on which starts at six, then we could go and treat ourselves to a burger afterwards. Will you come with me?"

"Why, yes," replied Tony. Poor boy! He was still acutely embarrassed by his state of partial undress and at the same time flattered by his friend's invitation. "I was hoping to see you because I need to talk to you about something strange that's going on around here."

"Well I can't stop now, but if it will wait until Sunday we'll talk about it then. I'll get a car for five thirty, so if you come up to my room about five fifteen I'll see you then."

"Okay," said Tony. In a way he felt relieved that she wasn't staying.

"At least I'll be able to see you without that silly uniform," she laughed. "Well, must rush."

With that she was gone, leaving a slightly bemused Tony to wonder about what her reaction would have been if she had stayed and they had got into the same sort of compromising position as the other night. What would she have thought of him if she had discovered that he was without a vital piece of underwear? On the other hand, he was looking forward to Sunday evening in the company of Megan; it would give him the opportunity to discuss the strange goings on with her.

 

Chapter 10 - The Shopping Trip

 

The next day, Saturday, marked the half-way point of Tony's stay at the old house. It started out in much the manner as did the other days, with the vacuuming and dusting. Tony was getting quite bored with his mundane duties, but all that would soon change.

After helping the Old Lady with her morning rituals and making sure that she was properly situated, Tony was told that he would be accompanying Vanessa to town that afternoon.

"I want to do some shopping, and I need you to run some errands and help me with my purchases," the smirking girl said. "We'll be gone most of the afternoon, but Isabel can check in on Grandmother from time to time. You don't have any objections, do you?"

Tony swallowed hard, then shook his head. Going to town with Vanessa was the one thing he'd hoped he never had to do. Now it seemed that his nightmare was coming to life. Considering that he'd already been put on notice once regarding his behaviour, however, it seemed that he had little choice but to comply. There was no way he was going to be sent home!

"No, miss, I've no objections."

Vanessa considered him for a moment. "I thought not. Very good. Report to my room in thirty minutes. I'll have some things for you to try on by then."

"Yes, miss," the little boy maid replied. He was then dismissed

Oh, great, Tony thought sullenly. He stood outside the sitting room door and shook his head with dread. After the way she dressed me when I went out with Irene, she'll probably have me looking like a clown today. And there's nothing I can do about it!

At exactly the thirty minute mark Tony knocked on the door to Vanessa's room. After making the skirted boy wait the appropriate amount of time, the arrogant teen called him in.

"I now realise I was being a bit presumptuous the other day when I made you dress up in such a childish frock," she said with a smirk. "I thought today perhaps you'd like a little more variety to choose from. Pick something out, if you would. I'm very much interested in seeing what kinds of dress a scruffy boy might like to wear."

The frustrated child turned toward the open wardrobe door and looked at what he was being offered. Hanging before him on the door were three outfits, each completely different in style regarding age as well as colour and material.

The first, which Tony discounted immediately, was a garish satin polka dot party dress more suited for an eight year old child than for a pre-teen girl - not to mention boy! The skirt was the widest Tony had ever seen and the sleeves looked like puffy polka dot pillows, they were so huge! A wide polka dot ribbon was draped over the hanger, to be worn as a bow in the child's hair, no doubt. There was no way he'd be caught dead in something like that - ever! - much less agree to wear it to town!

The next outfit was a little bit better: it was a dressy sailor-style suit, complete with a simple pleated dress in the nautical style, a matching jacket and a cute sailor hat. Tony felt a pang of excitement as he thought about what he'd look like wearing such an ensemble; with flushed cheeks he fought the urge to admire it, forcing himself instead to frown as though in disapproval.

The final set of clothes is what he would settle on. Consisting of a simple peach cotton frock with white lace trim and a matching short-sleeved lace jacket, it was probably the least intimidating of the three outfits, and the easiest to manage. It was also, in the youngster's esteemed opinion, the least likely to attract any unwanted attention.

"This one is fine, miss," the pantied boy said softly.

Vanessa nodded. "Hmmm ... I'm disappointed you didn't take one of the others. I think you'd look so sweet in polka dots, though the skirt might be a bit much, I suppose. The little sailor suit would be quite flattering for certain. Grandmother used to love seeing me in that one and I think she would favour you in it."

Tony felt a sickening thrill of panic in his stomach. "But, miss, you said it was my preference."

The arrogant girl sighed. "Very well. The plain one it is. Take it to your room and get dressed. We leave in twenty minutes."

It didn't take long for Tony to doff that silly maid costume and slip into his go-to-town clothes. To his surprise, everything was a decent fit. The skirt was a bit short, of course, but he made a mental note to be extra careful this time with his modesty. Underneath he wore his panties and slip, as well a pair of the knee socks and the patent leather shoes he'd grown (sort of) used to during the past week. The petticoat he hung in the closet.

His employer inspected him thoroughly before leaving, and she was quick to find several discrepancies in his appearance. They were mostly minor things, such as this seam being crooked and that knee sock uneven and this button being undone. One complication arose from his choice in attire, however, one that would haunt him the rest of the day.

"I can see why you chose this outfit," Vanessa said slyly. "It's not quite as frilly as the others, so you don't look quite as much like a girl as you did before. Instead you look more like a boy, which is what you wanted, no doubt. Too bad."

Tony paused before the mirror. Was it his imagination, or was she right? The other day he thought he looked an awful lot like a girl when he put on his new uniform for the first time, but now, well, he wasn't so sure. Except for his borrowed dress and jacket, he thought he looked no different that he did the day he arrived. With his unadorned hair in its normal style and with no makeup, it was obvious - to him, at least - that he was a boy in a dress. Vanessa was right: that was indeed too bad.

This won't work at all! he worried. What will my mates say if they see me on the street?! They'll know who I am in a second! What if we run into my MUM??!!!

"Pardon me, miss, but do you have a hat or something for me to put in my hair?" It was hard for him to ask the odious Vanessa for such a thing, but he knew he had to disguise his appearance in case they came across someone he knew. "You know, a ribbon, perhaps? To, er, to complete my ... my outfit?"

Vanessa looked at him for a long moment ... then smiled. "No, I don't think that will be necessary. You'll need your purse, of course, otherwise you look quite acceptable as you are. In fact, I quite like that dress on you. It makes you look very nice ... for a scruffy boy, that is." The smirk returned, for just a brief moment, but it was enough to send a chill down the little boy maid's spine.

She knows! the skirted child fumed as he followed her out the door. She knows what I'm worried about and she doesn't care. It's like she's reading my mind ....

Once again Tony's friend, the Land Rover driver, met them at the front door, and once again the skirted boy found himself subject to the kind man's subtle scrutiny. Jacob said nothing about his appearance, but it seemed obvious to Tony that the smiling man knew exactly what was going on.

The ride to town wasn't long enough for the nervous boy. The next thing he knew, they were stopped in front of an office building in the heart of the village. Vanessa handed Tony a large brown envelope and gestured for him to get out.

"I want you to take this inside and give it to a Mr. Newley on the fifth floor. He should be up there at this moment, so I want you to give it directly to him, no one else. Do you think you can do that?"

Clearing his throat, the cross-dressed boy said, "Yes, miss."

"Very good. I'll be in the building across the street. You can meet me when you're done and we'll walk to the salon from there."

Tony stepped out of the car and entered the building. He felt terribly self-conscious as his borrowed heels clip-clopped on the hard marble floor, echoing throughout the enormous foyer. He felt very small in his girlish dress. Clutching the envelope in one hand and his purse in the other, the trembling boy took a deep breath and started climbing the steep stairs. He wondered if someone would try to look up his skirt, but a quick glance around showed that there was hardly anyone around.

As it turned out, this assignment wasn't nearly as difficult as he'd feared. There were very few people in the building and he didn't have any trouble at all in finding Mr. Newley's offices. A quick conversation with the receptionist took place and Tony was escorted to the gentleman, who accepted the envelope and offered his thanks. Within minutes the pre-teen was click-clacking down the steps, a relieved smile on his face.

Funny, how these shoes make such different sounds on different surfaces. He actually giggled for the first time that day. If the rest of the afternoon goes like this, I'll be so glad!

The next step, however, was a bit more complex. After waiting outside the building across the street for an indeterminable amount of time, Tony was finally reunited with a smiling Vanessa.

"Did you do as I asked?" She grinned as he nodded. She then handed the cross-dressed boy a stack of envelopes and warned him not to lose them. "We need to give these to my grandmother when we get back, so please do take care with them. Right. Now, do you have any business to do in this part of town? Margaret sometimes needs to run some errands. I can wait if you do."

Tony swallowed. "No, miss," he said softly.

"Then let's go window shopping," she said.

To Tony's surprise, she headed off like a shot down the street. The skirted boy juggled with the bundle and his purse for a moment and took off after his mistress. Not at all sure as to whether he was supposed to walk behind or alongside her, he fell into step between her and the curb, much as he did when he escorted his mother along these very same streets. Vanessa said nothing, so he figured he was doing the right thing (for once!).

Tony was horrified they approached the main shopping area and he felt a certain familiar sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as he realised where they were going. Not here! he thought desperately. Any number of my friends are sure to be in there, especially on a Saturday! What on earth am I supposed to do if I'm recognised?

Vanessa smirked as they passed through the main entrance. "Have you been here before, Antoinette? Oh, silly me ... of course you have! I imagine all of your friends come here, too, don't they? Maybe we'll run into some while we're here."

Too nervous to say anything, the cross-dressed boy just followed along in silence.

"You're not frightened are you?" Vanessa said. She looked at him as a cat would a mouse. "I'd think most boys in your situation would be scared out of their wits."

Tony nodded, then shook his head. "I'm not scared." His voice was barely above a whisper.

The smirking girl raised an eyebrow and then laughed. "And why is that? Is this something you do all the time, then?"

"No, I just ... well ... it's no big deal." The cross-dressed boy bit his lip and forced himself to look straight ahead. It wouldn't take much to make things worse.

Vanessa licked her lips and laughed once more. "Well, whatever. We'll be here for about three hours, so we have plenty of time to see just how brave you really are. I have an appointment to get my hair done, then I'm to meet a friend at the café for lunch and then some shopping. Jacob is scheduled to pick us up out front at about three-thirty. If you need anything, this is the time and place to get it."

Tony just nodded. The odious Vanessa informed him that while he would be given some free time to wander about on his own, she expected him to stay close by in case she needed him. The way he saw it, both scenarios carried equal risk. Alone, he'd be far from the camouflage he'd need to hide from anyone he might happen to bump into; with Vanessa, on the other hand, he'd be subject to her cruel sense of humour. Either way he was doomed.

The great irony of the situation was that Tony had indeed been to this very same area before, and even in a dress, no less! (See "Sabotage at the Fashion Show"). At that time, however, he was disguised in a blond wig and glasses and went by the name of "Nancy"; with the exception of a very privileged few, no one was the wiser to his masquerade, and in the process Tony even ended up saving the local fashion show from disaster and a popular dress shop from ruin.

This time, however, the cross-dressed detective had no disguise, no friends ... nothing but a cold and petty employer and some borrowed clothes. Following along in his frock and heels, the hem of his skirt irritating the bare skin on his legs, the nervous detective kept his head down and eyes lowered for fear of making eye contact with anyone who might know him.

Being Saturday the hair salon was a busy place, and crowded, too! Fortunately, most of the crowd were either adult women or high school girls getting ready for Saturday night, so Tony didn't know anyone right away. At Vanessa's insistence he found a seat in the waiting area and made himself as comfortable as he could, considering the awkwardness of his dilemma.

Waiting seemed to be one of the main duties of a maid, and while most of the time it wasn't much of a problem, Tony found the next hour or so tortuous. Squirming about on the hard plastic seat in his short skirt with his purse in his lap - remember to keep your knees together, stupid! - he lost track of how many times the receptionist asked if he was "Next!" and more than once someone would strike up a conversation with him about this or that. Even when he buried his face in the pages of a girls' fashion magazine, he found himself subject to the most embarrassing questions.

"Are you Julie's little sister?" one of the high school-aged girls asked him at one point. "Juliet Miller, I mean? I saw her inside getting her hair cut and when I saw you I just knew you had to be her kid sister."

Tony shook his head politely. "No, I'm sorry, I'm not your friend's sister," he said softly. "I'm just waiting for a ... my friend ... to come out."

"Well, you look exactly like Julie's sister. Maybe it's that short hair. It looks a lot like hers. Oh, well, perhaps you know her. Alexandra? I bet you probably even go to school together." The blushing boy shook his head. "Oh, everyone knows Alexandra! You must be from out of town. Where are you from?"

