David buries his wife after she loses her fight against cancer. He is nearly 50, and their children are now grown up, so he breaks the news that he is going to undertake that which he wanted to do for as long as he could remember — a sex change. He had struggled with his transsexuality all his life, but his love for his wife and respect for her meant he just played the hand that he had been dealt, up to now, that is.

Meanwhile, in the USA, grizzled Police Chief John Collingwood comes to near breaking point. Stressed from his job, his grief over his dead wife, and the despair of near alcoholism, he embarks on a trip to the UK with his brother to seek out his family tree.

Two very different people find a very different future, they also find each other...

but will it work?

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Tanya has a new website where she will display her latest works first and then to BigCloset TopShelf a few weeks later is here at Tanya Allan's Tales .
Tanya's Book Shop where she is selling her works in book form is at http://tanyaallan.authorshaunt.com/shop.php . Please Visit!

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The Legal Stuff: A Girl Can But Dream  © 2006,2009,2010 Tanya Allan
 
This work is the property of the author, and the author retains full copyright, in relation to printed material, whether on paper or electronically. Any adaptation of the whole or part of the material for broadcast by radio, TV, or for stage plays or film, is the right of the author unless negotiated through legal contract. Permission is granted for it to be copied and read by individuals, and for no other purpose. Any commercial use by anyone other than the author is strictly prohibited, and may only be posted to free sites with the express permission of the author.
 
This work is fictitious, and any similarities to any persons, alive or dead, are purely coincidental. Mention is made of persons in public life only for the purposes of realism, and for that reason alone. Certain licence is taken in respect of medical procedures, terms and conditions, and the author does not claim to be the fount of all knowledge.
 
The author accepts the right of the individual to hold his/her (or whatever) own political, religious and social views, and there is no intention to deliberately offend anyone. If you wish to take offence, that is your problem.
 
This is only a story, and it contains adult material, which includes sex and intimate descriptive details pertaining to genitalia. If this is likely to offend, then don’t read it.
 
Please enjoy.
Tanya
 
 

 
 
 
Chapter 11
 
 
Dee
 
I wanted to show John’s daughters that I was good enough for their father, so Maria and I worked out a compromise menu that was partially English and partially familiar.

After our morning ride, John had some correspondence to do in relation to finding his replacement. I accompanied Maria in the Pickup to the local mall to buy some ingredients for the meal I intended.

Maria knew what the girls liked so, to a greater extent, that determined my choice of menu. Maria would have prepared a salad and let John cook some steaks and burgers on the barbeque. I wanted to show them there was another side to culinary delights.

I bought a whole fillet of beef, surprised at the low price. I hoped it would be as fine a quality as the Scottish beef I normally selected. We bought some local ingredients for the starter and dessert.

We then returned to the ranch where I pan fried the fillet in garlic and olive oil, simply browning the outside and sealing the juices in. I made a chicken liver pate, which I coated the fillet and surrounded the whole thing in pastry. Beef Wellington was one of my specialities in the old days, so I hoped it would be a success.

I felt unreasonably nervous of meeting John’s daughters, so as the day progressed, I became more and more jumpy. After a light lunch, John and I went for a ride, when he showed me some of the horses he’d bred. The whole way of life was so different from everything I had experienced that every moment was like a new adventure. I even managed to forget the daughters’ visit, for a short while at least.

In the event, I’m not sure who was the most nervous.

Maria and I had prepared everything, so the beef was in the oven on a low heat. I’d changed into a light summer dress and was feeling so jittery that John had to calm me down.

He held me for a few moments, just letting me shake.

“You’ll be fine!” he said.

I didn’t feel fine.

“What if they hate me?”

“They won’t!”

“They might!”

“Dee, they won’t. Trust me on this.”

A dog barked and he looked out the window.

“They’re here, come on,” he said, taking my hand and almost dragging me out to meet them.

They were both out of the car when we got to the front door. I could immediately see the resemblance to their mother, and to a degree to their father. Both girls were taller than I, but not by much, and both had long fair hair.

