It seems that Heidi will be central to whatever happens in Christine’s plan for Andy and the extra time she wants them to stay in the village as Astrid and Christopher.

Chapter 8 — The plot thickens

In Penny Lane there is a crimper showing photographs
Of every head she's had the pleasure to have known
And all the people like to come and go,
Stop and say hello (with loving appreciation of Lennon and McCartney)

“Mama?” Tracy's voice cut through her solitude and Maggie fought from giving a shriek of fright, as she jumped in her seat. When she looked up she noticed Tracy had managed to make it all the way to her chair without being heard.

“No...I....” Tracy swallowed as she looked down at her feet. “Mama? Am I an abomination?”

Edited by Djkauf with some input and advice from Rev. Anam Chara

It's time for a bit of character building. A glimpse into how the Patterson's see religion and One of Maggie's darkest secrets. I have the rating up a bit due to subject matter.

Monday morning Colin strutted into work with his head held high. He entered the mechanic’s bay through a side door by the employee’s parking area. For the first time ever he’d left his cap at home. Yesterday at the mall he’d stopped at a salon and got his hair cut in a funky spiky style with soft highlights that framed his face.

He was wearing his new 501 boyfriend jeans and a new tight fitting tee shirt emblazoned with a butterfly that read “Get out of your cocoon and PLAY”. An inch of creamy smooth midriff was revealed above the waistband of his jeans. He wore a sports bra and bikini panties under it all.

This is the last Chapter.

The Welsh Mountain Ram 41.

Briony Davies Nee Lewis ... Betrayed wife and mother.
Sion Her eight-year-old son.
Ellairy... Her nine-month--old daughter.
Arfon Davies... Brionys’ abusive and unfaithful husband.
Dave Cadwalloder... Welsh bachelor hill-farmer.
Jenny and Lassie... Daves’ sheepdog bitches.
Laddie... Daves’ sheepdog.
Jessica and Pansy... Daves’ sows.
Angel... Daves’ mare.
Gabriella (Gabby)... Angels’ foal (Gift to Sion.)

A new character, one who is especially well-connected in the Village is someone that Christine feels that Andy should meet.

Chapter 7 — Through the looking glass

The Case Files of Cindy Masters, Dyke Detective
This Episode: A Chance Encounter - Part Two
by Trapper Jock McIntyre

Masters is the name. Cindy Masters. I'm a detective. I get $50 a day and expenses, $75 if I can get it.

CHAPTER 6
The music ran down, and we gathered together for the drive back. I collared Karen as she started shovelling things into her usual huge bag.

“You heading straight home, lass?”

“Yeah, work tomorrow, and school, usual life-goes-on stuff. Jill, this was good, good for James, too, yeah?”

“Honey?”

Colin glanced up. He calmed his mind, preparing himself for what was to come. He was very familiar with the syrupy, slightly wheedling tone Dee was using. She wanted something and didn’t want him to realize he was being manipulated. She would be mortified and loudly deny she ever did such a thing if he were to make the mistake of mentioning it to her.
 

Past made perfect

“So lets assume I wanted to make a man dress and act like a woman. How could I do it?”

“Against his will?”

“Yes.”

“Well, if you were being crude, you could kidnap him, drug him, and use threats of rape or other bodily harm.”

“I would rather something more subtle.”

“LIke what?”

“Hypnotics.”

“Not terribly effective, or so I’ve heard.”

“It depends on how they’re used. For example, did you know it was possible to plant a memory? To make a man remember spending his childhood dressing up?”

“Like I did? Sounds far-fetched.”

On a dark moonless night a young woman in a red ford mustang speeds down a winding road with her radio blasting.

How well do you truly know yourself? Well enough to know how you'll look after touching a trans-stone? Go on. Touch the stone and change your body to match your true self. I dare you.

The mirror.

It was Friday and I had the day off from work.
I was driving through town when I saw a sign 'garage sale'.
I stopped the car and walked towards the crowd who were looking through the pile of stuff for sale.
Nothing really interested me and as I turned to leave my eye's singled out something interesting.
Resting against the garage door stood a full length mirror and from the looks of it, it was Victorian style.

