Alices Wonderland

Two weeks later

"Try the red riding hood outfit" John was sprawled across my bed and I was the clothes horse donning outfit after terrible outfit for Alice's birthday party.

"BJ come in here love I have a favour to ask" I was dragged into the vampires lair and sat down. 12 sets of eyes stared down at me as they stood, watching me, waiting for me to flip... or not. Either way they were happy.

Alice sat opposite me and took my hands (we seldom held hands and this was strange) I tried to pull away but he kept hold and looked solemnly into my eye's. The way he looked at me wasn't an:

'I'm getting married'

Or

'I love Keith'

Or

'I'm really really ill'

(I would hate that last one- I could live with the Moon one but only if they lived elsewhere!) Any way he stared and I stared right back, someone coughed and finally Alice began:

"BJ, Beth, Bethany (here it comes I thought rolling my eyes) you know it's that time of year again. Christmas, snow, lump of coal in your stocking loads of goodies in mine, annual fucking Beatles Christmas message Merry Grimble and all that nonsense you loved so much- I swear I will get him (finger pointed at John) to make you a new one- one of your very own (I looked at John smiling at me, winking). Anyway eggnog, mistletoe, fucking tinsel all through the house. (Alice paused and took a deep breath)

Love, my special little sister, my darling sister who puts up with all my shit and weird friends ('Heyyyy watch it Cooper', floats over my head) well it's my birthday. Now I know what you're going to say, you won't forget, you will get me something so spectacular my eyes will literally pop out of my head, you will get a lovely cake and a sprinkling of candles ('and a fire extinguisher for all those candles'- Harry pipes up)

Any way!! Before I'm rudely interrupted yet again Beth, BJ, Bethany Bear, Brilliant Beth ('for Christ sake Cooper I need another drink here!'- Mikey yells) pipe down, go to sleep Micky!.. Beth (big huffs as my name comes round Again) I would really love to have a fancy dress party, closed house, not on 11th December but on, wait for it, Friday the thirteenth! Black Friday. Beth what do you say, love.

My response:

Sure Alice, no problems

I walked out and everyone was throwing crackers and nuts and a drink or two over Alice.

"Stop turn around, work it, work it. Nah put that in my pile" John is on his belly, camera in hand pretending he is a photographer getting me to pose and 'work it'. Nah means no- not that costume and 'my pile' means he likes it, but only for when we are alone, not in public with 100 of Alice's male friends. I.e rather risque.

"Can I please stop, that's the tenth costume that you have vetoed John, I'll just go like I do every night" I drop heavily into the chair in the corner. It's my nana's chair, pretty and antique, nothing should just 'drop' into it and I pat the armrest sorry.

"Come on another 10 and you're done, easy" John stands, acts as if he has run a half day marathon, then proceeds to pull me off the chair towards the huge rack of costumes "Look aren't you lucky. You, my dear..." He runs a hand over a myraid of costumes "get to choose from all these first, before all those sheilas coming with Alice's mates do"

He was pretty much right, this rack, when I was done with it, would be put in the room adjacent to the main door, those that had forgotten, could go in the room and voila! A costume right there, ready to slip on.

"How about you put all the ones YOU want me to wear 'at your convenience' in the pile over there now, that way I only have to try on what's left!"

"Where's the fun in that AND I won't have picys to tell you which one I want you to wear on a particular night, now will I"

"Ok hand me the bloody Pocahontas one" I yelled and John flung the outfit at me. Vetoed yet again to the John pile, picture taken for reference.

"Alice in Wonderland" I spin and hold the dress out by the hem like a princess curtsying.

"Put that on the hanger, I'll think about that one. I like Alice in Wonderland" John smiles as I take the costume off in front of him, a free show all afternoon.

Thinking he has heard his name, my Alice, bangs on the door. "I am not nor have I ever been in wonderland, Disneyland perhaps but never Wonderland"

"Sod off Cooper" We yell in unison and I tumble on the floor in a fit of giggles, John taking a picture as I put my hand on the lens.

"Aww that would have been nice. Up you get, only eight more!" John throws a maid outfit over my head and I have a feeling that is a 'Johns pile' before I even get into the thing.

