He knew Michael was in the kitchen and he knew that soon enough he would have to face him once more. With dread he followed Kate out the door. He was starting to get hungry. At least the bra dampened the breast bounce.
As Kerry had expected Michael couldn't help but tease Tom. On seeing Tom approach, he gave a wolf whistle and said “Ride-em cowgirl”. Too late Tom realised the belt Kate had given him had an oversized buckle and he probably looked like a woman from a rodeo.
All Tom could do was say “Good morning brother” in his effeminate voice.
Kate recognised the potentially embarrassing situation and asked Michael “Have you found anything about magical socks?”
“There’s some stories here on a site called Choose Your Own Change. However, they read like fiction. I’m not sure we should take any notice of them”
“What do they suggest?” Kate asked “It’s better than nothing”
“Well the ones in this story seem to work like Tom’s socks did. They changed the fellow into the last person who had worn the shoes in his case it was his father. All he had to do though was put his own shoes back on and he changed back to himself. But we tried that with Tom last night and it didn’t work”
“Nothing about a 12 hour time between changes?” asked Kerry “Didn’t you mention that last night?”
“That’s a different probably fictional artifact. That applied to a medallion. I’ve found no time limit with regard to magical socks, but there are plenty more stories to be read”
“What about Kerry’s suggestion that Tom might have to change all the way before he can change back?” asked Kate
“No mention of that in anything I’ve read so far. But I must say it’s pretty hard to distinguish between what’s real and what someone is making up”
Kerry spoke up. “I think we need to visit the shop where you bought the socks from. Surely they would know how they work?”
“I agree” said Kate “Let’s do that before we try anything else”
“You’re not expecting me to go out in public looking like this are you?” asked an alarmed Tom.
“I don’t see why not” said Kate
“You might want to have a shave first” suggested Michael. “One of the girls could help you with make-up”
Tom ignored Michael's taunt “I think I’ll stay home. I don’t think I actually need to be there. You know what has happened. You can explain things to the shop keeper” Tom pleaded with Kate.
Kate had expected Tom to object, she thought to tease him a little. “He may need to see you in the flesh” she suggested.
“If he does I can go, but if he doesn’t I’d rather stay home”
Michael piped in “I’ll stay with Tom. If the shopkeeper needs us there, ring me and I can drive Tom down. In the meantime I can keep searching the internet”
“Well I guess that would work. Are you coming Kerry?”
“Sure am. Have you ever seen me turn down a shopping trip? And this store sure sounds interesting. What other stuff do they have?”