The Crazy Idea #LGBTQ+

Chapter 4. Venture Out.

Jamey was pleased and relieved he was getting through his first day living with Rick. He'd been left alone for most of the day by Rick who went out to play 18 holes of golf. He'd promised not to breathe a word of what Jamey was doing. Rick's absence, however, had given Jamey time to get up and try putting on makeup, as taught by Tina, and to dress as a woman. He sent a photograph of himself to Tina with the caption, 'What do you think?'

Her message back had been, 'Oh wow, you really do look the part. Well done.'

She followed up her message with a photo of herself. 'You like my choice of clothes?'

'Lovely, Tina, but if you wear any of my tighter shirts you're going to have a problem!'

'What problem?'

Jamey wondered if she was really dumb or play-acting. 'Do I have to spell it out? Your boobs are going to show through the material.'

'You mean my tits are going to give the game away?'

'Yes.'

'Just remember, Jamey, when you go outside. Shorten your stride, don't be in a hurry and don't look at other people - you can glance but not look.'

'What's the difference?'

'Men look and hold the look - right. Women glance and look away. Get used to it, Jamey.'

Later, he ventured out and went to the supermarket. He felt nervous, but nobody appeared to notice that he was a man dressed as a woman. With growing confidence, after dropping the shopping back at Rick's flat, he went on the underground tube from Sloane Square to Piccadilly Circus. The tube meant he subjected himself to the close proximity of other people around him, but again, nobody stared at him.

In his mind, he had got over the biggest hurdle, to pass himself off as a female. It also felt liberating to experience being a woman.

Rick returned to the flat at five o'clock and afterwards, they went out to meet some of Rick's friends. The summer sunshine drew out the after-work crowds and students - the large open terrace in front of the Festival Hall was packed with people enjoying a drink. The open-air bar was doing good business.

One of the girls in their group was quite outspoken. 'So you're a friend of Rick and Tina.' It was more of a statement than a question. 'What's your name?'

'Jay.' It was a name Jamey had thought would do for now.

The girl took a dislike to him, he could sense it, even though she didn't say anything for the moment. He asked, 'And your name is?'

'Beth.' She looked across at Rick and took a step closer to him. She lowered her voice. 'Didn't know you were into Transvestites.' Her hand had instinctively touched Rick's upper arm.

Rick said, 'He's a friend. Tina knows him better than I do.'

Jamey said, 'I want to be referred to as a female.'

'You're right,' said Rick, 'My apologies.'

'Doesn't fool me,' said Beth. 'Where's the nearest Transvestite club?' Her tone spelt disapproval.

Jamey shrugged. 'Don't know yet. Besides, as a cross-dresser, I want to mix and merge in with a normal crowd.'

'I'm not so sure I feel comfortable with that.' she said.

Rick put his arm around her shoulders in a protective way. 'Keep your voice down, Beth. It's just an experiment.'

Jamey picked up the vibes: an undertone of familiarity between the other two, a hidden message between them, that Jamey couldn't articulate straight away. 'How long have you known Rick?' Luckily Jamey remembered to remain in his role as a woman and kept his voice at a higher pitch.

Beth angled her head up at Rick while at the same time her hand snaked behind him. 'Uni, third year,' she said. 'I did the physio on his tired muscles after his rugby games.' Her smile at Rick seemed to contain a history. She pulled him away and edged him towards the barrier overlooking the Thames River.

Jamey watched their backs, Beth's fingers were interlaced through the back of Rick's trouser belt.

Another male friend of Rick's came alongside Jamey. 'I heard your name is Jay.' They introduced each other and talked about the weather. The friend clearly thought Jay was a woman and it didn't take long for Jamey to realise he was being chatted up. Although Jamey was pleased he had passed the identity test, he hadn't thought about how to cope with a situation like this. Jamey reckoned it wouldn't take long for Beth to tell everybody that he was a cross-dresser.

Jamey changed the subject. 'Do you know Tina?'

'Yup. Not particularly well.'

Jamey decided to act dumb. 'I thought Tina was dating Rick?'

'I haven't seen Rick bring Tina here lately, haven't seen her around really.'

'And it looks like Beth has an interest in Rick.'

'They're often together. I think Rick's quite into her.'

Jamey glanced over at Rick. He and Beth leant on the rail and watched the boats, her hand had slipped down to his buttocks. Jamey made an excuse to wander off. He debated in his head whether to tell Tina - what would a close girlfriend of Tina do in these circumstances? he asked himself. He'd heard of 'chicks before dicks', a code between girlfriends to look out for each other.

He pulled out his mobile and sent Tina a message.