Tony did indeed know of Alexandra Miller - she was an acquaintance of his cousin Shirley, in fact - but in order to forestall any unnecessary questions he told the persistent girl that he was from London, which was technically the truth. Having heard that, Mary Alice - as his new friend finally introduced herself to be - then went off on a long tale about the last time she visited there, keeping the petticoated boy trapped for nearly half an hour with the images of broken promises, broken hearts and broken ends.

While the two chatted, a very pretty girl of about eighteen walked up. Looking very spry and cheerful with her hair freshly styled, the teenager jumped into the conversation at the invitation of Tony's new friend.

"Oh, Julie, come here," Mary Alice said excitedly. "I want you to meet ... oh, silly me. I never asked your name!"

"Er, Antoinette," the cross-dressed boy said shyly. His voice was hoarse as he found himself surrounded by several bright girlish smiles.

The older girl looked at him for a second. "Oh, really? How sweet! Are you French?"

Tony shrugged. "Uh, on my mother's side, I think."

Mary Alice seemed genuinely impressed by this information. "No kidding! Anyway, Julie, don't you think Antoinette here looks like your sister? Even down to the freckles?"

The perky blond looked at Tony with a curious stare, and then smiled brightly. "Oh, no way! She's much prettier than Alex. My little sister has the face of a pug terrier." This raised a wave of giggles and even Tony had to smile at that one. Alexandra wasn't the prettiest girl he'd seen, but she wasn't exactly ugly, either.

Julie studied the blushing boy for a moment. "But ... you know, I think I've met little Antoinette here somewhere. Do you go to school here?"

"Antoinette is from London," Mary Alice offered. "She's here visiting a friend."

The older girl frowned. "Hmmm, maybe. I still think we've met. It'll come to me if I think about it hard enough ...."

The conversation soon veered off in another direction and Tony excused himself to go to the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet - panties down about his ankles, knees together, skirt hiked up about his waist - he pondered his good fortune. That had been a close one, but he'd been lucky so far. If only his luck would hold out ....

I wonder what Julie would say if she knew I was Shirley's boy cousin? he wondered, his nervous fingers twisting the hem of his skirt. I probably wouldn't hear the end of that forever!

Tony returned to find Julie and Mary Alice gossiping with the receptionist. Burying his face back in his fashion magazine, he prayed quietly for a miracle. At long last his mistress finally emerged from the back of the salon - her hair freshly washed, re-styled and combed to perfection - prompting the youngster to gather up his things and head for the door. He was most grateful to be rescued, even if it was by the odious Vanessa.

"Bye, Antoinette! See you later!" his new friends called from across the room. Tony waved shyly and grinned a wan grin.

 

Chapter 11 - A Friendly Face

 

"Pretty girls," his mistress said as they left the salon. "Do you know them?"

"No, not really. We just met."

"Well, they obviously took a liking to you. And I can see why, as sweet as you pretend to be in that dress. Maybe you should dress up like that more often. I bet all of your girl friends would just love that!" The teenaged girl smirked once more, sparking the desire in Tony's heart to kick off his shoes and run away!

After a bit of window shopping, the two approached a café. Vanessa turned to Tony and told him he was dismissed. "I'm to meet a close friend here in a few minutes. You are free to shop or do whatever you want for an hour, then meet me back here. I'll expect you to be punctual, of course."

"Of course, miss."

The arrogant teen paused for a moment, then smiled. "If you would, perhaps you wouldn't mind picking up a few things for me at the chemist across the way. I've a list here, already made out with all the details, including Grandmother's prescriptions. Here's some money. Don't lose any of it!" she admonished. "If you get these things for me, then that will let us get finished sooner. And the sooner we're finished, the sooner we can go home."

Tony fought the urge to yell "YES!!!" Instead, he just nodded and said he would do his best.

The two parted company and the cross-dressed boy headed across the mall to the store pointed out to him by his mistress. Looking at the list, he felt his face burning, his ears burning ... his entire body tingling as though it was in flames.

What the ...? I can't do this!

He couldn't believe his eyes! In addition to Mrs. Heart's medicines, there were such girlish products as hair spray and fingernail polish and lipstick; there were also several personal items like tampons, feminine hygiene pads and other things too shocking to mention!

For several minutes Tony stared at the list in dread. I can't buy this stuff! They'll laugh me out of the store! I'll get caught before I even pick up the first item! Boys aren't supposed to know about these kinds of things ....

The confused boy looked around to see if anyone was watching him, and it seemed that each and every passer-by was looking at him as though they knew his secret; the poor child felt practically naked as he tried to sort out what to do! It was at that point that he seriously considered giving up, but then he stopped and thought ... Where would he go? What would he do? He certainly couldn't call his mother, nor his Aunt Mary. And there was no way in the world he was about to call his cousin Shirley, not wearing a dress and heels, he wasn't!

What to do, what to do, what to do ....

At long last he just sighed and shook his head. He'd just do it. He had to. After all, he did make a promise. Standing before the front of the store, adjusting his jacket and jiffling about in his dress, he reasoned that if he did as he was told, perhaps this nightmare would end just a bit sooner than expected.

The terrified boy was just about to enter the chemist when he heard someone say his name.

"Tony? Is that you, love?"

The petticoated detective almost died! Now what? he thought. Turning about, he was as upset as he was relieved to see that he'd been caught by his Aunt Mary's friend, Mrs. Cartwright!

Not Mrs. Cartwright! Not her ... not now ... now here ... Oh, why is it always me ...?

Holding his purse across his chest much like a girl might do, the blushing boy forced a smile as he walked toward his captor. "Oh, er, hello, Mrs. Cartwright. How are you?"

To say that Mrs. Cartwright was friend of Tony's aunt was to ignore the fact that she was just as much a friend of his. The plump woman owned the dress shop that Tony helped save in a recent adventure, and not only was she aware of the youngster's cross-dressing activities, but she was a staunch fan of the pretty "Antonia" as well! And so, in a way it was fortuitous that the detective run into her in such a public place, for if there was anyone to boost his spirits, it was most certainly she.

The smiling woman gave Tony a studious look. "I'm doing quite well, thank you, Tony. But I think the question is, how are you my pet? What in the world are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that? I asked your Auntie Mary about you the other day and she said you were busy with a work scheme for school. Why on earth would a sports store send you out running around dressed as a girl?"

The eleven year old detective blushed with shame. "Well, that arrangement fell through, Mrs. Cartwright. This is another one. I'm working for some people," he sighed. "It's kind of hard to explain."

The plump woman looked at the blushing boy in the dress and made a face. "Oh, if I know little Antonia, I know what you're up to ... you're on another case, aren't you?!!! Some sort of mystery, then, isn't that right, pet?"

Tony looked down and dug the tip of his patent leather pump into the floor. His bare knees looked so vulnerable beneath the hem of his dress. "Uh, kind of."

"See? I thought so! What is it this time, darling? Saboteurs or spies? Oh, you're just so cute, I could eat you up!"

Sighing in resignation, Tony explained that, yes, he was indeed on assignment, adding gently that part of his duties indeed included dressing as a girl. The portly shopkeeper frowned for a moment, and the next thing the youngster knew, she slid her arm under his and gently escorted him to a discrete booth at a coffee shop down the strip. Over a cup of cappuccino she got him to confess the story of how he came to be in the middle of the mall dressed in a girl's frock. Well, most of it, anyway.

"If I didn't know better, I'd have thought Shirley would have set me up like this," the cross-dressed boy lamented. "She'd love it if she knew what has happened to me."

Mrs. Cartwright, ever the optimist, saw things in a much more kinder light than Tony would have thought. "Oh, don't be so suspicious! I can understand Mrs. Heart's situation. No, really, I can. People of her ilk, and even that poor Vanessa, they don't have much patience or understanding, and when they don't get things their way, they tend to make a loud noise until they do. They're really unhappy people, not like you or me."

Tony sipped his coffee and thought about what his adult friend said. In answering her questions, he had to confess that nothing really bad had happened so far and that, no, he really didn't mind the eccentricities imposed on him by his employers. Instead of being sympathetic when she heard some of the situations and tasks he'd endured, she merely laughed.

"Well, it never hurt a boy to learn to clean house, or even sew, that's for certain! It sounds as though you're making yourself quite useful around the manor. And I am certainly impressed that you didn't back down on your promise to accompany your mistress on her shopping trip. Such a brave boy! You know, you look rather good in peach. With your hair and colouring, that dress is a most outstanding choice for you."

"Thanks," the flustered boy muttered half-heartedly.

"Let me see that list," Mrs. Cartwright insisted. "Hmmm ... it looks all right to me. Not exactly the kinds of things a boy appreciate, but female necessities for sure. Do you need help buying all this or can you do that yourself?"

Tony sighed. "Oh, I can do it, I think. I doubt anyone would really care what I bought, considering how I'm dressed!"

"That's the spirit! Just go and do it! And don't look back. That's why so many people have so much trouble. They keep forgetting to look forward. I never figured you to be like that."

Tony felt warmed by his friend's remarks and he meekly submitted as she planted a wet kiss on the side of his mouth. A smear of red lipstick had to be rubbed off.

"You have a wonderful day," the smiling Mrs. Cartwright said. "My offer for a job down at my store still stands, you know. To tell the truth, Tony, I'm rather hurt! If I'd known you were willing to wear such pretty clothes on your assignment, I'd have asked for you to come to work for me instead. Think of all the fun we'd have together working in my dress shop!"

Tony grinned ruefully as he was embraced by the smiling woman and nearly suffocated between her huge breasts. For some reason it seemed that women were always wanting to touch and hug him whenever he was dressed as a girl, something he considered one of the hazards of the job.

 

Chapter 12 - Discovered!

 

A few minutes later - alone and shivering in his girlish frock - the cross-dressed detective carefully entered the pharmacy, picked up a basket, and proceeded to gather up the things on the list. Sorting through the racks of lipstick and makeup took forever and he fretted constantly about being seen and laughed at; it wasn't for some time that he realised that no one paid him much attention because he probably just looked like a little girl doing what came naturally. And that, as it turned out, was the easy part.

His next task was not so simple. Tony's hands trembled terribly as he studied the various brands of tampons and pads on display, not to mention all of the sizes and types; there seemed to be as many feminine hygiene products as there were stars in the sky! As he finally located what he was looking for, the entire episode turned into an educational process for him, especially when he accidentally read the instructions on how some of those things were to be used! He'd always known women and girls were different than boys, but judging from the things they had to do to their bodies, he began wondering if they were even from the same planet!

Soon Tony had everything that he needed and he was ready to check out. After getting in line, he saw with horror that one of his teachers was standing no more than ten feet behind him; worse yet, she was giving him an awfully curious look.

The cross-dressed boy was about to step away and pretend to go look for something when he saw some of his friends from his football team coming into the store and head straight for the confectionery. It was about that time that the checkout girl called out "Next!"

Keeping his back to the laughing boys and his head down, Tony did a fair job of keeping his eyes on his mates, avoiding eye contact with his teacher, and pretending to watch his purchases being rung up. All at the same time, yet! Thank goodness, the checkout girl kept quiet as she checked item after item. Only when she was done did she say anything.

"Picking up some stuff for your mum, sweetheart?"

The blushing boy nodded as he paid for his purchases. He couldn't help but grin as the woman slipped some sweets in the bag, whispering something like "I wish my daughter was as helpful."

As the cross-dressed detective left the store his heart beat so hard he thought it was going to burst. Talk about close! This is getting dangerous. And I've still got about fifteen minutes to go ... I have to find somewhere to hide until Vanessa's done with lunch. Looking around, he spotted a group of empty tables near an ice cream stand that looked perfect for his needs.

Sitting alone and nursing a dish of strawberry sorbet, a relieved Tony thought about all he'd been through that afternoon. Talk about unbelievable! Dressing up and running all over town and almost getting caught like that!? It was almost too much for him to handle; in fact, he would have laughed if it hadn't happened to him!

Just as he was feeling good about himself, he heard a familiar voice. "Tony? Is that you?"

 

The petticoated boy looked up to see Robert Downs, his soccer friend and life-long chum, standing right in front of him!

He was caught!

Taking a deep breath, Tony forced himself to take a casual sip of water from his cup and then smile. "Uh, hi, Robbie?"

The other boy had a look on his face that was priceless! Eyes wide, mouth open, he was speechless. "My gosh ... it is you! William was right! It's really you! Why the heck are you dressed as a girl?"

