The Settlement

[Sandra B]

Chapter 10.  The Caroline Norton School.

Philip didn’t sleep well that night.  But it wasn’t the prospect of school the next day that was disturbing him, but thoughts of Tina.  However, he was up at seven, and by half-past he had showered and shaved (with especial care), and returned to his bedroom to get ready.  It had been agreed Tina would come to his room at eight to do his makeup, and by eight twenty-five she had finished with him.  His hair was brushed, face powdered, his eyebrows highlighted, his lips glossed a pale pink and his nails painted to match.  She even restored his freckles, silencing his protests with “but Philip, they look so cute!  Just for me, eh?”
After a light breakfast – (his tummy was so full of butterflies there was little room for food) – they prepared to leave.  Tina fetched her briefcase, but she also had a gift for her cousin; a pretty little school backpack, with blue animals on a pink background, and pink straps.  She had thoughtfully packed it with pens, pencils, and a notebook, together with a bottle of juice and some crisps in case he wanted a snack; and his aunt had made him sandwiches packed in a pink plastic box.  They climbed into the yellow Mini and set off.  Even Aunt Estella seemed in a good mood, and she’d gone so far as to dress herself in a dark blue suit – possibly the only item of clothing she possessed that was neither grey, nor black, nor brown.  Tina dropped them off at the school gates, and Philip was relieved to find that lessons had started, and the girls were already in their classrooms.  His aunt led the way to the main entrance, and they were admitted to reception, which was manned by a very personable young lady with tightly-pinned blonde hair and a bright yellow blouse.
“Good morning!   Miss Crowthorne and Philip, I believe.  So nice to meet you.  Please take a seat.  Miss Tancred will see you a little later, but she has asked Mrs Doughty, the school secretary, to show you around.  I’ll give her a ring now.”
They seated themselves to wait for Mrs Doughty.  A couple of the pupils came by as they were sitting there, and each threw a glance in Philip’s direction.  The arrival of a new student was always an event of the greatest interest.  One of these girls glanced and passed on, but the other did a sort of double-take, and as she headed for a door next to the reception desk she turned her head and stared, with the result that she ran head-on into a motherly-looking middle-aged woman who had just entered.
“Bethany!  Watch where you’re going, please!”
“Sorry, Mrs Doughty.”
With an exasperated but amused roll of her eyes, Mrs Doughty came straight over and greeted them.
“This can be a dangerous place if you’re not careful!” she joked.  “Hello.  I’m Mrs Doughty, the secretary.  Miss Crowthorne?”
“Yes.  So nice to meet you.  Christabel often talks about you.  And this is my nephew, Philip.”
“Hello Philip.”  She shook his hand, and regarded him with interest.
“Lovely to have you with us.  You’re very smartly turned out, if you’ll allow me to say so.”  This was said with such genuine frankness that Philip took it as it was intended, as a compliment, and smiled in acknowledgment.  Then, addressing them both, “Miss Tancred has asked me to show you some of the school, so that you can get a feel for the place.  Would you like to have a coffee first, or shall we…?
“Maybe later?” said Aunt Estella.  “I think we’re both eager to look around, aren’t we, Philip?”
Philip nodded in agreement.
“Right.  Well, I believe you’ve met Moira, our receptionist.”  They exchanged smiles.  “If you'd like to follow me, I’ll introduce you to some of the other staff.”
She took them on a tour of the offices, followed by a brief visit to the staffroom, where four teachers were hanging out.  She explained that during first period, the four classes remained with their respective form teachers.  The specialist teachers would then attend to their particular classes in whichever classroom had been designated for the purpose.  U.1 and L.1 tended to be more science orientated, U.2 and L.2 humanities; so a certain amount of shifting around at change of lessons was inevitable.  Philip was given a copy of his timetable, and they were then treated to a tour of the school – the library, gym, assembly hall, laboratories, common room, and so on, ending in a walk around the extensive grounds and sports facilities.
“There are loads of opportunities to get involved in after-school activities, Philip.  Everything from hockey and horse riding to chess and ballet.  If you have the time.”
Philip looked at his aunt.
“Certainly Philip.  I’d be happy to curtail some of your domestic duties if you wanted to stay late.  I only have your interests in mind.”
Philip gave her a sidelong glance.  Mrs Doughty raised her eyebrows slightly at the words “domestic duties”, but made no comment.  If that were true, thought Philip, he would get involved in as many things as he could.  Any excuse to spend a little less time in her company.  And Tina never got home before six, anyway.
The tour wound up with a perambulation around the classrooms.  As they passed by in the corridor, Mrs Doughty enumerated the class numbers and identified the teachers.
“L.1.  Miss Sangster.  Never upset her, Philip – she doesn’t stand any nonsense,  See how well-behaved the girls are?”  And indeed, they were all bent over their desks. One, noticing movement outside, couldn’t resist peeping, but as she did so, a shrill voice emanating from behind the frosted glass door quickly corrected her.  “Jacqueline?  Get on with your work.  There’s nothing to interest you outside!”  Jacqueline immediately returned her attention to her books.  Aunt Estella smiled inwardly, reflecting that the teacher's comment may not have been entirely accurate.  Though she was clearly a woman after her own heart.
“L.2.  Miss Pears.  Teaches music and dance…  U.2, Sandra Petersen, history…  and here we are, Philip, U.1.  Your class teacher is Isabel Waters.  I think we might risk a quick introduction.”
She knocked, apologetically, and pushed open the door half way.
“Isabel?  I’ve got your new student here.”
They were standing just outside the frosted glass door.  Isabel Waters walked quickly over into the doorway, gave Philip a big smile, and shook his hand warmly.
“Philip.  Welcome!  I’ve heard a lot about you already.  I’m so pleased you’ll be joining my class.  I hope you’ll be very happy here.”
“I’m sure I will, Miss Waters.  Everyone here seems very nice…”
As they stood there, he was visible only to a few girls in the front row, who were staring at him, and those immediately by the corridor windows, who, he noticed, all had their faces pressed against the glass in an effort to catch a glimpse of their new classmate.
“I gather you’ll be joining us after lunch, Philip.  I can introduce you to the girls then.  They’re going to be so excited to meet you!”
As they retreated back down the corridor, Philip glanced through the window at his new class.  Every face was turned in his direction, with expressions varying from fascination to delight.  He blushed and looked away.  I hope this is going to work out, he thought.

