Tinsel and Glitter 5 - The Final Night
	Although I had always planned to wear my little black dress with gold lace outer, I knew that the bust line and the crossover straps posed a challenge, so I had brought a number of bras with me. After 30-minutes experimentation it became apparent that the best effect would be achieved by abandoning my breast forms in favour of my little black Wonder-Bra worn as a halter neck and lightly padded with rolled up tights. This gave a nice little suggestion of cleavage.
	The new peacock pattern dress, to my surprise, also presented a challenge, as although it wasn't particularly low cut, it did have quite a small bust area. Luckily the new bra I had bought on Friday fitted fine and, again padded with tights, also gave a suggestion of cleavage despite being a lot less tight fitting than the Wonder-Bra.
	Satisfied I would be able to wear the dresses I wanted that night, I treated myself to that all-important pre-competition lie down. Rested, I followed the same makeup routine as the previous night. With my little toes both badly blistered I was forced to tape them up to prevent further damage. Application of a little foundation soon disguised the tape, especially once I put on the vaguely black tights! It was also clear that the only shoes I could walk round to the hotel in were, ironically, the very boots that had done the damage. They didn't exactly go brilliantly with the peacock dress but they would have to do. For the competition, I packed my black stiletto sandals, reasoning I could stand the discomfort for an hour or so! I chose to stick with the red wig, as it had been good for me so far.
	Again I first went round to Sarah and Jo's and left my change of outfit in their room for later. We then went down to dinner and then back up to the bar for more socialising. I didn't feel like dancing this time (I needed to save my feet) but I did flit around finding people to chat to that I had missed earlier nights (e.g. Amanda and Julia) and catching up with Maggie and Zena. In discussion I was told that the mistake I had made with the boots was that you are supposed to wear little thin socks with them if you plan to be on your feet a long time - I added them to my next shopping list.
	The cabaret this evening was a traditional Northern Comic - the most non-PC act I have heard in a long time but I must say he had the audience in the palm of his hand, and I found myself laughing too. As soon as he had finished I dashed upstairs to change for the final. I was pleased to find that resting my feet all evening had allowed them to recover a little so I wasn't limping in the sandals. Also the painted toenails showed beautifully through the new tights and the cleavage effect was just what I hoped.
	I left my camera with Julia who had kindly agreed to take some snaps for me and took my place with the other girls and we again drew our number. This time I would be on first! As the competition began I did my best to walk confidently out, looking at the crowd and the judges as I went. I felt a lot less shy than the previous evening. It transpired that for this round we would have to do a little more. Firstly, we had to say our own names into the microphone. Secondly, we had to answer a question!
	Luckily mine was fairly simple though in two parts: "Have you been to this event before?" "No" "Would you like to come back again?" "I'd love to". Now I didn't make any conscious effort about my voice but the girls tell me I was clearly giving it my girlie best! Then it was a short parade to the end of the dance floor, turn, walk back and pause for a final few photos. Again I did my best to look at the audience - indeed to look for people that wanted to take pictures and to smile at them. Then it was over to the bar to observe the other girls. After they had each had their turn (each person answered different questions) it was time for one final get together on the dance floor in front of the judges and then we retired to the bar again to await the result.
	After a mercifully brief interval, the winner was announced. Julie-Anne had triumphed, her prize a free attendance at the March event. She was presented with her coronet and cape by last year's winner (Debbie) and then took her victory turn around the floor. Disappointed (but only a little as she was the one I would have chosen too!) I then joined the other runners up and Julie-Anne for a few more pictures.
	Then it was back to the gang for a drink and a chance to rest my feet again. After a somewhat interminable raffle (which I also failed to win - clearly not my night!) the disco started up and I looked with longing at the dance floor knowing full well that my feet wouldn't bear dancing in those heels. However, Sarah T pointed out that lots of the girls there were dancing in stockinged feet and that if I really wanted to dance I could too. The lure of the dance floor proved strong enough so off I went to bop the rest of the night away.
	After the disco finished I picked up my stuff from Sarah's room, changing back into the boots, and said my goodbyes to the girls still in the bar. As a group of other girls (Dolores amongst them) were heading back to my hotel, we all went via the back alley. This helped to shelter us from the weather, which was definitely beginning to turn nastier. Up in my room, I made a start on packing, being still too excited to go straight to bed. As I finally stripped off the makeup it occurred to me that tomorrow I wouldn't be putting it back on again and that made me feel a little sad.
	Next morning Sarah, Jo and I signed up for the March event, saying or goodbyes to the Organisers - Angela and Joyce. As we drove out of Blackpool (in a gale!) I felt the same sort of happy-sad feeling I had as a youngster being forced to go home again after an idyllic holiday - I can't wait for March!
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