"Back on The Bike"

Following on from the previous week‘s incidents, my wife gave me the nod to join my friends for Kate’s birthday last Saturday, though because of our daughter’s hospital appointment on the Sunday, I drove up to Manchester on my own.

My first port of call after leaving my car at Charles Street was Bootle Street Police Station where I completed an incident report about my assault the previous week. All in all, I was there for about 90 minutes with a PC who was very friendly and understanding whilst guiding me through the procedure.

The incident has been classified as a Transphobic incident involving common assault.

With the sun high in the sky, I made my way over to the girls at Transfixed in Jersey Street to choose a new wig. As usual I was made most welcome and spent a pleasant hour chatting and trying different styles before choosing one which was then trimmed to suit my own face.

Back at the car park I picked up my case and walked back to the New Union Inn where I was staying and booking in, proceed to get changed. Knowing it was to be a warm day and with the advent of summer, I had been applying a moisturiser with a tanning agent to my legs all week and so was able to forgo wearing tights.

Wearing the bare minimum, bra, knickers, kitten heels, T shirt and a short flared skirt, I picked up a drink and made my way outside into the late afternoon sun to relax and wait for my good friends Tina and Mandy to arrive. Outside, I quickly got talking to a pair of girls up from Lincoln who had been partners for 7 years, one of whom was a fire woman. It is amazing how quickly at ease I slipped into the conversation and joined them over drinks. Ruth, one of the girls commented that I looked better than she would in the skirt. I was made to feel at home in their company and passed a happy hour waiting for my friends. After Tina and Mandy had arrived, whilst waiting for them to get ready we continued to chat and have a few more drinks, until my friends joined us ready for the evening.

Originally I was going to get changed into something a little more dressier for the meal but frankly, I was feeling really comfortable in what I was wearing and it was still quite warm, so I didn’t bother.

Leaving our new friends we walked up to Villagio’s where the others were going to meet us. Walking with bare legs and your skirt flapping against them is a lovely feeling and one that I had not experienced since the last Sparkle. So much for English weather! I was quite pleased with the overall colour as it disguised my scarred lower legs quite well.

The meal was up to the usual high standards and the company once more exemplary I chose the tiger prawns in garlic and chilli as a starter followed by a steak with a few glasses of cold white wine to was it down with.

After the meal, myself and Di decided to repair back to our rooms and get changed. Again, for me quite minimalistic, I stayed with my underwear and swapped the top and skirt for a new LBD I had recently purchased in black and blue sequins. The dress was a touch on the short side probably 8” above my knees but the weight and feel was to die for, it hung really nice. Teamed with my favourite evening heels and bare legs still, we made our way back onto Canal Street.

Both Di and myself proceeded to visit a number of clubs heading up Canal Street including Spirit where we spoke to quite a few girls, and Via before finally ending at Napoleon’s where we met up with the others.

We enjoyed a few more drinks and a chat downstairs before much to my chagrin, I managed to knock over a beer all over Mandy and Tina. Shortly afterwards, they left, returning to my hotel room to get changed. In the meantime, I left and ended up downstairs at the New Union disco before finally calling it a night.

The following day, I was up for 10 and quickly got ready, new green kitten heels from Faith, a pale green top from Debenhams and my beige flared skirt finished my outfit.

I walked up to Velvet for breakfast joining a number of couples in the restaurant before Di turned up. We had a nice full breakfast and a few coffees to start the day after which I returned to my room and swapped shoes necessitating swapping tops before walking into town for a bit of shopping.

Di purchased a number of tops but I was disappointed to find the ones I was interested in were not in my size. I therefore made do with a new necklace before we returned to Taurus for a drink before Di had to leave for an appointment.

Walking back to the New Union in the glorious sunshine on my bare legs and arms, I felt on top of the world and so instead of getting changed and returning home, I decided to stay a while soaking up the sunshine on a high stool outside the pub where I got to talking with a number of customers and passers bys. The backs of my heels had taken a bit of a hammering the previous day and so a woman who was there with her husband, on noticing the state of my heels, kindly offered to let me have a couple of plasters. We chatted for a while as life went on all around us.