"What are YOU going as Lennon" He snaps a pic as I stand, hands on hips, in the daring French Maid outfit.

"Elvis, young Elvis" The lip is twisted Elvis like " 'Little Darlin', Thank-U verry much"

"So I couldn't possible go as Priscilla....?"

"I'd have to go as fat Elvis then"

"Well that's no problem" I laugh and get chased around the room. I beat him to the other side, jump over my bed and duck into the bathroom, locking the door quick smart. He gets my letter opener and undoes the lock. "Awww John, I didn't mean it, you're so slim, I can't see you side on"

"I'm upset now, I may have to just lie down for a while" His hand goes to his head, mock pain etched across his face. Pointing at me he continues "You know I was a fat Beatle at one stage, don't you!! Blood press- fuck wits" He falls back on the bed and I rush out if the loo and over to him to ease his broken heart.

Cooing as I go "Oh, my dear John, how can I ever assist you to be happy again" I'm play acting prancing around leaning over in that damn French Maid Outfit and he holds his head up the teeny- tiniest bit off the mattress. As soon as I catch him though he's flaked and upset on the bed again. I decide to jump on top of him causing us both to tumble and roll around for five minutes, we stop and kiss, costumes flying everywhere.

Alice bangs on the door again "Keep the bloody sex down in there you two sickos"

"Sod off Alice"

"This is fun" I mumble across his mouth.

"Yea, I, umm... Anyway five more alrighty"

"Oh God" I scream.

Alice is back, the door knocked on nicely this time "Beth, darl, for my sanity please stop screaming while you're doing it"

We smile at each other as we lay innocently on the bed and both launch into a chorus of sexual innuendos and sounds "Oh John harder, harder- Oh my what a big boy you are- Beth so tight- oh darling I'm coming- faster John that's it baby- mmmmmmmm yea baby put it..." I have to giggle.

The door is thrown open Alice standing there a whiter shade of pale. I'm in my maid costume but we are lying quite still and innocent on the bed. "Jeeez, I thought you two were..."

"...Annnd opening my door was going to help you howwww?!"

"I don't know, I think I'm going to have a nervous breakdown" Alice closes the door quietly and we crack up laughing so hard. I can't breathe and John's no better.

**

"Ok Cleopatra or Wonder Woman" John holds both up and I actually like both.

"I like them both but Wonder Woman I love, but it's pretty....you know"

"Revealing, sexy, Not at all BJ. Ok, how about both. Like Wonder Woman early in the night, not too many people there yet, not too drunk either. Then a quick change, ta da, helloooo Cleopatra"

Only if you do too! Umm Batman to my Woman and Elvis later if you like I don't mind being single Cleo, I have my asp's, I'm cool"

"You'll have my asp now if you don't hurry up changing" John rushes me and I jump on the bed.

"Get dressed Batman"

Yes, ok dear" We dress quickly and I apply all the makeup and manage to put a soft bouncy wave in my hair. I was wearing clothes that covered me like I was at the beach but this was the bar, and Vampire territory.

**

John has left, checking out the party, making sure everythings great for Alice. He wanted to do it.. decorate, help with the cake, the food. He really felt great doing it and Alice was pretty amazed by all Johns party planning too.

Finishing off blotting my lipstick I did a twirl and stood in front of the full length mirror hands on hips. Wonder Woman stared back at me. The hair, wide gold cuffs on my wrists, sparkly gold lasso, right down to my gold and red boots.

I felt sick, the anticipation of walking into the centre of the room, being sized up, looked down at by some, interest piqued in others, my stomach flip flopped.

I strode out my doorway smacking straight into Alice dressed as the mad hatter, pocket watch an' all.

We both spoke and laughed saying the same thing "You look great!"

"Wow Beth, you have gotta let me get out there first, I need to see the boy's chins drop and tongues loll when you prance out in that."

I frowned and he hugged me gently "You look fantastic beautiful girl. You need to realise that, knock the lot of them dead, I know you will" He walked backwards down the hallway shaking his head, proud but still disbelieving eyes with a fantastic wide smile.