"Well, I ... er," Tony took a deep breath. His face was so red it felt like it was on fire. "It's kinda hard to explain."

Robbie sat down across from him, his face sporting a big grin. "I'll bet. What happened, you get sent to the girl scouts for your work scheme or something?"

Tony sighed. "Something like that." Remembering the other boys he'd seen in the pharmacy, he looked around as though he expected something really terrible to happen. "What happened to your friends?"

"Oh, they went on to the arcade. I spotted you in the chemist. Well, actually, Will Peach did. He saw you checking out and said something about seeing you dressed as a girl. Jerry and Stevie and I told him, 'No way!' We figured you were just some girl with her mum, but he said it was you for sure. I got elected to come over and see if it really was. I'd have never guessed."

"So, I'm done for then. What are you going to tell them?" The cross-dressed boy's mouth felt so dry he could hardly speak, and he felt his nose tingling as though he was about to cry.

The grinning boy shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I don't think you're done for just yet. I mean, I'm sure not going to tell them that Tony Green wears dresses, that's for sure! I'd rather just say that you're some poor girl that's so ugly she looks like you. How's that sound?"

Sniffing back a tear, Tony grinned. "That's smashing. I appreciate it."

Robbie nodded. "Not to worry. But you owe me." He looked at the blushing boy for a moment. "So, tell me about it! Why are you ... you know ...."

Tony sighed. "Welllll ...."

He ended up telling his friend the truth. Well, part of it, at least. What the skirted boy said was that he was helping out on a large estate in the country doing all sorts of things. "Working around the old house, mostly. And with horses, too."

"Horses? Smashing! You're lucky. I have to work at a cash register in a flower shop. That's really boring. So what's with the dress?"

"I, er ... lost a bet of sorts. The old lady who owns the place has this granddaughter, and she and I got into an argument about who's braver, girls or us guys. She said girls, of course. I said, 'no way!' The next thing I knew, she dared me to wear a dress for a day, saying how guys are too scared to do such things. Well, dumb me, I agreed. I figured it wouldn't hurt, being on the farm and all. I didn't know she was going to take me to town like this. But she tricked me and I couldn't back out, of course, or I'd have to listen to her bragging all week long."

Wide-eyed and with his mouth open in disbelief, Robert was stunned! After taking a moment to digest what he'd heard, he commended his friend's dedication and admitted that he was nowhere near as brave. "I'd have run away if someone told me I had to wear a girl's dress. You're probably the bravest bloke I've ever met, Anthony. I mean, you're even wearing nail polish." The other boy shivered in disgust.

"Oh, it's not the big a deal. With the dress you just have to keep your knees together to keep from embarrassing yourself, and you can't run in these dumb shoes. Nail polish, well, that comes off pretty easily. It's nothing, really."

At the insistence of his friend, Tony had to explain this or that regarding his female attire, answering such questions as "Are you wearing knickers?" and "Which bathroom do you use?" Robert seemed just as fascinated as Tony was self-conscious, and he asked so many questions the feminised boy couldn't help but laugh.

"You're so interested, maybe you ought to try wearing a frock sometime," Tony suggested with a smile. "I'm sure your sister has something that'll fit you." That comment caused his friend to turn as red as the table cloth between them. Instead of coming back with a smart remark, the blushing boy just sat and grinned sheepishly.

The two friends chatted for a while longer and then it was time to part company. "You promise you won't tell, right?" Tony asked for the umpteenth time. "You promise?"

Robert grinned, looking his friend in the eyes for the longest time. "Oh, sure, I won't tell. But you owe me. You owe me big, mate. Maybe your mum will let you go on a date with my little brother. I think you might be his type."

"Oh, drat!" the petticoated boy pretended to pout. "I thought maybe you'd ask me to go out with you instead!"

There was a long silence, as though the next speaker had forgotten his lines. The two boys stared at each other for an awkward moment. It took Tony a second to realise that his friend was looking at him in a funny way, as though he was seeing him for the very first time. Finally, both boys had a good laugh over their own clumsiness, giggling in that way children often do. After saying good-bye to his friend, Tony went to meet up with Vanessa.

 

Chapter 13 - An Awkward Situation

 

Tony arrived at the café just as his mistress and her friend emerged. She seemed genuinely pleased to see him, looking curiously at the shopping bag in his hand.

"Elisabeth, this is Antoinette. Antoinette, Elisabeth." Tony smiled politely at a tall, slender girl with black hair. Dressed very well in a black sweater dress and tights, his mistress' friend looked at the cross-dressed boy as though he were something she was about to purchase. Nodding toward the bag in the boy's hand, Vanessa asked, "Were you able to find the things I asked for?"

"Yes, miss, I got everything you had on your list."

"Oh, really? Let me see." Tony watched as the amused girl dug through the bag and pulled out a box of tampons. Holding it out before him as though it was a rare thing, she glanced at her friend. "He even got the right brand. Amazing. Now, see, Elisabeth, don't you wish you had a little boy maid to buy your things for you?"

The horrified child shot a glance to the delighted Elisabeth, who raised her eyebrows in a knowing manner. Vanessa laughed at the look on his face. "Oh, take that look off your face. Elisabeth knows all about our arrangement with you. In fact, she rather approves, don't you, love? Here, put these away." As Tony took the box of tampons he saw the dark-headed girl smile in a way that made him melt.

"Can we go home now, miss?" Tony asked gently. He'd done his part of the deal; he was ready to head back to a nice hot bath and a nap.

"Not at all. I want to look at some lingerie before heading back. Care to join us, Elisabeth?"

The grinning girl nodded. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"But, I thought since I got all the shopping done we could go home."

"Well, I guess you thought wrong. We've still got an hour before Jacob is to pick us up, remember? Come along, that doesn't leave us much time ...."

With his purse in one hand and the shopping bag in the other, Tony found himself walking along the strip of shops and stores before his mistress and her friend. Behind him he could hear soft voices chatting and giggling, occasionally raising to laughter, and he knew very well that he was being talked about. More than once he could have sworn he heard the words "scruffy boy" and "crybaby," but he chose keep his eyes straight ahead and to try and not think about what was going on.

The poor child was on the verge of tears, but he didn't dare cry. Not there in front of his tormentors, at least. It was partly his own fault he was there, he realised, and to raise a fuss about it now would only make things worse. The only thing that seemed to be going right at that moment was that neither Robert nor any of the other boys seemed to be within sight.

The trio stopped at a couple of fashionable shops where Tony was forced to stand quietly while his mistress browsed through the aisles looking at clothes with her friend. Occasionally someone would nod or smile at the pretty little "girl" in the peach dress, but Tony was more concerned about the slender brunette who was watching him.

"Antoinette, dear," Vanessa asked at one point, "do you have enough panties? If you need some, this is the time to buy them." The smirking teen made sure to raise her voice loud enough for everyone in the store to hear. Tony looked up to see half a dozen smiling faces looking toward him. His own face turned bright red, but he just shook his head in reply. "What about a brassiere, dear? Do we need to add one to your uniform? What do you think, Elisabeth? I thought Antoinette was too young for a brassiere, but I may have misjudged."

The older girl nodded, just slightly, with barely a smile. "Oh, I think you're so right, Vanessa. A girl Antoinette's age needs at the very least a bra."

And so it was that Tony was bought a bra by his employer. Two, in fact. Assisted by a shop assistant, the frustrated boy was measured and then presented with a selection of pretty "little girl" brassieres, each more delicate than its predecessor. Tony was instructed by Vanessa to look through them all and make a decision. The one he finally chose was as plain as vanilla, but that didn't make things any easier. Picking it out was probably the most embarrassing thing he'd done since coming to work at the manor.

"Here, let's get you a pretty one, too," Vanessa insisted. She held several up for the boy to look at and finally chose one with a pretty pink rose bud sewn between the padded cups.

While Vanessa make her own selections, Elisabeth wandered over to where Tony was patiently waiting. Catching his eye, she winked and grinned like the Cheshire cat. "I think I recognise you. Don't you play football on Stephen Collins' team? I remember him saying something about a 'Tony' who played in goal position."

Tony felt like a brick had just hit him. He didn't need to say anything for her to know she was right. Her voice raised a few decibels as she pressed him further.

"I've known Stevie ever since I went out with his older brother last year." The dark-headed beauty nodded. "I've seen you play. You're very good, you know. But, I don't know ... I don't think you make as good a goalie as you do a girl. If Vanessa hadn't told me, I probably would never had known the difference. You seem to manage yourself quite well. I wonder ... perhaps your mummy dressed you funny when you were little? Is that it? Or maybe you're still her little helper around the house. Well, whatever the case, I can't imagine what your mates would say if they saw you like this."

"This isn't something I'm going to brag about," Tony finally said. Struggling to keep his composure, he kept voice polite, but firm. "It was one of the terms of employment. Mrs. Heart made me promise."

Elisabeth laughed. "If you say so, I'll tell you what. I'll keep your little secret, but you have to make me a promise. Vanessa says you're very good about keeping promises."

The detective thought for a moment, then nodded. "All right. What is it?"

"I'm going to call you one day. Soon perhaps, and I'll want you to come visit me. You've done such a grand job acting as Mrs. Heart's little maid, I think I might want to see what that's like myself. What do you say?"

The eleven-year-old cross-dresser blanched at the thought. Here he was, struggling to get through an awkward predicament, and already he was being lined up for another. "I ... I don't know. This was a special situation. I couldn't let the school down."

"Oh, I don't think so. I've seen boys in dresses before, and you're different. You've done this before now. Don't answer me this moment. Just think about it. I'm not worried. I know where you live, you know." And with that the tall girl rejoined her friend, chatting and laughing as though nothing had happened.

Just before leaving the mall the trio paused for Vanessa to make a phone call. Across from the telephones was the amusement arcade, full to capacity, judging from the noise inside. From his vantage point of concealment between the two girls Tony watched wistfully as boys his own age came and went as they pleased. He recognised several, and a warm wave of confusion swept over him.

"You can join them, you know," Vanessa said upon completing her call. "We'll wait here for a while. I'll even hold your purse and your shopping bags for you."

"That's mean," the skirted boy said softly. "I couldn't go in there, even if I wanted to. You know they'll make fun of me."

Elisabeth giggled mischievously. "Mmmm, perhaps. And perhaps not." The suspicious girl's eyes narrowed. "You're cute enough, you just might get asked out instead. Now that would be great fun! In fact, I'd pay money to see that!" She burst out laughing as the embarrassed boy's face turned bright red.

 

Chapter 14 - A New Regimen

 

The ride home wasn't short enough. Tony was never so glad as to see the silhouette of the old house rise up as they drove along the path. It had been a long, confusing day, and he actually longed for the boring routine of the manor.

Upon their arrival home Tony gave Vanessa her purchases, along with the paperwork she'd given him to carry all day long; in turn he was given the tissue-wrapped package containing his new brassieres.

"These will be part of your uniform from now on. Do I make myself understood?"

"Yes, miss," the blushing boy said. He thought his head would explode, the blood rushed to it so fast! He was then told that his services were no longer needed for the evening and he was dismissed.

"Good night, Antoinette," the smirking girl said with a laugh. "Pleasant dreams!"

Following a long, hot bath, Tony sat in the dark and thought about all he'd been through that day. Things didn't turn out that bad, he decided, but his life was most definitely going to get a little more complex as a result of what happened. Now he was going to have to wear a bra along with all the other things his employers were forcing on him, and that talk with Elisabeth ...! Who knew where that was going to lead!

Oh, well, he sighed. As Isabel would say, c'est la vie!

The shadowy figures did not arrive that night and, as if to prove the connection once and for all, the tapping and scraping noises didn't happen either. Tony wondered what Megan would think when he told her about all about the strange happenings.

What if I do tell her and they don't happen again? He knew if that happened he would feel really stupid, but he also knew that he would have to tell all the same.

The next morning Tony got up at the usual time but was almost late for his seven o'clock showing at Mrs. Heart's room because he had so much trouble with his bra. The only time he'd worn one before he'd had some help; it's difficult for an eleven year old boy to figure out such things, and only after realising time was running out, he stopped struggling and just left it unhooked.

I'll just have to figure out how to fasten it later, he fumed as he clip-clopped down the hall to the Old Lady's room. Stupid Vanessa!

After helping serve breakfast and making sure the Old Lady was properly situated, Tony was called aside by a smirking Vanessa.

"You recovered well from your outing yesterday?" she enquired.

"Yes, miss."

"And you're wearing your new present?" Tony blushed and nodded. "Let me see, then."