Whilst sitting there, I noticed who I thought to be Steph arrive (as a guy) accompanied by someone I didn’t recognise. Knowing Steph’s home situation, I didn’t want possibly to jeopardise it by going over to say hello and so reluctantly kept my distance. As it turned out, they were both texting me to ask if I was in the village as Chrissie (as it turned out to be) though she had recognised me. However, my phone was frazzled as I had managed to soak it in coke the previous day on my way to Manchester.

Finally, just after 3pm I had to call it a day as with a 2 hour journey home, it would be 6 before I got there. A great riposte from the incidents experienced the previous weekend.

An Eventful Weekend in Manchester

Friday evening and my wife was accompanying me North to Manchester to help celebrate Jay’s birthday on the following day.

Given the time to get ready etc, we decided that we would go out into the village on arrival without me getting changed. Due to the usual hotels being full, we booked into The Ibis in Charles Street which was close to the car park and the room was comfortable and well lit.

We decided to stop in Eden’s for a quiet drink it being past 10-30pm and were pleasantly surprised to find that a bottle of Pinot Grigio was only £6. Sipping away, Jackie and I were well relaxed and looking forward to the next day when surprise surprise, Kate and Shirley found us and joined us on the comfy chairs in Eden’s. I had no idea that they were planning to be out and certainly for them to find us without any communication was almost something out of the twiglight zone.

After leaving Eden’s we had a walk towards Napoleon’s were we parted company and decided to have an early night, returning to our hotel down Princess Street past some busy bars / clubs. I noted that this might be a problem should we come this way dressed on the following day, never realising just how accurate my assessment would be.

The following morning, we had an early start, the intention being to run over to Cheshire Oaks, pick up breakfast and do some intense shopping before getting back into Manchester to meet Steph off the bus at 1pm.

Dressed in a tight black t shirt and denim skirt with kitted heels, I was suitably dressed for some serious shopping.

Arriving at the Oaks we stopped at our favourite Brasserie and had Eggs Benedict and a pot of tea before checking out the shops. The breakfast itself was not without incident as I managed to squirt egg yolk all over my skirt!

With my wife firmly in command of the itinery, we first made our way to La Senza where she proceeded to try on and buy a series of sets of underwear whilsy I more modestly picked up a matching bra and knickers in Cerise (matches my dress) and a control slip and a pair of “boy” shorts.

Moving on, we enjoyed the sunshine as we strolled around the complex anti clockwise. Running out of time we visited the M&S outlet where Steph and I had had such a good experience some weeks before and met with two of the three assistants who had helped us. I had purchased several boxes of Lindt chocolates and thanking them once again gave them in recognition of their help.

With time pressing, we jumped into the car and returned to Manchester getting back in time to meet Steph off the bus. We decided to make our way to Taurus this being just around the corner from the bus station and bumped into Di who was finishing her lunch outside on the pavement. Joining her, we decided on a bottle of Pinot Grigio and I waited for Steph to let me know she had arrived.

Whilst waiting, I received a telephone call from Jay – she and Gwen had met Steph off the bus and were at Churchills, standing up we were able to waive to each other. Steph, Jay and Gwen joined us for a drink as we discussed what we were going to do.

Finishing off the wine we arranged for me to go back to our room via the car park to pick up Steph’s clothes etc with Steph where I would help Steph get ready. In the meanwhile, Jackie was going into Arndale to carry on shopping and we were going to meet her in the café at Debenhams later in the afternoon.

Back in the room, I helped Steph get changed, picking out a suitable outfit for the afternoon and did her make up before leaving for Debenhams.

We made our way back through the village and then into Picadilly and on to Debenhams in the late afternoon sun.

Sipping on a cold drink, Jackie rejoined us and after our refreshments, we went downstairs and helped Steph pick a new handbag and then 2 pairs of shoes before Jackie shot off to get ready leaving us to follow some 10 minutes later having paid for the shoes.

