Taking advantage of one of the last nights I would be staying over in Cambridge at my friends’, Liz, due to me having just been made redundant, I decided to push the boat out, spending Tuesday afternoon, evening and all day Wednesday as Emma.

As it was, it didn’t quite work out that way because of a suspected gas problem at Liz’s, I was unable to get changed until late afternoon and then as a consequence, we missed the early evening showing of Sherlock Holmes which had been our intention to see.

Due to the weather, I dressed to suit and wore a pair of olive baggy silky trousers, crochet top over a beige cami and my new (from E bay) River Island calf brown length boots. Instead of my normal forms, I used my own flesh suitably pushed and pulled to achieve a realistic cleavage. To keep warm, I topped it off with my ¾ length fur lines and trimmed brown coat.

Driving into town, we decided to park close to the theatre to see what was on, having missed the start of the film. (I had quite a shock when the cold seat belt came in contact with my now exposed decollage!) We ended up going to the ADC Theatre to see Midsummer Night’s Dream. Having arrived early, we repaired to the bar and had a couple of drinks whilst waiting for the performance to begin. I found the play to be very good and entertaining. This was the first time as Emma I had been to the theatre and lover every minute. During the interval, the couple of cold drinks before the show made their presence felt and a trip downstairs essential. My second ”first” of the night was the need to queue to have a pee. Back in the auditorium, I got chatting to an American girl, over in Cambridge as an exchange student. This was her second day in England (and she got to meet me – well she wont forget that in a hurry eh!) We chatted away until the second half of the play began.

After the play, we had a quick drink back at the bar whilst chatting to two of the ushers. We then braved the cold night and Liz had the idea of trying out the Hidden Rooms (a club with live music) was around the corner. Hidden I certainly would agree as I doubt I would have found them without Liz. Descending into the darkness, I wondered what I was getting into. I needn’t have worried, in one of the downstairs rooms we came across a Tango class – no not bloody orange drinks - the dance! It was great watching the couples dance, what a sexy dance it is. I would love to learn and have promised my wife that we will have a go once our circumstances have improved.

Leaving the dancers to it, we made our way next door to the bar which was empty other than bar staff and the owner, who we struck up a conversation with. It was interesting and gratifying to know his positive take on the perceived grey area of T girls using the ladies toilets. The place has live music, Wednesdays to Saturdays and when Tina and Mandy join us for a night in Cambridge a week on Wednesday, I am thinking of re visiting the Club.

As Liz had an important appointment the following day, we headed back to her house and had an early night.

The following day, Liz had asked if I would accompany her to the County Courts where she was appearing in front of a judge regarding a personal matter. I asked her if she wanted Emma or me and she asked for Emma. The idea was that after the 30 minute hearing we would do a bit of window shopping (neither of us had money!), have a bite to eat and then take a look at one of the museums – that was the idea.

Dressing for the day, I took advantage of the situation to wear a skirt suit and blouse with dark brown tights and black high heeled shoes. The skirt was a tight pencil skirt, the hem falling just on the knee. I wore my red ¾ length coat over the top to keep warm.

Arriving early, we parked up as close to the courts as we could and then made our way to the courts on the way passing a gang of workmen who made some sexist remarks and a couple of guys who made some nice (to me it was nice) remarks about my legs! I must admit to feeling somewhat empowered, the skirt, tights and heels all contributing to the feeling. My walk for once came easy without me having to remind myself to keep my feet parallel etc.

Arriving at the court house, I was suddenly faced with another “first”, a security check to enter the building. I was taken to the left where my bag was checked and I passed through the scanner only to set it off! Taking my umbrella out of my pocket I tried again only for a similar result. At this the female security officer took me to one side and patted me down before allowing me to pick up my handbag, umbrella and to proceed.

Picking up a coffee from the vending machine we booked in and sat down awaiting Liz’s appointed time. It felt good, sitting there in a skirt suit, legs crossed, chatting away. Liz was quite nervous of the impending session. The case before Liz’s over ran by almost an hour until finally we made to enter. The other party in the hearing made an attempt to prevent me accompanying Liz, but as it was an open session, I was free to take up a seat at the back. This other person was engaged in several law suits and at the back of the court adjacent to myself where legal representatives for other parties involved in those cases.

