Chapter 4: Sarah and Richard

It was just after Christmas and the days were now short and overcast. Sarah was well into the second year of her A level courses and studies were going well. She was seventeen and had been dressing as Sarah openly at home for nearly a year. Richard and Clair had fully accepted the situation without any problems since discovering her secret on their surprise return from holiday the year before.

"Hello Princess, how's things?" Richard had just returned from work and had climbed the stairs to take a shower before diner. Sarah had been working on a Business Studies assignment in her bedroom but jumped up and ran out to give her Dad an enormous hug. She was wearing a skirt and top which she had changed into after school as she did most afternoons when Simon wasn't required to be around.

"Hi Dad, good day?"

"Great, but I need to talk to you, I think there is something you can help me with, I'll tell you over dinner.'"

"So you've finally got round to it after two years," said Clair after they had finished eating. Richard had outlined the companies plans which he would be involved in implementing, indeed it was what he had been recruited to do but a number of things had conspired to delay the start.

"Some of it is sensitive for the moment and I can't really involve anyone else which is why I could do with Sarah's help," he said turning towards her. She looked very feminine tonight he thought and then realised it was the makeup she must have put on while he was in the shower. Clair had been coaching her and now she was very skilled at creating the look she wanted. When she was dressed like this it just seemed natural to call her Sarah rather than Simon.

"Of course Dad," she said, "the courses have all finished now so I'm just into revision. I've got plenty of time."

"We'll need to go into the factory at the week-ends, just Saturday's for the time being though," he mentioned, "and since no one there knows about Simon, you could come as Sarah if you like and I'll introduce you as my daughter. What do you say?"

Although Sarah had grown in confidence over the months she had not been out very often and relished the opportunity of being Sarah for a while longer than just the evening.

"I'd love too." The chance of doing something for her Dad who had been so kind, at the same time as Sarah was coming alive, was too good to miss.

"Right we'll start on Saturday and don't wear anything too provocative, the week-end shift will be in and I want them to get on with their work not wasting time ogling my beautiful daughter."

Sarah blushed to the tips of her toes and Clair laughed. Sarah was pleased though that they were both so acceptant of her, even passing her complements.

On Saturday she was up early so that she could spend time getting ready. She knew she could do it but at the same time didn't want to slightest risk of letting her Dad down. She showered first and made sure she was smooth all over then applied plenty of talc. It was highly perfumed so she didn't need to use any scent.

She pulled on her panties tucking her cock tightly into the gusset and slipped on a pair of suntan tights, skirt, T-shirt and a pink jumper. Clair had made up some padded bras for her which gave her a small but nicely shaped bust. Medium heels finished off the ensemble and she then sat down to apply her make-up. First she brushed her hair out which was quite long by now. It was still a fashion, among some boys to wear their hair long so that wasn't a problem in her boy-role and she could do nothing about her soft features so people accepted Simon was 'girlish' to look at anyway. It was only as Sarah that she modified her behaviour, the way she stood and walked.

Sarah never used much make-up, just a light cream, eye-shadow and mascara and lipstick. She decided not to wear any jewellery to go to the factory, she had taken heed of what Richard had said even though he was joking. She did shape and varnish her nails though since they enhanced the feminine appearance.

They went to the car and Richard held the door for her as she slid into the passenger seat. This was another skill Clair had shown her since boys get into a car very differently to girls. The trip to the factory took about thirty minutes and they went straight up to Richard's Office. It took over an hour to explain what was involved and after Sarah had asked a few questions Richard suggested they went to the canteen for coffee. Richard had to stop off at the toilet so Sarah carried to the self service area and ordered their drinks.

"Hi gorgeous, where did you spring from?" A voice behind made her jump. She turned and smiled at the young, nice looking guy in the queue.

"I'm just here helping my Dad," she replied dropping her eyes and blushing.

"And that would be me so don't go bothering my daughter, Paul."

Paul turned quickly and saw Richard standing behind him and so did his friends in the queue who began laughing.

"Oh sorry Mr Lindley, I didn't realise she was your... er sorry." He blushed and went to the back of the queue to join his friends. They would be ribbing him for days over this.

"I blame you for this," Richard said picking up his coffee.

"Sorry Dad, what do you mean" asked Sarah worried in case he was upset with her.

"Well if you didn't look so lovely you wouldn't attract so much attention." He turned and smiled at her and she realised he was joking. She smiled back and they took their coffees back to the office. She was so lucky to have parents like Richard and Clair.

The initial work was mainly collating so she was able to do her own for a couple of hours. Richard was busy on the PC putting the initial plans together. At one o'clock he looked up.

"Right, I think we've done enough for today. You ready to take me through what you have done and then we'll have lunch. Pizza OK?"

"Great Dad, here's what I've got so far." She explained the details of what she had been working on and then they left.

They went into town to a Pizza Express which was quite busy with shoppers. The young waiter showed them to a table giving just a little too much attention to Sarah. Richard looked up at the ceiling.