“Daddy!” said one, rushing over and giving her father a hug. I later learned it was Annie.

The other came over and smiled at me.

“Hi, you must be Dee. I’m Jenny,” she said.

We shook hands awkwardly, but then she grinned and embraced me.

“Hello, Jenny. Yes, I’m Dee. News travels fast, it seems.”

Annie looked at me and then at her father, who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. She simply gave me a hug too.

“Hi Dee, thanks for saving Daddy,” she said.

I laughed. “I think it’s as much a case of him saving me,” I admitted.

“Dee’s been through the same as me, girls. She’s a widow, to cancer too.”

“You’re looking so much better, Daddy,” said Jenny as she gave her father a hug.

“So, do you like Arizona, Dee?” Annie asked.

“I love it, so far. But I haven’t seen much of it yet.”

“Daddy, when are you going up to Flagstaff?” Jenny asked.

“Next weekend. Why, are you going to join us?”

“Would you mind?”

“Of course not, why should I?”

The girls were both dressed in jeans and short-sleeved shirts. It seemed to be the unofficial uniform of residents in these parts.
 
 
We all went inside, so I left the girls with their father as I checked on the kitchen. Maria virtually told me to go away, as she was in charge. The beef looked good, so I returned to the cool shady veranda overlooking the pool.

“What’s it like in England, Daddy?” Annie asked.

“It’s so green. I liked Dorset the best with so much unspoiled countryside, the narrow lanes and the history. There’s a ruined castle near where Dee lives. It was destroyed in the English civil war, that’s two centuries before ours. The Royalists were holding out against the parliament’s forces and the roundheads won. Then a few miles further on there’s the ocean, with the sandy beaches and the boats.”

“Cool! Is the ocean real close?” Annie asked.

“Britain is very narrow, so you're never further than about sixty miles from the sea, no matter where you are,” I explained.

“Wow, sixty miles, that’s not far!”

So it went on. The conversation changed, but never getting too deep.

“I understand you’ve three kids, and one’s a Marine?” Annie said, nudging her sister.

“Annie, behave!” she said, but smiled.

I couldn’t help but smile.

“I have two sons and a daughter. Sarah is my daughter and she’s the one with the baby. Then there’s Stephen, he’s the officer in the Royal Marines. He’s twenty-four now. Lastly, there’s Jon, who’s twenty-two and at Oxford University.”

“Have the boys got girlfriends?” asked Annie, giggling.

“Jon has, she’s called Sophie and is at Oxford with him, but Stephen doesn’t seem to have time.”

“There you go, Jen, a hunky marine!”

“Shut up, Annie!”

“Do you have any photos?” Annie asked.

“I have actually,” I said, delving into my bag.

The photograph was the one that was taken quite recently. Charles had taken it of the five of us before we all split up at the end of the summer. I was holding Amy, with Sarah to my left and Stephen to my left. Jon was next to Sarah. It looked such a lovely natural photograph, one couldn’t tell the changes that had occurred before that.

“Your daughter looks just like you.”

“Thanks.”

“Which one is the Marine?”

“The one next to me.”

“He’s cute, isn’t he Jen?” Annie asked, passing the photo over to her sister.

Jenny looked at the photo.

“Who took the photo?” she asked.

“Charles, my son-in-law.”

She smiled and handed it back.

“That’s a great family. You must be very proud.”

“I am, just as John is proud of his wonderful girls,” I said.

“Have you any pictures of your home?” Jenny asked.

“Not with me,” I said.

“Uncle Ed took about fifty rolls of film, so you will soon see where she comes from. She has a cute cottage and a lovely flower garden. The village is typically English, you’ll love it,” John said.

Suddenly, I was eager to share my home with these people.
 
 
John then went through how we met and happened to fall head over heels in love within twenty-four hours.

Jenny seemed genuinely pleased with the way events had panned out.

“Oh, Daddy, you’ve now idea how much we were all praying you’d find someone. I guess none of us expected things to happen this fast.”

