November 2004
27/11/04 - Normally, if I'm going out on a Saturday I don't get the chance to leave before about 4pm, which means I only get the chance to drive down to Vanessa's and go out for the evening.
But today I got away at 10am, drove to Vanessa's and was there for 11:30am.
We had quite a bit to chat about, and when we decided to go out shopping it was 2:00pm. Vanessa asked if I was OK going out with her, but perhaps to her surprise I said I was going to get dressed too, assuming she was OK about going out with Rachel - neither of us had a problem with the other.
I think Vanessa was thinking I had only been out shopping once before, so may not want to do it on a busy pre-christmas Saturday afternoon in the Queensgate shopping centre in Peterborough.
Well, to be perfectly honest, as I was getting ready I was having second thoughts about going to such a busy venue, but decided to brave it.
I chose a pair of cream trousers, black high-neck top with a long cardigan that had a splash of primary colours. In fact, take a look at my picture at the top of this page. As I knew we'd be looking round lots of shops I settled on a pair of one inch black suede court shoes.
Make-up consisted of Clinque foundation, powder, No.17 bronze-balls blusher, brown and cream eye-shadow, and a mid to dark brown lipstick.
An hour later we were on the A14 heading towards Peterborough, and half-an-hour after that saw us parking in the Queensgate car park. We decided that as we were hungry we'd use the John Lewis cafeteria. Once inside the shopping centre I began to relax as we walked to John Lewis.
Whilst using the escalator in John Lewis' a jacket caught my eye and I mentioned this to Vanessa, and we agreed to take a look after we'd eaten.
There was a very long, slow-moving queue in the cafeteria and Vanessa thinks we were probably "read" by a little girl who whispered something to her Mummy, but they didn't turn round to stare, so maybe we'll never know.
Later a lady asked me if she could get through to take something out of the food display cabinets. She looked straight at me acted perfectly normally, and I didn't detect any signs of being read, which surprised me.
When it came to paying, the assistant asked me whether I wanted a small or large coffee, so I had to speak, eek! But there was no reaction and we went to find a table in what was a very crowded eating area.
Before I forget, although I asked for a small coffee the cup was huge, so I hate to think what a large one is like!
I had a carrot cake slice to go with my coffee and Vanessa chose a roll with lots of grated cheese on top. Well, I've never been so entertained as watching her struggle to maintain a sense of decorum while the cheese cascaded everywhere! Now, Vanessa is a lady, you know, perfect manners and elegantly dressed. So seeing her fight to keep this cheese roll under control was hilarious. Have to be honest, surprised my shins didn't take a severe beating!
After the entertainment was over we went back to find that jacket I'd spotted. Well, the style was too short for me so we wandered aroubnd the ladieswear departent marvelling at the prices they were asking for the tops, jackets and dresses.
It was a good job I was with Vanessa, because once we arrived in the evening wear section I was on hand to stop her buying every evening dress in a size 12. Ten minutes later we made our escape with purses unscathed.
Next we took a look in Principles, Vanessa was just looking and I was looking for a long cardigan and a pair of trousers. No luck there so we moved onto the Bay Trading Co., again we moved on.
By now I was talking to Vanessa allbeit quite quietly, because I wasn't sure about my voice. Still don't know whether to speak in my normal male voice, or try to adapt it to sound more ladylike.
It was wonderful to see most shoppers going about their business, not paying any attention to us, and although I initially tried see if I was being "read" I gave up in the end, because if I was "read" it was too difficult to gauge anyone's reaction.
We carried on shopping calling in at Etam, H&M, M&S...
I did find a pretty pendant in Dorothy Perkins and Vanessa carried on browsing while I queued to pay. Again, no reaction from the shop assistant, just polite courtesy.
I hope in time to try to engage the assistants in conversation whilst paying, but I need a bit more confidence. I'm sure that will come.
Finally, we made our way to Boots where I was offered a makeover by one of the assistants, but the thought of stripping the existing make-up off for her to start again was too much for me and I gracefully declined!
Since we couldn't find the nail polish remover Vanessa asked an assistant for help, and she took us straight to it. Again, no stares or comments, just common courtsey.
I wanted a brown nail varnish, but we couldn't find the right shade so I bought a sable eye-shadow brush instead. Now, came what I thought might be the first big mistake of the afternoon. Not paying attention, I went straight up to the till with the shortest queue only to realise the male assistant looked no older than sixteen. Was I going to get any funny remarks? No, not a thing.