"Will you stop it."

This time Sarah knew he was joking and laughed as the waiter handed them their menus. The meal came with a bottle of wine and they settled down to eat their pizzas.

"I think we made a good start today although there is still a lot to do. I reckon we will need about six weeks plus some work at home. You OK with that?"

"Of course Dad, I'm really glad to be helping and there are one or two things we will need to think about. We did a case study at school similar to this and the company said that there were some things they would have done differently if they had the chance. It would be good if we didn't repeat their mistakes."

"It would be great if you could do that, we're all a bit green at this but we didn't want to hire professional consultants and end up paying over the top."

"No they're quite straightforward things really its just people seem to forget that they are important. I'll go back through the assignments next week and put together a list of points we need to consider. I'll have a look on the internet as well and see if there is some information on there."

"Fantastic," said Richard, "I knew it would be great having you involved. Sarah swelled almost to busting point with pride. Richard always knew the right thing to say, as Clair could often testify.

"So, how's things with you. We don't seem to have much chance to chat these days," Richard asked and took a sip of wine, "any problems?"

"No, everything's good at moment. I'm well ahead with my work and predicted results look promising."

"Have you made a decision about Uni yet?"

"No the offers are all in but I was thinking about having a year off. Doing some charity work maybe or just getting a job."

"Would that be as Sarah or Simon?" Richard had the knack of stunning you with important questions when you weren't expecting it.

"I don't know," Sarah replied, "I haven't really thought about it." It wasn't a painful subject since things couldn't be better for her, but that was the problem in some ways. She was happy ticking along and leaving things as they stood.

"Well, it seems to me that you are OK as you are but it doesn't look to be going anywhere at the moment. I must say I haven't seen Simon for a while since I seem to get in late and Sarah is around most week-ends. Its not a problem of course but you need to think about what you want to do."

Sarah nodded, "I suppose you right, but its all confusing at the moment"

"So what's confusing you?"

"Well I know I'm Simon really but being Sarah just feels so comfortable and right. I expect you thought I was just kinky at the beginning but its much more than that."

"The thought did cross our minds which is why Clair wanted to push you further to see if you would give it up but you seem to have got into the role even deeper."

"It just seems to be the natural thing to do."

"So have you thought about changing more permanently?"

"No, I just thought I would carrying on with A levels and then see what happens next."

"Fair point and we're not going to push you into anything either. Just take your time and explore your feelings. They will tell what's the right thing to do and we'll support you all the way."

He held his hand out across the table and Sarah took it. He squeezed it gently and a tear came to her eye."

"Thanks Dad, that's lovely. I really don't know what I want yet and its great knowing your both there."

The next few weeks followed a similar pattern with Richard and Sarah going into work on Saturday and then having lunch together. Richard never raised the subject of Simon and Sarah again but Sarah felt comfortable that she could talk about it if she needed to.

She was working on the plans one evening and had been looking at the areas the company in her case study had said they wished they had covered. Richard came in to her bedroom to see how see was progressing.

"Hi ya princess, how's it going?" She looked around and smiled. She was always glad to see her Dad especially when he called her that. She was wearing a black dress, black tights and no shoes.

"Dad I think I've cracked it, here let me show you."

"That's great. I really think we're there now. I will start preparing the presentation to the board and run through it with you at the weekend. Are you around?" Richard said when she had finished.

"Yes, I'll be here."

It took the board nearly three weeks to make the decision since the final acceptance had to come from Group headquarters. Richard had to run through his presentation again for them. He arrived home late one evening and they could both see he had something important to say.

"I got a call from the Chairman today and they have approved the plans," said Richard, "and they especially like the process we suggested for making sure it was implemented successfully which was all down to this lovely little lady."

"Thanks Dad," said Sarah.

"Yes and well done, darling," said Clair giving him a kiss.

"The Chairman said they were really pleased," he continued, "and on top of all that they have offered me the job of Operation Director, none of which I could have done without the help of my two beautiful ladies." He reached in his pocket and pulled out two long boxes and handed one each to Clair and Sarah.

"What's this," said Clair opening the box. She gasped when she saw the Pearl necklace. "Oh Richard, its wonderful, but its Sarah who's done all the work."

Sarah waited and then opened her box. She went very quite and then a tear slipped down her cheek for inside was the most beautiful ladies watch she had ever seen.

"Oh Daddy, thank you," She went around the table and gave him a big kiss. He hugged her in return.

"My pleasure princess, you deserve it."

"Now I haven't accepted the job yet because there is condition attached," continued Richard looking serious for a moment, "Part of the function initially is to set up the new factory over in Cambridge on the head office site which would mean we would have to move. Anyone mind that?"

"No," said Clair, "I'm sure there will be lots of solicitors offices in Cambridge, I'll pick up something easily enough. Anyway I was beginning to get fed up here, they are so behind the times it's untrue. But what about you Sarah, what will you do? I expect you'll be going off to uni anyway."