[cuddles]

“Yes, Philip.  It really is an awfully good school.  The teachers are really nice, and consequently the girls are all very happy.”
“Christabel Tancred is a very close friend, and she has agreed to bestow upon you the honour of being the first boy ever to attend.”
“So why can’t I be a boy, then, and not a girl?”
“Oh, don't worry.  It will be made clear to everyone that you are a boy.  But you can’t expect the school to start altering the uniform for a single pupil.  So you will wear the standard uniform – you will have seen it in your closet – and, like all the girls, you will be expected to be presentable – hence the beautician.”
Paul’s head dropped and he mumbled something under his breath.  He felt that listening to his aunt had worn him out.  She had broken down all his resistance by sheer weight of verbiage.
“Any questions?  No?  I take your silence as acquiescence.  Good.  You will have some, I'm sure, when all my instructions have sunk in.  Tina and I will always be pleased to offer you guidance.  Won’t we, darling?”
Tina nodded, looking at Philip and lowering her head slightly at the same time as if trying to gauge his reaction.
“And one last thing, Philip.  It would be unwise to deviate from the schedule, or neglect your duties.  Remember your declaration.  If you manifest laziness or dissent, be assured, you will be punished.  Do you understand?”  Philip made a face.  “Do you?”
“Yes, aunt.”
“Good.  So you are now free until this afternoon.  Sally will be here after lunch.  Dismissed.”
Paul glanced at her with disbelief.  Did she actually say “dismissed” to him?
“You may go, Philip.  I suggest you arrange your wardrobe to your own satisfaction.  Let me know if there’s any item of clothing you would particularly like, and if I think it appropriate, I will endeavour to obtain it for you.”
A pair of trousers would be nice, he thought.  But he decided such pleasantries were better unspoken at present.

Phillip became Paul then Phillip the Paul and finally Phillip  ;) ;D ;D ;)

[Sandra B]

Haha.  Thanks for this, cuddles.  Corrected.  That's the problem with trying to think about two stories at once.

[babycakes]

Excellent story as usual Sandra B!  Like that you have maintained Philip's strong character and that he will be attending an all-girl school, dressed as a school girl, as himself.

