F Is for Fiona

"OK then, too tight, I still think so. But definitely sexy!" she said.

The white blouse had been her choice and I had gone with her on that, just a little frilly, mock silk texture, I'd liked that. One gold chain round my neck as well as the three rings on my fingers.

I knew they looked good, and the neck chain colour and pattern picked up the style of the gold earrings. They had been an extravagance but I'd treated myself when I'd had my ears pierced, that was where I'd shot off to the previous Saturday afternoon. Time enough for the holes to heal enough, anyway as far as I was concerned they were an essential part of how I wanted to be seen.

And the hair, a wig at this stage. I had my doubts as to whether I'd ever be able to grow my own hair long enough, not when I thought of my father's bald head, and when I remembered my grand-father, similar hair problems. So a wig was essential. I'd already chosen the colour, Kate had no say in that. I was to be a redhead. My own colouring leant a little towards the red, from my mother of course. I'd actually borrowed four different styles and lengths from the hairdressing salon I'd been to, once I told them why they had been incredibly accommodating. Kate had agreed with me that the half-way-down-my-back wig was going too far, but we had agreed on a long, fairly full wig, not 'big hair' but heading that way. Shoulder length, maybe just a little more.

I couldn't see my make-up very well reflected in the mirror, but I'd done that oh-so carefully that morning. I knew I'd have to speed up. I couldn't take over an hour every day, but on that Wednesday it had to be good. And it was. I'd studied the magazines, the videos, I'd done that for years like most trannies. I'd come up with a look which suited me, not too much eye-shadow or mascara. The lipstick was a colour Kate had chosen for me when I'd explained what I was aiming for. And the nail varnish of course, both a deep cherry red, I'd been in a state of excitement applying the colouring to my lips that morning. Funny, in some way the two things that identify 'female-ness' - deep-coloured lipstick, and seamed black stockings. Not that I was wearing the latter of course, not for a work day anyway.