The arrogant girl plucked at the material of the maid's dress and found the tell-tale strap. Tugging at it playfully, she thought for a moment, and then tugged again.

"It feels loose. Here, let me see if I can adjust it for you."

Sighing shamefully, Tony relented as his mistress undid the back of his dress and conducted her curious inspection. "Oh, this will never do!" she fussed when she found the hooks undone. "Can't you do anything right, you stupid boy!"

"I ... I couldn't reach it," the little boy maid said in frustration. "My arms don't bend that way."

"Oh, bother! Here, let me show you how it it's done. It's not as though this is something your mother would have taught you, I suppose."

Vanessa helped the cross-dressed boy slide out of the top of his dress, and then his slip, exposing his upper body and the feminine bra that adorned it. Eyes burning with tears, he felt naked standing there in front of the teenaged girl half-dressed, and he almost cried as he noticed the Old Lady watching with great interest from across the room.

 

"Now, pay attention. We're only going to go through this once today. You'll be on your own after that."

Guiding him with words alone, Vanessa gave him explicit instructions as to how to reach behind, grasp the dangling strap ends, and then move his hands together until they met. Matching up the hooks and manipulating them jointly took a while, but at last it was done. Feeling a sense of accomplishment, Tony couldn't help smiling ... just a bit.

Vanessa noticed this and she poked him harshly in the ribs with a sharp fingernail. "Don't be so proud! Think you can do it again?"

"Again?" Tony winced at the pain in his side as well as the thought of having to repeat hooking the bra straps together. He felt a sudden sense of despair as the bra suddenly came undone.

The smirking girl nodded her head. She really seemed to be enjoying this new game and she was going to milk it for all it was worth. "That's what I said! I don't have time to help you get dressed every morning, Antoinette. You're not to leave this room until you prove to me that you can do this right, the first time, every time. Now, again, please."

The abashed child did as he was told, his hands trembling with both rage and strain. This time took a bit longer, but the third time was quicker than the first. By the sixth - or was that the eighth? - repetition, he could fasten the hooks to his little bra with vastly improved agility. And by the tenth it was as though he'd done this his entire eleven years!

"Now, don't forget what you've learned here. I'm going to spot check you periodically, and you'd best be properly dressed and fastened, no matter what. For heaven's sake, boy, make yourself decent! There are ladies present!"

Tony did as he was told. He noted that the Old Lady was still watching him, as she most likely had been the entire time.

During the morning's remaining rituals Tony tugged and pulled at his new garment continually, cursing the day he'd ever agreed to wear such silly clothes. He felt like he was in some sort of medieval armour or straightjacket. Vanessa raised her eyebrow at him each time she caught him struggling with his girlish garment, as though to warn him not to fight it. Even worse, for some reason the sensation of the padded cups against his breasts and the straps against his shoulders and back sparked a familiar tingling under his skirt. Why in the world it would do that was a mystery, but it wasn't something he could ignore. All he could do was pray his boyish excitement wasn't given away.

Just before lunch Vanessa confirmed that Tony was to accompany Megan into town later and told him that he could finish his duties at four thirty. Vanessa was really beginning to irritate him all the time now with her condescending and mocking tone every time she addressed him. Just as bad, he was oh, so tired of her constantly snapping the strap to his bra - "Just checking," she'd say slyly - whenever he came within reach. He wished above all else that she was more approachable, because if she were he would have been able to talk to her about the nocturnal 'ghostly' goings on. However he had to reconcile himself with the fact that this was just not possible.

Chapter 15 - Tony's Date ... With a Difference!!!

 

It was three thirty and Tony was in his sitting room waiting for his next task to be allocated and looking forward immensely to his date with Megan. The weather had turned hot and sultry and he was sweating uncomfortably in his uniform dress, which was made out of thick and heavy material. Suddenly a knock at his door jolted him from his thoughts. It was Megan, and she looked rather serious.

"Hi, Tony," she said stepping inside. She was dressed in blue jeans and a white sweater and looked very chic. "I'm afraid we may have a problem regarding our little trip into town."

Tony was taken aback, fearful that she was about to say that she wouldn't be able to make it after all. He was so looking forward to getting out of his uniform and spending time with someone pleasant for a change. "What's the problem, can't you go?"

"Oh, it's nothing quite like that," the teenager said. "But I'll have to explain."

She went on to say that on the previous day she had gone into town to collect something for the farm and during that time she had seen her ex-boyfriend. Megan explained that although their relationship had finished, her boyfriend - who was three years older than her - was extremely possessive. The reason for his being in town was that he was probably visiting friends or family. Megan went on to say that the problem was that should they bump into him when they were together he would probably make an unpleasant scene. She stressed that he was not the violent type, but she was very worried that if they met up it would ruin their evening together. She didn't want to put Tony into that sort of situation.

"I wouldn't be upset by anything he said," said Tony. He so wanted to reassure her and desperately attempted to ensure that their date would go ahead as planned.

"Thank you for understanding," Megan said, " but I hate scenes and he can be very unpleasant at times. And, well, he is considerably larger than you are. I was so looking forward to us spending a nice evening out together and I wouldn't want to risk anything spoiling it. I have thought about it and I have an idea, which would guarantee that nothing happened even if we did run into him. The problem is that you would have to agree to it."

"What is it? I'd do anything."

"Well, you can call me weird if you like and I'd quite understand if you said that you wouldn't have anything to do with it," said Megan looking mysterious. "I just thought that if you went disguised as a girl, then even if we did run into him he wouldn't be able to get jealous or anything. After all I've seen you accomplish here, I know you would look the part well. I also realise that I'm asking a lot of you. I'd supply all you'd need to make a convincing teenage girl but I would understand if you refused."

This idea took Tony aback. Oh, no! From the frying pan into the fire! He lamented. He hadn't expected anything like this to happen. After all he'd been through the day before, he figured it could be done, but being that he actually wanted Megan to like him, he would have to ensure that he didn't appear too willing to accept a situation which he was all too familiar.

"Well, I don't know, I mean I know I agreed to wear this dress around the house, but going out as a girl is something I hadn't contemplated. What if any of my friends see me?"

"Oh don't worry," said Megan. She looked a little worried. "I'll make sure no one recognises you. Besides, I know you went out dressed as a girl with Irene and the blond brat, and Vanessa dragged you around town all yesterday afternoon. If you didn't get caught either of those times, I just know you won't this time.

Tony shook his head. "How did ...?"

"What do you think? The odious Vanessa bragged about how she'd paraded you all over town, of course. She pretended to be quite pleased with herself, but I could tell she was disappointed because you acted as though it wasn't that big of a deal."

Of course, Tony thought in disgust. That Vanessa! I'd like to show her a thing or two!

Megan went on. "Anyway, forget about that. I promise, I wouldn't make you look silly. You're about my size so you'd go out in the very latest fashion. I wouldn't dream of asking you if I didn't think you could pull it off. You wouldn't have to wear anything like that silly childish uniform. And I have a disguise that will guarantee no one will know who you are. Oh, please say you will! It'll be lots of fun and we'll have such a super time. I just know it!"

"Well," said Tony pretending to be very reluctant, "if you're sure I wouldn't be made to look ridiculous, I agree."

"That's great," said Megan planting a kiss on his cheek. "Don't worry, by the time I've finished with you you'll look fabulous. Now come up to my room at about four and I'll get you ready."

"But, Vanessa said I couldn't finish until four thirty," said Tony, still taken aback be the situation.

"Oh, don't worry about that," she replied. "They're both asleep after gorging themselves during Sunday lunch. They won't surface again for some time and we'll have left by then. Now I'll just go and get ready myself so I'll see you at four. And don't worry about either of them seeing you after your transformation because they will both be languishing in their rooms for the rest of the day if past experience with their Sunday habits is anything to go by."

Tony realised that Megan's statement regarding Vanessa and her grandmother was correct because he hadn't received any requests for help or assistance for quite some time. He decided that it was worth the risk to go up to his room and have a quick shower, which would save time when he went to see Megan. He desperately needed to freshen himself up because of the hot sticky atmosphere was making him sweat even more. After his shower he was in the process of getting back into his uniform when he realised the futility of doing so.

Why go to all the bother of putting all this back on, only to have to take it off again in a few minutes? After all, Megan's room is only at the bottom of the stairs.

So, dressed only in his slip, petticoat, panties and bra, the little feminised boy went out of his room and knocked on Megan's door. All the while praying to himself that Vanessa wouldn't make an appearance and see him wandering about in his underwear.

Megan opened the door immediately he knocked and after commenting on his state of undress she asked him to come inside. Tony couldn't help noticing that she had changed her outfit for their outing together. She was wearing a pale green mini kilt with a matching blouse and heeled shoes. Her long blond hair cascaded over her shoulders and was decorated by a gold coloured comb, which was prettily placed at the back of her head. She was expertly made up and Tony also noted that she was bare legged which was obviously because the weather was so warm and humid. He realised that this was the first occasion that he had seen her without trousers or jeans and the little kilt and heeled shoes accentuated her long and fabulous legs. He thought she looked gorgeous as she motioned him over to her dressing table.

"Well?" she said beaming, aware that he was looking at her outfit. "Do you like it?"

"Yes, you look very nice."

"Great! Now, let's see if we can make you look equally as nice. I've sorted out something for you to wear. It had to be something cool because the weather's so hot and sticky. Now you don't yet shave, do you?" Tony shook his head. "And you've no body hair to speak of so we can get straight to business. Slip of that petticoat and those ridiculous ruffled panties and put these on." She handed him a pair of white briefs decorated with tiny blue flowers; they had a hint of lace around the edges. "Don't worry, I'll turn my back until you are decent."

Tony did as he was told, but despite having his modesty covered by the very brief panties that Megan had given him, he still felt very naked when she turned around to face him.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you have legs that most girls would die for?" Tony felt himself blushing at that remark. "Now, we'll need to make you the right shape. That one is much too small." She held up a bra which matched the panties he was wearing. She noticed the doubtful look in his eyes and giggled, "Oh, Tony, don't be like that. You have to have some curves to be convincing. Come here, let me help you into it."

She fastened the bra at Tony's back and adjusted the straps; she then produced two wads of cotton wool and proceeded to fill the empty cups. Tony looked down nervously at his newly developed 'breasts.'

"Right. Let's sort your face out next," and she sat him down and started to expertly make his face up. After a few minutes her final task was to apply some lipstick to the feminised boy's lips she then stood back to admire her handiwork.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you have the most incredible lips? They are the perfect shape for putting on lipstick, making little cupid's bows, see?" The next thing Tony knew, the older girl turned and kissed him, just like that! "Sorry, couldn't help it. It's those lips. They are irresistible!"

Tony wanted to look in the mirror, but Megan refused to let him see what she had done. "No, you'll have to wait until we're completely finished. Now one final thing before you get dressed."

Megan next produced a blond wig and explained that a few months ago she had been toying with the idea of having her hair cut shorter. She wanted to see how it would look so she bought the wig to try it out, but she had decided that she wanted to keep her hair as it was. "Come on, hold your head straight, this won't take a second."

She expertly pulled the wig into place and then set to work with a hairbrush. As she stood back again to see the effect Tony had the unusual sensation of feeling the hair of the wig brushing against his bare shoulders.

"Now before we go any further, see if these fit." She passed him a pair of white slip on shoes with two inch pointed heels. "I didn't think you would manage anything higher. Do they fit okay?"

Tony nodded and although they felt a little strange when she asked him to walk they presented him with no problems. "I thought that this dress would be perfect." She held up a pale blue, high necked, sleeveless dress which was trimmed with white. She had him step into it and helped him slip it on and zipped up the back. The fit was perfect; his 'hair' cascaded gently over his shoulder and the top of his bare arms. The bodice fitted snugly over his 'breasts' and the short 'A' line skirt flared gently out from his accentuated tiny waist.

"Now that's just perfect," she said admiring the finished effect, "You look absolutely wonderful. Just come over here and see for yourself."

Tony looked into the mirror in total amazement; he looked completely different from any of his previous ventures into femininity. The blond wig and his expertly made up face had completely changed his appearance. This together with his newly acquired 'figure' and the fashionable mini dress made him look just like a very pretty mid-teenage girl. He was also very aware of the briefness of the dress he was wearing, especially when his unhindered hands were able to touch the tops of his bare legs. Megan had said that because the weather was so hot and sticky that they would both be more comfortable going out bare legged. He was just questioning the length of the gently flaring 'A' line skirt when the sound of a car horn announced the arrival of their ride.