The walk back was a little slow as our feet were feeling the pinch by now but back at the hotel room, we got changed for the evening. Due to us being late we were in a rush and I managed to ladder my tights in the process. Trying to get 3 of us ready in one room when we were late already is not to be recommended.

As we were so late I asked Jackie to nip down and organise a taxi for us which she did and when it arrived, Jackie went down to ensure he didn’t go without us whilst I put the finishing touches to myself and Steph.

We then made our way down in the lift only to be confronted by a bunch of morons including one guy in particular. Somehow the lifts were not working correctly and initially we joined a guy in the lift only to find it went up. At the top, we then proceeded to go down where it stopped at the 1^st floor. On opening we were confronted by a group of guys one of which went to get in the lift until another started jumping up and down screaming that it was full of trannies at which point he quickly jumped back out again as though he would catch something. He continued to run up and down the corridor screaming that there were trannies in the lift whilst we waited patiently for the lift doors to close and continue our descent. The doors closed and then the lift went back up to the top and proceeded to come down a floor at a time until the 1^st floor again where we were once again confronted by this bloody demented scrote who frankly had Steph not been with me, I would have quite happily caught and broke his nose.

Finally the lift doors closed and we arrived on the ground floor to find Jackie somewhat concerned as the taxi had been waiting some time now. Back to the taxi, we helped Steph in the back seat where she was joined by Jackie leaving me to negotiate a low level seat in the front of the taxi wearing a short tight dress without showing the driver all that I had!

Te driver dropped us off outside Churchills and I paid him including a tip for waiting for us and we made our way to Taurus along a quite crowded Canal Street before finally joining the birthday party inside.

Thankfully, whilst almost 45 minutes late, the food had not been ordered and we were able to submit our order without further delay whilst enjoying another bottle of Pinot Grigio at happy hour prices.

It was good to meet up with everyone and have some quality time with friends who with the exception of Claire, I had only met briefly or via Facebook.

We were able to eat our meal which was very good in a leisurely manner whilst enjoying a good chat and the ambiance of the restaurant, after which, we moved on down the street. Whilst I helped Steph book into her hotel – the New Union, the others repaired to Eden’s where we joined them a short while later, before then moving onto to a crowded Spirit.

Finally, as the night was coming to an end, Jackie and I dropped Steph off at her room and we stayed down stairs at The New Union drinking in the function room until turned 3am when we decided to make for our hotel.

It was during our walk down Princess Street that I was attacked by a young guy and as I have already posted about this incident won’t dwell further on it here, suffice to say it upset both myself and Jackie though physically I was not hurt.

I finally got to bed at turned 4-30am very much sober and with a lot to reflect on.

Transphobia - a first hand account

Well, it had to happen I suppose, after being out and about an increasing number of times and pushing the boundaries this last 24 months, I was faced with an unpleasant situation.

Having spent the day shopping with my wife and later with Steph, we joined some friends to celebrate Jay’s birthday at Taurus.

Following the meal we spent the rest of the evening around Canal Street before my wife and I called it a night and began walking back to our hotel, The Ibis in Charles Street.

At approximately 3-30am on our way back, a guy broke away from a small group and hit me in the face, pulled my wig off throwing it on the floor before running way back to his mates. Before I could react, the bouncer from the club/pub on the corner of Princess Street and Bombay Street caught him and pinned him to the bonnet of an adjacent car. Accompanied by my wife, I decided that I would get her safely back to the hotel (about 100m) and then I got changed and went back looking for the person.

Luckily for both of us, he was nowhere to be found despite me searching well up into town.

On advice from my friends on Facebook, and those who we were out partying with last night, I have filed a report with Greater Manchester Police as a transphobic incident / assault.

I don’t know what was wrong this weekend but this was one of several incidents which I was involved in on an otherwise great day out. On the short walk after the assault, a bunch of lads hanging out of a car screamed abuse at my wife and I.