One observation; the plot seems to have taken a definite twist from the direction expected as the story originally unfolded.  Philip's fascination with Tina, her confession to him in his room, Estella's "softening" attitude (playfully nudging Tina doing dishes, granting Philip time for extracurricular activities, etc.) all make one question whether this scenario is really being driven by Estella.  If you "follow the money", Tina, not Estella, has the most to gain from Philip's feminization.  She does mean the process to be gentle but she also has a subtle but determined approach to her interactions with Philip.

Not easy to write a "sensitive" forced fem story but you certainly proved yourself capable of excellent work with Jacey.  We are fortunate you have chosen this venue to express your thoughts.  Can't wait to see how this story unfolds.

[billykins]

It was the other way round - Tina nudged Estella.  I thought that meaned they were really in league somehow.  But we'll find out I hope.

[Sandra B]

Chapter 11.  Strange Alliance.

After a cup of coffee in the staffroom, it was time for them to meet Christabel Tancred.  Mrs Doughty showed them to her study, knocked, and opened the door. 
“Estella!  And this must be Philip.  Welcome!  Come in and take a seat, both of you.”
Estella and Christabel exchanged kisses.  Looking at them, Philip thought that, apart from their time of life, they were two polar opposites.  His aunt, dour and upright, like some strict Victorian governess, her greying hair pinned down flat, as if under threat of serious reprisals should it ever try to stand up straight again;  Miss Tancred, colourful and energetic, in a bright flowery blouse and red trousers, her hair with blonde highlights, her lips scarlet, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.  It was hardly a surprise, then,  when she, having relinquished aunt Estella’s embrace, took Philip by the shoulders and placed a firm kiss upon his left cheek.
“My, my, what a fine lad you have here, Estella.  I’m sure he’s going to fit in perfectly!”
“I hope so, Christabel,” returned Estella, grimly.  “Or we’ll have to return him to his domestic duties full-time!”  This was said in a tone of jest, but Christabel seemed to understand the situation perfectly, for she said, quietly, “I don’t think it'll come to that, darling.”
Philip did not find the tone of this last comment all that reassuring; and there was something about the way Miss Tancred was regarding him, reminiscent of a farmer appraising a prize calf, which he found disquieting.  He sat there looking about him, whilst his aunt and Miss Tancred chatted away about old times.  Sometimes their voices sank to a whisper, or words were mouthed silently.  It was a strange relationship, all right.  Maybe Tina knew something.  He’d ask her.  In the meantime, he was careful to show no sign of his unease.
Finally the headmistress addressed him.
“Philip, I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to have such an able young man applying to my school.  Your academic record is excellent.”
“Well, I don’t know if I “applied”….as such.”
“But you are happy to be here, are you not?”
“Oh, yes, of course, miss.  Very much so.  I realise Caroline Norton has a fantastic reputation.  I’m really looking forward to getting down to work.”
“Good, good.  We might even have some special plans for you…  But I’d like to see how you get on for the first few weeks.  I hope the fact you will be the only boy in the school won’t be a concern?”
“Not at all.”
“You may have noticed there is no mention of "girls" in our name.  This is because this is not exclusively a “girls’ school” at all.  There is nothing in our constitution which prevents us from taking boys.  It is merely that boys do not choose to apply here, and their parents assume they are not eligible.  I have never troubled to publicise this fact, since we already have more applications than we can satisfy.  So, you see, you should not think I am bending the rules, or doing you a favour.  I am offering you a place on your merits.  I have spoken to the head of your previous school  and he tells me you were one of his star pupils.  He’s sorry to lose you, but he expressed the hope that the grounding you received there will stand you in good stead here.
“It was a very good school.  I’m very grateful for all the support I received there.”
“Well said.”  She smiled a mischievous smile.  “Despite what I have told you, I am grateful to you for deciding to respect our uniform, and adopt the same dress code as your peers.  I must say I think it suits you very well.  I'm sure it will help you fit in easily.  You may already know you will be in U.1.  There are only two classes in each year, and they are not streamed – so U.1 and U.2 can be considered of equal standing, though with slightly differing focuses.  I hope you will like your classmates.  We try to instil in our students a respect for others, and any form of discourtesy is not tolerated.”
“I understand, miss.”
“Although I have heard there are occasionally some mild initiation rites.  However, we cannot deal with things that are not reported to us, and nothing ever has been.”
For the first time Philip experienced a pang of alarm.  “Initiation?”
“Oh, I’m sure nothing like that will happen to you, Philip.  I think you will find you will meet only with acceptance and respect from your fellow students.”
At this point, Philip has the fleeting impression that Miss Tancred had winked at his aunt.  But he must have been mistaken.  He looked from one to the other, but there was no hint of anything but sincere seriousness in either of their expressions.
“Er, yes, miss. The girls I have seen so far all seem very dedicated to their studies.  My cousin Tina was here a couple of years ago, and she eulogises about the place.  In any case, I intend to keep my head down and focus on my work, I can assure you.”
“Good boy.  Excellent.  But as you are joining us in the middle of the year, I felt you should have a mentor of some sort to help you adjust.  So I have asked one of your classmates, Nikki, a very level-headed and responsible student, to take you under her wing for a couple of weeks.  I have asked Miss Waters to rearrange the seating arrangements slightly so you can sit next to her, and she will answer any questions you may have – I’m sure you will have many – and explain the conventions of the school.”
There was a knock at the door.  “Ah, this is probably her now.  Come in!”
“You sent for me, miss?”
“Ah, Nikki.  I’d like you to meet Philip.  He’s the latest addition to our little community.  He’s the pupil I would like you to act as mentor for.”
Philip rose to his feet, and politely offered his hand.  Nikki took it briefly, regarding him with a knowing look that wasn’t altogether pleasant.  Her smile had a certain cynical quality that didn’t suggest respect, but rather veiled contempt.  She looked him up and down with a quick movement of her eyes, then turned to the head.
“Of course, miss.  Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he’s well looked after.”
Nikki didn’t look how Philip imagined a “level-headed and responsible” student should.  There was a certain casualness in her dress and in her manner.  She wore a short skirt – a little too short, he thought – her blouse was unbuttoned at the top, and her tie was knotted loosely about her neck.  Her nails were long, and each painted a different colour.  Her hair was unkempt, except for a single rattail on one side of her head, and boasted half a dozen thin green streaks.  She looked like something out of St. Trinian’s.  But I suppose I shouldn’t judge by appearances, he thought.
“I know you will, Nikki dear.  Thank you.  You may return to class now.”