"The skirt's fine," said Megan still admiring her handy-work, "right in fashion. Now take this with you to keep your things in." She passed him a little white purse with a shoulder strap and Tony had no time to do any more before he was rapidly drug out of the house.

Once again the cross-dressed boy found himself facing the familiar face of the man who drove the Land Rover. His face white with fear, Tony nodded politely to the smiling man, who took the boy's hand and helped him into the high seat of the Rover. Keeping Irene's suggestions in mind, the mini-skirted boy held the hem of his skirt down with one hand and kept his knees together as he slid into the vehicle. Megan smiled at the rather expert he handled himself.

"There's more to you than meets the eye, Anthony," she whispered with a giggle. Tony giggled, too, and he blushed violently as the Land Rover driver glanced in the rear view mirror and gave a friendly wink.

Before he knew it the two "girls" were both seated in the dark of the cinema engrossed in a romantic comedy. Dressed as he was, Tony found himself identifying with several of the female characters, even to the point where he had a lump in his throat during the sad parts and a tingle under his dress in the sexy ones.

They had been sitting for a while when Megan's hand touched the top of Tony's leg making him jump. Afraid that he might give himself away, she removed the offending hand, giggled quietly. She put her lips to his ear and said in a whisper, "Maybe later..."

The end of the film found the two 'girls' walking towards a burger restaurant and Tony, for the first time because their trip to the film had been so rapid, was treated to a whole new set of sensations. He realised that he was only wearing three garments with the dress, panties and bra. He marvelled at the sense of freedom that this gave him although he was still unsure about the bra and he couldn't help from continually looking down at his newly acquired 'breasts'. The feminised boy secretly yearned to be able to dress this way at will because it was so comfortable and cool. He stopped worrying about his flirty little skirt and just revelled in all these new feelings. The one drawback was that these feelings plus the stunning looks of Megan were beginning to get him aroused once more. He realised that if all this continued it would be impossible to keep his secret for much longer.

The crowded restaurant however gave him a little reprieve from his predicament because he could concentrate on the food. Megan however found it very amusing when he had to visit the powder room and he came out blushing violently. She kept taunting him gently as they both took their leave.

Megan suggested that they take a walk down by the river before hooking up with their ride back to the farm. Tony was all for this because he was still enjoying the feel of the cool breeze on his bare arms and legs. He took the opportunity of the walk to tell her about all the strange happenings he had seen at the house.

"That is strange," the teenaged girl said when he had finished his tale. "They did have some workmen in a few months ago. The house gets its water supply from a well in one of the cellars. It's too far from the public main and the water is automatically pumped up to a tank in the roof. There was a problem with the well mounting and they had to get a building firm in to sort it out. Come to think of it the noises started a little while afterwards. Maybe the builders disturbed the final resting place of some long dead person who has come back to haunt us in revenge." She laughed at this and continued. "I'll tell you what. I'll come up to your room when we get back then I can see for myself."

"But they don't came every night," warned Tony. "You might be disappointed."

"Oh, don't worry about that, I can always come again on another night," she said reassuringly taking him by the hand. "I can hold your hand now that there's no one about to see us. Tony, you're such a good sport coming out with me dressed like that and I want you to know I think that you look really super. Come on, let's sit down there and watch the river go by in the dark. We have plenty of time before Jacob picks us up."

She led him to a bench which was surrounded on three sides by dense shrubbery; there was no street lighting along the river walk so the only light was that which was reflected on the surface of the river. It was very quiet and there was no one about to disturb them and Tony felt the cool wooden slats of the bench against his legs as they sat down.

"You're so cute," said Megan as she moved closer to the little feminised boy. "You really look the part dressed like that. You could easily have been a girl." Then realising what she had just said she continued quickly, "Sorry, I didn't mean..." She didn't finish the sentence because her arm went around Tony's neck and she kissed him.

Tony didn't hesitate this time and responded to her kiss, but at the same time he felt that all too familiar tingling as he started to become aroused. He was glad of the darkness because there was no was to disguise the fact with the scant protection of his little skirt.

"Oh Tony, you're so wonderful at kissing," said Megan as the kiss ended. "Do it again."

Tony, for the first time in his young life, took the lead and planted his lips firmly onto Megan's. Her arm held him even more tightly then her free hand moved onto his unprotected leg. His dress offered no resistance and she started to fondle his, now extremely, aroused private area. Only this time when she slid down his panties, she pulled them all the way off, yanking his high heels with them. Naked from the waist down, the little boy gasped in astonishment as Megan wrapped the flimsy panties around his aching erection and began rubbing. The sensation was indescribable, and the youngster wanted desperately to return the favour.

As in their first occasion the passionate girl placed his hand onto the top of her own leg and this time there were no trousers to hinder his progress in fondling her private area; the little kilt offered no resistance to the excited boy's curious hand, and almost as soon as he had made contact he stopped. To his shock and delight, she wasn't wearing any panties!

Oh my gosh! the blushing boy said as he squirmed in his dress. How long has she been like that? I'd die if I went in public like that!

As if in answer, Megan pulled away from their kissing long enough to giggle and say, "I took them off in the restaurant. Lots of girls go without in the summer. It's so free and wonderful. Maybe you should try it!"

Finding himself under the weight of her kiss once more, the cross-dressed boy renewed his exploration of her nether regions, exploring with the curiosity of the roused boy that he was. Megan soon withdrew from the kiss and started gasping and moaning. Taking his cue from her movements, Tony caressed and probed and tickled until she built up into a powerful climax, evoking a loud, angelic cooing from the back of her throat. Her eyes glazed over with passion, she then focused her own attentions on the young boy's erection, masturbating him over and over until he spent copiously into the skimpy panties. Tony's emotions exploded as his body convulsed in a wonderful orgasm which seemed to go on forever!

When they had both subsided the two sat in silence hugging each other while they came back to the reality of their situation. Megan was the first to speak as they both adjusted their respective skirts.

"Tony," she said quietly, "that was just wonderful. I really envy your girlfriend. I think that all boys should be able to wear skirts. It would make life so much simpler. I know quite a few who would look great in them."

Tony didn't know how to respond, but his thoughts wandered into that fantasy world where he was able to wear his dresses and skirts at will without fear of ridicule. He wondered what it would be like to be at the beck and call of someone like Megan all the time ... and he decided that it would be worth the sacrifice to find out!

All too soon, however, it was time for them to go and find their ride.

"A souvenir," Megan said, holding the wadded up panties and then sticking them in her purse. "To remember you by."

Tony shivered. Yuck! he thought. He didn't know whether to be flattered or ashamed.

 

Chapter 16 - Ghost Spotting

 

Tony and Megan arrived back at the house and immediately went to Tony's room. The atmosphere in the house was even warmer and humid than outside and Tony opened all the windows in an attempt to get some cool air. He then turned the lights out to enable them to see if there was any movement in the courtyard. The full moon filled the room with light almost as brightly as the electric one, but the effect of the sultry atmosphere was creating patches of mist near the ground outside. Clad only in his bra, dress and heels, Tony was sweating freely and he was concerned about the non-arrival of the ghosts.

"Megan, would it be okay if I took this wig off. It's so hot."

"Of course pet," replied Megan taking her eyes off the courtyard. "I only put it onto you to ensure that no one would possibly recognise you."

Tony removed the wig and after placing it carefully on the dressing table he rejoined Megan at the window although his anxiety at the none arrival of the figures was increasing. Suddenly Megan whispered.

"There's someone down there," she said and Tony could sense her excitement. "No, there's two now. They're coming in by the gate."

They both watched in silence as the two shadowy figures moved across the yard, then disappeared from view behind the gable end.

"We'll they're certainly not ghosts," said Megan. The tapping and scraping noises started as if on cue. "Ghosts don't open hatches, or go through gates. They don't have to. We'll have to get Vanessa involved because whatever they're up to, it can't be anything that she's aware of. We'll tell her tomorrow evening and get her up here to see for herself."

"I can't talk to Vanessa," said Tony. "She'd never listen to me."

"Just leave her to me," said Megan. "I'll meet you in your sitting room tomorrow evening then we'll go and see her together. Now I really must get to bed because I've a busy day ahead."

"What do you want me to do about this?" said Tony indicating his little dress.

"Oh, don't bother about that now. Just let me have it some time before you leave. I'll take the wig with me now though." Megan then gave Tony a long goodnight kiss. Just as she was about to leave she noticed that Tony's excitement at the kiss was all too evident by the bulge at the front of his dress. "Well if boys were allowed to wear skirts, I guess that they'd have to be full ones." She left a bemused Tony alone to ponder the evening's events.

Tony looked at himself in the mirror and realised that even without the wig he still looked very much like a teenage girl. Reluctantly he removed the dress and prepared for bed. It had been a long day.

During the night the sultry weather brought on a thunderstorm which made the old house appear even more sinister. It did however have the effect of cooling down the temperature.

The following morning he collected the mail from the doormat and was puzzled to see a small packet addressed to him. He wasn't able to open it immediately due to Vanessa and the Old Lady requiring him to attend various tasks. He had to wait until lunchtime before he could examine its contents. On opening he discovered another envelope around which was a hand written note. It was from Irene and read:

Dearest Tony,

I want to thank you again for all your help the other day. Daniel's behaviour improvement however was short-lived and he reverted to his old ways after just two days. The result of this was that he visited his Grandmother in his party dress and had a rather difficult time there. His two girl cousins were also visiting and they had a great time making fun of him, especially as both of them were wearing trousers.

Obviously I couldn't keep him in a party dress all the time so I've had to buy him a couple of extra outfits and I've told him that I'm keeping him in dresses for the next two weeks. I hope that the lesson finally sinks in, but he is under no illusion that I'll keep on doing this until he improves permanently.

Once again, thanks for all your help and please call and see us whenever you're in town. Don't worry I've explained to Daniel that you're really a boy and were dressed as a girl for his benefit.

Love,

Irene

P.S. I've enclosed a few photographs of Daniel in some of his new outfits

Tony opened the envelope and chuckled as he saw the contents. There were 3 pictures of Daniel looking thoroughly miserable in his party dress with his grandmother and cousins. There were 3 more of him in 3 different frilly cotton dresses, which must have been the new outfits Irene had mentioned. Tony couldn't help chuckling to himself at the expression on the little boy's face.

One day he'll learn...

That evening Tony waited in his sitting room for Megan, he was feeling uncomfortable again because Isabel had once again messed up laundering his panties. This time however he dare not remove them because of the risk of being discovered and there was the possibility of a long evening ahead. He just sat on the sofa, jiffling uncomfortably in his little skirt, waiting for a knock at his door.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Megan came in, Tony looked at her in surprise because she was wearing a short frilly skirt supported by layers of petticoats. She also sported a pair of long white knee socks similar to his. She smiled as she saw him looking at her.

"I thought that I'd spare your feelings by dressing in something similar to you. After all, they insist on making you wear a short skirt and petticoats, so I decided to do likewise," she explained. "My room is next to another one of the same size and there is a connecting door. People like Vanessa and the Old Girl who think that they're a cut above everyone else never throw anything away and the room is crammed full of outgrown or cast off clothes. There must be everything that Vanessa's ever owned in there and one day when I have the time I'm going to explore it properly. Unfortunately I didn't have the time to spare for a thorough search. I couldn't find a dress so this will have to suffice."

"Thank you," was all he could reply.

"Well, let's go and find Vanessa," she said but before he could reach for the door handle she pulled him towards her. She embraced him in a tight hug making both their skirts flare out and kissed him passionately which started the tingling feelings deep inside the folds of his skirts again. "Sorry about that," she said, not very convincingly. "I just couldn't resist it." With that she led the way to Vanessa's room.

 

Chapter 17 - Ghost Hunting

 

Megan lead the way by rushing up the stairs and Tony who was following couldn't help but notice that as she rushed on ahead he had an uninterrupted view of her frilled panties. When she was almost at the top she stopped, turned around and giggled.

"Naughty boy, you of all people should know better than to look up a girl's skirt." Her giggles turn to laughter. "Only teasing. Come on, let's go and sort things out with Vanessa."

It took a couple of attempts at knocking at the door before they got any response from the odious Vanessa, and Megan guessed that she had fallen asleep. A faint voice from the other side eventually indicated that they should enter. Megan led the way followed by Tony who was feeling a little nervous. When they saw Vanessa she looked more than a little annoyed about being disturbed.

"Megan! What's all this, and why have you brought Antoinette with you?" Vanessa stood up and smoothed the creases in the cream cotton dress she was wearing.

