Aunt Vera's New Maid | Available Now on Amazon

When David arrives at his Aunt Vera’s elegant country hotel, he has no idea that his life is about to change forever. His determined aunt sees something in him that he has never dared to acknowledge: a softness, a sweetness, a girl waiting to be brought into the light.

The hotel is the perfect place for David to become Brittany and find her new place in life. What begins as a summer job quickly descends into something altogether different for David. Under Aunt Vera’s stern guiding hand, he learns to dress as a girl for the first time.

With the help of live-in maid Sophie, Brittany starts to evolve dramatically. Every new outfit, every chore in a a satin maid’s dress, every encouraging word from the women around him becomes another step toward becoming Brittany. As guests begin to notice the pretty new maid, Brittany discovers the thrill, vulnerability, and delight of living as the girl she was truly meant to be.

Excerpt from Aunt Vera's New Maid

Mrs McCarthy’s heels clicked sharply along the marble floor, each step echoing up into the chandelier-lit atrium. I trailed half a pace behind her, hands clasped tightly in front of my new uniform apron and satin skirt, trying very hard not to look as out of place as I felt. The air smelled faintly of polish and fresh flowers, and everything seemed to shine, the floor, banister, reception desk, even the brass on the revolving doors at the front of the reception.

I felt dreadfully exposed, and when a couple of suited men appeared out of nowhere, I almost screamed with embarrassment. They eyed me with more than just admiration. There seemed to be a masculine hunger that lingered on the more revealing aspects of my French maid’s outfit.

“Brittany,” Mrs McCarthy said, without looking back at me. Her voice was crisp, like a starched sheet. “You will be working on the sixth floor today. That’s standard rooms and a handful of junior suites. I expect you to learn quickly. We do not tolerate carelessness here, even if you are a novice.”

“Yes, Mrs McCarthy,” I said, hoping my voice didn’t wobble as much as my stomach did. The men took a last look at my feminine body and then headed for the front door.

Aunt Vera stopped in front of the staff lift and turned to me, tall and severe. Her hair was scraped into a French twist and her red lipstick was the kind that never smudged. Her eyes flicked over me, taking in my uniform, the black dress, white apron, high heels, stocking tops showing just enough to pique interest. It was as if she were inspecting a table setting. She gave a small nod.

“You look most presentable. The guests see everything, you must understand. Always remember your feminine deportment, even if you think no one is watching.”

A side door opened and out stepped the girl who had done my nails. She had chestnut hair in a ponytail, a dusting of freckles across her nose, and a smile already forming before she’d even clocked who was standing there.

“Mrs McCarthy,” she said with a curtsey, slightly out of breath. Then she noticed me. “Oh! You look wonderful.” I admit I blushed.

“This is Brittany,” Aunt Vera said. “As it’s her first day, you will be responsible for her training this week, Sophie. Take her through the entire process for vacated rooms. I want her up to speed as soon as possible. We’re full tonight.”

Sophie’s smile widened. “I’ll look after her.” She curtsied again.

“See that you do.” Mrs McCarthy’s gaze settled on me again. “Listen to Sophie, ask questions if you’re unsure, and do not rush. A rushed room is a dirty room. Understood?”

“Yes, Mrs McCarthy.” My palms were damp, so I pressed them into the sides of my apron. Then, without thinking, I curtsied, raising the short skirt over my stocking tops.

Aunt Vera gave one last curt nod, then strode away towards reception, already pulling out her phone. The atmosphere seemed to loosen the second she was out of earshot.

Sophie tilted her head, grinning at me. “Don’t worry,” she said, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “She’s only terrifying for the first three months. After that, you just sort of… go numb.”

I let out an involuntary laugh, my nerves easing by a fraction. “You’ve worked here long, then?”

“Two years.” She extended a hand, then realised it was holding a spray bottle and swapped it to the other. “I’m Sophie. We’ll be joined at the hip today, apparently. You look fabulous. I told you were pretty. The guests are going to love you.”

“I hope not,” I stammered, shaking her hand.

“Don’t worry. Most of them are perfect gentlemen. Except when they’ve had a few brandies. The first day anywhere is always the worst,” she said, turning the trolley towards the staff lift. “But honestly, once you get into the rhythm, it’s not so bad. Busy, busy all the time. But that makes the shifts go faster.”

The lift doors opened, and we squeezed the trolley inside, the bottles and boxes rattling softly.

“You worked in hotels before?” she asked, pressing the button for six.

“No, just a café, once when I was in school” I said. “I’ve cleaned tables and stuff, but nothing like… this.” I gestured vaguely at the polished interior, the plush carpet I could see through the gap as the doors closed.

“Ah, same idea, just more cushions,” she said. “And more rules. But I’ll talk you through everything, don’t panic. Deep breaths, Brittany.”

I tried, inhaling the mingled scents of detergent and air freshener emanating from the trolley. The maid’s dress seemed to tighten around me. “You’re not the first, by the way.”

“Pardon?”

Sophie smiled infectiously. “Silly boys who need a little control in their lives seem to be Mrs McCarthy’s forte.”

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