As the interview was pretty much at an end, and as Miss Tancred wanted a brief private word with Philip’s aunt, he was asked to wait outside for a minute.  He could hear them chatting, their voices rising in pitch now and then, as they shared some joke together.  How odd they should get on so well!  He stood there awkwardly, not knowing quite what to do with his hands.  His stretchy satin panties were beginning to feel constricting.  He put down his backpack and tried to loosen them through his skirt, but the material was too thick.  Checking both ways, he slipped his hands up under his skirt and hooked a finger inside each leg to ease them.  Bad timing.  Lunch hour must have started, for at that very moment a phalanx of girls appeared advancing on him from his left.  Before he could recover himself the front rank had had an eyeful of his upper thighs.  The was a burst of laughter, and several wolf whistles.  He turned red and pretended to be scratching his leg, but the damage was done.  Fortunately it was not his class, but L.1 – he recognised some of the girls from his tour.  The little group slowed its pace, and took the opportunity as it passed by to scrutinise him with a degree of interest bordering on rudeness.  Someone said, “show us your knickers, then!”  and someone else, to a burst of laughter, “he probably don’t wear none!”  It was not a good start.

He was saved further embarrassment by the arrival of Mrs Doughty.
“Philip, I need to register you on the school roll, and take some details.  When you’ve said goodbye to your aunt, would you come to the office, please?”
Philip knocked and stuck his head inside the room.  “Aunt, I have to go.”  She was still nattering away to Miss Tancred.
“All right, Philip.  I’ll see you later.  I hope you have a nice first day.”
He made his way to the office, and Mrs Doughty dealt with the paperwork.  She was a kindly woman, with three children of her own, and recognised that he may not be ready just yet to be decanted into the maelstrom that was the playground, so she suggested he sit in her office and eat his lunch until afternoon school started, for which he was very grateful.  He didn’t feel up to his aunt’s sandwiches, so he sat there, his little pink bag on his lap, and ate the crisps instead.  When the bell went for classes he rose, and, saying goodbye to Mrs Doughty, made his way nervously to U.1.