“None of did, sweetheart, least of all Dee and myself. Heck, we were just two lonely and hurting people that happened to meet when our needs were greatest. I have to confess that Dee helped me to cry for your mother for the first time.”

“Daddy was a real mess, did he tell you about the drinking?” Annie asked.

“Annie!” admonished her sister.

“Yes, he told me all about the drinking and the prostitutes,” I said with a straight face.

“Prostitutes?” both girls said in unison.

John chuckled. “Hey, girls, she’s kidding. Just to show that although she comes over as a cool English lady, she has a wicked sense of humour,” he said.

I left them laughing in relief and went to check on the food.

“Senora, the food is ready, it looks wonderful. Why don’t you go and sit down?”
 
 
I returned to the veranda and ushered them into the dining area. The starter was avocado and prawns, which went down every well. However, when the beef came out I was rewarded by surprise and compliments.

The beef was excellent, a nice pink colour. It cut beautifully, complimented by the paté and the pastry.

“Dee made this, just to show you how good a cook she is,” John explained.

“You cook too? Hey daddy, don’t let this one get away!” said Jenny with a smile.

It was a very happy meal, so as I relaxed, I warmed to the girls. They were so nice and supportive, that I wondered why I’d been so nervous.

“So, when are you guys getting married?” Jenny asked.

“I’m not sure, Dee wanted to have certain conditions met before we could go ahead. Dee?” John said, looking at me.

I felt embarrassed.
 
 
“I simply stated that if your family hated me, we ought to think again.”

“Oh, Dee, don’t do that, Daddy needs you!” Annie said.

I smiled. “Then it’s up to your grandmother,” I said.

“That’s okay, she’ll do what we tell her,” said Jenny.

“Do you need any bridesmaids?”

“Gosh, I really hadn't thought that far ahead. I suppose Sarah will want to take pride of place, so you’re both more than welcome to be, if you’d like to, that is?”

“Great! I’ve always wanted to be a bridesmaid, and then we’ll get to meet the Marine, right Jenny?”

I smiled.

It was like coming home.
 
 
I don’t know why, but I expected them to leave after the meal, but they’d come to stay for a while. We all bade each other a good night and went to bed at about one am.

I lay snuggled up to John.

“See, I told you there was nothing to worry about!”

“It’s early days,” I said. “They don’t know me yet.”

“They adore you, they told me so when you were out of the room.”

“It’s still early days.”
 
 
They stayed for five days, and we managed to do a heck of a lot in those days. We rode, went shopping, walked and talked a good deal. I showed them how to make some easy and stunningly good food off a small budget, and in return they told me about their mother.

I came to know Sally quite well through her daughters, and truly began to feel that we would have been friends. She was very like my Delia, with the same supportive and loving nature. I wished I had met her, but realised that had she been alive, John would never have come to England.

People started dropping in, friends of John who had known Sally. I began to feel that I was under close scrutiny by the local community. It unnerved me slightly, but no one was unkind. It dawned on me that John was well respected by everyone, perhaps with the exception of some miscreants behind bars. Those who did hold him in high regard wanted to make sure that their John was in safe hands.

I must have passed the invisible test, for whenever I ventured into town, everyone was very polite and friendly.

So, feeling more confident, I faced the next test — John’s mother.

We drove up to Flagstaff with the girls. I was now almost dressed as they were, in jeans and a shirt. Only I wore a denim skirt. I revelled in being a woman, so tended to wear jeans or trousers only for riding or working on the ranch. My skin was tanned and I no longer looked quite so out of place.

John promised we would visit the Grand Canyon as we were so close. I was still very nervous, having convinced myself that John’s mother, Jean, would see through me and instantly know what I once had been.

Jean’s home was a delightful white house; a typical example of local architecture. It was on one level with a small yard and lots of shade from tall trees. It was built to keep cool, so I had yet to see any brick-built homes, such as we had in England. Jean came out to meet us almost before the engine had stopped.

