This is another piece of fiction set at Ashford Academy; a high school that has banned the boys from wearing long trousers. It's set around the same time period as part one and part two when the new uniform rules are introduced. You may want to read the prologue to find out what led to the trouser ban, but it's not essential.
-o0o-
A group of Ashford boys are chatting in the school yard. “So what do you think about the new uniform?” Tom asked. The rest expressed their disapproval, most of whom were transferring to Central Comprehensive to avoid having to wear it. “Lucky buggers.” Tom gulped.
“You're
not staying here are you?” John asked.
Tom
nodded and said that in spite of his pleas, both his mother and
father are insisting that he remain at Ashford because it's a better
school than Central.
“I
heard that the head's trying to turn it into an all-girl's school,
and wants all the boys
to transfer out. No boy in his right mind will enrol at Ashford
now... and those already here will have to dress and act like girls!”
Anthony claimed.
“That's
bollocks Tony!” Callum retorted. “They might have to dress like
girls but they won't have to act like girls... and there's a few boys
on my street starting here in September... not that they want to.”
he added.
“I
heard she's just trying to promote equality...” Peter said. “...by
treating boys and girls the same.”
“If
that was the case, then surely the girls would be wearing pants
instead of the boys wearing skirts.” Anthony retorted.
“They're
not skirts, they're shorts.” Tom insisted.
“They
are girl's shorts though.” Callum told him. “Called 'clots' or
summit.” he added. “I wouldn't mind wearing shorts for school but
there's no way I'm going to wear girl's shorts.”
“You
transferring too?” Peter asked him.
“Too
right!” Callum replied. “You?”
“I
hope so... but Mum doesn't want me to.” Peter frowned. “She
reckons Central's too far away and that Ashford's a better school.”
“Who
cares?” John asked. “I'd rather walk across town to a crap school
than dress like a girl at a good one.”
“We
won't be dressing like girls!” Tom insisted. “We just have to
wear shorts.”