The court hearing went well for Liz although she has some more work to do and another court appearance in the offing but walking out together we made our way into a blizzard outside and celebrated with a bite to eat at the University café over the road.

Having sated our hunger we then returned to The Gratton Centre and had some fun checking out the shops and finally Debenhams where I picked up a new dress in the sale. Trying the size 16 on, I chatted with the shop assistants, asking them for their opinion and afterwards, another “first” having to ask one of them to unzip me (side zip needing double jointed wrist access!)

Time marched on and as I was now feeling the effect of the 4” heels on my still damaged right knee and the snow was still coming down, we decided to nip back home and get changed.

For my last foray into Cambridge, I wore my denim (“spray on”) leggings with kitten heeled pumps and a woollen, cowled neck dress on top. Over that, I wore my grey woollen jacket (Tesco special some years ago!)

Back in Cambridge, it was now too late to make the museum as Liz had an appointment at 4-30 and so we popped into the Pickerel Arms for a coffee and were lucky enough to meet up with Claire, teh barmaid who we know quite well. We asked her if she wanted to join us a week on Wednesday when Mandy and Tina are coming down to Cambridge for the night to which she was enthusiatic but not 100% sure until later in teh week. We exchanged contact details witha view to firm up arrangements. We then made our way across towm for Liz's appointment where I left her to have a wander back to the centre, popping into a number of charity shops on the way and finally having a good mooch around Primark where I spent the princely sum of £1 on a new belt!

All good things must come to an end and so it was that with tea time looming, we returned to Liz’s and I packed Emma away for the immediate future.

So came to an end a wonderful 36 hours where I was able to temporarily suspend the reality of my current position and be Emma, free of the doubts, worries and the uncertainties of my family’s immediate future.

Nb other than the photo taken at the Theatre, I didn't get the opportunity to take any others insitu and so have used ones taken at home today to illustrate what I was wearing

Di's Birthday Bash

The final trip out of what has proved to be a very eventful year was to celebrate my good friend Dianne’s birthday. No I don’t know how many years but in my humble opinion, no more than 30.

The Wednesday before New Year in Manchester was my last trip out with my good friends and something I was looking forward to having been unable to join with them for the Christmas Meal

As I was on holiday, I managed to pack and leave home by 11am and deposited the car at Charles Street just after 1-30pm walking on to my hotel at the The New Union.

I unpacked and started to get ready. Initially I was intending to get ready and go shopping but in reality I was not cash rich and so instead chilled out as I got ready in my own time. I chose to wear a leather skirt my wife had given me after she had lost weight paired with a blouse over which I wore a beaded sweater and a pair of knee high stiletto heeled boots. Wearing my red ¾ length coat I made my way to Taurus where I exchanged pleasantries with Jason and ordered a Pinot Grigio at happy hour prices.

Sitting on a bar stool sipping my wine watching the world go by, I felt totally at ease. I had arranged to meet up with Jay (on Angels forum) and texted her to tell her where I was.

Shortly after 5, Jay arrived after an afternoon of shopping. Another bottle of wine followed and we soon got to know each other well. I was jealous to find that she had come over from Southport by train, something I had yet to experience. Finally, time being of the essence, we made our way back to the New Union to meet up with Dianne. Leaving Jay at the bar, I retired to my room to get changed and repair my make up.

For the evening, I chose the new dress my wife bought me for Christmas teamed with shiny black hold up stockings and new shoes.

On my re appearance, Dianne was entertaining Jay as I realised that I had a run in one of my stockings. Quickly I retired to my room to exchange one of my glossy black hold ups.

On my return to the bar, Dianne was in conversation with a woman and I ended up chatting to a guy who offered to give me a BJ. My response was that I was happily married and that my wife was more than able to satisfy my requirements for a BJ. For once the guy took my comments in good grace and we continued to chat. I felt really good.