She instantly reminded me of my own mother, now dead for a number of years. It wasn't her looks, as she was very different, buther general manner and her smile. She had white hair, set in a short and easy to manage style. She was a tall, slender woman, or had been in her younger years. Now age had caused some stooping of the back, but she was still an imposing woman.

“Come here, child,” Jean said to me, after her grand-daughters had greeted her and her son and dutifully kissed her cheek.

She’d taken me by the hand and escorted me to a swing seat in the shade in the garden. She sat me down and sat next to me.

“Now, tell me all about it,” she said.

I did.

I told her about my grief, how we met and how we fell in love. I told her about my family and how wonderful John had made me feel. I almost told her everything, but realised that it was unnecessary. The past was what crippled us. The future was what gave us hope and something to live for. It dawned on me that she neither wanted nor needed to know the gritty details of an irrelevant past. Who was I to bring such potentially harmful matters up?

I showed her the photograph of my family.

“My goodness, how like your daughter you are!” she said. I said nothing.

The girls seemed to want to help my sales pitch, for they continually sang my praises all though the visit.

As her son and the girls were sent on some minor errand, she had me alone.

“Tell me, Deborah, is this what you really want?”

“With all my heart, if he will have me.”

“Don’t be silly, of course he’ll have you. I just want to thank you, as one mother to another.”

“You don’t have to, I promise.”

“I do, Deborah. You see, I know how close to the edge John came. He’d never admit it, even to himself, but he was on a self-destructive path, from which you have managed to pull him off. I’ve my son back. For the first time in two years, he can smile and laugh. So, you will always have my gratitude and love. I thought I might bury a son, and a mother should never have to bury a child!”

I wept then, as did she, so John returned to find us embraced and weeping together.
 
 
We stayed the weekend. John andf the girls took me to see the Grand Canyon and it took my breath away. The spectacular splendour of nature is truly awesome, putting mans’ puny efforts to shame.

On the Sunday, Ed and Pamela arrived, along with their other halves and diverse off-spring. I felt so accepted that I felt ashamed for ever having been nervous. Ed had so many pictures of Dorset, so everyone had a very good idea of where I came from. The girls expressed a desire to come and stay, so persuaded us to set a date to marry soon.

John wouldn’t be pushed. He took the mantle from me, as all my reservations had been met.

“We’ll marry when I’ve retired,” he told us all.

“But that won’t be until next year!” wailed Annie.

“Where are you going to get married?” Jenny asked.

I hadn’t thought about it. I knew the laws were different in Europe and indeed they altered from State to State within America.

“Dee?”

“I’m not sure. There are many things to take into account. Your family is a lot more extensive than mine, so the expense of transporting all of you to England would be horrific. I don’t want a big affair, just immediate family. So there’d only be my children, their partners and my grand daughter, of course. As I’m taking steps into a new life, in a new place, I think I’d like to get married over here.”

Jean looked relieved, as the thought of a transatlantic flight was not high on her list of things she wanted to experience.

I left Jean knowing that I had a real friend. She accepted me as I was, with no reservations and with such love that I felt humble. It was like finding another mother. We wept a lot together over the weekend, as I was able to express some grief over my own mother’s death. When John and I returned to the ranch, the girls left for college, so life calmed down and started to settle into a more humdrum existence.

I thanked God daily for allowing me such happiness.
 
 
Chapter 12
 
 
John
 
“Are you sure we can’t persuade you to stay on?” Jake Glennister asked me. We were in his office, enjoying a coffee at the beginning of the day.

“Quite sure, Jake. I’ve a life to get back to. Besides, my family are all pressurising us to get married soon. Dee is being very patient, but now we’ve five applicants, I feel it’s time to go.”

Jake nodded, scratching his balding head.

“We want you to be on the interview board. It’s only right that you have a part in selecting your successor.”

“I’d be happy to.”

“Can you stay on for a week as a handover?”

“I’ve already said I would, sure.”

“How’s Dee?”

“She’s fine, thanks.”

“She’s a mighty fine woman, you’re very fortunate.”

“I know that Jake.”

“You must be missing her.”

