Moving On

The child he helped raised grow under his influence feeling confident not just within himself but amongst the class they had been immersed within socially, indistinguishable to their peers.

By the time I had transferred with most of my class going to a State Comprehensive High School things were looking up although Jacqueline and another boy were going to Catholic schools and I was off to boarding school.

As was normal back then metaphorically the school gate was always open so long as it was arranged through the School Secretary, I could and did visit him for several years after when home.

As far he was concerned it was continuing care and interest that mattered in a child not just the nine to four-thirty for so long as you were on role so he'd take an interest in how you were doing at your new school and offer adult guidance.

I learned to find the real me and in time to express more of my sissy gendered side while showing maturity and becoming a respected member of the community.

I saw him shortly before he died and what I do know is how proud he was of my achievements and that I had found a niche, a place in the wider community and although my Mum had her disagreements with him, he was saving me from being under educated and hidden from society which was common place.

I strongly believe he was right even if had we'd of been a few years later more help would of been rewarded by more quicker progress.