The shopping was brilliant and I so want to do it again! Although I didn't find a cardigan or pair of trousers there'll be another time. Mind you I did have to agonise over a sparkly pair of black trousers in Dorothy Perkins, but in the end erred on the side of caution and gave it a miss.
And we were going to go back to M&S for me to get properly measured for a bra, because my trusty black one's underwiring has made a break for the border, but we just didn't have time. I have to admit I shall have to find more patience when shopping with my wife and daughters, because I'm beginning to appreciate the problems with what suits and what goes with what... decisions, decisions.
Having wandered around the Queensgate centre for two and a half hours Vanessa said she knew just the place to get a drink and rest our feet. So, two seconds after exiting the centre we walked into a pub called H&Gs, a gay pub with a very friendly atmosphere.
After we'd sat down with our drinks, we made plans for the rest of the evening. Part of the reason for our day out was to celebrate my birthday, and we agreed on a meal out and then onto another venue for a bit of a bop. But as H&Gs had such a friendly atmoshere I suggested coming back, and that was everything settled.
As it was nearly 6pm we decided to go straight to a restaurant to eat before going home to freshen-up, change and hit the town again.
Vanessa chose the Sessions House in Peterborough, because she knew the venue, being a regular there. That settled, we arrived a few minutes before six, booked our table and took a seat in the bar area.
Shortly afterwards we were called to our table. It was obvious they had some large "Xmas" parties in, but they weren't booked 'til later, so it was relatively quiet.
We both ordered the carvery, Vanessa had turkey and I had the beef. The great thing about going out with Vanessa is that she doesn't drink so whilst she had a diet Coke I had a large glass of house red.
One glitch, when the waiter took the drinks order he said thank you, sir. But Vanessa called him back and said, "it's Madam, actually". Nice one, Girl!
Neither of us could manage a dessert so when we'd finished I settled the bill and we left for home.
After trying on various outfits I decided I wanted to be comfortable, no waist clinchers or corsets. So I stuck with the cream trousers and just changed the top for another black one, but this time without the high neck. Sleeves that came down to just below the elbows - a little hair removal on the arms required to complete the look.
After that, I re-applied my make-up and was ready to go. Vanessa chose what I'll call a gypsy hemlined skirt and a one-shouldered top in black , with pink and mauve diagonal stripes - she looked good, as usual.
We parked outside H&Gs. As soon as we had our drinks, diet Coke for Vanessa and Barcardi & Coke for me, Vanessa was chatting to friends, Frankie (bloke) who does a mean impression of Frank Sinatra, Monica (RG) very down to earth girl. Danny, who we met earlier (before we went for a meal) came over to say hello. Although the music was quite loud it was still possible to hold a conversation, just!
We eventually found seats on the other side of the dancefloor, and after a few minutes toe-tapping to the music we got itchy feet, and got up to dance.
I hadn't been on the dancefloor long when a very pretty girl who'd been dancing next to me pointed at my hair and asked if it was mine, or a wig. Silly me told her it was a wig. She complimented me and said how great it looked. I thanked her and we seemed to be smiling alot at each other.
When I went up for another round of drinks I asked if she'd like one - vodka, blackcurrant and lemonade, but she insisted on coming with me, in case I forgot the combination (not heard of that one before).
While we were at the bar, she told me she was with her gay boss, Daniel. Her name is Sonia, 27, 5'2", with a gorgeous figure, and wearing red, low-cut tee-shirt that made the most of certain attributes.
She confessed to thinking I was a real girl to start with, but thought she was probably a little niave, but I appreciated the comment/compliment.
She wanted to know how old I was, but I told her she'd have to guess. After saying that judging by the wrinkles round my eyes and touching my cheek she thought I was 38. I told her to add another decade. "Oh, you're older than my mother!" she said. Hmmm.
We danced together off and on during the evening, she introduced me to Daniel, who like a lot of gays can really dance. Oh, and Sonia told me I could do with dancing lessons, bless, grrrr. She's right though!
As Vanessa and I left we bumped into Sonia outside who asked for my mobile number, so we swapped. Hope we might meet another time at H&Gs, she's a fun girl.
Got home to Vanessa's at some ridiculous hour, had a bite to eat and grabbed a few hours sleep.
It was a brilliant day out and can't wait to do it again!