"It's a party, that's all - a birthday party," said Debby, exasperated by her father's reluctance. "So, can I go?"

"I don't know, you should be studying instead of running around at parties."

"But that isn't fair," protested Debby, "I study all the time and I never go anywhere."

Her father stared at her as if seeing his daughter for the first time. He was still struggling to come to terms with the fact that his daughter was growing up. She had always been a pretty kid but now she was verging on becoming a beautiful young woman. He had protected and sheltered her for twelve years but it was getting more difficult by the day. He had known that things would be different when she moved from the sheltered surroundings of the convent school to the rough and tumble of a mixed sex secondary school but he'd never suspected how difficult it would be. He regretted that he hadn't allowed her more freedom, more opportunity to learn about life before she reached the age where her naivety could cause her lasting damage. She had no experienced of boys, in or out of school and now he was terrified that his only child would fall victim to her own innocence.

"And all my friends are going," said Debby desperately, as if that statement would clinch the argument.

Her father sighed reluctantly, his overwhelming love for his only child tearing him between wanting to protect her but not wanting to deny her anything that would make her happy.

"Okay, but you get all your homework done first and I'll collect you at ten."

"Ten?" echoed his daughter disbelievingly. "Nobody leaves a party at that time."

"You do," said her father firmly. "I'll be there at ten and if you aren't ready, I'll come in for you."

"I wish you'd stop treating me like a baby. I'm almost thirteen now."

"You're twelve years old and I don't care if you're fifty - as long as you live in my house, you'll do as I say."

Debby decided to quit while she was ahead. Sandra's thirteenth birthday party was not that important except that it was a symbol of Debby's acceptance by her new class mates.

Thrust into a new school that was worlds away from the cloistered existence that she had previously known, she was still struggling to find her feet and make friends, though it was painfully obvious to her that she was out of place. Despite her misgivings and chronic shyness she had managed to make friends with several of the girls in her year but outside of school she had little time for a social life and the kids had soon given up asking her out with them. Knowing that this could be the last time she would be invited anywhere, she had accepted Sandra's invitation with nervous reluctance. She was determined that this time it would be different.

She walked up the path to Sandra's front door, conscious of her father's watchful eyes which would not leave her until she was safely inside. His last words still echoed in her mind .

"...And be ready to leave by ten or it'll be the last time you go anywhere."."

She had felt out of place as soon as she walked through the door. This was no lemonade and pop music party. The music was loud and the lights were dim. Confused and wondering if coming to the party had been a big mistake, she was relieved when Sandra saw her from across the room and came over.

"What do you think, Debs?"

Debby smiled and struggled to make herself heard over the music.

"Loud is a good word."

Sandra grinned, "My first grown-up party. I wanted it to be different."

"It's different all right," said Debby wryly, "I hardly recognised some of the girls from school."

"You didn't expect them to wear their school uniforms did you?"

"No, of course not," she said, aware that if her father had had his way, school uniform was exactly what she would be wearing. "I meant the make-up. My dad would throw a fit if I wore anything like that."

"Well, you're lucky of course," said Sandra.

"You call that lucky?" grumbled Debby, "I call it unfair."

"I meant that you're lucky not to need make-up. Your skin is beautiful and I'd die for lashes like yours."

Sandra studied her friend for a moment.

"Maybe a hint of colour on your lips - just to emphasise them a little," she said thoughtfully.

"Why would I want to emphasise my lips?" said Debby. "What's wrong with them?"

"Nothing, silly. It's just that boys are a bit slow sometimes and a girl needs to draw their attention to certain things."

Debby stood dumbly trying to work out what her friend was talking about. She had the feeling that she was supposed to know and didn't want to appear stupid by asking. The bemused expression on her face betrayed her.

"For God's sake, Debs, where have you been all your life? A bloody convent?"

Debby nodded miserably. "Mostly, yes."

Sandra stared at her and giggled.

"I'm sorry, of course you were at a convent school, weren't you?"

She put her arm across Debby's shoulders and hugged her lightly.

"It's simple biology Debs. You know how some apes have bright red, swollen bums? Well what d'you think that's for?"

Debby shrugged, "We never did that in biology. It was mostly frogs and flowers and stuff."

"That figures," said Sandra. "It's about sex, Debs. They have bright red bums to attract a mate and to remind the stupid males where to put their dicks."

Debby blushed and felt her face grow hot - not just from Sandra's unexpected use of the word dick but the thoughts that the word conjured, unbidden, in her mind.

"But - but what's that got to do with lipstick?" she stammered.

Sandra giggled again, "You really are priceless, Debs. It's the same thing. Boys are just as stupid as monkeys - they need reminding where to put their..." she paused before adding the word, "lips.".....(cont)