Earlier in the day, back at the hotel, a young lad went beserk when he went to get in the same lift that me and Steph were in, running up and down the corridor screaming at the top of his voice that he wasn’t getting in a lift with a bloody tranny! Had I not had Steph with me who you may know is blind, I was certainly up for demonstrating the art of free fall down a lift shaft from the 4th floor on this individual.

All in all, a strange kind of day full of highs and then a couple of lows. Thankfully I was not hurt physically and it will not stop me going out but it has taken the edge off what was a wonderful day accompanied by my wife for the first time in a while as she has been adjusting to our relationship since disclosure about Emma 13 months ago.

Despite the experiences this weekend, it is still far better to go out in the world and be yourself than hide behind doors afraid of the odd comment. This is one negative incident I have had in almost two years of going out.

I am already planning to return this Saturday to celebrate another girlfriend’s birthday, but will try and get accommodation in the village as I usually do.

Another day on, I have found time to reflect a little on the events.

Not in any particular order.

1) I have always believed that in any confrontation there is usually a normal order of escalation beginning with visual recognition, verbal exchange and then on the rare occasion, violence. I have much experience in dealing with verbal and give as good as I get as those who know me know and I also believe that I have a good understanding of risk and interpretation of risk. What I was unable to recognise in this instance was the totally unprovoked attack without any prior indication verbal or otherwise.

2) Complacency - perhaps I am guilty of such, tempered by the fact that I was far from sober, bearing in mind that over the last 2 years I have made these late night walks back to my car or hotel (with due caution I must add) in several cities / towns in addition to Manchester without any problems.

3) Funnily enough I had made that same walk in Bob mode on the Friday night with my wife at a slightly earlier time when it was busier and even then I recognised that it may be a problem when dressed the following night. So why did I walk that way? Don't know, I guess I was just exercising my right to go where I wanted dressed as I wanted with any inhibitions (and common sense for that matter) lowered due to alcohol.

Don't get me wrong, I am no martyr to the cause but I do feel quite strongly about the right to go about safely on our streets at any time of the day or night dressed or otherwise. I was no threat to anyone.

4) You know what upset me most about the assault was the fact that I didn't get a chance to retaliate - probably my bloke conditioning kicking in I'm afraid.

5) My wife was very upset about the incident but was more upset about me getting changed and leaving her to go look for the little scrote. For that course of action I deeply regret leaving my wonderful wife with the uncertainty of my well being foremost in her mind until my safe return. She told me that she had never seen me so mad before.

6) Physically I suffered no actual harm but I must admit that mentally today, the incident was foremost in my mind distracting me from work.

I have as stated submitted a report to the police and today had a nice chat with a PCW from the Bootle Street Police Station. She wanted me to file a report and was all for organising a PC to come and visit me at home to take a statement! I pointed out that would not be a good idea as I not only know quite a few PCs in the area through my rugby and other hobbies but my youngest would be home. We have therefore agreed that I will come into Manchester on Saturday lunchtime to complete the paperwork.

I am intending to help celebrate another girlfriend's birthday that night in the village but this time will be driving as I am staying at the Travelodge in Warrington.

Moving onwards, we will see this Saturday whether the incident has effected my confidence although the verbal onslaught in the hotel mid afternoon has changed the way I choose where to stay as Emma for the moment. Funnily enough I have just received an e-mail asking me to rate my stay at The Ibis. I will complete this later.

BNO - March 2010

On Friday the 12th March, I joined my girlfriends Tina, Mandy and Justine at Pink Punters for the monthly BNO. Luckily I was able to share a room with Justine at the Premier Inn some 3 miles from PPs as the Camponile was fully booked.

Taking a half day off work I managed to finally find the hotel after missing it twice. Arriving late, I joined Justine in her room to get ready.

We had booked a table for 6pm at Les Igunados – a Mexican style Restaurant in the Hub (Milton Keynes) and so we dressed on the conservative side for our early evening foray into town. I chose to wear my new red top over my jeggings and a pair of mid height heels as I was driving.

I must admit that the meal was very good as we sat in the window watching the world go by. Apart from a few strange looks from the woman on the next table, we were accepted without an upturned eyebrow.