As I stood before the mirror I thought that for a moment a woman in a long leather skirt was looking back at me.

...he was willing to sell it all to be with Dee. It was just *stuff* after all.

Dee was... different. She was the first woman he’d allowed himself to become friends with. Dee was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever met. But she was much more. She was incredibly smart. Funny. Interesting. Lovable. Colin did love Dee; she was the first woman since his sisters that he loved.
 

Daphne meets the rest of Briony's family and inevitably the wedding list gets longer.

When I am old, I shall wear purple and behave disgracefully.

The Welsh Mountain Ram 38

Briony Davies Nee Lewis ... Betrayed wife and mother.
Sion Her eight-year-old son.

Daphne's first encounter with Jean Lewis, Briony's mother.

The Welsh Mountain Ram 37.

Briony Davies Nee Lewis ... Betrayed wife and mother.
Sion Her eight-year-old son.
Ellairy... Her nine-month--old daughter.
Arfon Davies... Brionys’ abusive and unfaithful husband.
Dave Cadwalloder... Welsh bachelor hill-farmer.
Jenny and Lassie... Daves’ sheepdog bitches.
Laddie... Daves’ sheepdog.
Jessica and Pansy... Daves’ sows.
Angel... Daves’ mare.
Gabriella (Gabby)... Angels’ foal (Gift to Sion.)

This chapter describes Daphne's meeting with Briony's father. It doesn't go well. briony later meets her mother but Dapne hangs back.

The Welsh Mountain Ram 36

Briony Davies Nee Lewis ... Betrayed wife and mother.
Sion ... Her eight-year-old son.
Ellairy... Her nine-month--old daughter.
Arfon Davies... Brionys’ abusive and unfaithful husband.
Dave Cadwalloder... Welsh bachelor hill-farmer.
Jenny and Lassie... Daves’ sheepdog bitches.
Laddie... Daves’ sheepdog.
Jessica and Pansy... Daves’ sows.
Angel... Daves’ mare.

A nagging loose end that needs attention. I really don't like leaving things unfinished. Expect one more part after this, but it'll come when it is ready. And when I find the time. Sorry, you'll have to read back through for this to make any sense.

"This is madness!"

The two women looked at their companion, who was neither a man nor a woman, exactly. They were standing on the half-landing looking out over a sea of brightly coloured racks, the Women's Floor of Maddens Department Store.

"I just can't do this! It was crazy of me to ever think I could!"

Shirley looked at the speaker and came to a quick decision.

"Right. Cafe, over there." She pointed to an area of shiny chrome chairs and tables in front of the plate glass windows overlooking the square. "Let's go and sit down for a moment. And have a nice cup of tea."

CHAPTER 4
I get lost with police ranks above Inspector, and the man we eventually went to see was a Superintendent. I sat outside with Den for a while as John was put through the mill. The Sergeant seemed keen to talk.

“So you knew him at school? Small world”

“I didn’t know him at school, that’s just the point, aye? I knew his fists and feet, like, but then I sort of knew a lot of lads’ extremities, if you see what I mean”

“Jibe Ho.” The boat swung hard to Port and the sail spat the wind and the boom smacked across. Suddenly we were going in the opposite direction. Just moments later I looked and Claymore had suddenly ripped to Port not quite jibing, but heading straight into the water we’d have been in. They WOULD have collided with us.

Is it right to betray the trust of a man, just because you’re smart and ruthless and will do anything to get what you want? Is it right to take everything from someone, just because you can? And how far can you push it before you cross the line between human and inhuman … and somebody notices?

Part 14

CHAPTER 3
A month later and John’s interview was weighing on his mind, and Alec was leaving mine well alone.

“I am worse than bloody Sally, Jill. She always gets close to her patients, and she’s got me doing it now. No, that’s unfair. Blame where blame is due: it’s your fault”

“You make it sound like a failing, Alec. Nothing to do with my amazing charm?”