“Yeah, but she’s coming back in a week or so. She dropped everything to come over with me. In the four weeks she’s been here, she’s finished her novel and completed some real fine paintings, so she now needs to go home to sort out some affairs.”

“Where are you going to settle down, here or in Europe?”

“We’ve talked about it a lot. She’s more than happy to make the ranch our home, as long as we can go back to the old country every now and again. She has a real fine cottage there, which she’s reluctant to part with, and I have to admit, I fell in love with that little part of old England. She also has family over there, like her son and daughter and grand-daughter, so we’ll probably spend summers over there. Besides, she told me that winter in England is not the best place to be unless you’re a duck.”

Jake laughed.

“Yeah, I heard that. My cousin was over on the west coast of Scotland in the navy some years back, and he told me that it gets so wet, one develops webbed feet. When’s the wedding?”

“After I retire, so that depends on you.”

“Okay, we’ve written to the applicants, so we should be interviewing them in the first week of December.”

“That’s fine. We can hand over in January or February, depending on how much notice their current employer needs, so it should work out just fine. Looks like a spring wedding.”
 
 
I left his office feeling pleased to have now some degree of certainty about the future. However, I was missing Dee more than I ever thought possible. The ranch was feeling empty again, but in a different way. After Sally died, the emptiness was dark and soulless. It was like the light had been turned out and I was walking in permanent gloom.

Now, the light had been left on. I saw evidence of Dee all over the place, her clothes in the wardrobe, her boots stood by the door and the flowers she’d left in vases and pots all over the house were constant reminders that she was coming back.

I understood that she needed to get back home to sort things out. Plus, the time gave me ample opportunity to do those chores that I had been putting off for too long, but I still missed her.
 
 
I spent some of my time researching transsexuality. My experience in this matter was precisely nil. I knew that it happened, so to speak, but had little experience in dealing with anyone with gender disorders. Apart from a lot of off-taste humour, in which the transgendered were often the butts of a myriad of jokes, my experience had been as a young cop, working the streets and dealing with drunken transvestites and fights in gay bars. I’d come across a few young girls who had been boys. Forced into a life of prostitution and drugs by the high costs of surgery and drugs, and often compounded by the rejection they faced from their supposedly loving families. Many were HIV or Hep B infected, hooked onto heroin by their pimps and forced to work their asses off (literally) in order to survive, let alone afford the surgery they so desperately wanted.

I found a wealth of information on the Internet, in fact there was almost too much. I found the personal accounts the most moving, particularly when they expressed the anguish and torment they went through in living every day lives in the body they clearly never identified with. It was a testament to Dee’s fortitude that she managed to put her real feelings aside for so long. In a way she was one of the fortunate, as her family had stuck by her and she had accumulated sufficient capital to afford the high costs of transitioning. Nevertheless it was still a tough decision followed by a gruelling experience.

It made me examine myself. We take so much for granted, so that unless we are faced with other’s difficulties, we never really have any idea what it must feel like for them. The world likes categorising people into boxes, but if someone doesn’t fit, it is so hard for them to live a normal life. The mental anguish, the physical hardships and pain that these people experienced, just to attempt to bring some sense of balance and rightness to their lives is a real example of courage and sheer guts.
 
 
On returning to my office, I looked over the résumés of the applicants for my job. They were all good men, or to be precise, four good men and one good woman. I was pleased to see my old colleague, Lieutenant Lewis Grant, had applied. He’d do well here, as long as his wife appreciated the slower pace of life. I didn’t have any knowledge of the others, so I knew I’d have to work hard to remain objective.

I found that I was anxious for the time to pass now, whereas, a few weeks ago, I cared about very little. As each day was a struggle to get through, my only goal was to exist in the present with little thought of the future. I was looking forward again, and it was a very pleasant feeling.

I glanced at my watch, trying to imagine what time it was in England and so what Dee was up to. It was almost nine, so that made it around midnight in the UK. I toyed with calling her, just to hear her voice.

My phone rang instead. I answered it.

“Chief of Police.”