On the way back to the car we took a few photos in front of the fountain in the square and on arriving back at the hotel, decided to have a drink in the adjoining pub/restaurant. Sitting on a settee with the others, it seemed way too normal and so drinks finished we repaired to our rooms to get changed for the night.

Eventually after ruining three pairs of tights, I finally was ready wearing my short sequined black dress with a golden lightening down the front, black fishnets and 4” heels and my animal print jacket over the top fresh from it’s outing in Leeds the previous week.

We organised a taxi to the Camponile and arriving there mid evening, settled down for a drink or two. Unfortunately, Justine realised that she had misplaced her camera and worried that she had left it in the taxi. As it was, it was found on our return to the room much later.

As 11pm approached, we made our way across the road to PPs and soaked up the atmosphere with yet another drink. I was in catch up mode having been driving earlier but initially I just didn’t seem to spark and it took me resorting to Vodka Red Bulls to get me going just after midnight.

Once started you couldn’t keep me down as we socialised and then ended up dancing. Whilst dancing, I couldn’t help but notice a skirt worn by a girl next to – short flared black skirt with a skull and cross bones in white and intrigued to know where she got I from, I asked her.

Having introduced myself, I ended up dancing with her (the skirt had been purchased off E-Bay) and during the course of the conversation, it became apparent that she was more than interested in dancing having ascertained that she lived close to my hotel. Happily married, I chose to take a break from the dancing for a drink. I didn’t bother getting up again until the girl (a South African) started to leave and gave me a goodnight “kiss” . I was somewhat taken aback as were my girlfriends.

It was now past 3am and my feet (still recovering from the blisters I got out and about in Leeds and Manchester earlier in the month) were throbbing. Sitting down, the remaining hours passed quickly in front of an open fire out in the smoker’s area (not that I or my friends are smokers) and at just after 5pm we called for a taxi, arriving back at 5-30am. A quick chat with Justine as we got ready for bed and I was away as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Sadly, this turned out to be Justine’s last night out for the foreseeable future as her wife on her return gave her an ultimatum. (her post in the Angels forum refers). I wish both Justine and her wife well and that they resolve these current differences amicably.

Snowy Day in Manchester

Fresh from the success of securing a new job, I decided to celebrate with my wife’s blessing, by heading for a rendevouz with Karen and my girlfriends in Manchester mid week.

Having no car, I travelled up to Manchester by train, with bags and changing (trains that is!) twice at Nuneaton and Stoke before arriving at Piccadilly just after 1pm.

I made my way to my usual accommodation – The New Union Hotel in Canal Street, to get ready and meet up with Karen for some shopping.

I wore my new stripey pullover from Primark and teamed it with my jeggings and knee high boots with my trusty red woollen ¾ length coat over the top.

A quick beer at the bar and we were away up to The Arndale centre. By now, the snow was falling quite heavily making the going underfoot quite treacherous especially so in stiletto heeled boots with no tread!

Our first port of call was a jewellers, opposite from Primark where I tried on a few watches before purchasing a nice one from Sekonda to replace my watch which I had mislaid.

From there we made our way into the Centre and ending up in Debenhams, I picked up a couple of pairs of glossy black stockings for later. On leaving the other side of the Centre, we stumbled upon the Mac franchise at Selfridges and on spec I went in and asked one of the girls for a colour match foundation. Sitting down in front of the shop window surrounded by women having their make up done was quite an experience, even after having removed all of mine prior to working on me.

Luckily, Jen, the girl who did my make over, had a slot for me before her 5pm appointment and so she was able to check out a shade that worked for my complexion and show me how to work with the Mac makeup including a quick lesson on how to do smokey eyes. £76 lighter, we left the store and made our way back to the village.

The snow was coming down thick and fast and together with my knee hurting, Karen went ahead to get ready whilst I followed up. As my face didn’t need re-doing, I decided to take a break at Taurus and indulged in a bottle of Pinot Grigio at happy hour prices. Sitting on a stool at the bar chatting with Jason and people watching, I felt good both with my looks and my inner self. Could it get any better?