I was mildly ill as I moved into the kitchen. Tony hovering over the stove and only took a quick glance, he must have been prewarned to hold off on the staring. I smiled appreciating his toned down demure.

The bar was lighter than usually, fairy lights strung everywhere made it beautiful, making everything brighter.

Alan at the bar wolf whistled and heads turned, I struck the pose and quaked inside. I need to own it or I'm dust. Micky was first cab off the ramp- he wanted me to lasso him, make him tell the truth so I did. Harry just gaped and I smiled at him as I walked past- confidently composed outside, mush and jelly inside. Alice smiled at his mates as I stood on the stairs in Wonder Woman stance ready to fight crime.

Elton kissed my cheek and thought I looked better than I ever had and that ' I should stick to it'. He, by the way, was Cinderella ready for the ball.

Keith Moon as Conan the Barbarian, sat off to the side and beckoned me over, he stood and decided he would now consider me pash worthy and that, then and there, I would be pashed. As he dipped me to kiss my lips, John ripped him away and nearly thumped him one. It was pretty funny as 'Batman' had saved me.

"Keep your lips to yourself He-Man" John pointed his finger in Keith's chest and I had to pull him away.

"Conan not He-fucking-Man" Keith picked up a big mallet and swung it over his head nearly taking out light.

They all thought it pretty odd behaviour by John til he turned around and pulled me to him to kiss me so hard I was gasping by the finish. We held hands after that, him making it clear that I was his date not just party hostess.

"Look who it is Cagney and Lacey" John cackled at Paul.

"Put your specs on, Batman. It's Cleopatra and Mark Antony you twat. Miss wow wow Wonder Woman, how are you my dear"

John and I looked at each other knowing my Cleo was now not able to show up. I shrugged comically. Oh well.

"Fine thanks Mark, Cleo you look divine, I was nearly Cleo... that would have been difficult for Paul, I would think"

"No, I would know my Cleo anywhere!" They kissed and I awwed, they were so great together.

"Gents and Ladies. How are we all. Oh Beth, you do scrub up nicely" Richard kissed my cheek. He was one half of Bonnie and Clyde. "Barbara, sorry Bonnie, this is Beth, Winnie, Paul and Linda, of course"

We all greeted Barbara warmly as John pretended to thump Richard for using his middle name, and found a spare table to chat and use as a base.

The night wore on and more people rocked up. The birthday song was sung and the enormous cake was cut, speeches were then made, many thanks made to special people in Alice's life.

"Well I would like to take a minute and thank my parents for birthing me. It was a big moment... and a bigger disappointment when I turned into me!" Everyone laughed but I saw a sad side, he was made fun of by dad when he started being Alice Cooper, the stage freak. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop from tearing up.

"I want to thank my core circle of gents otherwise known as the not as good looking as Alice crowd" chips and nuts were thrown at Alice. "No really, my mates who stand by me, drink with me, go a little crazy with me, and always have my back- thanks men. Now.." leaning over John, Alice tugged my hand, I shook my head no but John pushed and Alice pulled and I bounced up beside him.

"See this gorgeous creature.. this is my sister. My keeper, my mum, my dad, my parole officer, my bounty hunter, provider of good times. This place it's all her. I'm just icing, the topping on this awesome cake" I nudged him and he hugged me, kissing my cheek "Wonder Woman is just that, she has surprised quite a few tonight, tongues have lolled- Micky; Keith may even have written a marriage proposal on a piece of toilet paper. People like you kid, I respect you and love you for being who you are every day. Thank-you for being in my corner always, huny" I let a tear roll and hugged him so hard I swear I heard a snap.

"Ok you lot, my turn, my turn, pipe down! Micky shush!" I looked around at the odd gathering and realised this was home "Alice you're a goon, wanker, total cry baby when watching romantic movies and westerns and the best brother to this weird dag of a girl. You stand tall when others would fall, you are always there for your mates 100% no questions asked. I'm so lucky to call you brother and I'm pretty sure all in the room are proud to call you friend. Happy Birthday"

As Alice hugged and ruined his mascara I fell in Johns lap, hugging him tightly too. I was happy. Content for the first time in a long time.