Unfortunately for Maureen, Roger was not the last person to wear the jacket.
Maureen’s hair turned dark which they had hoped for but instead of getting short it actually lengthened. She did not become male. 30 minutes later Liz was looking at a younger version of Roger’s older sister Ginny. This Ginny looked to be about 40.
“I guess Ginny must have borrowed Roger’s jacket” Liz stated the obvious.
“Maureen did a quick calculation in her head. Well I don’t think I could be pregnant. Ginny’s youngest is Kirsty’s age. That’s one good thing”
“Now you see why we had to start on Roger today. We have to allow for mishaps”
“So what do I do?”
“Nothing. You will just have to spend the day as Ginny. I think you will need to stay here as we can't risk anyone who knoes Ginny seeing you. Read a book or something. Try that jumper tonight. (Liz was referring to the other item of Roger’s clothing Maureen had bought over). Do you need me to get any groceries?”
“Perhaps some fresh milk and bread”
“I’ll do my normal shop. I usually do it on a Friday and if you are successful in becoming Roger you might have an appetite. I’ll go to your supermarket. The more friends of yours who see me with this sunburn the better. If anyone talks to me I’ll explain about the special rejuvenation cream. We want that story spread around town”
“You look pretty awful”
“No. It’s Maureen Manning that looks pretty awful. I’ll tell everyone that ‘Liz’ has already gone through the same treatment and has come out the other side looking great”
………
Liz did get stopped 3 times while pushing a trolley around the supermarket. The first time was by a mutual friend Gabby. Liz told the full made up story. “I wish I could just hide but I can’t. The shopping needs to get done”
“How long are you going to look like this for?”
“I’m hoping that in a week’s time this skin will have peeled off and I’ll look as though I’m 30. Finger’s crossed. We head to Europe tomorrow week and I hope I’m back to normal before then. Liz treated herself back at the start of the week and is looking great already”
While Liz was talking to Gabby another woman stopped and gasped “What happened to you Maureen?” Liz recognised the face but had no idea of what the woman’s name was
Luckily Gabby said “Hi Sue”
Liz repeated her story. The third time was by someone who she did not recognise at all. Liz had seen this woman in two aisles trying to make eye contact with her. When the bumped into each other for a third time the woman stopped her. “Maureen? What on earth have you done to yourself?”
Liz just had to bluff it out.
“Sorry for not saying hello. I was hoping to not be recognised. I know I looked ghastly. I just want to get the shopping done then go home to hide” Liz went on to repeat her story. The woman was sympathetic. Liz had no idea who she was.
Liz returned to her own house and restocked her pantry.
She found Maureen or ‘Ginny’ wearing a wrap skirt from Liz’s clothing collection, in the bathroom giving herself a severe haircut. Maureen explained. “Ginny is a little too big for your clothes but too small for mine. I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to get dressed. I’m getting cabin fever”
“But why the haircut?”
“Ginny has always had long hair. I don’t think anyone would recognise her with a short cut. I was hoping I might be able to change my appearance so I could get out of here”
“Did you find a bra that fitted?”
“Yeah. I guess it’s one of the new ones you bought. C-cup. Do you think I would be mistaken for Ginny? I’ve been stuck in here for two days and who knows how long I’ll be stuck trying to fix Roger’s body. I really need to get out”
“I sympathise with you but …. well you do look like Ginny. Maybe let me fix that hair and I have some dye I won’t be needing any more. You could become a redhead. Let me work on you”
Liz actually enjoyed working on Maureen to help change her appearance. The change of hair colour worked wonders. Then with her new hair cut – punk style and very short Maureen bore little resemblance to Ginny. Another breakthrough came when Maureen mentioned that Ginny was a fussy dresser and always looked classy. That prompted Liz to search her cupboards and she soon had Maureen in a black low cut top and over shiny, too tight, black leggings. “How about I make you look as trashy as possible”. When this was teamed with a gold jacket and dangly earrings. Maureen’s look of a middle aged woman trying too hard to look young was complete.