“Hi lover, how are you?”

I grinned in spite of myself. “Hi honey. I was just thinking about you. I was about to call you, but thought you’d be in bed.”

“I hate going to bed without you, so I tend to stay up until I’m so tired I just fall asleep immediately. I miss you, what are you doing?” she asked.

“Thinking about you. I was just looking through all the applicants for my job and it got me thinking.”

“What about?”

“You. Where shall we go for our honeymoon?”

“I don’t care, really. I miss you so much.”

“When are you coming back?”

“Hopefully, in a few days. I’ve sorted out someone to check on the house. I thought about selling it, but then again, realised that it might be worth hanging onto. If we come over, it would be nice to have our own little bit of peace and quiet, so we’re not beholden to anyone. I adore staying with my kids, but I am too aware they have their own lives to lead.”

“How’re things going?” I asked.

“Good. I’ve given my manuscript to my publisher, so that’s now taken care of. I’m just getting my legal documents cleared, as there’s a case that’s just gone through the European courts that might be very important.”

“Oh yes?”

“It was brought by a TS who was trying to have her new gender legally recognised by the government for marriage purposes. She was successful, so I’ve applied for a Gender Recognition Certificate by sending in all the doctors’ certificates and reports. I had to pay a fee, but if successful, I can get a new birth certificate stating that I’m female, which will make getting married so much easier.”

“Okay, when will you know for sure?”

“I’m not sure, hopefully in a few days, but it will save another visit or loads of letters.”

“Does that mean we’ll have to get married in the UK?”

“I don’t think so. As I will have a new birth certificate telling whoever is interested that I’m female, I guess all I need is my passport, the certificate and the necessary licence.”

“How are the kids?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Fine, or at least I think they’re fine. I’ve seen Sarah and the baby, and they’re doing brilliantly. I can’t believe how big Amy has got. Not seeing her for a few weeks makes such a difference at this stage. The boys, on the other hand, are far too busy to come and see me. I’ve spoken to them, and they tell me they’re fine. Stephen is off to the Middle East, so I’m a bit concerned about him.”

“Such is a mother’s prerogative, but I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

“How are the girls?” she asked.

“They’re good too. Annie was nagging me to make sure you get your Stephen over here soon.”

“Can you imagine how complicated things would get if those two got together?”

“I don’t have a problem with it, unless you do?”

“Annie is a sweetie, but I don’t believe in forcing these things. I don’t think she’d appreciate being a Royal Marine officer’s wife.”

“Maybe, still, it isn’t our problem. We all have the right to make mistakes. Mom was wondering if we’ve set a date yet.”

“Have we?” she asked, making me chuckle.

“Well, if all goes to plan, I’ll be free in January or February by the latest, so how about in the spring?”

“That sounds fine. It would be good if we can get a day when Jon has finished his studies at Oxford.”

“Okay, how about the Easter break?”

“Yes, that’ll do.”

“Have you given any more thought to where you want to get married?” I asked.

“Not really, I have to admit to being more concerned over these silly legal complications. Do you have a preference?”

“Heck no, I just want a day to remember and one in which you will be happy.”

“You are so sweet, John, I don’t really care either, I just want it to happen!”

“Me too, but you know how moms are.”

“I do, and in a way I’d adore it for my mother to be still alive, but I suppose it’s best she isn’t. I’m not sure how she, or my dad if it comes to that, would take to the new me. I know your mother would not be keen to take a trans-Atlantic flight, so maybe we could marry there?”

“I’d like it, but I want you to be happy.”

“Oh, you big idiot. I don’t give a proverbial where I get married, or even if I do. I just want to be with you forever!”

“Sorry, babe, that I can’t arrange. How about till one of us kicks the bucket?”

She chuckled on the other end of the phone.

“Deal,” she said, still chuckling.

“John?”

“Yeah?”

“How about we get married on the ranch, is that possible?”

“You’d like that?” I asked, feeling inordinately pleased.

“Very much. It keeps it private, so just close friends and family, as well as keeping the cost down. It sounds a bit odd, but I think Sally would have liked that as well.”