As the hour got closer we departed the New Union for Velvet and accompanied Jay to the Concorde meeting at The Rembrandt.

Leaving Jay at The Rembrandt, we made our way to Paddy’s Goose where we had a couple of drinks with our friends.

Moving on from there we made our way to Napoleon’s, where we passed the next 4 hours in good company, dancing when we felt like it, drinking for the remainder of the time. Kate, having lost so much weight looked formidable and Mrs Kate equally beautiful.

Dancing on and off through the next few hours, I managed to stay awake until 4am when we decided enough was enough and made our way back to the New Union.
What an end to a very full and eventful year.

The following morning I got up and dressed and went for a walk before retiring to my room and getting changed.
, leaving the hotel and driving home.

The night before the night before Christmas!

On Wednesday, the last day in work before Christmas, finishing at lunchtime, my wife had come with me and we had a room booked in the local Travelodge near Cambridge. After a quick drink with my colleagues we booked into the hotel and got ready. The idea was for us to spend the rest of the afternoon and early evening shopping and then meet up with my friend Liz and have a meal and a few drinks. This was my wife’s first time in Cambridge.

The weather meant that we had to dress warmly and so I chose my woollen long sleeved dark pink dress over my new denim leggings tucked into my knee high stiletto heeled boots.

It’s still funny to look at the receptionist’s face when having booked in an hour earlier as a couple, we leave together as two women!

We dropped the car at the Grafton Centre and strolled carefully (pavements were somewhat icy) into the centre where we wandered in and out of the shops with no particular agenda. Finally we made our way into Debenhams where we perused the racks of dresses each of us looking for that something special. In the John McDonald Star Collection area we found them. My wife bought me a new con fit dress and I returned the favour with a gorgeous dress that fitted her like a glove. I purchased another pair of enhancers and a stick on bra which was on special offer, whilst Jackie picked up a couple of new bras.

We decided to stop for a sandwich and coffee in the café upstairs and enjoyed a spot of people watching. Picking up a few bits of make up in Boots on our way back to the car we returned to the hotel and freshened up and got changed for the evening. I wore a grey dress with shiny black belt over shiny black hold ups and on my feet a pair of black patent heels.
Once more passing through reception we got a smile form the guy behind the desk as we exited the hotel and carefully walked across the icy car park to the car.

We picked up Liz from her house and parked at my usual spot, we chose to eat at the St John Chop House – a traditional English menu where I had eaten before. The place was busy but not as full as the last time and we were given a table near the window.

The food was as expected really tasty with us having between us, Sea Bass, home made sausages and bacon mash and beef and game suet pudding. We finished off the meal with a “low fat sweet” me – sticky toffee pudding with ice cream, my wife a marmalade sponge with cream and Liz a fruit roullade.

We were looked after really well and again not one raised eyebrow from the other adjacent diners. I wholeheartedly recommend the restaurant on all counts.

Given the state of the pavements outside we decided to walk round the corner to my regular pub (as Emma) the Pickerel Arms and were warmly greeted by the bar maid Claire.

The pub was packed and we were lucky enough once served to find a couple of seats by the fire where we settled down for a very pleasant end of evening chat and drink. All so very normal and a great experience. All to soon, several glasses of wine later, it was time to leave and my wife drove us back to the hotel having dropped Liz off on the way.

Back at the hotel we decided to try the two dresses on before getting ready for bed – I wasn’t really dressed when we were shopping to try clothes on. Looking at the label in my dress we were disappointed to find that it was actually a size 16 and not the 18 that we thought we had bought. Shrugging, I we thought I might as well try it on only to find that it fitted! Yes, my very first size 16 dress. I was over the moon on all counts, it being a present from my wife, a gorgeous dress to boot and now a size 16! My wife tried her new dress on and what a fit! She looked a million dollars. Already she was planning to wear it to our friends New Years Eve party – shame I couldn’t do the same! Instead, I had it in mind to wear it out in Manchester on Dianne’s birthday on the 30th.

Off with the make up and to bed, the next day being Christmas Eve and back home to our daughters.