Part 10.
Sitting in the garden, just by where Ali had completed a rather unusual example of topiary depicting Cleopatraâs Needle and two of the Elgin Marbles, not to scale, I poured my wife a glass of wine.
âDarling,â I said. âhave you ever had a boyfriend who liked to crossdress?â
âWell, I really donât know,â she replied nonchalantly. âWhat they get up to in their spare time is a mystery to me.â
âYes, but surely,â I persisted, âthere must have been one who showed interest. I mean, so many men talk about it these days. I can only think there must be some women who find it, I donât know, exciting?â
âWell, Iâve always thought men look rather odd in dresses. Not to mention heels.â
âIâm sure,â I replied.
âOn the other hand,â she went on, her voice dropping a little, âit does give me a feeling of power.â At that point she paused and corrected herself. âThatâs to say Iâm sure it would. If someone were to, you know.â
I looked at her sideways.
âAre you quite sure youâve neverâŠâ
âWell, there was this one young man in college. A very unusual chap, but certainly very liberated. Exciting even,â she murmured.
I could see she was leaving a great deal unsaid, her mind wandering through what seemed to be some happy memories. I decided it might be best to let it hang for a moment.
âI think it wonderful how much energy women put into their look, and itâs always seemed a little unfair. A man shows up to a date with a clean shirt and heâs considered well dressed. A woman spends two hours putting on corset and suspender belt and god knows what, and sheâs not even remotely satisfied how she looks.â
âAnd ten minutes after youâve left the restaurant theyâre trying to get the damned stuff off! You have no idea.â
I kept my desire to say âI know exactly what you meanâ in check.
âWell, I must say I canât help thinking that now and then a man should have to try doing that. Just to remind themselves how much trouble you girls go to.â
I topped up my wifeâs wine.
âI think you may have something there. I think it would be a great idea to help men understand.â
I sipped my wine quietly.
âWell,â I murmured. âIf you really insist. I suppose I could try.â