Sex and Other Changes by David Nobbs Page A

that’s a transvestite. A transsexual is someonewho’s been born the wrong sex and … er … lives as the opposite sex and … er … sometimes even undergoes medical and surgical procedures to … er … alter their … er … external sexual … er … characteristics … has what’s known as “the operation”.’
    â€˜Bloody hell,’ said Gray.
    Nick looked across at Alison again, for strength. She hadn’t any to give. She was imagining herself making that speech – a little less hesitantly, she hoped, but probably not.
    â€˜I … er …’ he resumed. ‘I … er … intend to go through that process. Intend to … er … alter my external sexual … er … characteristics … have what’s known as “the operation”.’
    â€˜Bloody hell,’ said Gray. He had a limited vocabulary.
    â€˜It’ll kill her,’ said Bernie. ‘The shock’ll kill her.’
    â€˜Marge doesn’t need to know,’ said Nick.
    Alison flinched.
    â€˜I think she might notice, don’t you?’ said Bernie. ‘She may be ill, she isn’t ga-ga.’
    â€˜It’s going to be a long process, Bernie. It doesn’t happen overnight.’
    â€˜Are you saying she hasn’t got long to go? She isn’t dying, Nick. She’s in remission.’
    â€˜I know,’ said Nick. ‘Of course she isn’t dying. She’s in remission and we’re all delighted. I’m just saying she’ll be able to be introduced to my change very gradually over the years. Of course she isn’t dying. We all know that.’
    Alison wished Nick hadn’t repeated his assurance that Marge wasn’t dying. It sounded hollow. But that’s Nick for you, she thought. If he saw a pudding on the other side of the street he’d cross the road to over-egg it.
    Bernie must have noticed, because he hit out, which wasn’t like him.
    â€˜I always thought there was summat wrong wi’ you,’ he said. ‘Summat not quite right. I said to Marge, “Marge,” I said,“there’s summat not quite right about that boy our Alison’s marrying.” ’
    Alison hadn’t intended to support Nick even in the smallest way that night, but Bernie’s attitude struck deep at her sexual political beliefs, and forced her to react.
    â€˜Yes, thank you, Dad,’ she said. ‘Most helpful. Nick isn’t a freak. They reckon about one in thirty thousand people are transsexuals.’
    The moment she’d said it, Alison realised her mistake. How could she have known that, if she hadn’t been researching the subject? She felt that she’d given herself away. She blushed.
    â€˜Unusual,’ she continued hastily, ‘but not a freak. Brave too. I will support him to the hilt.’
    She was making the speech she would have liked Nick to have made to her. She hoped that he’d come over and give her a kiss, or at least a hug, some physical recognition of her support and of the enormous self-sacrifice which he didn’t know she was making.
    He did at least acknowledge her support, but not in words that she could welcome.
    â€˜Well said, old girl,’ he said.
    â€˜I’m sorry, but I don’t think it’s well said,’ said Em. ‘I think he’s being incredibly selfish. He isn’t thinking of any of us. He’s cocooned in his own emotional universe. But why should I be surprised? He’s a man.’
    â€˜Yes, but I’m going to put that right, Em,’ said Nick.
    â€˜Well I won’t welcome you to the club,’ said Em, and she stomped out, slamming the door.
    â€˜It makes my flesh crawl,’ said Gray. He shuddered. ‘Excuse me. Gotta split. I’m halfway through a chess match against the third best schoolboy in the Falkland Isles, and I’m winning.’ He walked to the door and turned to