Before leaving to get changed, I rather cheekily asked the manager if I could buy two bottles of wine now for later during our meal. No problem was his response and he put two bottles to one side in the fridge for later.

Back at the New Union, before retiring to my room, I had a quick drink at the bar exchanging good humour banter with a couple of guys, one of whom was kind enough to take my photo.

For the evening meal at Taurus, I chose a black pencil skirt with animal print down the front paired with a silk top. With glossy black stockings and my black evening shoes, I felt a million dollars walking up Canal Street to Taurus protected from the Arctic conditions by my red coat.

The meal and company was great, service smashing. After paying the bill we split up with some going directly to Napoleon’s and myself joining Tina, Mandy and Dianna at Paddy’s Goose for a night cap as Mandy and Tina were driving home later, having work the following day.

Leaving my good friends to make their way home, I joined up with the others in Napoleons downstairs chatting and drinking well into the next morning. Getting back to my room just after 3am, I had arranged to meet up with Karen to have a wander around downtown Manchester the next day before heading back to the train station for 2pm.

The following morning, I got dressed, this time in a nice dress from Debenhams, paired with a pair of kitten heels and my red coat and booking out of my room, deposited my bag at Karen’s hotel as she was staying another day, before we made our way into town.

Working our way into Manchester we went via Chinatown and then explored King Street, stopping at a café for a bacon roll and a coffee before moving on to The Shambles and then took a ride on the Manchester Eye.

We finished off our walk around with another coffee in The Arndale Centre where I purchased 3 pairs of clip on earrings before sampling the joys of the toilets in the Centre. They must rank as some of the largest cubicles known to women and the well illuminated mirrors made touching up the face the easiest of tasks.

Back at Karen’s I hurriedly changed back for my return trip and Karen accompanied me back to Piccadilly where I managed to miss my train by one minute. No problem, we sat down and had a drink before the next train was ready for departure.

With 30 minutes to spare before my connection, I stopped in the bar at Birmingham New Street and enjoyed a glass of Stella, reflecting on the past 24 hours. Life is good.

Angels 10th Birthday Bash

Having been made redundant the previous week, my original intention to attend The Angels 10th Birthday Party at Pink Punters on the 22nd January looked in serious jeopardy until Gayna stepped in and kindly offered to pick me up and for me to share her and Davina’s room at the Campinole.

Bag packed, I shared a lift to my wife’s work near Loughborough from where Gayna picked me up at 2pm. Back on the M1, we arrived at the hotel before 3-30pm and having spied the queue at check in, decided to have a quick drink whilst waiting for the queue to die down.

Just as we settled down at the bar, a number of girls including Justine, upped and left (I later found out that they were heading into Milton Keynes)

After downing our drinks, we repaired to our room to get ready, checking up from time to time on Davina who was wending her way North from the south coast.

Dressed and ready to go, we accompanied a new girl down into the bar (this was her 1st time dressed outside her room) and settled in the comfy chairs in the hotel bar.

We met Evie and a host of other girls as they one by one arrived. In the meantime, Davina was still on her way accompanied by Louise. More drinks followed and finally Davina and Louise joined us and we decided that instead of organising a lift into town looking for food, we picked up the chicken curry from the bar menu. Despite comments to the contrary in previous posts, I found the food very good and it certainly hit the spot after 3 hours of drinks!

After eating, it was back to the room to get changed into our party frocks!, before walking over the road to Pink Punters. Initially we congregated in the upstairs bar, getting to know some of the angels we knew only from their posts on the Forum. It was interesting to compare notes so to speak and how familiar some of the accounts were.

Finally, the lure of the music and the strobe lighting drew us downstairs and we spent the next couple of hours dancing. It was during this period that a guy came up to me and tweaked my breast. I responded by grabbing his meat and two veg, winking at his girlfriend who was in tow behind. She just smiled back.

Finally as dawn was quickly approaching, we retired to our room and collapsed. Later that morning, make up removed and undressed, it was back to bob mode for our trip North. Another great night out.

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