"I'll explain all that in a minute," said Megan brushing aside her cousin's unpleasant manner. "Before that I want to ask you a question. Do you have anyone doing any work on the house at the moment?"

"What? Of course not! The last time we had anyone in was when we had trouble with the water supply. Why do you ask?"

"So there's no reason why anyone should be wandering about the rear courtyard in the dead of night?" said Megan.

"Don't be ridiculous," retorted Vanessa.

"In that case I think you'd better listen to what Tony has to say."

"This is getting really tiresome," said Vanessa. "Why would anything that the hired help have to say be of any interest to me?"

"Don't be so rude," snapped Megan. "Despite what you might think, you're no better than anyone else. Now I think you'd better hear what Tony has to say without interruption."

Tony then relayed the whole of the story about the nocturnal shadowy figures, their connection with the nigh-time noises and his discovery of the disturbed hatchway. When he had finished Vanessa was obviously at a loss on what to do or say. Her veneer of self-importance and control was visibly cracking because for once in her life she didn't know what to do or say.

"Well, what do you want to do about it?" snapped Megan. She was visibly annoyed at her cousin.

"Er, I'm not sure," stuttered Vanessa trying to regain some of her authority. "What do you think?"

"Well don't you think that that for a start that you should see for yourself if you've any doubts about Tony's story? Come on. We'll all go up to his room and look out for them arriving." With that Megan led her cousin by the arm to Tony's room. The little feminised boy followed, full of admiration at the way his friend was telling the aristocratic Vanessa what to do.

The three 'girls' positioned themselves at the window with the lights out to await the arrival of the nocturnal figures. Tony was getting nervous because if they didn't put in an appearance Vanessa would make his life miserable. He was just giving up hope when Megan tapped Vanessa's shoulder.

"Here they come," she said pointing towards the courtyard gateway.

Tony looked and could see the unmistakable shadowy outlines of two figures walking slowly towards the point where they would disappear from view behind the gable end.

"Well, what of it?" said Vanessa attempting to regain some authority. "They could be on perfectly legitimate business."

"What? At this time of night?" laughed Megan. "Just wait a few minutes then tell me that again."

After a few minutes the tapping and scraping noises started and Megan stood up, brushing her unfamiliar skirts and petticoats into order and glared at her cousin.

"Well, what next?" she said looking down at Vanessa.

"Er, I don't really know. I can't imagine what they're up to."

Megan sighed with exasperation. "Don't you think it would be a good idea for us to go down to the courtyard to investigate at close hand. Come on let's go and see."

With that she lead the way out of the room while taking her reluctant cousin by the hand. Vanessa started to protest that it might be dangerous but Megan pretended not to have heard. They paused as they passed Megan's room just long enough for her to produced two large rubber covered torches. These were obviously borrowed from the farm especially for the occasion. The trio let themselves out of the back kitchen door and walked up to the corner of the building from where they could see the area where the trapdoor was. The night was very dark so it took a while for their eyes to adjust but as they did they could see a feint glow emanating from the base of the wall near to the concealed hatchway.

"What do we do now?" asked Vanessa quietly and sounding a little bit frightened.

"If we're very quiet we'll take a closer look. Follow me." Megan started to walk towards the glow after switching on her torch because she didn't want to fall over anything in the darkness of the courtyard.

There was a cool breeze blowing which chilled the trio as they made their way to the object of their investigation. When they got close they could see that the trapdoor had been opened and had been wedged from completely closing by a block of wood, and from the opening came the familiar sound of tapping and scraping. The glow that they had seen came from a source deep inside what must have been some sort of cellar. Having seen enough to know that the 'ghosts' were not supernatural, but were as human as the intrepid trio, Megan indicated that they should retreat back the way they had come.

In the shadow of the main house wall they took stock of the situation. It was obvious that whoever was down there in the cellar was up to no good. The question was, What were they doing? During all this time Tony had been silent, content to let Megan take the lead.

"What shall we do?" asked Vanessa now obviously shaken by the discovery.

"Well I think that we ought to call the police," said Megan. Tony nodded in agreement.

"Oh no, not the police! We couldn't. Grandmother couldn't stand having police swarming all over the place." Vanessa's veneer was cracking even more.

Tony broke the silence. "Well, we can't just do nothing."

"I've an idea," said Megan. "I'll telephone the farm and get some of the men to come over."

This plan was agreed and Megan left the other two behind to watch for developments while she went off to telephone the farm. She came back after only a couple of minutes shaking her head.

"I can't get through, the farm line's been playing up all day and now I can't get a connection."

"What do we do now?" asked Vanessa.

"I know." Megan turned to her cousin. "Do you still ride that old bike of yours?"

"Yes, it's in the old stable over there. Why?"

"Well I could use it to ride over to the farm. It'll only take a few minutes," Megan said. Without waiting for a reply she started to walk over in the direction indicated by Vanessa.

The light of the torches picked out an old-fashioned bicycle leaning against the wall of what had once been a stable for the household horses. Megan wheeled it out into the open and proceeded to mount while commenting that Vanessa should get herself something a bit more up to date. She complained when the breeze played tricks with the little skirt she was wearing while she mounted the machine and found difficulty in keeping it under control when she sat on the saddle.

"I'm not really dressed for this," she giggled.

"I don't know why you insist on wearing something so childish anyway," said Vanessa.

"Well, I don't dictate to you what to wear," retorted Megan, "I'm just glad that it's dark or I would be giving everyone a real display of frilly underwear. Now you two keep out of sight and keep an eye on things. I'll be back as soon as I can."

They watched as Megan disappeared from view in the darkness and then settled down to watch the faint glow from the cellar for possible developments. The cool breeze was getting a little stronger and Tony noticed that Vanessa was shivering slightly. Although his unprotected legs felt cold, the thick material of his uniform dress was keeping out the worst of the chill. Vanessa however was dressed in a thin sleeveless cotton dress, which offered her very little in the way of protection or warmth.

"If you want to go and get a coat I'll be okay standing watch by myself," he said.

"No, I'll be quite alright," said Vanessa. "But thank you anyway."

Tony studied his new friend in the gloom and realised that for the first time since his arrival she was acting like someone normal. Her aristocratic manner had given way to one of uncertainty and it would appear that she was finding it very difficult to cope with the situation. To his surprise, in fact, the once-odious girl took his hand and gripped it tightly, much as Daniel did in the park. The cross-dressed boy furrowed his brow. She was obviously even more frightened than he was! Moving close enough to block the cool air from his mistress, the detective squeezed her hand in return and vowed to protect her if something went wrong.

After what seemed to Tony like hours a pair of headlights appeared in the distance at the bottom of the lane. When the got closer Vanessa identified the on coming vehicle as the Land Rover from the farm. Tony was worried that the sound of its engine would alert those down in the cellar. He needn't have worried because the driver switched off the ignition when they were quite a distance away and they coasted into the courtyard without a sound. Tony saw Megan sat between the driver and another man and he saw two other men riding on the back together. As the car came to a halt they all clambered out as Tony with Vanessa came forward to greet them. A pleasant man in a tweed jacket introduced himself as Ian the farm manager and said that Megan had explained the situation in detail.

Jacob, of course, was with the group, and Tony could feel himself blush as the kind man greeted him with a cheerful "Ev'ning, Antoinette."

Ian went over and inspected the hatch cover and beckoned the rest to come closer. With the assistance of two of the other men they silently pulled the cover fully open revealing a set of stone steps leading down to a brick lined corridor. At the end of the corridor a light reflected off the walls coming from an opening leading off to somewhere out of sight. This was obviously the place where the intruders were busy at their, as yet, unknown task. Ian indicated that everyone should stand back and asked two of the men to follow him down the corridor while leaving the one remaining man standing guard at the entrance. Tony watched in awe as the three men walked silently to the end of the corridor and then disappeared from site as they turned through the lighted opening.

Suddenly the silence was shattered by Ian's voice coming from somewhere unseen at the end of the corridor. The faint scraping and tapping noise ceased and was followed by the sound of something being dropped onto the floor. A few minutes later a group of figures could be seen returning back to the steps and as they got closer it was apparent that two strangers were being marched along between Ian and the two men from the farm. They were joined by the third farm hand as they climbed the steps and when they were out into the open the strangers were restrained by the three farmhands while Ian came over for to the "girls."

"That's one of the builders who came to repair the water supply," said a shocked Vanessa.

"Well then, let's have a closer look at what they've been up to," said Ian. "Ladies if you'll follow me."

With instructions to his men to ensure that their "captives" did not get away, he led the trio of "girls" down the stone steps and along the corridor. On passing through the opening at the end it opened up into a large underground room. This room was empty except for a large metal cabinet at one end which was connected to the floor and ceiling by several metal pipes. Tony guessed that this was the water supply apparatus because some of the pipes looked quite new.

Ian's attention was focussed on another area on a wall adjacent to the water supply. There some obvious recent activity showed that quite a number of bricks had been carefully removed from a pillar at the centre of the wall and neatly stacked in a pile in the middle of the floor. Ian looked puzzled and examined the pillar and bricks closely.

"What on earth have they been up to?" asked Megan.

"I'm not sure," replied Ian. "They've obviously been busy removing the bricks from the pillar but I can't for the life of me think why. There's another puzzle as well as their activities though."

"What's that?" asked Tony.

"Well if you look closely at the pillar you'll see that it doesn't actually do anything," he replied. "It looks like that it's been added a long time after the wall was built but for no apparent reason. It's very strange as to why two men would come along here night after night to take bricks out of a dummy pillar, it would explain the noises that you've been hearing though."

He picked up one of the bricks from the main pile, and then he picked up another from a smaller pile nearby and tested the weight of each.

"The ones on the main pile are much heavier than those on the small pile," he said still with a puzzled frown on his face. "I wonder." He placed the heavier brick onto the floor and then retrieved a hammer and chisel from the place where the two miscreants had dropped them in their surprise.

He placed the chisel onto the brick and proceeded to hammer it with short sharp blows. At first the brick resisted all Ian's attempts at further examination; then suddenly it yielded and broke into several pieces. At the same time the noise of the brick breaking was joined by a metallic clinking sound and several shiny objects fell to the floor.

"Well I'm blowed," exclaimed Ian as he examined the objects. "It would appear that all these bricks are full of gold sovereigns. Well, Miss Vanessa, it looks like we've just found your inheritance."

Vanessa was unable to speak, especially when she realised that the number of bricks likely to contain more sovereigns was so large.

"Well, that would explain the story as to why no money was found in the house in Victorian times just before it was burnt down," said Megan. "The old miser must have made all these bricks specially and built that pillar with them so no one would suspect where they were."

"Yes," agreed Ian. "And no one would be any the wiser today if it wasn't for that pair outside. I'll bet they discovered the secret when they were working on the water system."

"But why just stack them and not take them away?" asked Tony.

"It's my guess that they decided to get all the bricks containing the sovereigns out from the pillar before arranging transportation," replied Ian. "Then all they would have to do was to wait for an opportune moment when everyone was away from the house. Then they could drive a truck into the courtyard, load up at their own pace and drive away leaving no one any the wiser. I hate to think just what the value of it all is, but it must be very considerable."

"What do we do about the two men though?" asked Megan. "Do we call in the police?"

"Oh no, not the police," said Vanessa recovering her voice. "We couldn't do with them crawling all over the house!"

"Yes I've been thinking about that," said Ian. "It's not as though they've actually stolen anything, although they probably took one brick away when they first discovered the cache. We'll never be able to prove that though, so the most the police will be able to charge them with will be criminal damage to that wall. No, if you'll leave it to me I'll make sure that they never bother you again. I'll also make this place secure for the night so you can make arrangements for the safe storage of all this in the morning."

"Yes, of course," said a much changed Vanessa. "I'll leave it all to you."

Once back outside Ian faced the two very miserable looking pair and when he mentioned the police they looked terrified. The look on both their faces when he said that the police were not going to be involved after all was a picture of relief. He did warn them however that he wouldn't be responsible for his actions if they were ever seen anywhere near the area of the farm or house again. He then asked his men to release the two captives and they both scuttled off into the night, very relieved at their narrow escape from the arms of the law.

Jacob looked at Tony and winked. "We'll never see those two again," he said with a hearty laugh. The petticoated boy grinned sheepishly and nodded in agreement.

Then leaving Ian and his men securing the entrance to the cellar, Tony and Megan gently took a still shocked Vanessa back into the house. Megan mentioned that the sovereigns would probably be worth a huge sum of money, which would probably, be more than enough to completely eradicate all the money problems presently afflicting the occupants of the old house.

