Bill had been in the room for several minutes examining her body, this was hard to do with no mirror. She heard more cheering outside. A short time later the door opened.
There was her own body, presumably the real Clover- She had received his hat. ‘Clover?’ she asked. A very feminine voice coming from her throat.
‘Yep. It’s me’ the man said. Bill was surprised at the sound of the voice. It was deeper than he was used to hearing. He came in and shut the door behind himself. ‘I thought you might like to get properly dressed’ He handed Bill a bundle of clothes. Bill recognised Clover’s Christmas dress. ‘If you are comfortable just wearing the slip that’s fine with me’
‘No I’m not comfortable’
‘Bill. I want to say thanks for doing this. I could see you didn’t want to’
‘So we are like this for a week? I'll be you for a week?'
‘Yes. But don't think you are alone. You are not. Everyone here will change. Just as I left Charlie unwrapped a skirt. I don’t know who he will be when he comes out’
‘Why didn't you warn me?'
‘It's actually a big deal watching someone have their first ever change. You were the main entertainment for the night. It's not every year we have a first timer. If I had let you in on the secret you would have reacted differently'
'I'm not sure I would have believed you. Even when the kids were changing I thought it was some elaborate trick'
It's a secret. We can't let knowledge of the stone get out into the general community'
'Yeah I imagine the CIA would love to own it. But why do I have to be you. A gently transition to Jim might have been easier to swallow'
'You only got the invitation because we are going to get married. It’s what always happens when someone in the family marries. Pop says it is the ultimate test of whether someone is suitable to join our clan or not. You have to spend a week in your beloved's shoes. All the other swaps tonight will be random as far as I know. You passed the first test by the way’
‘The slip had me fooled. I’ve never seen you in this. I feared I might become your grandma’
‘It’s Mums actually. I just wore it for a day so it would imprint onto me. We didn’t want to give you a clue that you were going to be me’
‘I thought about fleeing. I questioned whether you were worth it’
‘But you didn’t’
‘No. Because you are worth it’
‘I’m very happy to hear that. I wouldn’t have bought you here if I didn’t think you were worth it. It will be fun Bill. We will have a great time this week’
‘Well I think I’m going to need you to help me a lot. How about we start with a cuddle’
‘I was hoping you would ask’
Bill found herself in Clover’s grasp. She felt so weak and Clover seemed so big and strong. As Bill he had a 6 inch height advantage over Clover. Now that was reversed.
‘I’ll help you dress. I don’t want to miss out on who gets who’ said Clover as the cuddle finally ended.
‘I’m in to it up to my neck, well your neck actually. Nothing to lose anymore’
‘That’s the attitude. Embrace who you now are. Don’t try and fight it’
So Clover helped Bill get dressed. He had Bill strip naked then had her put on black satin panties and a strapless bra. Clover then helped her do up the Christmas dress and brush her hair. Finally she convinced Bill to put on her earrings and jewellery, including her engagement ring. ‘We can leave make-up lessons for tomorrow. I don’t want to miss the rest of the swaps’ Bill couldn’t believe these dainty fingers now sporting the diamond ring he had bought for Clover were his/hers.
Before they left the room though, Clover helped Bill to put on her heeled shoes. ‘You won’t have to walk very far. Just remember to land on your heel first’ Bill had decided to embrace the week but wearing 3 inch heels seemed to be going too far. The only advantage she could see was that they made her 3 inches taller and didn’t have to crane her head up as much to look at her fiancé.