[Sandra B]

Chapter 12.  The Conspirators.

Estella Crowthorne and Christabel Tancred had known each other since their schooldays.  They had attended the same secondary school, but didn’t discover each other until the fifth year, when Estella was about start work, and Christabel was heading off to the local sixth form college.  But such was the attraction between them, that they resolved never to lose touch with each other.
Estella was a different person then.  Both the girls were full of mischief, especially when it came to boys.  Neither of them were romantically inclined.  That would have spoiled the fun.  They took their pleasure casually, moving from one affair to the next with complete freedom.  Frequently boyfriends were passed from one to the other, if reports were favourable.  If they were not, the poor victims were teased mercilessly.  They were drawn together by their indifference to others’ feelings, and their determination to enjoy themselves at others’ expense.  Eventually, Fate decreed that both would be repaid.  Christabel fell in love – the only time in her life – had a brief relationship, and was discarded.  At the same time, Estella had married for money, but she got what she deserved, because her husband turned out to be a serial adulterer, and was in the process of negotiating a divorce when he had a stroke and died within days, before he had had time to alter his will.  These events drove the two women even closer together, and, devoid of partners and bitter about their experiences, they decided to revive the games of their youth.  Before Alice had been deserted by her husband, she had been part of a happy family, and Estella’s envy of her sister’s situation had given birth to a desire to exact revenge for the imagined affront.  Jealousy was an integral part of her character, so the pleasure she derived from her sister’s desertion was insufficient to satisfy her malice.  Christabel, though she had recovered from her experience, and didn’t share the spitefulness of her friend, nevertheless determined to exact some sort of retribution from the male of the species, and, if she could, enjoy herself at the same time.  She had trained as a teacher, and it was natural for her to gravitate towards female education.  But she was always looking for an opportunity to denigrate or humiliate the opposite sex, so when Estella shared with her the knowledge that she may be in a position to gain leverage over her sister’s handsome and somewhat naĂŻve son, she entered into her schemes with enthusiasm.
Where did Tina fit in?  Whether it was innate, or learnt from her mother – the latter is more likely – Tina was apathetic about the boys she had come into contact with.  Her only love had been a girl she had known in her adolescence.  She did not appreciate the depth of her mother’s vindictiveness, but, aided by Christabel, her erstwhile headmistress, became drawn into her plans on the understanding it was all “a bit of fun”.  The truth was, she had been missing the company of Philip since they used to play together all those years ago.  He was for her the only boy she had ever really liked.  And the exciting thought of seeing him again was only enhanced by the prospect of feminising him.  She had fantasized about it for months, as the fusing together of two strong emotional yearnings.  She had had little idea of how she was going to feel about him after such a long hiatus.  She suspected he would suffer from the arrogance and egotism typical of boys of his age.  So when she met him again, his modesty and intelligence came as something of a surprise, and she became conflicted about her role in his life.  She began to develop misgivings about her mother’s machinations, but her mother reassured her that she would not do anything to alienate Philip, and that her little games would ultimately cement their relationship.  And because Tina trusted her mother, failed to appreciate the extent of her ruthlessness, and knew by experience that her plans rarely misfired, she put aside her doubts and entered into her schemes with renewed commitment.  Paradoxically, her very innocence was helping teach her to be as cunning as her mother.  She cultivated the idea in Philip’s mind that she was his ally against his aunt; whereas in fact her actions were largely dictated by her mother’s plans.  Estella’s interruption of their lovemaking had been arranged in advance, as the first sortie in a strategy of sexual teasing and frustration.  Tina was under the impression that its purpose was to make him want her all the more.  But Estella had a broader agenda.
Philip’s transfer to Caroline Norton, presented as his aunt’s altruistic gesture towards his education, was mainly a way of placing him at the mercy of the two older women.  Most of the girls at the school were, of course, pleasant, studious, and well-intentioned.  But there was a small coterie of mischievous delinquents, in clandestine league with Miss Tancred, whom she used for her ‘black ops’ – girls who reminded her of her own youth.  It was these who were now going to test Philip’s resilience.