I felt some tears come to my eyes. I was lost for words for a moment.

“John?”

“I’m here, Hun. I’d like that too. I’ll make the arrangements.”

“Thanks, but don’t if it’s not what you want. I just think it would be fun with all the family around. I’m also very conscious that I don’t want to make waves and instigate any press interest that would create a scandal.”

“Don’t you worry none, we’ll keep it tight.”

“Oh, and my publisher is keen to get my latest novel into print, as she says it’s just the sort of stuff that sells well at the moment.”

It was my turn to laugh.

“You want to keep things low key? I suppose being a best selling author isn’t low key?” I asked.

“Hell, John, getting a book into print is a far cry from being a best selling author.”

“I have hopes for you.”

“Thanks. It means a lot to me.”

“Look, I’d better get some work done. Hurry back to me, okay?”

“I will. I love you so much, John.”

“Me too,” I said, partly embarrassed at saying such mushy stuff on the telephone and partly please I had someone to say it to.
 
 
The rest of the day was an anticlimax. I had a couple of meetings to attend, and there were some decisions to be made concerning replacement equipment. At around three in the afternoon, I received a call from my old buddy Lewis Grant.

“Hi, John, how’s it going?”

“Fine. I see you’ve applied for my job. Will Lara go for the change?”

“Hell, John, Lara’s the one who told me to apply. I think she’s sick of the big city and she hankers after the kind of life she saw you and Sally had.”

There was a moment’s silence as it dawned on Lewis what he’d said.

“Heck, John, I’m sorry, I didn’t think.”

“Hey, don’t worry. I’m past that, and I’m pleased for both of you. Just so you know, I’ve met someone else and we’re planning a spring wedding.”

“You don’t say? Wow, I’m pleased for you both. Do I know the lucky lady?”

“I doubt it very much, unless you’ve spent a lot of time in England.”

“England? How?”

“I went over with Ed in the summer to track down some family tree. We found her living in a cottage that our great, great something may have lived in at one time. We got together and, well, sorta stuck.”

“That’s great. How have the girls taken the news?”

“Great, they’ve met her and they all seem to get along fine. Even my mom approves.”

“That’s something. No, seriously, I’m pleased for you, man; I know how hard you found things after Sally’s death.”

“Well, things are better now. Why did you call, Lewis? I’m sure it wasn’t for idle chat.”

“I was wondering, how many applicants you got?”

“Five. You and four others; one woman and four guys.”

“Who are the others?”

“I don’t know them, but as I’m on the board, I’m not sure I should talk about it.”

“You on the board? Great. I mean, okay, good, that helps me. I think. Or then maybe it doesn’t. Shit, I don’t know what I mean.”

I laughed, for he was clearly at a loss.

“Lewis, if it was only up to me, you’d have the job, but it isn’t and we have to do this properly. Besides, the others seem to have all the necessary qualifications and experience, so we have to do what’s best for the department.”

“Okay, point taken. Is there any specific area I need to take a look at?”

“Most of the crap I deal with has to do with managing the budget and dealing with idiots who think they own me.”

He laughed again.

“Right, point taken. Is Pete Collins still your number two?”

“Yeah, and he’ll stay on a while until whoever gets the job has their feet under the desk. He’s planning on retiring after a couple of months, so the new chief can either promote from within the department or bring someone in like I did.”

“Is there anyone in the department up to that standard?”

“A couple come to mind. Steven Gunn is a good man, and a couple of the others will be there in a year or so. I’ll send you last years departmental report. It’ll have all the facts, figures and trends that will help you. I’ll be sending them to anyone else that asks. Okay?””

“Okay. That sounds good, thanks John.”

“No problem, and good luck.”
 
 
It was a quiet day, so I left work around four thirty and drove home. I’d driven this route countless times, and for many over the last couple of years, it had been a depressing experience. Now, however, I had everything to look forward to.

Life was good again.
 
 

*          *          *
 
End of Part 6
 
 
To Be Continued...