Swizzle Stick

Julie

A true story: I caught the train into the city to meet Steve for coffee & to have a talk, at his behest. Steve was a friend from university, where we were sharing the final year of our arts degrees (which, back then, were free).

But when I disembarked at Central Station I saw another old friend, born John but actually Joan, & in the years since I’d seen her, she had fully transitioned. She looked like a tall, elegant librarian.

Joan & I chatted excitedly on the platform until her train pulled in. She left an imprint of red lipstick on my cheek & we promised to meet up soon for vodka or coffee.

I swept late into Badde Manors Cafe which is not my style & apologised to Steve, who was drawing in a notebook & drinking green tea. I ran into an old friend at Central, I said.

Steve smiled beatifically as I told him about Joan, who'd been born John, & how brave & beautiful she was, & how she had thanked me for being a supportive & understanding friend.

Steve said This is why I wanted to see you this evening. Because you're a supportive & understanding friend. You're the first person I'm telling - I want to be known as Julie.