Later that night, even though it was very late, Tony found it impossible to sleep. There were so many things going through his mind. He wondered above all just why that whenever he took on a female identity he was presented with some mystery to solve. The mystery of the haunted house was now revealed and he wondered just what effect the discoveries of the past few hours would have on Vanessa, her grandmother and, above all, the wonderful Megan. Sleep however finally overtook the exhausted boy and he fell into a deep dreamless slumber.

 

Chapter 18 - Aftermath

 

The following morning, despite all the happenings of the previous day, Tony was on duty at his scheduled time. He realised when he went to get his breakfast that Isabel knew nothing about the revelations that had taken place and he decided that it wasn't his place to tell her.

He was wearing his usual frilly uniform and was relieved to discover that he was suffering no irritation from that day's ruffled panties.

During that morning he saw very little of Vanessa or the old lady. He did briefly see Megan who explained that she had taken a few days off from the farm to help her cousin sort things out.

The bewildered boy was kept very busy answering the telephone and attending to a seemingly endless stream of callers. These callers all looked very business-like in smart suits and he escorted each one into the library where Vanessa had set up an office with Megan in attendance.

Just after lunch Megan popped her head into Tony's sitting room. She explained that early estimations into the value of the haul of sovereigns meant that Vanessa and her Grandmother's money worries were over for good. They would be able to pay off all the outstanding mortgages on both the farm and the London flat. There would also be enough left over to enable the house to be completely renovated and provide a comfortable income from investing the residue. She said that her father was coming to stay for a couple of days on the following Sunday to advise them on legal matters. Megan also said mysteriously that Vanessa would like to see him later, but he would have to wait while she had finished sorting out more pressing matters.

Just after Megan had returned to help Vanessa, Tony answered the door to yet another caller. This time he recognised the person as Ian the farm manager, accompanied by the friendly Jacob.

"Hello little lady," he said and Tony blushed at being addressed like this, "I hope you've managed to recover from last night's little adventure. All I can say is that if it wasn't for you and your observations, those two rogues would be away with all the family's inheritance and no one would be any the wiser. You did a very good job."

"She did, indeed!" echoed Jacob. "Our little Antoinette, saviour of the estate!"

Ian laughed. "Now, may I see Miss Vanessa? All the sovereign filled bricks have now been recovered and I've arranged for a security company to take them into secure storage."

Tony, still blushing answered, "Of course. I'll see if Vanessa is free to see you."

The rest of the afternoon followed much the same pattern as the morning. Later Tony saw a large security van parked in the courtyard and uniformed men were busily engaged in loading it with the contents of the cellar.

It wasn't until after tea that Megan called on him again. "Hi sweetie," she said as she popped her head around the sitting room door. "Vanessa would like to see you now and she's got a few things to say to you."

Tony followed Megan, who was wearing her cream coloured trousers with her hair tied in a ponytail, to the library. He was immediately aware of a change in Vanessa; she looked tired and her normal autocratic manner was gone.

"Ah, Tony, thank you for coming. Please sit down I just need to finish writing this and I'll be right with you." This was a first, for it was the first time she actually called him Tony and she apologised for keeping him. Also, she asked him to sit down; normally he would have been made to stand in deference to her status.

After a couple of minutes Vanessa finished her task and then concentrated her attention on him. Megan, who was sitting slightly behind her, gave him a huge smile and winked her eye. Vanessa, on the other hand, was looking somewhat uncomfortable as if she didn't know how to begin what she was about to say.

"Well Tony," she spoke at last. "We are extremely indebted to you regarding all that has happened during the last few hours. If it wasn't for your persistence and powers of observation we would not have been aware of what was going on under our very noses. We would certainly have remained blissfully unaware about the family inheritance secreted down in the cellar by my Victorian ancestor. So, please accept my personal thanks."

"Well, Megan had quite a lot to do with it as well," replied Tony.

"Be that as it may, it was you who first noticed that there was possibly something strange going on," replied Vanessa. She actually smiled at him for the first time since he had arrived. "This is something we are not about to forget."

There was an awkward pause while Vanessa looked as if she was about to say something else but couldn't find the words.

"I think that Vanessa has something else to say to you, don't you, dear cousin?" said Megan as if she was prompting the flustered girl.

"Well, yes, I do." Vanessa was beginning to look even more uncomfortable. "It's just this, I think that I owe you some apologies over certain things that have happened since you arrived here. Let me explain. When Margaret was due to go on her holiday I wanted to hire a replacement from an agency as we have done in the past. Unfortunately my grandmother explained that the finances wouldn't allow it. She had read about the work experience project and suggested that I contact the education authorities instead. Much against my better judgement I agreed and it was all set up. The authority sent me all your details but when your name was mentioned it said only 'A. Green,' all the time I naturally assumed that they would be sending a girl."

Tony jiffled about in his dress while the two girls smiled sweetly.

"You can see where this is going, I'm sure. Naturally, I arranged the uniform accordingly using the sizes forwarded on to me, all the time I still thought that we should be using an agency instead. Well, I'm sure you can imagine my thoughts when you showed up. I hadn't wanted to use the authority in the first place so I thought that the best plan of action was to try to ensure that you wouldn't stay."

All this time Vanessa was looking more and more uncomfortable. She wasn't used to speaking to someone who she regarded as from a lower social status in this manner.

"As I said, we had arranged to have some of the old uniforms altered to the correct size and style for a young girl," she continued. "So when you came I thought that making it a condition of your employment that you wear the uniform would make it impossible for you to stay. I admit that I was very surprised when you accepted the condition and even more so when you first presented yourself to me wearing it. By that time I had decided to make life even more uncomfortable for you hence the outing to Irene's and then that shopping trip with you wearing my old dresses. I don't suppose I was very nice to you, was I?"

Tony felt his chest swell as he thought about all that had happened. "It wasn't so bad," he said softly. "It was kind of interesting, I guess."

Vanessa nodded. "Well, that was part of the problem. I misjudged you. I wrongly assumed a boy like yourself would have taken off like a frightened rabbit when presented with such situations. I hadn't taken account of your dogged determination to succeed, however, and I must admit that all the while you have looked and acted really convincingly as a girl."

It went very quiet and Tony thought that Vanessa had finished her little speech, but that wasn't quite the case.

"There was something else, wasn't there?" said Megan as though she was prompting her cousin.

"Oh, yes." Vanessa looked even more uncomfortable. "You see, I was so determined to make you renege on your agreement so that I could approach an agency for your replacement. I spotted a chance, which would make things even more difficult for you than they already were. I was in the kitchen while Isabel was doing the laundry when I spotted two pairs of your newly laundered uniform panties. I'm afraid that while she wasn't looking I gave them a liberal application of spray starch. I reasoned that you would find them far too uncomfortable and irritating to wear so you would either have to wear something else, which wasn't in our agreement, or you wouldn't wear the uniform at all."

She coughed, took a drink of water, and then continued.

"I, er, also am guilty of sabotaging your work on the napkins as well. That day when you presented all those napkins done so neatly and quickly, well, that didn't sit well with me at the time. You were just too good at your job, I suppose. And so, I switched out some of the ones you did with some that Margaret had botched, along with some that hadn't been done at all. I was hoping you'd get upset and give up, but you didn't."

Tony' face turned red, but he didn't say anything. I knew I did them right! he wanted to shout. I knew someone had done something to them!

Vanessa took Tony's hand in hers. "I'm so sorry, but I was desperate to have my way. I tried to make it so that no matter what you did, you would have been guilty of not adhering to the agreement so you would have to leave. Again I underestimated your determination to succeed and, although you must have suffered discomfort, at no time did you not comply completely with our conditions. Please accept my apologies for my behaviour towards you. To prove my sincerity you will not be required to wear the uniform for the three remaining days of your stay with us."

Tony didn't reply immediately, there were too many things going around in his head. So that's why she was so insufferable to me and tried to make my life so miserable. Well she's not going to get off too lightly, I'll make sure that she has a constant reminder of what she's put me through for the rest of my stay.

"Of course I accept your apology," he said looking at her and realising exactly how much of an effort it had been for her to speak to him in this way. "However, I made a promise to you and your grandmother when I arrived and I have always been told that I must always keep my promises. So because of this I will continue to wear the uniform for the rest of my stay."

That'll make sure she knows just what she has done whenever she sees me for the next three days.

"Well, that is your decision," said a very surprised Vanessa. Megan also raised her eyebrows at this statement "Thank you for so graciously accepting my apology. Now I really must get on with some of this paperwork if you'll excuse me. My grandmother would also like to speak to you if you have the time. She's in the lounge if you want to go and see her now."

Tony took his leave and went off to the lounge to see the Old Lady. He found that she too was working on a pile of official looking papers. She said much the same as Vanessa about them being indebted to him for his dogged determination and observation. She did however stop short of actually thanking him and he didn't really expect her to. She had lived for too long the life of lady of the manor and people in her social class just didn't do that sort of thing. He took his leave and left her to continue her work on the pile of paperwork and made his way back to his sitting room.

He had only just got there when Megan knocked and followed him in. "Why on earth did you agree to keep on wearing the uniform?" she asked.

Tony explained his reasoning and she appeared to accept it ... somewhat.

"You are something else," she said with a grin. "You really seem at home in skirts. It's almost as though you enjoy wearing them."

This last remark caused the little petticoated boy to blush; "Oh I wouldn't say that."

"Well I'm no so sure," Megan teased. "You're not telling me everything. On the same theme though I have a confession to make to you so let's sit down. I think I can leave Vanessa alone for a few minutes without her making too many mistakes on all those forms she's filling in. She really hasn't got a clue you know. What I wanted to say was that my story about my boyfriend the other day just wasn't true. You see I really wanted to know what you would look like in 'real' girl's clothes and that was the only reason I could think of. I'm sorry I tricked you. Please forgive me. I must say though that you looked very sexy in that dress."

"Of course I forgive you." Tony was blushing and the redness increased when she pecked him on the cheek.

"You'll be leaving us on Saturday and I'll be going back to school in four weeks," Megan said. "We must keep in touch though, here write your address on this pad." Tony did as she requested and got her to write her school address down also. "As you're nearly fourteen you'll be thinking about school options next year won't you? Have you decided what you're going to do yet?"

Tony then realised that it was his turn for confession. He haltingly told Megan his true age and the reasons why he had pretended to be older.

"Well I did think that you were a little small for your age," said the rueful Megan. "But it doesn't make any difference though. I must admit that I probably wouldn't have come onto you quite so strongly had I known. Although you still have the best kiss that I have ever experienced."

The little pre-teen boy's blush increased in its intensity.

Megan continued. "I really have been having fun exploring the contents of the room next to mine. There must be hundreds of outfits dating back from many years ago to the present. They are for all ages and they are all carefully covered and hung on rows of hangers. Goodness knows why they have kept them all, maybe they can't bear to throw anything away. Well I must go and see what sort of mess Vanessa's made of the paperwork."

With that she gave him another kiss, this time on the lips reinforcing his blushes and starting that all too familiar tingling sensation from the folds of his skirts. He jiffled uncomfortably not knowing how to respond.

Megan gave him a lovely smile and said, "You know, Vanessa was right about one thing. You're much too cute and pretty for a boy. You really look like a little girl. Well I really must go now." With that she was gone leaving the still blushing boy squirming in his ruffled panties.

The next two days continued much the same with lots of comings and goings plus lots of telephone calls. One difference was that Vanessa had stopped using the speaking tube and came along to his sitting room whenever she needed him. He did notice with satisfaction that a group of men had started work on the garden and another group who was busy repairing the leaks on the roof followed them. On Thursday morning he received a surprise phone call from his cousin Shirley.

"Hi, little cousin," - Darn it, don't call me that! the petticoated boy silently fumed - "We news hounds have heard that some treasure has been found at the place you're staying at. Is there any truth in the story or what?"

Tony realised that the last thing that Vanessa and her grandmother wanted was to have the press running all over the place. He explained the situation and pleaded with her tell her employers that there was nothing in the story.

"Okay, little cousin," - I said don't call me that! - "as I'm only here for one more day I'll do as you ask on one condition."

"What's that?"

"The condition is that you come round to see me on Saturday afternoon and bring Antonia with you," she said giggling. "She must try on the dress that I've found for her. I'm sure she'll like it. I promise!"

"Well, okay, then," said Tony realising that his period in skirts would not finish completely with his departure from the old house. However, he knew that he had very little choice in the matter.

