Sandra

Chapter 1: the problem

(Author's note: This is just a simple and kinda sweet transgender, boy-to-girl, story. I hope it's fun and easy to read. I myself, still enjoy re-reading it.)

Oh, lord. I hoped Deirdre was going to be okay, but I had a feeling of dread. Of course, I'd be blamed and I couldn't say that it wasn't my fault. But she shouldn't have chased me. She knows I'm too quick for her. But why, oh why, had I put my foot out to trip her.

I'd been hiding in my bedroom for the past four hours, afraid to face my other two sisters. Mum and Dad had taken Deirdre to the hospital. This would be the last straw for my father, I was on my final warning with him.

I was such a fool, but I couldn't help myself; I loved my little sister, but she was so easy to tease and her reactions were so funny.

I heard the car coming up the driveway, but stayed where I was. Then came Pearl's wail, and I knew that I was in the worst trouble of my life.

Pearl was my eldest sister. At the age of twenty-one, she was to marry her long-term boyfriend in four weeks time. My other sisters, Audrey aged nineteen and Deirdre aged twelve, were to be her bridesmaids. The wedding had been in planning for over twelve months and was being looked forward to with great excitement.

I sat at my desk in despair, my head in my hands.

My name is Sandford James Burrows and I am fourteen months older than Deirdre, my youngest sister. I have no brothers.

I was named in honour of my maternal grandfather, the one with all the money. Then by some perverse logic, but apparently in reverence to my grandfather (who was still very much alive) I was called James by everyone. Perverse or not, it suited me fine; I much preferred to be called James.

Physically, I was a bit undersized. My younger sister had been much the same size as me for many years, but I still hadn't started puberty whereas she had, though only recently.