Will you be allowing a little touch of make-up for her Julia?’ asked Marie. ‘Absolutely not’ came Mommies stern reply, ‘At one year old she does not wear make-up.’ ‘Sorry’ replied Marie, ‘Just thought with it being the big show you may have a change of mind.’ ‘No, that is the sort of thing they trip you up on, Paula has to look and behave exactly as a one year old would, hence all the training etc. Except for one detail my little darling is as near perfect as she can be for now, but that feature must remain………for a little while at least.’ ‘Won’t having it grafted down as you have count against her?’ asked Marie. ‘No’ replied Mommy. ‘Fact is all the parts are still there just placed a little different.’ Then turning to me she said ‘Not that my little angel knows anything about it do you pet, been knocked out to you haven’t they? And I’ll bet you cannot even remember the pain let alone the day now can you sweetheart.’ Looking at Marie she said ‘God she did cry when she had those injections, one in each testicle and one deep into the pen-is and four injections around the sphincter, totally chemically castrated now you know and can never ever be without nappies, but she sobbed her little heart out almost all day. But she is happy now, and, it is time for her bottle as well. Sarah dear prepare a bottle for Paula then she goes in her playpen until bedtime (and looking at me) yes she does then.’ Tickling my tummy and making me giggle and wriggle uncontrollably, also causing a gush of warm liquid to fill my nappy. ‘Whoops’ says Mommy ‘now we have to change my little cherub’ whereupon Marie said ‘may I, I don’t have any children of my own and would love to change Paula’ ‘Of course’ replied Mommy and called Robert to carry me to my nursery and place me on my changing table. This he did, but because no one else was present he fastened the strap across my chest to ensure I never fell.
When Marie arrived Sarah was with her, but all she did was to show Marie where everything was and which cream to use. Marie then noticed my nappy rash cream was zinc and castor oil cream and not the usual non-lanolin cream. She said to Sarah ‘Is this all Julia allows for Paula?’ Sarah replied ‘Yes, nothing else allowed’ ‘Wow’ said Marie, ‘Particular’. ‘That is Miss Julia, nothing but the best for her little Paula, but isn’t she a little treasure.’ Marie then said as she was changing me ‘does Paula have any hair nets?’ ‘No’ replied Sarah ‘why?’ ‘I want her sleeping with one on for the next few days to keep her hair in place. I have some special soft sponge curlers too, keep those lovely curls in.’ ‘Best tell Miss Julia then, she always puts Paula to bed at night now, gives her, her last bottle and tells her bedtime stories.’
Once I was changed Sarah showed Marie how with a little help I could walk, so between them they slowly walked me back to the lounge and my playpen.
At this point Marie went to Mommy and asked her what time we would be leaving for the competition and would she have any spare space, if not she would take her own vehicle, but Mommy told her transport is sorted, she had a minibus hired and would be leaving about 7.30am Friday and that she would be picked up on the way.
Marie then went to her workbag and returned with some items saying to Mommy ‘I will show you how I want the curlers put in if you wish’ to which Mommy agreed. In the meantime Sarah had collected me from my playpen and I was lifted into my highchair. Fifteen minutes later my hair was all done up in rollers again and a hairnet holding everything in place. Mommy the said to Marie ‘you may as well leave them in now, it won’t be too long before Paula goes to bed.’
Everything was quiet the following day, my normal routine of bath, fresh nappy and pads. Clean plastic pants, white knitted tights, bootees then petticoats and dress. From there I was taken to my high chair in the kitchen where my bib was placed about me in readiness for my breakfast. This consisted of Ready-Brek, which is like a smooth porridge; this would be followed by a bottle of fruit juice, usually apple.
Once finished eating Sarah wiped my face clean, removed my bib and was about to let Robert place me in my playpen when Mommy turned to her and said ‘Put Paula’s coat on her dear, think we will take her out for a walk in the park and let her watch the swans and ducks, I want her to relax today. Tomorrow sees the start of a very busy few days for her.’ And so it was a half hour later I had my coat on and was safely strapped into my pushchair with the covers on against the winter weather. A few minutes later both Sarah and Robert had their coats on too and were ready to take me for a walk. As we were About to leave Mommy as Sarah if she had a spare bottle in case they decided to stop at a café for a drink. Sarah replied she had, one with fruit juice in ready for use and one empty, as she knew the café owner would make a bottle up for me. Mommy being satisfied all was well then waved us goodbye and we were on our way to the park and watch the birdies.
The walk to the park took around 20 minutes and we passed several people on the way, some of them pausing to look at me. Mostly the comments were ‘how pretty’ but there was a sarcastic one or two. However we did eventually arrive at the park where Sarah found a sheltered spot with a bench seat. She parked the pushchair facing the lake. She had the forethought of bringing some bread with her and soon had a large flock of birds near us very much to my excitement and amusement.
An elderly lady who had been sitting on a nearby bench came over to us and began chatting to Sarah, saying how pretty I looked and was obviously excited at seeing the birds, but could not recall seeing us there before. Sarah pointed out it had been a busy time for me over the last few weeks preparing for a baby show. ‘Special babies of course’ commented the lady. ‘But with her sweet looks and pretty dress I am sure she will win. May I ask her name dear?’ ‘Paula’ replied Sarah. ‘Ohh, and such a pretty name too.’ Sarah and the old lady continued chatting until Robert pointed out I was getting fidgety and a little grizzly. She felt the front of my nappy and said ‘We need to go to the café, Paula needs changing and the owner allows us to use his back room.’ ‘Oh!’ Replied the old lady, will you be having a drink while you are there, if so would you mind if I joined you it is quite cold now.’ Sarah and Robert looked at each other and Sarah simply said ‘of course not, please do’ and in a matter of minutes Sarah had everything packed away and we were on the way to the café.
Upon arrival at the café Sarah and Robert were greeted by the owner who also came over and began fussing me and tickling my tummy making me laugh and giggle excitedly. Sarah then pointed out I needed a change and asked if it was OK to use the back room. ‘Of course’ said the owner, ‘you know the way’. Two minutes later I was laid on a table with my nappy removed when there was a sudden gasp. The old lady had followed and no one had noticed her. ‘Oh my’ she said ‘I would never have guess she is male’. ‘She is not’ said Sarah, ‘that little thing no longer works in a male way and is permanently grafted as you see it.’ ‘Looks very feminine in its way.’ Replied the old lady. Sarah then proceeded to replace my nappy and pants. Once all was done we all returned to the restaurant where the owner showed us all to a table where a bottle was waiting for me; and someone waiting to take everyone’s order.
There orders were delivered and whilst they ate and drank they chatted, mainly about the forthcoming competition. Once finished Sarah and Robert said their farewells to the old lady and the proceeded to take me home.