That afternoon Vanessa came to see him. "Grandmother and I will be going into town before lunch tomorrow," she said. "We will not be returning until after tea so we will be eating out. Megan will be spending tomorrow morning at the farm and she will have her lunch over there. You will be needed here to hold the fort and take down any messages. Do you think you can manage?"

"Yes, of course," he replied.

"Good, as there will be no one else here I've given Isabel the day off. She will leave you a lunch already prepared in the kitchen. Also she will leave something there for both you and Megan to eat for later on. Is that all right with you?"

"Yes, perfectly," said Tony. He thought to himself that things certainly had changed in his relationship with Vanessa.

 

Chapter 19 - The Surprise Un-Birthday Party

 

Late the following morning Tony and Vanessa helped the old lady outside to a waiting car which was to take them into town. Apparently the old lady hadn't been out of the house for some time due to her incapacity. The family's new found wealth had however given her a new lease of life and she was more than ready to go as the seated her comfortably in the back seat of the large car.

Tony returned to his sitting room and whiled away the morning. A few hours later he went to the kitchen to get the lunch that Isabel had left for him. As he finished his meal he realised that there was nothing prepared for supper. He couldn't see the meal that had been promised for him and Megan to eat later on. Then he had an idea that maybe Isabel had left it laid out in the dining room. However he was unable to verify this because he found the dining room door locked.

"Oh well," he said to himself, "I'm sure that we will be able to find something to eat in the larder or the fridge." He then returned to his sitting room to listen to the radio.

At about two thirty he heard Megan return from the farm and as soon as she got into the house she came to see Tony.

"Hi," she said brightly. "I bet you're getting bored sitting there with nothing to do. Give me a little while to get cleaned up and changed. Then I'll see if I can sort something out which will brighten up your day. Maybe I'll have a little surprise for you."

With that she disappeared, and Tony was left to wonder what his unpredictable friend had planned to "brighten his day."

About an hour later the little pre-teen boy was just enjoying an article he had found in one of the many magazines that Margaret had left in the sitting room when there was a knock at his door. He heard Megan's voice calling from the other side. "Tony, are you still in there?"

"Yes, please come in, I was only reading," he replied, still wondering what sort of surprise she had in store for him.

The little feminised boy was certainly not prepared for what happened next. When Megan came into the room she had changed completely from her normal style of dress. He just gaped as he took it all in and was extremely confused. She was wearing a little girl's pink party dress, which was lavishly trimmed with lace and pleats. The short and very flared skirt was supported by several layers of matching net petticoats, and on her feet were white ankle socks with a lace trim to match her dress. Her long blond hair had been tied into 'little girl' bunches with two large bows and the whole outfit was completed with a pair of silver slippers. She looked just like a beautiful fairy doll. Tony was completely at a loss for words,

Why is she dressed like this?

The teenager smiled brightly as his bemused expression. "Do you like it? It's a bit snug, but I managed to get it on nonetheless." She giggled and spun around. This made a delicious rustling sound from her petticoats and revealed the matching frilled panties which she had on underneath.

"Er, yes, you look very pretty," stammered Tony. "But why have you dressed like that?"

"I found this in the room next to mine," she replied. "And I'd forgotten what it felt like to wear something like this. Then I thought that as I made you dress up older than you are when we went out on Sunday, it was only fair if I took a turn and dressed younger. I haven't worn petticoats like these for years and I'd forgotten just how good they can make a girl feel when they rustle."

Tony got up from his chair and moved closer to this vision of a fairy doll. "Yes it looks very nice."

"I'm so glad you like it!" Megan stood in a typical little girl pose with her hands clasped deep inside the folds of her skirts and giggled. "Now I've a couple of things that I want to show you."

With that she took his hand and pulled him gently as she skipped down the hallway to the door of the dining room. He was just about to tell her that it was locked when she proved him wrong and pushed the door open. The sight that he saw inside amazed him; the dining table had been laid out just like a children's birthday party. It was complete with a birthday cake, little fancy cookies, crackers, soft drinks, in fact everything necessary for a typical children's party. Megan giggled at Tony's wide-eyed expression and she took him closer where he could see that the cake displayed the names 'Megan' and 'Tony'.

"I asked Isabel to prepare this before she went off for the day," said Megan, "and she's done us proud. I realised that both of our birthdays are coming up soon and that neither of us will be in the same place. So I arranged this party just for the two of us. Let's call it an un-birthday party like Alice in Wonderland."

Tony was almost lost for words. "Very nice," was all that he could say.

"Now before we can make a start, young man," she said looking him up and down, "you're not really dressed properly for a party are you?"

"No, I suppose not," said Tony looking down at his girlish uniform.

"Right then let's get you upstairs so you can change into something more appropriate." With that she took him by the hand once more and led him towards the two flights of stairs which would take him to his room.

All the time that they took to get to his room Tony was aware of the rustling sound from Megan's petticoats and the frequent glimpses he got of her panties. He was also deciding what, from the clothes he had brought with him, would be appropriate. He had almost decided on a black pair of trousers with his best white shirt and tie when they came to the door of his room where they paused and Megan turned to face him.

"Tony, I hope you don't mind, but I've already selected something for you to wear," she said mysteriously. "Please close your eyes and I'll lead you into the room where I hope you'll have another lovely surprise."

The little pre-teen boy did as he was told and let Megan guide him gently inside. When she told him to open his eyes he just stood there as if in shock. For there laid out on the bed was a beautiful white girls party dress very similar in style to the one his friend was wearing. Also neatly laid out at the side of the dress were all the other necessary items of underwear, shoes and socks. Not for the first time Tony was at a loss for words and Megan took both of his hands gently and sat on the bed facing him.

"What's going on? Why these clothes?" Tony's voice warbled.

"Look my pet," said Megan gently, "I know that I've been presumptuous but I realised after a lot of thought that you have more experience in this sort of thing that you let on. I noticed the way you looked longingly at the little frilly skirt I wore the other day. I also noticed the way that you are so confident in wearing that silly uniform so I deduced that secretly you'd love the chance to be able to wear something like this. I'm right aren't I?"

Tony felt almost near to tears and just nodded.

"Well then, my pet," said Megan, "let's do it. Do you think that you can manage to dress yourself?"

Again Tony just nodded.

"Then hurry up and get ready! When you're done come down and meet me in my room. Then we'll go and enjoy our very own un-birthday party."

She left the very confused and bemused little boy alone and he started to transform himself from a little maid into a fairy doll. When his metamorphosis was complete he studied himself in the mirror and sighed. He did indeed look like a little fairy doll and wondered just what it was that attracted him to this type of dress. He decided that it was just because they were so completely different from the things he normally wore, and it feels oh so wonderful!

Megan made a great fuss over him when he met her in her room and finished off his appearance by tying two French lace bows in his hair. The two of them then went down to enjoy their party together. After they had eaten their fill of all the special treats that had been laid out for them they spent a while playing guessing games. All the time Tony couldn't take his eyes from Megan in her little frilly dress while she teased him unmercifully every time she got a glimpse of his panties.

"I got you a little present, my pet. It's not much, but I wanted you to have it to remember me by."

Tony looked at the tiny box wrapped in tissue paper. It took a bit of doing to open it, but when he finally did a delicate gold ring was revealed.

"It's a Pegasus," Megan said proudly. "A winged horse, to remind you of me. Get it?"

"I get it, you silly!" Tony's eyes burned - just a bit - as he slipped it on his finger. To his surprise and delight, it was a perfect fit! He thought for a moment and then pulled out the precious fairy pendant he always wore under his dresses. Holding the little fairy next to the winged horse, the cross-dressed boy was pleased to see a close resemblance. "Look, it matches. Neat!"

Megan's eyes widened with curiosity. "Oh, how lovely. Where did you get that?"

"From a friend." It was Tony's turn to smile mysteriously.

The older girl made a pouty face. "A female friend, no doubt. Well, I took a chance on my little winged horse. It's a bit feminine, I suppose, but I hoped you'd like it anyway. Maybe you can find something pretty to wear with it." The blond girl's eyes lit up with mischief as the little boy blushed.

All too soon Megan suggested that it was time that they got changed. Vanessa and her grandmother would be returning soon and they probably wouldn't understand about their little party and their dresses.

 

Before he could go and change, however, Megan hadn't quite finished with him. She suddenly pulled him close to her and gave him a hug while kissing him passionately on the lips. The layers of the skirts on their dresses crushed together as the passionate girl pulled him even closer, deepening the kiss as she did so. Even though she made no effort to go any further than a mere kiss, Tony was getting more aroused by the second and suddenly the obvious climax occurred with violent ferocity. He tried to keep it from Megan but it was futile; she could tell by his shudder that the little cross-dressed boy was overcome, and she didn't let up until he was weak and trembling in her arms.

"I couldn't resist just one last kiss," she whispered.

With that they went to their rooms to change and as Tony tried to get his thoughts together he pulled on his uniform for what he realised was to be the last time.

He met Megan coming out of her room. She looked delightful having changed into a red tartan mini kilt and frilly blouse. He complemented her on her appearance and she smiled at him.

"I'm going to miss seeing you dressed up like that, you know. Perhaps I should get Vanessa to hire you to work here full time." Megan flipped up the hem of his skirt and giggled. "I'd love having a little boy maid to boss around all the time."

"Stop that!" Tony said, smoothing his mussed skirt. "You would enjoy that, wouldn't you!"

"Seriously, love, you should ask your mother to get you a kilt, then you wouldn't have to hide those lovely legs up all the time." Taking his hand, she then led down the stairs.

A kilt, now there's a thing! the panty-clad boy pondered. It could double as a skirt, too! Maybe I will ask mum.

The noise of a car on the newly raked gravel drive announced the return of Vanessa and her grandmother.

 

Epilogue

 

Early the following morning was the time for goodbyes. Tony, for the first time in almost two weeks was back wearing trousers. It felt good ... but alien to him, for a while, at least.

Vanessa shook his hand while his case was loaded the Land Rover which was to take him to the station. Even the Old Lady came outside to see him off and presented him with a mounted gold sovereign on a gold chain. She assured him that he would get an excellent report for the services he performed. Megan kissed him on the cheek and whispered a reminder about keeping in touch.

During the journey home Tony had time to reflect on all that had happened during the past two weeks. It all seemed like a dream to him, but as he fingered the sovereign in his hand, he knew it had all been too real. Even more telling was the way Jacob kept looking at him in the rear view mirror. Tony blushed as the man smiled a smile that knew everything, but said nothing.

When the pre-teen detective reached home he told his mother all about his adventure, leaving out the bits on his mode of dress. She said that she'd had a call from Mrs. Cartwright saying how she'd seen him in the mall running errands for his employer. Fortunately, the jovial woman omitted any references to his attire. He explained the cleanliness of the contents of his suitcase by saying that he had been provided with a uniform, but he didn't go into any details about it.

That afternoon Tony had an appointment to keep with his cousin. As her mother was out shopping he had to tell her all about his stay.

"So, you worked as a helper around the old house, you say?" Shirley asked.

"Oh, sure, I ran errands, helped care for old Mrs. Heart, stuff like that."

His cousin looked at him for a moment. "And that's all?"

Tony blinked. "Er, what do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing. I just ... wondered. That's all you had to do?"

The pre-teen's suspicions were piqued. "What do you mean, exactly? What do you know about my job, cousin dear?"

"Wellllllll ...."

It turned out that it was Shirley's doing after all that caused young Tony to end up at the old manor. Smiling shyly, the teenager confessed to having arranged with a friend to have his application from the sports shop and putting it into the folder with the Heart's request for a maid. She explained to her friend that it was a practical joke of sorts, but she admitted to Tony that ....

"... I kind of was hoping you'd end up working as a maid, you know, with an apron and everything. I knew it wasn't really going to happen, but wouldn't it be just smashing if it did." She looked at the frown on her cousin's face. "Well, at least I'd think it was smashing ...."

While Tony pouted Shirley quickly changed the subject and told him all about her job at the newspaper. Just as he was thinking of forgiving her, and hoping that she had forgotten all about the condition of her secrecy to the newspaper, she tuned to him and smiled.

"Well, little cousin, since my plot to have you trapped for two weeks as a little boy maid has failed, I think it's about time that Antonia put in an appearance. I've laid all her new things out in the spare bedroom. I do hope that she likes them." Fluttering her eyelashes, she gave Tony a mischievous grin.

Later that afternoon two girls could be seen sitting in the garden of a neat detached bungalow. One was tall elegant and graceful, the other was quite small and petite with an engaging smile. The older girl curiously studied a mysterious gold horse that decorated her younger companion's delicate hand ... and the musical ring of laughter could be heard throughout the land ....